Critiquing PhotographsAmelia ZurcherPhotographic Imaging IMr. Boothby

Analyzing

Ask 3 questions: What is good about it? What is not good about it? How could it be improved?

Analyze based on standards: Value Clarity Presentation Composition

Value

Ranges of light: black through shades of gray to white

The more contrast the greater its visual impact

If all white and black less interesting

Grays should be consistent and clear, not “muddy”

“Washed out” or “burned out” highlights are undesirable

Clarity

Correctly focused Sharp focus

Edges clearly defined Soft focus

Edges blurred

Amount of blurring may vary per style

Question that should be asked What’s in focus? What should be in focus?

Subject should be focused Blurring should be intentional

A dark subject on a dark background can lack clarity

Presentation

Photograph should be clean

No white flecks Fingerprints Scratches Dark circles

Should have Neatly trimmed edges Squared corners Proper adhesion to mat board

Composition

Point of Interest Should have a clear dominant element Better near the middle, but not in the center

Lines Lines can pull or point the viewer’s eye toward

or away from a point of interest Adds to visual impact

Composition

Cropping Frame should narrow in on what is important

Eliminate unnecessary details Negative space has more impact if it interacts

with the central image Should be balanced

Static Concentrate point of interest near center

Dynamic Weight composition away from center or toward

edges

Sample Critique #1

This photograph has a lot of visual impact. There is a good range between blurry and defined edges. The presentation is good. However, there is so much contrast that it doesn’t attract attention for long.

By reducing the contrast slightly, the picture could be more interesting and still have a powerful visual impact.

The Photographic Eye

Sample Critique #2

The presentation is very good. Lines do a good job pulling in the eye.

The point of interest is not completely clear. The contrast between light and dark is distracting to the eye.

This photograph could be greatly improved by decreasing the contrast.

Photo.net

Sample Critique #3

Shutterstock.com

Clear point of interest. Strong visual impact. Good presentation. Frame narrowed in well.Not incredibly interesting, because of sharp contrast and very defined lines.Interest could by increased by decreasing the contrast.