Additional Triehouse Rules~Tips~Suggestions We will not under any circumstances tolerate bad sportsmanship.  Please understand that photo contest are a competition, meaning someone wins and many other will lose. This is a fact. We will not answer any e-mail complaints period. Scores are not given out. We trust our judges and by entering our contest(s) you are placing your trust in our judges. There are many contests to choose from, this is how we choose to run ours and with that, we appreciate your business. We do this for fun, as a hobby, and if we happen to make a profit it is very little. PLEASE DO NOT ASK OR EXPECT US TO  AWARD MORE MONEY/TITLES THEN ADVERTISED. As a director, I find that quite insulting.  Please  be aware that there are many  'hidden' costs to a photo contest such as paying for the site, webmaster, banners, and advertising. Please be considerate of our time and allow us the time to do our jobs properly. This means time to post photos and post winners. All contestants in the Triehouse are put on a Mailing List (can remove themselves anytime) and will always be given the most up to date information about the current contests. Triehouse contestants are NEVER left wondering what is going on....they are also never sold or given to other directors without permission. Regarding Natural Photos Here in the Triehouse, we DO NOT consider basic photo editing against the rules. We know all photos can benefit from  lightening/brightening/red-eye removal. We encourage you to buy or download a basic editing program and learn it. You will be amazed at the FREE/INEXPENSIVE resources you can find on the web that will help improve your photos. If you suspect additional things are being done to photos you MUST have the original photo or solid PROOF before you  write and "accuse" someone of NOT following the rules. Saying "i know it was airbrushed" or "i know that background used  to be red but now it is white" does NOT count as solid proof. Ensure work area is free of clutter on or around your subject. Photos showing a background full of toys or the dirty kitchen counter tend to take the focus off the subject and will not score well in a natural contest Photos that contain red-eye also take the focus off the subject. Be clean, neatly groomed, with pressed clothing.  Pay attention to the inside of the nose and lips. Try not to take photos in direct sunlight, find some shade. Try a new pose, a new prop, get to their level These are general tips for a natural photo contest. All judges have their own likes/dislikes, thus creating a diverse set of scores. EVERYONE LIKES SOMETHING DIFFERENT. We also encourage your to push yourself to your photography limits. This does not mean expensive cameras or equipment. This means taking the time to set up a "photo shoot" with your child and trying to get the best photos possible. Again, there are countless sites online dedicated to helping out with your photography skills. We at the Triehouse firmly believe it isn't the camera that makes a photo, rather the person behind it. Learn your camera, learn how it works, and with practice, the world is yours.... IF YOU ARE A DIRECTOR AND HAVE TIPS TO ADD OR.... IF YOU ARE A JUDGE AND HAVE TIPS TO ADD PLEASE EMAIL MAMA TRIE ANYTIME AND THEY WILL BE ADDED. NO NAMES WILL BE GIVEN OUT, THIS IS 100% ANON TO ALL READERS