Instituted in 1993, this medal is awarded in recognition of a sustained, significant contribution to the art of photography.  This medal also carries with it an Honorary Fellowship of The Society.

Previous recipients of the Centenary medal are:

1993       Sebastião Salgado
1994       Cornell Capa
1995       Robert Delpire
1996/7    Freddie Young
1998       Josef Koudelka
1999       William Klein
2000       Ray Metzker
2001       Paul Caponigro
2002       Elliott Erwitt
2003      Special 150th Anniversary Medal awarded to: Richard Avedon, William Eggleston, Lee Friedlander, David Hockney HonFRPS, Eikoh Hosoe, Don McCullin HonFRPS and Gordon Parks. A President's medal was awarded to The Lord Puttnam of Queensgate CBE and Sir Roy Strong
2004       Arnold Newman
2005       David Bailey Hon FRPS
2006       Susan Meiselas
2007       Don McCullin
2008       Martin Parr Hon FRPS
2009       Annie Leibovitz
2010       Albert Watson Hon FRPS
2011       Terry O'Neill Hon FRPS
2012       Joel Meyerowitz HonFRPS