Agent Smith may we have a ruling on wether re-postings are legal.This seems to me to be unfair on those who posted early on.

It used to be a no-no because it was confusing. Agent Smith said at one time or another that he doesn't mind, and that he can keep track of it. I don't see a problem with it at all. I think it's especially fair to those who post early on because they can rework if they want. Renderosity and its forums are designed to be communities where people can discuss their work and use criticism to their advantage. It seems silly and contrary to the very tenet of the forum to disallow this for a challenge. The only thing I think that would be unfair is if people are using old images for the challenge. I remember reading that one of the rules is that the image must be new (to keep us creative), and that makes a lot sense to me. Basically, as long as the guy who has to moderate the challenge (AgentSmith) can keep up with it, I think it'll continue. But it's probably only a matter of time before a vote goes up with someone's first or second draft. Perhaps posting a pic as a rough draft and not as an entry would be a less confusing solution, but again, I suppose that's in the hands of AgentSmith.

How could reposting be unfair? This forum is a wonderful outlet for learning! The purpose of the challenge is to enhance our individual skills. I have found that the comments posted by many members have been very helpful in assisting me to enhance my initial image. This is the learning process! If an individual posted early on, recieved a variety of suggestions for improvement and decided not to attempt any changes in the original post, he/she would be the one at a loss. If there is a concern about fairness, anyone can repost their initial entry at the end of the month, solicit suggestions for improvement. . . . tweak their image. . .and repost!!!!!

I agree... However, if there were prizes involved in these Bryce contests, I'd probably say don't post it until you're sure it's finished. But these are just friendly contests with no more at stake than a little picture to add to your image, if you wish. I do think it's a little funny, though, asking the community what you should improve on an image to make them want to vote for it. Not trying to belittle those who do re-post, I just wouldn't feel right doing it myself. (of course, I don't seem to get many comments on my posts, anyway, and nothing that has made me want to re-work the image. Maybe if that happens I'll change my mind again.)

Personally I don't mind reposting. Say you posted then "ooohh I just had an idea how I could have done that better". But of course this also can lead to abuses like everything else, like seeing someone else's post after your post and making modifications based on imitation or inspiration from that post. Maybe contests posts shouldn't be made until the last week of the contest and preliminary posts should be labeled as WIP. Ok so I'm all over the place here. :)

Part of the friendly challenge is to hone our skills. Its always great to get some feedback and make changes. We've all done a Homer at one time or another and being able to correct that in a timely manner is part of learning. That said, it would get confusing if everyone did this. Last year there was a member who posted 6 or 7 wip's (and they were identified as wips) every month. That got old after a while. I think its ok (provided that AgentSmith approves) for someone, especially someone new to the challenge, to post one or two and get some feedback. But one of the skills we should look at developing is like FWTempest's comment that in a prize contest its one or nothing. We don't really have an area here for criticism so I suppose the main forum is the place. That's also the place for the challenge image. Quite frankly, I would like to have a place where we can post images for the specific purpose of criticism, then dealing with the comments. Some folks appreciate negative criticism, others hate it. It would be great if we had a "critic's corner" for any media where images could be posted to be harshly commented on by anyone, especially folks who use other programs.

I would have to agree with most of the posters here that the idea is to learn. I haven't posted anything yet since I'm very new, but when I do, I will probably post a WIP or 2 just to get the feedback (negative as well as positive). Since there is no money or prize awarded, just the respect of our peers, I see nothing wrong with it. As has been stated before in this thread - the idea is to learn. That being said, and since it's too late to start anything for this month's challenge, when will Sept's challenge be posted (and where)? Also, is there a ruling against using multiple programs to create different parts of your scene and comping them in Photoshop?

If you are just re-posting thats fine ; I was only asking whether is was legal. Some people have posted and then (after some serious condemnation) posted a completely different image:this, as FWTempest points out amounts to gerymandering for votes. In reply to reflash the results will come out sometime in early sept and the winner will set the next challenge a few days later. If I get no reply from agent smith I shall re-posting my self only because I posted the wrong version - Ahhhh life goes on

I posted a heap of crap, undoubtedly my worst image ever by a gargantuan margin, but as it's only a "friendly" I haven't really given it a second thought. But now I have... maybe I'll just take one of my better images, shade it blue and post that instead... ;]

I've noticed a slight difference in the way things look to me after I've looked at it for a while. I think that reposting should be allowed if the creator of an omage rethinks it from an objective point of view, but not as a reaction to comments posted by others or to 'troll' for votes. The point of these contests is after all to have fun, learn and share. So it really doesn't matter in the long run who actually wins unless one has some idea that they would like to see others try. To be fair, there should be a limit to the number of reposts - two, three or four at most(?). - TJ

omage = image

In response to bikermouse: That seems like a good idea - limiting the number of reposts. If I post an image, it's one that I think is good enough for entry into the contest. If I get a lot of negative comments, I think it only fair to allow me at least one or 2 chances to improve it, but not ad infinitum (or ad nauseum). Whether it is a hard and fast rule, or an "unwritten rule" that we as the voters enforce really makes no difference. Either way, when surfing through the thread, I would like to see other peoples' work, not one person's image over and over. IMHO.

Since this is a challenge and not a contest I will not be a stickler on the re-posting of images. Although, if this were a straight-up contest, it would never be allowed. Some months ago, when I took over as Moderator, it was Spikes (my boss) idea to intigrate the WIP's right along side the finished entry. This hasn't taken shape as of yet. I'm thinking of perhaps making one thread where ALL WIP's are posted and one thread where ALL final entries are posted. But, this defeats the idea of NOT having a ton of pics in any one post as to keep the page loading times down. Re-posts will be allowed beacause it IS a very good way of a member getting feedback. A substantial amount of members come to the forums to test the water before posting to their own galleries. Yes, large amounts of reposts can be kinda...defeating, but it doesn't happen really enough over the long run (so far) to need a rule against it...yet, lol. In the Monthly Challenge all that really matters is the final image at the deadline. I've been able to keep it in order, so far. Deadline for this challenge will be midnight on the 31st. AgentSmith