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Qualifications an overview

FREE Mentoring Programme for SWPP & BPPA members

Improving your photographic skills

Read what people say about the 'Mentor Me' Programme

Read what members say about the SWPP & BPPA

Rules and Code of Conduct

The Society of International School and Event Photographers
Qualifications/distinctions available: LSISEP, ASISEP & FSISEP

The Society of International Fashion and Glamour Photographers

Qualifications/distinctions available: LSIFGP, ASIFGP & FSIFGP

The British Professional Photographers Associates BPPA
Subject matter: Fine art, pictorial and general photography
Qualifications/distinctions available: LBPPA, ABPPA and FBPPA

We appreciate that some subjects could easily apply to more than one of the ‘Societies’ we recommend that you send some sample images and our advisors will guide you.

Submissions

Licentiate submit 20 Electronic or prints can be submitted minimum size 10 inch max 12 inch on the longest side. (Prints must be mounted)
Associate submissions contain twenty 20”x16” (50.8 x 40.6 cm) mounted prints (Maximum size 20 inches on the longest side inclusive of mount/border)
Fellowship submissions must be printed to 20”x16” (50.8 x 40.6 cm) and contain 20 prints (Maximum size 20 inches on the longest side inclusive of mount/border)

How do I apply?

Firstly, read the following pages and decide which level of qualification you wish to apply for but please note that the system is progressive. Therefore it would be neither logical, advisable nor even permissible to consider a direct application for Associate or Fellow without having your feet on the first rung of the ladder (Licentiate).

If you are not sure if your work is up to any of the required levels, simply utilise the benefits of the ‘Mentor Me’ Programme, details of which you will find in this handbook. If you are not working digitally, you can send a selection of small proof prints and a contact sheet. Be aware that these are not normally returned. You also will be sent a report of your images by email. PLEASE NOTE: THIS ADVICE DOES NOT GUARANTEE SUCCESS but is intended to let you know if your work is in the right ballpark.

When do I apply?

Licentiate qualifications are judged on a month basics. All other qualifications (Associate, Fellowship, are judged quarterly please contact Head Office for further information.

Some general points
If your submission is to be judged as a printed panel, please supply a diagram of how you wish the prints to be arranged.

The identity of the photographer must remain anonymous except by means of the application form.
Images should be present the same care and consideration, as you would do for any of your clients.
All photographs should be presented in a uniform size (except craftsman). Please refer to the further notes in this manual.

Presentation will be taken into account and images should ideally have been taken in the previous eighteen months.
The decision of the judges is final.

If I pass?

You will receive your certificate and a letter of congratulations. Time to get out the champagne and arrange some press coverage.

If I fail?

You will receive your prints back together with a critique. Re submissions are judged on the same dates as listed earlier.

I already have qualification with another Organisation

In certain situations Reciprocal qualifications may be awarded. In the first instance you should contact head office with details of what, where and when your qualifications were acquired. Please note that you will be asked to provide evidence and that an administration fee will be applied for certification.

LICENTIATESHIP

LSWPP - Licentiate of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
LSISLP - Licentiate of The Society of International Sport & Leisure Photographers
LSINWP - Licentiate of The Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers
LSITTP - Licentiate of The Society of International Travel & Tourism Photographers
LSIMPP - Licentiate of The Society of International Media & Press Photographers
LBPPA - Licentiate of the British Professional Photographers Associates
LSICIP - Licentiate of The Society of International Commercial and Industrial Photographers

LSISEP - Licentiate The Society of International School and Event Photographers

LSIFGP - Licentiate The Society of International Fashion and Glamour Photographers

What we expect of a Licentiate

The ‘Societies’ are doing their best to lead the way in the accessibility of qualifications by acknowledging the importance of a digital submission.

Access to this qualification is best attained by making full use of the ‘Mentor Me’ programme during which we are able to give you positive advice in support of your application.

What we expect of a Licentiate…

We are looking for images that show the applicant is in full control of the medium. The images should show correct camera technique, full control of the lighting and the final production of the finished image. Many images fail at the last hurdle because the final digital file or print quality is poor, showing banding from ink jet prints, blemishes that should have been retouched or poor presentation. Very often colour balance is wrong. We expect to see that the photographer is in control of the subjects portrayed and in the case of people, that they are posed in an attractive manner and good expressions obtained.

The images should be presented in such a way that if the judges were members of the public they could not reasonably be rejected. In other words they are “of marketable quality”.

There are therefore two routes you may opt for…

Digital Submission for Licentiateship - Guidelines

We are mindful of the needs of our members, who for the most part operate within the digital arena. Therefore, it makes perfect sense to open up the accessibility of submission for qualification in a more contemporary and practical manner by allowing panels of high quality digitally captured images to be presented on CD.

To try and avoid any confusion in making a digital submission on CD for your Licentiateship qualification we feel that it is essential to lay down a number of guidelines.

Unless otherwise agreed with the ‘Societies’ management team a digital submission will take the form of 20 Images in JPEG format, sequentially numbered 1 to 20 with no prefixes whatsoever.

· Each file should not exceed 4MB and ideally the colour space should be Adobe 1998.

· The files should be placed in a single folder and cut to a CD.

· The CD must be clearly marked with your name and membership number.

· All CD’s should be sent to The Society headquarters in Rhyl for assessment.

· Ideally your files should be prepared by opening individual 10”x10” PSD canvases at 300dpi which should be filled either white or black commensurate with your style. Each individual image should be placed on a canvas after careful colour correction, cropping, composition and final retouching (if necessary). The application of a 3 to 5 pixel stroke edge to the main image is desirable but not essential to enhance the presentation of your images. Finally, each PSD should be flattened, saved as a JPEG and numbered sequentially.

CD’s sent for assessment, which are not in the correct file format will not be assessed and your CD will be immediately returned and you will be asked to submit a further CD in the correct format.

It is essential that you provide a LANDLINE telephone number and a current email address so that the Qualifying Judges may provide you with proper feedback and support in the event of a failure or borderline case.
Ideally you should enclose a short note stating your current position, experience, aspirations and outlining any relevant training you may have undertaken.

Further advice on submissions and the requisites for a successful Licentiateship application is available via the Mentoring Programme.

Print Submission for Licentiateship

What it costs
SUBMISSION FEES LICENTIATE £60
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS £30
(Provided they are submitted within 6 months)

ASSOCIATESHIP

What we expect of an Associate submission
ASWPP - Associate of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
ASISLP - Associate of The Society of International Sport & Leisure Photographers
ASINWP - Associate of The Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers
ASITTP - Associate of The Society of International Travel & Tourism Photographers
ASIMPP - Associate of The Society of International Media & Press Photographers
ABPPA - Associate of the British Professional Photographers Associates
ASICIP - Associate of The Society of International Commercial and Industrial Photographers

ASISEP - Associate The Society of International School and Event Photographers

ASIFGP - Associate The Society of International Fashion and Glamour Photographers

Print Submission for Associateship

A submission of twenty prints is required 20” x 16” of a uniform size and flush mounted. In the case of an SWPP (ASWPP) submission your application should consist of either wedding or portrait images from at least ten commissions. (mixed wedding/portrait panels are not acceptable).
In the case of all other submission your application should be in a singular discipline i.e. Landscapes, pictorial, illustrative, commercial etc. If in doubt please contact head office for advice.
In both cases  a submission of twenty prints is required 20” x 16” of a uniform size and flush mounted. Submissions should consist of various subject matter of the applicant’s choice.
What we expect of an Associate

The notes for Licentiate submissions also apply to Associate images, but with the added requirement that we wish to see far more creative interpretation, better choice of location, more thought and faultless technique. We recommend participation in the Mentoring Programme to assist you in making an application. If in doubt please contact head office for advice.

What it costs
SUBMISSION FEES ASSOCIATE £95
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS £45
(Provided they are submitted within 12 months)

FELLOWSHIP

What we expect of a Fellow
FSWPP - Fellow of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
FSISLP - Fellow of The Society of International Sport & Leisure Photographers
FSINWP - Fellow of The Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers
FSITTP - Fellow of The Society of International Travel & Tourism Photographers
FSIMPP - Fellow of The Society of International Media & Press Photographers
FBPPA - Fellow of the British Professional Photographers Associates
FSICIP - Fellow of The Society of International Commercial and Industrial Photographers

FSISEP - Fellow The Society of International School and Event Photographers

FSIFGP - Fellow The Society of International Fashion and Glamour Photographers

Fellowship of the ‘Societies’ is the highest distinction and recognizes you as a master of your craft, able to create work of the highest standard both technically and artistically. It is essential that applicants take serious advice from a recognised Mentor at the level of Fellow to ensure that the application is at the highest level of content and presentation. If in doubt please contact head office for advice.
Print Submission for Fellowship. Our highest Accolade

In both cases, a submission of twenty prints is required 20” x 16” flush mounted on board no thicker than 8mm.
Submissions should consist of in the case of an SWPP application (FSWPP), the very best of either wedding or portrait images from as many commissions as you wish as this must be an ultimate expression of your skills and abilities as a consummate professional. (Mixed wedding/portrait panels are not acceptable). In the case of a all other application you must concentrate on one area of expertise and excellence only.

What it costs
SUBMISSION FEE £150
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS £75
(Provided they are submitted within 12 months)

Taking the Credit for you work

IMPORTANT NOTE: It may take up to a month to receive feedback from the Qualifying Judges depending on the time of year and workloads. Please be patient, as we will make our best endeavours to get back to you as speedily and efficiently as we can.

Payments may also be made in US Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Danish Kroner, Euro, New Zealand Dollar, Swedish Krona, Swiss Francs or Australian Dollar

Notes for submissions

Information on submissions for Qualification

Qualifications must conform to the following criteria:

All submissions must be accompanied by a completed application form, and the appropriate fee. Each print must have the appropriate label attached to the rear as supplied by head office. Cheques should be payable to SWPP The Qualification that you are applying for must be clearly marked on the outside of the packaging or inner packaging where applicable. Adequate packaging and return postage must be included if you require your prints to be returned. Your submission will be judged “as it is presented”, so please ensure that it is adequately and securely packed. If your entry is to be judged as a panel, an appropriate diagram should be included. Each print in the panel will also be examined in isolation. Presentation will be taken into account and the photographer is expected to have mastered the chosen effect, technique, or process that is selected. The submission should comprise examples of the member's own commissioned work, in which they themselves have made an obvious contribution to the end product, over and above the directions and services provide by third parties. Each print must be numbered on the back. Each print (excluding mount) will be a minimum of 10"x 8" in size. All prints in the submission must have been taken within the eighteen months prior to the submission date. The identity of the photographer must remain anonymous except by way of the application form. The decision of the chairman of the Panel of Judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into. However, all applicants will receive a critique indicating and outlining any major failure points Failed panels may be re-submitted within six months at a reduced fee.

Image requirements for the Mentor Me Programme:
20 jpeg high res (300 dpi) aprox 10 x 8

Topics:
Freelance, Photojournalists, Weddings, Portraits, Children, Animal, Equestrian, Digital, Commercial, Fashion & Glamour, Landscape, Nature, Sport, Medical, Scientific, Press, PR, Architectural, Industrial, Forensic, Natural History, Research,

Return of prints
Second class/recorded delivery return postage must be included with the submission.

Board thickness
Board thickness may be from 1/8 inch thick to 1/2 inch thick, with the average thickness being 3/8 of an inch. This allows mounting on mount board or Fome-Cor™ materials.

Mounting
All photographs should be securely mounted to a board not to exceed 1/2 inch thickness. The entry may not be framed or boxed in any other fashion for viewing. All photographs should be securely mounted to a board.

Good Taste
All prints will be viewed by staff and judges and therefore need to offer a basic level of professionalism

Print surfaces
Glossy, matte, or canvas surfaces are allowable. The image may be printed conventionally, using photographic materials, or the print may be output digitally, using a digital output device.

Packing your prints
We highly recommends sending your prints in hard-shell print cases. These will provide the safest environment for your entries. • All prints should have a divider/separator between the boards so they do not stick together or damage each other. Foam rubber inserts make ideal print dividers.

What the Judges are looking for in your submission
The judges will base their decision on a combination of the following: creativity, impact, storytelling, technical excellence, lighting, posing, expressions, print quality and composition.

Technical aspects
Highest quality technical execution

Proper exposure for the mood and subject matter conveyed. Flawless presentation—excellent spotting, retouching and finishing technique with clean, professional mounting and matting.

Creativity
Fresh and imaginative approach to the subject matter.

Impact
Does the photograph have strong visual impact?
What elements hold the viewer’s eye within the confines of the print?

Composition and posing
Is the placement and arrangement of subject matter handled well?
Is the posing believable and flattering?
Are the fine points of the posing, hands and feet, for example, handled well?

Style
What makes this photograph different from the other entries? What makes it stand out?

Is the image uniquely different?
Does the image possess individuality and originality?

Presentation Tips
Use of creative mounting can enhance the impact of your photograph.
Matting or submount colors should enhance and modify the print image.
Print presentation should be flawless; mounting, spotting, retouching, matting, etc.

Use of creative mounting techniques can amplify the quality of your print.
Mounting and presentation techniques should never overpower your print.

Lighting
Excellent control of the lighting with full range of tones and detail throughout.

Good modeling on the subject.
Does the light create a mood?

Communication value
Does the print communicate a message or impart information in a visually interesting way.

Does the design of the image support the subject matter?

Strong story-telling statement should be apparent.

Interpretive

Print Quality

Excellent range of tones and optimal print contrast.

Colour fidelity and true color quality of skin tones.

“Unnoticeable” burning and dodging

Photo Quote: Photographs are perhaps the most mysterious of all the objects that make up, and thicken, the environment we recognize as modern. Photographs really are experience captured, and the camera is the ideal arm of consciousness in its acquisitive mood.- Susan Sontag