Exhibitions & Salons

British Photographic Exhibitions (BPE)

Each year, several member organisations of the British Photographic Exhibitions (BPE) host UK Open Exhibitions. These exhibitions are open to everyone—whether you're a member of a photography club or not. Entrants can submit their work either electronically or by post for judging.

Judging typically takes place privately, either by a single judge or a panel of three. The strongest entries are marked as “accepted,” while the most outstanding pieces receive “awards.” Both accepted and awarded works earn points that count toward BPE Crown Awards.

There are five Crown Awards:

• BPE1* – 25 points

• BPE2* – 50 points

• BPE3* – 100 points

• BPE4* – 150 points

• BPE5* – 300 points

Once you reach the required number of points, you can apply for the corresponding Crown Award rating at no cost. Exhibitions may accept various formats including prints, slides, AV sequences, virtual images, or a mix.

Photographers who achieve all five Crown Awards can continue accumulating points to qualify for higher distinctions:

• ABPE – Associateship of BPE

• FBPE – Fellowship of BPE

To learn more about how to enter, visit the British Photographic Exhibitions website. You can also join the BPE Facebook group, where members share their work and are happy to answer any questions.

UK & Ireland Club Photography Group (UKICPG)

Runs alongside the BPEs (but doesn't count towards the BPE Crown Awards), the UKICPG are a series of purely online exhibitions that run throughout the year.

The exhibitions are open to anyone, club member or not, and candidates submit their work electronically for judging.  Judging sessions are usually held in private with a single judge or a group of three, and are judged at the same level as the BPE exhibitions (often with the same judges!)

The best work from the exhibitions will be “accepted” and the very top work “awarded”, and all accepted work will be displayed in an online catalogue for the exhibition.  Points awarded for accepted and awarded works can be accumulated towards UKICPG awards.

International Salons

Fédération Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP) or “The International Federation of Photographic Art”, FIAP is a global organisation that brings together the national photographic associations of over 83 countries.  Founded in 1946, its mission is to promote photography as a way to foster understanding and friendship among photographers worldwide.

FIAP offers a series of prestigious distinction awards, which photographers can earn through success in international salons that hold FIAP Patronage. These awards include:

• AFIAP – Artiste FIAP

• EFIAP – Excellence FIAP

• MFIAP – Maitre FIAP

Salons under FIAP Patronage

To achieve these distinctions, photographers must accumulate a set number of acceptances in FIAP-recognised salons and submit a portfolio of work for review.

If you're interested in pursuing FIAP distinctions, the FIAP Liaison Officer for England is Dave Coates, who can provide the necessary documentation and guidance. Full details and resources are available on the PAGB web site.