My Failed LRPS Submission

7am, 2nd October 2018, I set off for my Licentiate Assessment with the Royal Photographic Society in Bath confident that my black portfolio box contained the very best of my work. As far as I could tell, the panel fulfilled all the criteria: it was varied, well balanced, and looked super-smart (matching set of 10 40x50cm mounts containing small, perfectly aligned prints). It represented the culmination of a lot of work, feedback and readjustment. So, although I told myself that an unsuccessful application would be a learning experience, I was very emotionally invested, and a failed LRPS at the end of the morning was not what I had in mind.

Hanging plan – all mounts in Portrait mode, i.e., upright, even when containing landscape images.

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Feedback on my Licentiate Panel

Hours 380 to 850

On the 1st March 2018, I took the first formal step towards a distinction with The Royal Photographic Society (“RPS”) by booking onto a Licentiate Advisory Day. Licentiateship, often abbreviated to “LRPS” or just “L” is the first level of distinction. More advanced levels are Associate (ARPS) and Fellow (FRPS). The first available Advisory Day was 23rd June in Wakefield, Yorkshire.

For an L, candidates submit a panel of 10 competent images which show variety in approach and technique, and work in combination with one another. On the advisory day, up to 10 back-up images may also be submitted for consideration.

Advisory Day Submitted Print images — Suggested Revised Panel as displayed on the Stage

My panel was deemed “Ready for submission with minor alterations”. Full formal comments as follows:

Good range of photographic difference in panel
B&W image, portrait, weakest: image focus point of subject/ not sharpest
Animals good impact – dog and 6th image
Crab image – needs replacing
Almost there, some technical attention suggested
Demonstrates good range of what is required
Maybe look at panel balance.

Detailed feedback of panel and individual images see “more” below.

The primary objective of my 10,000 hour project is the, admittedly self-indulgent, goal of “becoming the best I can be.” The LRPS is a key milestone along the way. If you have any suggestions, please add them in the comments below.

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