So this is the fourth post in this series on Salons and Exhibitions. Previously we have discussed "What is a Salon" then "How to enter a salon" and most recently "How to find salons to enter" In this post I'll discuss the distinctions that can be achieved from entering salons.
The posts in this series are:
Background
Following encouragement from Mike Watson, I entered a few Salons and Exhibitions over the last year. It is something that we want to actively promote as a club, but there are at the moment only a few members I'm aware of that enter external salons and exhibitions.
Last year, Mike said to me, have a go and you'll most likely be surprised, and indeed I was… which is why I'm repeating that advice to everyone. To that end, I thought I'd put together this series of articles to share my (albeit limited) experiences in the hope that it inspires other members to give it a shot.
Distinctions: What are they?
The two common distinctions you can achieve from entering Salons and exhibitions are BPE Crowns and AFIAP/EFIAP Awards.
The easiest to describe is the BPE Crowns:
The criteria for these are simple and application for the distinctions relatively easy from what I have heard. Full details can be found in the link below, but in essence each image accepted in to a BPE affiliated exhibition will count for one point. Distinctions are as follows:
BPE1 Crown Award - 25 Points
BPE2 Crown Award - 50 points
BPE3 Crown Award - 100 points
BPE4 Crown Award - 200 points
BPE5 Crown Award - 300 points
Beyond BPE5* are ABPE (Associate) and FBPE (Fellow) levels - More details of these can be found on the BPE awards page, below:
http://www.britishphotographicexhibitions.org.uk/index.php/awards
FIAP - AFIAP / EFIAP - then EFIAP Levels
The AFIAP (Artist) distinction is awarded when the candidate has:
(1) Taken part in International Salons under the FIAP patronage for at least one year.
(2) Accepted Images in at least 15 international salons in 8 different countries
(3) Obtained 40 accepted images, with at least 15 different works
(4) 10% of acceptances must be gained in Print salons.
- (Although I believe this is waivered at the moment due to CoronaVirus limiting print image salons)
The EFIAP (Excellence) distinction is awarded when the candidate has:
(1) Already held the AFIAP distinction for one year.
(2) Accepted images in at least 30 Salons in 20 different countries.
(3) Obtained 250 Acceptances with at least 50 different works
(4) 10% of acceptances must be gained in Print Salons.
Full details of these requirements can be found here: https://www.fiap.net/upload/files/1522656534-6d37f.pdf
Beyond the basic AFIAP and EFIAP awards, lies EFIAP Levels - Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond 1/2/3 - with MFIAP beyond that. Full details of these are described in the above document.
Global Photographic Union
Not especially common in this country, but works on similar lines to BPE crowns with points for acceptances.
However you can claim points for exhibitions not accredited by GPU and also get more points for achieving honours and medals.
GPU system for CROWNs is based on points.
The photographer collects the points from acceptances, mentions and awards in International exhibitions of any patronage and year.
GPU Crown 1: 200 pts.
GPU Crown 2: 600 pts.
GPU Crown 3: 2500 pts.
GPU Crown 4: 6000 pts.
GPU Crown 5: 15000 pts.
ACCEPTED photo or portfolio (not GPU’s patronage) = 1 pts.
Honorable Mention or Certificate (not GPU’s patronage) = 2 pts.
Medal or Trophy (not GPU’s patronage) = 4 pts.
THESE POINTS ARE DOUBLED IF THE SALONS HAVE GPU PATRONAGE:
Accepted image = 2 pts. ; HM/ Certificate = 4 pts. ; Medal/ Trophy = 8 pts.
IT IS PERMITTED TO APPLY FOR A MAXIMUM OF 2 CROWN LEVELS PER YEAR.
Full details can be found here: https://www.gpuphoto.com/apply-for-distinction
I very much hope that you find this, and other posts of interest, use and encouraging. Please do like and share this article using the links below.
If you have found this post interesting and useful, please do comment below or like & share it.
The other posts in this series are: