Substance, please!

Saturday Ambassador

The critique is a vital part of being a student at the Art Institutes. It is a required part of every assignment, and it affects your grade. The purpose is to promote communication, to develop conversant language in the arts and to share your observations with your peers. However, it is also an art form; the ability to convey that which stimulates artistic growth to others is beneficial to both parties. You solidify your knowledge by discussing what you already know, you may encounter new ideas by initiating discourse on a topic and you provide a new perspective to the recipient of the critique.

The most significant aspect of critiquing effectively is honesty. Much of the student feedback consists of so much drivel about how nice is the work being discussed. While that is always pleasant to the ear, it is not particularly useful on its own. Consider adding a bit about why it is nice – what elements of the art compel the viewer or generate interest? More importantly, where can improvements be made? If there are notable flaws, ignoring them does not benefit the art's creator.

 

I mentioned that honesty is a virtue, but this does not give license to launch a vituperative attack. Temper your most piercing comments with a bit of praise for the more appealing elements of the work. Always provide an explanation with your disapproval. "I don't like this" does not serve any useful purpose. Define technical flaws, compositional faux pas and other issues, and offer useful (and correct) advice.

Many students are afraid that they will give offense with an honest critique – and you will. At some point, you will inadvertently offend someone. As long as your intentions were worthy, apologize for the misunderstanding and move on. If the recipient remains galled, so be it. The risk is always outweighed by the potential benefits.

Pay attention to the content of your critiques: Don't just say the same thing twelve different ways to fulfill a word-count requirement. None of us is fooled by that, particularly not the instructor.

Good critiquing practices will ultimately aid your peers and make you a better photographer. Avoid the easy road and venture upon the one less traveled, for it is there that our most precious commodity – knowledge – may be obtained.

The Road Less Traveled, Deva Mayorga-Malone, 2013

 

~Saturday Ambassador