DistinctionsDatabase

 

Photography Distinction Database from all over the World

#Distinctions #Honours #Qualifications #Awards

If you have further information to be added to this list, kindly contact on: info@johanndebono.com or Facebook

 

 

Last Updated: 30th Sept 2022

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Distinctions, What & Why?

Photographic distinctions are awarded to photographers through a process of acceptances, when submitting work in international competitions and/or through sitting for a panel exam. This is done to show the standard they have reached. Many Societies, Associations and other entities have their own distinction processes and also various levels one can go through.

These appellations are proudly displayed on someone’s business cards, résumés, website and email signature.

 

 

"Accomplishing something provides the only real satisfaction in life." - Thomas A. Edison

 

 

Distinctions from Malta

 

 

Malta Photographic Society - Est 1961  ⇨   Link

 

AMPS - Associate

FMPS - Fellow

Hon.FMPS - Honorary Fellow

 

 

 

Malta Institute of Professional Photography - Est 1996 ⇨   Link

 

LMIPP - Licentiate

AMIPP - Associate

FMIPP - Fellowship

 

 

If you have further info, kindly contact on info@johanndebono.com or Facebook

 

International Distinctions

 

 

Agile Photographic Society - Est 2017 ⇨   Link

 

G.APS - Genius

A.APS - Artisan

M.APS - Master

GM.APS - Grand Master

L.APS/B - Legendary Bronze

L.APS/S - Legendary Silver

L.APS/G - Legendary Gold

I.APS/B - Icon Bronze

I.APS/S - Icon Silver

L.APS/G - Icon Gold

E.APS/B - Elite Bronze

E.APS/S - Elite Silver

E.APS/G - Elite Gold

 

 

 

Association of Photographers of Georgia - Est 2008 ⇨   Link and Link

 

AAPG - Artist

EAPG - Excellence

RAPG - Recognized

GMAPG - Grand Master

Hon.FAPG - Honorary Fellow

 

 

 

Association of Romanian Artists Photographers - Est 1956 ⇨   Link

 

Art.AAFR - Artist

E.AAFR - Excellence

M.AAFR - Master

 

 

 

Australian Photographic Society - Est 1962  ⇨   Link

 

LAPS - Licentiate

AAPS - Associate

FAPS - Fellow

MAPS - Master

GMAPS - Grand Master

APSEM - APS Exhibtor's Medal

APSEM/b - APS Exhibtor Bronze

APSEM/s - APS Exhibtor Silver

APSEM/g - APS Exhibtor Gold

 

 

 

Bangladesh Photographic Society - Est 1976  ⇨   Link

 

LBPS - Licenciateship

ABPS - Associateship

FBPS - Fellowship

 

 

 

Bengal Photography Institute - Est XXXX ⇨   Link and Link

 

ABPI - Astral BPI Artist

BBPI - Brilliant BPI Artist

EBPI - Eminent BPI Artist

GBPI - Gallant BPI Artist

 

 

 

British Institute of Professional Photography - Est 1901 ⇨   Link

 

LBIPP - Licentiateship

ABIPP - Associateship

FBIPP - Fellowship

 

 

 

British Photographic Exhibitions - Est 1980's.  ⇨   Link

 

BPE1* - Crown 1

BPE2* - Crown 2

BPE3* - Crown 3

BPE4* - Crown 4

BPE5* - Crown 5

ABPE  - Associateship

FBPE  - Fellowship

 

 

 

Campina Photographic Exhibitions Society - Est 2015  ⇨   Link

 

A.CPE - Artist

E.CPE - Excellence

M.CPE - Master

GM.CPE - Grand Master

Hon.CPE - Honorary

ES.CPE - Excellence Services

MS.CPE - Master Services

GMS.CPE - Grand Master Services

 

 

 

Canadian Association For Photographic Art - Est 1998  ⇨   Link

 

MCAPA - Maple Leaf

ACAPA - Associateship

FCAPA - Fellowship

HonFCAPA - Honourary Fellowship

 

 →(CAPA has also different Honours awarded by the Board of Directors)

     Honourary Membership

     Certificate of Honour for Service

     CAPA Distinguished Service Award

     Certificate of Photographic Achievement

 

 

 

Creative Union Photoart - Est 1998  ⇨   Link

 

A-PHOTOART - Artist

E-PHOTOART - Excellence

M-PHOTOART - Master

ES-PHOTOART - Excellence Services Rendered

 

 

 

Danube International Photo Association - Est XXXX  ⇨   Link

 

ADIPA - Artistic

ADIPA/b - Artistic Bronze

ADIPA/s - Artistic Silver

ADIPA/g - Artistic Gold

ADIPA/p - Artistic Platinum

 

EDIPA - Excellence

EDIPA/b - Excellence Bronze

EDIPA/s - Excellence Silver

EDIPA/g - Excellence Gold

EDIPA/p - Excellence Platinum

 

M DIPA - Master

GM DIPA - Grand Master

 

Hon DIPA - Honourary Member

 

 

 

Disabled Photographers' Society - Est 1968  ⇨   Link

 

LDPS - Licentiateship

ADPS - Associateship

FDPS - Fellowship

(Memberships and Distinctions are only available to people within the UK)

 

 

 

Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique - Est 1950 ⇨   Link

(International Federation of Photographic Art)

 

AFIAP - Artiste

EFIAP - Excellence

 →(EFIAP has also different levels to apply for)

     EFIAP/b - Bronze

     EFIAP/s - Silver

     EFIAP/g - Gold

     EFIAP/p - Platinum

     EFIAP/d1 - Diamond 1

     EFIAP/d2 - Diamond 2

     EFIAP/d3 - Diamond 3

MFIAP - Master Photographer

ESFIAP - Excellence for Service Rendered

Hon.EFIAP - Honorary Excellence

 

 

 

Federation of European Photographers - Est 1999  ⇨   Link

 

EP - European Photographer

QEP - Qualified

MQEP - Master Qualified

 

 

 

Federation of Multicultural Photographic Art - Est 1998 ⇨   Link

 

EFMPA - Excellence

MFMPA - Master

Hon.E.FMPA - Honorary Excellence

 

 

 

Global Photographers Union - Est 2007  ⇨   Link

 

GPU CR1 - Crown 1

GPU CR2 - Crown 2

GPU CR3 - Crown 3

GPU CR4 - Crown 4

GPU CR5 - Crown 5

GPU VIP1 - Level 1

GPU VIP2 - Level 2

GPU VIP3 - Level 3

GPU VIP4 - Level 4

GPU VIP5 - Level 5

Aphrodite - Title 1

Hermes - Title 2

Zeus   - Title 3

GPU Excellence Trophy

 

 

 

GreenGo Club - Est XXXX  ⇨   Link

 

AGNG - Artist

EGNG - Excellence

MGNG - Master

GMGNG - Grand Master

EHonGNG - Honorary Excellence

 

 

 

Hellenic Photographic Society - Est 1952  ⇨   Link

 

AHPS - Artist

EHPS - Excellence

EHPS/b - Excellence Bronze

EHPS/s - Excellence Silver

EHPS/g - Excellence Gold

MHPS - Master

GMHPS - Grand Master

ESHPS - Excellence for Service Rendered

Hon.EHPS - Honorary Excellence

HMHPS - 25 years Honorary Member

GHMHPS - 40 years Honorary Member

AHMHPS - Associate Honorary Member

 

 

 

India International Photographic Council - Est 1983  ⇨   Link

 

LIIPC - Licenciateship

AIIPC - Associateship

FIIPC - Fellowship

Hon.FIIPC - Honorary Fellowship

 

 

 

Indian Visual Arts Foundation - Est 1993  ⇨   Link

 

AIVAF - Appreciation

FIVAF - Fellow

MIVAF - Master

Hon.FIVAF – Hon.Fellow

 

 

 

International Photography of Nepal - Est 2018  ⇨   Link

 

BIPN - Basic

IIPN - Intermediate

PAIPN - Pre Artist

AIPN - Artist

EIPN - Excellence

MIPN - Master

GMIPN - Grand Master

 

PIPN - Proficiency

CIPN - Consociate

FIPN - Fellowship

 

 

 

International Union of Photographers - Est xxxx  ⇨   Link

 

HIUP - Honorable

EIUP - Elite

MIUP - Master

GAIUP - Great Achievement

 

 

 

Irish Photographic Federation - Est 1981  ⇨   Link

 

LIPF - Licentiateship

AIPF - Associateship

FIPF - Fellowship

 

 

 

Master of Light - Est xxxx ⇨   Link

 

c*MoL - Competitive 1 star

c**MoL - Competitive 2 star

c***MoL - Competitive 3 star

MoL* - Artistic 1 star

MoL** - Artistic 2 star

MoL*** - Artistic 3 star

hMoL - Honorary

 

 

 

Master Photographers Association - Est 1952 ⇨   Link

 

LMPA - Licentiate

AMPA - Associate

FMPA - Fellowship

Hon FMPA - Honorary Fellowship

 

 

 

National Photographic Art Society of Sri Lanka - Est 1950  ⇨   Link

 

LNPAS - Licentiateship

ANPAS - Associateship

FNPAS - Fellowship

 

 

 

New Zealand Institute of Professional Photography - Est 1938 ⇨   Link

 

ANZIPP - Associate

MNZIPP - Master

XXX - Master with Distinction

GMNZIPP - Grand Master

GM.HF.NZIPP - Grand Master with Hon Fellow

GM.LM.NZIPP - Grand Master with Life Member

 

 

 

Nordic Association for Photography - Est 2015 ⇨   Link

 

NSMiF/b - Bronze

NSMiF/s - Silver

NSMiF/g - Gold

NSMiF/p - Platinum

NSMiF/d1 - Diamond 1

NSMiF/d2 - Diamond 2

NSMiF/d3 - Diamond 3

MNFFF -Master NFFF

HonENFFF -Honorary Excellence NFFF

 

 

 

Photo Wedding Stories - Est 2009  ⇨   Link

 

APWS - Associate

CPWS - Craftsman

MPWS - Master

DMPWS - Double Master

TMPWS - Triple Master

GMPWS - Grand Master

 

 

 

Photographic Alliance of America - Est 1949  ⇨   Link

 

APAUS - Associate

FPAUS - Fellow

 

 

 

Photographic Alliance of Great Britain - Est 1930 ⇨   Link

 

CPAGB - Credit

DPAGB - Distinction

MPAGB - Master

APAGB - Associate (Awarded for Meritorious Service)

HonPAGB - J.S. Lancaster Medal

 

 

 

Photographic Society of America - Est 1934 ⇨   Link

 

PSA* - 1 Star

PSA** - 2 Star

PSA*** - 3 Star

PSA**** - 4 Star

PSA***** - 5 Star

Galaxy 1 to Galaxy 10

Diamond 1 to Diamond 10

QPSA - Qualified

PPSA - Proficiency

EPSA - Excellence

MPSA - Master

MPSA2 - Master Level 2

GMPSA - Grand Master

GMPSA/B - Grand Master Bronze

GMPSA/S - Grand Master Silver

GMPSA/G - Grand Master Gold

GMPSA/P - Grand Master Platinum

BPSA - 1st level

SPSA - 2nd level

GPSA - 3rd level

 

 

 

Photographic Society of India - Est 1937 ⇨   Link

 

LPSI – Licentiateship

APSI – Associateship

FPSI – Fellowship

 

 

 

Photographic Society of Malaysia - Est 1956 ⇨   Link

 

APSM - Associateship

FPSM - Fellowship

Hon.FPSM - PSM Honors

 

 

 

Photographic Society of New York - Est 1949 ⇨   Link

 

Exhibitor of the International Salon of Photography Honors:

  EPSNY - Exhibitor

  CEPSNY - Coral Exhibitor

  GEPSNY - Gold Exhibitor

  PEPSNY - Platinum Exhibitor

  Hon. EPSNY - Honorary Exhibitor

  SEPSNY - Salon Exhibitor

  EEPSNY - Excellent Exhibitor

 

Photographic Art Honors:

  APSNY - Associate

  FPSNY - Fellow

  Hon. OPC-PSNY - Honorary Outstanding Photographer Of the Century

 

Honorary Honors:

  SVCPSNY - Service

  Hon.PSNY - Honorary Member

  Hon.FPSNY - Honorary Fellow

 

 

 

Photographic Society of New Zealand - Est 1953  ⇨   Link

 

LPSNZ - Licentiate

APSNZ - Associate

FPSNZ - Fellow

 

 

 

Photographic Society of Penang - Est 1967  ⇨   Link

 

APSP - Associateship

FPSP - Fellowship

AEPSP - Active Exhibitor

MEPSP - Master Exhibitor

HON PSP - Honorary Member

HON FPSP - Honorary Fellowship

 

 

 

Photographic Society of Singapore - Est 1950 ⇨   Link

 

LPSS - Licentiateship

APSS - Associateship

FPSS - Fellowship

 

BEPSS - Bronze Exhibitor

SEPSS - Silver Exhibitor

GEPSS - Gold Exhibitor

PEPSS - Platinum Exhibitor

DEPSS - Diamond Exhibitor

 

 

 

Photographic Society of South Africa - Est 1954  ⇨   Link

 

LPSSA - Licentiate

APSSA - Associate

FPSSA - Fellow

EPSSA - Expert

MPSSA - Master

 

 

 

Professional Photographers of Canada - Est 1946  ⇨   Link

 

CPA - Craftsman of Photographic Arts

MPA - Masters of Photographic Arts

SPA - Service of Photographic Arts

F/PPOC - Fellow

 

 

 

Rising Star Photography Society - Est xxxx ⇨   Link

 

ARSPS - Associateship

FRSPS - Fellowship

Hon.ARSPS - Honorary Associateship

Hon.FRSPS - Honorary Fellowship

 

 

 

Royal Photographic Society - Est 1853 ⇨   Link

 

LRPS - Licentiate

ARPS - Associate

FRPS - Fellowship

(The above distinctions also apply for Photographic Research Distinction)

Hon FRPS - Honorary Fellow

 

 

 

Safra Photographic Club - Est 1972 ⇨   Link

 

A SAFRAPC - Associateship

F SAFRAPC - Fellowship

HON SAFRAPC - Honorary

HON F SAFRAPC - Honorary Fellowship

 

 

 

Sarawak Photo-Art Society - Est 1988 ⇨   Link

 

ASPAS - Associateship

FSPAS - Fellowship

Hon.SPAS - Honorary

Hon.FSPAS - Honorary Fellowship

BE.SPAS - Bronze Exhibitor

SE.SPAS - Silver Exhibitor

GE.SPAS - Gold Exhibitor

PE.SPAS - Platinum Exhibitor

DE.SPAS - Diamond Exhibitor

 

 

 

Serendib Society of Photographers - Est 2020 ⇨   Link

 

A.SSP - Artistic

E.SSP - Excellence

M.SSP - Master

GM.SSP - Grand Master

GM.SSP/b - Grand Master Bronze

GM.SSP/s - Grand Master Silver

GM.SSP/g - Grand Master Gold

 

 

 

Sigma Academy of Photography - Est xxxx  ⇨   Link

 

LSAP - Licentiate

ASAP - Associate

FSAP - Fellow

MSAP - Master

GMSAP - Grand Master

GEPSAP - Global Excellence Photographer

 

Photographic Service Distinctions:

  Hon.SAP

  Hon.Associate

  Hon.Fellow

  Hon.Master

  Hon.Grand Master

  Hon.Global Excellence Photographer

 

 

 

Singapore Colour Photographic Society - Est 1966 ⇨   Link

 

ASCPS - Associateship

FSCPS - Fellowship

ESCPS - Exhibitor

Hon.ESCPS - Honorary Exhibitor

Hon.SCPS/Hon.FSCPS - The Honorary Awards

 

 

 

Swan International Photo Club - Est xxxx ⇨   Link

 

ASWAN - Associateship

FSWAN - Fellowship

MSWAN - Master

Hon.FSWAN - Honorary Fellowship

 

 

 

The Guild of Photographers - Est 1988 ⇨   Link

 

RGP - Registered (i.e. untested/member)

QGP - Qualified

CGP - Craftsman

MCGP - Master Craftsman

 

 

 

The Image Colleague Society - Est 1988 ⇨   Link

 

For photographic portfolio achievement distinction:

  A.ICS - Associateship

  F.ICS - Fellowship

  M.ICS - Master

  M.ICS/b - Master Levels

  M.ICS/s - Master Levels

  M.ICS/g - Master Levels

 

For exhibition proficiency distinction:

  BP.ICS - Best Photographer

  GM.ICS - Grand Master

  ICS.SAFIIRI - SAFIIRI

  GWP.ICS - Grand World Photographer

 

For exhibitor achievement distinction:

  HON.EICS - Honorary Exhibitor

 

For photographic service distinction:

  HON.FICS - Honorary Fellowship

  HON MICS - Honorary Master

  HON.PIPICS - Honorary Promoter International Photography

 

 

 

The National Photographic Society - Est xxxx ⇨   Link

 

nDip - Diploma in Photography

LNPS - Licentiate

ANPS - Associate

FNPS - Fellowship

 

 

 

The Societies of Photographers - Est 1988 ⇨   Link

 

SWPP - Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers;

  LSWPP - Licentiate

  ASWPP - Associate

  FSWPP - Fellowship

 

SIFGP - Society of International Fashion and Glamour Photographers

  LSIFGP - Licentiate

  ASIFGP - Associate

  FSIFGP - Fellowship

 

SITTP - Society of International Travel and Tourism Photographers

  LSITTP - Licentiate

  ASITTP - Associate

  FSITTP - Fellowship

 

SICIP - Society of International Commercial and Industrial Photographers

  LSICIP - Licentiate

  ASICIP - Associate

  FSICIP - Fellowship

 

SISLP - Society of International Sport and Leisure Photographers

  LSISLP - Licentiate

  ASISLP - Associate

  FSISLP - Fellowship

 

SINWP - Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers

  LSINWP - Licentiate

  ASINWP - Associate

  FSINWP - Fellowship

 

SIMPP - Society of International Media and Press Photographers

  LSIMPP - Licentiate

  ASIMPP - Associate

  FSIMPP - Fellowship

 

SISEP - Society of International School and Event Photographers

  LSISEP - Licentiate

  ASISEP - Associate

  FSISEP - Fellowship

 

 

 

Tricity Photo Art Society - Est xxxx  ⇨   Link

 

ATPAS - Associate

FTPAS - Fellow

Hon.FTPAS - Honorary Fellow

Hon.MTPAS - Honorary Member

 

 

 

Unione Italiana Fotoamatori - Est xxxx  ⇨   Link

 

MFO - Meriti Fotografici Organizzativi

BFA* - Benemerito 1 Stella

BFA** - Benemerito 2 Stelle

BFA*** - Benemerito 3 Stelle

BFA**** - Benemerito 4 Stelle

MFA - Maestro

 

 

 

United Photographers Hong Kong - Est xxxx ⇨   Link

 

Photographic Competitions:

  BUPHK - Bright Star

  SUPHK - Silver Star

  GUPHK - Gold Star

  DUPHK - Diamond Star

 

Assessments:

  LUPHK - Licentiate

  AUPHK - Associate

  Sr.AUPHK - Senior Associate

  FUPHK - Fellow

  Sr.FUPHK - Senior Fellow

 

International Salons:

  ARUPHK - Artist

  PUPHK - Proficiency

  EUPHK - Excellence

  MUPHK - Master

  MEUPHK - Master Exhibitor

  Sr.MUPHK - Senior Master

  GMUPHK - Grand Master

  Sr.GMUPHK - Seniour Grand Master

 

Honorary Service:

  Hon. SUPHK - Honorary Service

  Hon. OS UPHK - Honorary Outstanding Service

  Hon. ES UPHK - Honorary Excellence Service

  Hon. UPHK - Honorary Member

  Hon. Disting. UPHK - Honorary Distinguished Member

  Hon. Elite UPHK - Honorary Elite Member

  Hon. Diamond UPHK - Honorary Diamond Member

  MCM UPHK - Meritorious Committee Member

  Hon.EUPHK - Honorary Exhibitor

  Hon. AUPHK - Honorary Associate

  Hon. FUPHK - Honorary Fellow

  Hon. MUPHK - Honorary Master

  GM UPHK - Grand Master

 

 

 

United States Photographic Alliance - Est xxxx ⇨   Link

 

L.USPA - Licentiateship

A.USPA - Artist

E.USPA - Excellence

M.USPA - Master

ESUSPA - Excellence Service

Hon.E.USPA – Honorary Excellence

 

 

 

Wedding and Portrait Photography International - Est 1978 ⇨   Link

 

AWPPI - Associate

MWPPI - Master

DMWPPI - Double Master

TMWPPI - Triple Master

GMWPPI - Grand Master

DGMWPPI – Double Grand Master

TGMWPPI – Triple Grand Master

 

 

 

Welsh Photographic Federation - Est 1951  ⇨   Link

 

AWPF - Associateship

 

 

 

Wildlife Photography Association of India - Est 2001  ⇨   Link

 

B.WPAI - Bronze

S.WPAI - Silver

G.WPAI - Gold

P.WPAI - Platinum

U.WPAI - Uranium

M.WPAI - Master

HON.WPAI - Honorary

HON.FWPAI - Honorary Fellow

 

 

 

World of Photography Group - Est 2016  ⇨   Link and Link

 

Hon.WPG - Honorary Member

Hon.FWPG - Honorary Fellow

Hon.MWPG - Honorary Master

 

 

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