Fwiw, I LOVE the contest/challenge showcase idea. If I were asked my opinion though, I would make it (maybe) easier by removing several of the rules. Shorten the submission window (Like maybe announce on Day 1 of 7 what the theme is, open submissions on day 3 of 7, close on day 5 of 7, open voting on day 6 of 7 and close voting and post rankings on day 7). Remove the limit on number of submissions (really, once we're at 250 would another 5 or 6 really matter?) and make the title/text a strong suggestion instead of a requirement. Also maybe make the "take the photo during the week vs from archives" requirement out as that seems VERY hard to enforce AND for me at least is a too-restricting factor.

The only true hard and fast RULE that I think should be left alone is the need for the submission to be the work of the submitter and not lifted or borrowed or otherwise obtained from someone else.

Of course...I've been here less than a week...and I don't feel it's my place to come in and start rearranging the furniture. It's fine the way you have it...very welcoming and gracious and if you want to keep it exactly as is then that is great with me. :thumbup:

Steve, I suggest that you specify a bit better each theme upon declaring it. Saying This week’s photo challenge is entitled "Leading Lines". The rest is up to you so have fun! is, in my humble opinion, not enough. I'd add Try to capture how a line(s) of any sort lead the eye to the main object.
Also, I've noticed a lot of pictures having 1 point by a single vote. To me, it means such participants had voted for their own photos. It wouldn't be difficult to block that for it's unfair to the honest ones.

Agree, but does that block the artistic spirit? I will consider this one. Thanks!

No, it doesn't, I'll give you that!
;)

I will give it whirl on the next technical challenge. Cheers!

I understand and truthfully have been waiting for someone to call me on it.

From my point of view -
This is a challenge, not a contest, no money, no prizes, just weekly bragging rights.
Therefore I've tried to gear it to get everyone involved and to let them push themselves to learn more.
I meant to educate more along the way, but teter on the balance of staying out of it that I do not change their direction.
I have now resolved to educate on the technical challenges and let the rest be as they may.

With that in mind, and knowing that some people here are more or less advanced in their photo skills than others, how do I enforce the rules more thoroughly? Do you want to be the judge? Do you want to say you qualify and you don't?

At first while riding my high horse I PM'd everyone reminding them to add a title, some replied while some did not. I thought about deleting the non-replies, butlooking at the emails from the replies I realized a lot of these people are only on this site to play my silly game and probably do not check their email often. So many times it was, "Oh I am so sorry, I was so excited to add my entry I forgot" or "I'm sorry, this is the first time I've uploaded a photo and missed it." Sweet emails from people who are excited to be in a 'contest' probably their first.

How do I delete them? A 'secret' I will tell you since no one is listening but you is that I gave up and now name them (challenge name goes here). I still send PM's once a day to the Untitleds and correct them when they do not know how, but it breaks my heart to think I might 'have to' enforce my rules and delete the photo of someone who may be doing this for their first time all because they were excited.

The only photo I have ever deleted then is the one the poster admittedly copied from the internet. It was a beautiful shot, but it was unfair and after several PM's I pulled it. I can justify that, but not the other and until a panel of professional quality judges with well defined rules comes into play setting you up for cash or prizes I will keep on keepin on.

Am I open to suggestions? Always. Am I open to changes? Of course. As it stands though, this is all for fun and as long as people want to play I will keep it going.

I am stepping off my soapbox now and opening floor to discussion. Thank you.

ADDENDUM: The voting rules are controlled by Admin. At a request I have asked for some changes. Time will tell.

Believing that "everyone gets a ribbon" is a condescending and ultimately destructive approach, I must state my objection to your handling of this "contest".

A contest is a challenge. A means of measuring achievement against others.

Yes there are some professionals here and some beginners. Divide the contest into categories. If a pro wants to sneak into amature class let the others judge him. There will always be Armature trying to sneak into the pro category, but there is always a chance that an amature hitter can get a base rub off of a pro pitcher, so who cares.
As you have said, there is no prize, just bragging rites and we all know what's up in that category.

Just an opinion.
GC.

Hi St3v3M!
I would suggest by starting applying the rules already mentioned. For example, I've seen several untitled photos which were not removed. I've seen photos which were supposed to be vertical but were laying horizontal, photos which have absolutely nothing to do with the subject and with the art, at any level and are polluting.
Of course, probably many of us, me first, are not at a high artistic level, we are learning, photography is, first of all. a hobby. However, I think that we could do this contests somehow more attractive. Choosing from 250 pictures is difficult. Voting rules could/should be changed, also, in my opinion. We could probably all come with some suggestions to make something different from what already exists.