Al Vandever wrote:
I don't know how many times I've had my work turned down for the daily contests and now it's happened again! Unless you ask, the administration doesn't bother to notify you why or even that they've rejected your shot, it simply never appears. I've been told a model wearing lingerie is implied nude and therefore it violates the contest rules. I've been told a shadow caused by the collar of a shirt is a nipple, a model wrapped in non-see-through fabric is considered implied nude. I was told a bodyscape of a torso is against the rules even after I pointed out a very similar shot they ran the day before. And now it's happened again; a full-length nude shot by natural light I posted to the daily contest 4 days ago. It never appeared, no reason why, not even a notification that it didn't appear, nothing.

It really is aggravating!

Be sure to email images to the mods for approval before submitting them to the contests. I used to have the exact same thing happen as you, where a shot I thought was perfectly fine for a contest would get removed because of something I would have never considered. If you email photos to [email protected], they will approve or not approve them for whichever contest you ask about and they typically do give me a reason when they reply if they're not approved. If you do that, you don't get any points when they tell you an image isn't approved. You just can't enter it.

I now send every single image I submit to the contests for approval beforehand, even if I can't possibly imagine a reason it wouldn't be okay.

Studio NSFW wrote:
Contests on MM are like “Battle of the Bands” shows for musicians.

Impossible to win, because if you take it seriously you are already a loser,

Interesting take.

Dorola wrote:
I've had several of my images for the +18 contest deleted due to too much nudity. However, many of the photos that are allowed in the contest show much more nudity than I did. I've even had photos that were acceptable for FaceBook and Instagram deleted from even the regular contest and avatar. Can you believe that the mods target me with this image:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47696488

I asked the mods to review their decision and they just blow me off saying they don't care what other platforms do.

Just because I've had so many of my own images rejected over the years, I can tell you they considered that image of yours to be mature because her outfit is semi-transparent. I had this shot rejected for the regular POTD contest, because the top of her underwear is semi-transparent, thus showing too much 'pubic area'.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47990908

As I mentioned for Al, you can email your pics to [email protected] before submitting them to the contests to get approval or not and it won't count against you.

AlaskanSeaAdventure wrote:
I agree with the one MM has setup.  I know there is one that constantly posts (supposedly) his porn images from years ago on here and somehow wins.  I wish they would change it up so that only recent images, (within the last year) are allowed up there.  I post mine just to get some recognition and views and that's it.  If I win, good.  If I don't and I get a few more people to stumble upon my portfolio, great. 

Just wish more models would reach out to photographers.

I don't know how they'd enforce that other than the honor system. Also, just my own opinion here, I don't think there's any reason the photos would have to be recent. I often go back to shoots I did a few years ago and find shots I'd like to retouch. It helps me have more variety so I'm not just constantly submitting only photos from my most recent shoot. As long as you were the one who took the photos I'm not sure why it would be a negative for a photographer to submit older work.

David L. Stevens wrote:
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/potd/ent … 14-big.jpg So this photo is removed, are you frigging kidding me?

It's because too much of her butt is showing. They started cracking (no pun intended) down on that a year or so ago. The rules for an image being considered mature include "Bare buttocks".

After emailing the mods for clarification on what exactly constitutes "bare buttocks" I was informed that if the butt is photographed completely from the side, so as only one buttock is shown, and the model is wearing underwear of some kind, that is allowed (although I've still had a couple rejected that I thought fell within those parameters, but the mods still felt too much bare buttocks was showing). It's also allowed if just a tiny bit of the buttocks is showing. Here's some examples of my shots I was told just squeaked through:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/48044132
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47735200
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47430327
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47813098

And here's some of mine that were considered mature because of "bare buttocks":

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47000643
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47363999
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47364010
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/46673614

Always a good idea to email your shots to [email protected] before entering them in the contests to get approved for whichever contest you're wanting to enter them in. If they're not approved, you won't get any points added. You just won't be able to enter that shot in that contest. I email all of mine at this point, even if I can't possibly imagine why it wouldn't be okay.

KenPhoto wrote:
It's because too much of her butt is showing. They started cracking (no pun intended) down on that a year or so ago. The rules for an image being considered mature include "Bare buttocks".

After emailing the mods for clarification on what exactly constitutes "bare buttocks" I was informed that if the butt is photographed completely from the side, so as only one buttock is shown, and the model is wearing underwear of some kind, that is allowed (although I've still had a couple rejected that I thought fell within those parameters, but the mods still felt too much bare buttocks was showing). It's also allowed if just a tiny bit of the buttocks is showing. Here's some examples of my shots I was told just squeaked through:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/48044132
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47735200
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47430327
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47813098

And here's some of mine that were considered mature because of "bare buttocks":

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47000643
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47363999
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47364010
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/46673614

Always a good idea to email your shots to [email protected] before entering them in the contests to get approved for whichever contest you're wanting to enter them in. If they're not approved, you won't get any points added. You just won't be able to enter that shot in that contest. I email all of mine at this point, even if I can't possibly imagine why it wouldn't be okay.

Thanks for the feedback Ken but this site has become beyond ridiculous-no wonder it has died on the vine. The whole points thing is BS too because paying members should not be penalized for the mods actually doing their jobs.

David L. Stevens wrote:
Thanks for the feedback Ken but this site has become beyond ridiculous-no wonder it has died on the vine. The whole points thing is BS too because paying members should not be penalized for the mods actually doing their jobs.

I completely agree that there are things that could be done to greatly improve the site (giving it a modern facelift would be a good start since I don't think it's had any major updates in over 10 years and is terrible on mobile). But, from what I've heard, the people who actually own the site at this point don't want to put any real money into improving it. They seem to be content with just letting it die a slow death. I don't blame the mods because they're just following orders they're given from the owners. I feel pretty confident that the people in charge either don't know how to fix the site and don't really care, or don't want to invest the money it would take to fix it.

As far as the points thing goes, I see why it was implemented, but I think it could be done in better ways. If a user is purposefully violating the rules over and over again, the mods should be able to take action against them whether they're paying or not, but the points system often penalizes users who just make honest mistakes. It would be nice if the mods had discretion to decide, "I know this person just made an honest mistake and they didn't do it on purpose so I'm not going to penalize them this time and just give them a warning." But it appears in an effort to be fair, they almost never make exceptions. The unfortunate result of that is that paying members who are trying to follow the rules and just slip up every now and then end up getting frustrated with the site and leaving.

Lallure Photographic wrote:
Contests are typically for the purpose of attracting more people to the site. Nothing else. Don't waste your time on that.

Rick

Rick,
I honestly could care less about winning but the few models left on this site do look at the contest. It gives exposure to your work and that is the only reason I enter.

David

Dorola wrote:
I've had several of my images for the +18 contest deleted due to too much nudity. However, many of the photos that are allowed in the contest show much more nudity than I did. I've even had photos that were acceptable for FaceBook and Instagram deleted from even the regular contest and avatar. Can you believe that the mods target me with this image:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47696488

I asked the mods to review their decision and they just blow me off saying they don't care what other platforms do.

How dare you question the Mods  these are unpaid Gods whose decisions are final . If not they would hold no imaginary power.  Target you ??? Well hell yeah , you who questioned them How dare you even ask. Oh no I will be in trouble now I said too much.

KenPhoto wrote:
I completely agree that there are things that could be done to greatly improve the site (giving it a modern facelift would be a good start since I don't think it's had any major updates in over 10 years and is terrible on mobile). But, from what I've heard, the people who actually own the site at this point don't want to put any real money into improving it. They seem to be content with just letting it die a slow death. I don't blame the mods because they're just following orders they're given from the owners. I feel pretty confident that the people in charge either don't know how to fix the site and don't really care, or don't want to invest the money it would take to fix it.

As far as the points thing goes, I see what it was implemented, but I think it could be done in better ways. If a user is purposefully violating the rules over and over again, the mods should be able to take action against them whether they're paying or not, but the points system often penalizes users who just make honest mistakes. It would be nice if the mods had discretion to decide, "I know this person just made an honest mistake and they didn't do it on purpose so I'm not going to penalize them this time and just give them a warning." But it appears in an effort to be fair, they almost never make exceptions. The unfortunate result of that is that paying members who are trying to follow the rules and just slip up every now and then end up getting frustrated with the site and leaving.

This

Brett Hunt wrote:
This

That?

Fall River Photo wrote:
Needed somewhere to rant, and knew some here would sympathize.

Submission to POTD uploaded on 09/13/2023 - vanished. No moderator note saying it violated standards. But not on the voting page today. The killing of the contests (and perhaps the site as a whole) is beginning to seem intentional.

Okay, so I'm just frustrated and tired of the game. And I should probably stop trying since I'm not one of the cabal recruiting voters. But I do enjoy the attention (and critique) that comes from participating. But that doesn't happen if submissions simply vanish into the ether.

Just in case someone might want to see, here's Spencer (MM#3418223) in what I think is a lovely shot. (And yes, I know it could never get many votes because it's in landscape format.) Still, enjoy.

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/48061087

So, I can see it, just barely, on the left side of the image her shirt is a tiny bit transparent. Without manipulating the image at all I couldn't tell if it was just a shadow or actual nipple. Once I took it into Photoshop and raised the black level I could see it a lot more clearly.

I've had quite a few images rejected for the same reason, where the model is wearing a t-shirt or crop top that's white and there's just the teeny tiniest bit of nipple showing through. I've been informed by the mods that a shadow from a nipple is okay, but if there's even a hint of transparency in the shirt it will be considered mature.

Here's a couple of mine that got marked mature for that very reason:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/48066389
https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/47364009

I think it's a lot more ridiculous in your image. When you have to squint or manipulate the image to see areola, I feel like the image isn't going to be considered mature by anyone else. I actually had another image where the mods told me it "appeared" as if you could see areola even though I had the model send me a photo of the outfit she was wearing, which had a liner across the chest that made it completely opaque. That one still got considered mature because of "perceived" areola:

https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/48066392

At any rate, it's always good to email them to the mods for approval before submitting them, even if you think they're fine. The email address is [email protected]

Adventure Photos wrote:
Regulars win constantly, both models and photographers.    It's a 'club' of some sort I guess.

Yes, I'm sure that's it. There's just a few photographers and models who are in the "club" and they win all the time because they're in on it, not that they have any talent or skill and are actually submitting high quality images that they've spent a huge amount of effort lighting, shooting, and hours of editing. Yeah, it's definitely just the "club" thing.

KenPhoto wrote:
not that they have any talent or skill and are actually submitting high quality images that they've spent a huge amount of effort lighting, shooting, and hours of editing.

I wonder if the perspective of some is fostered by the point that Groucho Marx would make about joining "the club"? I'm working my way through its implications.

Yours,
Bill

KenPhoto wrote:
At any rate, it's always good to email them to the mods for approval before submitting them, even if you think they're fine. The email address is [email protected]

Yes. And I need to stop being lazy and get more organized about it.

Thanks, too, for the sympathies on the "shadows-and-see-throughs" issues and its attendant vagaries. With the other image disallowed as being "mature" when it falls within the definition of a different mod on a different day...well, at least if a subsequent mod disallows an image that had been pre-approved (as happened back when I used to submit any image about which I was uncertain) they have rescinded the penalty-point assessment.

Chilling effect this morning, though, having seen Glenn Grainger is now at the 3-month suspension level. May I get more organized TODAY! ;-)

Thanks for giving some of us "outside-the-club" photographers some inspiration to which we should aspire.

Yours,
Bill

Fall River Photo wrote:
Yes. And I need to stop being lazy and get more organized about it.

Thanks, too, for the sympathies on the "shadows-and-see-throughs" issues and its attendant vagaries. With the other image disallowed as being "mature" when it falls within the definition of a different mod on a different day...well, at least if a subsequent mod disallows an image that had been pre-approved (as happened back when I used to submit any image about which I was uncertain) they have rescinded the penalty-point assessment.

Chilling effect this morning, though, having seen Glenn Grainger is now at the 3-month suspension level. May I get more organized TODAY! ;-)

Thanks for giving some of us "outside-the-club" photographers some inspiration to which we should aspire.

Yours,
Bill

I wouldn't call myself "inside the club" unless, just by winning the contests, you're saying you garner that moniker. I try to be friendly and helpful to other users on the site no matter who they are (except on the rare occasion someone has done/said something rude or otherwise unacceptable) and impart my own knowledge about what the mods are and are not okay with from my own extensive back-and-forths with them.

I'm often told by one mod in particular that I tend to "push the limits" of what's allowed. That's never been my goal and I do submit images that are completely within the not-mature category, but I have definitely noticed what images are more likely to win. It's not to say the artistic shots never win, but they are obviously up against a large bias from the majority of voters on this site who prefer the more "risqué" images.

sospix wrote:
I try and use my forced "time off" from entering the POTD's on this site to enhance my knitting skills  .  .  .  doesn't really satisfy my want for an interactive creative outlet, but sometimes ya jest have ta make do  .  .  .  so far as I know I've yet to receive any demerits for my submissions to the "Creative Knitting For Novices" site, but based on how many times I've been banned from trying to participate here, it's probably jest a matter of time  .  .  .  is it possible the same group is administering both sites?  If so, I'm surely doomed  .  .  . 

SOS

Those knitters can be brutal You're braver than myself to wade into that shark-infested water.

KenPhoto wrote:

Yes, I'm sure that's it. There's just a few photographers and models who are in the "club" and they win all the time because they're in on it, not that they have any talent or skill and are actually submitting high quality images that they've spent a huge amount of effort lighting, shooting, and hours of editing. Yeah, it's definitely just the "club" thing.

For what it is worth, you win a lot but no one can accuse you of having poor quality images. I always enjoy your submissions.

sospix wrote:
I try and use my forced "time off" from entering the POTD's on this site to enhance my knitting skills  .  .  .  doesn't really satisfy my want for an interactive creative outlet, but sometimes ya jest have ta make do  .  .  .  so far as I know I've yet to receive any demerits for my submissions to the "Creative Knitting For Novices" site, but based on how many times I've been banned from trying to participate here, it's probably jest a matter of time  .  .  .  is it possible the same group is administering both sites?  If so, I'm surely doomed  .  .  . 

SOS

Wouldn't it be nice (but if would take some effort) if the mods sent you a message saying this image is not acceptable so please submit another for the contest. Instead on the day of voting you get an email telling you the pic has been removed and you have accumulated points. Customer service is not something practiced here.

David L. Stevens wrote:

For what it is worth, you win a lot but no one can accuse you of having poor quality images. I always enjoy your submissions.

Thanks, that's appreciated. I've always thought your shots are outstanding. Really nice lighting and framing and the wardrobe choices are always stunning.

David L. Stevens wrote:
Wouldn't it be nice (but if would take some effort) if the mods sent you a message saying this image is not acceptable so please submit another for the contest. Instead on the day of voting you get an email telling you the pic has been removed and you have accumulated points. Customer service is not something practiced here.

It would be nice, but it's doubtful that will ever happen. I think a lot of the mods are stretched thin as it is, so I doubt they'd take the time. Don't forget, you can always email your images for approval before entering them. That's what I always do so I don't waste time retouching a shot I can't enter. The email address is [email protected]

KenPhoto wrote:

David L. Stevens wrote:
For what it is worth, you win a lot but no one can accuse you of having poor quality images. I always enjoy your submissions.

Thanks, that's appreciated. I've always thought your shots are outstanding. Really nice lighting and framing and the wardrobe choices are always stunning.


It would be nice, but it's doubtful that will ever happen. I think a lot of the mods are stretched thin as it is, so I doubt they'd take the time. Don't forget, you can always email your images for approval before entering them. That's what I always do so I don't waste time retouching a shot I can't enter. The email address is [email protected]

Thanks Ken.

Fall River Photo wrote:

I wonder if the perspective of some is fostered by the point that Groucho Marx would make about joining "the club"? I'm working my way through its implications.

Yours,
Bill

Just curious to those on the thread. When voting what method do you use? The earlier post about just looking for naked women honestly does not apply to me ( I love seeing a beautiful naked woman as much as the next guy) because I rarely even look at the 18+ much less vote in that category.

When I vote in the general or 18+ I will always scroll through all of the images to see if one jumps off the page at me saying VOTE FOR ME! If I don't see that I open up individual submissions to look for clarity, color balance etc to look for the qualities of a worthy submission. I may be one of the few here that still appreciates an image where the photographer and model took time and effort to create a beautiful image (fine art etc). I can't remember the last time a bodyscape image won the contest but when well lit I find those very appealing.

Your thoughts?

David

David L. Stevens wrote:

Just curious to those on the thread. When voting what method do you use? The earlier post about just looking for naked women honestly does not apply to me ( I love seeing a beautiful naked woman as much as the next guy) because I rarely even look at the 18+ much less vote in that category.

When I vote in the general or 18+ I will always scroll through all of the images to see if one jumps off the page at me saying VOTE FOR ME! If I don't see that I open up individual submissions to look for clarity, color balance etc to look for the qualities of a worthy submission. I may be one of the few here that still appreciates an image where the photographer and model took time and effort to create a beautiful image (fine art etc). I can't remember the last time a bodyscape image won the contest but when well lit I find those very appealing.

Your thoughts?

David

It's difficult to put into words what I consider when voting on images. The best description would be the shots that I consider most artistic. I will also admit that shots that have obviously had a lot of time and effort put into them tend to sway me as well, knowing how much work goes into concept shoots. I always consider the lighting and the composition. I couldn't care less how much skin is showing in the 18+ contests. I've been really impressed with the images Lilia has been submitting recently:
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/contest/ … 82-big.jpg
https://www.modelmayhem.com/contests/po … iew/382262
https://www.modelmayhem.com/contests/po … iew/382346

I'm not sure who her photographer is, but these shots have a very classy, vintage, art style to them I really love and their quality is outstanding.

KenPhoto wrote:

It's difficult to put into words what I consider when voting on images. The best description would be the shots that I consider most artistic. I will also admit that shots that have obviously had a lot of time and effort put into them tend to sway me as well, knowing how much work goes into concept shoots. I always consider the lighting and the composition. I couldn't care less how much skin is showing in the 18+ contests. I've been really impressed with the images Lilia has been submitting recently:
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/contest/ … 82-big.jpg
https://www.modelmayhem.com/contests/po … iew/382262
https://www.modelmayhem.com/contests/po … iew/382346

I'm not sure who her photographer is, but these shots have a very classy, vintage, art style to them I really love and their quality is outstanding.

Funny, those same images have been getting my votes as well  .  .  .  hopefully she doesn't run afoul of the "rules brigade" and end up banned for some unknown infraction  .  .  .  beautifully done!

SOS

KenPhoto wrote:
It's difficult to put into words what I consider when voting on images. The best description would be the shots that I consider most artistic. I will also admit that shots that have obviously had a lot of time and effort put into them tend to sway me as well, knowing how much work goes into concept shoots. I always consider the lighting and the composition. I couldn't care less how much skin is showing in the 18+ contests. I've been really impressed with the images Lilia has been submitting recently:
https://photos.modelmayhem.com/contest/ … 82-big.jpg
https://www.modelmayhem.com/contests/po … iew/382262
https://www.modelmayhem.com/contests/po … iew/382346

I'm not sure who her photographer is, but these shots have a very classy, vintage, art style to them I really love and their quality is outstanding.

All of the images you highlighted are exactly the kind of images I would vote for. They are all elegant, moody, sexy and beautifully lit.

KenPhoto wrote:

Thanks, that's appreciated. I've always thought your shots are outstanding. Really nice lighting and framing and the wardrobe choices are always stunning.


It would be nice, but it's doubtful that will ever happen. I think a lot of the mods are stretched thin as it is, so I doubt they'd take the time. Don't forget, you can always email your images for approval before entering them. That's what I always do so I don't waste time retouching a shot I can't enter. The email address is [email protected]

I also get upset when you post an image of a 1 piece bathing suit and it gets denied for one of their reasons (Pubic) I also believe some of the Moderators are not Fan's of certain photographers.......

KRJohnson wrote:

I also get upset when you post an image of a 1 piece bathing suit and it gets denied for one of their reasons (Pubic) I also believe some of the Moderators are not Fan's of certain photographers.......

Hi Ken, if a one-piece swimsuit is being disqualified for pubic area, it would be because some side-pubic is visible.  Site rules treat any area where pubic hair grows to be pubic area, even if the hair has been removed (shaved, photoshopped or whatever).  If you have a specific image you'd like more information on, please feel free to respond to the original note letting you know it was removed from the POTD contest, or start a new CAM (Contact a Moderator) to ask. 
I can't speak for everyone on the image review team, but I know myself personally I don't look at the account when I look at images.  I just look at the picture, check for any mature elements, and move on.

Erin Koski wrote:
My answer last night was incomplete.  Images will also be disqualified if the nipple or areola pigment used to be visible, but has been covered up by an opaque star, stripe, or other shape.  Also if the previously visible nipple or areola was visually removed using photoshop or some other editing tool or method. 

Eg:  A nude woman whose nipples and areolas have been airbrushed away is not eligible for the contest.

Is any of this listed on the contest entry page, because it should be. May help from a lot of people entering bad photos and getting "points".

The elements provided below are allowed in Model Mayhem portfolios and must be marked Mature in order to ensure the Worksafe mode can be properly triggered. Any elements not listed here are permitted to be included in a portfolio without the Mature mark and are considered “Worksafe.”

Nudity
Pubic area
Also known as the bikini area, from the pubic bone down and from thigh to thigh
Any area that would normally be covered by pubic hair
Genitals
Female nipples or areola
Bare buttocks
Implied sexual activity
Blood, guts, gore, or violent situations
Bondage situations of any kind
Watermarks that are links to pornographic or sexual websites
Any transparent or semi-transparent clothing or body paint that shows any of the above
Implied Nudity
.
.
.
Notes:

Images that utilize body paint, stars, stripes, emojis, blurring, etc, to block or hide the above Mature elements are still considered Mature.

Implied nudity includes images that use body parts or objects to cover Mature elements. For example, a model covering a Mature element with their hands or an object. If it appears that the model isn’t wearing clothing, it’s a mature image, whether mature elements are covered or not.

For the 18+ contests, you can find additional rules if you scroll down on the same page.  Here is an excerpt:

Images will be disqualified if:
Submission does not contain Mature elements as outlined by our Worksafe image guidelines
Submission contains images considered emphasis on the genitals or erections, or other prohibited image elements.

How is one to know what "emphasis on genitals" means?  I myself first found out by submitting an image to the contest that was disqualified.  I was informed my image had too much emphasis on genitals.  Though I didn't know the precise definition, I could understand why someone said that about the image I had submitted. 

I was not immediately subject to any punishment, suspensions or similar.  It was a chance to learn and open dialogue (if I chose) about how to submit images that won't be disqualified.  Permanent suspension from the contests is after 100 points have been accumulated.  This, in my personal opinion, is sufficient time to either figure out what types of images are acceptable to enter or just submit images ahead of time through Contact a Moderator, so you don't incur 100 total points.

This wording appears in several places on the image rules page:

If you are unsure if your image will be disqualified, you are welcome to contact the moderation team to request help before you submit your entry. Your request will not be held against you.

I highly encourage anyone who has questions to utilize it.  My next suggestion is to look at the recent past 18+ contest submissions and get a feel for the images that were allowed.  When considering your own image, ask yourself if it's cropped more closely than currently allowed images?  Are more genitals visible or more easily visible?  Or are they framed closer to the center of the image?  Are the legs of your model more open than in the allowed images?  Is the model leaning back (or bending over), where genitals are closer to the camera than the model's face?  These are some of the common reasons images get disqualified.