RPS pros and cons
I was interested to read Meckle Hausman’s letter ‘Battle Royal’ ( Inbox, AP 2 June) about Royal Photographic Society distinctions.
I recently applied for the lowest level Licentiate distinction which was unsuccessful, and received feedback only last week after 28 days. I found the whole process completely demoralising and intimidating, and it did nothing whatsoever to encourage me to pursue my amateur hobby.
The feedback was sketchy, highly subjective (often missing the point of the picture) if not arbitrary, and some of my stronger images received no mention at all. They questioned my abilities to post-process images although I am a long-time user of Lightroom (to good effect if I say so myself, having a good grasp of balance, composition and impact) and failed to recognise the artistic use of a light vignette, commenting on the over- exposure and blown- out highlights. I think I made the mistake of submitting images in a Blurb photobook composed in Lightroom with too many images, and I suspect this method is not highly favoured at the RPS. I even had to submit two copies of the book at some expense, as it was ‘difficult to assess otherwise’.
My advice to anyone contemplating applying for a distinction is don’t bother and save your time and money. This is not a case of ‘sour grapes’. See what you think: www. discovrphotography.com. Stuart Taylor After reading the letter from Meckle Hausman in AP 2 June, I can see both sides of the discussion. There are indeed many different distinctions from varied organisations that can be worked towards. I suppose it all depends on one’s motives? If you are aspiring to be a professional photographer and will be pitching to magazines, etc. then having ARPS after your name must surely give your work some credence that an editor will recognise and value? If, however, you are running a wedding photography business and want to stand out from the rest of the crowd, then SWPP might be the one to aim for and get you the business that a non-member may not.
A couple of months ago I went to a Licentiate advisory day at the RPS in Bath to see what other folk were doing, how strict the criteria were, and how my work matched up to that of others. I must say that it was daunting to put my ‘best’ photos up before experts or, indeed, a room full of about 50 strangers! The feedback I received was honest and upon reflection perfectly just: Was that face really in focus? Should that person have been two paces to the right? Was there any definition in that burnt- out white sky? Anything to be seen in the blacks?
I think that my time and money (for prints, mounts, tape, etc.) was well spent, and I now have higher standards to aim for, if only for my self-satisfaction. It also helps me sort out the Lightroom ‘keepers’. Jon Lipinski Regarding the ongoing discussion over RPS distinctions ( Inbox, AP 2 June) I agree with Hausman that originality can suffer when we assess photography in an arbitrary
way, judged by experts. But I think that assessment can offer a useful test for us as photographers, aside from the work itself. How do we feel about opening up our work to scrutiny? Can we discern and take on board helpful feedback? Conversely, do we understand our purpose and vision well enough to resist a dented ego from unkind feedback? Putting ourselves up for assessment can improve critical and reflective skills that will improve our photography, whether we ‘pass’ or not. Ian Shaw A good range of responses here, which reflects the diversity of our postbox. Although I am not taking sides, I am probably with Ian on this one – feedback can be very useful, even if only to make you a bit less sensitive about your work. I certainly suffered from this when I started taking my photography seriously, and just about every workshop with a half- decent professional (or photography course) will involve somebody pulling your work apart. Anyway, AP moves on, but thanks to everyone else who responded to Meckle’s original letter – Geoff Harris, deputy editor