how 'bout getting the lighting right and sticking to the contest subject
Oh dear ... still, I guess we've got to take the rough with the smooth. Like this shot Jon (and glad you're still submitting - thought you'd deserted us) - has a Beguinicity (to coin a word) about it. Like the sombreness, the tonality, though personally I might have worked to bring in a touch more contrast and brightness - it just begins to put most of its interest into the darker half of the available shades to my eye. Subtleties though, rather than glaring points.
And of course, it scored so low because folks won't bring their own ideas to shots, they want it all from you (and who am I to say that's wrong?)
I cant belive this! This challenge is unbeliveable man! This was the only picture I liked from the challenge, and look where it ended up! This is stupid, keep up the good work man!