Life beyond Club Competitions

Take your photography beyond the club and into a wider world of competitions, and recognition.
This page is a quick introduction to what's out there.

Time to dip your toe in the water?

Recently Adrian Moore and Les Beardmore took their first step into the world of external competitions, both having successes. Adrian entered the Great Barr Panel Exhibition and was awarded Louise Hill’s judges’ ribbon for “Family Tree” and Les had Male Bullfinch and Greater Spotted Woodpecker accepted in the Robin Hood Exhibition. See the images below.

So what’s it all about?

I asked Dave Bowen for his views on the matter:

“Being curious, it seemed to me to be a natural progression… Club photography, Inter-Club photography, National and International exhibitions and ultimately distinctions.

As a result of extending my activities beyond the club, I have shared my photographs with a huge audience around the world. I have been lucky enough to enjoy some success but, equally, I have had some spectacular failure. More importantly, every step of the way I have found encouragement, inspiration and friendship, all of which has benefitted my photography.

Confucius says - when exhibiting your photographs or going for distinctions just remember… the difference between observation and criticism can be measured by the thickness of your skin.
My most successful photograph? It’s still out there somewhere!”

As photographic club members, we are constantly exposed to internal club, inter-club, two-way, three way and eight-way competitions, where your work may be selected and used. Similarly, your images maybe selected for use in the GB Cup, PAGB Knockout or PhotoFolio. All competitions run on a club basis with the reputation of the Club paramount. But is that enough for you as an individual?
You have taken the trouble to create your prints and PDIs, used them in Club competitions and then stored them away. There are opportunities outside the club circuit:

1. The Royal Photographic Society Distinctions (RPS)

www.rps.org
The RPS award distinctions, which are recognized world-wide as measures of photographic achievement:

LRPS – 10prints or PDIs that are sufficiently varied to show good technical quality, understanding of the use of light, good print quality, variety of treatment and how to select the right view point.

ARPS – 15 prints or PDIs that show a high level of visual competence, good technical expertise and sensitive use of light, composition skill and meaningful communication are all prerequisities. 

FRPS – 20 prints or PDIs that show distinguished ability in a specialist field. An individual style should be clearly recognize and it should demonstrate excellent communication through the images.
An annual fee for membership to the RPS, and the use of the distinction, is payable. 

2. Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB)

The awards for photographic merit (APM) are open to all members of clubs affiliated to the PAGB.
An initial entry fee is payable but the awards are held without further annual payment.

CPAGB – 10 prints or PDIs are required and the standard is good club photography.

DPAGB – 15 prints or PDIs are required and the standard is open exhibition photography. 

MPAGB – 20 prints or PDIs are required and the standard is the highest standard of UK amateur photography. 

3. British Photographic Exhibitions

www.britishphotographicexhibitions.org.uk

The crown award system is designed to enable successful photographers gain additional
distinctions. Photographers are invited to aggregate their acceptances in affiliated exhibitions and upon reaching the accepted aggregate apply, without charge, for a crown award. Full detail of the scheme and affiliated exhibitions can be found on the website.

4. Federation International de l’Art Photographique and 
Photographic Society of America

 Similar award schemes are run by the Federation International de l’Art Photographique
(FIAP) and the Photographic Society of America (PSA). Information about these awards can be found at www.fiap.com and www.psa-photo.org respectively.

A good starting point is to enter work into local national and international exhibitions, such as those run by Smethwick PS, Solihull PS, Bromsgrove PS, and Great Barr PS just to name a few.
Acceptances in these exhibitions count towards the BPE crown awards and will give you a good indication of the quality of your work.
So the big question, is it time for you to “Dip your toe in the water?”

Text by Pete Atkins 2013/14

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