The Societies

cotty332000

cotty332000

Suspended / Banned
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1,618
Name
Simon
Edit My Images
Yes
I am thinking of joining one of the societies but unsure of which one!
It's a toss up between the RPS or the SWPP at the minute.
I mainly shoot portraits and Landscape's.
The main reason for wanting to join is to push myself and aim for something,i.e a licentiate or equivalent, I always need to try and achieve something to keep my interest in everything I do!
Anybody have real world experience/recommendations for either of these or any others?
 
RPS is expensive, and you get pretty much nothing in return. I could hand over the fee tomorrow and be awarded ARPS without taking a singe shot, but don't see how that's good use of the fee. If you just wanted letters after your name, then it's a rip off, but as you say, if your goal is to have motivation to achieve those letters so you end up taking better photos, then it's probably worth it.

I'd do RPS... I think the image judging panels are more technically strict from what I've read, so your motivation to work harder and study more will be greater.
 
Thanks for the reply David,I'm not interested in the letters after my name,I'm looking for something to help motivate me and keep me motivated and help me become as good as I can!:)
 
cotty332000 said:
Thanks for the reply David,I'm not interested in the letters after my name,I'm looking for something to help motivate me and keep me motivated and help me become as good as I can!:)
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realise that... but using them as a "scoring" system, and goals to aim for will improve your photography... that was my point :)
 
There are quite a few posts about RPS distinctions on here, and speaking as an amateur, going for the distinctions has really forced me to raise my game. Sure there are some inconsistencies in assessments, and the amount of creativity and originality witnessed can sometimes be lacking, but if you want that then you may want to go down a more academic route. It isn't for everyone, but myself and a number of others on here have got a lot out if it.
 
cotty332000 said:
I am thinking of joining one of the societies but unsure of which one!
It's a toss up between the RPS or the SWPP at the minute.
I mainly shoot portraits and Landscape's.
The main reason for wanting to join is to push myself and aim for something,i.e a licentiate or equivalent, I always need to try and achieve something to keep my interest in everything I do!
Anybody have real world experience/recommendations for either of these or any others?
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You can try out the SWPP on a 3 month free trial and take advantage of the mentoring system that works hand in hand with the distinctions system :)
 
colintjones said:
You can try out the SWPP on a 3 month free trial and take advantage of the mentoring system that works hand in hand with the distinctions system :)
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Thanks,That's exactly what I've done,nothing to lose if after 3 months I decide it's not for mr I'll just cancel and not cost a penny!!
The welcome pack was delivered today!
I like the idea of working towards the distinctions!:)
 
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cotty332000 said:
Thanks,That's exactly what I've done,nothing to lose if after 3 months I decide it's not for mr I'll just cancel and not cost a penny!!
The welcome pack was delivered today!
I like the idea of working towards the distinctions!:)
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That's great, let me know if I can be of any assistance :)
 
Yv said:
So not pimping your society at all then? As you have been requested not to do.
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I responded to a question, which in a PM you sent on the 7/12/2011 said was fine to do.
 
colintjones said:
I responded to a question, which in a PM you sent on the 7/12/2011 said was fine to do.
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Of course you may answer questions, but I think I would be insulting your intelligence if I thought you didn't know where the line in the sand might be between answering a question concerning, say for example, the specifics of how your Society works with regards distinctions, and an open question asking for recommendations for which society to join answered by a Director of that society and without making it clear who you are to the OP. One is providing genuine information, the other is advertising.
 
Given Simon's interests lie with portraiture and landscape, I'd recommend Professional Imagemaker magazine to his attention. It can be bought on subscription, or comes with SWPP menbership. For my money, it's the best general magazine on the market, and I subscribed for some years before joining the SWPP.
 
Given that I nearly got banned last time this was discussed, I'm reluctant to go into it again - suffice to say that I would choose a well known society which has rigourous examination for its distinctions. I am personally also dubious about the worth of a society that has 'sister' societies for virtually every field of photography , and who's events are often the same event for all these societies , although that isn't always made clear.

Personally my suggestion would be to go for the RPS -- while David is right that he could get an ARPS without needing to submit pictures, do bear in mind that this is because he's already well into a photographic career and has appropriate qualifications. For most of us this distinction is not so easy to gain.
 
:whistle:

Mustn't say anything.

Must be good.

Don't want to say anything about "The Societies" that might be considered provocative ...

:whistle:
 
big soft moose said:
Given that I nearly got banned last time this was discussed, I'm reluctant to go into it again - suffice to say that I would choose a well known society which has rigourous examination for its distinctions. I am personally also dubious about the worth of a society that has 'sister' societies for virtually every field of photography , and who's events are often the same event for all these societies , although that isn't always made clear.

Personally my suggestion would be to go for the RPS -- while David is right that he could get an ARPS without needing to submit pictures, do bear in mind that this is because he's already well into a photographic career and has appropriate qualifications. For most of us this distinction is not so easy to gain.
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This ^

If you already have a degree in photography (like David), then yes you can get an ARPS quite easily. If you've not then it's a lot of time, cost and work going through the distinctions. However, I personally have found it worthwhile.
I know nothing of the SWPP, so really can't comment either way, a search through the forum may yield something useful?
 
colintjones said:
I responded to a question, which in a PM you sent on the 7/12/2011 said was fine to do.
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and since have had your classifieds access removed for trading, no posts for a month until this one pops up. Play by the rules or move on.
 
big soft moose said:
while David is right that he could get an ARPS without needing to submit pictures, do bear in mind that this is because he's already well into a photographic career and has appropriate qualifications. For most of us this distinction is not so easy to gain.
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Maybe I didn't make that clear, as I assumed most would realise you have to submit a panel of work for FRPS, ARPS etc. My point was despite having to do nothing in order to gain ARPS, I STILL don't think it's worth the money and haven't done it. I wasn't saying it's easy to gain the letters :)

As most would have to submit images, I admit it gives you incentive, and targets to aim for that will improve your photography, and therefore is worth doing for that reason. I just wouldn't get excited about having letters after your name, as people judge you by your work, not how many qualifications you have.


I agree however.... the RPS would be my choice if I did... or the BIPP. Why join a specific portrait and wedding society when you don't shoot weddings? The RPS and BIPP are long standing, highly regarded and not specific to any one genre. They recognise good photography, not photography in one narrow niche or genre.

The RPS are more traditional than BIPP. You're less likely to get questioned over ignoring stupid stuff like rules of thirds if you go with BIPP. RPS are more prescriptive in this manner, and reward more conventionally accomplished photography... so take your pick based on that advice... but for my money (and it will be your money too) I'd definitely go with one of these two and not SWPP.
 
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