Greetings,

Normally, I sit in the back row trying to listen and learn from this great forum, but this topic is right up my sleeve interest wise, so raising my hand.

I recently read a couple of articles on Annie Leibovitz's technique. They discuss how she achieves her painterly looks in her portraits. I never heard of this before: they talk about "Rembrandt lighting". How Leibovitz makes use of it in her photography. So it seems that photography can import certain technical elements from paintings. Never thought if it before I read the articles. I realize that not everyone is a fan of Leibovitz's very posed style, but I thought that her "Rembrandt lighting" technique might be relevant to this discussion.

http://ilovehatephoto.com/2015/03/17/how-to-shoot-like-annie-leibovitz-part-3-the-results/

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/30506798

Hey everyone,

I’ve been thinking about a way to improve my photography skills and at the same time have fun with it. In this, I realize that my problem may not be my technique, but rather ‘How I See.’ With that, I’d like to explore ‘The Art of Seeing’ and thought I’d ask for everyone’s help.

I’d like to hold a ‘Monthly Masters Critique.’ Basically, I’ll post the work of a master artist and we’ll critique it. It could be anything from a photograph, to a painting, a drawing, sculpture, etc.

The underlying ideas of the 'Monthly' are; to learn how to see, learn what makes other art great and especially to learn how to critique. You don’t have to be a professional, or know how to formally critique, but rather just say what you feel. I like, or don’t like, this because. It’s the ‘because’ that really matters and will help everyone ‘see.’

I think it would be fun to look at the work of a master and figure out what makes it great, which in turn will help us to learn how to improve our photographs and be better at our craft. Join in if you want and let’s have fun with it! S-

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For those with concerns of copyright infringement -

From Copyright Infringement And Photo Sharing: A New Lawsuit Tests The Limits Of Fair Use
http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnvillasenor/2013/06/22/copyright-infringement-and-photo-sh...

Under U.S. law, it is generally unlawful to distribute (or reproduce, publicly display, publicly perform, etc.) a copyrighted work without authorization from the copyright owner. However, there is a fair use exception “for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, . . . scholarship, or research.” Courts examining whether a use is fair consider a set of four factors:

-- “... for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching ,..."

Also, from Copyright - Legal Information Institute - Cornell University
http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/copyright

-- "Fair use of a copyrighted work for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research is not copyright infringement."

St3v3,
I think this is an excellent idea and I agree with Bushpilot that images other than only photographic also be considered for critique. I can also envision that this could mature into a Section unto itself, wherein the concept of an image being critiqued "as an image" is welcomed as a means of expanding our creativity and abilities as photographers. It has taken far too long for photography to begin to become accepted among the "graphic arts" as a rightious component thereof, rather than as a side-line wannabe!

Congratulations on a great idea, and
Best Regards,

Dave in SD

Great Idea!!! My camera club had an event titled "Learning from the Masters" The participation was incredible. A list of well know photographers were chosen, samples of their work was displayed, by slideshow, commenting on the aspects that made them great in their field. Participants then choose one of the masters and tried to submit an image displaying the same qualities in their image as the masters had used in their images. It certainly was a lesson in seeing. The participants enjoyed the challenge and those that did not participate learned a great deal. ALP