Distinctions

The Royal Photographic Society awards distinctions to its members based on work submitted for consideration. The awards range from Licentiateship (LRPS), through Associateship (ARPS) to Fellowship (FRPS). For the latter two awards, the work must be submitted to a particular category panel such as Pictorial, Nature or Applied.

Licentiateship is the first rung of the ladder, going up to an Associateship and finally, the Fellowship. Distinctions are not given lightly; the 'higher up' you go, the harder they are to obtain.There are many photographic organisations that award distinctions to their members, RPS (Royal Photographic Society), BIPP (British Institute of Professional Photography), MPA (Master Photographers Association), and PAGB (Photographic Alliance of Great Britain) to name a few.

So, what are the judges looking for? Take the RPS as an example. For the Licentiateship, you need to produce a panel of 10 images, normally displayed in two rows of five. These are placed on a 'Distinctions Assessment board' (a display stand ), and discussed by the judges. All prints need to be in mounts sympathetic to the image and up to a size of 16x20in. It is also very important that your images hold together as a panel. For an Associateship award the applicant must submit 15 images, for the Fellowship award 20 images are required. Work can be submitted either as slides or prints but not a mixture.

A second route to a distinction is via an exemption. For example, I hold the required amount of points from a City&Guilds 9231 Photography course. This entitles me to be an LRPS as long as I remain a member of the society. The other Exemptions recognised by the RPS are:

Licentiateship

• A Level Photography, Grade A or B
• City & Guilds 9231 Photography Course; having attained a certain number and grade of module passes
• City & Guilds Senior Award - Licentiateship
• BTEC ND in Photography
• Open College of the arts "Art of Photography", Social Documentary or Landscape Award
• Licentiateship of the BIPP or the MPA

Associateship

• Combined BA Hons Degree in Photography
• BA Degree in Photography
• BTEC HND in Photography
• Associateship of the BIPP or the MPA

for more information go to the RPS web site