Photographic distinctions page

Awarding Body	General Description
PAGB	The Photographic Alliance of Great Britian
	According to its own constitution the PAGB "shall consist of the Federations, Unions and Associations of Photographic Societies in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and such other organisations as may be admitted to membership." There are 15 federations, of which the L&CPU (Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union) is one. SLIC is affiliated to the L&CPU. The PAGB organises a number of annual inter-federation competitions for prints and projected images. Medals and ribbons are awarded to the best individual entries and trophies to the winning clubs. The PAGB also organises a series of awards, to individual photographers, for photographic merit. These awards are open to all members of clubs affiliated to the PAGB through their own local federation. There is an initial fee for entry but the award, once gained, is held for life without further payment. To qualify to enter, the applicant must comply with the criteria laid down by their own Federation showing active photographic support of that Federation over a specified number of years. Applicants for MPAGB must have held the DPAGB for a minimum of 11 months. There are normally 2 adjudications each year, in April and November, at different locations around the UK, and early applications are advised. An entry can consist of prints or projected images (slide or pdi). The awards are: *CPAGB (Credit) - a blue badge and certificate is awarded for 10 prints or projected images at a required standard of 'Good Club Photography'* *DPAGB (Distinction) - a red badge and certificate is awarded for 15 prints or projected images at a required standard of 'Open Exhibition Photography'.* *MPAGB (Master) - a yellow badge and certificate is awarded for 20 prints or projected images at a required standard of 'the Highest Standard of UK Amateur Photography'.* There are PAGB Credit, Distinction and Master Awards, at the same required standards, awarded for Audio Visual entries. These adjudications are held as and when required. Joint applications are permissible. Applications can only be made through your Federation Awards Officer from whom application forms can be obtained. For more information visit the PAGB website.
BPE	British Photographic Exhibitions
	The BPE states, on its own website: "The BPE exists to encourage photographers to enter exhibitions and to recognise successful entrants via the issue of the Crown Awards photographic distinctions. Exhibition members share ideas, promote each other's exhibitions and generally work together to promote competitive photography." The National Exhbitions, which are members of the British Photographic Exhibitions, offer a Crown Award system. Each successful applicant for an award will receive a Ribbon and a Certificate and will be entitled to use the appropriate letters of the award after their name. Those who reach BPE5*, the top award, will then be invited to aggregate acceptances together with awards to apply for ABPE (Associateship) and FBPE (Fellowship) awards. These awards will be recognised with a Certficate and a Medal and the recipient will be entitled to use the appropriate letters of the award after their name. There is no charge levied for the awards. At the moment there are 16 BPE Exhibitions annually. They are: Bebington Salon of Photography Beyond Group Open Exhibition Bromsgrove Open Exhibition of Photography Cotswold Salon (Monochrome) Dingwall National Projected Image Exhibition GDPU Digital Exhibition Great Barr Open Exhibition Great Barr PS Panels Exhibition Guernsey Salon of Photography Havant National Open Exhibition RTPS National Open Digital Exhibition Rushden Open Photographic Exhibition Shrewsbury Open Photography Exhibition Solihull Open Exhibition of British Photography Southport Open Exhibition of Photography Vale of Evesham National Photographic Exhibition To qualify for an award an applicant must receive the following number of points: BPE1 Crown Award - 25 points BPE2 Crown Award - 50 points BPE3 Crown Award - 100 points BPE4 Crown Award - 200 points BPE5 Crown Award - 300 points Points are awarded for each image that gains an 'acceptance'. After each competition a specific score, eg. 12, will be deemed to signify an 'acceptance'. Medal and ribbons are also awarded but do not affect the number of points awarded for the first 5 crowns. Each accepted image will be awarded 1 point. There is a calendar of the current Exhbition dates and details of categories offered in each. etc., on the website. For more information visit the BPE website
RPS	The Royal Photographic Society
	Membership of the RPS, which was founded in 1853 'to promote the art and science of photography', is open to anyone throughout the world. The RPS has its own system of awards which are awarded for photographic achievement. It is necessary to apply for membership of the RPS before a submission for an award can be entered. If your submission is successful then your membership of the RPS is confirmed. If your submission is unsuccessful then you have the option to withdraw your application for membership. Only a member of the RPS has the right to use the appropriate letters after their name. The entry takes the form of a panel / portfolio of images which are judged as such or, alternatively, the awards can be presented following the successful completion of a recognised course of study or research. the three levels of distinctions are: LRPS (Licentiateship) which is awarded for 'a good level of basic skill and competence'. ARPS (Associateship) which is awarded for 'a high standard of technical competence and individual creative ability'. FRPS (Fellowship) which is awarded for 'exceptional standards of excellence and distinguished ability' For further information visit the Distinctions information page on the RPS website
FIAP	Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique
	FIAP is an international organisation bestowing patronage on a wide number of salons and competitions throughout the world. Acceptances in the salons result in points and honours which can be used to gain FIAP Distinctions. The various national photographic federations are affiliated to FIAP and it is through these federation representatives that the distinctions can be applied for. Different federations have different criteria for the award of the distinctions so the best place to find information, if applying through the PAGB. is to visit the FIAP page on the PAGB website. The awards are of two types - (i) for 'outstanding service to photography' and (ii) for 'notable photographic merit'. Both types are awarded for life and entitle the recipient to follow their name with the appropriate letters. The distinctions for photographic merit are: AFIAP : Artist FIAP EFIAP : Excellence FIAP EFIAP/b : EFIAP Bronze EFIAP/s : EFIAP Silver EFIAP/g : EFIAP Gold EFIAP/p : EFIAP Platinum MFIAP : Master Photographer FIAP Points are awarded for acceptances of prints or projected images in salons throughout the world. To qualify for an AFIAP or EFIAP distinction the applicant must have a minimum number of points, a minimum number of different images, a minimum number of years from first acceptance, a minimum number of different salons and a minimum number of countries in which acceptances have been gained. EFIAP bronze, silver gold and platinum distinctions are gained by accruing further acceptances, countries and, additionally, a minimum number of honours. Applicants for the MFIAP distinction must hold EFIAP or higher and can only apply with print or AV work. For more information about FIAP and a list of salons and dates etc. visit the FIAP website
PSA	The Photographic Society of America
	The PSA is a world-wide organisation of American Photographic Societies and member societies from around the world. It offers competitions, magazine, events, forums, and on-line study groups along with many other services. The PSA has its own system of star ratings and distinctions. The necessary points are gained through entry and acceptances, in the numerous American competitions in the various divisions, in which points can be gained. Many International Salons also have PSA patronage alongside that of FIAP and acceptances in these salons also gain points towards PSA star awards. To gain PSA stars the entrants have to be members of the PSA and are then entitled to follow their names with the appropriate letters. Details of activities and award options are too numerous to list here but there are full guidelines and information pages on the PSA website. For more specific information on gaining PSA stars visit the International Salons page on the website.
ALL	This link takes you to a downloads page on the L&CPU website which includes a link to a .pdf file giving up-to- date information on requirements for all external distinctions :
	L&CPU info - Link

Awarding Body

General Description

PAGB

The Photographic Alliance of Great Britian

According to its own constitution the PAGB "shall consist of the Federations, Unions and Associations of Photographic Societies in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and such other organisations as may be admitted to membership."

There are 15 federations, of which the L&CPU (Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union) is one.
SLIC is affiliated to the L&CPU.

The PAGB organises a number of annual inter-federation competitions for prints and projected images. Medals and ribbons are awarded to the best individual entries and trophies to the winning clubs.

The PAGB also organises a series of awards, to individual photographers, for photographic merit. These awards are open to all members of clubs affiliated to the PAGB through their own local federation. There is an initial fee for entry but the award, once gained, is held for life without further payment.

To qualify to enter, the applicant must comply with the criteria laid down by their own Federation showing active photographic support of that Federation over a specified number of years.
Applicants for MPAGB must have held the DPAGB for a minimum of 11 months.

There are normally 2 adjudications each year, in April and November, at different locations around the UK, and early applications are advised.

An entry can consist of prints or projected images (slide or pdi).

The awards are:

CPAGB (Credit) - a blue badge and certificate is awarded for 10 prints or projected images at a required standard of 'Good Club Photography'

DPAGB (Distinction) - a red badge and certificate is awarded for 15 prints or projected images at a required standard of 'Open Exhibition Photography'.

MPAGB (Master) - a yellow badge and certificate is awarded for 20 prints or projected images at a required standard of 'the Highest Standard of UK Amateur Photography'.

There are PAGB Credit, Distinction and Master Awards, at the same required standards, awarded for Audio Visual entries. These adjudications are held as and when required. Joint applications are permissible.

Applications can only be made through your Federation Awards Officer from whom application forms can be obtained.

For more information visit the PAGB website.

BPE

British Photographic Exhibitions

The BPE states, on its own website: "The BPE exists to encourage photographers to enter exhibitions and to recognise successful entrants via the issue of the Crown Awards photographic distinctions. Exhibition members share ideas, promote each other's exhibitions and generally work together to promote competitive photography."

The National Exhbitions, which are members of the British Photographic Exhibitions, offer a Crown Award system. Each successful applicant for an award will receive a Ribbon and a Certificate and will be entitled to use the appropriate letters of the award after their name. Those who reach BPE5*, the top award, will then be invited to aggregate acceptances together with awards to apply for ABPE (Associateship) and FBPE (Fellowship) awards. These awards will be recognised with a Certficate and a Medal and the recipient will be entitled to use the appropriate letters of the award after their name.

There is no charge levied for the awards.

At the moment there are 16 BPE Exhibitions annually. They are:

Bebington Salon of Photography
Beyond Group Open Exhibition
Bromsgrove Open Exhibition of Photography
Cotswold Salon (Monochrome)
Dingwall National Projected Image Exhibition
GDPU Digital Exhibition
Great Barr Open Exhibition
Great Barr PS Panels Exhibition
Guernsey Salon of Photography
Havant National Open Exhibition
RTPS National Open Digital Exhibition
Rushden Open Photographic Exhibition
Shrewsbury Open Photography Exhibition
Solihull Open Exhibition of British Photography
Southport Open Exhibition of Photography
Vale of Evesham National Photographic Exhibition

To qualify for an award an applicant must receive the following number of points:

BPE1 Crown Award - 25 points
BPE2 Crown Award - 50 points
BPE3 Crown Award - 100 points
BPE4 Crown Award - 200 points
BPE5 Crown Award - 300 points

Points are awarded for each image that gains an 'acceptance'. After each competition a specific score, eg. 12, will be deemed to signify an 'acceptance'.
Medal and ribbons are also awarded but do not affect the number of points awarded for the first 5 crowns.

Each accepted image will be awarded 1 point.

There is a calendar of the current Exhbition dates and details of categories offered in each. etc., on the website.
For more information visit the BPE website

RPS

The Royal Photographic Society

Membership of the RPS, which was founded in 1853 'to promote the art and science of photography', is open to anyone throughout the world. The RPS has its own system of awards which are awarded for photographic achievement. It is necessary to apply for membership of the RPS before a submission for an award can be entered. If your submission is successful then your membership of the RPS is confirmed. If your submission is unsuccessful then you have the option to withdraw your application for membership. Only a member of the RPS has the right to use the appropriate letters after their name.

The entry takes the form of a panel / portfolio of images which are judged as such or, alternatively, the awards can be presented following the successful completion of a recognised course of study or research.

the three levels of distinctions are:

LRPS (Licentiateship) which is awarded for 'a good level of basic skill and competence'.

ARPS (Associateship) which is awarded for 'a high standard of technical competence and individual creative ability'.

FRPS (Fellowship) which is awarded for 'exceptional standards of excellence and distinguished ability'

For further information visit the Distinctions information page on the RPS website

FIAP

Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique

FIAP is an international organisation bestowing patronage on a wide number of salons and competitions throughout the world. Acceptances in the salons result in points and honours which can be used to gain FIAP Distinctions.

The various national photographic federations are affiliated to FIAP and it is through these federation representatives that the distinctions can be applied for. Different federations have different criteria for the award of the distinctions so the best place to find information, if applying through the PAGB. is to visit the FIAP page on the PAGB website.

The awards are of two types - (i) for 'outstanding service to photography' and (ii) for 'notable photographic merit'. Both types are awarded for life and entitle the recipient to follow their name with the appropriate letters.

The distinctions for photographic merit are:

AFIAP : Artist FIAP
EFIAP : Excellence FIAP
EFIAP/b : EFIAP Bronze
EFIAP/s : EFIAP Silver
EFIAP/g : EFIAP Gold
EFIAP/p : EFIAP Platinum
MFIAP : Master Photographer FIAP

Points are awarded for acceptances of prints or projected images in salons throughout the world. To qualify for an AFIAP or EFIAP distinction the applicant must have a minimum number of points, a minimum number of different images, a minimum number of years from first acceptance, a minimum number of different salons and a minimum number of countries in which acceptances have been gained.

EFIAP bronze, silver gold and platinum distinctions are gained by accruing further acceptances, countries and, additionally, a minimum number of honours.

Applicants for the MFIAP distinction must hold EFIAP or higher and can only apply with print or AV work.

For more information about FIAP and a list of salons and dates etc. visit the FIAP website

PSA

The Photographic Society of America

The PSA is a world-wide organisation of American Photographic Societies and member societies from around the world. It offers competitions, magazine, events, forums, and on-line study groups along with many other services.

The PSA has its own system of star ratings and distinctions. The necessary points are gained through entry and acceptances, in the numerous American competitions in the various divisions, in which points can be gained. Many International Salons also have PSA patronage alongside that of FIAP and acceptances in these salons also gain points towards PSA star awards.
To gain PSA stars the entrants have to be members of the PSA and are then entitled to follow their names with the appropriate letters.

Details of activities and award options are too numerous to list here but there are full guidelines and information pages on the PSA website.

For more specific information on gaining PSA stars visit the International Salons page on the website.

ALL

This link takes you to a downloads page on the L&CPU website which includes a link to a .pdf file giving up-to- date information on requirements for all external distinctions :

L&CPU info - Link