Telescope Reviews: Dark Edge Emerges- Moon Sketched With Detail Inset

To all

At the risk of regenerating an old post for the purpose to thank all who voted for my work - I am not sure how to get to the new contest poll results without a friend sending me the link as I do not see it in the Sketching Forum lines- Here is the link to the reults announcing the winners >
http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/2575946/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all

I also wanted to thank those new to the forum who voted but I see none of the contestants responding there to thank them so I am posting here again in the original sketching post- I hope that is OK.

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To all Aug 19, '08

I just wanted to thank any and all who voted from my art-work. I was shocked that I was the only artwork that made it against so many photographers in the winners circle for the July Sketching/Imaging Contest. I am not sure how that early runner-up entry count worked as I did not see many of these other great photography artworks there. Also I cannot see this forum line of the results; I just received it as a hyperlink from a friend last night and I am waiting to hear how she found it. It does not come up in the forum lists for sketching. Can someone tell me why?

Aside from those here who already praised my lunar sketch (thanks again!) If any of you who voted for my sketch could either send a brief message as to why you chose an artwork over photographs, I would like to hear from you. I am trying to work up a study, perhaps a dissertation on the importance of old world classic artistic mediums process and its possible comparative applications over the new digital technology (and photography.) Not that I am against photo imaging as I have done that with award winning results too.

I was humbled and impressed that one person, expressed that my work should be framed and up on their wall. I am not sure of the protocols here, but I have sold a few of my artworks as prints and I am willing to do that again, although I know this is not the venue for a sales gallery. I would ask those, would you like to see more art like this? Will someone inform me regarding these questions?

Also, I could not find the forum line link for these sketching contest results. I do not see it in the sketching contest poll line of the forum. Could someone inform me why I cannot find it?

FInally I wanted to congratulate the photographer imagers. All the works here in the contest are great. The whole Milky Way in the sky is beautifully done with the water reflection by weatherandsky. The M13 image by Jared is mesmerizing! It is comparable among the best of the professional observatories and I would include the Hubble!. The Trifid Nebula by Nils Lars and the Orion region by huckabuck, both with moderate equipment are great feats of photographic accomplishment.

When I look at that Jupiter image by iceman, I realize that amateur photographic imaging in astronomy is now equaling if not surpassing the professionals of only a couple decades ago. I only wish I could see Jupiter that well live in my eyepiece! Perhaps moving to Australia with its higher ecliptic. Reminds me of when I was in Fiji a few years ago.

Thanks again to all,

Mark