Answers to likely questions are given below. If you have any other question, we would appreciate it if you send it to unvan@tfsf.org.tr.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR TFSF TITLES?
TFSF Artistic Achievement Titles are awarded to citizens of the Republic of Türkiye, holding a valid identity number, who are engaged in the art of photography in Türkiye. The applications of such persons, meeting the conditions specified in the directive, are evaluated by the relevant unit. General information on this matter is set out in the "Basic Principles" section and in the "Title Conditions" part of Section Two of the relevant directive.
For all artistic achievement title applications other than the "TFSF Honorary Titles" and the "TFSF Achievement Title," membership of a TFSF member association is required. The required duration of this membership is specified for each title.
"TFSF Honorary Titles" may also be awarded to persons who are not citizens of Türkiye where the TFSF Board of Directors deems it appropriate.
WHEN ARE THE TFSF TITLE APPLICATION DATES?
Title application dates are determined each year by the TFSF Board of Directors and announced to the photography public.
In this context, specifically for this first round, the deadline for the first title applications has been set as January 31, 2025 at 23:00. Application fees and the required minimum scores and participation forms will be published by January 11, 2025 at the latest.
The second application date has been set as March 1, 2025, thereby giving a special chance to those who passed the first stage in the January application.
WHAT ARE THE TFSF TITLE FEES?
Specifically for this first round, the deadline for the first title applications has been set as January 31, 2025 at 23:00. Application fees and the required minimum scores and participation forms will be published by January 11, 2025 at the latest.
TFSF Title fees are determined by the TFSF Board of Directors according to the conditions of the day and will be announced to the photography public in the relevant period's announcements.
IS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A TFSF TITLE?
In designing the TFSF Titles, care was taken to create a design that does not merely encourage people interested in photography to develop a competitive identity, but that instead encourages organized structuring, ownership of and engagement with one's member association, and sharing of knowledge, geared toward personal development. For this reason, membership in a TFSF member association is required for all Artistic Achievement titles except the TFSF Achievement title, short name TFSF-B. The required membership periods and conditions for these associations are specified in the regulation for each title.
No association membership is considered for TFSF Honorary Titles.
WHO CAN OBTAIN THE TFSF-B TITLE?
Persons engaged in the art of photography who meet the conditions specified in the directive may apply if, in addition to their participation in photography competitions and the achievements obtained, they have accumulated the total score of the conditions detailed and listed with their points in the directive (as announced by the TFSF Board of Directors in the application announcements).
For all title applications other than the TFSF ACHIEVEMENT Title, uninterrupted membership of the applicant in TFSF member associations is required. These periods are specified for each title.
The TFSF ACHIEVEMENT Title is the first title that must be obtained before applying for other artistic titles.
CAN I APPLY FOR A TITLE WITHOUT HAVING OBTAINED THE TFSF-B TITLE?
The TFSF ACHIEVEMENT Title is the first title that must be obtained before applying for other artistic titles. For this reason, this stage must be passed before applying for either of TFSF's two groups of artistic achievement titles.
This condition does not apply to TFSF Honorary Titles.
CAN I APPLY FOR BOTH TITLE GROUPS?
After obtaining the TFSF Achievement Title, you may apply for both groups of titles, either during the same application period or at different times.
IS THERE A TIME RESTRICTION FOR APPLYING FOR A HIGHER-LEVEL TITLE?
For the First Group Artistic Titles (Star Titles), there is no time restriction at the bronze, silver and gold stages, provided the required score is accumulated by the next application date within the year. However, there is a "waiting" period for skipping Star levels; these are specified in the directive for each level.
Minimum "waiting" periods are likewise specified in the directive for the Second Group TFSF Artistic Achievement titles.
CAN I USE MY FIAP TITLE?
Out of respect for FIAP, of which we are an operational member, certain points are granted, to be used "once" during an application period, to persons holding a FIAP title. These points are set out in Article 23, item (i), of our Directive.
If an advancement in FIAP titles occurs, the score of the new title may again be used "once" in the next application.
During a title application, the most recent title on the list announced by the TFSF-FIAP Representative is valid.
CAN EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS I OBTAINED FROM COMPETITIONS WITHOUT TFSF APPROVAL BE USED IN A TITLE APPLICATION?
Any award or exhibition obtained from national or international competitions that do not have TFSF approval cannot be used in TFSF Title applications.
CAN I USE ACHIEVEMENTS I OBTAINED ABROAD FROM FIAP OR OTHER (GPU/PSA, ETC.) APPROVED COMPETITIONS IN TFSF TITLE APPLICATIONS?
Any award or exhibition obtained from national or international competitions that do not have TFSF approval cannot be used in TFSF Title applications.
Awards or exhibitions obtained abroad only from FIAP-approved or otherwise patronized competitions cannot be used in TFSF Title applications. Such achievements obtained for a FIAP title will instead be used indirectly in the scoring granted for FIAP titles.
Points obtained from competitions held in Türkiye and approved by both TFSF and FIAP are used. What matters here is the TFSF Approval number.
IS IT ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE A MEMBER OF ANY ASSOCIATION FOR A TITLE APPLICATION?
TFSF Title applications require you to be a member of "an association that is a member of TFSF." In addition, that association must have no outstanding dues owed to TFSF, and you must have no outstanding debt to your association.
The start date of your association membership is based on the association's Derbis (Associations Information System) records, and the association's management must prepare a document confirming this.
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF TFSF MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS?
These periods are specified in the directive for each title. What the TFSF management will check here is how long your membership of the association has continued uninterrupted. For example, joining the association shortly before a title application is not valid; you may apply only once the required period has elapsed.
IF I AM A MEMBER OF MORE THAN ONE ASSOCIATION, WHICH ONE SHOULD I USE FOR MY APPLICATION?
It is more appropriate to apply through whichever association covers your uninterrupted membership period at the time of your application.
The combined durations of both memberships are not used; each association membership is independent.
HOW SHOULD I NAME THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS?
A separate announcement will be issued on this matter, with details explained there. At this stage, we recommend gathering as many documents as possible.
WHERE CAN I OBTAIN THE APPLICATION FORMS?
This information will be published on the official TFSF website.
WHERE SHOULD I SEND THE APPLICATION FORMS AND DOCUMENTS?
This information will be published on the official TFSF website.