Royal Photographic Society Success

During 2023 Sally Kitchingman and Wendy Taylor achieved the Licentiate (LRPS) distinction and Mike Kitchingman and Terry Godber the Associate (ARPS) distinction.

For LRPS, applicants must submit a panel consisting of ten images (currently in print or digital format but, from April, just digital) reflecting their ability as a photographer.  These images can be arranged as they like in a Presentation Layout.  And they need to show some variety in approach and techniques, but not necessarily in subject matter.

Licentiate is regarded as demanding but achievable for most dedicated photographers.

Sally and Wendy worked towards LRPS together with Tricia Meers, who (see below) unfortunately failed to achieve the distinction on this attempt.  They all collaborated throughout, providing each other with support and having numerous meetings to critique images and potential panels.

They were also supported by Mike and by David Manning ARPS who had both of course already achieved distinctions.  And they also attended some initial assessments, with real RPS assessors, helpfully organised by Kathy Chantler at Imagez.

Sally and Wendy showed us their final panels and described the ups and down of their journeys to success.  They agreed that it had been a very worthwhile endeavour.  Success had been very satisfying and had given them a lot more confidence in their photography.

Tricia was not with us on the night, but Graham Meers showed us her final panel and described her unsuccessful attempt.  Her submission in December had failed because of some technical issues with three images, rather than any photographic failing.  And it had been judged to be good enough to be resubmitted once the issues had been resolved.  The issues could easily be sorted, although Tricia intended to replace one of the images anyway, and the panel would be resubmitted in due course.

For ARPS, applicants must submit a panel consisting of 15 images (prints or digital images), arranged as they like in a Presentation Layout, together with a written Statement of Intent setting out their aims and objectives.  The panel is expected to represent a cohesive body of work that achieves those aims and objectives and demonstrates a high level of ability using techniques and photographic practices appropriate to the subject.

ARPS is split into various specialist “genres”, which include film and photobooks.

Mike, having already achieved LRPS, had decided to go straight on to ARPS.  He described this distinction as “a whole different ball game”.

Mike went for the Visual Art genre and had submitted prints of abstract geometric forms, all derived from architectural details of the spiral staircase in the Liverpool Museum.  He read out his Statement of Intent, showed us his final panel, and described how he had designed his Presentation Layout.

Terry chose to go straight for ARPS without first getting LRPS.  He went for the Natural History genre with images of Indian/Asian and UK birds.  Terry was not with us on the night but had provided a presentation showing us his final panel.

Unlike the others, Terry had submitted digital images.  A common message from all those submitting prints was that all the prints needed to be perfectly printed, mounted, and presented.  Similarly, as the RPS projection equipment was – unlike our own – very powerful, digital images had to be perfectly prepared.

The judges are evidently very picky!

Full details of the RPS distinctions – LRPS, ARPS, and FRPS (Fellow) – can be found on the RPS website at https://rps.org/qualifications/#DI along with plenty of other helpful material.

RPS Website – https://rps.org/