If you are new to camera clubs, some of the terminology can be confusing. Here is a straightforward guide to the most commonly used terms.
A
- ARPS
- Associate of the Royal Photographic Society. The intermediate RPS distinction. See Awards and Distinctions.
- AFIAP
- Artiste de la Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique. The entry-level FIAP international distinction.
B
- BPE
- British Photographic Exhibitions. A UK scheme that awards distinctions based on accumulated acceptances in approved exhibitions.
- Bracket
- A category within a competition, usually separating beginners from more experienced members.
C
- CPAGB
- Credit of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. The entry-level PAGB distinction.
- Club championship
- A competition between clubs within a federation, where each club submits a set of images to be judged collectively.
D
- DPAGB
- Distinction of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. The intermediate PAGB distinction.
- DPI / PDI
- Digital Projected Image (or Projected Digital Image). A digital photograph submitted for competition and displayed on screen via a projector. Clubs usually specify maximum pixel dimensions (commonly 1600px wide by 1200px tall).
E
- EFIAP
- Excellence FIAP. The main working-level FIAP international distinction, with several grades above it.
- External judge
- A judge brought in from outside the club to assess a competition. External judges are usually PAGB-approved or hold relevant distinctions.
F
- Federation
- A regional organisation that groups camera clubs together. The UK has 15 PAGB federations, each covering a different geographic area. Examples include the Yorkshire Photographic Union (YPU) and the Scottish Photographic Federation (SPF).
- FIAP
- Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique. An international photography body that runs its own distinction scheme and accredits international salons.
- FPAGB
- Fellowship of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. The highest PAGB distinction, awarded by invitation.
- FRPS
- Fellowship of the Royal Photographic Society. The highest RPS distinction.
I
- Inter-club
- A competition between two or more clubs. Each club submits a set number of images and the clubs are ranked against each other.
L
- LRPS
- Licentiate of the Royal Photographic Society. The entry-level RPS distinction.
M
- MPAGB
- Master of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. The senior PAGB distinction, requiring a panel of 20 high-quality images.
- Mounted print
- A photograph printed and fixed to a rigid backing board for display and competition. Most clubs specify a standard mount size (typically 50cm x 40cm).
P
- PAGB
- Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. The umbrella body for camera clubs in the UK, consisting of 15 regional federations with around 850 affiliated clubs.
- Panel
- A set of images submitted together for a distinction assessment.
- Print night
- A club evening focused on competition or critique of physical printed photographs.
R
- RPS
- Royal Photographic Society. Founded in 1853, one of the oldest photographic societies in the world. It runs its own distinction scheme (LRPS, ARPS, FRPS) open to anyone.
S
- Salon
- An international photography exhibition, usually accepting entries via an online submission system. Acceptances in FIAP-approved salons count towards FIAP distinctions.
- Season
- The club year, typically running from September to May or June. Most clubs take a summer break.