2 minute read
RPS DISTINCTIONS FACEBOOK GROUP Peter Hayes FRPS
The RPS Benelux Chapter RPS Distinctions Committee by Peter Hayes FRPS
Distinctions Facebook Group
Applies to non-members as well as members
I often wondered why there was no official RPS Distinctions voice on Facebook, so I got together with Andy Moore LRPS, the Distinctions Manager, and together we planned a brand-new group for anyone in the world who is interested in Distinctions. This applies to non-members as well as members.
There are plenty of RPS Facebook groups: Digital Imaging, Landscape, Visual Art, Documentary and so on, but they are not the official voice of Distinctions HQ. What we wanted was somewhere for people to chat about the Distinctions process, keep them up to date with the latest news, post videos, and also to show and discuss their work. Above all, we wanted Andy and his Distinctions team, Ben Fox ARPS and Simon Vercoe ARPS, to be involved. We also lined up a large group of Moderators made up of panel members and panel chairs. Between us, we reckoned, we could answer any question quickly.
The biggest RPS FB group in less than 48 hours
In less than 48 hours we had become the biggest RPS FB group, with more than 600 members. Since May we have more than 1.500 members. This shows there is a need for this kind of interaction. The group was launched at a time when many people were in lockdown in their respective countries.
The most interesting aspect for many people was learning why people had NOT been successful! Pleasing though it is to see bodies of work that have been recommended, it is a great learning process to see the reason for not being recommended. We used the opportunity to say that although presentation and technical aspects are important, content is paramount.
We have a new process in place for assessing Images for Screen; this means we will be able to continue assessments throughout the coronavirus crisis. One-to-one video advice sessions started. We have also begun our series of Distinction Live Talks which are every Thursday at 18.00 (Joe Cornish, Will Cheung, David Noton et all), and virtual assessments began on May 27.
It is important that people know that we are working on their behalf, and that the RPS is not moribund because of the appalling virus. We hope that the new group, called RPS Distinctions **Official Group** will be particularly useful for overseas chapters.
