Author, this appears as an overdone HDR...although HDR isn't really against the guidelines of the photography contests, this one appears to have a "fake" look to it and your camera appears to have some really serious dust contamination. I have a quick tip, upload and submit your best work to do well in the contests and read the guidelines for submissions carefully and you should do well. This is a beautiful shrine, but this photo, IMO doesn't really do it justice...

agrees with itsmymoment

Agree also, will hold my vote

Ok I have a question, I have seen a lot of HDR images on here, I have even entered a few myself but I saw this a few weeks ago in the rules and guidelines:

"As a general rule, you should stay away from selecting, masking or brushing parts of the picture. Putting together a new picture from various other pictures such as HDR, stitching, collages, etc.) or reassembling pictures from parts of the same picture is also prohibited

Now I'm not saying that I think HDR shouldn't be allowed, but I am thoroughly confused, anybody have any input on this?

I am confused too. I thought layering in photography, like HDR was allowed. I got to go check the rules again now.....