Group Critiques
In art we call a chat about work a crit or, more properly, a critique.
Each Club call contains a group crit, where we look at images from everyone. This word puts beginners off because it sounds like the aim is to criticise. In my classes (and most other places too!) this is certainly not the case.
Reflecting on your own work and getting feedback on it is essential to making progress. Sometimes the images that get great feedback will surprise you.
This is a great time to talk about problems everyone has had and how to fix them.
During the crit, my focus is on using the correct terminology, so you get used to the words in context, and pointing out praiseworthy areas- every image has one! I aim to build confidence and I believe that if you can understand what is good about an image you will find it easier to create a good image again. If you want more robust feedback or have a specific aim and for example you want me to point out faults that may be raised in a competition let me know.
If you are in a group call please give feedback to your peers- point out what you like and why; ask questions and speak up, the more you put into the crits the more you will get out.
Each Club call contains a group crit, where we look at images from everyone. This word puts beginners off because it sounds like the aim is to criticise. In my classes (and most other places too!) this is certainly not the case.
Reflecting on your own work and getting feedback on it is essential to making progress. Sometimes the images that get great feedback will surprise you.
This is a great time to talk about problems everyone has had and how to fix them.
During the crit, my focus is on using the correct terminology, so you get used to the words in context, and pointing out praiseworthy areas- every image has one! I aim to build confidence and I believe that if you can understand what is good about an image you will find it easier to create a good image again. If you want more robust feedback or have a specific aim and for example you want me to point out faults that may be raised in a competition let me know.
If you are in a group call please give feedback to your peers- point out what you like and why; ask questions and speak up, the more you put into the crits the more you will get out.
Framework for Scoring Photographs
It can be hard to know how to rate your work and feel you are making progress. Photography is an art and is subjective.
Trying to keep that in mind (and referring to the things competitions take into account) I have developed this list of some specific things you may wish to consider as a framework for judging work.
You will notice that this list is broad, its almost impossible to score highly in all categories because images can work on many levels and this list takes that into account.
Basic Technique
Is focus appropriate for the subject? Is depth of field appropriate?
Is movement captured appropriately?
Has ISO been managed to minimise noise?
Is file quality maintained to avoid pixellation?
Is white balance and level of colour saturation appropriate for the subject and mood?
Special Techniques
Are special techniques like multiple exposures, sandwiching, panning, or cross processing used effectively?
Has complicated digital manipulation been used?
Has the photographer made use of more challenging equipment?
Composition
Is the composition skillful and dynamic?
Is the image balanced or unbalanced? Does it enhance symmetry or employ the rule of thirds?
Are there distracting elements in the picture that could be eliminated?
Does the composition make effective use of leading lines, frames within frames?
Is depth used (or not used) to good advantage?
Does the composition make use of repeating forms?
Lighting
Does it show off the subject well?
Is the contrast level appropriate?
Are there any clipped shadows or highlights that are distracting or avoidable?
Is there lighting that would work better for the subject?
If the lighting is artificial, is it well controlled?
Subject/Interest
Does the subject have interesting connotations or associations?
Are the colors and patterns effective?
Interesting textures?
Interesting juxtapositions?
Originality
Does the image show an original subject or an original approach to a standard subject?
Is it anonymous, or does it show a visual signature or convey a personal vision?
Story/Mood
How well does the photograph capture or illustrate the topic?
Does the image effectively tell a story about its topic or convey a mood or value?
You could then choose to judge the image against these categories, such as:
Score each category out of 6, with 6 being the best and 1 being the lowest possible. Then please add up the total (42 is the maximum possible).
Suggested scores)
Significant technical defects / Serious content problems / Lack of ambition (1)
Minor technical defects / Content not well handled (2)
Acceptable / Lacking interest (3)
Good techniques / Quite interesting (4)
Strong techniques / Interesting / Ambitious (5)
Very strong / Rewards contemplation (6)
Overall Score Grades:
35+ Very strong all round
25+ Strong / very promising
Whether looking at your own work or that of your peers it is important to always praise for noteworthy points and aim to be specific when giving ideas for improvement.
I realise it may seem arbitrary to use a list like this, often we like an image (or don't) 'just 'cause!' However I hope that by providing this kind of structure you can see that there are many ways for a photograph to be excellent: for example it could be technically challenging, or tell a very powerful story. There are many paths to success.
Trying to keep that in mind (and referring to the things competitions take into account) I have developed this list of some specific things you may wish to consider as a framework for judging work.
You will notice that this list is broad, its almost impossible to score highly in all categories because images can work on many levels and this list takes that into account.
Basic Technique
Is focus appropriate for the subject? Is depth of field appropriate?
Is movement captured appropriately?
Has ISO been managed to minimise noise?
Is file quality maintained to avoid pixellation?
Is white balance and level of colour saturation appropriate for the subject and mood?
Special Techniques
Are special techniques like multiple exposures, sandwiching, panning, or cross processing used effectively?
Has complicated digital manipulation been used?
Has the photographer made use of more challenging equipment?
Composition
Is the composition skillful and dynamic?
Is the image balanced or unbalanced? Does it enhance symmetry or employ the rule of thirds?
Are there distracting elements in the picture that could be eliminated?
Does the composition make effective use of leading lines, frames within frames?
Is depth used (or not used) to good advantage?
Does the composition make use of repeating forms?
Lighting
Does it show off the subject well?
Is the contrast level appropriate?
Are there any clipped shadows or highlights that are distracting or avoidable?
Is there lighting that would work better for the subject?
If the lighting is artificial, is it well controlled?
Subject/Interest
Does the subject have interesting connotations or associations?
Are the colors and patterns effective?
Interesting textures?
Interesting juxtapositions?
Originality
Does the image show an original subject or an original approach to a standard subject?
Is it anonymous, or does it show a visual signature or convey a personal vision?
Story/Mood
How well does the photograph capture or illustrate the topic?
Does the image effectively tell a story about its topic or convey a mood or value?
You could then choose to judge the image against these categories, such as:
Score each category out of 6, with 6 being the best and 1 being the lowest possible. Then please add up the total (42 is the maximum possible).
- Basic technique
- Special techniques
- Lighting
- Composition
- Subject/interest
- Originality
- Story/mood
Suggested scores)
Significant technical defects / Serious content problems / Lack of ambition (1)
Minor technical defects / Content not well handled (2)
Acceptable / Lacking interest (3)
Good techniques / Quite interesting (4)
Strong techniques / Interesting / Ambitious (5)
Very strong / Rewards contemplation (6)
Overall Score Grades:
35+ Very strong all round
25+ Strong / very promising
Whether looking at your own work or that of your peers it is important to always praise for noteworthy points and aim to be specific when giving ideas for improvement.
I realise it may seem arbitrary to use a list like this, often we like an image (or don't) 'just 'cause!' However I hope that by providing this kind of structure you can see that there are many ways for a photograph to be excellent: for example it could be technically challenging, or tell a very powerful story. There are many paths to success.
