Which Society/Association/Institute???

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scattyblonde

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Name
Beth
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I am looking to join and get qualified with a photography association/institute/society but there are so many and I was wondering which one would be the best/most respected.

I shoot portraits if that helps!

I am looking for good training in the form of workshops and support in the form of a forum, also a mentoring programme would be useful if there is a such a thing!

Thank you!
 
There are lots of groups, it all depends on what you want, how much you are prepared to pay and if you are wanting to do this professionally.

1. You tube videos.

2. Basic ones, get a local pro with a studio and go on their training days.

3. This forum will help no end but has problems differentiating between pro's and amateurs (TP's biggest fault) it is a great resource though.

4. Phototraining4you (Mark Cleghorn, useful and cheap but a bit brash)

5. Join the various societies (SWPP, MPA, The Guild etc but some need qualifying criteria)

6. Aspire, very high end but proven results if you want to go with their method.

This is just a small selection of what is out there.
 
Perhaps start with the Royal Photographic Society, and then look elsewhere if this is not to your taste or doesn't fit any professional needs that you have?
 
Beth,

none of these organisations do it out of the kindness of their hearts, they do it to make money - you will not find many that take the money from the photographers and plough it back into developing those photographers. Personally I have no issue with that, if I go to burger king I know that somebody, or many people people are making money out of my purchase. I do know however what I am getting and that is what you should do, find out exactly what you will get.

Mike
 
tiler65 said:
3. This forum will help no end but has problems differentiating between pro's and amateurs (TP's biggest fault) it is a great resource though.
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I'm curious as to what exactly you mean by this? The idea that a professional's opinion should always weigh more than that of an amateur, or that professionals are more important, or that professionals should always be considered separately from amateurs is fatuous and elitist. A professional is simply someone who makes a living doing a particular craft - in this case, there are many photographers who are technically professional yet produce crap work (I've lost count of the number of terrible wedding photos I've seen out there that were shot by professionals, and that's just one area of photography among many). You also get many highly talented amateurs who produce work that's on par with high end photography journals. Why differentiate between them?

I work as an artist in one of the most prestigious film visual effects companies in the world, working on A-list Hollywood films and have been doing so for many years, yet on the internet I see loads of kids and students who could teach even an industry vet like me a thing or two, because the fact is that if you work hard at anything, and you dedicate enough time to it, you can get really good at it. Whether or not you're making money from that craft shouldn't have any bearing on the worth of your opinions or contributions on an online forum - anyone with the right knowledge and experience can contribute in a valuable and meaningful way, regardless of their professional status.
 
The SWPP is good IMHO, and there are some great people there always willing to give advice...And unlike Colin (Hi there) I'm not at all biased and can confirm they offer the OP her requirements.
 
onona said:
I'm curious as to what exactly you mean by this? The idea that a professional's opinion should always weigh more than that of an amateur, or that professionals are more important, or that professionals should always be considered separately from amateurs is fatuous and elitist. A professional is simply someone who makes a living doing a particular craft - in this case, there are many photographers who are technically professional yet produce crap work (I've lost count of the number of terrible wedding photos I've seen out there that were shot by professionals, and that's just one area of photography among many). You also get many highly talented amateurs who produce work that's on par with high end photography journals. Why differentiate between them?

I work as an artist in one of the most prestigious film visual effects companies in the world, working on A-list Hollywood films and have been doing so for many years, yet on the internet I see loads of kids and students who could teach even an industry vet like me a thing or two, because the fact is that if you work hard at anything, and you dedicate enough time to it, you can get really good at it. Whether or not you're making money from that craft shouldn't have any bearing on the worth of your opinions or contributions on an online forum - anyone with the right knowledge and experience can contribute in a valuable and meaningful way, regardless of their professional status.
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bang on..

though from reading his post im not sure if he is say they are better/know more or is stating what you have above.

i beleive there are alot of pro's(and non) who have a great deal of knowlage on here and are happy too help.
But there are just as many who are not and beleive they are better/know more just beacuse they are making money from it. i noticed this mentality soon after joining.
But over all this place has an unvaluable amount of knowlage and info floating about.

I had that exact remark directed at me in another thread beacuse i didnt agree with there point." im a pro wedding photograther so i know better" and that wasnt regarding weddings...
just look at 500px and look at the quality of picture taken by amatures, puts alot of pros to shame.


anyway ..regarding who to join i would have a hard look at each individualy and make sure what you choose offers something valuable for your money.
im sure plenty of them will not do much if anything to help you as a buisesses.
 
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I belong to three of the well known bodies and I have to say my choice for the OP would be the SWPP - the benefits for a newcomer are immense. The forum is populated by some very successful photographers who share and assist other member on a daily basis - a lifesaver at times. The members training is also excellent, and the yearly Convention is superb. Though not an easy process, members are actively encouraged to work towards a qualification and mentoring is available as part of the package. Imagemaker magazine is something I look forward to every few weeks because the content is great.

Membership of any body is what you make it - you need to get involved, get to know people, build relationships with other members and you'll soon reap the rewards.
 
onona said:
I'm curious as to what exactly you mean by this?
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It is because this forum does & I am saying it shouldn't. No one is bothered what anyone does so long as the advice comes from experience and is knowledgeable.

Most of the forums are after your hard earned.
 
colintjones said:
Have you checked out the SWPP?
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Is it true that if I were to say some of your ideas and postings are rubbish on the SWPP forums, I would get barred. I have read many horror stories of battlement between the owners and members. Not really very professional in my eyes.
 
tiler65 said:
It is because this forum does & I am saying it shouldn't. No one is bothered what anyone does so long as the advice comes from experience and is knowledgeable.

Most of the forums are after your hard earned.
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Aaah, cheers for clarifying.

On topic, I've looked into the Royal Photographic Society a number of times but each time I end up wondering what the benefits really are. Looking through their event listings, I don't really get the impression that they're offering much that I could really make use of. If they offered some kind of mentoring I think I'd be more inclined to sign up.
 
tiler65 said:
Is it true that if I were to say some of your ideas and postings are rubbish on the SWPP forums, I would get barred. I have read many horror stories of battlement between the owners and members. Not really very professional in my eyes.
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I've never experienced anything like that, though I suspect that differences of opinion are likely to arise within any large organisation. No body or club can satisfy all of its members all of the time. The other institutions are not perfect either by the way, it's a question of weighing up how membership will benefit you as an individual. I can say that the SWPP has done a great deal for its members and I have never seen the management of any institute work so hard to bring so much to the table. It's a pity that what you're saying here isn't based on any direct experience, but instead on second or third hand accounts which have probably been inflated for the purpose of entertainment.
 
onona said:
Aaah, cheers for clarifying.

On topic, I've looked into the Royal Photographic Society a number of times but each time I end up wondering what the benefits really are. Looking through their event listings, I don't really get the impression that they're offering much that I could really make use of. If they offered some kind of mentoring I think I'd be more inclined to sign up.
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It all depends on what you want to be mentored on....photography, the business, winning comps and having letters after your name?

Lswpp, Lbipp, ALFMPA etc will mean nothing to 99% of brides or portrait or commercial clients.
 
Lindsay D said:
I've never experienced anything like that, though I suspect that differences of opinion are likely to arise within any large organisation. No body or club can satisfy all of its members all of the time. The other institutions are not perfect either by the way, it's a question of weighing up how membership will benefit you as an individual. I can say that the SWPP has done a great deal for its members and I have never seen the management of any institute work so hard to bring so much to the table. It's a pity that what you're saying here isn't based on any direct experience, but instead on second or third hand accounts which have probably been inflated for the purpose of entertainment.
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How do you know or are you making assumptions?
 
tiler65 said:
It all depends on what you want to be mentored on....photography, the business, winning comps and having letters after your name?

Lswpp, Lbipp, ALFMPA etc will mean nothing to 99% of brides or portrait or commercial clients.
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I'm after mentoring in the art of photography itself. I've no intention of becoming a professional photographer but wish to develop my understanding of the medium and improve simply for the sake of pleasure.
 
colintjones said:
Have you checked out the ?
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If you want to advertise please contact the Admins for the appropriate rates and a decision. Please don't self promote your organisation again.
 
onona said:
I'm after mentoring in the art of photography itself. I've no intention of becoming a professional photographer but wish to develop my understanding of the medium and improve simply for the sake of pleasure.
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all of the SWPP, MPA & BIPP exist as commercial organisations first and foremost. I do wonder if that is what you want to get out if the RPS may be the best choice

http://www.rps.org/
 
tiler65 said:
How do you know or are you making assumptions?
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An assumption, based on what you said - as in 'I heard ...' as opposed to 'I've seen/witnessed/been part of' etc. Like I said, most large organisations have spats from time to time, recounted somewhere in a way which is often inflated or embellished. If I took notice of that kind of thing I wouldn't have joined any of the organisations I belong to! I'm just saying it's best to go on personal experience rather than on something you've heard elsewhere. I probably read the same comments, but decided I'd rather make my own mind up. I got more for my membership than I expected, and I've found it worthwhile as have many others I know.
 
onona said:
I'm after mentoring in the art of photography itself. I've no intention of becoming a professional photographer but wish to develop my understanding of the medium and improve simply for the sake of pleasure.
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I think most of the main bodies (MPA, BIPP, SWPP, RPS) offer mentoring of some kind. Best contact them and see what is entailed. I think you can also get a portfolio review with some of the institutions, without being a member. At least I know that you can with the BIPP, you can book a place at an event such as Photovision, or go to their head office on a review day when you get about half an hour one-to-one with one of the Fellows (I think it's about £60). I did that and I found it extremely helpful.
 
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boyfalldown said:
all of the SWPP, MPA & BIPP exist as commercial organisations first and foremost. I do wonder if that is what you want to get out if the RPS may be the best choice

http://www.rps.org/
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What on earth is wrong with being a commercial organisation? Are such institutions not entitled to profit from the work they do? I think you'll find that the commercial organisations are able to do far more for their members as a result.
 
Lindsay D said:
What on earth is wrong with being a commercial organisation? Are such institutions not entitled to profit from the work they do? I think you'll find that the commercial organisations are able to do far more for their members as a result.
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Nothing, as long as they do things for their members, but I know that some are far more focussed on themselves - I have the first hand experience and knowledge and there is certainly no need to embellish the story to make it interesting. The only one that does not seem to have the in-fighting and actually work for their members is the RPS.

Mike
 
mike weeks said:
Nothing, as long as they do things for their members, but I know that some are far more focussed on themselves - I have the first hand experience and knowledge and there is certainly no need to embellish the story to make it interesting. The only one that does not seem to have the in-fighting and actually work for their members is the RPS.

Mike
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Mike, what do you mean?
 
Lindsay D said:
What on earth is wrong with being a commercial organisation? Are such institutions not entitled to profit from the work they do? I think you'll find that the commercial organisations are able to do far more for their members as a result.
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Where did I say anything was wrong with that? seriously?,try reading whats written FFS

But as I'm sure even you would admit the SWPP, MPA (which you can't join anyway unless you are a full time pro) and BIPP all exist first and foremost to support their professional members. As my reply (if you'd read that far) was for a recommendation to someone who had no intention of going down that route maybe you'd suggest something different. Try politely next time eh? :thumbs
 
boyfalldown said:
Where did I say anything was wrong with that? seriously?,try reading whats written FFS

But as I'm sure even you would admit the SWPP, MPA (which you can't join anyway unless you are a full time pro) and BIPP all exist first and foremost to support their professional members. As my reply (if you'd read that far) was for a recommendation to someone who had no intention of going down that route maybe you'd suggest something different. Try politely next time eh? :thumbs
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I got the impression you were wary of any organisation with commercial leanings - thank you for clarifying that was not the case. My reply doesn't appear to be impolite, but apologies if you believed it was. I think I understand what 'FFS' stands for - no need for that.

I am also a member of the RPS, but so far it seems they have little to offer, sadly. For example I was looking forward to the regional meetings I'd heard about, but there aren't any! However the BIPP (which I also belong to) appears to have some good training days listed at their head office at Aylesbury. The SWPP has regular training dotted about the country.

Remember the OP mentioned portraits - like I said the SWPP is probably the most relevant organisation for that, or the BIPP, though for somebody just starting out the former is probably going to be the most useful given that the BIPP expects you to qualify within a given timescale. The RPS would not be my first choice for somebody wanting to develop their portrait photography, I'd say it's more geared to landscape or fine art work.
 
Lindsay D said:
I got the impression you were wary of any organisation with commercial leanings - thank you for clarifying that was not the case. My reply doesn't appear to be impolite, but apologies if you believed it was. I think I understand what 'FFS' stands for - no need for that.

I am also a member of the RPS, but so far it seems they have little to offer, sadly. For example I was looking forward to the regional meetings I'd heard about, but there aren't any! However the BIPP (which I also belong to) appears to have some good training days listed at their head office at Aylesbury. The SWPP has regular training dotted about the country.

Remember the OP mentioned portraits - like I said the SWPP is probably the most relevant organisation for that, or the BIPP, though for somebody just starting out the former is probably going to be the most useful given that the BIPP expects you to qualify within a given timescale. The RPS would not be my first choice for somebody wanting to develop their portrait photography, I'd say it's more geared to landscape or fine art work.
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in that case apologies if mine came across the same way. I'm not wary about commercial organisations at all.
 
The reason I'd like a qualification is purely for me, I would like to develop myself and have something to aim towards. I would also like a little validation that my images are of a reasonable standard/quality. I also feel that if I am offering a service I ought to be the best I can be for my clients, whether they value it or not, and in order to do that I would like to aim to qualify at the highest level eventually which will lead me to develop myself to my fullest potential. It will also keep things interesting for me as I'd like to make my hobby my career while I plain to churn out what the client wants day in day out I can also be challenging myself with little projects which will keep my hobby my hobby and not just a job which ultimately can only be good for both me and my clients.

Anyway thanks all for your replies!!!
 
I had some well respected guys in the mentoring section assessing my photos at the SWPP. It is great to have your pics assessed by your peers, whatever organisation you choose. It is not the be-all-end-all but like you I felt it was good for my own development and goals.
 
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