This has more to do with Brian's personal opinion and taste rather than any challenge remotely related to the quality of an image.
Get real! In professional competitions, no one is capable of comparing a black and white to a colour photo, or even a great portrait to a great action shot...:idea: :idea: :idea: That is why they have categories to restrict critique to like subjects and formats.
Apples are not compared to oranges in challenges with any credibility.
Then there is judging. Critiquing in any challenge or competition is based on a published set of criteria for the purpose of fairness and greater objectivity. The concept of trusting one judge with personal taste as his criteria is totally laughable.
Ronnoco