feeling a bit leary to ask or even bring it up again... excuse me...'chelle? you ok? sorry you're having a rough go of it got locked out pretty quick so when you said challenge suspended... i'm thinking this means... you're no longer accepting entries? *mumbles*- not that mine was all that good that i had planned to enter, running out of time anyway... no voting on entries either?

For the moment my dear.....we will resume when things have calmed down, but there will be changes. It is my belief and the belief of others here that having the challenge run within the forum will benefit the members in at least 2 ways. One: feedback on images will be immediate and those images which are not withing the scope of theme or are borderline can be debated on within the forum. I will no longer be the "partial" judge that I have been accused of being. And big weight off my shoulders, one that I never cared for. :~/ Two: the learning experience is brought back to the forum where it should be. While having the challenge run from the contest area is easier in some ways....all of the learning was taken out of it, and it became to some people just another contest to win, which was never the intention of this challenge nor the intentions previous moderators. That is all I ever wanted to do here was help people learn, to share something. I'm still feeling raw at the moment but you have my assurances that things will continue, and hopefully improve for the better. :~)

Don't worry about it, Michelle. Personally, I'd prefer to have the challenge in the forum. I used to hang out on the Rhino forum a lot before "discovering" this great group of people. And I must say, the Rhino challenges are the very best on the whole of r'osity, mainly because every challenge is a 100% learning experience. Maybe we could do something similar. Anyway, I want you to know that I really appreciate your efforts (Star, that goes for you too) in keeping this community together. So please, don't let the bullshit get to you...

oh, ok The forum sounds like it would be a very good place for these challenges, the fun in doing them was for the learning experience & to challenge yourself... it would be an added bonus to get real feedback instead of platitudes. There were a few good ones this month & several iffy's, hard not being able to comment or critique them. Cheer up sweetie- we luv you & appretiate what you do here

It saddens me that things have to go this way. You know, it really helps if people learn to read the fine print. Guidelines are there on the contest pages. There is even a part where we encourage people to ask moderators or to post in the forum when in doubt. It even irks me when some people (and their clones) post images in both Zone I and Zone II when it is clearly stated in the rules: One entry per person. sigh (Sorry I have to vent this out.) Whatever works for the good, I'm all for it. (hugs Mich) (*

mumble mumble mumble..... I do believe those are exactly the good points I raised in my post to the ahem locked thread..... am I a God or what? I'll bend over, let the kissing commence....... (",)

Thanks Michelle, The opening the contest for comments. I've often wanted others to critique my entrys-honestly-and to critique others! However, I was afraid that a critique would be perceived as mud slinging. Perhaps we should continue the contest BUT no winners? Or we can reinstitute the certificate for the winners. ( Do we still do that? )In the past some mods were trying to get a sponsor. BUT I think the sponsor gifts always fell through. Joardy- How about kicking! =:-) I only kiss females; of which you are not sorry Jordy. BUT perhaps if you considered a sex change and plastic sergry(sp)?... I this a good time for a grand meeting of the photo buffalo clan via the chat say at 10:00pm? Bsteph

Actually Brian others have also suggested no winners...and I think it's a really good idea... The certificate thing hasn't happened in ages....the cost was prohibitive for Alpha...I'm not a pro photographer so I can't print them nor can I absorb the costs of printing up one... :~( Can't be much help in finding sponsors.... And yes Jordy luv you did raise those points, how about a luv smack with my whip instead?

@Bri - No way, man!!! I can't deprive the females of the world THIS manhood!!! @Michelle - It's a damn sight better offer than the sex-change Bri wants me to have...... you gonna bring it to me or do I have to come and collect?!? (",)

Being the type of person who usually encourages people in their endeavours (what this contest is about I think) but totally ignores the arrogant and hopeless, I have just read all the parts of this "controversy". Of course Michelle A. (who I have never met, and have just received my first message from yesterday) is fully correct in everything she says, especially that these contests and forums are for people to learn and discuss, but as a former teacher I know only too well that many refuse to learn, because they already know everything! I agree that many of the entries posted are not monochromatic in the strict technical sense, but they are close enough for the entrants to enter in a competition designed for learning purposes. Any graphic designer or artist -amateur or professional- (I am both a graphic designer and a fiine artist) can tell you, monochromatic means of one hue: in other words one colour with the addition of differing percentages of black and white...therefore black and white can be included in a monochrome based on any colour, because black especially as a colour turns "black" long before 100% black is added. And just for the record, my lipstick picture is based on red, but simply the "white" ends and the "black" ends of the red spectrum appearing, excluding the mid range reds...again experimentation and learning (that word again)and throwing it in to a forum to see the reaction. however I am afraid that anyone who "sees" my brown (a percentage of red and black) lipstick as pure black should really consider their place in an artistic forum. Photog49

May I remind you of the phrase "The Judges decision shall be final, and no correspondence shall be entered into". I know that here in Australia this phrase applies to all competitions whether big or small, and whether stated or merely implied in the rules. I suggest you might include this phrase in all competitions from now on - guaranteed drug free stress relief.