I still like to hold that it isn't strictly necessary, just that preference goes to work with some original imagery associated. But I totally understand about visual art not being your thing, I'm definitely no painter, illustrator or animator myself.
What I found helped was using my own pictures and taking advantage of editing apps and text apps for titling my work on my phone. But I'm also very often away from my desktop, so I try to do the best I can with this smartphone. I hope you decide to give it a shot, whether for this challenge or the one for fun :)
The vision is that eventually we will have multiple judges in differing categories. While there will be a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, I want more people to be able to receive prizes for their work through honorable mentions for their illustration, painting, photography, etc that they have envisioned or re-purposed for their entry. I guess I just like giving away SBD too, because there's so much talent and creativity here. But please don't feel as though it is a barrier to entry, it just raises the level of competition from the start. There's so much good work!
This xenopus boy will continue to try and expand the SBD opportunities, and I hope you stick around :)
I like your vision. I've just written one so I'll enter for fun-without a picture.