GUIDELINES: SUBMISSIONS FOR THE ROYAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY LICENTIATE DISTINCTION IN PHOTO HARMONY

1. Overview

The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) recognises the ability of members by the award of Distinctions. These are Licentiateship (LRPS), Associateship (ARPS) and Fellowship (FRPS) and are awarded for three increasing levels of attainment. The Distinctions are awarded by Council following an assessment of evidence submitted Panels which are appointed by Council.

These Guidelines relate to the LRPS Distinction in the new category called Photo Harmony. The ARPS and FRPS Distinctions are not yet available in this category. The Panel appointed to consider applications in Photo Harmony is the Audio Visual Panel. Typically, each AV Panel will consist of six Fellows of The RPS.

These Guidelines should be read in conjunction with The RPS Distinctions and Qualifications Criteria available as a download from The RPS website www.rps.org or in booklet form from the Distinctions Department, The Royal Photographic Society, Fenton House, 122 Wells Road, Bath BA2 3AH Tel: +44(0)1225 325761. The booklet contains essential requirements about image size and other technical issues as well as advice on the process to be followed.

2. The Category

The Photo Harmony category is designed to enable applicants to demonstrate their skills in the production and visual progression of images linked to sound. No words or story with a specific beginning, middle and ending is required. The emphasis is on matching the images with appropriate transitions and harmonising them with the sound.

As in other Distinctions Categories, The RPS expects that the applicant will have done the major part of the work and will disclose any work done by others.

Details concerning the use of copyright music recordings and of Sound Copyright Licences are available at a discount to RPS members from the Institute of Amateur Cinematographers at musicadvice@theiac.org.uk or www.theiac.org.uk. The IAC can also be contacted at admin@iac.org.uk or on 01372 822812. Applicants should note that unauthorised use of copyright recordings can make them liable to legal proceedings.

3. The Standard

There should be evidence in the photography of sound artistic and technical skills. The selection, quality and sympathetic progression of the images is the prime factor being assessed; the appropriateness and recording quality of the soundtrack will also be taken into account. Evidence of a developing personal style is desirable.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend at least one Distinctions Assessment Day or Distinctions Advisory Day before making a submission for an RPS Distinction. They are also advised to seek feedback on their draft submissions from AV Panel members through the Chairman of the Panel.

4. Techniques

The purpose of this category is to display a set of images which harmonise with each other and with the sound used. The sequence should be constructed so that images progress harmoniously in terms of colour or tone and graphic design. The category is not designed to display images which may be excellent when considered individually but which fail to harmonise with each other and with the sound chosen .It is the norm that the sound and the images start and finish together. Where music is used, it is recommended that the original ending of the music is preserved rather than an arbitrary fade-out.

As with all techniques, digital manipulation can easily be overdone and result in an effect counter-productive to the author’s intentions. Such modifications should be well matched to the overall concept being communicated by the images.

5. Licentiateship Requirements

The evidence should take the form of one or more series of images matched to sound. The total submission should consist of not less than 40 images and a running time of between six and nine minutes.

18 May 2006