How to critique a photograph...

[ChristopherCoy]

One of the reasons I quit posting images for the most part, is because it seems people do not 'critique' properly. Instead of offering constructive criticism, it seems that folks are more apt to simply bash someones work. I'm guilty of it myself, as most of us probably are. Even complete beginners who haven't a clue what an aperture is, feel inclined to offer their negative thoughts. Instead of looking at the major points of critique, and breaking the photograph down, we concentrate on one negative aspect, and feed on it until the thread dissolves into the forgotten abyss. Just because I may not care for a photo, doesn't mean that its a completely poor photograph. The lighting may be good, the pose may be awesome, or perhaps the subject is nice and sharp - but because I dont like the photograph doesn't mean I have to focus (no pun intended) on the negative issues.

So I started looking up the 'proper' way to critique a photograph, and found the following links. From now on I'm going to take an objective view of the photographs that I am looking at, and not a negative one. If I offer a critique, I'm going to make sure that I do it constructively. If I have a comment about a negative feeling I get from the photograph, I'm going to make sure that MY feeling is what I am speaking about and why.

This is supposed to be an area to learn and grow as photographers. Perhaps if we all paid a little more attention to what we are saying about each others work, and did it a little more constructively, we'd all learn a lot faster.

Doing a photo critique :: Photocritic photography blog
Critique Photographs
How to critique a photograph - Denver photography | Examiner.com
How to critique a photograph | eHow.com
Flickr: Discussing Critique (How to Critique a Photograph) in Photography Tutorials and Helpful Links
News: Constructive Critique
Doing a photo critique :: Photocritic photography blog

[Daniel Bates]

Nice post.

[Kalrog]

I have had discussions on this topic in the past - and even seen one of those links before. But it is always good to see them again.

I know when I receive good critiques, it is helpful. And if I can point to an example of a good critique on these boards, go check out anything by Paco (texxter).

[J Eddington]

Amen

[rab3rd]

There are books on the subject as well. Its a fine line to walk for all of us sometimes. The newbies want to contribute and the vets get weary of saying the same things over and over. There should also be information on how to receive CC as well. I have seen plety of newbies get bent out of shape over perfectly good CC and it quickly goes down hill. It is difficult to remove all ones emotions when trying to point out the things that need improvment in others work, just as well as it is hard to do the same when asking for CC.

Other forums I belong to have sections set aside specfically for CC. Not saying thats the way to go but it works for the most part with regards to getting some feedback on your work. I know many times stuff gets posted and no one says anything, good or bad about the OP's shot. Personally I have even asked for CC on some stuff and gotten nothing.

If one wants real CC on their work, I think a mentor is a good way to do it. There are also services for it as well. I am a member of the PSA and they have people that will CC photos for a very specific genres of work.

For the most part I think that good CC comes from this forum and the mods do a good job of keeping things in check, but the reality is, emotions are going to play a role and I am not sure how you go about removing them.

Maybe we as a group could start our own CC/Mentor group. Some of the vets from the various genre's of shooting could offer to CC "X" number of shots a week/month or offer to mentor a couple of newbies for a given amount of time. The details could be worked out, I am just throwing out ideas.

[rab3rd]

Another thing that I think could help would be, if the person posting the photo for CC gave a short explination of what the goal was in the shot. Thats gives the CC'ers a starting point.

[rab3rd]

Maybe a guide line of how to ask for CC would help?

Here is my opinion on that. I am giving this as an example of how to ask for CC. I am not asking for CC in this thread.

Example:

Please give me some CC on this shot.

Technical data:
Lens 70-200mmL 2.8
Focal length - 73mm
Shutter speed - 1/15
F-stop - 16
lighting - all natural no modifiers

Goal for the shot:

My goal in this shot was to concentrate on composition. I was trying to bring the viewer into the shot from the top and follow the flow of the water and bring them to rest at the bottom where the waters ends. I shot a slightly slower shutter speed in an atempt to give more motion to the water.



Thanks you for taking the time to tell me what more I could have done to acheive my goal.

[TXFZ1]

In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations, the new needs friends. - Anton Ego

[camera shy]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

Maybe a guide line of how to ask for CC would help?

Here is my opinion on that. I am giving this as an example of how to ask for CC. I am not asking for CC in this thread.

Example:

Please give me some CC on this shot.

Technical data:
Lens 70-200mmL 2.8
Focal length - 73mm
Shutter speed - 1/15
F-stop - 16
lighting - all natural no modifiers

Goal for the shot:

My goal in this shot was to concentrate on composition. I was trying to bring the viewer into the shot from the top and follow the flow of the water and bring them to rest at the bottom where the waters ends. I shot a slightly slower shutter speed in an atempt to give more motion to the water.



Thanks you for taking the time to tell me what more I could have done to acheive my goal.

The crop at the top is disturbing. The water seems to appear from nowhere. I would like to see more of its source.
For composition project it's OK. Next, concentrate on exposure. I recommend. Zone System - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[rab3rd]

I wasnt asking for CC, it was an example of how one might go about asking for CC

[Some Idiot]

Originally Posted by rab3rd

I wasnt asking for CC, it was an example of how one might go about asking for CC

[iCe]

Originally Posted by Daniel Bates

Nice post.

Nice response to the post How's it been going for you Daniel?

Sometimes (most actually) the problems that occur with critiques are related to how they are received as much as how they are given, if not more. I've seen a lot of threads where someone asked for an opinion, got it, didn't like it, and then proceeded to either argue or pack up his/her marbles and go home. Wah wah...

Happy Holidays

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by iCe

Sometimes (most actually) the problems that occur with critiques are related to how they are received as much as how they are given, if not more. I've seen a lot of threads where someone asked for an opinion, got it, didn't like it, and then proceeded to either argue or pack up his/her marbles and go home. Wah wah...

Happy Holidays

Ok then...

Accepting Constructive Feedback by Beverly Smallwood: The Sideroad
10 Tips to Receive Constructive Feedback
Constructive Feedback: The Ability to Receive Feedback is a Critical Skill
Article How to Handle Constructive Feedback

Here are 7 keys to effectively receive constructive criticism:

1. Silence your feelings and listen objectively so you can get something from the feedback.

2. Remember feedback is not final. It is only a part of your whole person and performance at any given point in time.

3. Before saying "I know," humbly and quietly listen to all that is being told you so you can build a relational bridge, open communication lines for future feedback, and learn from that which is being said.

4. Remember personal growth and professional development is a process and journey. You don't have to be perfect or flawless. Allow yourself freedom to fail, make mistakes, but humbly and wholeheartedly learn from them. Enjoy the journey and grow daily.

5. After the person is done providing constructive criticism to you ask them, "Is there anything else you'd like me to know? Is there any way I can improve personally and enhance my performance professionally? What are your recommendations?"

6. Refuse to argue over any points of disagreement big or small. Simply remain open for feedback and input from outsiders whereafter you can ultimately make you own decisions.

7. Thank the person for providing constructive criticism and when appropriate highlight what you learned or deemed positive about the interaction.

Constructive Criticism - How to Give and Receive It

[iCe]

That's actually really good, hard to follow, advice. (I really like some of the new emoticons)

[SCone]

There should be two types of critique requested... technical or observational. Technical is the details of the photo... focus, composition, lighting and such. A technical critique is based on the facts surrounding the photo. Certain aspects can be changed that give different results. This type of critique can be discussed and even debated. Observational is "How do you like my photo?" Since an observational critique is based on personal likes and dislikes... it's neither right or wrong and there is no need for debate.