are you looking for photos to critique for the person to learn how to take better pictures? or are you looking to discuss what we look for in pictures that make them good or "could be better if..."?

Why: following a discussion which considered aspects of criticism I thought it might be useful to post some thoughts and ideas on producing constructive criticism:

Judging our own images is difficult. For every picture there is an emotional aspect. We have a relationship with that image from the moment taken. In our minds we associate the sights, sounds, feelings the atmosphere, where, when, who we were with and in what circumstances we took it. This occurs both during the taking, processing and pasting.

Other people do not have that emotional involvement with our pictures and therefore can produce more objective thoughts. Being inexperienced or lacking photographic knowledge does not mean a comment is of less value indeed individuals in that situation may have thinking less clouded by photographic conventions.

Making constructive criticism of other's work has benefits for you. Looking objectively at others images may help to stir ideas and thought to improve your own images. They are more likely to respond with constructive criticism of your images.

How 1
Be honest about aspects you think could be improved, give constructive comments, try to be positive, point out the good points, instead of ‚this doesn‚t work‚ try ‚this may be better if‚. Never make hurtful comments, a good tip is ‚if you cant find anything positive to say then don‚t say anything‚ but if you feel there are helpful constructive or positive suggestions you can make, then make them. It is only your opinion you are offering and you are not forcing the author to do what you suggest. Remember the aim is to help each other improve his or her photography.

(Adapted from Open University guidance on critiquing for course T189)

How 2 How to look at images:
Look at an image carefully not just at the main subject but the background and the edges top bottom and corners and then ask yourself:

Do I like this image‚? If the answer is “yes”‚ then, ask, “Why do I like it?”‚
Does it communicate a message?
Does it evoke an emotion?
Does it interest or intrigue me?
Does it convey a feeling or a mood etc.?

If the answer is “no”‚ then ask: “Why don’t I like it? Why doesn’t it work?”‚
Is the subject uninteresting?
Badly taken e.g. camera position could be better?
Is the light poor or in wrong direction?
Does it lack mood or feeling?
Is it out of focus?
Depth of field insufficient or could have been less for effect?
Blurred?
Un-sharp where it should be sharp?
Is the composition poor, unbalanced, or does it need cropping?
Is it underexposed, overexposed?
Is the image ‚flat‚ i.e. too even in tone or too much contrast?
Do the colours work together and/or suit the subject?
Has it an intrusive or fussy background or does the subject merge into the background? Are there burnt out highlights, which take the eye from the main subject?
Is there a lack of shadow detail, has it too much detail, confusing, etc.?
Colours weak or over-saturated?
Are there intrusive elements e.g. in the background?
Is it difficult to understand why the author took the picture?

Then having established what you like or dislike‚ and why‚ instead of saying:
“I like this it is good”

Mention the good points e.g. say something like:
“This works for me because: ‚…”
“Picture communicates or conveys a mood or a feeling etc. “
“I can see why you took this, you have chosen a good background, a strong subject, shown off the subject well, it is very sharp where it needs to be, it has good colour saturation, balanced composition etc.‚”

If however it doesn’t work for you still try saying something positive and give constructive criticism or suggestions. So instead of:
“I don’t like this”
“I can’t see why you took it”
“It doesn’t work”

Try saying:
“Whilst this is a good subject it may be better to use Photoshop to:
blur the background to make subject stand out or shade/dodge or increase contrast, crop the image etc”

You may not know the correct terms or understand things like depth of field‚differential focus‚under or over exposure but you can see any of the following points in an image without specialist knowledge:
Whole image is out of focus,
Main subject is blurred
The background is sharp and detracts from subject.
Image is too dark or too light
The colours are dull or alternatively too bright and clashing with one another
(Adapted from Open University guidance on critiquing for course T189)

Responding to Constructive Criticism

When receiving comments on your own pictures don‚t dismiss any suggestion or criticism as silly, or not worth considering and don‚t take offence or get upset. Remember as long as the comments are not rude or unhelpful everyone has an opinion and no one is right or wrong. Read the comments and consider whether the criticism is valid, try to stand back and look objectively at the image, as if it was ‚taken by someone else‚ and maybe try to do what is suggested and compare these. Perhaps link any altered picture to the original by a portal. It can be frustrating seeing a picture and reading this is an improvement thanks for your suggestions etc. without seeing the original. Seeing both with the suggestions or comments, others would be able to learn from your actions.

The more images you see and think about the better your own photography will become and it opens up a new way of seeing the world through other people‚s eyes. (Adapted from Open University guidance on critiquing for course T189)

are you looking for photos to critique for the person to learn how to take better pictures? or are you looking to discuss what we look for in pictures that make them good or "could be better if..."?

Hi Joeschmoe96. You were too fast for me ;-) Had not finished posting. Really want to have a discussion about how we criticise and comment on pictures. So what we look for but also how we express that. I think I have become lazy pressing the fav it button or skim looking out a picture but not actually thinking about what I like or dislike and too rarely saying that.

I'm starting to like this thread, beacuse it explains how to answer and comment on photos, but it may be better if you use photoshop to... haha, I'm just kidding about PS, but is a really good way to improve my: "Nice shot!" (Anyway, it's usefull when u're quite busy!). I've been looking something like this for a while. Thanks

Thanks Maaacos Neat response and concisely illustrates the points ;-) The original actually referred to PS elements as this is provided with the OU course I have cribbed this from.

thanks. think this is a great idea btw. will really help in thinking about what makes a good photo, but also, helps in your own composition later when you are photographing a subject (set up the framing, lighting, colors, etc) and also processing later (cropping, highlighting, etc). Thanks for the thread

i always tend to wonder what some ppl see in (what i feel) is a rather "common" photo, where others I think a good shots there seems to be no interest. Think if we all skipped the shortcut of simply pressing "fav" on a photo or just skipping over it & took the time to really sit down & think about it and let the person know what it is that we like or dislike and why, it'll help on both ends of the camera.

First and foremost, Gat, thank you for starting this discussion group. Ever since the debate the other night, I have been working hard at making comments on photos that are constructive and not just "lovely", "beautiful", or "nice". I know that I appreciate feedback from others that is more specific. I really hope more people get involved in this group and leave their thoughts. Also, I love the examples you give. They will help me to think about different aspects of each and every shot I fav and those I don't. The emotional part also hit very close to home for me - as you know - I take a LOT of shots of my kids. Each one of them tells a story that I want to remember FOREVER! Thanks again!

Re-read again today! I am really trying to give specific feedback on every photo I fav! Hopefully I will get better with time!

Also trying to do. I think it makes you really think but is not always easy.

Have discovered that some Photo sites recognise and encourage constructive criticism by asking people to vote on good critiques. See http://www.photosig.com/go/main . This might be a good idea for zooomr!!

Also have realised that some members on Zooomr really intend the site as a storage place and although do not mind people viewing images would prefer not to have comments or criticism. It might be good to have possibility of blocking comments on images for those people?

I like the idea of being able to block comments on images for people who really just use zooomr for storage!

good suggestion. i don't see any harm in such a feature...but consider that they could always just upload as private. if they want to be left alone, that's the most comprehensive solution.

Think I would agree, though my sense is they are happy for people to see the images just not to comment upon them (well at least not publicly). Would be easier just to make them private. I would however like to see encouragement of constructive criticism. I think we should assume that if pictures are public then public comment is valid in the same way we consider public behaviour can be photographed.

Kris are you reading this ;-) are there ways we could encourage that.