Thank you all for making the first round of the Altered Reality Challenge a resounding success! We had some fantastic entries from all around the world, congratulations to our winners! Lest you all grow bored, it is time for us to announce our second Altered Reality Challenge!

The first one was inspired by the Phyrexian Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite, and we got some amazing Phyrexian-ified cards for the contest. This time we're going in a completely different direction!

This competition's prompt is: Magic Pro Photobomb

Now, technically a photobomb is the technique of hopping into a photo unexpectedly or just before it is taken while making a funny face. We're not saying you have to simulate this effect with a Magic Pro, but we want to see a recognizable Magic pro on a card. There are of course a great number of directions you can take it, and we encourage you to go crazy with it!

Changes

As is inevitable with this sort of project, the system and platform will change as time goes on. We have received a number of feedback on the first go-round and we want to say that we have indeed heard your requests and are working on a new way to go about it. For now though, rather than delay the second ARC, we're going to move forward with nearly the same system (a few changes are outlined below.)

First, we're changing the four axes of measurement by our judges. For the first go around we used Artistic Merit, Quality of Work, Innovation and Originality. The latter two being very close to overlapping and causing some confusion when it came to judging. This time around we're going to be judging on the following areas:

• Artistic Merit
• Quality of Work
• Innovation

That's right, for this competition I've dropped "Originality" and will instead let the "Innovation" metric carry it.

Rules for Entry

• You must physically alter a card. You may decide how to do the alter and in what sort of medium, but no digital alterations will be accepted.
• Your entry must be your own. No entering on behalf of others.
• You must send clear photos of your alter. Preferably multiples including detail shots. Scanning tends to work best.
• Your alter must follow the challenge set forth.
• Each submission must be in our e-mail inbox by the announced deadline to qualify.
• You may only enter once.
• Have fun!

Popular Vote – When all the entries are posted, we will open up voting to the general public and determine a secondary winner.

Prizes

The judged winner will again receive a $25 gift certificate to CoolStuffInc.com, the popular vote winner will receive a $15 gift certificate, and the popular vote runner-up will receive a $10 gift certificate to CoolStuffInc.com. Yes, the same person can win both the judging and the popular vote.

Aside from the prizes, here are other reasons to enter:

• As many card-altering artists sell their work, we will happily link to your eBay account.
• We will also be more than happy to link to your site or provide contact information.
• Respect from your peers.

Entering

Your entry must be e-mailed to alters@gatheringmagic.com with the subject line “ARC #2” and have the images attached. Along with the images, your e-mail should contain the following info: Name, E-mail address, Twitter (if applicable), Description / Note, any Links

Deadline for entries: Monday, July 25, 2011 11:59:59 p.m. EST

Entries posted: Wednesday, July 27, 2011 (voting opens)

Voting Closes: Monday, Aug 1, 2011 11:59:59 p.m. EST

Winners Announced: Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011