Learning How to Critique - DPChallenge Forums

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/09/2004 05:53:44 PM · #1

Another post started my brain. I realized that I was properly trained how to critique by professors and professional photographers. I have read articles, studied photographs and analyzed them. I have read criqitiques of others... I have done this for 12 years! However, some people don't know where to look to learn. So, I thought those of us who were trained and are pretty good at giving constructive criticism should take a few moments to give some pointers to those who really want to learn... Post Here!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

06/09/2004 05:55:15 PM · #2

As a start ... DPC Tutorial

e301

06/09/2004 05:57:52 PM · #3

And? From your experience, can you point me at a good resource for the critical study of photography? You know, 'a guide to the assessment of photographs' or something?

I have absolutely no training in the analysis of photographs, beyond what my brain tells me and my own experience and knowledge bring to that. It would certainly help me to find out how it's done 'properly'.

Ed

Message edited by author 2004-06-09 17:58:16.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/09/2004 06:04:34 PM · #4

Critiquing can be very subjective, but in general... pay close attention to detail, and you'll get it! :) It can be really fun because you will start to critique your own work and become better every day!

I'll start with Lighting

Look for time of day, shadows, brightness and tone. Are there harsh shadows? Do they positively or negatively affect your overall feel of this photo? Look at the sky or light source... was it the best light source to use that day for that subject? Perhaps suggest a light source or lighting device that would positively enhance the photo (using your experience).

Always note that sometimes, you have to shoot outside and you cannot control the weather, so take that into consideration and make suggestions that will not discourage or anger the photographer who isn't Mother Nature. Suggest bringing fill in lighting or changing the ISO.

Brightness may be caused by overexposure (shutter speed), position or film speed. Is the subject backlit? Do they have almost no features (white) but the backround looks nice? Is the background too dark? What would you do to improve on this situation? Put yourself in their shoes? Maybe you would hold the shutter open longer but not point the flash at them directly. Maybe you would use a reflector instead of direct light. Maybe you would increase the film speed or opt for a faster shutter speed. Think about it as if it were your photo!

Position is very important when dealing with natural light. Shadows and brightness are heavily affected by the position of the subject to the sun (light source) or your own light source for that matter. Usually, if you have a sunset but do NOT want a silhouette, you will want a fill in flash, not automatically set (unless you are using a light meter). You'll want a soft flash too. You don't want the flash to adjust itself to the darkness that is around you, but to enhance the subject in front of you. If your lighting is coming from above, you will have shadows unless it's a very cloudy day. You can stifle this with diffuser and reflector sheilds. You can even make your own if you don't want to buy one... so suggest something as such. You may also just want to choose a faster shutter speed and use a light fill in flash to cancel out the shadows a bit (from their hair or nose, if on a face). Eyes always have dark circles unless you use fill in flash (when the sun is overhead).

When looking at a photo, think for a moment (or even a minute or two) about the lighting. How would you improve this very same photo? Offer some positive suggestions and recommend some changes. Good luck!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

06/09/2004 06:09:10 PM · #5

So ... why don't you write the DPC Tutorial for this? There's some guidelines somewhere ...

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/09/2004 06:12:20 PM · #6

For something that people may consider an art form, it's surprising how overly technical things can be made.. I find the idea that one can be 'trained' to appreciate a photo/painting/concerto quite strange.

06/09/2004 06:19:16 PM · #7

One of the best ways to learn is to read the critiques of others. Try to relate or understand them. If you don't, then ask questions here... We will all be glad to explain to you what the critiquer might have meant. remember, it is subjective!

//www.the28thfloor.com/imagemaker_forum/view_critique_list.php is a place where you can view some photos and see professional critiques. Besides the tutorials, which are great, you may want to do a search on google.com or something on "how to critique" and read a few pointers there too! If you give yourself some time (even just 30 min) you will be amazed at what you can learn! And really, what is critiquing but really just a learning experience of "photography" and sharing it with others?

Here's an interesting post i found:
//www.zuga.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=84311

Just remember, what advice would you want to get? What can you offer? Always give encouragement and show respect :)

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon

06/09/2004 06:22:30 PM · #8

Originally posted by PaulMdx:

No no, it's not about trained appreciation. It's about critiquing. It's different than voting. It can surely help you vote, but really.. it's about helping others become better photographers. It's about offering photographic advice and thinking to yourself about what you like and don't like, SPECIFICALLY, about a photo. Anyone can get a general feel of a photo and mark it 1 through 10. But, the photographers who check the box to have their photos critiqued are counting on YOU, the voter, to offer then SPECIFICS about what you like and what you would change about their photo. And many of us do not write anything... not because we have nothing to say, but because we do not know how to say it. So, this forum post is supposed to give people ideas on how to help others! And, in turn, help themselves become better photographers!! :)

Please don't take this the wrong way!

Zal

Nikon D200

06/09/2004 06:23:16 PM · #9

I humbly submit this link:
Guide to Critiquing Photographs

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/09/2004 06:24:34 PM · #10

Originally posted by Zal:

I humbly submit this link:
Guide to Critiquing Photographs

Great link Zal! It's short, easy to read and makes sense!

PaulMdx

Canon EOS-1D

06/09/2004 06:27:07 PM · #11

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

It's about offering photographic advice and thinking to yourself about what you like and don't like, SPECIFICALLY, about a photo.

Sorry, that sounds like appreciation to me.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/09/2004 06:45:56 PM · #12

Originally posted by PaulMdx:

Originally posted by mirdonamy:
It's about offering photographic advice and thinking to yourself about what you like and don't like, SPECIFICALLY, about a photo.

Sorry, that sounds like appreciation to me.

I can't say that it's not appreciation sometimes, but it doesn't have to be... that's the point. Being "trained to appreciate" something sounded to me like you perhaps being trained to like it. I think I see your point now though, that appreciate may be more related to 'understand and see the value of' more than 'like' the photo elements.

Dear PaulMdx, critiquing is NOT for everyone. Yes, I LOVE getting my photos critiqued by people who are trained and have trained themselves, and I LOVE helping others with the knowledge that I have to share about a subject we both love: photography! But this post is for those who WANT TO LEARN how to critique. If you do not have desire to explore the technical aspects, that's is perfectly okay :) Some people I know, and have talked to in other posts, do indeed want to become better 'critiquers' and help others improve their work, technically. So, this is for them...

:)

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

06/09/2004 06:50:06 PM · #13

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

You are quite right Arielle, it can be fun, however, it can also be very difficult to do well. I think thatâ��s why so few comments are actual critiques. Most are nothing more than a pat on the back for a job well done. I joined the Critique Club and wrote a few critiques, and I found it to be very difficult. I have a hard time telling someone what I donâ��t like about his or her photoâ��probably because I was always taught, â��If you canâ��t say something nice, donâ��t say anything at all.â�� Besides, who gives a damn what I think anyway, right? After all, Iâ��m not an expert. But, I eventually realized that you donâ��t have to be an expert to have an opinion. And that is what a critique is, just one personâ��s opinion. Of course, the more informed a person is on a subject, the more relevance and insight that personâ��s opinion will have. Perhaps equally important though is being able to give someone your opinion in such a way that they can accept it without taking offense.

I second GeneralEâ��s suggestion that you write a tutorial on the subject. You seem very conversant with the subject and I think you would probably do a wonderful job. The existing tutorial, â��9 Guidelines for Giving and Receiving Feedbackâ�� by Patella, is fine as far as it goes, but another, more in-depth article, would make a nice addition.

--Mick