We all love the monthly photo contests (what's not to love - except the need to limit our votes 
?) and recently we're having more entries than ever before - which is fantastic! 
With that in mind, I wanted to suggest how you may edit photos prior to submission but also to explain what's not allowed - as per our rules.
The following is allowed and even encouraged! You don't need Photoshop or any special skills - these photo enhancement features are supported by most basic photo editors that are included in computer and phones operation systems.
1. Cropping
Cropping means selecting a certain section of your image and losing the rest. It's a great way to put the cat in the middle of your photo and/or cut out empty spaces.
2. Resizing
Your photo will be displayed in up to 1000 pixels on most computer screens. There really is no need to upload a photo that's 5000 pixels wide. You can still do that (the system will resize it for you for proper display) but if you want, you can resize the photo before you upload. This could be useful if you're on limited bandwidth.
Remember - the minimum image size is 640 by 480 pixels. Any smaller and your photo will not make it into the voting thread. However, be careful when enlarging a photo! Enlarging photos often results in a pixelated look.
If you're resizing to make your photo smaller prior to submission, our recommended size is at least 1000 pixels wide.
3. Adjusting lighting and color
You are very welcome to adjust the settings on the photo for lighting and color. Why is that ok? You may not be aware of that but your camera actually does that for you. Your photos are not raw files. They've already been manipulated by your camera or phone, which may or may not have gotten it "right". It's perfectly ok to help them out.
1. Adding objects to or removing them from the photo.
Whether the objects are clipart (drawings) or maybe from another photo that you've taken, don't add them to your submitted photo. Also avoid "photoshopping out" anything that was in the original photo.
2. Adding frames, text or any other elements.
A date stamp that was already there is fine, don't worry about it. Just don't add any text - including copyright signs. Frames or other elements added by the camera or your photo editing software are also not allowed.
If you want to change your photo in a way that's not mentioned above, please ask us first. We want to keep these contests fun and fair for all. Photo Of The Month is about sharing nice photos of our kitties around a monthly theme - not a photoshop skills contest.
?) and recently we're having more entries than ever before - which is fantastic! With that in mind, I wanted to suggest how you may edit photos prior to submission but also to explain what's not allowed - as per our rules.
What is allowed?
The following is allowed and even encouraged! You don't need Photoshop or any special skills - these photo enhancement features are supported by most basic photo editors that are included in computer and phones operation systems.
1. Cropping
Cropping means selecting a certain section of your image and losing the rest. It's a great way to put the cat in the middle of your photo and/or cut out empty spaces.
2. Resizing
Your photo will be displayed in up to 1000 pixels on most computer screens. There really is no need to upload a photo that's 5000 pixels wide. You can still do that (the system will resize it for you for proper display) but if you want, you can resize the photo before you upload. This could be useful if you're on limited bandwidth.
Remember - the minimum image size is 640 by 480 pixels. Any smaller and your photo will not make it into the voting thread. However, be careful when enlarging a photo! Enlarging photos often results in a pixelated look.
If you're resizing to make your photo smaller prior to submission, our recommended size is at least 1000 pixels wide.
3. Adjusting lighting and color
You are very welcome to adjust the settings on the photo for lighting and color. Why is that ok? You may not be aware of that but your camera actually does that for you. Your photos are not raw files. They've already been manipulated by your camera or phone, which may or may not have gotten it "right". It's perfectly ok to help them out.
What's not permitted:
1. Adding objects to or removing them from the photo.
Whether the objects are clipart (drawings) or maybe from another photo that you've taken, don't add them to your submitted photo. Also avoid "photoshopping out" anything that was in the original photo.
2. Adding frames, text or any other elements.
A date stamp that was already there is fine, don't worry about it. Just don't add any text - including copyright signs. Frames or other elements added by the camera or your photo editing software are also not allowed.
If you want to change your photo in a way that's not mentioned above, please ask us first. We want to keep these contests fun and fair for all. Photo Of The Month is about sharing nice photos of our kitties around a monthly theme - not a photoshop skills contest.
