The final image must have originated as a photograph, and the original exposure and all post processing must be the work of the Image Creator. 

The image should communicate a story, idea, mood or have some other creative intention.  

Ways of creating a digital art image include but are not limited to:

• Filters – Filters are permitted provided they do not introduce a new element to the image that the Image Creator has not created themselves.  For example, the sky replacement filter should use your own image.  Stock images are not permitted.  Filters which add a texture or pattern are permitted provided the texture or pattern has been created by the Image Creator. Third party textures & patterns are not permitted. 
• Composite Images – whether they are of a realistic scene or an unrealistic scene, using editing techniques to build a scene from different elements (all of which have been photographed by the Image Creator). Stock images are not permitted. Clip art is not permitted.
• Vector/Raster Layers – The use of basic tools/brushes in photoshop are permitted to create Vector/Raster Layers provided the contents have been created by the Image Creator.  Custom tools/brushes/textures must have been created by the Image Creator.  Vector/Raster Layers can only amount to 50% of the image.