How to Critique #1 - The basics.

[RichardTaylor]

Critique #1

Just some thoughts inspired by recent posts regarding critiquing.

I feel there are 2 elements to consider.

(1) Technical.
(1.1) Is the subject correctly exposed (not to light and not to dark).
(1.2) Is the subject sharp.
(1.3) Is the colour correct?
These may be artistic decisions, as in an abstract.

(Example 1)
Most of this photograph is under exposed and out of focus.
However the subject is correctly focussed and sharp.


Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 0.002 sec (1/640)
Aperture f/5.6
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 200
Exposure Bias -1/3 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

(Example 2)
Although correctly exposed most of this photograph is "blurry" due to camera motion and subject motion.
However the pic still works as enough of car #29 is still sufficiently sharp.


Camera Canon EOS 40D
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/9.0
Focal Length 370 mm
ISO Speed 100

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(2) Aesthetic.
(2.1) Is there a subject?
(2.2) Does the background distract or contribute to the subject?
(2.3) Composition - Where is the subject placed in the frame? Are there any distracting elements?
Is the subject filling the frame? Is the eye led to the subject?
(2.4) Is it interesting?.
(2.5) Does the picture tell a story or what are you attempting to show?
Some of the aesthetic choices may be artistic descisions.

Before publishing a photograph for a critique it may pay to evaluate it yourself.
Keep in mind we are sometimes too close to our photographs (the subject, when & where it was shot and the amount of work we put into it) to make an objective evaluation.

(Example 3)
First night in Paris, on our last vacation. The lady is my wife.
It is a bit hard for me to be real objective as I love the subject and have great memories of the time it was taken.


Camera Canon EOS 5D
Exposure 0.025 sec (1/40)
Aperture f/4
Focal Length 24 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Exposure Bias -2/3 EV
Flash Flash did not fire

When critiquing make it a constructive critique.
I you like something say why you like like it.
If you don't like something say why you don't like it and offer a constructive suggestion on how it could be improved.

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Thanks for looking. Feel free to add comments and ask questions.

Richard

[SusanH1970]

Good post, Richard. There's this thread, too: A Very Basic Guide to Critiquing Images

[Nicole]

And this post from elsewhere on the internet: Giving a good photo critique | Pixiq

I think this could be a very useful thread

[SusanH1970]

Originally Posted by Nicole

I think this could be a very useful thread

Agreed, Nicole!

[troutwhisperer]

Thanks for the information Richard, Susan and Nicole. After the discussion(s) in the General thread about the lack of critiques I have determined that I need to participate in more critiques, so this information will be very useful.

[Murtasma]

Great post thanks for sharing. I hope more people start analyzing images like this, not only would feedback to the OP be better, you as the critiquer would learn more about your own images as well!

[RLucas]

Thanks for this Richard! Great thread!

[Saralonde]

Thank you. Now this is helpful .

[RichardTaylor]

Thanks very much for the nice words, Guys.
My apologies for re inventing the wheel.
I had seen some of the other net posts, however I wasn't aware of the posts on this site.

[Nicole]

Don't apologise I think all the threads have different things to contribute and it's great to get a bunch of really good resources in one place.