The Rules (every game needs them!)

1. Have Fun.
2. Keep it Clean (children and impressionable adults will be playing the game!)
3. Try to avoid breaking the law
4. Regan, as founder, has final word on points allotment and interpretation of rules, so don't get all butt hurt if I rule against your wishes (see Rule 1.)
5. Submitting of the pictures should be as follows: Please email the picture with the name of your penguin, the category title, and the point value to regan@reganjohnson.com (example: “Gustavo” In front of Christmas Tree +10). If it's easier you can post them on my wall on Facebook or in my Google+ stream as long as they’re correctly identified and I'm able to right click and copy them (some facebook settings won't let you do squat with an image but look at it.) For your photo to count in the contest, it has to make it on to the penguin hunt blog. Texting me pics won’t work because of text charges, so please either email me or use social media only.
6. No "Two Birds with One Stone" point combining. I will grant the greater of the points if applicable, but if you chose to reference, say, Empire Strikes Back then you don't get points for film reference, dress up, and snow (if recreating a Hoth scene), it would be the greater of the point categories only. There are a few “Accumulative” categories that are exceptions to this rule, but in general you’re aiming for only one point category at a time.
7. Non Repeating Rule: On picture categories that are not 1 time use only (1x), it is understood that you must recreate the scene with new elements in order to re-earn the points (ie, to repeat the Christmas Tree +10 category you need a different Christmas tree). *Also, for the Freestyle +3 category you can’t take 300 pictures of your penguin leaning on a wall and run up your score. Each picture needs to be a unique snowflake of inspired creativity… ‘n stuff.
8. “It’s all about the Penguins” Rule. I will refer only to your Penguin's name for point tallies and listing of leaders. It's up to you or the other player's inner Nancy Drew to either admit which penguin is yours or to try figuring out who's got which penguin. Also, this means you can let other people take the pictures since it’s the Penguin who gets the credit, not the photographer. This could come in handy if you know someone going somewhere a high point category picture could occur. However, the handler is ultimately responsible for the penguin and for sending me the photographs.
   
9. Early Bird Rule: You can start shooting pictures as soon as you get your penguin, but the start date of the contest is Dec. 1^st. If you want to try sending me pictures to make sure you know how to do it and that you’re getting the idea of the game, that is fine; just remember to resend them after the first for them to count in the game. The end of the contest is midnight New Years Eve and Mike and I will host a Penguin Hunt New Year's Eve Party here at the house and all players are welcome to attend (special mega points for coming in black and white again with your penguin). You can also return your penguin to roost that night and we’ll save it for next year, but please don’t toss your penguin!
10. The Frankenstein’s Penguin Rule: As your penguin’s handler, you are responsible for fixing any injuries your penguin suffers in pursuit of the game. Suggested fixers are craft glue (no spray glue or solvent based glue!), staples from a stapler you push in by hand without using the stapler itself, acrylic craft paint from hobby store, and if all else fails duct tape! Replacement penguins can be purchased from me, but they won’t be cheap and will only be offered only in the event you totally lose your penguin
11. The "George Lucas" 2-part Rule.

• Part I (the Computer Generated “CG” Rule): Since many friends are artist and computer savvy, computer generated effects from digital programs like photoshop are allowed, but only as supportive effects (think early Lucas, laser blasts and stuff). Do NOT go later Lucas and have a totally CG created world that you scan the penguin into like Jar Jar Binks. If your image is totally dependent on the digital effects, I will count it as a Freestyle pic only, so you get some credit for your work. Keep in mind that this isn’t an art contest, it’s a photography contest!

• Part II (the Let it Rest, George! Rule): Once the photo is in my possession, you are NOT allowed to further alter it in any way. You cannot make Gredo fire first under the table, or blow the Death Star up even bigger. I get your pic, it's done. Period. (*There’s also the Francis Ford Coppala Ammendment also stating you cannot go back in and make your picture worse.)