If you are new to camera clubs, some of the terminology can be confusing. Here is a straightforward guide to the most commonly used terms in US camera clubs.
A
- APSA
- Associate of the Photographic Society of America. The entry-level PSA distinction, earned through exhibition acceptances. See Awards and Distinctions.
- AFIAP
- Artiste de la Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique. The entry-level FIAP international distinction, earned through acceptances in FIAP-recognised international salons.
C
- Council
- A regional organisation that groups camera clubs together. Examples include NECCC (New England), ACCC (Arizona), NWCCC (Northwest), S4C (Southern California), and 4Cs (Oregon/Pacific Northwest). Councils run interclub competitions and events for member clubs.
D
- DPI / PDI
- Digital Projected Image (or Projected Digital Image). A digital photograph submitted for competition and displayed on screen via a projector. Clubs usually specify maximum pixel dimensions — commonly 1920px wide by 1080px tall for widescreen projectors — and require sRGB color space.
E
- EFIAP
- Excellence FIAP. The main working-level FIAP international distinction, with several grades above it (EFIAP/b, EFIAP/s, EFIAP/g, EFIAP/p, EFIAP/d1–d3).
- External judge
- A judge brought in from outside the club to assess a competition. External judges are often experienced club photographers or professionals, sometimes holding PSA distinctions.
- Exhibition
- In the US camera club world, an exhibition (also called a salon) is a juried photographic competition — usually international — where photographers submit images for judging. Acceptances in PSA-recognised exhibitions count toward PSA distinctions.
F
- FIAP
- Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique. An international photography body that runs its own distinction scheme and accredits international salons and exhibitions.
- FPSA
- Fellow of the Photographic Society of America. The highest PSA distinction.
I
- Interclub
- A competition between two or more clubs, coordinated by a council. Each club submits a set number of images and clubs are ranked against each other. Many councils run interclub competitions in color, monochrome, and nature divisions.
M
- Mounted print
- A photograph printed and fixed to a rigid backing board for display and competition. Most US clubs specify a standard mount size, commonly 16x20 inches.
N
- Nature photography
- A competition division covering wildlife, plants, fungi, and natural landscapes. Most councils and PSA have specific rules about what qualifies as nature — captive animals, cultivated plants, and heavily manipulated images are often excluded.
P
- PSA
- Photographic Society of America. Founded in 1934, PSA is the main national body for camera clubs in the US, with around 460 affiliated clubs. It runs interclub competitions, distinctions, study groups, and an annual conference. More at psa-photo.org.
- Panel
- A set of images submitted together for a distinction assessment.
- Print night
- A club evening focused on competition or critique of physical printed photographs.
- Projected image
- See DPI / PDI above.
R
- Roundup
- Used by some councils (notably ACCC in Arizona) to describe their major competition event, typically a full-day programme with speakers, competitions, and social events for member clubs.
- RPS
- Royal Photographic Society. A UK-based organisation founded in 1853 that runs its own distinction scheme (LRPS, ARPS, FRPS) open to photographers worldwide. Many US photographers pursue RPS distinctions alongside PSA ones.
S
- Salon
- An international photography exhibition, usually accepting entries via an online submission system. Acceptances in PSA-recognised or FIAP-recognised salons count toward distinctions in those organisations.
- Season
- The club year, typically running from September through May or June. Most clubs take a summer break.
- Skill level
- Many clubs divide competitions into skill levels — Basic, Advanced, and Masters are common PSA-aligned designations. Photographers progress through levels based on competition performance.