The IPF Council  has published a new Distinctions Protocol effective immediately.  The document can be downloaded from the new IPF Distinctions tab that has been added to the IPF Downloads page.  Applications for IPF Distinctions from Irish and overseas photographers have increased over the past few years.  This has resulted in many photographers from IPF clubs being successful in achieving Distinctions at various levels and enabling them to improve and hone their photographic skills.

The new IPF Distinctions tab will have all documents relevant to Distinctions in one place, including application forms, protocol, and results of recent distinctions sittings. 

The IPF Council have also commissioned smart new Distinction Certificates and lapel pins to designate the various Distinction levels.  These will be awarded to all future successful Distinction applicants.

Please note these important announcements from the Irish Photographic Federation.

Due to difficulties in putting together panels for external and international competitions the IPF Council has decided that the top images from all future IPF competitions will be retained for possible selection for international competitions.

Authors who do not want their work to go forward for consideration will be given the opportunity to opt out.  Details how this will work in practice will be posted on the website shortly.

Distinctions Judging

The next Distinctions judging will take place on 22nd November 2008 at the Tipperary Institute, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.  All levels of Distinction will be judged that day i.e. Licentiateship, Associateship, and Fellowship.

Further details from Brian Hopper, National Distinctions Secretary, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . Distinction application forms are available for download from the IPF Downloads page.

Please pass on the above information to other members of your club.

Many people who attended the recent IPF National Club Finals in Thurles enjoyed Ed Dunne's workshop on Colour Imaging and Workflow. 

Ed has passed on his presentation and other files to the IPF for distribution to photographers.

The files can be downloded from the 'IPF Dounloads' page.  They're under Ed Dunne Workshop Files.

Many thanks to Ed for his excellent workshop and for sharing this information with us.

Thanks to Thurles Camera Club for hosting a great weekend of photography, and congratulations to all those who obtained distinctions over the last few days.

The event was held in the Tipperary Institute, Thurles, and attracted a large attendence of photographers from all over the country.

Results (Overall)

1 Dundalk Photographic Society

2 Drogheda Photographic Club

3 Celbridge Camera Club

Monochrome Prints

1 Dundalk Photographic Society

2 Drogheda Photographic Club

3 Mallow Camera Club

Colour Prints

1 Drogheda Photographic Club

2 Dundalk Photographic Society

3 Dunamaise Photographic Society

See IPF Downloads page for full club placings, individula awards, and a list of successful distinction applicants.

The judges were John and Margaret Sixsmith from the Hoylake Photographic Society in the UK.  Both John and Margaret hold ARPS and EFIAP distinctions, and are experienced, award winning, nature photographers.

Overall Winner

The overall winner was Myles Carroll of Arklow Camera Club with his image 'Catch of the Day'.

The IPF is at the final stage of setting up an active retirement group.  It is hoped to have a national programme for those who are active retired and are willing to become involved at local and national level.

The group will be organised and run by these members and it is hoped commence in April 2008.

A special meeting will be held in Dublin to start the programme and elect an organising committee.  A number of meetings will then be held at other centres throughout the country to present the aims and programme.

The help of IPF affiliated clubs is now sough to bring this project to the notice club members, and to send to the National Secretary a list of persons who would be interested in this venture.

If you or your members of your club wish to become involved and require more information, please contact Seán Casey immediately.