I think this place needs to re-think contest rules.

[superconnected]

hone them a tad. Make sure people don't get jilted.

[Blue_In_AK]

1. I'm hoping I lose so I don't have to be responsible next month...

It's HARD WORK..............

[GOPFighter]

2. The contest rules are not set in stone

And probably never will be. Each month there is a new host and every host tries to make the contest a bit better.

For example, I based 95% of this month's contest on the successful model ConsAreLiars used last month, but I suspected that in a contest like this, the initial entries come from serious photographers who spend a lot of time preparing for the contest. Pitting them against each other knocks out a lot of great photos that IMO deserve to go to the final round.

So this month I decided to assign entries to the three preliminary posts differently. I used a system to mix them up. Unfortunately, that made it much harder to set up the three preliminary files and I ended up leaving one out and including another twice. That's why this month's contest rules had to be bent.

I feel vindicated, though. I checked and of the nine finalists (excluding First Lupen), FIVE of them were entered in the initial 10 entries, only ONE in the second 10, and three in the final 9. Under the previous system, the first group of 10 photos would have pitted the five finalists against each other and only one of them would have made it to the finals.

Next month's host may see other ways in which the contest can be improved. I'm sure there are ways to improve and all suggestions are welcome.

[superconnected]

3. I was upset about the 10th pick that got jilted - the rose

now that it's been explained that there couldn't be 11 entries in the final, I understand.

[Mutley]

4. I'm glad I didn't get in the finals!

So many entries are better than mine, not to mention I start two summer classes next month that are pretty intensive, I would have a difficult time doing the contest.

I would agree that the rules should be the same each month.