Also, you'll note a reduction in the prize pool. I've been unable to secure any type of sponsorship, so payouts need to be a bit less if I'm too keep doing this contest each and every week. Now then, it's time for a new theme. But first:Wow, what a week of Abandoned Shit it was! That has been one of my favorite weeks to look through entires yet. It was great seeing brand news entries come in from all around the world. Thanks to everyone who put the legwork in and entered their submissions. I strongly recommend clicking the #aswcontest tag and looking at them all, if you haven't yet!

Guest Judge: @creepycrazylife!

The Contest:

Funny story about @creepycrazylife. He's from my own hometown... but we met here on Steemit! He's a super talented photographer that specializes in the strange, morbid, macabre, and occult. Seriously, take a look at his blog. So many fantastic posts, from the catacombs of Paris, to numerous film locations of iconic horror films (like the famous staircase from The Exorcist, in the photo above). He's the perfect candidate to judge this week's theme!

  This is NOT a photography contest.  The subject matter is what's being judged with the Abandoned Shit Weekly contest, not one's skills with a camera.  Honestly, I just want to see some cool abandoned shit.  lol  HOWEVER, as with any photograph, the "wow factor" can certainly be enhanced with a technically sound execution.  Simply put, winners won't be chosen strictly on artistry.  

The Prizes:

1st Place = 10.000 SBD
2nd Place = 5.000 SBD
3rd Place = 2.500 SBD

The Theme:

This week's theme = GRAVEYARDS! Photos must be of ABANDONED graveyards/cemeteries. Notice the ABANDONED is in caps. We're not looking for just normal cemetery pictures. We're looking for ones that are rather dilapidated. Mausoleums, tombs, crypts, and catacombs will also be accepted. A place where the remains of dead people are kept. This week has the potential to be very creepy! I can't wait to see the entries! Please be respectful of these locations though.

The Rules:

Rule #1 = Your abandoned shit photo must be posted using the tag #aswcontest for one of your tags.  This is crucial so that your entry can be seen/found!

Rule #2 = Your photo must be taken by YOU. If you take an imagine from the internet and use it as your entry into this contest, you will be disqualified and I will flag you.

Rule #3 = Only ONE entry per user, per week. Save some content for future contests! Several photos of the same abandoned object/location within your post is okay.

Rule #4 = Tell us what we're looking at!  You don't have to write a novel, but let us know what the picture is of, and where you found it.  That's the most interesting part! Equipment and camera settings can be included at your discretion, but is not necessary.

Rule #5 = Stick to the weekly theme!. 

The Time:

When = New ASW contests will start on TUESDAYS and will end at 11:58pm EST on SUNDAY.  Winners will be announced on Monday with awards distributed then as well. I figure it's a good way to start the week!

The HELP:

HELP! - I'd really like this contest to become an established, weekly feature.  Resteeming the official contest announcement post here would be a huge help in getting the word out, though you do not HAVE to in order to participate in the contest.  I'm just asking as a favor.  Also, just mentioning the contest in/on your entry post would help a lot!

New Discord Channel
Want to chat about Abandoned Shit? Swap stories/locations? Make suggestions for the contest or themes?? Join me on the official ASW Contest Discord channel here: Abandoned Shit Weekly Chat

That's it!  Let's see some cool abandoned stuff! Good Luck!

^^^Here's the photo used for the contest logo above. The photo was taken in Sitka, Alaska and was a graveyard in the middle of the woods from back when Russia owned the place. Most of the grave's epitaphs were in Russian. Forgive the photo quality, as it was taken with an iPhone 4s quiet a few years ago.

Make sure to follow @customnature to keep up with all Abandoned Shit Weekly Contest happenings!