Gilles Tran wrote:

  Replace "POV-Ray" with
> "oil painting" and it would be the same. 

Nice analoque! But you know you tempt me Gilles, you know you tempt me. ;)

But let me also reinforce, I agree absolutely with the judging and would 
deeply regret it if any imput I have had in this thread has in anyway 
suggested I did not or cast any kind of aspersion on the contest and 
it's outcome.  The top images provide me with a target to aim for in my 
own development for quality and artistry and I truly hope I might get there.

I do not think it was a mistake to raise the issue I raised, but it is 
entirely separate from questioning the premise of the contest, its 
conduct, judging, and outcome.