It’s very simple:

• If the lint was NOT part of the scene that was photographed — for example, a piece of dirt on the sensor or film — the removal of its depiction in the photograph is covered by #3 of TTG’s Allowable Changes and does not disqualify the photo from P2.

• If the lint being removed WAS part of the scene depicted — for example, a piece of fuzz on the sweater worn by a portrait subject — then removal of its depiction does disqualify the photo from P2 and from TTG.