PAGB

Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB)

The Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) consists of the Federations, Associations and Unions of photographic societies and camera clubs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It promotes and co-ordinates various activities for its members, including exhibitions of members’ work. There are 15 regional federations. The PAGB organises national photographic competitions, for which it awards medals, ribbons and certificates.

Awards for Photographic Merit (APMs)

The PAGB presents a series of Awards for Photographic Merit. The Awards are open to all members of Clubs affiliated to the PAGB through their Federations and are now at five levels:

Badge (BPAGB) – club level – requires 7 prints at a standard “approaching good club photography”. Judged along with the CPAGB level but requires a slightly lower average mark to pass.
Credit (CPAGB) – Blue badge and certificate – requires 10 prints or 10 projected images at a standard described as “good club photography”.
Distinction (DPAGB) – Red badge and certificate – requires 15 prints or 15 projected images at “Open Exhibition” standard.
Excellence (EPAGB) – between DPAGB and MPAGB. Requires 15 prints. The Adjudicators are looking for photographs that, in their opinion, should be good enough to achieve a high level of acceptance in Open Exhibitions. Only existing holders of the DPAGB Award may apply for the EPAGB and none of the images used at DPAGB may be used for EPAGB.
Master (MPAGB) – Gold badge and certificate – requires 20 prints or 20 projected images – the standard is the highest level of amateur photography. Work should be capable of achieving awards at open exhibition level.

Holders are entitled to use the designated letters after their name.

Submissions are made via the photographic federation’s Liaison Officer, listed in the federation’s directory or handbook. There are usually two adjudication sessions a year for prints and slides and one for AV at various locations around the country.

The L&CPU run a mentoring scheme for the PAGB Awards. Speak to Christine about it – she is one of the mentors.

Full information leaflet available here.