How do challenges work and how can I participate?
Can I help promoting the challenges in some way?
What if I have an idea for a future challenge?
You can find all this information and more in the Ultra Fractal challenges FAQ, which is also part of our very first UF challenge, the one for February 2011.
If you already know the rules, then you're good to go - read on for this month's challenge!
Previous editions:
You can find all of the previous challenges in this journal. Please keep in mind that the challenge rules changed after the 26th edition!
Links to ALL UF challenges (updated periodically!)Since the UF challenges are growing in number, instead of linking them all in each new one, I thought I'd make a collection journal for all of them. This will contain all challenges held so far, from the newest (top) to the oldest (bottom), all conveniently thumbed for you! It will also be updated each month so that ALL challenges are reachable from here, even the newer ones. And this journal will of course be linked in every challenge, to keep them all connected
Sadly, challenge #11 is apparently a broken link. It's the only inaccessible one so far, though, so I may be able to restore it someday, if you guys wish me to.
Let's go!
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Now we can go on with the last challenge's results, and then I will introduce this month's challenge to you all.
Here is the April 2011 challenge, themed "High Hopes for Japan", and the deviations I've picked as the winners!
(Please note: do not feel offended if you're not in the top three. Winners are chosen basing on their way of representing the challenge theme, and I always try to be as impartial as possible while judging.)
First place goes to `FractalEyes with:

This beautifully crafted, excellently textured fractal pairs up a great deal of technical skill with a wonderful, optimistic concept, efficiently represented by the emblematic title, the very soul of the artwork. The monochromatic grey evokes the Japanese tragedy, on which a new sun, shimmering with power and hope, will soon be rising.
Second place goes to =coby01 with:

Many have tried to emulate the most characteristic Japanese flowers, the famous cherry blossoms, but never before had I seen such a mastery in recreating them! These petals look silky, still wet with dewdrops, and the slim tree branch they're attached to is a great metaphor for human frailty.
Third place goes to ~zesk8 with:

Another very good try at sakura flowers, but what strikes the viewer most in this fractal is its delicate oriental ambience. The soft background pink gently melts with the whole, and a slight embossing effect, given by the branches and the bold sun, completes the picture by giving it a strange exotic touch.
And don't forget EVERYONE contributed to raising the founds for the Japanese! Here are the non-top three fractals: each one of them means a $5 worth donation to those who need it most, and I must really thank heartily all those who took part in this challenge. We've got a total of 16 entries, which sums up for a whole $80 donation! Long live Japan!
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We're done for April. On to May!
Ultra Fractal monthly challenges Redux
Challenge #04: May 2011
May's challenge will be a Style challenge - its title being Aces High!
Our purpose this month is to create playing cards in Ultra Fractal. They don't necessarily have to be aces, they can be cards of any kind, either real or invented, providing that they do look like playing cards.
Too difficult? Fear not! I have prepared an example for you all, and I also provided the base parameters to create the card layout. Check them out here:

You may or may not use my parameters as the base, depending on your personal preference, but if you do use it, please link back to my deviation and give me proper credit.
Other than that, all you have to do is be creative. Make a special arrangement, pack them, stack them, pile them, or make a card castle if you can - everything goes, as long as it's original. Create a special, unique fractal. That's what we want to see!
Here are some cards and card compositions from deviantART users, to help you get inspired:
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Remember: to enter the challenge, post your deviation's link and thumb in a comment of this journal.
This challenge's deadline is May 31st. Ready, set, GO!!!








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I hope to see another awesome entry of yours in this one.
"And don't forget EVERYONE contributed to raising the founds for the Japanese! Here are the non-top three fractals: each one of them means a $5 worth donation to those who need it most, and I must really thank heartily all those who took part in this challenge. We've got a total of 16 entries, which sums up for a whole $80 donation! Long live Japan!"
So your calculations are correct.
I'm looking forward to the feature!