I was wondering what people me when they say something like "All PS. Source was used as a reference." or "-all source-" under their pictures, what is source? Sorry if this is a stupid question Im really new to all of this.

source is the contest picture. in other words, they didn't use any external sources/images

Each day a contest is held with an image provided by advantage PSC members who vote on what images will be used. You can do anything to the image within the rules to come up with something new. Some people add photos, some digitally paint, and others do "all source" images. An all source image means they used only what was in the contest photo to create something new. The tools of photoshop and one's imagination may also paint into the all source image. Some use a reference photo while others use their memories or imaginations to enhance their work. To get good, you'll want to try all of the above.

Thanks for clearing me up on that I really appreciate it.

wow alot of round about explaination lol

Source = Photograph intended for editing.
PS = Photoshop
All Source and PS = Made in photoshop (obviously) and the contest image was the only thing used. there is nothing else in the picture it is literally all source.
All source, only source, source only. (A variant of the above.)
All sauce... Nothing but ketchup

All hype? ^

All hype = Marco, Mark, Marcoballistic.

all source.

Sounds like you're quoting from one of my recent entries. As explained above...normally we manipulate the 'source' image....maybe with external images.....maybe without. BUT, very occasionally the source doesn't technically get used....but only as a reference. For instance, I've looked at the source object and tried to envisage what it would look like in a 2D form before it was actually made. I suppose a really good example of this might be Billtshow's tunnel chop in the recent tournament......where instead of looking into the tunnel, he has turned it around and constructed an image looking out. Make sense?

it is true, I am constantly in a state of hype