APPA IMAGE COMPETITION BOOT CAMP
From Good Images to Merit Images
Saturday, September 12, 2026 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Precision Camera – Anderson Lane
Attention, photographers! It’s time to report for Image Competition Boot Camp.
Whether you’ve never entered an image competition, have entered a few times and wondered “Why did that score what it did?”, or you’re an experienced competitor looking for those little refinements that can push an image into Merit territory, APPA Image Competition Boot Camp is designed to help you become a stronger, smarter competitor.
This fast-paced two-hour program will take some of the mystery—and intimidation—out of photographic competition and show you how to look at your images through the eyes of a competition judge.
We’ll break down the three styles of PPA Image Competition, what makes each different, how participating can improve your photography, and the how, what and when of entering.
Then we’ll dig into the heart of competition: The Twelve Elements of a Merit Image. Through explanations and examples, you’ll learn how judges evaluate an image and how elements such as impact, composition, lighting, storytelling, technique and presentation can influence the final score.
And because sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference, we’ll finish with the Do’s, Don’ts and Merit Killers—those details that can strengthen an otherwise good image or quietly pull a competition score downward.
Consider it two hours of basic training for photographers who want to compete with purpose.
You’ll Learn:
- The three styles of PPA Image Competition
- What each competition format is designed to accomplish
- How competition can make you a better photographer
- How, what and when to enter
- The Twelve Elements of a Merit Image
- How those elements influence scoring
- Small changes that can help improve your score
- Common competition mistakes and “Merit Killers”
- How to begin evaluating your own work like a competition judge
Your Instructor: Roy Nierdieck, M.Photog., M.Artist, Cr., CPP
Roy is the owner/operator of Red Dragon Photography LLC and Texas Heritage Portraits and Restorations Atelier, LLC. He is a Master Photographer, Master Artist, Photographic Craftsman, Certified Professional Photographer and two-time Austin Photographer of the Year, with work published in Cowboys & Indians and The Photographer magazines.
Your assignment is simple: bring your curiosity, bring your questions—and prepare to turn good images into Merit images.
FOCUS. TRAIN. COMPETE.
