1. ABSTRACT - Experimental, special effects, infrared prints, (excludes Creative).
2. ACTION - Motion being portrayed as the dominant theme.
3. ANIMALS -Animals depicted as the main theme (excludes birds).
4. CLOSE UP - Photographs of small subjects or close up views of sections of large subjects.
5. CREATIVE - Creative is defined as altered reality. This definition includes alterations utilizing: colored lights and gels, blacklight, mylar, sandwiches, projected images, double exposures, zoomed images, litho, birefringence, and computer manipulation. The appropriateness of the technique selected is considered in judging. Once a manipulated image has received an Award or an HM in any LPA competition, the base original image may not be re-used with another manipulation.
6. DESERT SCENES - Depicting the environment, plants, animals and birds of the southwestern deserts. Excludes desert wildflowers.
7. DESERT WILDFLOWERS - Close-ups and landscapes dominated by desert wildflowers.
8. FLOWERS - Single or multiple blossoms of one or more plants, excluding Desert Wildflowers
9. HUMAN INTEREST - People and/or animals photographed in an interesting way or in unusual circumstances.
10. MULTIMEDIA - TO BE ENTERED IN MISCELLANEOUS CLASS. Any process, technique or combination thereof, which is derived from photographic methods such as photo etchings, gum bichromate, montages, 3D, silk screening, multi-toned, sequences and hand painted prints. Excludes Creative.
11. NATURE - Something that exists in nature: An insect, butterflies, leaves, etc. (includes birds and fish). No man made objects.
12. PHOTOJOURNALISM - Photojournalism images shall consist of pictures or sequences with informative content and emotional impact, including human interest, documentary and spot news. The journalistic value of the photograph shall be considered over pictorial quality. In the interest of credibility, photographs which misrepresent the truth, such as manipulation to alter the subject matter, or situations which are set up for the purpose of photography, are unacceptable in Photojournalism.
13. PICTORIAL - Picturesque scenes such as landscapes, seascapes or scenic views.
14. PORTRAIT - Portrayal of a person or persons.
15. STEP INTO THE PAST - Historic sites, buildings, antiques and relics of the past.
16. STRUCTURES - Man made objects such as buildings, bridges, lighthouses, etc. EXCLUDES VEHICLES.
17. TRAVEL - Images taken outside the Antelope Valley that represent travel, such as buildings, people and their customs, etc.
18. VEHICLES -Any type of vehicle (car, boat, airplane, etc.)
19. MISCELLANEOUS -Any photo that does NOT meet the criteria of any other class definition. Multimedia must be entered here.

No elements may be moved, cloned, added, deleted, rearranged, or combined. No manipulation or modification is permitted except resizing, cropping, selective lightening or darkening, and restoration of original color of the scene. No special effect filters can be applied. Any sharpening must appear natural.