Royal Photographic Society

Michael Batten

Michael Batten

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Michael
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I was musing over the LRPS and seeing how and what standard is required and have downloaded the guide for a lunchtime read and wondered how many among the TP members have gone through this process?

Did you find it rewarding, difficult, waste of time, best thing you ever did etc.? If you have been through the process do you have your panel online so that we could view them?

Michael.
 
I bypassed the L and went straight for the ARPS. I got a huge amount of the journey, definitely helped me up the quality of my photography and helped me with things like narrowing down a body of work into a shortlist and then into a panel. This has subsequently helped me with my book making and exhibitions. The monthly comic for members is good as well.

I did a series of blog posts about it a few years ago, first one is here.

You will doubtless get the usual faces coming on to bash the RPS, but myself and many others have found it worthwhile.
 
Why do people bash it? Is the BIPP more prestigeous as it appears to be for commissioned work?
 
I done mine through the BIPP , you ask more prestigeous?........I dont think so BUT in my opnion much harder to get and thats why I went with the BIPP , weather im right or wrong it felt more desirved. So rather than supplying a handful of images for a panel , I was assessed by a panel of 38 images plus a complete wedding. Also they want to see what they call supporting evidence which is basically an essay on my photography on a persnal level and busisness one,my goals, business plans,some personal work,my contracts and everything right down to health and saftey. I feel it helped with my photography and gave me a goal but more important it forced me to look harder at my business. Do my clients care that im qualified.........I dont really think so .
 
I did an "L" and keep 'thinking' about an "A". Definitely worth doing. You learn so much and there are some great mentors around. I'm lucky to have an FRPS in our camera club and another fairly close. Can't see why you'd 'bash' an internationally renowned professional body.
 
stumac said:
I done mine through the BIPP , you ask more prestigeous?........I dont think so BUT in my opnion much harder to get and thats why I went with the BIPP , weather im right or wrong it felt more desirved. So rather than supplying a handful of images for a panel , I was assessed by a panel of 38 images plus a complete wedding. Also they want to see what they call supporting evidence which is basically an essay on my photography on a persnal level and busisness one,my goals, business plans,some personal work,my contracts and everything right down to health and saftey. I feel it helped with my photography and gave me a goal but more important it forced me to look harder at my business. Do my clients care that im qualified.........I dont really think so .
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I appreciate what you're saying Stuart but my photography isn't a business it's a hobby for want of another word so the BIPP isn't a route that I could follow. If photography was my livelyhood then I probably would like to go done the BIPP route.
DG Phototraining said:
Defo worthwhile for most :)

See here for mine... http://www.davidgoodierphotography.co.uk/how-to-shoot-for-your-lrps/

Dave
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Thanks Dave, it's interesting that the panel has to show technical competance where as I assume the A and F show more creative ability in a given genre?

Photodiva said:
I did an "L" and keep 'thinking' about an "A". Definitely worth doing. You learn so much and there are some great mentors around. I'm lucky to have an FRPS in our camera club and another fairly close. Can't see why you'd 'bash' an internationally renowned professional body.
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Guess people have their own opinions on everything.
 
Michael Batten said:
I appreciate what you're saying Stuart but my photography isn't a business it's a hobby for want of another word so the BIPP isn't a route that I could follow. If photography was my livelyhood then I probably would like to go done the BIPP route.


Thanks Dave, it's interesting that the panel has to show technical competance where as I assume the A and F show more creative ability in a given genre?



Guess people have their own opinions on everything.
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Ahh ok, well then from a personal point of view and regardless of where you do it I would say its very worth while and you can meet some great people and photographers. For whats its worth and again in my opnion the one with the highest (head and shoulders above the rest) quality of photographers is the MPA but not sure how business foccused they are.
 
I see a lot of peoples are bypassing the LRPS and going onto it at the ARPS level. I guess it deepens on where you think you are at. I've never hear anyone bash the RPS or BIPP but lots of bashing towards the Societies, where it is seen as a joke by most.
 
momoka said:
I've never hear anyone bash the RPS or BIPP but lots of bashing towards the Societies, where it is seen as a joke by most.
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I know folk who bash them all, and mostly from those who have never been a member of any and often couldn't get a distinction if their lives depended on it :D

The Societies has lots of good points and a few not so good at times; as has the RPS, as has BIPP; as has the MPA, the Guild etc. none of them are perfect for everyone nor could one ever be

Dave
 
I did my 'L' in 2013 after going and looking at the assessments in 2011 and 2012 at the Photography show in Birmingham. I then set off on my 'A" and have learnt so much from that including Lightroom and Photoshop. I think I started a bit too soon and, after two split decisions that went against me, I am have walked away from the project even though I was given the chance to do a resubmission. Was that frustrating and disappointing? Well yes but compared with where I am now to when I started in 2012, I think I have learnt more in the last 2 years than in the rest of my entire life! I also joined a really good camera club and learnt a lot from the speakers and presentations there.

So, give it a go; people do come on here and criticise the RPS for being cliquey and a bunch of boring old **** but actually, it's a standard to meet and I like a challenge - so I will definitely be back. There are examples of the L on the website. Some of them are now becoming more themed but that is not necessary; it's a bit like a driving licence and you need to demonstrate technical competence in a variety of lighting. Repetition is a big no no and so is blown highlights and blacks.

Good luck! I would suggest you also go and watch an advisory day and an assessment day to get an idea of the standard. DPI seems to be much harder than Prints.
 
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