Critiquing: I am new to this forum and fairly new to photography with DSLR. I find that by critiquing others and then having someone critique my critique I can learn a lot. I hope that...

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I am new to this forum and fairly new to photography with DSLR.
I find that by critiquing others and then having someone critique my critique I can learn a lot. I hope that others feel the same and feel they can jump in and disagree with what I have to say. If I have nothing that I can see that I would do to improve a photo I think it is fine for me to post that I like it. It would be better to post what I like about it, but either way a positive comment is encouraging to the poster. Now if someone comes behind me with a suggestion for making it better both the original poster and I can learn something.
As we were taught when judging 4-H members say one positive for every negative.
Agree?? Disagree?

josoIII

I am going to critique your insight, on others critiquing your critiques.

That is a system overload, I will need some time on this one...

please stand-by

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Standing by.

sinatraman Loc: Vero Beach Florida, Earth,alpha quaudrant

I agree 1000%. there are numerous photos ive seen where i cann not see a need for improvement i will at least leave an encouraging word about the photo. i have noticed that there are some really good photographers who haven't been in the hobby long who don't know how good they really are or how good they can become. I like to encourage rather than discourage people. also rember people have different styles and appoaches to various tecniques like hdr. I like bold colors and close up details. others like realistic colors and more structure to the photographs.our advice will be totaly different yet equally valid. in the long run rember the only opinion who matters on your photography 9unless you are a pro) is yours. :thumbup:

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Thank you. I have also commented on pictures I thought were excellent then had someone make a comment for improvement and when I looked again I agreed with them. I think by critiquing others work we learn to critique our own.

dyaw1 Loc: Iowa

I agree with you all the way.

myts10 Loc: SE Ohio

I have been a member of another site that is for Critiquing photos. They have a list of thing to consider when reviewing each photo assigning a value of 0 to 5. They are;

Initial Impact
Creativity of Presentation
Color Harmony
Center of Interest
Technique
Story Telling Ability
Lighting

When looking at each individual aspect separately, I find things I like and don't like about each photograph. For example, Initial Impact-5 Very interesting subject, and Lighting-3 I see the shadows as a bit too dark, can you brighten them a bit?

Notice that the positive and negative are both pointed out. You may get a note back that the photographer likes dark shadows, oh well. Be honest with yourself and the photographer. You can both learn.

gdwsr Loc: Northern California

I always have trouble commenting on posted photos if the photographer isn't describing the effect they are striving for.

For example. I have seen many, many comments about composition suggesting that a photo should be composed according to some "rule", eg. Rule of Thirds. But if the reviewer didn't know that the photographer was placing the head of the rattlesnake dead center to increase the feeling of tension by the viewer how can the reviewer say whether it worked for them.

Without any background information, I can only say I like it or not so much which (as you pointed out) is of pretty limited value.

I would love it if the poster would describe the feeling they were trying to communicate with their photo. What it was that attracted you to the scene and motivated you to photograph it.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

I simply look at every photo I want to critique as if it were mine. I do this with every photo I take so it takes one glance to know what I would need to correct. I want my photos to look as if you were looking at the scene through an open window, as if you were there, standing in front of the tiger, having him look directly at you. I explain to the shooter how to reach that level.

Yooper Loc: U.P. Michigan

I really appreciate it when someone who is commenting on one of my images says not only whether they like it or dislike it, but what specifically they like or don't like. If there is something they don't like, I can consider the comment and see whether the change would fit in with my vision for the image, and whether possibly that vision needs revision. If they tell me specifically what they like about an image, it helps me to learn what catches people's attention as well as what I did right in that image.

I try to do the same if I am commenting on someone else's image, and I find that by putting in writing what I like about an image, it helps me truly see the image and increases my knowledge bank of successful images, as well as telling them what I think they did well. I don't often post suggestions for improvement, as there seems to be enough comments from experienced members that I don't see the need to muddy the waters with any suggestions I may have.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

Thank you for the insight everyone. Your comments help me and everyone else that reads them.

Ugly Jake Loc: Sub-Rural Vermont

Yooper wrote:

I really appreciate it when someone who is comment... (show quote)

I 'm with Yooper - it's important to say it nicely, but be honest and try to say "I think", or "how about trying this" - In my opinion, none of the posters here is so expert as to be right every time . . .

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

Heavens, wouldn't that be boring?

Fun2do

I agree with your comments. As for your photo os the man with the dog, is there any way you could lighten the background just a tiny bit so the dog's black head would show up a little better? I think it would improve the photo.

I am not a photographer, so don't know how to do these things, but am an artist and find value(lights and darks) the most important thing in any picture - photo or painting.

bobmielke Loc: Portland, OR

Fun2do wrote:

I agree with your comments. As for your photo os the man with the dog, is there any way you could lighten the background just a tiny bit so the dog's black head would show up a little better? I think it would improve the photo.

I am not a photographer, so don't know how to do these things, but am an artist and find value(lights and darks) the most important thing in any picture - photo or painting.

There are no photos of men & Dogs on this thread. Please direct me to the photograph you're referring to.