Click below to download

Different Shores (PDF)
Eire-based Thomas Gaffney ARPS recounts the journey he undertook, from Licentiateship, through a failed Associateship submission, to resubmission and final success, and reflects on lessons learnt.

A Feeling of Time and Place
Leo Palmer FRPS, Travel Distinction Panel Chair, discusses what makes for a good Travel Associateship. He looks at three, by Carol Palmer, Jane Tregelles and Bob Turner, all based on concise unambiguous statements of intent – a vital but often neglected area of Distinctions submission – and comprising images which fit the theme and capture that all important feeling of the time and place.

Fellowship Successes (PDF)
The Society is pleased to congratulate its 10 newest Fellows, Whose Disitinctions were ratified at the November Council Meeting: Veronica Barrett, Hua Chiang Chen, Barry Holmes, John Humphrey, Philip Kwan, Dawn McKeown, Mark Mumford, Micheal O'Sullivan, Anthony Pioli and Yong-Kang Teo.

A Simple Dream (PDF)
Belfast-based architectural and portrait photographer Donal McCann discusses his Professional and Applied Associateship, which comprises powerful portraits of the city's homeless population.

Distinctions & Qualifications in Imaging Science (PDF)
Professor Ralph Jacobson ASIS HonFRPS, Chair of the Imaging Scientist Board, discusses The Society's Imaging Science Distinctions and Qualifications, which are being relaunched in the context of the recent International Images for Science Exhibition

See Hear: Photographing Jazz ( PDF )
When Amsterdam’s Bimhuis hosted four concerts by the Instant Composers Pool Orchestra, Ton Mijs ARPS took the opportunity to combine his twin loves of jazz and photography. He talks about the resulting project, which led to his being awarded an Associateship.

Multimedia and Narrative ( PDF )
Michael Hallett FRPS introduces the new Multimedia and Narrative Distinctions panel, explaining that, while rooted firmly in The Society's past, it is very much a child of the 21st century.

The Story behind the Story ( PDF )
Michael Hallett FRPS reflects on the minutiae of the Society's
Distinctions process, the partnership between the Society and
and the applicant, and what makes it work.

Opening Pandora's Box ( PDF )
There will always be a divide between fine and applied, function and fun, says Michael Hallett FRPS, but the strength of the Society's Distinctions is that they embrace all sectors of photography. Here, he discusses changes to the Distinction process that will be implemented in 2012, and the deliberations that led to them.

Attention to detail! (PDF)
The Society's Honorary Treasurer, Walter Benzie ARPS, discusses the process he went through in achieving his Associateship, from initial application and failure, through taking advice, reworking, reapplication, and eventual success.

Research, Education and Application of Photography ( PDF )
is the category for people like historians, educationalists,
researchers and editors, who work within photography but
aren't necessarily photographers. Dr Michael Pritchard FRPS, Deputy Panel Chair, explains while Panel Chair Dr Ron Callender FRPS introduces some case studies.

LRPS (PDF) - Still Waters
Julia Cleaver's early life predisposed her to an interest in photography. Then, meeting her partner inspired new passion.
Achieving her LRPS last March, she desribes her journey.

Visual Art (PDF) - A Sense of Style
Ria Mishaal Cooke ARPS talks about the journey that led to her
Visual Art Associateship, shot in Leicester, Cambridge, Bristol,
Zurich, Marrakesh, Trinidad de Cuba, Kuala Lumper; and a
rainforest research station in Borneo; and the all important
development of an individual style. 

Visual Art (PDF) - Making It Yours
What single image, sequence, or artwork first made
you gasp, or even took your breath away? ask Rod Wainwright ARPS, as he explains how influences from his childhood came into play when he found the subject for his Visual Art Associateship submission of pinhole imagery.

Michael Hallett FRPS (PDF) - Following the Elusive Fellowship
It is important that the membership has confidence in the
Fellowship process. Chair of the Fellowship Board, Michael Hallett FRPS explains the ever-evolving process and some of the thinking behind it

Michael Hallett FRPS (PDF) - This is the Elusive Fellowship
Recently the Society elected 11 new Fellows. Fellowship Board
Chair Michael Hallett FRPS considers the impact and diversity 
of their work in the context of recent trends

Roger Reynolds HonFRPS (PDF) - Here to help
Roger Reynolds HonFRPS, past president and member of the Distinctions Advisory Board, discusses the advice, guidance and feedback available to Distinction candidates throughout the process, from application to after the result has been received.

Michael Hallett FRPS (PDF) - Pictures on pages
It's not a matter of whether the photobook will replace the shoebox as a method of storing and showing photographs, but when, says Michael Hallett FRPS, as he takes a look at how the new medium impacts on his own practice

Applied (PDF) - The Road to Associateship
Steve Roberts ARPS discusses the route he took to gaining his Applied and Professional Associateship in May 2008, with a portfolio of monochrome photographs on abandoned Cornish mines

Visual Art (PDF) - Cohesive and Consistent
John Chamberlin FRPS, Visual Art Panel Chair, looks at recent successful Fellowships by Steve Smith and Dianne Owen, as well as discussing the standards required in order to gain a Visual Art Associateship or Fellowship.

Contemporary (PDF) - Focus
It is the ideas and meanings expressed in a body of work that make it contemporary, says Brian Steptoe FRPS, Contemporary Distinctions Panel member and past Chair, as he introduces the RPS Contemporary Group and its distinctions

Distinctions Advisory Board (PDF) - Saying it as it is
Distinctions Advisory Board Chair Michael Hallett FRPS considers the impact of digital technologies on current and future practice, and the implications of this for The Society's Distinctions, as well as confronting the thorny issue of whether or not themed work is a requirement at Associate and Fellowship levels.

Research, Education and Application of Photography (PDF) - Reaping the Benefit
Professor John Hannavy FRPS, Ex Chair of the Research, Education and Application of Photography Panel, explains why more members should consider applying for RPS Distinctions through non-practice-based routes

Travel (PDF) - A sense of place
Travel Distinction Panel Chair Julian Comrie FRPS discusses what is required for success when submitting work for assessment in this category

Nature (PDF) - On Nature
Tony Wharton FRPS, Nature Distinctions Panel Chair, looks at factors to consider when submitting work for Nature Associateship and Fellowships, using as examples submissions by Mike Middleton ARPS and Dickie Duckett FRPS

Visual Art (PDF) - Cathy Roberts' journey in photography began in her childhood with the acquisition of a Box Brownie. Now a Society Fellow, she describes the route which led her to the ethereal and spectacular flower imagery with which she gained her Visual Art Distinction.

Audio Visual (PDF) - Pictures that change
RPS Distinctions are an excellent way of providing to yourself and others that your work is valuable and highly prized, says RPS Audio Distinction Panel Chair Robert Albright FRPS, as he talks about the standards required for Distinctions in this category

Distinctions Advisory Board (PDF) - A Fascination with Photography
Michael Hallett FRPS recently took over as Chair of The Society's Distinctions Advisory Board. Here, he explains its role, and offers some thoughts surrounding the distinctions process ( April 2008 )

Applied (PDF) - Photography with purpose
The Applied Distinctions Panel looks at work in a whole range of genres, weddings,portraiture,medical,forensic,documentary,
Illustrative,architectural,commercial,sport,industrial,
stock and theatrical, the defining characteristic being 
that the work should have a purpose and a definitive
end use. Panel Chair Nick Scott FRPS explains

Fellowship (PDF) - The Elusive Fellowship
To produce photographic quality, you first have to recognise it.
Chair of the Fellowship Board, Michael Hallett FRPS, takes a long
at what that might mean.