RPS - Worth joining?

kanephotos

kanephotos

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Kane
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Hi,

I've had a search and only seen a few threads on the various qualifications and those are from 2024 or before.

I was wondering more generally if people found RPS membership useful? It seems you get a journal, access to some kind of forum etc. does it stack up for the cost? Or not really?

Thanks,

Kane
 
I tried it, there was nothing for me and not a particularly friendly group.
If you just want to go for their various levels of 'accreditations' (ARPS etc) then it's a project but IIRC you can only use the 'accreditations' as long as you remain a paying member.
 
They used to have a very nice restaurant, in the basement at the old headquarters in Bath.

I think that's the most useful thing I found about them.
 
Totally not worth it - i mean, it's an educational charity and your money goes towards them doing some good (I don't know what) - so if you support their causes then maybe it's worth it? otherwise, I don't know where the value is. I fancy hanging on long enough to have a go at the FRPS and then call it a day - I know.. it's not about the postnominals, it's about completing a project for me,
 
I did A level photography a few years ago so l could have got the lrps but why would l want to pay rps for the privilege. A pointless subscription based qualification.
 
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I have to agree with all the previous posts.

Which is a shame really, if the RPS didn't exist, photographers would be crying out for such an organisation.
 
Like all art, photography is subjective and all of those accreditations seem to be a vanity subscription. And let’s face it, if it didn’t exist there would still be great photography. Photography doesn’t need a gatekeeper or made up accreditations.
 
Definitely not worth it or recommend
 
Every time I've been to Focus on Imaging or The Photography Show I've stopped at their stand to examine their magazine (or journal) to see if it had anything for me. It never seemed worth it for the journal, and the letters after my name never appealed. I don't even use my degree letters on my card and arguably they potentially say more about me. So, not for me.
 
I agree with Stephen, the post nominals aren't worth as much as my other academic and professional qualifications, even if I could earn an ARPS or something, but I think the appeal is either as @benc98 says, a personal project, or if you're a photo club person where these things matter to some people. My ex-wife actually had the ARPS and another pro qualification but never used them for anything even to win business or a job, and once she stopped the subscription she lost the use of them. I think the best feedback and status validation you can get as a geo is by being able to sell your images, or on image sharing forums like this.
 
StephenM said:
Every time I've been to Focus on Imaging or The Photography Show I've stopped at their stand to examine their magazine (or journal) to see if it had anything for me. It never seemed worth it for the journal, and the letters after my name never appealed. I don't even use my degree letters on my card and arguably they potentially say more about me. So, not for me.
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IMO historically the RPS held back British photography
 
It was a big thing with camera clubs (maybe still is) but having mates who were members and having been there a good few times I cant say I was impressed.
Yes some are first class photographers, many are lets say different. If you want letters after your name it's good as long as you keep paying.
The standard for the FRPS used to be very high, from what I've seen the standards have slipped or more likely the bar has been lowered.
Not for me then or now.
 
DemiLion said:
Common misperception.

There are no valid or recognised photographic post-nominals; apart from BA ad BSc.

Any other use is just vanity and also incorrect.
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The camera club lads made a big thing about having FRPS or whatever though, even if it mean nothing.
 
DemiLion said:
Common misperception.

There are no valid or recognised photographic post-nominals; apart from BA ad BSc.

Any other use is just vanity and also incorrect.
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In Camera Clubs, we do not refer to these as post-nominals but as photographic distinctions. They are used mainly as a project or target for those who are developing so NOT just used for vanity. We also accept that these distinctions, while recognised internationally may mean nothing outside the photographic club world. It is not just photographic distinctions that you can lose by not paying an annual fee. I used to have a post-nominal of C.Eng but lost this after deciding not to continue paying £180 p.a. after retirement. At the time I considered using that money to join the RPS, because they had plans to move to my town and thus easy access to their facilities and locally organised events but they could not afford the property prices here and did not move to my town so I did not join.

Dave
 
swanseamale47 said:
The camera club lads made a big thing about having FRPS or whatever though, even if it mean nothing.
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There have always been small lizards who insist on telling every listener that their ancestors were Tyrannosaurus rex.

It's only polite not to disabuse them of their illusions ... ;)
 
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