How to Critique a Photograph
I am definitely in the camp that believes that regular critique of my photos helps me in my growth as a photographer. However, getting good critique is a bit tricky. Perhaps a way to solve that problem is to learn how to do photo critique. First of all, you can be your own informed critic. And perhaps more important, you can recognize whether the critique you have received on a photo is worthy of your consideration.
Some considerations before you get started.
To give a fair critique, you need to spend at least as much time looking at the photo as you spend critiquing it.
The Golden Rule definitely applies: Critique in the same way you want to be critiqued. Put another way, be kind.
Leave your bias at home. Critique is not an opinion. To help set the right frame of mind, use the terms “what works and what does not work for you” rather than what you like and don’t like.
Always start with what works. There is something good in every photograph. As the saying goes, “A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down.”
Explain why something works for you. If it does not work for you, state the problem and then give a solution.
Keep in mind the experience level of the photographer whose photo you are critiquing. There is no value to overwhelming a beginner.
Critique on the technical aspects should be separated from critique on the artistic aspects.
Critique on the technical aspects.
Is the depth of field appropriate?
Is it properly focused?
Is it exposed correctly?
Is there good white balance?
Is there a good tonal range?
This unedited picture has a number of issues. It needs to be leveled and cropped. Its tonal range, the number of shades from light to dark, is somewhat limited, especially on the light side.
This edited picture was submitted to the Facebook group, Street Photography Vivian Maier Inspired, on a Monday for critique.
I got many supportive comments but there was an agreement that the picture (the one above this one) was too dark. Also, the white balance was not off, but the color, particularly of the sand needed to be warmed up. This was the final edit.
Is there dust, glare or other kind of error?
Artistic aspects
Is there a story?
This is clearly not properly focused. It is also is not properly exposed. However, it is a photo that I have kept because it tells a good story. Street photography as a genre has more latitude in the technical quality if there is a story.
Is there a subject?
What is the mood?
How does the picture make you feel?
Is the composition good?
Does the background contribute to the picture or is it distracting?
Are there distracting elements?
The light on the left is a distraction to the symmetry of the picture.
Snapseed has an excellent healing tool. It is far superior the the healing tool in Lightroom.
I thought the horizontal element on the left side was distracting because it was unbalanced in an otherwise largely symmetric picture. The powerful Healing Tool in Snapseed made this an easy fix.
Final thoughts.
Good critique can create artistic and technical growth. Critique that is not thoughtful or empathetic can lead to doubt and lower self-esteem. Become an informed critic and regularly critique your own work.
Exercise
Write a written critique of one of your photos.