Bringing you holiday greetings and wishes for a new year filled with health, happiness, and artistic expression! Here's what's new in the photomanipulation community.
Official Contest begins in January
We will be kicking off our 2nd official contest on January 15th. The theme has been decided but will not be released until the day of, as we don’t want people to get ahead. You will have 2.5 months to complete your entry. We will challenge you to reach beyond your normal boundaries . . . it is an “Xtreme Manipulation” contest, meaning that you should take your normally awesome skills to the next level. If it involves using a tutorial, do it. If it involves collaboration, by all means do it (just know you will split the prizes). Find your dream and take the time to make it happen. We want to see the best this photomanipulation community has to offer.
The contest will feature 3 categories: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced. I hate doing that because I don’t like people to have to classify themselves, but in this case it will allow people to have a fair chance. For the most part, we will not classify you; that is up to you to decide. The exception is that, if we feel your deviation is really advanced and you submit it to Beginner or Intermediate, we may move it to be fair to others. (Anyone, though, can submit to “Advanced.” We won’t decline from that category.) EDIT: We will not move anyone DOWN to a lower category. We will only move people UP, and that is going to be VERY, VERY RARE. That would be if, for example, someone does an absolutely outstanding advanced manipulation and submits to "beginner." I hope this will clear up some of the nervousness.
There will be 3 winners, 1 for each category. The prizes are currently set at 5,000 points *per winner* from Community Relations, 100 points each from PSHoudini, llamas and features from StarsColdNight, and 1,000 points each from me. No Deviant Gear or subs this time (so far), but with 6,100 points you can buy anything you want—Super Group upgrade, premium membership, t-shirts, etc.
We are, of course, still accepting donations.Want to help? We need exposure! We would love to partner with your group. Send a note to CRPhotomanipulation if you are interested in helping out.
DD-Related Stuff
Your DD suggestions are still appreciated. If you come across a deviation you think should be featured, please let me know by sending me a THUMB of the deviation by note.
I cannot feature anything that has already been featured in the past 6 months.
Stock must be credited, but direct links are NOT necessary.
DDs are set up to a month in advance, so if you do not see your suggestion right away, it is not necessarily rejected. That also means you do not know what is on the docket and whether YOU will be receiving one. 
Please remember: We do not give DDs as prizes for popularity contests, and it doesn't matter how long you have been on dA. We also do not give DDs in response to journals, polls, or petitions about wanting DDs. Why? Because doing so causes drama, and if we were to give DDs in response to every journal or poll, then everyone would make them, creating more drama. So, in actuality, doing these things could result in you NOT getting a DD. If you think your art is worthy of a DD, why not suggest it? See DD Myths and Legends.
Current Events
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Other thoughts, questions, or suggestions?
We are always open to hearing your thoughts. Please note CRPhotomanipulation, or you can send me a note personally.
Remember: This is OUR community, and we will move forward or fall back together. 
