I want to apologize........

I want to apologize to those who started with us & have tried to follow the guidelines, I had posted one photo that was submitted after the deadline.  I realized I should not have posted it, b/c it is not fair to those who follow the guidelines.

 I wanted to include about 7-8 images in the FUN category, but had problems downloading the images.  

We have had many new people enter in these challenges & don't read the guidelines. For those who are new, I suggest starting out in the FUN category, it has less restrictions.

If a photo is entered & it is not within the time frame, it will NOT be included in the Judging.  I will not e-mail anyone on the rules, anymore.  The JUDGED category has to follow the GUIDELINES, because it is not fair to others that do follow them.

Also, we allowed one entry per person per category(this is new).  If you make a mistake in posting in the same category, JUST E-MAIL ME, & let me know, I will remove the one you want.  If you don't e-mail me, I will remove the second one.  I will not try to figure out which one to delete.  I understand we all make mistakes, so a simple e-mail would help.

I know the rules have been changing all the time,  We are still trying to work things out to make it easy for everyone.  I am not sure how much longer the JUDGED category will continue.  It's been a lot of work & with the nicer weather coming , I will be away from my computer.  This week has been difficult for me to get this challenge together.  

Guidelines:
 
--Challenges are bi-weekly on the following schedule:

    --Topic will be announced on a Friday, end the following Friday and winners will be announced on or before the following Monday. Everyone then rests for a week before the next challenge is announced the following Friday.

***--You may still post an entry after the deadline, but it won't be eligible to win...we'd still love to see it, though! 
**This goes for Judged category only.  If I didn't post the winners in the FUN category, then they may be included.  FUN entries can post anytime.  BUT should be posted within the time frame so people will still see it. Otherwise last entries may get overlooked.
I hope that clears up any confusion....Ü

    --The winning images will be posted on the challenge journal the Monday following the deadline--for all to enjoy.

--Self-portraits must be just that--a portrait of yourself taken by yourself. If yousubmit a photo taken by someone else, it's not yours. This challenge is for YOU to showcase your best work.
 
--Entries - to be eligible for the challenge the following must be followed:

    --Entries in your journal must indicate in the subject that it IS an entry into the challenge. The title of your entry can read: AOL Community Photo Challenge - <challenge subject> and should contain a link to the Challenge itself.

    --The link (PERMALINK to the entry NOT your entire journal) should then be posted to the comments section of the announcement for the level you're participating in (Advanced or Beginner). This will guide folks back to view your entry and give you exposure.

    --All entries must be new ones and be posted during the challenge timeframe. Please do not post a link to an old entry--it will be removed from the comment section.

    --Presentation counts. If your image needs a border, add one. If it doesn't, don't. Just be sure any frame or border you add enhances your image and doesn't overpower the image. The presentation can win or lose a challenge, sometimes KISS works (Keep It Simple...).
 
  --IMPORTANT--PLEASE READ!!!!! All entrants into the challenge grant permission to the Challenge owners to post their images in the event they win. No further permissions will be requested and the ONLY use of the images will be to display them in the "winner's circle."

NEW UPDATE:
 If you post people on your blog, you must have permission to POST on your blog, not just have permission to take a photo.  I have photos of my nieces that I have permission to take their photos but I don't have permission to post on my public journal.  So be careful who & what you post.