Case Study - Richard Johnson - LRPS - RPS Distinctions Panel
Richard Johnson LRPS Layout
RPS Distinctions
Richard’s LRPS journey is a proper reminder that the shortest route to a distinction isn’t always a straight one. He’d been enjoying photography for a good few years and, quite reasonably, felt it was time to have his work judged. He put his first panel together without any mentoring and submitted it fully expecting to pass. It didn’t. To his credit, rather than shelving the whole idea, he went looking for the piece he’d been missing — and that’s when he got in touch.
We picked things up together for the second attempt. The interesting bit is what changed, and it wasn’t the gear or even most of the photographs he’d already taken — it was the selection. Several of the images that made his successful panel were ones Richard hadn’t rated highly himself. That’s a lot of what mentoring is for; you can’t easily judge your own work objectively, no matter how long you’ve been doing it. Where there were genuine gaps in the panel, Richard went out and made new frames rather than trying to force old ones to fit. That willingness to do the shooting work is the thing that separates a stuck panel from a moving one.
He passed on the resubmission — first time round with mentoring, and without needing a pre-assessment. What I most respect about Richard’s approach is something he says himself in the interview below: knowing isn’t the same as using. Plenty of photographers accumulate techniques and never quite apply them under pressure. Richard is now doing the harder second thing, and it shows.
Massive congratulations, Richard. LRPS well earned — and I’m looking forward to seeing where you take it next.
Interview with Richard Johnson — LRPS Distinction Success Story
Distinction Achieved: LRPS – July 2026
Mentor: Alan Ranger
Interview Date: 5 July 2026
Why did you want to gain a distinction with the Royal Photographic Society (RPS)?
I read about the RPS Licentiate after enjoying photography for a number of years and thought it was about time my work was professionally judged. Of course, I was over-confident, and 100% expected a pass – this was not the case!
Why did you choose Alan to mentor you for a distinction, and had you worked with Alan before the RPS Mentoring sessions?
I came across Alan following a Google search for ‘RPS distinction help’. Alan’s website is very good, packed extensively with educational help. The amount of information on the RPS distinctions drove me to contact Alan.
Describe how you found the RPS Mentoring Classes.
Excellent. This was not just about the RPS distinction, it was about your journey as a photographer. Alan is a professional educator and his wealth of knowledge and experience comes through.
Do you feel you got the right level and input of support from the sessions?
Yes – my successful result speaks for itself.
Did you feel you were already good enough to gain a distinction with the RPS before you started the mentoring course?
Well, I did before my first submission – after being so confident and then failing, I knew I needed guidance with my second submission. Alan’s guidance was a breath of fresh air and he knew which images to use – images I didn’t consider myself. I still had a few images to take during the course, and Alan provided guidance on the type of image to take and the type of editing to apply. Ultimately it is left with you to go out and find, capture and edit those images.
What distinction did you apply for, and were you successful?
LRPS – which was successful.
What was your experience like of the RPS Assessment Day?
I did not attend an RPS Assessment Day.
Did you seek independent advice, feedback or input from anywhere else before your panel assessment?
I did not attend a pre-assessment. Alan gave me enough confidence not to. However, Alan did explain the RPS pre-assessments and when we looked online there were no upcoming dates available.
Having completed the course and Distinction Assessment, what advice would you like to share with others?
I would 100% recommend taking part to anyone. I have learnt a lot through Alan’s course and I am glad I failed initially before seeking help, or I would not have gained the knowledge I now have.
What was the hardest part of gaining a distinction with the RPS and why?
I completed the LRPS, which is judged on a variety of photography styles and techniques. Perhaps having no option but to do photography you wouldn’t normally do was the hardest – but it was all enjoyable. This could be likened to, say, a landscape photographer suddenly having to take fast-moving action shots.
Has working for a distinction helped you progress as a photographer?
Yes, for sure – and what I have learned is in my mind every time I go out with my camera. To fully progress you have to actually use what you have learned, not just know about it. So that is my current journey.
Any other comments you would like to add.
I’m looking forward to continuing to work with Alan on my photography progression.
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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