Have you wondered … about PSA distinctions?

PSA Journal, August, 2005 by Jean Timmermeister

Distinctions, you ask? What are they, and how do they come to be? This month we respond to a request for information about those other letters after some members' names.

In virtually every photographic organization in countries of the world, members can apply for distinctions for their photographic proficiency. While the Photographic Society of America (PSA) has had "honors" for many years (APSA, FPSA, and the honorary letters) for photographic service and accomplishments plus photographic prowess, PSA was pretty much alone with the letters it awarded. The Honors in our Society may not be applied for by the member, instead the member must be proposed by a fellow member using a precise listing of accomplishments and endorsed by two more. In other organizations, the service to the photographic community is recognized by perhaps one or two awards per year to a member. PSA, on the other hand, is an organization managed by volunteers without whom the Society could not exist and our Honors reflect identifying such service as well as photographic ability.

It was not until 1996 that PSA developed the Recognition of Photographic Achievement (ROPA) system which we now know as PSA Distinctions which are similar to other countries' letters. For many years, PSA has had an exhibition system in which many members and non-members take part. The PSA-recognized exhibitions (formerly called "salons") are judged by panels of three, and those images which receive high enough scores are called "acceptances." Within each of our PSA Divisions, requirements are set for the number of acceptances and titles which are needed to be awarded a Star Rating in the Division. Ultimately, sufficient numbers of these Stars will allow a PSA member to apply for a ROPA distinction (See September 2004 PSA Journal, pages 14-17).

There are two categories, and a member may apply for Proficiency (PPSA) when he has five stars in any one Division or a mix of ten stars combined in several Divisions. If the member has three levels beyond the fifth Star in a single Division or has five Stars in each of three Divisions, he may later apply for Excellence (EPSA), or he may apply for it without first applying for PPSA. Only a member may use the designation PPSA or EPSA; and if the member also has Honors such as FPSA, the Distinction letters will follow the Honors letters.

As with the Honors letters, members with Distinction letters use them after their name (but never combined with educational degrees) in all photographic organizations, writing, introductions, etc. The achievements are duly recognized with these ROPA distinctions.