Why is Criticism Important?

The critique is the primary vehicle through which students get feedback on their work. Improvement in image making is almost always based upon the reactions we get from others after they look at and consider our work. Few of us could survive in the art world if we lived in a critical vacuum. We gain an important kind of objectivity in relation to our work when we listen to what others have to say about it.

The photo critique also teaches about visual literacy, that is the skill of finding meaning in images. Visual literacy is a key component to living a free existence. We live in a society where we are inundated by advertising and entertainment images. If we are unaware of how these images are made, how they are manipulated and how they influence our likes and dislikes, then we really can't make free decisions.  The point is, we need to know how images affect us and how they influence our lives and the photo critique is one of the few places where students can learn this.

 

Making A Critique

  

A critique is a written or verbal evaluation of a photograph based on careful observation. It does not do to just say "I like the photograph". The critique must mention what you like and why you like it. Here are some guidelines on what you should look at and consider making comments about in a photo:

 

 

Questions to ask yourself when writing a critique 

 

(1) COMPOSITION -CONTENT - This is what the photograph is saying. 

 

1)  What is the Center of Interest in the photograph?

 

2)  Where does your eye come to rest in viewing the photo?

 

3)  If there is more than one focus point does that add to the photographs interest or distract from it?

 

4)  Where was the Center of Interest placed within the frame of the photo?

 

5)  Did they use the rule of thirds?

 

6)  What other eye control elements are in the photo (leading lines, contrast, diagonal lines, etc).

 

7)  Did the photographer get close enough to the subject to include only what is important?  In other 

       words, are there wasted parts of the frame that contain items not adding to the message of the

       photo?

 

 

(2) BACKGROUND -

 

 

8)  How did the photographer use the tools of selective focus or depth of field to deal with the

        background?

 

9)  Is the background simplified, included or a solid or is it nonexistent?

 

10) How does the background add or distract from the message of the photo?

 

 

(3) CAMERA WORK -TECHNICAL - Exposure and focus begin in the camera.

 

11)  Is the subject sharp and clearly in focus?

 

12)  Are part of the photo that need to be clearly focused out of focus?

 

Exposure is observed in the details of the shadow area. A properly exposed photo will have some texture in the shadows. 

 

13)  Is the photo exposed properly and give some evidence of what you see?

 

Contrast in processing the film or the contrast of the photo paper effects the highlights in a photo. 

 

14)  Is there detail visible in the brightest parts of the print? 

 

15)  If there are areas of the print that lack detail is that good or bad?

 

 

(4) CRAFTSMANSHIP -

 

16)  Does the photo have stains, spots, dust and scratches?

 

17)  Is it nicely displayed in the frame or is it just slapped in?

 

18)  Does the photograph look like care was made in making it or is there evidence that the person just

           rushed it?

 

 

(5) YOUR OPINION ON THE PHOTO -

 

19)   What do you like about the subject?

 

20)   Is it an emotional shot, a story, a statement, a humorous photo, or what? 

 

21)   Is there anything about the photograph that you would do differently if you were the photographer

            and had the chance to do the same shot?