This document provides guidance on how to critique photographs objectively and constructively. It discusses assessing the key elements of a photo, including style, skills, contrast, focus, context and subject matter. Specific tips are given, such as determining facts before opinion, focusing on skills over personal preferences, and analyzing how elements like focus, color and composition impact the intended mood or message. Examples of effective and ineffective photographic techniques are also examined. The overall message is that critique should be thoughtful, consider the photographer's goals, and offer feedback to help improve technical and creative skills.
4. • Style is personal and a photographer should
try to move beyond that when critiquing
someone’s work
• Your likes and dislikes are irrelevant as they
are subjective
• SKILL = important
• Skills can be assessed objectively
• Determine the facts and THEN develop and
opinion
5. • Refers to the range of light in the
Photo (blacks → grays and whites)
• In general, the more contrast a
photo has (difference between
colors), the greater its visual
impact will be
6. •
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Majority use of grays and white; no strong black hues
Gray has more of a fleeting-moment effect than a bold impact
Beneficial if the artist wanted the photo to be soft
Not beneficial if the artist wanted the photo to be bold & dramatic
7. Must be correctly focused, not just focused
Must be either sharp focus or soft focus
What is in focus? What should be in focus?
What should you leave in? What should you
leave out?
• Context = Setting
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8. • Soft focus football player is in focus
• Audience is strongly blurred good technique in order to
bring attention to the football player
9. • Innocent but
lost/desolate mood
due to girl’s
expression
• Variations of the
same three colors in
pastels (pink, blue,
and brown)
emphasize her
innocence
• Choice of plain
background brings
focus to the young
girl
11. • Bright and loud photo with no particular
focus
• Lack of a single focus is okay because
of context: the photo is supposed to
evoke a chaotic and excited emotion
as it is in a cultural setting
• Vibrant colors
13. • Horses are deliberately out of focus
gives the effect of the horses
walking/fading away from the man
• Man + Smoke are the focus of the
photograph
• Use of dark/gloomy colors to
emphasize a dreary mood is effective
