How to critique work?

Good morning everyone.

Today I am going to cover some additional points about how to critique work that you see as well as the work from your classmates and peers.

As you all know we have the August Photo Month challenge. It is the month of giving back and we will all be contributing to volunteering our services to the community.

If you have not done so this month or would like to know more about this event then please have a look at all our previous posts. We have some great information about what to do, how to contribute and what to expect when you go out to photograph your event.

We would like everyone to contribute and will be supplying information shortly about how you can submit your photographs to this beautiful event.

So what do you have to do when you critique someones photograph. Well, it is simple really, you appreciate the photograph for what you see. You normally get an immediate reaction to seeing a photograph. You may not know why at first, but that is what we are going to show you.

You either like it or you don't like it. There is no right or wrong answer here. That is the beauty of photography. There are so many different things to admire and dislike that we really just have to be honest to ourselves and move on. However, if you like something or even if you do not then you have to be able to say what it is that you like or do not like.

Be comfortable in the knowledge that you have!

© Micah Jones 500px

This photograph by Micah Jones is interesting because it caught my eye. What is it that makes it a great photograph? Are you drawn to the highlights? The shadows? The lines? Pattern? Texture?

The list is endless and as a student you need to be able to identify these areas and comment on them to critique correctly.

As a student who has spent hours looking at photographs, researching and commenting on classmates photographs I hate these comments the most.

THAT IS A BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPH. 

WELL DONE ON A GREAT SHOT. 

WOW. 

NICE ONE. 

WHO ARE YOUR MODELS?

These photographs don't say much more than they appreciate the photograph. Give some additional detail.

This list is extensive and can be so frustrating for any photographer except boost the ego. Do not, I beg you, fall into this group of people. Please give substantive feedback and critiques. So how do you critique?

Well, firstly appreciate the photograph for what it is. If you like the photograph then please let the photographer know that you really like the photograph, and give them a single reason why. If you do not like it, then appreciate the attempt and maybe you could suggest and reason they could actually make it professionally submission worthy. This is what I would normally say.

"Hello Denzil, that looks like a great attempt and finding the lines in a photograph. I think it may be even stronger if I may suggest, shooting like this."

You can then go one to describing what it is that you think they should do to make the photograph stronger. Now, from what I mentioned here you can see that you have to know what elements to look for in a photograph.

© Copyright Amelie Satzger 500px

That is what you need to critique about. You have to give substantive feedback to the photographer so that they can see that you know what you are talking about and where they might improve if that is your intention. Negativity is never appreciated. Nobody likes that, but we can give feedback based on the information that we have learned. 

They may be trying to communicate some symbolism that we are not aware of. They mat be attempting some fine art. The are so many factors that we are not aware of and by starting this communication we are able to take our understanding of photography to the next level.

So going into the next month we are going to be seeing so many different styles and topics for our Month of August Photo submission event that we will be needing your input when it comes to peer review. 

You have learnt much over the last few years, and if you are just starting then you may already have learnt a few new interesting things about photography.

Discussion points to discuss could be, texture, color, highlights, shadows, DOF (depth of field), rule of thirds, shape, form, posing, composition and background. There are so many more discussion points and to be able to critique you have to know what to discuss.

PLEASE, give more feedback than those one-liners. We want to know what we did right and more importantly we want to know where we can improve, even if we don't want to hear it. The flip side is that you also become more proficient critiquing. 

Here is a great article over Digital Photography School and you can also find more information at Luminous Landscapes

By giving great critique we as photographers receive valuable input into our shooting abilities but it is also about you bringing additional and valuable insight to the critique table. We can immediately see that you know what you are talking about and we appreciate that in itself. If you do not know what you are talking about, then more than likely we are are just going to ignore your comments and do the same things over and over again. We would all like to be better photographers, but we cannot do it on our own.

We need your feedback and critiques. So stay away from the one line feedback emporium and give some substantial feedback based on the knowledge you have acquired. We will definitely appreciate the effort. That I can guarantee. (Well, I am speaking for myself here.)

So, I look forward to your comments and critiques. However more importantly I look forward to seeing all your submissions for this coming month. We will be sending out submission instructions in the not to distant future.

Happy shooting. 

Denzil

© Copyright Djian Duminuco 500px

Sunday Spotlight On: Seeking Out Your Style

Admit it, we all like to think that we have style behind the camera and during postproduction. Some of us do, and some of us are still searching. When looking at your favorite photographers work, you would know their pieces from across the room. Photography is almost like high school; we gradually go on to the next level after we have accomplished all that we need to know on a lower level. Being stuck will not benefit us in this medium because we want and need to go to that next level. As students, we are still learning each time we enter class and when we pick up our camera to apply a new technique.

Sacred. 2014. Quiana P Jackson

It is okay to fail

Failing is not always bad. It teaches us what we have to correct. Failing is something that we all will face because not every style is for us. As we pick out clothing that we purchased and match it up with another clothing item that we purchase, sometimes it does not go together. We start over again, the same as in photography.

Shadow a photographer

If you are just starting out, shadowing someone who is more experienced can be beneficial. You will be able to learn the ropes and begin to see how things are done on a professional working level.

Work with a different subject

Working with different people as we build our portfolio is highly recommended. By having different subjects, it makes it easy to practice with different looks.

Write down your ideas

Create a journal of ideas that you find interesting and begin to create a concept. When you have these ideas written down you can imagine the way that you intend to go about bringing these ideas to life.

Ask and ask away

Ask someone who shoots what you are interested in to give you his or her honest opinion. If you ask for their critique, it can only make you better and you can begin to see what others think of your skills.

Have thick skin

Not everyone is going to like your style or probably not even get it. It is important to be able to take criticism once it is given. There are some harsh critics out there and being able to take their words either good or bad can be turned into motivation to either readjust, keep moving on with your style or to go back to the drawing board. 

Research, research, research

I cannot think of anything in this world that has never been photographed. While doing research, see what others have already done and then shoot it in a different way.

Sometimes it’s okay to break the rules

Who says that you have to play it safe ALL the time? Try different perspectives, angles, editing, crops and scale. It is those photographers who have became successful because they had the courage to go after their own style and bend the rules a bit. Some may not understand at first, but there are new styles popping up all the time!

Wide-Angle Wednesday: Invest in yourself and maximize your return

Corina Scoggins March 2014
Spring has arrived in the Ozarks

Invest in yourself. Never sell yourself short on dreams that you know you truly want. It is easy to forget that the most coveted things are not easily attained. Go beyond what may seem like your limits and you will succeed in maximizing your return.

-Unknown

Good Day PSPN

I like to first apologize for my missing in action this past Wednesday. The day prior I had a last minute surgery that for the most part was in and out and left me feeling well until Wednesday morning. It’s been a week of recovery and all is well again.

With that said, today I would like to talk about assignment critiques. As online students our main outlet of communication is based on critiquing our peers work in discussion threads. At first I thought that I would have no problem critiquing because I love to write and talk. Then I realized that writing a critique is not as easy as I thought. There are a couple of aspects one must keep in mind, after all discussion should not be viewed as just a requirement.

I believe the first hurdle we must overcome is being receptacle to constructive criticism as individuals. We all want to believe that our work is the best, and for the most part it is your best at that moment. The goal in attending school is to learn, and ultimately earn a degree in the field of photography. The first time I heard the term “constructive criticism” was in a high school career class. In order to understand the term we must first define what constructive criticism is all about.

The dictionary defines “constructive criticism” as the following:

“Criticism or advice that is useful and intended to help or improve something, often with an offer of possible solutions.”

Corina Scoggins March 2014
Reaching for the sky

Normally the instructor has provided a set of discussion guidelines within the assignment or course. I like to reference the guidelines in writing critiques so that I don’t miss the talking points for the assignment. In the past year I have enjoyed instructors who post video critiques. Being our classroom is a virtual workspace it’s hard to gauge peers and instructor response when we’re not physically in front of one another. This makes writing an honest critique even harder. The videos allow us to hear the temperament of the voice and to visually receive constructive criticism. Remember the definition states “criticism or advice is useful and intended to help or improve something, often with an offer of possible solutions.”  Writing is a challenge to convey a message through words. One must think about the words they write and to how those reading may perceive these words.

The general rule is to write a positive, then provide any advice, and end on a positive. In high school we had the DAIJ rule when writing critiques. DAIJ represents “Description, Analysis, Interpretation, Judgment”. www.twistedtextiles.com has a great explanation using the DAIJ rule titled “How to: critique artwork like a pro”. Following this rule will help anyone in writing quality critiques.

The goal in this blog is to provide resources and inspiration to student’s who may not understand the power of critiques. I get excited when a fellow student has left me a critique only to find “Your pictures are beautiful. Great work and I can’t wait to see more”. In a way I feel cheated but at the same time I also feel the fellow student is selling themselves short. For the amount of money spent to obtain an education, I can’t stress more the importance of quality written critiques.  Be receptive, and provide quality in return. Critiques or constructive criticism is not meant as a means to downgrade a peer’s work. It’s an opportunity to build on the foundation you have come to lay. It’s great practice in verbalizing artistically through writing while in school. Once you’re in the field, the professional eye is upon you. Work the kinks out now, and get the most for the buck.

Corina Scoggins March 2014
Mini Grass Flower

Each week as I sit to write a blog, I to wonder the response the blog will receive. The same goes for the classroom discussion and critiquing. I hope classmates are receptive, and read what is written as a positive step forward. Remember even the greatest of photographers can always improve something in a composition. We are the worst critics of our work, but in the end the only opinion that matters is the clients.

Resources:

www.twistedtextiles.com : How to: critique artwork like a pro

www.dictionary.com : Definition of constructive criticism

University of Wisconsin Green Bay: Art Criticism and Formal Analysis Outline

Here is your chance to critique my work displayed above. Spring has finally arrived in Missouri, and the flowers have started to bloom. Looking at the images above, what design elements and principals are present? Any recommendations for improvement? Does the images excite any emotion? Is one image more successful than another?

Post your critique below. I look forward to the response and accept the constructive criticism.

From my camera to yours

Corina

Wednesday Student Ambassador

“Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.”

-Peter T. Mcintyre