Q: Are any advisory days taking place?
A: For the time being we have had to cancel all volunteer led activities which would result in groups of people gathering. This will change in time and in accordance with government advice. Please consider applying for a 1:1 Portfolio Review which was set up in response to the cancellation of advisory days.
Q: Are any Assessments taking place?
A: **Updated June 2021**Assessments of print, digital and book submissions are taking place, including new audience attendance online. Please email booking forms to distinctions@rps.org
Licentiate Assessments | Associate Assessments | Fellowship Assessments
To help keep attending staff and panel members safe, we will be not be able open our doors to an audience.
Q: I want to apply for an assessment, where should I send my application form?
A: Please do not send your application form to us in the post. RPS House remains closed to the Public and Staff are mainly working from home. Where possible, please complete the form on your computer and email a copy to distinctions@rps.org. To assist with the ease of processing applications, please also consider paying for your assessment via PayPal.
Q: Where is my Certificate?
A: **Updated May 2021** At the moment there is a small delay on certificates for UK Applicants, but applicants should receive their certificate within a few weeks of the assessment date.
At the moment, we have unfortunately had to suspend any international posting of certificates as we have experienced a high level of failed deliveries and returns. Any certificates for international applicants will be sent on the recommencement of a normal postal service and the lifting of restrictions.
Q: My assessment has been cancelled but I've already sent my portfolio to you, do I need it to be returned?
A: If we've cancelled an assessment and you've already sent your prints to us, please don't worry. You should have received an email stating that we have received your work. Your submission will be kept in our store room until we are able to resume the print assessments or until we are able to return it to you once travel and social distancing restrictions have been lifted.
Q: I haven't sent my Portfolio to you yet. When should I send it?
A: **Updated May 2021** All submissions, regardless of format, must be received at least 14 days ahead of the assessment. Any submission received after the 14 day cut off date will be rescheduled for the next available assessment.
Please try to ensure that your portfolio is delivered to RPS House on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, as this is when a member of staff will be available to take delivery.
Portfolios can be personally delivered to us at RPS House. We will be following Government Guidelines and request that you do too. On arrival, we ask that you drop your portfolio off outside the main entrance, you will then be asked to step back to allow a member of staff to safely retrieve your portfolio. All portfolios will then be stored for a minimum of 72 hours before being unpacked.
Due to the changes of procedure, you may wish to consider paying for return postage. if you wish to add this to your booking, please send the £18 return postage fee to distinctions@rps.org via PayPal↗.
Please include a note with the payment, stating your name, assessment date and "return postage" i.e. John Smith_050521_Return Postage.
Q: I'd like to attend an assessment, will this be ok?
A: **Updated May 2021** Due to Covid-19 and the layout of our auditorium, we are unable to host our assessments with an audience present.
Q: How will print assessments be run?
A:**Updated May 2021** Physical prints can be assessed at RPS House. However, it has been necessary to make a few changes to the process to ensure the health and safety of our staff and volunteers. While RPS House remains closed to the public, each assessment will have a limited number of Distinctions staff and one print expert present.
The panel members and Chair will join the assessment via video. They will receive the digital images to assess against the criteria which is not reliant on seeing the physical prints. They will assess on content only; technical questions and concerns will be dealt with by the print expert.
Licentiate Criteria:
- Visual Awareness
- Communication
- Overall Impression
Associate & Fellowship Criteria:
- A Statement of Intent that defines the purpose of the work, identifying its aims and objectives.
- A cohesive body of work that depicts and communicates the aims and objectives set out in the Statement of intent.
- A body of work that communicates an individual’s vision and understanding.
It is important to make each assessment consistent and fair, so panel members will have the opportunity to ask the print expert to check any of the prints on their behalf and report back on the following:
Licentiate Criteria:
- Camera work & Technical Quality
Associate Criteria:
- A high level of technical ability using techniques and photographic practices appropriate to the subject.
- An appropriate and high level of understanding of craft and artistic presentation.
Please note: the print expert does not have a vote
Fellowship only
Applicants also needs to show “a submission that demonstrates a distinctive and distinguished body of work” and also "The highest level of understanding of craft and artistic presentation" ( instead of high for the Associate).
