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PSM Honours

Distinction

PSM’s own lifetime honours for photographic excellence — recognised by the Registrar of Societies since 1990.

The system

PSM’s own lifetime honours

The Photographic Society of Malaysia confers its own distinctions for photographic excellence — recognised by Malaysia’s Registrar of Societies since 1990 and awarded for life.

A distinction is earned by submitting a portfolio of work to the Society’s Distinctions committee for assessment. There are three levels, from Associateship through Fellowship to the Society’s highest honour, the Honorary Fellowship. Acceptances stand as a lasting mark of a member’s standing in the art of photography.

The tiers

Three levels of distinction

APSM Associate of the Photographic Society of Malaysia

A portfolio of 15 images, accompanied by a statement of intent and a hanging plan.

Level 1 · Associateship
FPSM Fellow of the Photographic Society of Malaysia

A portfolio of 20 images, showing distinguished ability in a chosen field.

Level 2 · Fellowship
Hon.FPSM Honorary Fellow of the Photographic Society of Malaysia

Conferred by nomination (two or more members) and Council review — the Society’s highest honour.

Level 3 · Honorary Fellowship
Download application form (PDF)

Full requirements, categories, fees and assessment dates are set out in the application form.

In detail

Award of Distinction

The Award of Distinction by PSM comprises the PSM Honors — Hon.FPSM, the Fellowship — FPSM and the Associateship — APSM. PSM Distinctions have been recognised by the Registrar of Societies of the Malaysian Government since 1990, and are well recognised and sought after both locally and internationally.

The Associateship APSM

The Associateship is awarded for material contributions to the advancement of photography, resulting primarily from proficiency and achievement. It is open to members and non-members who possess a high degree of proficiency in photography.

A portfolio of 15 works numbered from 1 to 15 (black & white or colour, in JPEG files) is required. The portfolio must be coherent from its conception to its realisation and presentation. A written statement of intent and a hanging plan must accompany the application. The text may be in English or Mandarin.

The Fellowship FPSM

The Fellowship is awarded for outstanding contributions to the advancement of photography, involving a high degree of proficiency and achievement combined with elements of service — such as the dissemination of acquired knowledge through lecturing, judging, instructing, and the publication of articles and papers. Personal achievement alone does not qualify a candidate for this honour. The Fellowship is open only to members who are already Associates, or who are Associates or Fellows of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain (ARPS/FRPS), and it denotes distinguished ability in a particular field.

A portfolio of 20 works numbered from 1 to 20 (black & white or colour, in JPEG files) is required. The portfolio must be coherent from its conception to its realisation and presentation. A statement of intent describing the works and a hanging plan must accompany the application. The statement may be written in English or Mandarin.

PSM Honors Hon.FPSM

PSM Honors are awarded in recognition of contributions to the advancement of the arts and sciences of photography, within or outside PSM. Such contributions may be of a service nature and/or of photographic proficiency and achievement. Personal achievement alone does not qualify a candidate unless combined with substantial elements of service; equally, service may contribute substantially to the advancement of photography even where the candidate’s photographic proficiency is limited. PSM Honors are not a recognition of proficiency alone.

Hon.FPSM is not open for application. It is occasionally conferred by the Society on members or other persons who have made distinguished contributions to photography or to the work of the Society. The conferring of Hon.FPSM is reviewed by the Council of Award and a majority of the PSM committee, and each nomination must be proposed by a minimum of two PSM members.

Awarding a PSM Distinction is considered, in all countries, a favour and not a right. All PSM Distinctions are awarded for life, and holders may append the corresponding initials to their name. Should a holder commit a serious offence against PSM or against a national federation affiliated with PSM, the distinction may be cancelled by the PSM Award Council, with no appeal.

Recent conferments

2025 Distinction Assessment

The most recent distinctions captured from the Society’s records. New associateships and fellowships were conferred, alongside honorary fellowships to photographers from around the region.

APSMThan Poh Huat, Joohn 0484Puah Kok Wah, David 0414Gan Cheng Ong 0233
FPSMSia Swee Lin, Esther 0492

2024 Distinction Assessment

APSMSia Swee Lin, Esther 0492

2023 Distinction Assessment

FPSMChia Wai Keong 0403

2022 Distinction Assessment

APSMTan Ying Nian, Thunder 0485

2021 Distinction Assessment

APSMCindy Chia 0482
FPSMLiong Gong Sang 0416Neo Sau Fong 0424Tan Min Yaw 0368Fire Leong Soon Seng 0462Yeokkian Jenn Koh 0469

2020 Distinction Assessment

APSMLin Tat Chi, Wolfgang 0476Wong Yiu Wah 0477Wong Ting Hei, Edward 0478Chan Wing Ho, Ringo 0479Hiew Kiat Leong 0402Liong Gong Sang 0416
FPSMTan Tong Toon, Terry 0435Edward Cheong 0275Ong Tat Seng, Francis 0446Lin Kuw Ming 0277

2019 Distinction Assessment

APSMPatrick Pang 0470Ng Chee Ho 0474Yongyut Jarusirirungsri 0473Suwan Bundith 0472

2014 Distinction Assessment

APSMLin Kah WaiCheng Hong Wai (Victor)Chu Siew Thong
FPSMTan Song Chuan

Conferment of Hon.FPSM

Honorary Fellowships conferred on 25 photographers

  • Teo Bee Yen (Singapore)
  • John . Davis Jr (USA)
  • Henry Ng (USA)
  • Daduan Deng (China)
  • Wang Li (China)
  • Tan Lip Seng (Singapore)
  • Vannee Chutchawantipakorn (Thailand)
  • Tay Puay Koon (Singapore)
  • Tan Keng Lian (Singapore)
  • Mark Lo (Taiwan)
  • Chai Chin Khiong (Sarawak)
  • Siew Tick Chai (Miri)
  • Leong Siew Kuan (Miri)
  • Law Cheng Tean (Ipoh)
  • Cheang Kum Seng (Ipoh)
  • Tay Ah Kow (Kluang)
  • Chang Choo Khong (Kluang)
  • Claymond Leong Yung Nyee (Kuching)
  • Johnathan Tai Nyik Fui (Kuching)
  • Ng Kok Leong (Kuala Lumpur)
  • Eng Ah Soon (Negeri Sembilan)
  • Chong Tong Chai (Johor Bharu)
  • Cheong Weng Leong (Pahang)
  • Ho Kin Meng (Kuala Lumpur)
  • Bao-Then Li (Chengdu, China)

Roster reflects these assessments captured from the live site — refresh with the current conferments before launch.

Successful Distinction

Members’ distinctions

Distinctions earned by PSM members across the Society and international photographic bodies. Filter by distinction.

Harry Woo