Hi all

Today was my long-awaited assessment for an Associateship of the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS). I am so happy to report that I passed!! I am now allowed to use the letters ARPS after my name.

Thanks to all of you who put up with the many, many posts I made when I was working on it last year and continued to be encouraging, even when you must have been thinking "Oh no, not another picture from the London Underground!" :D

The complete panel and layout can be seen at:

http://album2591.fotopic.net/c1367250.html

The picture here is a grab shot I did just as they were taking my pictures down after the assessment.

Cheers
Mike

As if there were ever any doubts!
Pesonally, I always looked forward to your underground photos.
I see a couple I didn't see here. All top notch.
Congratulations!

Way to go!!!!!

Congrats Mike!! A big accomplishment and an well deserved honor. I for one enjoyed all the underground images.

Congratulations! A most fitting honor. You certainly worked hard enough for it. Now don't go forgetting us little people :p...LOL

Well Done, Mike. Congratulations. . . and a few pints are in order.

WOW! AMAZING! CONGRATULATIONS Mike!!!
I wish it were me, and that I could put those letters after MY name :thumbsup:

Thanks everyone I must admit to being as nervous as a kitten. I was ninth up, and of the previous eight there was only one pass. Every flaw in my panel was multiplying itself in my mind as I sat there - I actually wondered why I was torturing myself like that.

Still, all that goes away when you hear the first comments from the assessors and you know it's going to be OK. My commiserations though to those who did not pass. It is hard. However, I suppose the distinction means something special because it isn't just 'given away'.

Gary - as my little 'reward' I am going to treat myself to a new bottle of single malt this evening .. if I post anything tonight and I'm schlurrrring my words, you'll have to forgive me :D

Mike

Well done again Mike. Don't drink all that bottle tonight.

As if there were ever any doubts!

No kidding - congratulations! Enjoy the beverage although you're probably done with it at the moment. :) I might have to have a glass myself tonight to celebrate!

You Go Mike!
Raise a glass of that single malt up for yourself and think of us here!
:thumbsup:
Brian

Congrats on being inducted into a famed photographic society.

congrats, great shots to.

That's great news, Mike, congratulations.

I know it's hard, but watching you go through the process makes me want to try it.
I thought it was something that was out of reach, until I saw you doing it, and realised you don't need to be superhuman to achieve this. Very good, definitely. Better than I am now, certainly. But I'm sure I can reach LRPS, and you've inspired me to try.

Now FRPS on the other hand, well that is out of my reach I'm sure.

Paul .. and well out of mine too! To be honest, I wouldn't even have tried for the ARPS except that I was involved in the project and two RPS people I know (one F and one A) independently told me "there may be an A in this if you develop it". I owe them a lot. As it turned out, the F sort of became my mentor in this (I took all the material to him three separate times). Having said that, I don't think the FRPS is something you can plan to do - much more a case of you are ready when you are ready.

Thanks everyone else too for your kind remarks :D

Mike

Congrates , I love the pictures. THe underground is somewhere ive always wanted to go . Someday.
Army

That's great news, Mike, congratulations.
I thought it was something that was out of reach, until I saw you doing it, and realised you don't need to be superhuman to achieve this.


Paul, are you suggesting that Mike is not SuperHuman. . .How dare you!! I believe Mike can down 5 bottles of Single Malt in one evening and still post on this site and take extraordinary photos while posting. . .
Go ahead Mike and show him, were waiting.

Paul, are you suggesting that Mike is not SuperHuman. . .
I bet he still puts his trousers on one leg at a time, like the rest of us :)
And I saw the label on the inside of the cape "does not enable the wearer to fly" too.

He doesn't wear trousers. The only time I've seen his feet, he was wearing a kilt.

Congrats Mike, I knew it was a slam dunk. well done........

I have to agree on the slam dunk comment. Congrats on the great shots and new initials.

Thanks guys :)

Drunk Superman in a Kilt (AKA Mike) :D

And I saw the label on the inside of the cape "does not enable the wearer to fly" too.

and yet he can fly! Now thats what I'm talkin about.

Mike, your an inspiration to us all. Great achievment.
There is a photography gallery here in N.Y.C that I have been meaning to bring a portfolio over to for one of their review schedules. It has been long in existence and was founded by some photojournalists from various newspapers who felt there was not any available venues for photographers to exhibit their works as art. Photography was not considered an art form back in the days and there were no galleries around that would allow photography to be exhibited.It has grown from it's conception to a highly regarded and prestigious gallery where photography of all kinds can be displayed, but must meet their high standards.

You have inspired me to finally try and approach them with some works and give it a go to being a member of their exclusive organization.

Looking forward to your next news. . .