Any members of the RPS on here?

Messiah Khan

Messiah Khan

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Alasdair Fowler
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Im just wondering if there are any members of the Royal Photographic Society on here? If so, do you have any distinctions and did you find it hard to achieve these? Im considering joining as I feel it would benefit my CV, especially with the jobs im looking for a the moment. A member on another forum who received a Licentiateship and a Associateship (But unfortunately let his membership lapse) kindly suggested that I should apply as he thought my work was of a high enough standard.

Ive been having a look at the Rps website, and I thought it would be seriously hard to gain a distinction, but I have to say after looking through a few of the portfolios on there I am distinctly underwhelmed by some of the work. For example I found this portfolio which is similar stuff to what I do, and he had received a FRPS;

http://www.rps.org/portfolios_detail.php?ID=406

Hopefully without sounding too big headed, im sure my work is up to that standard. What do people suggest? Ideas and comments please.:)
 
I've been thinking the same - some of the example portfolios that have been awarded various distinctions seem really, well, shocking. Not wanting to sound arogant about it or anything but I found it hard to see the merit in the images...its the RPS for crying out loud, not a photographic club. That said I've seen some amazing shots from photographic clubs!
If its for CV/job prospects it can't hurt can it, lends a bit of weight to your credibility too.
 
I thought about it a while ago but after reading the RPS forums for a while I decided that it wasn't for me. The amount of effort that people put into just the layout of their entries combined with the (IMO) heavy bias towards technical perfection over content are the two things that really put me off.
 
TBH your stuff is a lot more impressive than the stuff you linked to. Most of his seem to be less than sharp.
 
Ewan said:
TBH your stuff is a lot more impressive than the stuff you linked to. Most of his seem to be less than sharp.
Click to expand...
have a look around and you'll find a great deal of 'less that sharp'...
 
I was a member for about three years and ultimately gained Associate membership
When I realized what was involved to gain a fellowship together with the annual membership fee of some £90pa (At the time) I decided to resign.
For Fellowship, one had to produce 20 absolutely first class images. I wanted to shoot landscapes but with the cost of film(At the time) and the cost of travel to location which can be far and wide I didn't think it was worth it.
However it is a challenge and they did not give out awards lightly. Perhaps things have changed.
H
 
a few letters behind your name? i've already got a fair few...
 
Hi Milou
I've looked at your Dark coast work and I think they are too good for LRPS.
They are ARPS material. Suggest you look for some lesser work for the first step and keep these for the harder step. I don't think you can resubmit the same work for higher distinctions.
Also try to get the opinion of someone who is on the adjudication panel for advice.
H
 
Wow, I've often thought of joining but didn't think my work would be good enough, however having just seen some of the portfolios I'm pretty shocked at the level required (RPS recent portfolios). I know we've all got to start somewhere but there are a lot of images there that I wouldn't even consider putting on here never mind submitting to the RPS, maybe TP should start it's own accreditation programme :D as the work on here is certainly of a much higher standard!

I hope this post doesn't sound too arrogant, it's not meant that way. There is a place for associations like the RPS and the good it can do, in fact I may still submit some to them to see how far I can get.
 
I was a member, briefly, in the early 70s.

I must say even my dust spots are sharper than some of those examples - lol
 
I have often wondered the credibility of such organisations also on the hitlist is the BIPP and the MPA? having had a look at some of the work on there makes you wonder if its as simple as offering them a few snaps and fees (Around£150.00) and away you go sell your business using these ...? is it as good as having MBE,OBE Etc after our names :lol:
 
I have considered joining a few times, afaik you can apply straight for the the Associate but you need to be an associate member to go for a fellowship.

I've often wondered too if the letters would actually mean anything to people to justify the cost.
 
mole2k said:
I've often wondered too if the letters would actually mean anything to people to justify the cost.
Click to expand...

They mean something to people within the RPS and they determine the pecking order down at the camera club.... some clubs anyway. ;)

Ohterwise it's a bit like turning up for a band audition and showing 'em your music grade certificates. They'd want to know if you can play! :D
 
Well to turn the table, I entered the RPS 150th competition this year, clearly my images were not good enough.
But you get a catalogue of the chosen images and I have to say some of them, most of them are corkers.... I am not a member but thought I'd give it a crack, probably do the same njext year as well !
 
Thanks you lot. Im still in two minds as to joining. I would like to join as I feel it would help my CV, but im not sure if I can justify the £90 annual fee. It really does seem to be a mixed bag in terms of standard of work. I would rather have my work be rejected and have to fight for entry due to the high standards, then having my work accepted first time due to falling standards.

If I do decide to enter, im probably going to jump straight in and go for Licentiateship straight away. Does anyone have any advice when doing this? Am I right in believing that you should have a 'connected' body of work, ie a theme. I would most likely use my best insect macro shots, so I presume this would be classed as a theme in itself.
 
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