BY: F RA N C E S C A T O R S I E L LO

HOW TO CRITIQUE A PHOTO

1. NOTICE WHAT YOU LIKE AND DISLIKE ABOUT THE PHOTO

To begin a photo critique, you should examine the photo and acknowledge it’s strengths, as well as it’s weaknesses. After doing this, create a mental list of what you feel works for the photo, and what doesn’t.

2. COMMENT ON THE EXPOSURE

When it comes to taking photographs, lighting can be essential in making or breaking a photo. If a photo is underexposed it may be hard to see important details within the subject, taking away from the value. If the photo is overexposed, the picture may seem too light and the colors may make the subject look very different from the actual subject.

5. POSITIONING

When looking at the photo, you should notice whether the main point in the image is positioned in an artistic, or professional way. This could mean being completely centered, or off to one side a bit more. The positioning of the photo should look neat and purposeful. If the main focus of the object is awkwardly placed, make sure to take note of that. Using the rule of thirds can also be helpful in determining whether the photo is properly positioned.

3. FOCUS ON THE FOCUS

Another major part to touch on when critiquing a photograph is whether or not the picture is in focus. This aspect is very easy to determine; if the photo seems blurry, then it is most likely out of focus. But, if every aspect of the is clear, then the subject is in focus. It is also important to notice which parts of the photo are in focus and which parts are not.

4. DOES THE PHOTOGRAPHER GET THEIR POINT ACROSS?

It is also important to determine the message the photographer is trying to send when taking the photo. If the photo seems irrelevant to the relating topic, make sure to include that within your critique.

SAMPLE CRITIQUE 1.

This is a photograph of two men I found in the chapter. It looks to be an old photo due to the clothing the men are wearing, as well as the quality of the photo. I find the picture to be interesting because it induces the audience to ask questions. I want to know who the men are and how they relate to each other. I also wonder what the man on the right is thinking about as he looks into the distant. The subjects in the photo capture my attention, an essential part of photography. The positioning of the photo is also set up well. Both men are even distributed on both sides of the photograph. It is also very focused, there are no signs of any blur. Although a good photo, the one thing I would change would be the lighting. The photograph is a bit underexposed, making it hard to see distinguishing features of both men.

SAMPLE CRITIQUE 2.

This is a landscape photo that is filled with color and depth. I really enjoy looking at this photo due to the contrast of color. It seems to be a city scene, but the streets are somewhat empty. The photographer

used the focus of the camera to make the picture much more interesting to look out. Only the simple puddle reflecting the lights is in focus, while the background lights are out of focus creating an abstract image. Overall, I really like this photo to the creativity the photographer used

SAMPLE CRITIQUE 3.

This photograph was taken by a professional photographer that I found online. Although the subject of this picture is simple, it is also very interesting to look at due to the lighting of the picture. The photographer sets up the light in a way so that we can see the reflection of the mug, giving the photo depth. The photo is all around, in total focus, making it look neat & professional. It is also perfectly centered, and is neither over or underexposed.