Ever seen all those letters after some photographers names? Did you ever wonder what they meant and how those photographers got them? This article will attempt to explain all of this in detail.

For the purposes of this article, an award is given for services to photography, while a distinction is earned by achieving set criteria.

There are many organizations worldwide who offer these awards and distinctions, some being international and available to all, with others being national or local and available to limited populations. The ones most commonly sought by British photographers are:

Please note: This article is not meant to be read through in one go. It is intended as a reference tool so you can check the requirements for whichever Award or Distinction is of interest to you.

Awards

Awards are made to the recipients usually for services to the photographic world, be it long service for an organization, innovation in photography, many years of judging, lecturing, teaching, organizing etc. All this work is usually done voluntarily and in spare time, borne out of love for the craft of photography. On the other hand, some people, scientists in the main, who make a significant contribution to photography, usually through invention, are given awards for their work. Although these people may be paid for their work, they are no less passionate about what they do. One example is the PSA's awarding of the Progress Medal to William S. Boyle and George E. Smith for inventing the charge-coupled device (CCD) or digital camera sensor. (In 2009, they were awarded the Noble Prize for Physics for this invention.)The recipients cannot apply for awards themselves, but are instead nominated by others who think the work should be recognized.

Distinctions

Distinctions are obtained by achieving set criteria laid down by the relevant organization. Sometimes this is by getting a number of acceptances in international salons over a period of time, and sometimes by presenting a number of images for assessment on the day by a panel of judges. I'll go into this more later on.

It is absolutely vital to keep meticulous records of your salon entries, acceptances, rejections, awards etc. You will need to refer to these records to make sure you don't enter pictures into any particular salon in more than one year, to keep track of progress with regard to distinction criteria, and to use as a reference tool when filling application forms for distinctions. It will save a huge amount of time in the long run.

A cautionary note:

It is worth mentioning at this point, that when entering exhibitions/salons, more photographs are rejected than accepted. Typical acceptance rates are roughly 20 -30%, so therefore typical rejection rates are 70 - 80%. Remember - it is the photograph that is being accepted/rejected, not the photographer. Also, you might win an medal in one salon, and with the same picture, get rejected at the very next salon. I have yet to hear a logical explanation for this. Just take it in your stride when this happens to you, and know that many others have suffered this quirk of life.

FIAP       Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique

To qualify for any FIAP distinction, you must be a member of a camera club affiliated through their local Federation to the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB), or the equivalent for the country in which you live. AFIAP and EFIAP distinctions require acceptance in FIAP approved international exhibitions over a set period of time, plus the submission of a portfolio of work to FIAP, which consists of your best exhibition photography, and should be of the highest possible standard.

For the purposes of FIAP distinctions, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are regarded as four separate countries.

The Distinctions

AFIAP (Artist of FIAP):
You can apply for your AFIAP distinction no sooner than 12 months from the date of your first acceptance in a FIAP approved salon.

Criteria:
30 acceptances from 10 different pictures in 10 different salons in 5 different countries. PAGB require in addition, at least one award. (Medal, ribbon, HM etc)

EFIAP (Excellence of FIAP):
You can apply for your EFIAP distinction no sooner than 12 months after the AFIAP.

Criteria (including AFIAP achievements):
150 acceptances from 50 different pictures in 30 different salons in 15 different countries. PAGB require in addition, at least five awards. (Medal, ribbon, HM etc)

EFIAP/b (EFIAP Bronze):
You must already hold EFIAP or MFIAP and meet these minimum criteria with all new work.

Criteria:
75 acceptances from 25 different pictures in 4 different countries. PAGB require in addition, at least four awards. (Medal, ribbon, HM etc)

EFIAP/s (EFIAP Silver):
You must already hold EFIAP or MFIAP and meet these minimum criteria with all new work.

Criteria:
150 acceptances from 50 different pictures in 5 different countries. PAGB require in addition, at least five awards. (Medal, ribbon, HM etc)

EFIAP/g (EFIAP Gold):
You must already hold EFIAP or MFIAP and meet these minimum criteria with all new work.

Criteria:
300 acceptances from 100 different pictures in 6 different countries. PAGB require in addition, at least six awards. (Medal, ribbon, HM etc)

EFIAP/p (EFIAP Platinum):
You must already hold EFIAP or MFIAP and meet these minimum criteria with all new work.

Criteria:
600 acceptances from 200 different pictures in 7 different countries. PAGB require in addition, at least seven awards. (Medal, ribbon, HM etc)

At least 25% of the minimum number of acceptances for all the above should be gained outside the United Kingdom.

MFIAP (Master of FIAP):

You must already hold EFIAP or any further EFIAP level. MFIAP is awarded to recognize the entire achievements of a photographer. Further information is available from the FIAP liaison officer.

Once you have fulfilled all the criteria for any of these distinctions, you can apply for the accreditation. This is done through the FIAP Liaison Officer who is listed on the PAGB website under FIAP. The forms and instructions are complicated, and mistakes will come easily. Be careful. I hope you kept meticulous records, or it will take weeks to sort out all the information you need. Applications for distinctions are received by FIAP annually in December, and you will be notified of your success the following March. There is a fee which the FIAP Liaison Officer will advise on at the time of application.

The Awards

FIAP has 2 awards which are given in limited numbers

ESFIAP (Excellence for Services Rendered)

The ESFIAP is awarded to those people who have "accomplished exceptional services over a long period for the benefit of FIAP"

HonEFIAP (Honorary Excellence FIAP)

This is the highest award which FIAP bestows, and can only be awarded to holders of the ESFIAP. Only a limited number of living people can hold this award, and that number is set by the FIAP Directory Board. It is this Board which awards the HonEFIAP, and a unanimity of the board is required.

The award is given for "any extraordinary contribution of an international nature to the development of photography or of photographic art which will be taken into account as will be any exceptional service that has contributed to the progress of FIAP."

Applications for these awards comprise a complete Curriculum Vitae and a full description of the services which justify the award.

PSA       Photographic Society of America

At their annual conference in Yellowstone 2009, the PSA updated the qualifying criteria for their distinctions, and added 2 new ones. These new criteria will come into effect from July 1st 2010. For those of you working towards one of the PSA's distinctions there are implications which you need to take note of. An explanation of the mechanics for converting what you have so far, is best left to the PSA. For now, it is best to contact each divisions star rating director for further information, through the PSA Website.

The criteria for each distinction is based on gaining acceptances at PSA approved salons, as per the table below. Unlike FIAP distinctions, the PSA does not require you to get awards. (Medals, ribbons, HM's etc.) You must be a member in good standing of the PSA

However, these acceptances need to be released by gaining Stars as you go. Stars are gained by acquiring acceptances using a set number of titles (see table below). You will notice that it is possible to get a PPSA by gaining 5 stars in one division. However, this will take time. The usual method is to spread your talents over several divisions (see further down the page), gain 2 or 3 stars each, and get the total of 288 quicker. Beyond PPSA, it is almost the only way to make progress.

As an example, you have 98 acceptances gained using 22 titles. You therefore have enough acceptances to claim star number 3, but unfortunately, you only have enough titles to claim star number 2. So you can only claim star number 2, which releases 36 acceptances towards your PPSA. If you get more acceptances using just 2 new titles, i.e. 100 acceptances using 24 titles, you would have enough acceptances AND titles to claim star number 3. This would then release 72 acceptances towards your PPSA. The process is ongoing. So simply keep acquiring acceptances, making sure you use enough titles.

Beyond star number 5, are Galaxies, which run from 1 to 10, and then Diamonds, which also run from 1 to 10. The full list is shown below, and is applicable to all divisions and sub-divisions. This information is more useful when deciding how to go about quaifying for the higher distinctions.

With regard to the divisions, there are 10 of them:

Please note that the Pictorial Print Division (PPD) is divided into 4 sub-divisions. This is important as each of those sub-divisions awards it's own stars.

Once you have qualified for a star from any of the divisions, you can apply for it from the relevant divisions Star Ratings Director. The forms and instructions are on the PSA website, along with details of fees. When you qualify for a distinction, you can make your application through the Recognition Of Photographic Achievement (ROPA) Director who is listed on the PSA website. Forms and instructions will be emailed to you. Application for stars can be made at any time of the year, but applications for distinctions are dealt with annually. The deadline for reciept of your application is the 1st of June annually, and the successful applicants will either receive their certificate at the annual PSA Conference, or via the post shortly thereafter.

The forms and instructions are complicated, and mistakes will come easily. Be careful. Again, I hope you kept meticulous records, or it will take weeks to sort out all the information you need.

The PSA has four awards with which it honors people.

APSA (Associateship)

"For material contributions to the advancement of photography, whether resulting primarily from proficiency andachievemnet, or for service. Photographic achievement must be combined with elements of service."

FPSA (Fellowship)

"For outstanding contributions to the advancement of photography, involving a high degree of proficiency and achievement, combined with such elements of service as the dissemination of acquired knowledge through lecturing, judging, instructing, and publishing of articles or papers. personal achievemnt alone does not quaify for this honor."

Hon.PSA (Honorary Membership)

"The recipient of this honor need not be a member of PSA. it is awarded for outstanding service to photography, particularly through organizational or similar work".

Hon.FPSA (Honorary Fellow)

"This is the highest designation awarded by the Society. The recipient need not be a PSA member, and the honor is awarded only for unique or outstanding contributions of major importance to photography".

RPS       Royal Photographic Society

RPS distinctions can be gained either through a portfolio of work, be it photographic images or research, or through the successful completion of a recognized course. Most people reading this article will likely go down the route of submitting a number of photographs, and that is the method I will discuss here. For information on other methods, please refer to the RPS website. There are 3 levels of distinction available - Licentiateship, Associateship, and Fellowship. To qualify for any of these distinctions, you must be a member of the RPS.

Applications are assessed anonymously one at a time by a panel of at least 3 judges, and without prior sight, in front of an audience. The judges mark each application according to the rules in the handbook.(See website) For the LRPS and ARPS, the chairman will ask one or more of the judges to comment on the application and announce the result. For the FRPS, the format is the same, but without an audience.

The Distinctions

Licentiateship (LRPS)

This is the first level of distinction and is awarded for 'a good level of basic skill and competence'. You will need to present 10 images, either prints, slides or digital images on CD.

Associateship (ARPS)

The Associateship is awarded for a 'high standard of technical competence and individual creative ability'. You will need to submit 15 images, either prints, slides or digital images on CD.
For an Associateship, you will need to submit your work into one of the following categories:

Applied (Incorporates documentary, portrait, record, theatrical, journalism, wedding.)
Contemporary
Nature
Printing
Science
Travel
Visual Art.

For more on these categories, see the RPS Website.

Fellowship (FRPS)

The Fellowship is awarded for 'exceptional standards of excellence and distinguished ability'. You will need to submit 20 prints or slides, or a book (minimum 2 copies). Also a statement of intent of no more than 150 words outlining the purpose or intent of your work.

LRPS and ARPS applicants will be notified of the result by email, and also via the RPS website within 2 working days of the assessment. FRPS applicants who are recommended by the judges, will be referred onto the Fellowship board which meets every 6 months, usually in May and November. All recommendations from the judges, and subseuently the Fellowship board are then sent to Council for ratification. It is the Council who award the distinction.

The RPS Distinctions Handbook will give you more detail, and excellent advice on how to give yourself the best chance of acquiring a distinction from them, and I recommend that you take the time to read it thoroughly.

The Awards

The RPS has 15 awards which are given for a variety of reasons to members and non-members alike. Some are given annually, others, as merit dictates. Most are a single award given to the most deserving person in any one year. The most well known of these awards is the Honorary Fellowship (HonFRPS).

Honorary Fellowship (HonFRPS)

"These are awarded to distinguished persons having, from their position or attainments, an intimate connection with the science or fine art of photography or the application thereof. No more than 8 Honorary Fellowships may be awarded in any one year; those awarded with the Progress and Centenary medals, and by tradition to the incoming President, are included in this total".

PAGB       Photographic Alliance of Great britain

The PAGB has 3 levels of distinction:

All applicants must pre-qualify by supporting their Federations photographic events.Such support must have been given for at least 2 years for CPAGB, 3 years for DPAGB and 5 years for MPAGB. (See your local federations website for specific requirements) As such, it is most likely you will be living in Britain.

Applicants are required to submit a number of prints, slides or digital images. You may not mix prints, slides and digital images. These pictures are mixed with all the other applicants pictures to be judged in rounds. Your work is NOT judged all at once. This ensures that each picture is judged entirely on it's own merits, and not as the work of a particular photographer.

Six judges will judge your work. Each print, slide or digital image will be scored from 2 - 5 by each judge, and the total score for each picture will be recorded.

CPAGB (Credit PAGB)

The standard required is 'Good club photography'. This is defined as being photographs that could be expected to do well in club competitions and/or represent a club in federation competitions.

Applicants are required to submit 10 prints, slides or digital images. A score of 200 or more out of a possible 300 is needed to gain the distinction.

DPAGB (Distinction PAGB)

The standard required is that of 'Open exhibition photography'. It is defined as photographs that could be expected to get a high rate of acceptance in open exhibitions.

Applicants are required to submit 15 prints, slides or digital images. A score of 300 or more out of a possible 450 is needed to gain the distinction.

MPAGB (Master PAGB)

The standard required is that of 'the highest standard of amateur photography'. It is defined as photographs which display a very high standard and could be expected to have a considerable level of success at international exhibitions, including 'consistent and frequent acceptances' and likely to win awards.

Applicants are required to submit 20 prints, slides or digital images. A score of 450 or more out of a possible 600 is needed to gain the distinction. You must have held the DPAGB for at least 11 months on the date of adjudication.

Adjudications take place twice a year, typically in April and November, with deadlines for submission being 31st January and 31st August respectively. Lately, a large number of people have been applying for these distinctions, and consequently, places fill up fast. When you are ready to go for one of these distinctions, make an early application, and be prepared to wait until the following adjudication. Application forms are available from your federations Awards Officer. There is a one off fee to pay for each of these distinctions, available on the PAGB website.

Graeme Webb
Jan 2010

More detailed information can be found on the relevant websites: