imagemaven how to critique photography
TRANSCRIPT
Take Better
Pictures3
Critiquing Photography
from a design perspective
Critique using 3 values
+Emotional
+Artistic
+Technical
EmotionalThis is when we view an image for the first time and express our reaction.
EmotionalNote your impression and explain WHY
Emotional
If I like it, why?If not, why not?
Does it arouse an emotion, a mood, tell a story, remind me of my past, my dreams, my present?
This image makes me feel . . .
This image reminds me of . . .
You seemto have captured . . .
I am trying to grasp the mood, the subject, the focal point, . . .
I want to feel more . . .
What did you see that made you click the shutter?
For a stronger impact I would . . .
The mood might be more impacted with . . .
ArtisticIs the concept unique, creative?
ArtisticIs the composition and subject placement pleasing to the eye?
ArtisticIs the subject of interest obvious?
ArtisticIs there anything in the image that does not add to its impact?
ArtisticDoes the perspective work?
ArtisticAre lines aligned/not aligned creatively (horizons for example) or are they mere distractions?
Artistic
The composition might be more compelling if . . .
My eye wants to . . .
If the subject were moved a little to the . . . it might create . . .
If the subject were moved closer . . . or further away . . .
The angle of the subject might be better . . .
The foreground feels distracting to . . .
The background seems to . . .
For stronger impact, I would crop . . .
TechnicalIs the photo in focus or meant to be blurry?
TechnicalDoes the overall exposure work?
TechnicalIs Photoshop overly used (colours, sharpness, contrast, brightness)?
Technical
Is the blur intentional?
The image is too dark, too light, too muddy, which . . .
I would change/add . . .
The highlights/shadows are . . .
The background is blurry which . . .
The background needs to be blurry which . . .
The exposure feels . . . what did you use for exposure? In camera metering or . . . Next time I would suggest . .
A worthy critique remains friendly,
thoughtful, positive, considerate, andalways honest.
Practice critiquing the following images, as well as your own.
Use the visual language you have just learned.
Emotional+Artistic+Technical
Emotional+Artistic+Technical
Emotional+Artistic+Technical
Emotional+Artistic+Technical
Emotional+Artistic+Technical
Emotional+Artistic+Technical
Emotional+Artistic+Technical
Emotional+Artistic+Technical
+Emotional +Artistic +Technical
+Emotional +Artistic +Technical
+Emotional +Artistic +Technical
+Emotional +Artistic +Technical
+Emotional +Artistic +Technical
+Emotional +Artistic +Technical
+Emotional +Artistic +Technical
A worthy critique remains friendly,
thoughtful, positive, considerate, andalways honest.
Offer some depth into the why, along with
added suggestions or recommendations.
Valuable critiquing utilizes proper etiquette for the
purpose of enhancingand expanding a
photographer’s skill from an objective point of view.
Marlene Hielema is a photographer and educator in Calgary, Alberta. She teaches photography at SAIT, and ACAD, plus she designs and delivers seminars on the practical uses of photography in corporate communications.
About Marlene Hielema
