Qualification Structure - Qualify

The Society provides a system of qualification which is recognized throughout the photographic industry, and sets certain standards for photographers of differing abilities. This not only provides a certain kudos for the Photographer, but also provides the security a Client needs in knowing that they are getting a highly competent professional.

Qualified Photographers are recognized by the following letters after their names:

If you are qualified as an LMPA - AMPA - FMPA - LBIPP - ABIPP - FBIPP - LRPS - ARPS - FRPS - Craftsman of the Guild of Wedding Photographers (pre 2002)
We will recognize your achievement and award you with either an LSWPP - ASWPP - FSWPP - LBPPA - ABPPA -FBPPA - CrSWPP

In addition if you have an: A Level Photography, Grade A or B -City & Guilds 6924- City & Guilds Senior Award - BTEC ND in Photography we will recognize your achievement and award you with either an LBPPA

Combined BA Hons Degree in Photography - BA Degree in Photography - BTEC HND in Photography we will recognize your achievement and award you with either an ABPPA

or LIPPA = LSWPP AIPPA - ASWPP - FIPPA = FSWPP
or QEP = ASWPP or ABPPA dependant upon category
or PPA Craftsman ASWPP - PPA Master Craftsman FSWPP

If you are a member of any other Recognized Professional Association please contact us for confirmation of accredited status

LSWPP - Licentiate of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
Photographers will have presented evidence of their COMPETENCE in Wedding or Portrait Photography, and will have submitted a panel of 15 mounted prints of 10"x8" to 20" x 16" size from various Weddings or Portrait commissions, showing competence in style, technique and presentation. All prints must be of a uniform size. All prints have to be either flush or window mounted.

Submissions will be either wedding or portrait panels consisting 15 images from at least 5 separate commissions. (Mixed wedding/portrait panels will not be accepted)

SUBMISSION FEES LICENTIATE £60
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS £30
Applicants are asked to contact head office for an application form.

LBPPA - Licentiate of the British Professional Photographers Associates
Photographers will have presented evidence of their COMPETENCE in Photography, and will have submitted a panel of 15 mounted prints of mounted prints of 10"x8" to 20" x 16" size from various subject matter of the individuals choice, showing competence in style, technique and presentation. All prints must be of a uniform size. All prints have to be either flush or window mounted.

SUBMISSION FEES LICENTIATE £60
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS £30
Applicants are asked to contact head office for an application form.

ASWPP - Associate of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
Photographers will have presented evidence of their EXCELLENCE in the techniques and CREATIVE INTERPRETATION of Wedding or Portrait Photography. They will have submitted a panel of 20 mounted prints 20" x 16" All prints have to be either flush or window mounted.

Submissions will be either wedding or portrait panels consisting 20 images from at least 10 separate commissions. (Mixed wedding/portrait panels will not be accepted)

SUBMISSION FEES ASSOCIATE £95
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS ASSOCIATE £45
Applicants are asked to contact head office for an application form.

ABPPA - Associate of the British Professional Photographers Associates
Photographers will have presented evidence of their EXCELLENCE in the techniques and CREATIVE INTERPRETATION of a variety of images. They will have submitted a panel of 20 mounted prints 20" x 16" All prints have to be either flush or window mounted.

SUBMISSION FEES ASSOCIATE £95
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS ASSOCIATE £45
Applicants are asked to contact head office for an application form.

FSWPP - Fellowship of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
FBPPA - Fellowship of the British Professional Photographers Associates
Fellowship is the highest Distinction of The SWPP & BPPA and recognises original work and outstanding ability in a specialist field. Submissions must be printed to 20" x 16" and contain 20 prints. The criteria for submissions is that the prints must be of the highest quality. All prints have to be either flush or window mounted.

SUBMISSION FEES £200
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS £100
Applicants are asked to contact head office for an application form.

(Hon)FSWPP - Fellowship of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
(Hon) FBPPA - Fellowship of the British Professional Photographers Associates
This is the highest award in the Society which is bestowed on members who have attained their ASWPP or ABPPA, and given a minimum of 20 lectures, seminars or written published articles, and can furnish evidence of having worked for the benefit of the profession as a whole.

CRAFTSMAN OF THE SOCIETY OF WEDDING AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHERS

Applicants for this prestigious qualification must submit a total of five full sets of wedding pictures for assessment (minimum size 8 x 6), all of which must be actual albums as supplied to customers. Submissions for this qualifications may also be submitted on CD. Requirements: jpegs and facing pages should be made as a double page image.

Our qualification panel will assess all submissions. Consideration will be given to: posing, lighting, composition, expressions, story telling, variety, presentation, colour quality, and impact.

Applicant whose submission meet the approval of the qualifications committee, will be awarded the title of Craftsman of the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers (CrSWPP)

Applicants supplying albums must ensure that they have the appropriate insurance to cover any loss or damage incurred during transport and adjudication.

Applicants are asked to contact head office for an application form.
CRAFTSMAN SUBMISSION FEE £200
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS £100

Reciprocal arrangements given, details upon request.

DIGITAL QUALIFICATIONS – ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE SWPP & BPPA

There are two levels of qualification DLBPPA and DABPPA for Licentiateship and Associateship. They are separate from other Licentiate and Associate qualifications and applicants must progress from one to the other. It is not permissible to gain a qualification for, say LSWPP and then to apply for ABPPA(digital).

An application is made by completing a set of prescribed tasks (using the briefs and files provided by the qualifications committee) as well as personal work (which may use the camerawork of other photographers). The Licentiateship is intended to demonstrate a level of competence in digital manipulation and output. The Associateship reflects an ability to carry out tasks for others at the highest level and to provide commercial services, expertise and advice to other photographers, where appropriate. The prescribed tasks are challenging and will take even an experienced image manipulator many hours of work. An applicant will probably need to have broadened their skills beyond work they may currently be undertaking as part of their preparation. The content of the prescribed tasks may be changed in the light of developments in manipulation software and due notice will be published ahead of such changes.

Full details are available from SWPP & BPPA Head Office 01745 356935

DIGITAL SUBMISSION LICENTIATE FEE £80
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS £50
DIGITAL SUBMISSION ASSOCIATE FEE £120
RE-SUBMITTED PANELS £80

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

The SWPP 2008 Convention was an outstanding success,
we have 250 days to get ready for the 2009 convention - which starts on January 14, 2009

Photo Quote: All I want is the best of everything and there's very little of that left - Cecil Beaton