PSSA’s framework for Honours and Awards makes provision for three categories of awards. Honours are bestowed on persons in recognition of photographic mastery. Service awards are made in recognition of service to PSSA, clubs as well as photography in general. Honorary awards are made for a combination, in varying degrees, of service to PSSA and to photography, a good salon record and for overall ability in the art and science of photography.

HONOURS OVERVIEW

PSSA offers various awards in recognition of photographic skill and achievement. These awards are made, on application, to successful applicants in recognition of photographic mastery, skill and achievement. Full members of PSSA may apply for Licentiateship, Associateship, Expert, Fellowship and Master. A person may join PSSA at the same time as he/she first submits an application for honours.

Types of Honours

The following Honours may be applied for:

Licentiateship: The Licentiateship (LPSSA) is generally the entry level Honours and is awarded for a high level of basic photographic skill and competence. Based on the PSSA club judging summary the LPSSA standard is that of a Gold Award in the 3 Star club grading in a relatively strong club.

Associateship: The Associateship (APSSA) is awarded for a high standard of technical photographic skill, competence and creative ability. This award recognizes a high standard of achievement in the art and science of photography and is awarded in recognition of photography of a good aesthetic and technical standard.

Fellowship: The Fellowship (FPSSA) is awarded for excellence and distinguished ability. The Fellowship recognizes a high standard of achievement in the art and science of photography and is awarded for excellent photographic ability. The applicant must already hold an APSSA in the same medium.

LPSSA/APSSA/FPSSA-versatile: Honours in any three mediums, or specialist categories, or combination thereof, resulting in three honours at the same level will attract a Vers. award.

Expert: The EPSSA is awarded for achievement on the Salon circuit. The following are required in Prints or Slides or Digital: 5 Diamond Rating in both nature & pictorial or 500 acceptances in any one section or 250 acceptances in Pictorial and 250 acceptances in Nature. Audio Visual requires a 5 Diamond Rating.

Master: The MPSSA, is the highest award which may be applied for by a member of PSSA. Application may be made in any photographic medium and subject matter is open. The applicant must already hold a FPSSA as well having fulfilled various criteria as listed in paragraph 6.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants for all categories of PSSA Honours must have full membership of PSSA. The only exception concerns applications for the Certificate of Excellence, available only to scholars.

REQUIRED STANDARD

The standard required is above average, stimulating and exciting - this does not automatically disqualify mundane subjects but a good panel should leave the judge feeling satisfied and not bored.

It should be borne in mind that there is very little left that is totally new and most pictures are a recreation of something you may have already seen. Therefore, each picture should be viewed as a new image. An old subject handled in a new and exciting way is likely to have more appeal than the repetition of a hackneyed subject.

When viewing subject matter consider whether the picture excites/stimulates you, if not, why not? Questions to ask are - has it portrayed what the photographer was trying to say? Is there a mood, have you made good use of color, line and form, composition, lighting etc. These are the ingredients we have to work with. A good picture has the right proportion of these ingredients put together in a pleasing manner.

The standard required for all Honours is above average good technique and interesting subject matter. As one progresses from LPSSA through to MPSSA the standard of work should improve - each level does not require merely an increased number of images, but also an increased understanding and appreciation of the art and science of photography.

By the time an applicant reaches the FPSSA and MPSSA level he/she should have developed his/her own personal style. This personal style is an important aspect of both the FPSSA and the MPSSA awards.

It is always advisable to present the very best panel you can as your best chance is your first chance. Consistency in standard is a prerequisite at all levels.

PHOTOGRAPHIC MEDIA FOR HONOURS

Application may be made in the following media: Colour Slides, Colour Prints, Monochrome Prints, Digital, Published Works and Audio Visual.

Application may be made with a specialist or general panel. The subject of a specialist panel is open to individual choice. Examples of such would be a nature panel, or Photojournalism, or Sport or Visual Art. In the case of Visual Art a slightly different format is required. Please refer to section 1.7.4 for details.

In addition to the abovementioned, application may be made for an Associateship in the following media, provided that the applicant already holds an APSSA in a different medium: Documentary/Literary, Scientific and Technical as a medium of Education.

To enable the judges to consider an application the author must submit adequate material for consideration. Only basic guidelines are laid down as each application will be dealt with according to its own merit. Examples of published papers, books, articles or other documents relating to photography should be submitted.

In order to achieve a (Vers) award in a single medium a minimum of two of the panels must be specialised.

• 3 x LPSSA = LPSSA(Vers)
• 3 x APSSA = APSSA(Vers)
• 3 x FPSSA = FPSSA(Vers)

Fellows who achieve three Fellowships in different media, any three of the following – Colour Prints, Monochrome Prints, Audio Visual, Published Works and Projected Medium (Projected Medium will include both slides and digital projections) will be awarded the FPSSA(Dux) and not the FPSSA(Vers).

A member may choose either to apply for a LPSSA or an APSSA as a starting point.

Only Associates may apply for a Fellowship and only Fellows may apply for a MPSSA. The APSSA must be in the same category as the FPSSA and the MPSSA must be in the same category as the FPSSA.

In addition to holding a FPSSA further criteria, as listed in the MPSSA section, are applicable prior to applying for the MPSSA

APPLICATION FOR HONOURS

The Honours and Awards Division oversees the awards made to members.

Submission of a panel for honours implies acceptance of the conditions of application as published in this document and in the relevant “PSSA Honours and Awards” Information sheets. Please ensure that you have a current application form – confirm this with the Honours and Awards Division.

The use of honours is only permissible while the individual remains a full member of PSSA in good standing. When listing honours after ones name one only lists a specific honour once and only the highest honour achieved. In the case of honorary awards for service etc both these and the achievement award would be listed e.g. Hon FPSSA, FPSSA.

PSSA reserves the right to withhold or disqualify any image, which is considered to infringe the common laws relating to indecency, plagiarism or copyright. By virtue of signing the application form the applicant certifies that the images and all elements included therein are his/her own and that no second party can claim authorship of any part of the said image.

Any image or part thereof which might require copyright clearance, such as a photograph of a famous national or international personage, should be so noted and attested to its authenticity by means of a signed statement on the back of the print or in an accompanying statement.

PSSA, through its Directors, Executive Committee and Honours and Awards Committee may withdraw any class of membership and award from any individual should the Board feel that the activities and actions of the individual has brought the organisation into disrepute in any way whatsoever by his/her actions.

A selection from the successful print panels will be exhibited during the Annual Congress; successful applicants should contact the Congress Chairman to make the necessary arrangements for hanging. A selection of the successful slide panels will be scanned and presented together with a selection of the digital panels as part of the Honours and Awards Audio Visual Show during the Annual Congress.

Wherever possible, all certificates will be presented to successful candidates at the PSSA Congress Honours and Awards Banquet. Such certificates remain the property of the Society and must be surrendered if the individual ceases to be a full member of the Society.

All images must originate as photographs (image-captures of objects via light sensitivity) made personally by the photographer on photographic emulsion or as a digital image.

No copying of any kind, of somebody else’s work is permissible, this includes, but is not restricted to, images by any means including painting, tracing and scanning.

All actions in reaching the final presentation must be made by the photographer with the exclusion of film processing, un-manipulated commercial scanning and printing. The operation and use of all computer software, including but not restricted to Audio Visual presentations and image manipulation, must be done by the photographer and may not be done by any other person, whether under the photographers guidance or otherwise.

The photographer may alter images, subject to divisional restrictions, either electronically or otherwise, and artwork or computer graphics created by the photographer may be incorporated if the photographic content predominates.

In the interest of credibility, photographs, which misrepresent the truth, such as manipulation to alter the subject matter, or situations, which are set up for the purpose of photography, are unacceptable in Photojournalism, Photo Travel and Nature/Wildlife categories. No panel may include both manipulated and un-manipulated nature. Either all your nature images in a panel must be true nature or all must be manipulated nature and you must declare this on your application form. Photojournalism or Photo Travel images which have been manipulated, automatically fall into the open section.

All final work must be on photographic film, or on electronic file, or on photographic or electronic print material.

Once an image has been accepted in an Honours panel that same image, or a like “in camera” or a “reproduction” duplicate of that image or similar may not be re-entered in any format in any other Honours application excepting for Audio Visual and Published Works.

By virtue of submitting an entry, the entrant certifies all the work as his own and that he/she has not transgressed any of the abovementioned rules. In keeping with modern trends the original RAW image or other proof of authenticity of all images submitted, may be requested.

The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence or discussion will be entered into. Applicants failing to abide by these rules are subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors.

The various application forms may be found on the PSSA website.

GENERAL NOTES AND FEES

Applicants will be given a panel registration number which will be valid for two years (four submissions) from the time of initial application - the registration number will be specific to the class, category & medium of entry e.g. LPSSA - Digital - General

The fees are payable on first application only and no further fee is payable regardless of the number of attempts in that medium/category at the applicable level during the two year period. The fees do not include return of print or slide panels. Arrangements must be made for their return with the Honours and Awards division. If you wish to have Honours & Awards return your prints by the most cost effective method, Insured Post through the Post Office, you should include an additional R50 with each application. No digital applications will be returned – the disks will be destroyed after judging.

Panels will be judged in the order in which they are received for each judging session.

ADVICE TO APPLICANTS

PRESENTATION

The Society does not prescribe to applicants how a panel should be compiled, but rather makes recommendations.

All work should be well presented. Entries should be neatly and uniformly mounted and should be free of dust and other marks, including, in the case of prints, dog-eared corners.

A panel should be presented in such a manner as to satisfy the judges that the work hangs together as a panel and does not appear to be a series of disparate images. The work will be viewed by the judges in number order and all entries should thus be numbered.

Good presentation will always help to make a good impression on the judges. Photographs are viewed individually and as a panel. It is therefore important that they hang together as a panel as well as being individually good pictures.

In the case of a print panel, the mounting should be compatible and the colour and form of the mounts and images should flow harmoniously. It is preferable, in the case of prints, that the panel be printed specifically for the application, thus ensuring consistency of quality. All prints must be mounted on card in order that they can stand alone on a display stand. Flush mounting (i.e. with no border showing) is an acceptable form of mounting.

DEFINITION OF A DIGITAL IMAGE AS SUBMITTED FOR HONOURS IN DIGITAL

A digital image is defined as a raster, 2-dimensional, rectangular array of static data elements called pixels, intended for display on a computer monitor or projected with a data projector.

Images may be acquired on traditional film and scanned to an electronic file, or acquired electronically with a digital camera.

The digital image must be original and may not include any elements produced by anyone else but the photographer. All processing procedures performed on the digital image must be done by the photographer.

SUBJECT MATTER

Subject matter is entirely open. Applicants should acquaint themselves with the rules pertaining to their specific field of entry. PSSA reserves the right to withhold or disqualify any image, which is considered to infringe the common laws of indecency, plagiarism or copyright.

Both general and specialist panels may be entered and an LPSSA/APSSA/FPSSA applicant may apply for more than one honour at the same level using different specialist subjects. An applicant could, for example, apply in nature, in pictorial and in portraiture. If the applicant was successful in each application three equal honours would be awarded and in addition the applicant would receive the Vers award.

Any subject matter is acceptable and originality is welcomed. No judge can be expected to be continually stimulated by a large number of similar pictures. Something different will attract his attention far more successfully than another similar picture. Choose only your best pictures and make sure that if your friends have similar images, that they do not submit them at the same time as you will be doing one another a disservice. If a number of similar panels are submitted the judges cannot help but compare one with the other and so the average pictures will be shown up as average and will not receive credits. Good pictures should stand out as good pictures. The judges can, at any time, ask to re-run a panel if they feel the need to re-assess it.

As a guideline when presenting a general panel one should try to include at least three subjects/techniques for the LPSSA, four for the APSSA and six for the FPSSA. A panel should be balanced in terms of subject matter and techniques used.

A wider understanding and mastering of technique and treatment will be required as the applicant moves through the various levels.

A Specialist Panel refers to the concept of focusing on a single theme, subject or aspect and could include a single subject or a specific photographic technique. It must be realized that there is a difference between specialization and repetitiveness within a panel. If an applicant intends to specialize he/she must ensure that the panel shows full understanding and handling of the subject. Specialization is, for example, not merely a collection of a number of portraits. The portraits have to show a variety of techniques and styles. The applicant intending to submit a specialized panel would do well to follow the guidelines for the Visual Arts panel, which is just one of the many specialist subjects possible.

The Visual Arts application differs from other specialist panels in that it must communicate a personal statement.

VISUAL ARTS

Submissions in this category are to be in the form of a body of work based on a theme or personal photographic style. Application may be made in any photographic medium.

A short written or spoken introduction of not more than 150 words is required whereby the applicant must state his or her intent. This introduction should be such that the submission may be judged in context.

Submissions must succeed in fulfilling their stated aim well and with clarity. The work must be cohesive in structure. It must be of good and balanced technical quality.

The panel must communicate a personal statement about the subject, conveying a mood, emotion or other meaning which goes beyond that of an objective record.

Judges will be asked to assess the panel in terms of the following criteria:

• To what extent does the panel communicate its personal style to the viewer at both informative and emotional levels?
• Is the work consistent throughout the panel?
• To what extent does consideration of the work demand a degree of involvement from the viewer in extracting the messages contained?
• Do the images augment each other in expressing the photographer’s message and feelings?
• To what extent are the images pictorially interesting individually, whilst also contributing to a balanced panel?
• To what extent has the photographer exploited the photographic possibilities of the subject by showing good understanding of lighting and viewpoint. How successfully have camera, film, filters and special techniques been used? How far does the panel show a sensitive understanding of composition, design and perspective?

Application may be made in any of the mediums offered and the numbers required in each panel are the same as for all other honours applications. In the case of a Masters, application must be made for alternative criteria to salon acceptances.

TECHNIQUE

One should consider technique as an integral part of the picture. In an Honours application one’s technique should be impeccable. A picture well handled should hardly need to be considered for technique. If the image is not technically correct the subject matter is unlikely to be considered unless the picture is exceptional.

What is technique? It is the orthodox/correct use of exposure, focus, composition, lighting etc. Bear in mind that unorthodox technique is very effective in many instances, particularly in creative work. Sloppy technique, i.e. bad focus, bad lighting etc. is not acceptable.

We can ask ourselves if there are any technical faults which detract from the picture and whether the technique has enhanced the picture, or was it merely used as a gimmick.

It should be evident in the panel that the applicant has a good knowledge of the use of the camera, lenses and film or digital including post processing.

SALON ACCEPTANCES

Salon acceptances are only a prerequisite for the EPSSA and MPSSA awards. For all other awards they can be used as a guide as to whether or not the applicant is ready to apply. (It is a prerequisite for the MPSSA excepting that alternative criteria can be considered).

The level recommended is 2 Diamond Ratings for LPSSA, 3 Diamond Ratings for APSSA and 4 Diamond Ratings for FPSSA.

These are only guidelines and do not guarantee the success of the panel.

JUDGES

A panel of judges from around the country is invited to assess the entries. Members who have achieved Honours may be invited to judge future Honours applications in the field in which they have achieved honours. It is acceptable for all honours holders to judge higher applications.

It is a privilege to be invited to judge and although the holding of a PSSA Honour does indicate a competent photographer it does not necessarily translate to being a good judge. Members should improve their judging skills by judging at club and salon level.

Specialist judges will be invited to judge where necessary. These specialists need not be members of PSSA

JUDGING

Judging of Honours applications generally takes place twice a year. The applications are submitted to a panel of judges around the country.

The EPSSA is awarded when sufficient Salon Acceptances have been achieved – no judging takes place. The MPSSA application requires presentation of a panel together with a lecture and this is usually scheduled for a Congress or a Convention.

Photography is a subjective art and as such no hard and fast rules can be set down for the grading of images. Assessing photography is an extremely subjective exercise and as such can provoke controversy. This is healthy, in that discussion usually follows and hopefully more knowledge can be imparted. Judges should strive to ensure that they are judging competently and fairly whatever the occasion.

All of us have special likes and dislikes but a good judge does not let these influence his judging. There are also regional biases and judges should immerse themselves in as much photography as possible to prevent regional bias from becoming a dominating factor in the judging of honours applications.

A picture should not be marked down because the judge doesn’t like it or because it has been done before. It must succeed if its qualities are good. Likewise a picture will not pass just because it is new to you - it must still be assessed in terms of technique etc.

Judges should acquire a good background knowledge and consequently appreciation in subject matter and techniques by means such as reading, observation and discussion. They should photograph regularly and keep up to date with current trends and movements in photography all over the world.

Judges and applicants in the field of nature need to be aware of the nature rules - refer Nature Photographers Code of Ethics. Nature is a specialist field and should be judged accordingly. All nature depicted must be living specimens.

In order for a panel to be successful 66.6% of the judges must agree that the entire panel is “Up to Standard”. Unsuccessful panels may be awarded credits.

CREDIT SYSTEM

The Credit System will run for a period of two years from the date of an original application.

Credits will be awarded to unsuccessful applicants, for either Licentiateship, Associateship or Fellowship for individual slides, prints, digital or Audio Visuals, that were accepted as being “Up to Standard” by 75% or more of the judges. Credits will be awarded at each of four successive judging sessions.

These credits, which will be suitably identified, must be resubmitted with all applications made within two years of the date of the original application. Thereafter all the credits will become null and void. A credit may not be failed by a judge during the time of its validity.

The credits help to make up the necessary requirements for a panel to be successful.

There is no limit to the number of times one may apply, but credits are only valid for the first four applications. Expired credits may be re-submitted in subsequent applications.

CONDITIONS OF APPLICATION

All entries must be securely packed for posting and the applicant’s name and address should appear on the outside of the parcel or wrapping. Packages should be of the returnable type. No digital submissions will be returned.

Applicant’s name and panel registration number must be written directly on the CD (no labels may be affixed to the CD). Please remove all inserts from the CD box so that the CD can be seen through the clear cover.

Every care will be taken with work or evidence submitted, but no responsibility can be accepted by the Society for damage or loss.

Candidates will be informed, in writing, of the results of their application and their work will be returned as soon as possible.

Wherever possible, all certificates will be presented to successful candidates at the PSSA Congress Honours and Awards Banquet. Such certificates remain the property of the Society and must be surrendered if the individual ceases to be a full member of the Society.

The use of the letters LPSSA, APSSA, EPSSA, FPSSA and MPSSA likewise, is only permissible while the individual remains a full member in good standing. When listing honours after ones name one only lists a specific honour once and only the highest honour achieved. In the case of honorary awards for service etc both these and the achievement award would be listed e.g. Hon FPSSA, FPSSA.

Closing dates for applications and receipts of evidence are January 25 and June 25 of each year unless otherwise published in the Society’s Official Journal or on the PSSA website. No late entries will be accepted.

It is advisable to send your entry via recorded post/courier and to confirm with the Chairman that it has been received.

The decision of the Board of Directors on all matters is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

SUBMISSION OF PANELS

Applicants should contact the Chairman of the Honours and Awards Committee for the necessary panel registration number and application form. The application form may also be downloaded from the website. Please note that application forms will not be sent via fax, only by post or e-mail. The contact details are:

The Chairman,
Honours & Awards Division,
PO Box 5060,
WALMER,
6065,
Port Elizabeth

Home telephone: 041 5811738
Work telephone: 041 5811214
Work fax: 041 5811217
E-mail; This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Every care will be taken with work or evidence submitted, but no responsibility can be accepted by the Society for damage or loss.

Applicants will be informed, in writing, of the results of their application. Telephonic results will only be given to the applicant his/herself.

FEES

The panel registration number is valid for two years (four submissions if required) from the time of initial application. A fee is payable on the first application and no further fee is payable regardless of the number of attempts during the two year period. Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to:

PSSA Honours Awards Committee

Electronic deposits should be made to:
PSSA Honours Awards Committee,
ABSA Account number 974 028 8580.