Guide to photo critique
The main objective of shotaddict.com is to help our members to improve their photography skills. In addition to online tutorials and professional tips, our website offers its members an opportunity to enhance their images both by receiving and by giving constructive critique to others.
That is not a secret that a skillful photographer is not always a skilful critic. “Great shots, nice captures, wonderful images, etc” – these are the most common comments at any photo site, which are absolutely useless.
Actually, each person can judge whether a photo is good or bad, but that is not the point. When commenting on a photo it is not enough to say what you like or not like about an image, the first task is to explain WHY you find it good or bad.
Because only constructive critique may help the author and other members to deepen their knowledge in digital photography and enhance their work. Every aspect should be considered - the idea, the way it is achieved (composition, lighting, coloring, etc) and technical aspect. Though when commenting, a photographer should remember that any critique should always be FRIENDLY as well.
A photographer who wants to get an effective critique should help people to evaluate and understand their photos by providing them with a detailed description of an image (date, place, photographer’s purpose, special efforts made, etc.) and full technical information (focal length of the lens, aperture and shutter speed setting, so on).
When critiquing a photo, you are to evaluate:
- Depth of Field and Focus. Fore more information read the article Using DOF to Improve your Digital Photography
- Exposure. To learn more read What is … Correct Exposure)
- Lighting. Try to define which type of lighting has been used. Read about Outdoor Lighting and Artificial Lighting.
- Sharpness. Learn how to Control Sharpness.
- Lines. Read about the Role of Lines in photography.
- Colors. What color scheme is used (realistic, monochrome or symbolic) and why?
- Composition. What rules are applied? Read Composition Basics for more information.
Photo Critique is a good way for all of us to learn. At shotaddict.com our members can receive comments and express their opinions at Photo Contests and at Photo Sharing Forum.
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