Goodbye SWPP

Spiritflier

Spiritflier

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Simon (Prefer 'Si')
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Hi all,

After 18 months of trying to get along with the SWPP, I've finally given up and cancelled my membership... What really gets on my nerves is that they haven't even had the decency to reply to my email (although on past experience, it would probably be riddled with spelling and grammar errors anyway). :bang:

Has anyone got any suggestions as to where I should be putting my money in terms of photographic organisations apart from the RPS (I'm already a member)?

Cheers,
Si
 
Beware of the notice period that the SWPP require.

I believe - though may be wrong - that they require notice of resignation in writing, and I think it's 3 months before your membership expires.

I resigned a couple of years ago. Aside from the magazine, there was no other benefit that I could see.
 
I guess not Tom... I was thinking of it more as a way of gaining a distinction and after two submissions to the SWPP, I got a bit disillusioned with 'em.

I have no problem with anyone critiquing my work but when the reports come back riddled with bad spelling, grammar and poor presentation; I started to wonder whether it was right to put my work up for appraisal with an organisation that couldn't even proof read their own reports!

I guess I'm curious about other peoples' experiences both with the SWPP and with other organisations in general. Essentially, if I'm paying someone some money each month, I expect a bit of 'bang for my buck'. :)

Si
 
Spot on with the last comment 'Si'

Depends on what you wan to do, wedding, portrait, journo stuff, architectural.......

All have different 'umbrella' organisations, some get you noticed others take your money and run.
 
Spiritflier said:
I guess not Tom... I was thinking of it more as a way of gaining a distinction and after two submissions to the SWPP, I got a bit disillusioned with 'em.

I have no problem with anyone critiquing my work but when the reports come back riddled with bad spelling, grammar and poor presentation; I started to wonder whether it was right to put my work up for appraisal with an organisation that couldn't even proof read their own reports!

I guess I'm curious about other peoples' experiences both with the SWPP and with other organisations in general. Essentially, if I'm paying someone some money each month, I expect a bit of 'bang for my buck'. :)

Si
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There was a MASSIVE thread about them a while back, a Google search may find it while the TP search is down.
 
I got my 'L' with SWPP but being honest I am more involved with BIPP mainly because they hold the regional meetings 5 minutes from my house. I've gained a good deal of experience and valuable contacts from the meetings. Just need to get my LBIPP sorted before they chuck me out :lol:
 
Spiritflier said:
I guess not Tom... I was thinking of it more as a way of gaining a distinction and after two submissions to the SWPP, I got a bit disillusioned with 'em.

I have no problem with anyone critiquing my work but when the reports come back riddled with bad spelling, grammar and poor presentation; I started to wonder whether it was right to put my work up for appraisal with an organisation that couldn't even proof read their own reports!

I guess I'm curious about other peoples' experiences both with the SWPP and with other organisations in general. Essentially, if I'm paying someone some money each month, I expect a bit of 'bang for my buck'. :)

Si
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Hi
do you need any distinction's .... let your work do they talking and put your money into something worthwhile ..

SWPP is only people oppinios as to what they regard good .. A little like TP ... Some people will love something and would if they could hand out a distinction .. Others would hate it and say i don't get it ..
I once bumped into a Pro photographer ( Who i won't name ) . I asked what is the best course to go on ... He said NONE .. Find your own style stick to it and try to improve it .be your own critic . If the coustomer is happy you have done your job ...

Rog :thumbs:
 
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My card goes back today too :)

At last I am free, free from the annoying phone calls telling me I could be on page 1 of google. Like you Si, I have also struggled to find a new "natural" home but I am leaning towards MPA. They are full time only (within a year of joining) and you have to do your L and a diploma in photographic practice before you can use the L on anything. TBH that's not such a bad thing as they are at least trying to make sure that their members attain a certain standard and know the business basics.

Do I need an organisation? Probably not, I have enough good friends who help keep me right but often it's not what the organisation itself hands to you but what you gain from having contact with the other members that proves to be invaluable.

Good luck with your search Si :)
 
I think they changed their procedures, you can now resign quite easily via email. My resignation was processed without any fuss. The BIPP are good, but you need to gain your L and also attend the meetings to get any benefit. I think the MPA are very good for full-time photograpgers.
 
mike weeks said:
Simon a bit more knowledge about your genre of photography and what you are after may help the process.

Mike
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Hi Mike,

I started out in wedding photography a few years ago and wanted to do my 'L' with the SWPP - mainly 'cos they were a local organisation (based in North Wales) but I've become quite disillusioned with them. My background is in landscape photography and it's always been my first passion but after being knocked back twice with mentoring submissions, I've kinda decided that maybe I'm not cut out for wedding/portrait work. I've stopped taking bookings for weddings now and whilst I've never had any complaints from any of my clients, I really don't want to undertake any more until such time as I can honestly say that someone in an 'expert' capacity will sign off on my abilities... I've always considered my work to be of a high enough standard but maybe I've been kidding myself a bit. :shrug:

AliB said:
My card goes back today too :)

At last I am free, free from the annoying phone calls telling me I could be on page 1 of google. Like you Si, I have also struggled to find a new "natural" home but I am leaning towards MPA. They are full time only (within a year of joining) and you have to do your L and a diploma in photographic practice before you can use the L on anything. TBH that's not such a bad thing as they are at least trying to make sure that their members attain a certain standard and know the business basics.

Do I need an organisation? Probably not, I have enough good friends who help keep me right but often it's not what the organisation itself hands to you but what you gain from having contact with the other members that proves to be invaluable.

Good luck with your search Si :)
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Thanks Ali, :)

I think I might just stick with the RPS. I joined them back at the Focus show but haven't had the time to get that involved. Now that my house move is finally sorted, I reckon I'll have the time to get something done about it.

Carol said:
I think they changed their procedures, you can now resign quite easily via email. My resignation was processed without any fuss. The BIPP are good, but you need to gain your L and also attend the meetings to get any benefit. I think the MPA are very good for full-time photograpgers.
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Hi Carol,

I sent an email to Phil Jones stating my intention to leave the SWPP but I haven't even had so much as an acknowledgement of my email.

I think it's the lack of 'professionalism' from them that's really got on my nerves... In my opinion, if I've taken the time and trouble to put in a submission, I expect them to put a bit of effort into the report.

Thanks for the replies,
Si
 
I haven't seen your wedding work but your portrait submissions I saw were well worth paying for
 
Spiritflier said:
Hi all,

After 18 months of trying to get along with the SWPP, I've finally given up and cancelled my membership... What really gets on my nerves is that they haven't even had the decency to reply to my email (although on past experience, it would probably be riddled with spelling and grammar errors anyway). :bang:

Has anyone got any suggestions as to where I should be putting my money in terms of photographic organisations apart from the RPS (I'm already a member)?

Cheers,
Si
Click to expand...


So what does SWPP stand for again please? :)
Apologies if this question puts me in a very ignorant category but hey, I am a newbie after all and I am still grasping the codes :)
 
Its a shame TP haven't got a system in place to rival these kinds of organisations!
 
zulupentax said:
So what does SWPP stand for again please? :)
Apologies if this question puts me in a very ignorant category but hey, I am a newbie after all and I am still grasping the codes :)
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Hi Amin,

It's not an ignorant question at all... I should have made it clear in my first post. :)

The SWPP stands for "Stupid Wa**ers Posing as Photographers" ;)

It's the 'Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers'.

Take care,
Si
 
no where, there is no need for them.

Spiritflier said:
Hi all,

After 18 months of trying to get along with the SWPP, I've finally given up and cancelled my membership... What really gets on my nerves is that they haven't even had the decency to reply to my email (although on past experience, it would probably be riddled with spelling and grammar errors anyway). :bang:

Has anyone got any suggestions as to where I should be putting my money in terms of photographic organisations apart from the RPS (I'm already a member)?

Cheers,
Si
Click to expand...
 
i'd put my money towards a part time degree more than any of the societies

apart from the networking or whatever it is from the mpa none really interest me because of the idea of continuing to pay to retain an award given :/
 
Spiritflier said:
Hi Amin,

It's not an ignorant question at all... I should have made it clear in my first post. :)

The SWPP stands for "Stupid Wa**ers Posing as Photographers" ;)

It's the 'Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers'.

Take care,
Si
Click to expand...

Thanks Si, appreciate the clarification :)
I think I might need to consider this :)

So why is it again that you have to register to in the "Stupid Wa**ers Posing as Photographers" registry? Does it give you more credibility as a Wa** if you do?, Business wise I mean
 
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Carol said:
I think they changed their procedures, you can now resign quite easily via email. My resignation was processed without any fuss.
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Yeah that would be after the SWPP were told by a court that

Rules and Code of Conduct are not the same as Terms and Conditions of a contract and are not legally binding in the same way. No copy of Terms and Conditions were produced by SWPP.
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(Or to paraphrase - consult a lawyer before doing business - which would be good advice to all photographers.)

Story of lawsuit and allegations of bullying here.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Yeah that would be after the SWPP were told by a court that

(Or to paraphrase - consult a lawyer before doing business - which would be good advice to all photographers.)

Story of lawsuit and allegations of bullying here.
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Yes, I know about the court case, I've been a member of TP (as well as a number of other forums which covered the case) for a while! I'm not jumping up and down in support of SWPP, just saying that you no longer need to follow that rather long-winded requirement of sending a registered letter.
 
Been there had the T-Shirt and burnt it...........

SWPP is a Business pure and simple... Even though I have resigned I still show on their listings and still get the MAG & Emails (Been well over a year now)....... Good admin they have....... LOL

I would stay well clear IMHO
 
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