PAGB Awards for Photographic Merit
SCPF PAGB APM Application form (see notes below)
QUALIFYING CRITERIA – SOUTHERN COUNTIES PHOTOGRAPHIC FEDERATION
The PAGB Distinctions are only open to members of Clubs affiliated to the PAGB via their local Federation. Intending applicants should study, in detail, PAGB Leaflets 1 & 2 about the Awards downloadable from the PAGB Website (http://www.thepagb.org.uk/awards/apm-awards/)
Entrants must have been active members of an affiliated club/society for a minimum of 2 years for BPAGB and CPAGB, 3 years for DPAGB and EPAGB, and 5 years for MPAGB. A retrospective period of 10 years may be considered. Applicants for MPAGB must have held DPAGB for at least 11 months on the date of application. These criteria must be certified by your club/society official on the SCPF application form (see below)
The Federation does not require you to prove the standard of your work – this is done by the PAGB at the Adjudication Day based on the images that you submit for consideration.
The SCPF recommends that to understand the standard of work needed to achieve an award, the applicant attends an Advisory Day, or an Adjudication Day as a spectator, prior to making their own submission, so that they can understand the level at which they will be judged – particularly those seeking DPAGB and MPAGB status
It is also recommended that applicants submit work for the SCPF Exhibition, in addition to visiting some of the many Club Exhibitions held throughout the Southern Counties Federation area each year. Many of them are National events which attract entries from throughout the UK and will give a prospective applicant an idea of the standard of work being produced in other Federations – and other clubs within our own boundaries.
The PAGB APM Online Advisory Service is another way by which those who have applied for an award can get advice about their potential entry – full details are available on the PAGB website, leaflet 6.
The Federation Requirements at each level are:
Badge Award of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (BPAGB)
The Standard is that of “Good Club Photography”
Images needed to achieve the Badge Award can be described as approaching “Good Club Photography”. If you consistently do well in your own Club, or if your work is selected for inter-club and SCPF competitions, you probably qualify to enter for this award. All we need is evidence from your Club(s) that you have actively supported them with a good, consistent standard of work for at least two years.
Credit Award of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (CPAGB)
The Standard is that of “Good Club Photography”
This is the most important of the three levels of Award and is designed specifically to recognise the “Good Club Photographer”. If you consistently do well in your own Club, or if your work is selected for inter-club and SCPF competitions, you probably qualify to enter for this award. All we need is evidence from your Club(s) that you have actively supported them with a good, consistent standard of work for at least two years.
Distinction Award of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (DPAGB)
The Standard is that of “Open Exhibition Photography”
You can enter for this level without passing through the CPAGB stage (although this could be the route to take to avoid disappointment). If you have not entered and had acceptances in National Exhibitions (e.g., Basingstoke, Winchester) you are strongly recommended to enter as this will be the level at which your work will be assessed though it is not essential that you do so. Details of National Exhibitions are available from SCPF Council.
You will be required to show that you have actively supported your Club(s) for at least three years to apply to enter at this level.
Excellence Award of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (EPAGB)
The Standard is that of “Open Exhibition Photography”
Only existing holders of the DPAGB Award may apply for the EPAGB and none of the images used at DPAGB may be used for EPAGB.
The standard required is that images should be good enough to achieve a high level of acceptance in Open Exhibitions
You will be required to show that you have actively supported your Club(s) for at least three years to apply to enter at this level.
Master of the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (MPAGB)
The Standard is that of “the highest standard of Amateur Photography”
This standard is the very best in UK photography You will be aware this is a quantum leap and the assessors of your work will be looking for images that have not only been accepted in International Exhibitions but have won awards. You will be required to demonstrate support for your Club(s) over a minimum period of five years and you must have held the DPAGB for at least eleven months before applying at this level. Details of International Exhibitions (e.g., Southampton International) are available from SCPF Council.
PAGB Awards for Photographic Merit in Audio Visual
In addition to the Awards for photographers who take individual images the PAGB do also have a separate section for those who are interested in having their Audio-Visual work assessed. To recognise this, any applicant who achieves an Award in this category has AV added (e.g., CPAGB/AV)
The qualifying criteria is the same as for the “standard” awards, but the judging is slightly different in that five assessors are used – all of whom are recognised experts in this field.
Because of the specialist nature of AV work there is no set timeframe and Adjudications are held as and when there is sufficient demand and interest.
Leaflet 4 (downloadable from the Awards page of the PAGB website) will provide more information.
Application process for Awards
Download an SCPF Application form from the SCPF website here
Complete the form and have it certified by your club/society official. If you have been a member of more than one club/society during the pre-qualification period, two forms will be required (one from each club).
Send the completed Application form to the SCPF Awards Officer (see below) – a scanned copy by email is suitable
If the application satisfies the criteria, the Awards Officer will send you the PAGB Application form. The completed PAGB form and relevant entry fee should be returned to the Awards Officer for countersigning and forwarding to the PAGB Awards Secretary who will then email you direct confirming your place in an upcoming Adjudication (held twice a year in April and November). Because places are limited and fill quickly, this may not be your first choice.
SCPF PAGB Awards Officer: Ray Hems ARPS DPAGB
Email: pagb.awards[AT]southerncountiespf.org.uk