Critiquing Images

[ricktas]

Following on from Magnus' thread http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...ead.php?t=6262
about the amount of image critiquing that takes place. I have attended a 1/2 day seminar about judging and critiquing photographs about 6 months ago. Below is a quideline sheet we were given at the end of the session that has certainly helped me.

I hope members here find it useful. Some parts are related to judging "hard copy" photographs in a club competition setting, but the information is transferable to the web easily enough.

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My favourite method is to score on a percentile basis.
1-60 somewhat below professional or advanced amateur standards- needs a whole lot of re-thinking- would probably not hang in a professional level print show- one or two pointers would not fix things up.

61-74 getting there but no cigar.

75-8O Professional level work.

81-85 Pretty Good Stuff.

86-90 Kick butt work

91-100 Masterful exemplary photography.


Criteria (what to look for)- here’s the list:
Visual impact.
Composition
Lighting
Posing (when applicable)
Treatment
Printing quality- contrast, density, colour balance etc.
Finishing- spotting and retouching (where applicable)
Surface finishing and cleanliness.
Presentation- mounting.

First look at the composition or content in the photograph. What is the center of interest in the picture? Where did the photographer place it in the frame? Did the photographer get close enough to the subject to include only what is important, or are there wasted parts of the picture with elements that do not add to the message of the photo?

Next, observe the background in the photograph. How did the photographer represent the background in regards to focus and depth of field? How does the background add or distract from the message of the photo?

Now take a look at the technical camera work involved in the photograph. Is the subjects sharp and clearly in focus? Is the photo exposed properly? A properly exposed photo will have some texture in the shadows. Are details missing because of over or under exposure?

Then look at the craftsmanship the photographer exhibits. Does the physical photo have spots, stains, or scratches? Is it placed nicely in a frame or elaborately displayed? Is there evidence that the photograph was made with care in the process?

Finally, offer your own personal feelings on the photograph. What do you like about the selected subject? Is it an emotional shot, a story, a statement, a humorous photo? What would you do differently if you had the chance to take the same photograph?

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[mpot]

Good info - can this thread be stickied?

Cheers,
Martin.

[Fez]

That's all great advice Rick but I would be interested to know if they gave any advice to the benchmark. Without this the judging could remain subjective and open to personal interpretation.

Just being the Devil's advocate

[Craig Miller]

Also see: http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...ead.php?t=3477

[ricktas]

we got a lot of information in the 1/2 day course. finally we watched a panel of real judges work their way through about 20 images, and they verbalised what is normally done silently. We got to ask questions about the images and the judges comments. That reinforced what we learnt in the other parts of the session.

Unfortunately its difficult to put what we say and heard into text on a web page that makes it really worthwhile.

If anyone gets a chance to get along to a similar session i would highly recommend it. Some of the people i went along with are now judges at local clubs, and a couple are progressing to judging State level competitions.

For me it was about learning a bit more about how the judging and critiquing is done.

[Seesee]

Also see: http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...ead.php?t=3477

Yep, this discussion is nothing new, bugga it's come up again it seems, Ill but out now.
It's sad, we seem to having the same thought or probs again, let's hope nobody spits the dummy this time and runs away.....let's keep it friendly eh

[ricktas]

T'is the nature of the Web, new people come along to a site and ask the same questions or want to know the same 'stuff' that has been asked before. Nothing wrong in that, and im guilty of not searching the forums before asking a question, as im sure many others are.

Therefore the same thread questions will repeat, but nothing like revisiting something to learn anew.

It is all good!

[Mark L]

Well done Greame.
Reckon reviving a thread that had the previous post 8 years ago might be a record.

If people want CC of the stuff they put in the comps they should simply post their photo in the relevant forum after the comp closes. There's not much point offering CC to stuff entered in comps if the entrants don't want it.

Your next comment Greame (just to keep me on the ball).