1. How to Successfully Critique a Photograph

2. SEVEN AREAS OF FOCUS Look Interpretation Technical Points
Artistic Points
Good Points
Points Worth Improving
Overall

3. LOOK
First of all, take a close look at the photograph. Let your eyes scan it closely: Make sure that you’ve caught every possible detail of the photo. If something jumps out at you as being really good or really bad, note it, but don’t say anything.

4. INTERPRETATION Now, talk about the photo for a little bit.
This is the area that is most frequently overlooked when doing critiques, but is actually one of the most useful activities you can do to give feedback to the photographer.
For the interpretation, start off by saying “I think this photo is about…”. Any symbolism you spot, tell the photographer. If you aren’t sure, let them know that.
You could also say “When I look at this photo, I feel…”. Explain what sort of emotional response the photo raises in you.

5. TECHNICAL POINTS Exposure?
Unwanted blur? (wrong focus, motion blur, zoom blur etc)?
Cropping needed?
What’s the contrast like?
Could the photographer have used lighting differently?
Would a larger or smaller aperture have been beneficial?

6. ARTISTIC POINTS What elements of composition are demonstrated?
If the photo is in black and white, should it have been in color and vice-versa?
Is there a good balance between the foreground and the background?
Would the photo have worked better with a different prop / model?
Anything distracting in the photo?

7. GOOD POINTS
This is where you point out what you like about the photograph, and why.
The why part is most important: If you can’t tell why you like X, Y, or Z, there’s no point in mentioning it.
Example: “I like the sky” is useless.
“I like the color of the sky” is better.
“I like the deep blue color of the sky because it contrasts nicely with the yellows and reds in the photo” is even better!
Put some thought into this!

8. POINTS WORTH IMPROVING: Constructive Criticism
This point is saved for last because you’ve made the photographer more confident about their photograph by now.
Tell them one or two specific points that could be improved on this particular photo – ones that can be still be edited in Photoshop. Or advice for if they plan on trying the shot again in the future.
If you know exactly how they could improve, whether in PS or camera settings, let them know.

9. OVERALL
How did this photo appear to you overall?

10. LET’S LOOK AT AN EXAMPLE CRIT

11. HERE IS THE PHOTO…

12. LOOK
When I look at this photo, it makes me think of... street performers or a carnival.

13. INTERPRETATION
I think this photo is about... the people who go out of their way to inject some random into your life, and who, in the process, remind you why you're alive; it's not just to trudge through it all, it's to be surprised, amused, and bemused by the world. This photo illustrates all of this.

14. TECHNICAL POINTS
Technically... His hand is in perfect focus, but his face is a bit hazy or blurry. The shallow dept of field (DOF) works well in this photo – without it, the background would be a mess of impressions, fighting for your attention.

15. ARTISTIC POINTS
Artistically... I think this photo has a great area of focus. I know where the emphasis is supposed to be. The black and white gives it a very eerie quality to it – color would not have the same effect. The subject matter is very interesting and unusual.

16. GOOD POINTS
What I like about this photo... is the archaic hat-tip the young gentleman is doing, and the feeling of him being an outcast in a world that is raging around him. Also, the black and white is a nice touch. The overall photo is descent, but the technical areas need work.

17. POINTS TO IMPROVE
His face is too hazy for my liking, which is obviously a very subjective thing, but in my opinion, street photography is all about people. So if you plan on doing more street portraits, it’s something to keep in mind.
The lamp in the background is a bit distracting & can easily be removed in PS.
Also, in PS you could up the contrast & crop the edges to help the overall composition.

18. Before After

19. OVERALL
Overall... I think this photo has a lot of charm and intensity. The suggested changes are very subjective, obviously, and you might not agree with them. The shot itself is a gem, and I think a slight re-edit could do wonders to make it as good as it deserves to be!

20. SOURCES
Kamps, H. J. (2011, February 28). Giving a Good Photo Critique: how to help your friends become a better photographer. Retrieved from critique