About Us

What is the Southern Counties Photographic Federation and why should you join?

The Southern Counties Photographic Federation (SCPF) was formed in 1963 and covers predominantly, but not exclusively, the South of England, from Wiltshire and Dorset through to Sussex, up to Berkshire, and including the Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.

The federation is run by an elected Council (nominated and elected by club representatives), in accordance with its Constitution. Its council meet roughly every six weeks, together with co-opted members. They report back to club representatives (two from each club) four times per year at three club representatives’ meetings and the Annual General Meeting in May.

Within the SCPF there are currently 65 clubs with around 3,000 members.

The SCPF is one of the fifteen local organisations representing photographic clubs that belong to The Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB), an organisation which both co-ordinates activities and sets down guidelines for photographic Clubs in England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland (including the Channel Islands, Gibraltar and Isle of Man).

To ensure member clubs can represent the federation in any PAGB competition, clubs must meet the PAGB definition:

“A camera club, photographic society, photographic club or photographic group with a published constitution and a published programme of events, united by a common interest in photography, meeting in person for mutual cooperation, education, entertainment or competition and conducted solely from one or more physical locations within the geographical Limits of the PAGB.”

All the federation’s clubs and societies must hold Public Liability Insurance cover as a condition of Membership.

As a member of the Southern Counties Photographic Federation the benefits include:

  1. Participation in federation’s Print and PDI Leagues
  2. Participation in the annual Print & PDI Championships (the winners and runners-up of which go forward to represent the federation in the PAGB Championships).
  3. Participation in the federation’s Annual Exhibition.
  4. Potential selection of members’ images for PAGB Competitions.
  5. Eligibility for entry to the PAGB GB Cup competition.
  6. Access to and training for judges/appraisers, widely recognised to be some of the best in the country.
  7. Rolls of Honour awards.
  8. Monthly newsletter.
  9. On-line directory, linking easily to club websites.
  10. Access to the PAGB Awards for Photographic Merit through which club members can obtain distinctions at Badge, Credit, Distinction, Excellence and Master levels.
  11. Participation in the federation’s Audio-visual Championship.

The Aim of the Federation is:

“To promote the advancement of photography in all its aspects. To encourage the co-operation between member clubs through participation and hosting of inter-club and Federation activities.”

There are fifteen local federations that belong to The Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB). Obviously the PAGB has strong links with all similar organisations. In the UK, it has cross-representation throughout the world via its membership of the Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP). FIAP confers Distinctions: AFIAP (Artiste); EFIAP (Excellence) and MFIAP (Master) for acceptances and awards in their recognised international salons and exhibitions.

The prime purpose of these federations is to promote and encourage the art and practice of photography directly to members and clubs in their individual catchment areas, supporting and liaising with both other Federations and the PAGB, to ensure local views and interests feature in national debate.

In the UK we also have the Royal Photographic Society (RPS), the oldest and most prestigious photographic body in the world. Its qualifications and awards are much prized by professional and amateur photographers alike. RPS members can have their work assessed and gain recognition, and for an annual fee use the following letters after their name:

  • LRPS (Licenceship) – awarded for a good level of basic skill and competence,
  • ARPS (Associate) – awarded for a high standard of technical competence and individual creative ability,
  • FRPS (Fellowship) – awarded for exceptional standards of excellence and distinguished ability.

However membership of the RPS is on a personal basis and clubs can not join.