I agree with with andicati, but also note this...Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. What one person sees as beautiful or nice can be differently viewed to another...I believe average everyday people deserve to have the right to win these types of contests as well...In my opinion, two of the winners met the goal of "Holiday lights and Southern Nights"
If you participate in a contest, you better rally to get votes because there is power in numbers. Thats a fact. This will not deter me from participating again because i didnt win. The photos that won had support behind them...and i think they are nice.