Critique Technique

Let's have a discussion on how to improve our critiques so we can help each other out.

First, let's say you want to provide a critique to a photo that you find absolutely horrible. I like to approach this situation as follows:

• Lead with something good about the photograph. Anything, no matter how tiny. It can be as simple as "A" for effort!
• Put the meat of your critique next. "This shot is really OOF. Compositionally, you have placed the main subject with a telephone pole sticking out of his head, which looks really bad."
• Now, provide a way to improve the shot: "Next time, ask the subject to move (if you can) or move yourself to a different angle so that the background behind the main subject is less distracting."
• Finally, try to offer some words of encouragement: "A good effort. You went out in the driving snow and got a decent shot. Keep up the good work, keep trying, and I'm looking forward to watching your progress!"

Easy, isn't it? Now that we're warmed up, let's go deeper.

Technical details:

• Is the exposure good? Focus? Color? What do you think of the post-processing?
• While the technical details are important, remember to keep it about the image. It's about your critique of the image, not describing the steps one to take in order to fix it or change it.

Composition:

• Is the composition pleasing? Tell the shooter why you like it, what works, etc.
• Where was your eye drawn? How long did you stare and appreciate the photo?
• If the composition seems off, offer help - the rule of thirds, golden mean, etc.

Emotional response:

• How did the photo make you feel? Did the photograph stir any emotions inside? Bring up any memories? A picture is worth a thousand words and we'd love to read yours.

Finally, remember that ANYONE at Dgrin can provide great critiques that incorporate any or all of the above. Let's try to do more than "Good shot!" or, "I pick number 3."

If you have something to add, we'd love to hear it, right here in this thread!

Enjoy (critiquing) photography

i wanted to add that if you are on the receiving end of a critique... remember a couple things:

1. you placed your photo out there, so be prepared for *anything* !!!
2. your critiquer may have the best of intentions, but may not be able to put it in nice friendly words... typing on the internet doesn't convey the emotions we can when we're speaking face to face.
3. take all critiques, good/bad/thorough/terse, and learn from them.

Thanks Andy, critique even photos you consider good :). Tell us why you liked a specific photo. Knowingly or unknowingly, each photographer has a style, it will help develop that.

here's a very good piece on how to critique

thanks to netgarden for the link!

Now for my on-topic post and observations about the Whipping Post and critiquing in general.

Notes to the Whippers: In the "sticky," Wax or Andy (paraphrasing here) said to say something nice and then give your critique of the work. That's a very good philosophy to follow. However, when putting forth a negative critique one should still stay positive. By that I mean, if you say something is off or bad then you should give suggestions and procedures on how to fix it. I know that I accept criticism much better if the person who is doing the "whipping" takes my hand and helps to show me a way to the light at the end of the tunnel. ...and finally, don't be rude and nasty as I have seen a few be (thankfully, very few).

Notes to the Whippees: It helps when you make a post, whether in the Whipping Post or one of the other posting forums, to tell the observer/critic what you were trying to show or the story you were trying to convey with the image. Many times that will help make sure that you get the proper feedback. Some times the image stands alone in accomplishing that. However, there are other times when a little text goes a long way to insure the proper critique. By telling the observer/critic what you are trying to accomplish, the critique can then also include their thoughts as to how well you met or missed your objective. As an example, if you are using shallow DOF to bring out or cause others to concentrate on a particular area in an image and isolate it from the other elements, you should say so. The critic can then tell you how well you did or didn't do as the case may be in accomplishing your objective. If you don't tell the observer that fact up front, then the critique will probably address how miserably you screwed up with your DOF. Of course, the critique should also include other observations concerning the image as to the techniques used and when applicable to include fixes and suggestions. Telling someone to "photoshop" it is NOT a fix or suggestion even it that is what they need to do. A fix or suggestion should include an outline of the steps required. If the Whippee needs further help, they can come back to you.

As with most endeavors, photography has a learning curve associated with it. Our collective goal should be to further both the art and the science of photography for all dgrinners. That means that we should try to gently push/pull each other over the hump without sending anyone cascading head over heels down the wrong slope or have them give up due to either frustration or disgust.

Now, if Smugmug gets back on-line I can go back to enjoying everyone's photos.

Originally Posted by XO-Studios And for these ppl it might be suitable not to post in a forum specifically setup for critique. I think it is great to have a forum where ppl can be critical and where one can post pictures to learn. FWIW, XO,

Hi, XO, was just surfing and I saw this. Just about everyone knows by now that I can be quite reactive, sometimes, to some critical posts, for whatever reason.

However, I hve never felt that way when I have posted on the whipping post. I, too, think it is wonderful where you can post, for whatever reason, for answers to whatever problems you might be having.

Actually, I guess I don't expect whipping, I hope for solutions, but I do like the title, "Whipping Post".

ginger

I always like to see other's take on my particular photo. I like to take the photo I'm critiquing, and play with it in PS myself and repost my final idea. I think It's very helpful in actually seeing the ideas come together. The photographers on Flickr.com do this and I've learned a LOT from it! Here's my site www.flickr.com/photos/debraperyea
Check it out!

When critiquing, you could always try to use The Hamburger Method.

These are very helpful posts. Thank you all

I like the hamburger method, but think that what all has been said here is relatively common sense, is it not? Just treat people the way you want to be treated. Be positive. Start by some sort of complimentary statement about the photo, even if it's something like "great subject to photograph" (if you can't figure out something positive to say about technique or composition).
Next provide crtique in the form of "this is how I'd suggest making this an even better photo ...", which I think is pretty positive. And then if you want to, a summary positive note can also be added such as "I've been watching your efforts and have definitely noticed an improvement in " (style or technique or subject matter inserted here).

There are two points that may have been implied in others' posts but I wanted to state them directly.

1) Critique is not criticism; it is not always negative. Critique dissembles an image into its components and relates them to technical, artistic and emotional goals. I've gotten a lot from people telling me about my occasional decent image and how they see it - without regard to how well it was done technically.

2) Being able to critique is not just an exercise for the adept. Trying to understand what makes an image good, bad, mediocre is an excellent exercise for people new to photography. It provides good exercise for the mind's eye.

I've some things to write on this subject but don't quite know where to start. I would like to say that I always feel welcome and happy on the People forum. It is very upbeat and welcoming. When I have things to post I look forward to doing so there. Not that I haven't felt happy or welcome elsewhere but People seems to have the highest number of people who either know one another or the people who just like being on the forum.
I feel apprehensive about posting anywhere else, though. When I see helpful comments or upbeat ones, I like to comment too. I feel a part of making that person feel good about themselves and their efforts. However, I will see negative or "heavy handed" critiquing or commenting and it makes me 1)not want to comment 2) not post in that forum 3) rethink being on dgrin.
You can't control anyone and it is indeed the internet.
I know the whipping post is where you go to get "whipped" but not beaten to death. I don't feel I've been scathed here but I have felt trivialized a bit here and there. There's my two cents, and that's all it is- nothing more, nothing less.

Bump for debut on the new (IMPROVED!) Whipping Post.

Originally Posted by Andy If you have something to add, we'd love to hear it, right here in this thread!

Yes, Andy, I would like to add under the "Emotional Response":

- How well the photo in it's overall look and feel responds to the title or/and to the intended theme.

What do you think?

Originally Posted by cmorganphotography I've some things to write on this subject but don't quite know where to start. I would like to say that I always feel welcome and happy on the People forum. It is very upbeat and welcoming. When I have things to post I look forward to doing so there. Not that I haven't felt happy or welcome elsewhere but People seems to have the highest number of people who either know one another or the people who just like being on the forum. I feel apprehensive about posting anywhere else, though. When I see helpful comments or upbeat ones, I like to comment too. I feel a part of making that person feel good about themselves and their efforts. However, I will see negative or "heavy handed" critiquing or commenting and it makes me 1)not want to comment 2) not post in that forum 3) rethink being on dgrin. You can't control anyone and it is indeed the internet. I know the whipping post is where you go to get "whipped" but not beaten to death. I don't feel I've been scathed here but I have felt trivialized a bit here and there. There's my two cents, and that's all it is- nothing more, nothing less.

I have been on the WP and only the WP for over a year, whipping and getting whipped in turn! I think if you realize that the critique is not meant to harm you but is meant to make you a better and more thorough photographer and critiquer. If somebody does not like your picture, get over it. What you want to do when somebody does not like your picture is two things. One, ask them why, and two, maybe they don't understand the photo because you did not show them in the picture your IDEA.

My opinion is that when you take a picture, you can't think that you will tell the meaning of it to who ever you show it to, you need to make the picture TALK for itself. That and that alone, is the true essence of photography!

{{wonders how I got added to this thread when I hadn't posted here}}

Originally Posted by Jenn {{wonders how I got added to this thread when I hadn't posted here}}

I do it all the time to threads I want to follow... Thread Tools >> Subscribe to this thread (listed at the top of the page just above the first post)

If no that then