Couple of general comments from this amateur photographer:
Dan and Jordy: Please do not remove the list of whose photo was whose, I like knowing who entered what.
Conner: I generally agree with you, the levels of editing some people do is bordering on unfair for entry into what has until now been a casual and fun competition.
I stopped entering at all often ages ago when I didn't have an Internet connection to enter, so I just don't check it very often. The competition referred to by posters within this thread I did happen to vote on. I didn't vote for Swiss Toni's photo, I voted for what I liked the look of. One primary reason for not voting for Swiss Toni's photo was because it featured 'that' steam locomotive. Not only do I not like that thing, I will not vote for a photo featuring LNER, LMS, LNWR or Southern steam. Normally, I will leave traction preferences out of a vote but when it comes to steam, I vote for what I like. It may have been a perfect photo (with or without editing), but I just can't vote for non-GWR steam!
As for the subject of image manipulation, I am (as stated at the top of this post!) an amateur photographer. How one determines such labels I'm not sure, but I know for a fact I'm in a very different league to mumrar and EE Type 3! Like minette, I will go out with my camera (when I know where it is!) and basically record what I see through the lens. To my eye, that's a photo whether it be with a digital or film camera.
Using the camera's functions, I will invariably use the exposure setting to ensure the photo is as clear as possible. I'll also use the auto-timer (for getting a seminar or just for when it's placed on a flat surface so as to avoid the inevitable shaking hands!) and rarely the different filters. The only other function I tend to use is the continuous shot function, only to ensure I get a good photo of a rare working usually though (47375 dragging 43002 and 43003 from Old Oak Common on 7th March 2008 comes to mind), especially if they feature in any small part my preferred traction (again, as the previous example did) and/or they are unrepeatable photo opportunities.
When it comes to editing digital images, the only function I allow myself to use is the cropping tool. Anything else detracts from the photo and makes it an enhanced picture instead.
Don't get me wrong, the techniques mumrar has shown on page 1 of this thread does make the photo entirely different and better. But it's a step too far to me. I just don't like messing around with my photos. Whether that's right or wrong is entirely down to personal opinion, but it suits me.
As for manipulated photos winning POTW, I'd say personally that as this has for many moons been a friendly and casual affair with members uploading whatever they thought stood the best chance of winning according to the theme, then that's the way I'd prefer to keep it as. I like the idea of having professional photographers entering, it does give people like me an idea of what passes for professional quality and some different ideas, but the professional will always win POTW. The rest of us have no chance. POTW is an awesome opportunity for us non-professional/casual/amateur photographers to showcase some of our best work (again according to the determined subject of course), but with professionals now in the game too it's sort-of akin to Arsenal playing League 3 teams. ie, the league 3 teams have no chance!
Anyway, this post is lingering on becoming a rant. Apologies if it reads as such, I hope my opinions do not cause any further flame wars (they're not intended to!). I'll probably start re-entering POTW when it returns this week since I currently have an Internet connection that's reliable, so long as I've something that fits the entry requirements. One thing I can promise you is it won't be edited!