Case Study - Patricia Pearl - LRPS - RPS Distinctions Panel
Patricia Pearl LRPS Layout
RPS Distinctions
Patricia came to me for LRPS mentoring after an unsuccessful first submission, with a panel that needed careful review and reworking. We began by deconstructing the original panel, identifying where it fell short against the LRPS standard, and then rebuilding it through a combination of image selection, editing improvements, and assessment of new work created specifically for the resubmission.
As is often the case with distinctions, the process was not simply about choosing better photographs, but about understanding exactly what the panel needed to demonstrate and why. Once Patricia began to take that on board, the panel became much stronger, more coherent, and far better aligned with the required benchmark.
I’m pleased to say that her persistence paid off and she achieved her LRPS on resubmission. Congratulations, Patricia — a well-earned result.
Interview with Patricia Pearl — LRPS Distinction Success Story
Distinction Achieved: LRPS - Mar 2026
Mentor: Alan Ranger
Interview Date: 23 Mar 2026
Why did you want to gain a distinction with the Royal Photographic Society (RPS)?
to build up my confidence as a photographer
Do you feel you got the right level of support from the sessions?
Definitely.
Did you feel you were already good enough to gain a distinction before starting the mentoring course?
I suppose I did. I had been unsuccessful with my first attempt at the Licentiate, which I undertook without support, and the feedback made me realise that I needed someone to ruthlessly exclude photographs from my submission that did not come up to scratch (however much I liked them myself) and to point out technical defects that I had been too casual to address.
I found Alan after a Google search and discovered that he was able to meet my needs in a patient and professional way. Although the written RPS guidance was comprehensive, I found it somewhat woolly, and Alan was able to explain how to create a coherent and balanced panel. I was also confused about what I was “allowed” to do by way of editing the images and worried about breaking RPS “rules”.
Hourly Zoom sessions over a few weeks were enough to knock my revised application into shape and gave me time between sessions to take a couple of additional images to complete the balanced presentation. Alan was critical of my images without being undermining, so the work we did together did not make me lose faith that I would qualify for the Licentiate in due course.
What distinction did you apply for, and were you successful?
I applied for the Licentiate; and was successful.
Did you seek independent feedback before your final panel assessment?
Apart from some casual advice from friends no – I did a RPS advisory before my first application with several others on a zoom presentation and frankly this did not help me very much
What advice would you share with others pursuing an RPS distinction?
don’t underestimate the work you will have to do and set aside plenty of time to consider the images you want to present for the panel and replace images with more work if necessary
Has working towards a distinction helped you progress as a photographer?
definitely
Any other comments you’d like to add?
One glance at Alans images on his website were enough to convince me that he himself is a top notch photographer and this encouraged me to turn to him for support .
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If you are interested in attaining an RPS distinction I can support you with my RPS Courses for distinctions
Summary
- Produce a panel of images for an RPS Distinctions Qualification
Zoom - Online
Evening Class - 19:00 - 21:00. Six classes, you choose dates, within a twelve-month period to suit
From £295 Or also available as a series of 1hr 1-2-1 Zoom Sessions
Having supported many clients through a journey of development and improvement, with their photography, over the past few years, this mentoring course is for those who are already technically competent (or at least are on the path to mastering it) and are able to demonstrate good design and composition in their photography.
You are not expected to be a master or even polished to attend. This RPS Distinctions course is to help support you in improving in all three areas of image production:
Technical - The mechanics of it
Creativity - The reason for it
Output - The editing and publication of it
You will be expected to understand and demonstrate or be willing to learn;
Good exposure of photographs
Good compositional awareness
A range of techniques and styles (L) or specific themed body of work (A)
Ability to edit images to a "reasonable" standard.
Over the course of 12 months, where you will attend six RPS Distinctions classes at intervals suited to you, there will be professional input, feedback and support to help you progress towards either the A or L distinction with the RPS
Photography Tuition comes in all shapes and sizes - you may be one of those who prefers practical or theory - you may be someone who can't attend classes in the Midlands or in the evenings. You may live abroad or just have limited time or money. Whatever your constraints remember that I can provide a varied package of photography tuition to suit anyone's needs and budgets.
Learning is so much easier and more fun when done with the support of a professional and the friends you will make whilst doing it. Please contact me for a free no obligation chat about taking your next step in improving. 0781 701 7994 or email info@alanranger.com