Alphabet soup

A glossary of some abbreviations from the photography world.
KCPA : Kent County Photographic Association, the 'umbrella ' organisation for clubs in Kent

PAGB< : Photographic Alliance of Great Britain, the 'umbrella' organisation for the regional federations/associations in GB.
PAGB has an distinctions scheme for individual photographers, with levels as follows -
CPAGB, Credit from the PAGB, the first level of award, judged on 10 pictures, with a standard of 'good club photography'
DPAGB, Distinction from the PAGB, judged on 15 pictures, with a standard of 'open exhibition photography'
MPAGB, Master from the PAGB, judged on 20 pictures, with a standard of 'the highest standard of amateur photography'
APAGB, PAGB award for meritorious service, based not on pictures, but to people who have given outstanding service to photographers who belong to member societies

RPS: Royal Photographic Society, a society open to individual amateur and professional photographers.
RPS has an distinctions scheme for individual photographers, with levels as follows -
LRPS, Licentiate of the RPS, the first level and judged on a panel of 10 pictures
ARPS, Associate of the RPS , judged on a panel of 15 pictures
FRPS, Fellow of the RPS, judged on a panel of 20 pictures
HonFRPS, Honorary Fellow of the RPS, awarded for services to the RPS

BPE : British Photographic Exhibitions, with awards made to individual photographers for the number of acceptances gained
BPE1* ("BPE one star"), for 25 acceptances
BPE2*, for 50 acceptances
BPE3*, for 100 acceptances
BPE4*, for 200 acceptances
BPE5*, for 300 acceptances

FIAP : Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique, a worldwide federation to develop relationships amongst photographers (PAGB is affiliated to this organisation)
AFIAP, Artist of FIAP, the first level of award for photographic merit in international competition
EFIAP, Excellence of FIAP
MFIAP, Master of FIAP

BIPP : British Institute of Professional Photography
BPIA : British Photographic and Imaging Association
MPA : Master Photographers Association
PSA : Photographic Society of America