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This web site contains copyright materials. You may not distribute, copy, publish or use the images or any part of the images in any way whatsoever. You may not alter, manipulate, add to or delete an image or any part of an image. Copyright for all images remains with the author.
© 2011 United Photographic Postfolios of Great Britain.
This web site contains copyright materials. You may not distribute, copy, publish or use the images or any part of the images in any way whatsoever. You may not alter, manipulate, add to or delete an image or any part of an image. Copyright for all images remains with the author.
© 2011 United Photographic Postfolios of Great Britain.
The United Photographic Postfolios of Great Britain (UPP) is a photographic club that comes to you by post (or electronically – see more below) at regular intervals. The UPP’s roots go back to about 1931 and it is currently Britain’s largest postal photographic club. Current membership, around 300, is spread throughout the length and breadth of the UK as well as a few overseas members.
Each month, members receive a ‘folio’ of photographs to view, comment on and, of course, add their own picture to for comment by their peers. Naturally, with a membership of this size it would be impossible to circulate one set of pictures among every individual. To enable manageable circulation of folios the Club is subdivided into a number of smaller clubs, known as Circles. Each Circle, typically, has 12 to 15 members and works to a specific ‘discipline’ or format. More about Circleshere
Each month, members receive a ‘folio’ of photographs to view, comment on and, of course, add their own picture to for comment by their peers. Naturally, with a membership of this size it would be impossible to circulate one set of pictures among every individual. To enable manageable circulation of folios the Club is subdivided into a number of smaller clubs, known as Circles. Each Circle, typically, has 12 to 15 members and works to a specific ‘discipline’ or format. More about Circles
In effect, each Circle is a club in its own right and, as such, can determine its own method of operation within the broader rules of the parent organisation. Because the Club reaches into your own home, your participation can be enjoyed in comfort over a few days.
For those photographers who live too far from a town with a photo club, or those with a disability who find travelling difficult or access to club rooms inconvenient, postal folios are an ideal means of gaining active participation in their hobby. Of course, if you already belong to a local club, UPP participation can be an excellent supplement to your existing activities and a great way to expand your photographic friendships.
The usual method of folio circulation is by post. However, a recent addition to the usual method of distribution is by use of the internet. There is now a number of Circles that circulate images either by email or by upload/download via the internet. This method obviously reduces the significant cost of monthly postage but, of course, images can only be viewed on screen and not by high quality print.
At the end of each UPP year we hold an annual convention and annual general meeting (AGM). This takes places (usually) over a weekend in September. During this event, the monthly (Gold Label) winner of each folio from each Circle are exhibited (or projected). The exhibition is competitive, with a number of trophies up for grabs and is judged by three independent judges. The trophies and Certificates of Merit are presented at the AGM. As well as the formal aspects of the event there is also entertainment with lectures by very prominent photographers. More information on this is available on the AGM page.
For those photographers who live too far from a town with a photo club, or those with a disability who find travelling difficult or access to club rooms inconvenient, postal folios are an ideal means of gaining active participation in their hobby. Of course, if you already belong to a local club, UPP participation can be an excellent supplement to your existing activities and a great way to expand your photographic friendships.
The usual method of folio circulation is by post. However, a recent addition to the usual method of distribution is by use of the internet. There is now a number of Circles that circulate images either by email or by upload/download via the internet. This method obviously reduces the significant cost of monthly postage but, of course, images can only be viewed on screen and not by high quality print.
At the end of each UPP year we hold an annual convention and annual general meeting (AGM). This takes places (usually) over a weekend in September. During this event, the monthly (Gold Label) winner of each folio from each Circle are exhibited (or projected). The exhibition is competitive, with a number of trophies up for grabs and is judged by three independent judges. The trophies and Certificates of Merit are presented at the AGM. As well as the formal aspects of the event there is also entertainment with lectures by very prominent photographers. More information on this is available on the AGM page.
Also, during the year, members receive two issues, in spring and autumn, of the Club magazine "The Little Man”. This is always an excellent read with content including reports from Circle activities, profiles of award winning members, the occasional photographic tip and, of course, examples of superb photography.
Of course, like any club, there is a membership fee to pay: an annual subscription plus the cost of posting the folio each month. Remember, though, that postal costs could actually be less than the cost of travelling to a conventional club on a regular basis.
Of course, like any club, there is a membership fee to pay: an annual subscription plus the cost of posting the folio each month. Remember, though, that postal costs could actually be less than the cost of travelling to a conventional club on a regular basis.