Royal Photographic Society Forums

parigby

Anyone on here had experience of being assessed for their LRPS ? Mine comes up next week at In-Forum at the NEC, and l was just wondering what l have really let myself in for.

philip

artona · Moderator

Hi Phillip

Not RPS but yes to the Master Photographers Association and the British Institute of Photographers.

I think you will find it an interesting experience. I am attending Focus so if you fancy meeting up let me know. There might be a couple of others from MHF there as well

Have you got your panel on your website?

stew

parigby

Hi Stew,

As yet l've not had time to put the panel up on my web site. This last week or so has been a bit of a panic in getting to the final ten, deciding on the paper to print them on, getting them mounted ( l'm not good enough at mounts to risk doing the panel myself ), and getting along to a RPS workshop as an observer. That last bit frightened the living daylights out of me. There was a group of about six or so of us who are going for assessment for the LRPS at the NEC, and all of us at the end of the workshop, left even more confused than at the start as to just what is required of us.

The bit everyone was totally confused about was that whilst the panel does not have to be themed, there has to be continuity, yet there must not be repetition, but the panel must work together as one ! For a simple soul like myself, that sounds a bit contradictory.

One woman, went away with the declared intention of withdrawing from the assessment.

I suppose l will just have to suck it and see, and if l fail, hope that some feedback is given to help me to understand my shortcomings.

philip

takeaflight

Something like 25 years ago I had a panel assessed at Bath.

The 12 B/W photos where placed on display and a panel of ???? made comments, then passed judgement for the award. I was in fact awarded an LRPS. IMHO I believe that if the panel are of a good club level you should not have any problems. If you go for an higher award then thats when the men from the boys are sorted.

In my case they grumbled a little on the printing and developing.

Don't worry.

artona · Moderator

Hi Philip

With the professional groups at the Licentiateship level they look for a competence to take marketable photographs and I am sure it it the same with the RPS.

Having looked at your website I would say you will pass with flying colours. Ask yourself the following questions

Does your panel look as though they were taken by the same photographer, in otherwords is their a continuity of style and does the panel work together to show the photographer knows what he is doing?

stew

bravocharlie

Hi Philip,
I did this several years ago and went on to gain an associateship in 2004. The requirements for LRPS are for sound basic technical and compositional skills coupled with some evidence of a personal style. It is not too onerous but it is important to choose a good selection of images to demonstrate your competence. Don't even think about submitting anything which is technically flawed, for example, blown highlights, oversaturated colours or unsharp.
Although the panel can be varied in subject matter the images should hang together cohesively. For example, you should consider the positioning of each image within the panel according to its colour , tonality, subject matter and orientation, i.e. vertical or horizontal. If you have, for example 4 vertical and 6 horizontal prints, don't place the verticals in odd positions.
I would strongly recommend you look at some of the successful panels on the RPS website.
Good luck,
Brian

artona · Moderator

Hi

Just what I was doing Brian Laughing

parigby

Thanks for the words of encouragement folks. I'll try and get the panel up on the web site early next week.

philip

parigby

Have managed to put the LRPS panel up on the web site. Whilst not exactly in the order that it will be presented at the assessment, it gives you a fair idea.

On the web site it is in the gallery named " LRPS panel ".

philip