The Photo Challenge - Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to The Photo Challenge! Thank you very much for joining. We hope to provide a place where you can share photos and photography experience with other photographers and improve your skill as a photographer.

This FAQ is intended to answer most of your questions. If you have any further questions or suggestions, please contact us through either internal message system or email.

Membership

Why does the site claim that my username or email have been taken?
First, make sure that you are logging into the site rather than creating a duplicate account using your username or the same email. Second, The Photo Challenge does not allow the different user with same email; try to use username and email that have not been claimed. Third, Do not use terms containing 'admin' as your username because they are reserved by default.

Free Membership

What is the purpose of being a free member?
The free membership is designed to give new users a little taste of The Photo Challenge.

What can I do as a free member?
Free members can review photos and receive replies to these reviews. They can post one (and only one) photo after they gain one credit by reviewing seven new releases. They can buy photos.

Full Membership

Why should I become a paying member?
Full membership in The Photo Challenge gives you the access to internal message system, the permission to post more photos including your identity photo, and the opportunity to earn fabulous awards as you move up your photographer rank and reviewer rank. You can even sell photos. More important, you can learn a great deal from other photographers at The Photo Challenge.

Will the photographer stars and reviewer gavels I earned as a free member transfer to my full membership?
Yes. If you keep the same username and upgrade from a free member to a paying member, all of the photographer stars, reviewer gavels, and credits you have gained will transfer to your full membership.

What does a full membership cost?
The standard of membership fee is as follows:
Monthly membership: $7.99, with two credits.
Quarterly membership: $18.99, with eight credits.
Yearly memberships cost $59.99, with forty credits.

Cancellation

How do I cancel my membership?
You may cancel your membership in The Photo Challenge at any time. Simply log into the site, go to "My Space," click on "Profile," then "Modify Personal Information" and "Cancel Membership." You will become a free member and whatever you earned before will remain the same.

Payment

What is the payment system of The Photo Challenge?
The Photo Challenge use Pay Site Cash to do all transactions. Clicking on the 'Click To Order' buttons in The Photo Challenge, you will be redicted to http://www.paysite-cash.biz where your payment will be processed immediately.

How do I know the site is secure?
The Photo Challenge does not keep your credit card information, all business will be done through Pay Site Cash.

How do I get the information of my transaction?
The Pay Site Cash will confirm you the transaction information after your payment, and you will be redirected to The Photo Challenge where you can get the payment result.

My Profile

What information can I access in My Space?
My Space is your personal reference center where you can access your personal information, including your personal statement, identity photo, and contact information. You can also access your complete portfolio that contains photos you posted, reviews you wrote, and reviews you received. The link to your message center is also provided here.

How can I submit an identity photo to my profile?
Click on "My Space" button, you will enter your Profile page. Click on "Add/Change Identity Photo" link, you will be taken to the SubmitBioPhoto Page where you can upload your Identity Photo.

How can I add/change my personal statement?
Enter your Profile Page and click on the "Add/Change Personal Statement" link, you will be taken to the ModifyBioInfo Page where you can add or change your personal statement.

How can I change my personal information, like my address?
To change personal information like your name, address, and password, go to ModifyBioInfo Page where you can modify them.

Can I send messages to other photographers?
Yes. Go to that photographer Page and click on the link of "Send this Photographer a Message", you will be taken to SendMessage Page. Please note that attacks and threats against other members will result in necessary disciplinary action of the Administrator, ranging from warning to terminating account without refund.

Can I change my username?
No. There is no way to change your username.

Can I retrieve my password?
No. The password is stored in md5 format, so there is no way to retrieve it. Please keep your username and password carefully.

Credits

What are credits and what can I do with them?
Credits are the currency of The Photo Challenge. Using credits, members of The Photo Challenge can post and re-post photos, which will be reviewed by other photographers. By doing this, members can earn photographer stars and consequently move up their photographer rank, increasing their chance to earn the award. Paying members can even use credit to post photos for selling.

How do I increase my credits?
There are three ways you can increase your credits:

When you sign up for a full membership you will automatically receive credits. Monthly members receive two credits. Quarterly members receive eight credits. Yearly members receive forty credits.
You can earn credits by reviewing new releases. This is the only way for free members to earn credits. This is also the best way for paying members to earn additional credits.
You can purchase additional credits at any time. Click on the link of "Purchase Credit", you will be taken to the Payment Page where you choose the number of credits you want to buy. After that you will be directed to the website of Pay Site Cash where you make your payment. If your payment is successful, your credit will increase accordingly

How do I use my credits?
Every photo you post on The Photo Challenge costs one print. Every time you re-post a photo to the new release list you consume two credits. Every photo you post for selling cost four credits. When you cancel the submit state of a suspending Photo, you have your credits refunded. When you delete a photo that is not suspended, you can not have your credit refunded. When your photo is deleted by the administrator due to the unsuitable content of the photo, there is no refund for the credit. So you are responsible for posting appropriate photo.

Reviews and My Photo

Reviews

How many people will view my photograph?
Theoretically, the possibilities are endless because your photos will stay on the site permanently unless you or the administrator delete it.

Why doesn't the "Review this Photo" link show up?
The review link does not appear on the Photo Page if the photo is for selling. In addition, if you are the photographer of the photo or you have already reviewed the photo, the link does not appear.

Why should I review photos of other photographers?
There are two excellent reasons for reviewing photos of others:

Reviewing and critiquing the photos of other photographers in an honest and helpful manner is one of the most important aspects of our community. It helps both photographers and reviewers. Photographers enjoy satisfaction when their works are accepted by others. They learn useful knowledge if the review is given in a honest and constructive manner. Reviewers also learn many useful things from other photographers when they review their photos.
Gain credits. Reviewing photo is the only way for free members to gain credits. It also is the best way for paying members to increase their credits.

How do I reply reviews of my photos?
Your replying to review is the only way for reviewer to gain gavels, so do it, and the reviewer will be encouraged by your reply to review more of your photos. On ReceivedReview page, click on "Rate this Review" link and you will enter a page where you can reply that review.

How do I address offensive photo?
The Photo Challenge is an open forum of artistic endeavor. We try our best to avoid posting obscene or other questionable pictures, but art is subjective. The best way to handle photos you don't like is to avoid viewing that kind of pictures in the future. You can also contact us.

What if I feel a review is inappropriate?
You can either reply that review in a appropriate manner or send an internal message to discuss with the reviewer. If the comment is profane or offensive you may wish to report it to The Photo Challenge staff for investigation.

My Photo

Is there a limit to how many photos I can publish?
Free member can only post one photo for review and can not post photo for sell. As a paying member, there is no limit to the total amount of photos that you can post, but you are allowed to post only one photo for review per day and no limit to photos for sale.

I have posted five photos, but the site claims that I have posted four, where is the missing one?
The administrator may delete your photo that is not suitable for the site, and you will receive an internal message for the specific reason.

Why donn't I see my photograph on the new release list?
There are three reasons for this:

Your photo is still suspended.
Your photo has received seven reviews.
Your photo has been on the new release list for 3 days.

You may go to your profile to check the state of your photo.

Where does my photograph go once it left the new release page?
Your photo will be placed in your portfolio, and other users can access it by entering your Photographer Page or searching it by category. If you want again to put your photo on the new release list, you can re-post it.

Can I get the same photograph reviewed again by different people?
Yes, your photo can be reviewed by different photographers.

Rankings

What are photographer stars and how do I earn them?
After you post your photo, it will receive reviews from other reviewers if they are interested in your photo. The reviewers will also rank your photo in a range from 1 to 5. That rank will be your photographer stars and will be accumulated in your photographer star bank. The Photo Challenge will modify your Photographer Level according to your photographer satr bank and the duration you stay with the site. Awards will be assigned to you if your photographer rank within the community meets the requirement.

What are reviewer gavels and how do I earn them?
After you review photos of other photographers, thry will most likely respond your review and rank your review in a range from 1 to 5. That rank will be your reviewer gavels and will be accumulated in your reviewer gavel bank. The Photo Challenge will modify your Reviewer Level according to your reviewer gavel bank and the duration you stay with the site. Awards will be assigned to you if your reviewer rank within the community meets the requirement.

What ranks can I achieve through The Photo Challenge?
Photographers start out as a Rookies and can move up to the World Global Laureate.
Reviewers start out as Rooky Reviewer and can move up to the World Global Judge of Photo Laureate.
Click here to see deatils of the ranking system and corresponding awards.

How can I achieve a higher rank?
You can achieve a higher rank by posting photos and reviewing photos of other photographers. Your honest and helpful reviews will get their return from other photographers, and thus move you up in the ranks of reviewers. Likewise, your quality photos will earn valuable reviews for you and then improve your rank of photographer. Eventually, you will reach the higher levels and gain have a great deal of honor associated with them, as well as certificates and other awards that will actually be delivered to you through the mail.

How can I get my photo in the Top 100?
Each subject category collects Top 100 photos. The photos on each Top 100 list are the individual photos that have received the most number of photographer stars for photos in that category. So the list is created dynamicaly and may change from time to time. Every quality photo get the equal chance to enter the top 100 list. To attract more reviews, you may re-post your photo so that they can be on the new release list. But bare in mind You can only re-post a picture three times

Awards

What are the titles and actual awards for various rankings?
There are two groups of titles and rankings: photographer rankings and reviewer rankings. They are as follows:

Photographer Rankings and Requirements
Photographers are rated by photographer stars as follows:

Title	Photographer Star Bank	Experience	Award
Rookie	Stars<150	1 month
Basic	Stars>=150	1 month
Promising	Stars>=301	2 month
Intermediate	401<=Stars<500	3 months
Intermediate-Proficient	501<=Stars<700	3 months
Demonstrated Knowledge	701<=Stars	6 months	YOUR ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE!
Gifted	901<=Stars<1100	8 months
Expert	1101<=Stars<3000	10 months	YOU ARE PUBLISHED IN A BOOK!
Professional	3001<=Stars	12 months
Master of Photo	6000<=Stars	14 months	YOUR EXPERT CRISTAL TROPHY!
5 Laureates of Photo	Top 5 full members with the most stars as of November 30th 2012	24 months
1 World Global Laureate	Number 1 member with the most stars as of November 30th 2012	24 months

Reviewer Rankings and Requirements
Reviewers are rated by reviewer gavels as follows:

Title	Reviewer Gavel Bank	Experience	Award
Rookie Reviewer	Gavels<150	1 month
Basic Reviewer	Gavels>=150	1 month
Promising Reviewer	Gavels>=301	2 month
Intermediate Reviewer	401<=Gavels<500	3 months
Intermediate-Proficient	501<=Gavels<700	3 months
Demonstrated Knowledge	701<=Gavels	6 months	YOUR ACHIEVEMENT CERTIFICATE!
Gifted Reviewer	901<=Gavels<1100	8 months
Expert Judge	1101<=Gavels<3000	10 months	YOU ARE PUBLISHED IN A BOOK!
Professional Judge	3001<=Gavels	12 months
Master Judge of Photo	6000<=Gavels	14 months	YOUR EXPERT CRISTAL TROPHY!
Laureate Judge of Photo	Top 5 full members with the most gavles as of November 30th 2012	24 months
World Global Judge of Photo Laureate	Number 1 member with the most gavles as of November 30th 2012	24 months

How and when will I get my awards?
Your awards will be automatically shipped to you as soon as you achieve the corresponding ranks. Please keep the following in mind:

You are responsible for keeping your shipping address up to date on the site at all times.
Shipping takes time – your patience is greatly appreciated.
You will receive your Awards when both the ranking and time criteria are met.

Content and Approval

What are the parameters for posting my photo on The Photo Challenge?

Photos must be in JPEG format and can not exceed 2 MB in size.
Photos must be somewhat clear and of sufficient quality.
Content of photos must be serious, and unsuitable photos will be deleted by the administrator without credit refund.

Can I post photos that have been published elsewhere?
The Photograph Challenge accept photos even they have been published elsewhere as long as the photos are your own work.

How do I submit my photo?
Log in to The Photo Challenge and click on the "Submit" tab at the top of the page.
Submitting is a two-step process.
Fill out the information in Step One. Options marked by star are obligatory. Press "Submit Photo Information" button, you will be redirected to the second-step page.
In Step Two select your photo and press "Submit" button.
Your photograph will be in suspending phase during which you have chance to cancel the submitting with credit refund.

How do I re-post a photograph?
Go to "My Space" and click the link "Your Portfolio". Click "Resubmit" link under thumbnail representing the photo that you want to resubmit. Confirm the promotion window and you will enter the ResubmitPhoto Page where after you click the "Resubmit" button, the photo will be on the new release list again.

How do I delete a photograph I posted?
On your portfolio page, find the photo you want to delete and press the link "Delete this Photo." and confirm the promotion window. Then you will enter the DeletePhoto Page. Click the "Delete" button, the photo will not appear in your portfolio.

What is the result of deleting a photo?
Please note that you will lose all photographer stars and reviews associated with the photograph you are deleting.

What does the suspending on my photo mean?
This is a humanism feature that provides all members of The Photogarphy Challenge with a chance that they can cancel their submitting with credit refund in case they make a mistake.

How long does it take to end the suspending?
The suspending state last fifteen minutes.

What is The Photo Challenge policy on nudity?
Artistic nudes are permitted on this site, but graphic displays or pornography of any kind are absolutely prohibited. All nude models must be over the age of eighteen and no exceptions. The Photo Challenge staff reserves the right to judge and reject all inappropriate photos.

Rights of Photographers

If I publish my photos on The Photo Challenge, do I still own the copyright?
Yes. You and you alone own the copyright to your photos.

Can I sell my photo through The Photo Challenge?
Yes. Paying members can submit photos for sale. Each photo costs four credits. The Photo Challenge will inform you through email every Friday if someone bought your photo(s) in the past week. Sixty percent of net profit will be sent to your Account!

How do I suggest changes?
Log in to The Photo Challenge. Click the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page and send us an internal message, or Click Here.

That is all, ladies and gents!
Enjoy your time at The Photo Challenge!