The use of the photographic medium as an art form . Emphasis is on interest value, composition, technical excellence and visual impact. Subjects are broad, and include scenics, close-ups, buildings, portraits, still lifes.
Special techniques are also unlimited, and include digital and darkroom manipulation.
This must be done in such a fashion that a well informed person will be able to identify the subject and to certify to its honest representation. Roads, walls, fences, etc. reflecting the hand of man must not be evident in the image. Photographs which depict domesticated animals, artificially produced hybrid plants or horticultural varieties of plants may not be used. Still life studies, obviously set flower arrangements, mounted specimens, museum habitats or groups, derivations, or any form of photographic manipulation that alters the truth of the photographic statement are ineligible. Flowers such as wild roses, proteus and certain fuchsias may be used as nature subjects, even though they are growing in gardens, since they have not been changed from the wild forms by man.