i was just wondering why on the results page it's said"stats updating" for hours..did someone forget tp push a button?

Good question, It's done from Europe and I guess they have gone to sleep, probably on the keyboard.
You can still check the result by looking at the contests themselves.

I am very curious about the results of one of this weeks PS contests. Considering the use of pre manipulated sources.

"5.12. Don't use an image that has been altered by the source owner (for example liquified) or has been made from other images, even if that source is offered under creative commons. A simple manipulation like color correction is allowed."


DOES this rule not apply to the use of already masked or extracted images? Can someone shed some light on this rule and the reason why these pre-masked PNG files are allowed to be used?

I'm aware of at least one entry last week that used pre-cut PNGs, there was even a comment made about having used them. PNGs and pre-cut JPEG photographic images on white have always been allowed as long as the photo was not manipulated. I used an image of a chain on a white background recently but the silhouette work was very poor and I had to re-cut the whole image. Using PNGs makes work a lot easier and even though they are permitted their use should be a factor when voting. Problem is, sadly, most members don't really examine the workmanship of entries, few look at the SBS or the sources used they only vote on the image they see and don't consider all the factors. Using one pre-cut image isn't so bad, using several tells me the author was looking for an easy way out and makes the work a good deal easier and basically a simple paste-up IMO.
An image with some minimal color correction or enhancement is acceptable but if the image has been chopped in any way to manipulate it that's not okay. It's not easy sometimes to determine if it has or hasn't been changed. Images in the stock section of DeviantArt don't always mention Photoshop work, you have to judge for yourself very often. If the image is called "pre-made" be suspicious. There are many room interiors using that term and most all are assembled photoshop images. Images on Flickr aren't checked very well by their administration and sometimes we see photos and chopped images taken from various sites posted by Flickr authors illegally. If in doubt check the source with a moderator.

Thanks for the response spaceranger. Sad but true your statement about people not considering all aspects involved when voting for an entry. In my opinion part of the challenge while constructing an image is the masking or extraction, it takes time and a lot of practice to do it well. The use of one pre-cut source might be alright, but when the majority of an image is made up of pre-cut stuff that's another story.

lchappell wrote:Thanks for the response spaceranger. Sad but true your statement about people not considering all aspects involved when voting for an entry. In my opinion part of the challenge while constructing an image is the masking or extraction, it takes time and a lot of practice to do it well. The use of one pre-cut source might be alright, but when the majority of an image is made up of pre-cut stuff that's another story.

Yep, and it should be mentioned in the comments on entries like that.