Having spent a number of years as an administrator of a photography forum, I know there are a lot of people that might like to take a stab at commenting on images they see, but feel they don't know enough or are unsure where to start. I, too, was nervous about doing this, but I've found that by studying the images of other people and analyzing what I see, I've been able to improve my own photography with self-critique. It's really a great learning process!
Here are some of the things I look for when I critique a shot. Of course, not all things apply to each image and there are always exceptions to "the rules".
1. Is it in focus? This is actually a more complex question than you might think. Sometimes an OOF shot is what the photographer is trying to do (such as showing movement), but generally the subject should be in focus even if the surrounding area is not. Notice the depth of field and see if it is working well for the image. Would it look better with a narrower or wider DOF?
2. What is the subject? Is it apparent when you look at the picture? Are your eyes drawn to it, or are you asking yourself why did they take this shot? If it has to be explained, it probably is lacking a purpose.
3. How is the composition? Are there extraneous areas that are not adding to the overall effect? Is the subject lost in a sea of background? Not getting close enough to your subject may be the problem. Maybe cropping will save the shot. Maybe changing from horizontal to vertical would make the difference. Is your eye moving easily around the image from subject to secondary subjects (visual rest spots) in a visual path or are there abrupt stops? Would following the "Rule of Thirds" improve it?
4. Does it have impact? Are there any interesting elements, such as perspective, dramatic angles, leading lines, colors, textures, shapes, etc? What makes this shot stand out from the usual? What grabs your attention? Anything in the shot that helps set the mood?
5. How is the lighting? Are there blown out highlights or areas so dark you can't make out details? Has poor lighting created shadows that distract? Can some post processing help? Has the direction of the light hitting the subject helped or hindered?
6. What is the mood it evokes? If you still feel uncomfortable commenting, particularly on a technical level, mention how the shot makes you feel. Discussing it on an emotional level is just as valid and important. Remember, technical or emotional, it's all opinion anyway.
7. Offer a solution to the problem if you can. Do you know some editing trick that could help? Can you give a suggestion that would fix the problem next time?
I usually start out by saying something positive, and there is always something positive, about the picture, and then pick out something that I think could be improved. If I can, I explain what they could do to fix it or what to do next time so the problem won't happen again.
And a few rules for people asking for a critique:
1. Include pertinent information: camera and lens used, camera settings, time of day, perhaps what you were trying to achieve.
2. Asking a specific question, such as "How can I improve the lighting?" and explaining what lighting you used will get you the precise answers you need to improve.
3. Saying "I love this picture! What do you think?" will not get you the help you need to improve.
Hope this is helpful!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
307-366 "final rose"
Last rose from the garden. After several days of really cold weather, we had a few warm ones and it popped out!
Fun to have a little autumn surprise :)
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
300-366 "Happy Halloween!"
Still feeling the remnants of Hurricane Sandy, so Trick or Treat has been delayed in our area until Saturday. Probably good that the little ones don't end up in school the next day in a sugar coma!
Monday, October 29, 2012
296-366 warning
Where photographers and baseball players fear to tread. They must be guard horses. Didn't see any though. They are probably good at hiding and jumping out at unsuspecting Little Leaguers ;)
Thursday, October 25, 2012
293-366 sedum
just before they all got trimmed back for the winter. Guess I can't rely on my fallback flower pics anymore on those 366 days when I don't know what else to do, LOL!
292-366 bug
With cold weather coming, these ugly things are on my doors and windows trying to get in. Yuck!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Sunday, October 21, 2012
290-366 gobble, gobble
We have wild turkeys everywhere, but they all seem to disappear during hunting season. Not that I'm a hunter, but interesting to note. (I think they have a 6th sense about those things).
287-366 It's Autumn. I might as well just go for the leaf shots.
It is beautiful outside. The leaf colors seem so vibrant this year. I know autumn leaf images are so cliche and overly abundant, but if you are lucky enough to live in an area like I do and they are right outside your door, you simply have to take advantage of it. And when the sunlight hits them, well it's just magic :)
286-366 "sometimes you can find the most interesting things abandoned on the road..."
286-366 "sometimes you can find the most interesting things abandoned on the road...", originally uploaded by saralonde.
I guess they didn't find old Bill Cosby that funny.
285-366 nutshells
Every year as the days grow cooler and the little critters are storing food for the winter, we find these in little piles on our sidewalks and driveway. I guess they're using the hard surface to crack them open.
282-366 "autumn bounty"
Calling for a freeze that night means most veggies will be coming indoors, ready or not.
281-366 a seat to enjoy the leaves of autumn
there's even a hammock to the left if you get tired of sitting :)
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
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