CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE PPSA OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS
Professional Photographers of Southern Africa is the only representative body for practicing photographers and others who are affiliated to the
photography industry in Southern Africa. Originally known as, South African Institute of Photographers, when it was originally established as a
representative body in 1967. The Institute has played an important role in the development and promotion of the professional photography industry in
Southern Africa.
The formation of a National body, inaugurated in 1967 was founded on existing regional bodies, being, Natal Institute (based in Durban) Border (East
Cape Coast region) Cape Town Institute of Photographers and the Transvaal Institute of Photographers. Some of these bodies had been in existence
since 1943. During the Second World War, South African photographers had great difficulty obtaining photographic materials and equipment.
Photographers got-together and decided that as representative bodies of working professionals there was more chance of assistance from the
government in solving the many problems that beset them. Over the years as they began communicating with each other as regional representative
bodies they eventually unanimously agreed that a National Institute had become essential. Thus in the early 60's professional photographers serving
on the regional Councils began formulating a Constitution. In 1967, all regions adopted the SAIP Constitution and the newly formed National Body
became known as; The South African Institute of Photographers. There were originally five regional divisions, NATAL, TRANSVAAL, ORANGE FREE
STATE, EASTERN CAPE and WESTERN CAPE. Responsibility for direction and administration of the regions was undertaken by locally elected
members of the divisional committees, who met at annually National Council meetings annually In spite of some regional disagreements between
argumentative photographers serving as divisional committees and National Council members the organisation always functioned well.
Copyright issues have always dominated South African photographers working lives. Many member photographers have spent countless hours
investigating legislation and expressing views on the matter. In 1989 SAIP joined the newly formed World Council of Professional Photographers and
in 1992 SAIP National Council delegate at the WCPP AGM, Kurt Buchmann was awarded the Copyright Portfolio. With a renewed vigor to deal with
Copyright issues, the Council decided that in accordance with other International photographer's representative bodies a name change was needed.
South African Institute of Photographers was then known as; Professional Photographers of Southern Africa.
In 1988, PPSA launched the PROFOTO AWARDS, to recognize and promote outstanding South African photographers in their fields of specialization.
During the ten years of their existence, the awards became the event of the year for professionals and a valuable benchmark for photography in
Southern Africa. In 1997 Fuji withdrew this vital sponsorship and this annual event and exhibitions of images ended. As a non-profit organizations
funded only on membership subscriptions, the PPSA did not have the resources to stage the awards independently.
The only other awards made for professionalism are only available to PPSA Licentiate photographers who on presentation of a portfolio of images in
a specific category of photography apply for an Associate award. Two years after achieving this accolade the photographer can apply for a Fellowship
award. This is the highest (and only award) of achievement for professional excellence in photography. Many outstanding and internationally
recognized South African photographers have achieved this status.
Professional Photographers of Southern Africa is the only representative body for practicing photographers and others who are affiliated to the
photography industry in Southern Africa. Originally known as, South African Institute of Photographers, when it was originally established as a
representative body in 1967. The Institute has played an important role in the development and promotion of the professional photography industry in
Southern Africa.
The formation of a National body, inaugurated in 1967 was founded on existing regional bodies, being, Natal Institute (based in Durban) Border (East
Cape Coast region) Cape Town Institute of Photographers and the Transvaal Institute of Photographers. Some of these bodies had been in existence
since 1943. During the Second World War, South African photographers had great difficulty obtaining photographic materials and equipment.
Photographers got-together and decided that as representative bodies of working professionals there was more chance of assistance from the
government in solving the many problems that beset them. Over the years as they began communicating with each other as regional representative
bodies they eventually unanimously agreed that a National Institute had become essential. Thus in the early 60's professional photographers serving
on the regional Councils began formulating a Constitution. In 1967, all regions adopted the SAIP Constitution and the newly formed National Body
became known as; The South African Institute of Photographers. There were originally five regional divisions, NATAL, TRANSVAAL, ORANGE FREE
STATE, EASTERN CAPE and WESTERN CAPE. Responsibility for direction and administration of the regions was undertaken by locally elected
members of the divisional committees, who met at annually National Council meetings annually In spite of some regional disagreements between
argumentative photographers serving as divisional committees and National Council members the organisation always functioned well.
Copyright issues have always dominated South African photographers working lives. Many member photographers have spent countless hours
investigating legislation and expressing views on the matter. In 1989 SAIP joined the newly formed World Council of Professional Photographers and
in 1992 SAIP National Council delegate at the WCPP AGM, Kurt Buchmann was awarded the Copyright Portfolio. With a renewed vigor to deal with
Copyright issues, the Council decided that in accordance with other International photographer's representative bodies a name change was needed.
South African Institute of Photographers was then known as; Professional Photographers of Southern Africa.
In 1988, PPSA launched the PROFOTO AWARDS, to recognize and promote outstanding South African photographers in their fields of specialization.
During the ten years of their existence, the awards became the event of the year for professionals and a valuable benchmark for photography in
Southern Africa. In 1997 Fuji withdrew this vital sponsorship and this annual event and exhibitions of images ended. As a non-profit organizations
funded only on membership subscriptions, the PPSA did not have the resources to stage the awards independently.
The only other awards made for professionalism are only available to PPSA Licentiate photographers who on presentation of a portfolio of images in
a specific category of photography apply for an Associate award. Two years after achieving this accolade the photographer can apply for a Fellowship
award. This is the highest (and only award) of achievement for professional excellence in photography. Many outstanding and internationally
recognized South African photographers have achieved this status.
