Skellum:I have recently viewed the critics of the RPS on this site and untill recently I might of agreed with the comments, but I have recently become an LRPS and I can tell you it is not easy and took me several attempts.
The RPS is there to further photography in all its forms and amongst many other things allows any photographer the opportunity to measure his or her skills against a yardstick that is set by a panel of experienced and accomplished photographers.
We can all post images on DCM and get the occasional pat on the back from fellow forum members, and that's gratifying when it happens, but does it give any indication of progress in our skills as a photographer? I think not.
When you "bit the bullet" and put your photography up for scrutiny by the Licentiate panel of the RPS, you stepped outside the cosy world of DCM and now you have a recognition that your photography is progressing and that you have a talent for the art form.
As you say it's not easy, you don't win an LRPS, you earn it.
FACES,STREET,PROTEST & CANDID:-HERE DCM