RPS Panel Advice
I have been working towards a panel for the RPS over the last few months, with the intention of applying for a Fellowship distinction. Like many, I imagine, having ones work subjected to the highest level of photographic scrutiny is daunting. For me, social media comments also raised doubts and a crises of confidence that led me to put off taking the project further for several months.
Today, however, I had a most instructive zoom video meeting with one of the RPS assessors, Paul Mitchell. His critical comments on the panel below were enlightening, instructive and very positive. He reinforced my issues with some of the images, raised ‘concerns’ with some others but overall was entirely positive and supportive of the concept and execution.
One area to address is ensuring that the food used is recognisable. So the fish fingers need to look like day-glow, square fish fingers and the gammon should look like a typical cheap round of gammon and not the artisanal, rare breeds slice I used.
This was the second panel I have presented for appraisal. Last year a visit to RPS HQ in Bristol with a panel made up of wine door images left me feeling a bit lost. I put this down to trying to adapt an existing body of work to the RPS criteria and it just didn’t fit. At least to me.
The washing line project was designed purposely for the RPS. And it works. Well, according to Paul at least.
Overall I left the session feeling inspired, creative and positive. There are 5 images that need replacing (one of which I already have) and interestingly not all the ones I felt were weak. Three images also need looking at again, where either the processing is off or the subject isn’t immediately obvious. The next couple of weeks are going to be busy.