RPS: what to do next....

specialman

specialman

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Pat MacInnes
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So in fit a fit of having to spend something at Focus2012, I signed up to the RPS and got three months free. Not quite sure why I joined, although I'd been toying with trying for one of the RPS accreditations in the past.

The thing then was that because I have a degree, I can get a ARPS (and possibly an LRPS) automatically as a result. Looking at it like that, I'm not sure in myself that gaining some form of recognition should be based on something I did over a decade ago.

So now I have my membership through and am puzzled about the route to take. I know there are naysayers who question the need for letters after your name when they only apply if you continue your membership and that although recognised by many photographers, don't actually amount to being a professional qualification of sorts.

Still, I know I am a vastly superior photographer to the one I was when I left university and with that in my mind, I'm keen to go ahead with one of the RPS' accreditations. Not sure which one though....

What else are fellow RPS members gaining from their membership and in general, what are your thoughts on membership and what made you join in the first place? :)
 
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I'm and "L" and started at the bottom! Can't see the point in just claiming the letters, better to work for them. What is expected at "L" is vastly different from "A". Its not just about another 5 images. Contact the RPS see if there's a mentor in your area, it will help enormously. Its not about qualifications, they are distinctions. I'm glad I got mine, I'm working on my "A". There is a forum, join in that, post pictures, get feedback there. Its usually more than "its a nice pic" :)
 
To be honest, I find the rps to be nowhere near as good for me as the BIPP and I hold an associate in both. The rps have done diddly squat to contact me about anything really where as the BIPP are always contacting me about opportunities, training, awards and promotion.

I don't think I will be renewing my membership with the rps this year...
 
I skipped the L and went for the A, which I fluked first time of asking:)

For me, it wasn't about the letters, it was about the journey. I had a decent set of images to begin with, which is why I was advised to go striaght for the A, but I learnt an awful lot about post processing, getting them into a cohesive set, printing and all manner of other good stuff along the way. I'm not a a pro and have absolutely no desire whatsoever to be one, so the letters were a reward for the challenge. In the real world, I'm not sure how much weight the letters carry, but in camera club land, they seem to give you a little more kudos if you are a speaker, something I might do one day. I'm starting the journey to F now, which is of a higher standard than the A, so I'm going to have to up my game somewhat.

I get plenty of correspondence from the society, although nothing from my local branch. TBH, it's like any other society in life, you get out what you put in.
 
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