I've no problem with people voicing their opinion, under a photo, that they think it's off topic. I do, however, believe it's the right of every host to determine what is on or off topic according to their own rules. I STRONGLY believe that if the host feels it is off topic, it should be sent to pending, even if every one of the rest of us believe it is on topic. The host is the one that truly understands what they want the challenge to be, and therefore should have supreme rule and final say over what stays and what goes.
Excellent philosophy, Lonnit. One of my favorite photos EVER is your son and the cookies Rockwell shot. You're my cookie hero. *grin* I would not normally have mentioned the focus issue, but there is a recent thread going about the way Challenges should be run... not a heated discussed, but definitely 'warmed' *smile*, where we've been asked to let folks know when we think a photo borders on off-topic, rather than just not voting for it without warning. I like this approach because it leaves all photos in eligible instead of one 'master' having sole opinion of what is on topic to him/her. ~Lydia
Thank you, Lydia, and you are likely correct. I did attempt to add some additional blur, but it was ruining the image. I won't destroy an image for the sake of a challenge - I've got to keep some sense of my artistic integrity. ;) I was stunned and overwhelmed by the beauty of the colors. If it's not blurry enough for some, I'll sacrifice the votes over sacrificing the image. :) ~ Lonnit