Congratulations Otto Kruse For Image Excellence!

Many of us step into image competition for one simple reason: we love photography. Our images are more than pixels on a screen—they’re pieces of ourselves. They carry the emotions that made us click the shutter in the first place. But competition is a whole different ball game.

The moment we enter, our images are nit-picked, pulled apart, and analyzed in ways that can feel crushing. Yet—this is where the shift happens. It’s all about perspective. Image competition isn’t about tearing down; it’s about sharpening, refining, and learning to see through a wider lens.

When you enter PPSDC’s Image Competition, you’re not just competing—you’re stepping onto a path. As a PPA member, that path opens into the world of PPA Merit in Review. It takes 25 merits to earn the prestigious Master of Photography degree from PPA, the largest photography organization in the world. Of those, 12 must come from PPA-approved education (all of PPSDC’s workshops qualify!). The remaining 13 can be earned through monthly Merit in Review image submissions. With a maximum of eight merits possible per year, earning a Master’s degree in as little as two years becomes a reality.

And now, we celebrate one of our own. Otto has taken that leap into PPA competition and earned his first Merit in Imaging Excellence. Congratulations, Otto!

This is what community looks like—cheering each other on, taking risks together, and pushing one another toward goals we may not have thought possible alone. At PPSDC, we don’t just create images; we create pathways for growth. And the best part? We walk that path side by side.

We can't wait to see what you will create next!