08/19/2026
Have you ever entered an image you absolutely loved—only to be disappointed when it didn’t score well in competition?
You’re not alone. A beautiful photograph and a competition-ready image are not always the same thing.
Join for Demystifying Image Competition on Wednesday, August 26th, an educational program designed to help photographers better understand what judges see and how competition images are evaluated. This session is virtual, so you can watch from anywhere. The session starts at 3:00pm Pacific Daylight Time, so check your time zone.
Lisa will break down the 12 Elements of a Merit Image and explain how elements such as impact, creativity, composition, lighting, storytelling, and technical excellence work together to strengthen an entry.
You’ll learn:
📷 Why a great photograph may not receive the score you expected
📷 What judges look for when evaluating an image
📷 How the 12 Elements influence scoring
📷 How to identify strengths and distractions in your own work
📷 What can elevate an image from “good” to merit-worthy
Whether you’re preparing for your first competition or want to improve your results, Lisa will help take the mystery out of the judging process and guide you toward creating stronger, more intentional competition images.
Come ready to learn, see your work differently, and take the next step in your image-competition journey!
Register here: https://oregonppa.org/event-6784930
