Category: AWPF Distinction

A series of e-books showing the recent succesful AWPF panels can now be seen here.

The same panels and those from previous years can also be seen in traditional gallery format here.

Congratulations once more to all the succesful applicants.

My Journey to a Successful AWPF Panel – Jan Wilson-Chalon AWPF.

In the first of a series of articles, our AWPF coordinator Paul James asks photographers who were successful in achieving the AWPF distintion to tell us about their journey towards creating their successful panel.

First up is Jan Wilson-Chalon AWPF who successfully submtted the two panels you can see below for consideration on the 2024 Assessment Day.

You can read about her journey here.

If you’re interested in pursuing an AWPF distinction, you can find more information here.

The 2024 AWPF Assessment took place on 3rd November at the Talbot Green Community Centre, and it was heartening to see so many attendees from across the country supporting this significant event in Welsh photography. I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who came to witness the assessment process and to those who contributed to its success.

I am pleased to report that this year’s AWPF assessment had a total of 18 candidates: 16 submitted printed panels and 2 submitted digital panels. It was inspiring to see the quality of work presented, with 11 out of 16 print submissions meeting the rigorous standards required for the award, resulting in a 69% success rate in the print category. While the digital submissions were not successful this year, the overall success rate for the assessment was 61%.

Congratulations to the following candidates who achieved the AWPF distinction for 2024:

Assessors
The day was led by a panel of experienced assessors who brought their expertise, fairness, and insightful feedback to each candidate. We are grateful to:

• Leigh Woolford, AWPF DPAGB EFIAP BPE4 HonFWPF (Chairman)
• Jenny Hibbert, MPAGB AWPF EFIAP/G BPE3
• Gary Shinner, LRPS EFIAP/s MPSA2 AWPF BPSA GAPU A.APS CMD for PSA in Wales
• Peter Brisley, DPAGB EFIAP BPE2
• Sue O’Connell, DPAGB EFIAP/d3 ABPE MPSA ABPE

Each assessor took the time to provide thoughtful critiques, ensuring candidates understood the high standards of the AWPF distinction and offering guidance for continued growth.

Acknowledgements
This event’s success relied on the dedication of numerous volunteers who generously contributed their time and effort. Special thanks go to:

• WPF President Ron Lines for opening and closing the proceedings.
• Cliff Emery for providing display stands.
• Dave Condon and Dave Lewis for transporting equipment.
• Dave Condon, Del Jones, and Guy Butler-Madden for setting up and organizing the prints for display.
• Cliff Emery and Peter Young for managing the laptop and projector.
• Martin Smith, who provided refreshments throughout the day, and to Mrs. Smith for the wonderful cakes enjoyed by assessors and helpers.
• Guy Butler-Madden for serving as the official photographer for the event.

Mentorship and Support
This year, the high quality and the success rate is a testament not only to the hard work of the candidates but also to the invaluable mentorship they received. I would like to extend my gratitude to mentors Peter Young, Dave Condon, Julie Morgan, Suzanne Slee, and Les Loosemore, whose guidance played a crucial role in the success of many candidates. Their encouragement and constructive advice reflect the supportive spirit of the WPF community.

To those candidates who did not achieve the distinction this year, we commend you on your efforts and urge you to continue pursuing your photographic journey. The assessors provided valuable feedback, and we hope it will serve as inspiration for future submissions.

In closing, the 2024 AWPF Assessment Day was a resounding success, showcasing the talent, dedication, and collaborative spirit that define the Welsh Photographic Federation. Thank you to everyone involved in making this event a memorable one. Your contributions help uphold the high standards of the AWPF distinction and inspire the wider photographic community.

Paul James, AWPF

The workshop will take place on the 4th of May 2024 at the Cynon Valley Museum in Aberdare.  The workshop is open to everyone and not just AWPF applicants so if you would like to come along please contact Paul James distinctions@thewpf.co.uk for further information.

The AWPF assessment day will take place on the 3rd of November 2024 at Talbot Green.  Details will be released closer to the date.

For any other information regarding the AWPF please feel free to contact Paul at the email address above.

You may now apply for the AWPF 2024 distinction.

The Welsh Photographic Federation is pleased to announce that this prestigious award is now open to applicants for 2024 and proud that it is the only federation within the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain to offer such a distinction, one that is highly sought after by photographers through the UK and Worldwide.

Successful candidates for this WPF distinction, the Associateship of the Welsh Photographic federation, will hold the distinction for life and will be entitled to insert the letters AWPF after their name.

Don’t miss the opportunity to rise to this Photography challenge and work towards this sought-after award.

The Assessment Day will be in November.

More information on how to apply and what is required can be found here.

Welsh Photographic Federation Associate Assessment Day – 4th November 2023 – Distinctions Secretary’s Report.

The AWPF assessment was held on the 4th November 2023 at Talbot Green Community Centre.  It was very pleasing to see so many people who had come to view proceedings some of whom had travelled far and wide and my thanks go out to everyone who attended.

I am pleased to report that there were the maximum 25 candidates for the 2023 AWPF award; 21 print submissions and 4 Digital submissions.  I was delighted to witness that 15 of the 21 print submissions were successful with a 71% success rate while 1 of the 4 Digital submissions was successful with a 25% success rate.  The overall success rate was 64%.

The 16 candidates that did achieve the high standard the award demands, are listed below:

Carol McNiven Young – Rolls Royce Derby – Natural Rhythms
Robert Millin – Wigan 10 – World Gymnastics Championships 2022
Samantha Owens  – Carmarthen PS – Furries
Scott Coe – Beyond Group  – Scapes
Peter Milsom – Beyond Group – Sport
Jane Barrett – Beyond Group – Wildlife of Zambia
Nick Alston – Beyond Group – Sport
Richard Hainsworth –  Mold CC-  Heavens Above
Roger Thomas – Bridgend and District CC – Flower Portraits
Paul Holt – Maesycwmmer CC – Portraits
Steve Hawker – Western Valley CC – Waterfalls of Wales
Wendy Jones – Morriston CC – Long since a home
Allan Pick – Afan Need CC – Life on the street
Dave Jowitt – Mold Camera Club – Portals Of Erddig
Kevin Williams – Ipswich and District PS – Wildlife action
Wayne Davey – Beyond Group – WW2 Aircraft in Flight

The Assessors were:

• Leigh Woolford, (Chairman) Hon.FWPF. DPAGB. EFIAP. AWPF. BPE4
• Jenny Hibbert, MPAGB. AWPF. EFIAP/G, BPE2
• Les Loosemore ARPS, AWPF, DPAGB
• Peter Brisley DPAGB, EFIAP, BPE2
• Sue O’Connell. EFIAP/d3. ABPE. MPSA, ABPE

The day was a success because of the fine efforts of the photographers and of course because of the help and support of so many people who are dedicated to supporting amateur photography in South Wales and beyond.  I thank them all and in particular our assessors for their expertise and detailed critique, their fairness in the assessment, taking the time to provide feedback to candidates and of course ensuring the maintenance of the high standard of photography needed to gain the prestigious award of AWPF.

Grateful thanks to WPF President Susan Surridge for opening and closing the proceedings; David Lewis for his support on the day and also making himself available throughout the year when I needed advice and support; Cliff Emery for supplying the display stands and helping through the day; Martin Nagle for transporting all the equipment from the storage area; Dave Condon, Peter Young and Guy Butler-Madden for arranging to display the prints on the day; Cliff Emery and Peter Young for calibrating and operating the laptop and projector; Jill Young, Susan Surridge and John Surridge for refreshments throughout the day and providing lunch for the assessors and helpers; John Surridge for being the official photographer for the day.

Thank you all very much for supporting the AWPF, without you it would not have been possible, and your help and guidance is a determining factor in the continued success and popularity of the AWPF distinction.

The standard for AWPF continues to be high and I am so very pleased to see so many successful candidates.  I have to report that I think that this high success rate was down to hard work from the candidates but also to the support that was given freely by the mentors.  Thank you Peter Young, Dave Condon, Ed Cloutman, Julie Morgan, Suzanne Slee and Cliff Emery.  Your contribution is immeasurable and appreciated by the candidates, by me and by the WPF committee.

There was a very high standard again this year and those less successful candidates, all of which were so close to gaining the award, are thanked for their contributions and recommended to address the constructive comments made by the judges and apply again next year.

Paul James AWPF

The biggest thank you must go to Paul James who put so much hard work into organising and running such a successful distinctions day.

2023’s AWPF allocation is completely full.

If anybody would like to be placed on a reserve list then they should apply using the application form on the website and if a place become available they will be contacted by the WPF distinctions Officer.

For information please contact Paul James, WPF Distinctions Officer, email: distinctions@thewpf.co.uk

Update: the AWPF allocation is now full. See here.

If you are interested in the challenge of achieving this sought after distinction then please apply following the instructions at the WPF website Distinctions – AWPF – The Welsh Photographic Federation (mywpf.org) or email me Paul James at this email address distinctions@thewpf.co.uk for further information on how to apply.

The AWPF workshop will be held on the 13th of May at The Cynon Valley Museum to coincide with the official opening of the Welsh Salon Exhibition.  You do not have to apply for AWPF to attend the workshop but space for the AWPF workshop is very limited so if you are interested in the challenge of the AWPF this year or in future years and want to come along to find out what is involved then please email me at distinctions@thewpf.co.uk  so that I can book you a place.

Even if you are yet to apply, we will have a number of AWPF ‘tutors’ at the workshop who will be able to answer questions and also look at any ideas you have for your own AWPF panel and provide you with feedback to get you going.

Paul James, WPF distinctions officer.

Apply now for the AWPF 2023 distinction. Assessment will be in November 2023.

Now full! See here.

The Welsh Photographic Federation is pleased to announce that this prestigious award is now open to applicants for 2023 and proud that it is the only federation within the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain to offer such a distinction, one that is highly sought after by photographers through the UK and Worldwide.

Successful candidates for this WPF distinction, the Associateship of the Welsh Photographic federation, will hold the distinction for life and will be entitled to insert the letters AWPF after their name.

Don’t miss the opportunity to rise to this Photography challenge and work towards this sought-after award.

Please apply via the website or for further information email: distinctions@thewpf.co.uk

For anyone who is thinking of taking on the AWPF distinction this year, or indeed for anyone wanting to see some great photography, Suzanne Slee AWPF will be giving a talk at Afan Nedd Camera Club on the 8th February on how she put together her successful 2022 AWPF panel.  Anyone is welcome to join at the usual visitor fee of £3 payable on the night.