Developing a Critical Eye

How to Critique Photographs

Clarice Bourland

Evaluating a PrintThree Main Questions:

What’s good about it?What’s not good?What could be better?

Style vs. StandardsEach photographer and each individual photograph

has its own style, or mood and interpretationPeople cannot critique a photo based on whether or

not they like the style or subject matter of the photoStandards: not objective, and are focused on skill

Determined by four basic standards: value, clarity, composition, and presentation

ValueRefers to range of light in photo

More contrast (greater range between darkest and lightest elements) = greater visual impact

It’s also good to have shades of greys to define shape and provide shadingGood greys are consistent and clear, bad greys are

muddy

Causes of poor value include incorrect exposure, length of time the film is in the developer, and the type of paper used

ClarityKey=correct focus

Can be sharp or soft focusedSharp focus- all edges clearly definedSoft focus-edges blur a bit

Can be used to achieve a desired effect, but cannot be overly blurry

Center of interest is often in sharp focus with the background in soft focusDraws viewers eyes to the center of interest

Soft focus can be used to obscure blemishes, enhance the mood, or achieve a dreamy effect It is better to create soft edges using a filter application

than to shoot out of focus

Poor Clarity and How to Improve ItClarity is dependent upon:

Shutter speed and the relationship between the subject and the background (contrast, layout, context, etc.)

Improving Clarity: In a setting that lacks light, decrease shutter speed or

increase aperture After focusing the camera, do not move forward or

backward, especially if close to the subject, with a shallow depth of field

Hold the camera against your forehead and cheekbone, hold your breath, and brace yourself against a wall to reduce camera shake

Make sure your eyesight is good and your lens is clean

PresentationCleanliness of the photo indicates its quality and

the photographer’s commitment to standardsLook for satellites, glitches, scuzz, hickies, or glop,

as well as scratches, dark circles, and fingerprintsShould have neatly trimmed edges, squared

corners, and proper adhesion to a mat board

Four points of composition:Points of interest, cropping, lines, and aesthetics

Points of InterestDoes it stand out or does it get lost in the

surrounding confusion?

Should have one dominant element

Usually in the middle of the page, but not directly in the center

CroppingCropping- the way a photo is framed

Should not be too tight or have wasted space

General rule: keep photo clean and simple, leaving out unnecessary details

Balance can be static or dynamicStatic: balance of composition is weighted, with

the point of interest near the centerDynamic: suggests movement. Achieved by

weighting the composition away from the center, on one side or in the corner

LinesStraight lines and curved lines

Direct the viewer’s attention either to or away from the point of interest Increases/decreases the dramatic impact of the

photo

AestheticsStyle that makes the difference between skilled

photography and art

May or may not have key elements

We can learn to recognize aesthetic style over time

Sample Critique 1

This photograph is clear and in focus. It has many shades of grey which help provide shape and shading. However, it does not much black and white value, reducing the visual impact of the photo. It also lacks a point of interest. The viewer is not really sure what the dominant element in the photo is supposed to be.

Photo Credits: The Photographic Eye

Sample Critique 2This photograph is clear and focused in the center, but blurry around the edges. This creates an interesting effect because it allows the lights to cast a more soft effect. It does not have good contrast, and while I think the firework is the point of interest, the photographer does not do a good job of making that clear.

Photo Credits: Brandon Stanton

Sample Critique 3This photograph has a clear point of interest: the couple in the bottom right corner. It is made more interesting too, because the point of interest is not centered. However, the photograph has a poor value because most of the shades in the photo are light, so there is not much contrast. Also, there is a bright smudge in the middle of the photo. This indicates bad quality and poor presentation of the photo.

Photo Credits: Caroline Frost

Works CitedFrost, Caroline. "Frost Photography - New York

Wedding and Engagement Photographer - Caroline Frost Photography." Frost Photography - New York Wedding and Engagement Photographer - Caroline Frost Photography. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2013.

O'Brien, Michael, and Norman Sibley. The Photographic Eye: Learning to See with a Camera. Worcester, MA: Davis Publications, 1995. Print.

Stanton, Brandon. "Photographer." Humans of New York. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2013.