Critique Gallery FAQs

- Be polite and respectful in your comments. Insulting comments will be deleted.
- Remember: you are trying to help and encourage your fellow ePhotozine members
- Avoid misunderstanding: nuances of speech and facial expressions cannot come over in writing.
- Do not use the copy & paste technique to flood the gallery with meaningless comments.
- The original poster may contact you to seek clarification on your comments. Feel free to add any further comments or suggestions on the poster's photo.


Before you comment
Study the image and form an opinion of what does or does not appeal to you, both technically and aesthetically.

Identify technical qualities that appeal or do not appeal:

- focus
- camera shake
- contrast
- colour (including colour casts)
- lighting
- exposure
- digital 'noise', artefacts etc.
- depth of field
- background
- composition
- choice of lens

Do the same with the aesthetic qualities: assess any emotional response you get from the picture. Say what is your response and try to explain why the image evokes that response:


- Is the eye led in or around the pic?
- Is there a discernible subject?
- Good balance between subject and background?
- Any parts of the subject lost unintentionally?
- Could crop be better?
- If there's a horizon is it level?

Commenting


- Begin your comments with what you like about the photo.
- Then go on to what you think needs improvement - offering suggestions as to how the photo can be improved. Give reasons as necessary.
- Do not argue the validity of another member's comments on the photo or get into a debate on the critique.
- There is nothing wrong with saying 'Nice pic' but say exactly why you think it is nice - be specific on the technical and aesthetic qualities which appeal.
- Upload a modification if you think it will help, stating what you have done and, if possible, pitching the modifications at uploader's experience.

0

The more information you can provide the better. First of all make sure you detail the camera, lens (if appropriate) and technical info i.e shutter speed, mode, ISO etc.

Briefly try to point out what you were trying to achieve, and indicate any areas where you feel there is room for improvement.

It's important to note that members may make blunt statements. Remember they are not criticising you. They are offering an opinion on your photo. It's important not to get into debates or arguments over critique offered. If you need to seek further clarification fom the critic, feel free to do so in a polite and friendly manner.

It will probably be helpful to leave previous posted images up, if reworking and reposting an image. That way everyone can refer back to your first version. It may also be appropriate to contact the original critic to make them aware of the new upload so they can go back and take another look.

There will be a small number of more experienced photographers as part of the critique team. Some of these will have specific experience in a given subject/area. If you feel you need additional guidance please feel free to contact the critique team on (email address option coming soon)

0

Content - looking at the subject of the photograph

- What is it?
- What is it about?
- What is happening as you see it as a viewer of the image?
- What does the image represent to you as a viewer?
- Consider the title: what title does the photographer give the work, and does the it change the way we see the work?
- What is the theme of the work?
- What message does the photograph communicate to you?
- Is it a realistic depiction, fantasy or abstraction?
- Have any parts been exaggerated or distorted?
- If so, why, and does this improve the image?

Form - looking at the elements of the image

- What colours are in the image? Maybe it’s black and white or toned.
- How is the colour enhancing the image or is it a distraction in the image?
- Could the image be improved as a black and white, or maybe if it’s black and white would it be better as a colour image?
- What kind of shapes do the main elements of the image construct? E.g. does the image have a triangular composition, or is it divided into the ‘rule of thirds’. Could the composition could be improved in some way.
- What is the format, i.e. the shape of the image? Is it portrait, landscape, panoramic etc? Does this improve the image?
- Does the image have a border or logo, and does this enhance the image or not?

Mood – How does the image make you feel, or what mood is captured in the image?

- Does colour/black and white enhance the mood in the particular image?
- Is mood expressed explicitly or implicitly? Is there an obvious mood, or perhaps a more subtle mood?
- Does the image give you a personal reaction? Does it make you laugh, think, smile, make you feel uncomfortable, or does it lack emotion or mood?

Process - how the work has been developed and made

- Consider the use of lenses, editing technique, shutter speeds, darkroom technique, use of tripod, use of a particular camera.
- Does the particular lens or editing technique make for a good image, or could recommendations be made as to a better use of them?

0