sorry, meant to post this earlier with his consent. An email from Donald Weber, one of the judges this year.
"Hey Fred;
Just an update on the NPAC post, actually, %20 means that total images, not amount of photogs. For example, if a photographer entered a 10 picture story and 3 images were found to be disqualified, they would be kicked out, but that means 3 entries, not one… So, it’s the total number of images not photographers.
Secondly, it was more about manipulating the image to points where bits and pieces were removed or added, not photoshop toning itself, which frankly is a problem but that’s my personal judgement, as long as the integrity of the image stayed the same. Also, if you burn down areas to toal black depending on how much and how much it altered the image, that could be considered disqualified…
Hope you like the winners!"