RPS Documentary Group 2018 Members Survey

Transcription

1 RPS Documentary Group 2018 Members Survey Report: March 2018 Compiled by: M A Phillips RPS Doc Members Survey

2 Survey Demographics Total Survey Respondents: 139 Age Distribution of respondents The majority of respondents are years and over 70% of respondents are over 60 years old. RPS Doc Membership Years of respondents RPS Doc Membership Years There is an even split between newer members (less than 2 years) and longer-term members. One third of respondents were in their first year of RPS Doc membership. Interests less than 1 year 1-2 years 2-3 years 3-4 years more than 4 years Interests Camera Club Exhibitions Workshops Photography Books Around 50% are members of camera clubs, a majority have interests in exhibitions, workshops and books. Other popular interests include education, discussion groups or critique. Satisfaction with RPS Doc membership Other RPS Doc Members Survey

3 Satisfaction with RPS Doc Excellent Very Good Satisfactory Poor Very Poor Over 60% rated RPS Doc as very good or excellent. Only 6% rated their satisfaction as Poor (5%) or very poor (1%). The very poor was from respondent in North Wales. Observations from less satisfied members were: I think the level of RPS subscription is high and should cover membership of at least one subgroup. It has taken nearly a year to engage with the East Generally, I don't feel that the group's definition of the photographic territory matches mine I don't get the magazine and have had no approach locally There seems to be low involvement in the North of the country Yorkshire/ Lancashire I am based in North Wales and most activities happen in England. Regional distribution of respondents London, TV and Southern represent 50% of survey responses. Next biggest areas are Northern, Western and Eastern. The wide geographic spread and sparse density in some areas is reflected in the comments about regional activities and involvement (see later). RPS Doc Members Survey

4 Interest in Regional sub-groups and volunteering Interest in regional events is high, with 111 out of 138 responses indicated an interest or attending regional or sub-group events. A total of 29 also indicated an interest in helping to set-up or run such groups. 32 were interested in volunteering in some other way (e.g. help with a one-off event or local exhibition). In total, 47 different people indicated an interest in either helping set-up or run a region or volunteering for other activities, but of those, 5 or 6 already do so, or are about to. However, that leaves around 40 people offering to help in some way. A table of those who offered help in some way (including contact details, where provided) is included in a separate Appendix A, which to comply with GDPR requirements is on restricted circulation. Key themes in the free-format feedback across regions A desire to connect with others and improve communication channels in some form 12 responses, including events, outings, small meetings or opportunities to get together to discuss. Others commented on need for better communications: If it hasn t happened already, improved communication with new members. I had a long wait (over several months) for my address to added to the mailing list. Closer links to the main RPS journal, including more exposure opportunities for DG members. There is a desire for some different events respondents expressed interest in participating in other activities such as local projects, focus groups, different types of workshop, opportunities for feedback and critique, and to work with other photographic groups: Continue to support members through regional events, workshops, exhibitions. Co-operation with outside bodies Would like to see open and frank discussion on photographs shown- time limit on each one Distinctions - Six Reponses indicating better advice of how to submit documentary for ARPS It would be really useful to me to have a Documentary category for the ARPS panel as it is difficult finding which category to put photos into. DPOTY some members found the competition submission process difficult: I personally found it difficult to understand the technical requirements for uploading images, but did get help when requested. Several wanted a long format i.e. the ability to submit more than 5 images, and several also wanted a narrative to go with the images. A few expressed an interest in getting feedback on submissions and an opportunity to see the images in an online format. A number of other suggestions included: Continue biennial DPOTY competitions and continue with sponsorship by printers (Printspace did an excellent job) and more exhibitions of the winning panels. The Southbank Centre which has high footfall by a wide audience exhibited World Press Photos in 2017 but I couldn't find out if the space is free. Useful information on events, activities, exhibitions, books etc - A comprehensive system for alerting members of forthcoming photographic exhibitions through the country. Alerts to RPS Doc Members Survey

5 events that might be interesting to photograph. Opportunities to self-learn, via books, online media, YouTube etc. To view or attend talks by established photographers. Younger members A number of respondents would like to see the RPS reach out more proactively to younger (future) members: It is easy to have competitions. However, as can be seen in much camera club photography this tends to drive a collective style of working. We should promote other outlets of work. We need to promote documentary to young people, I think there is a need for some engagement here - RPS membership age profile isn t getting any younger! Form a Yorkshire group and arrange more meetings at weekends when more working people can attend. This would also encourage younger members I d like to see more young people and students involved in the group. Regional Feedback Unsurprisingly there was feedback about Bath, southern and London centric events. However, there was recognition of the regional structure and support for developing this further. Some of the more critical comments included: I believe that the RPS is out of touch with the thousands of photographers, worldwide, as illustrated by membership numbers. It gives the impression of a club for the few who have "Already Arrived". If you have access to a city, then it s possible to participate in events and workshops, if not, it becomes a very expensive and time-consuming event. Few people can afford to travel, stay overnight, and pay for the workshops. I feel that I m contributing to a club for members from which I am excluded, because of A) where I live, B) overall costs, C) out of touch organisers. There seems to be low involvement in the North of the country Yorkshire/ Lancashire For it not to be dominated by the south of the country. Specific feedback from Regional respondents Wales Would be great to get workshops in the North Wales area. It's rural, not sure about the interest (see above); but for me it either means travelling across the country to a city, or forget about the workshops in the first place More events in less urban areas; as mentioned above, this is probably wishful thinking as the demand might not be there I am based in North Wales and most activities happen in England. Local volunteering More geographic activities in Wales. I would like to have seen the accepted images into DPOTY. I am not even sure if it is even coming to Wales. I would like to see something happening in Wales or NW England. The group is very poor value for me. That does not mean that it is not great value in certain areas in the UK. I would actually like to see the DPOTY exhibition. If not in print in the group magazine/web page. RPS Doc Members Survey

6 Scotland Not really a person to get involved with others, also paint & draw so more involved with other artists Help with technique, local knowledge etc Meeting at events More pictures More communication! Really encouraging to see RPS survey its members like this. Thank you for organising such an interesting group. Please carry on. Ireland (NI) Change e-magazine from PDF to interactive publication. Consider Medium.com platform. Northern Have a long form category in the Documentary Photographer of the Year competition It is easy to have competitions. However, as can be seen in much camera club photography this tends to drive a collective style of working. We should promote other outlets of work. We need to promote documentary to young people, I think there is a need for some engagement here - RPS membership age profile isn't getting any younger! More workshops with established photographers and weekend photo-shoots Form a Yorkshire group, which might be handier for me to get to. The North-East group meets in midweek, which unfortunately is not easy for me as I am working. Form a Yorkshire group and arrange more meetings at weekends when more working people can attend. This would also encourage younger members, I don't get the magazine and have had no approach locally Attending meetings occasionally and getting involved in a Facebook Group I'm new so enjoying immensely what is happening now Like some younger group members but meetings when at work for most people An annual Documentary weekend Book publishing workshop A category for long form work in the DPotY comp' I'd like to see more young people and students involved in the group More opportunities to meet up as a group to take photos. I am lucky to be in a great and active group, (North East). I don t think I would change anything. Just ensure things are not too Southern based. More groups in the wider Northern area. People have to travel quite long distances for meetings. Would like to see open and frank discussion on photographs shown- time limit on each one More regional activities (workshops and exhibitions). Although I really mean within 10 miles of my house!?? I have missed one workshop and would attend usually. Did go to Paul and Maria s one which was excellent Actually, very happy with our regional group but a lot of things are London/South orientated Our regional group is excellent and enthusiastic. More workshops could be good. Fewer s from the Group Some activity north of Bath and the south east would be welcome RPS Doc Members Survey

7 Be a little less southern centric More activity in the regions Overall perception of RPS Documentary A word cloud from coded responses gives a sense of responses. Design of Survey Some thoughts/ feedback on design to make easier next time. Nothing major, but Fields like Region were free text, this means people used a range of different text to describe the same place, complete with spelling errors, making analysis harder. I ended up adding new columns and correcting fields in order to do simple analyses. Free format approach is okay, provided we have the means to code it and ensure the classification data is properly defined. RPS Doc Members Survey