Ausblade, you wrote:So, you're blaming me for a member being banned. And, given his actions, both on and off the forum, I am not sure how the word "respected" managed to get in there. Sorry, but his extraordinarily poor judgment and rude behavior did that, meaning that he got himself banned.
Basically, you are saying that by inadvertently starting another thread on a similar topic, I am intentionally derailing another thread? And, where have I made a single claim as to originality? Nowhere, because I have not. You're pulling things out of the air. If you have an all-powerful screen shot, please show it for the world to see, because I want to see it, too.
My understanding is that there is no fee to be a member of this forum. There is an annual fee to be an RKS member. Don't confuse the two. Of course, forum members are encouraged to be RKS members, but it is not required.
I am sorry that you feel that way, as misguided as it is. By all means, please step up to the plate and become a Moderator.
Obsession? I am a serious bourbon drinker. And, I don't drink to get drunk. I simply enjoy the strength and character of that particular spirit. And, I don't like tea very much.

On the contrary, for someone to bring up the Tea Party in the context of this thread trivialized the discussion.

I love it. A five-page thread about a photo contest without a single photo. Of course, I am being sarcastic.

Many thanks to those who derailed it.

The new rules and judging criteria that Edo established are sound, and all we heard was a bunch of whining. Nice.

No Ken, you would like it to be about that, so as you could fight back.
Let me be very clear I’m accusing you of having double standards, that is indisputable and is not in keeping with the standard of the product that this forum represents.



No Ken what you heard were legitimate complaints from members of this forum.
Your casual dismissal of those complaints is another reason to suggest you are not suitable to hold a position on our forum.

This discussion is going nowhere.

So here is my entry

I can't prove it is a genuine Randall Made knife, but I'm sure I am not going to be popular with at least one judge, so I got that bit right

Pat, you wrote:The original intent of the EDO Photo Contest is to raise the proverbial bar in terms of the photographic skills of the members, so I urge you not to give up so easily. I think that I speak for others by stating that if you need help, several of us, including myself, are willing to provide some advice and suggestions.

To those who have complaints about the new rules that Edo has established, Edo has surely noted them, but I for one feel that the new rules should be given a chance before you dismiss them. How is that stonewalling? What I am doing is respecting the new rules that have been set forth by the founder of the EDO Photo Contest.

As to whether I deserve to be a judge, I am glad that it is not up to Ausblade to decide. I have already told the other two judges (and Rhett) that if they feel I do not deserve to be a judge, or if it'd be inappropriate for me to be in such a role, that I would gladly step out.

I never questioned you suitability as a judge in a photo competition. Other than the excessively repetitive use of blue satin, I think your images are very good.

Ausblade, you wrote:I am glad to hear that, because I would perform the duties of a judge based on the judging criteria set forth by Edo. Given the likelihood of this thread being removed or locked, and a new thread started for the current EDO Photo Contest, I strongly encourage you to re-enter your photo.
I welcome and appreciate that criticism. Thank you.

I do tend to use blue satin as a background material, because it works, perhaps because blue is relatively neutral, yet it provides enough contrast with the subject. I also have a marbled white background material that works well. I do experiment with other background materials and colors from time to time. An example of a color that generally does not work well, because it is over-powering, is red.

Lock it and start a new thread if you must, but I can see no need for it to be deleted, unless someone has something to hide. Most of the members are wondering what the hell is going on now without sweeping another issue under the carpet.

I, too, favor locking it, but not removing it.