[vitvelasquez]

Originally Posted by Stormsong

Well done to all those on the shortlist - just think, you only have to wait another two months to know if you are 'the one' !! That would drive me crazy.
As for the initial selection, the professional judges with trained eyes have not seen (as far as I am aware) the shortlisted images yet. They are involved in the final selection only, not the initial selection (if anyone wants the list of initial judges and those judging the final selections, PM me).

Just a point on some of the images: the rules suggest that no manipulation should be applied to all but the Digital Vision category, where anything goes. I have spotted a few (in fashion, for example) where clearly digital manipulation has been used. So why have rules? Also, once again the reader's vote counted for nothing! So why bother with what the readers think (and vote for) in any case. I certainly am not suffering from sour grapes - my little Chard last night was perfectly drinkable!!!

How do you know this?