Anyone bothered doing the associate/fellow of the royal society thing?

S

supersammy

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Met a bloke today who was proudly telling me how he's a fellow of the rsp. Any of you guys bothered doing it? And if so do you put the letters after your name on business cards like this chap?
 
Yup, I am an associate of the RPS and the BIPP. Its been discussed many times before here as many people do it for many different reasons. Me personally, I did it for the challenge... whether or not it helps in business, not sure as I don't do commercial work any more...
 
It's a personal goal thing I guess. DG Training has a thread on here somewhere, which is probably helpful if you wanna do it.

I don't care for it, although there was a time I went for an SWPP Licentate and got some good help.

You only keep the letters after your name providing you pay to be a member if that helps.
 
On the Huh said:
It's a personal goal thing I guess. DG Training has a thread on here somewhere, which is probably helpful if you wanna do it.

I don't care for it, although there was a time I went for an SWPP Licentate and got some good help.

You only keep the letters after your name providing you pay to be a member if that helps.
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I wouldn't do it myself. I just met the guy through work and got his business card and asked what the hell the letters meant. He wasn't a profesional photographer, and was generally a decent bloke. I just wondered what people did it for and what they got out of it.

I'll have a look at other threads. It was more just out of interest than anything else. I did ask him briefly about it, but we were more talking about actual work. He did insinuate being a fellow is a big deal, which is fair enough.
 
Only a very small proportion will successfully gain an Associateship and Fellows are rare. Getting the L can be hard enough, people don't realise how hard it can be until they attempt it. The gain is the process - it forces you to scrutinise every area of your image making and production.

Yes, gaining a Fellowship is a very 'big deal' - I can't even begin to describe what's involved, but it does open a lot of doors ....
 
I've not updated that thread for a while as the next assessment day local to me is far off :(

But yes - its more of a personal challenge and getting the L, A, F is about proving mainly to yourself that you're good enough

Personally, I don't think the L is all that hard at all and most can achieve this once basics are all in place

The A is a more advanced and seems to require both a theme and style. I recently saw an A panel where it was all reflections of boats in water - honestly, I was appalled as something that simple could have been shot in one day at a good harbour, and composition/lighting/etc. for a reflection :nuts:

The Fs I've seen are defo style first and sometimes hardly resemble either the subject or being a photo - but getting an F is defo a big deal in all sorts of ways :)

Dave
 
Why not do as others do who feel the need of a Title, just put the letters after your name, any letters, who is going to ask you for proof, just print up your own glowing certificate for the wall. Outside of the Photography Snobs, who else would even know what the letters mean?

Or you could just do what you are thinking, pay someone else for their Printed up Certificate in return for having a look at some of your snaps.
 
Rankbadyin said:
Why not do as others do who feel the need of a Title, just put the letters after your name, any letters, who is going to ask you for proof, just print up your own glowing certificate for the wall. Outside of the Photography Snobs, who else would even know what the letters mean?

Or you could just do what you are thinking, pay someone else for their Printed up Certificate in return for having a look at some of your snaps.
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That's quite a chip you have on your shoulder. I think we've made it clear that it is the process of obtaining the qualification which has the most value for the photographer.
 
Lindsay D said:
That's quite a chip you have on your shoulder. I think we've made it clear that it is the process of obtaining the qualification which has the most value for the photographer.
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And the point that most people haven't made is that as someone who didnt have a clue about it, it seems quite impressive. I assumed it was some major high honour when I first heard it. I was a bit disappointed when I learnt you just payed a fee and sent some photos on a cd in.
 
supersammy said:
And the point that most people haven't made is that as someone who didnt have a clue about it, it seems quite impressive. I assumed it was some major high honour when I first heard it. I was a bit disappointed when I learnt you just payed a fee and sent some photos on a cd in.
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Don't be ridiculous - if that was the case then any photographer could obtain a qualification on whim. The bad news is that you have to work very hard, usually over many years, to create a Panel of images which you have to exhibit before the judges on an assessment day (and yes, you do have to pay for the Judges time in assessing your work). A small proportion will pass and will gain their accreditation. Given that an institution with thousands, or tens of thousands of professional members will probably only have a couple of dozen Fellows, should tell you that your assumption is nonsensical and frankly insulting - but I think that was your purpose.
 
C'mon you two, you know you both want to. :naughty:
 
Lindsay D said:
Don't be ridiculous - if that was the case then any photographer could obtain a qualification on whim. The bad news is that you have to work very hard, usually over many years, to create a Panel of images which you have to exhibit before the judges on an assessment day (and yes, you do have to pay for the Judges time in assessing your work). A small proportion will pass and will gain their accreditation. Given that an institution with thousands, or tens of thousands of professional members will probably only have a couple of dozen Fellows, should tell you that your assumption is nonsensical and frankly insulting - but I think that was your purpose.
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Actually it wasn't. Someone who deals with training above says the lowest form of this qualification is easy to get. I'm not saying I can get it. As I know I probably could not.

However it's hardly the same as being a fellow of the royal society of physics is it, where you have to have published research and it's one of the highest honors possible in the field, and just below a noble prize in terms of status.
 
If you hold one of the highest physics distinctions then you have my lifelong respect. Though I'm not sure why you're raising it, other than to denigrate the achievements of some of the contributors here.

But the OP wants to know about photography qualifications, not physics.

You said gaining the Licentiate was a simple matter of submitting a CD of images and a cheque. I think it's fair to say that I've spent longer in the judging room than you have. If you were to submit a CD for L - the pass rate is currently 32%. For Associates the pass rate is 14%. There might be one or possibly 2 Fellowships awarded in a year, and that requires your exhibition prints, your published work, evidence of all the industry awards you've won, etc etc - and an awful lot of years growing your business and contributing to the development of other photographers.

And frankly there are a number of pros who have left this forum as a result of trying to answer questions like this, based on fact and experience, and who have grown tired of being slapped down by individuals who have no first hand knowledge of the topic, but who are simply looking for an argument. I don't think this is the best use of my time, but I'll wish the OP well if he decides to have a go at his L. There's more than enough information on the forum already, if he cares to do a search.
 
Rankbadyin said:
Why not do as others do who feel the need of a Title, just put the letters after your name, any letters, who is going to ask you for proof, just print up your own glowing certificate for the wall. Outside of the Photography Snobs, who else would even know what the letters mean?

Or you could just do what you are thinking, pay someone else for their Printed up Certificate in return for having a look at some of your snaps.
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I bet you cheat at Solitaire.

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about and I wonder why you bothered to post. Let's face it, all you have done is made yourself look like a complete *****.

Andy
 
Lindsay D said:
If you hold one of the highest physics distinctions then you have my lifelong respect. Though I'm not sure why you're raising it, other than to denigrate the achievements of some of the contributors here.

But the OP wants to know about photography qualifications, not physics.

You said gaining the Licentiate was a simple matter of submitting a CD of images and a cheque. I think it's fair to say that I've spent longer in the judging room than you have. If you were to submit a CD for L - the pass rate is currently 32%. For Associates the pass rate is 14%. There might be one or possibly 2 Fellowships awarded in a year, and that requires your exhibition prints, your published work, evidence of all the industry awards you've won, etc etc - and an awful lot of years growing your business and contributing to the development of other photographers.

And frankly there are a number of pros who have left this forum as a result of trying to answer questions like this, based on fact and experience, and who have grown tired of being slapped down by individuals who have no first hand knowledge of the topic, but who are simply looking for an argument. I don't think this is the best use of my time, but I'll wish the OP well if he decides to have a go at his L. There's more than enough information on the forum already, if he cares to do a search.
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I am the OP... And I wasn't having a dig at all.
 
It saddens me that those who choose to try and better themselves are treated to such diatribe from the forum members who have contributed nothing of worth to these boards. :puke:

Fortunately not all of us are quite so ignorant and applaud those who manage to attain these qualifications.

Andy
 
supersammy said:
And the point that most people haven't made is that as someone who didnt have a clue about it, it seems quite impressive. I assumed it was some major high honour when I first heard it. I was a bit disappointed when I learnt you just payed a fee and sent some photos on a cd in.
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I suggest you do a bit more research into what is actually involved before making such a denigrating statement.

You were correct in your assumption.


Heather
 
supersammy said:
Actually it wasn't. Someone who deals with training above says the lowest form of this qualification is easy to get. I'm not saying I can get it. As I know I probably could not.

However it's hardly the same as being a fellow of the royal society of physics is it, where you have to have published research and it's one of the highest honors possible in the field, and just below a noble prize in terms of status.
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I'm a fellow of a royal college (let me tell you -that was very hard work). However a friend is a fellow of the royal college of anaesthetists and got his fellowship from the SWPP this year. I saw some of the work that went into that - a lot of hard work, hours and creativity. He said that of all the letters he "could" put after his name, the FSWPP was the one of which he was most proud.

I'm going to probably go for the L qualification this year - not because I want to start charging or go pro but for the personal development. I'm both excited and a little nervous about it (always a good sign in my book)

Worth researching what's involved and seeing the quality of work produced before potentially offending people ;-)

S
 
DG Phototraining said:
I've not updated that thread for a while as the next assessment day local to me is far off :(

But yes - its more of a personal challenge and getting the L, A, F is about proving mainly to yourself that you're good enough

Personally, I don't think the L is all that hard at all and most can achieve this once basics are all in place

The A is a more advanced and seems to require both a theme and style. I recently saw an A panel where it was all reflections of boats in water - honestly, I was appalled as something that simple could have been shot in one day at a good harbour, and composition/lighting/etc. for a reflection :nuts:

The Fs I've seen are defo style first and sometimes hardly resemble either the subject or being a photo - but getting an F is defo a big deal in all sorts of ways :)

Dave
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supersammy said:
Actually it wasn't. Someone who deals with training above says the lowest form of this qualification is easy to get. I'm not saying I can get it. As I know I probably could not.

However it's hardly the same as being a fellow of the royal society of physics is it, where you have to have published research and it's one of the highest honors possible in the field, and just below a noble prize in terms of status.
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Actually, if you read DGs post properly , he does not say that the "L" is easy to get.

I don't consider a near 50% fail rate (100% for CD applicants) on the assessment day I attended to be indicative of an "easy" qualification.

As for the physics comparison, you are being extremely simplistic in assuming that IN THE FIELD a FRPS is a lesser achievement.

I could be just as simplistic by saying that to get a physics fellowship you "only" have to read a bit!

I understand that in your opinion it is not a huge achievement but that is not why people do it.


Heather
 
I've thought about what I have said and I want to apologise if I offended anyone. I'm sometimes a bit quick to come out with things without thinking what I'm really saying. Back to what I was originally thinking when I creating this thread, I was actually impressed with the guy for having this qualification. I don't mean to knock it, and if I ever get to the point where I am anywhere near good enough to try and achieve this, I would certainly maybe like to give it a go. I was disrespectful, that was unintentional but I was still bang out of order.
 
Tiger.ufo is correct in that I didn't mean it was easy to get an L

On the day I attended the pass rate was well over 80% with some truly great work on display, the failures were pretty obvious even from the 5th row back. The L seems to be about getting those basics right of exposure, sharpening, composition etc. and carrying that through to printing & presentation too, some of the failures on the day I saw clearly had banding in the skies, huge blown areas which included bits of the subject even, and the judges pointed to printing issues too close up

One was very close to what I'd have said was a fail due to repetition, so not showing a range of skills as they were all studio portraits, but it still passed

I honestly believe that if you have all the basics covered and can shoot a good image too, then it can be done in one day in any city - just needs a wide-angle, telephoto and macro to shoot a varied enough set :)

Dave
 
If any of the newcomers reading this are thinking of doing an L (with any of the bodies) then do feel free to give me a ring if you have any questions. And with another current thread in mind, this is something which many Fellows are happy to do freely because we feel it can be worthwhile to the photographer and can be a useful way to distinguish yourself from some of the very inexperienced shooters who might end up wrecking somebody's wedding day. However I stress again a qualification is not necessary, but it is a very good way to improve and set goals.

So you're welcome to give me a shout if you want to - and that also goes for you as well supersammy.

Sir SK - I was there when your friend gained his FSWPP, and I saw how much it meant to him.
 
The weird thing is that the RPS distinctions may seem easy (it's only 10 images for 'L' and another 5 for 'A'), but the system seems to work.

The way I like to explain it is that 'L' is a certificate of competence, 'A' is recognition of a personal style and vision, and that 'F' is for walk-on-water Gurus.

I think the reason the 'L' pass rate is so high is that people don't bother applying until they feel ready. The amount of work needed to prepare a submission is nearly always grossly underestimated, and this is probably a large factor in the failed applications.
 
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Hi Duncan, I do hope you're well. What you say is spot on, particularly your comment about the level of work and preparation needed for the L, and the importance of the final layout of the photographs. Some submissions give no consideration to that whatsoever - and it is vital to the judging process that the candidate understands visual weight and balance.
 
Lindsay D said:
If any of the newcomers reading this are thinking of doing an L (with any of the bodies) then do feel free to give me a ring if you have any questions. And with another current thread in mind, this is something which many Fellows are happy to do freely because we feel it can be worthwhile to the photographer and can be a useful way to distinguish yourself from some of the very inexperienced shooters who might end up wrecking somebody's wedding day. However I stress again a qualification is not necessary, but it is a very good way to improve and set goals.

So you're welcome to give me a shout if you want to - and that also goes for you as well supersammy.

Sir SK - I was there when your friend gained his FSWPP, and I saw how much it meant to him.
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Yeah - he's a lovely chap and very good at what he does. Always friendly and full of good advice.

I joined the swpp on the three month trial and just plucking up the courage to submit some pics to the mentor me programme with a view towards getting the L qualification (as you say goals and self improvement). Having a lot of self doubts over the quality of what I'd submit though!!

Shaheed
 
Feel free to shoot me some images if ever you feel like it Shaheed (20 of them at 2000 pixels longest side). I say that because if you do a little more preparation prior to submitting to the mentor me program, and if your submission for mentoring is up to qualification standard, then you won't have to submit the work a second time. Hope that makes sense.

Your work is probably much better than you realise!
 
Lindsay D said:
Feel free to shoot me some images if ever you feel like it Shaheed (20 of them at 2000 pixels longest side). I say that because if you do a little more preparation prior to submitting to the mentor me program, and if your submission for mentoring is up to qualification standard, then you won't have to submit the work a second time. Hope that makes sense.

Your work is probably much better than you realise!
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Thank you! I may well take you up on that very generous offer. Can you pm me where to send the images, I'll look through what I have and send some soon.

Thanks again

S
 
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