Image Assessment
“You don't take a photograph, you make it.” ― Ansel Adams
Steps to Critiquing a Photograph for Introduction to Photography
1. Use description to make many observations about what you see. Describe the compositional techniques and visual elements used.
2. Use interpretation to discern if the purpose or concept of the photograph: was it convey a message (window or mirror?), tell a visual story, evoke the viewer’s emotional response? Determine the content and style/type of photograph that you are looking at. (ex. snapshot, landscape, etc.)
3. Evaluate the technical and aesthetic choices.
Reactions to all types of art will vary on individual’s experiences, knowledge of subject and art, personalities, and even current mood/state of mind (which is constantly in flux).
2. Use interpretation to discern if the purpose or concept of the photograph: was it convey a message (window or mirror?), tell a visual story, evoke the viewer’s emotional response? Determine the content and style/type of photograph that you are looking at. (ex. snapshot, landscape, etc.)
3. Evaluate the technical and aesthetic choices.
Reactions to all types of art will vary on individual’s experiences, knowledge of subject and art, personalities, and even current mood/state of mind (which is constantly in flux).
Ask yourself... Are you Taking photographs, or Making photographs? What is the difference?
The Technical Approach
For our critiquing purposes: when looking at your photographs, or the photographs of other’s, ask yourself these questions...
-Density/Brightness: Is the overall lightness of darkness of the print appropriate?
-Contrast: Does the contrast fit the mood?
-Tonal range: Is there a pure black, a paper white, and a range of grays in between? Is there good detail where it should be?
-Sharpness: Is the image in focus?
-Are the edges of the print sharp?
-Depth-of-Field/Shutter Speed: If using selective focus through depth-of-field or motion, was it successful or did it detract?
-Local Controls: Does the size of the image fit the subject?
-Does the print need burning (lightening specific areas of an image) and/or dodging (darkening specific areas of an image)?
-Density/Brightness: Is the overall lightness of darkness of the print appropriate?
-Contrast: Does the contrast fit the mood?
-Tonal range: Is there a pure black, a paper white, and a range of grays in between? Is there good detail where it should be?
-Sharpness: Is the image in focus?
-Are the edges of the print sharp?
-Depth-of-Field/Shutter Speed: If using selective focus through depth-of-field or motion, was it successful or did it detract?
-Local Controls: Does the size of the image fit the subject?
-Does the print need burning (lightening specific areas of an image) and/or dodging (darkening specific areas of an image)?
The Aesthetic Approach
For our critiquing purposes: when looking at your photographs, or the photographs of other’s, ask yourself these questions...
-Is the arrangement of the elements in the image pleasing or awkward?
-How is the overall framing? Could something have been excluded? Or are we dying to see more?
-What is the placement?
-Is the main subject centered, did the photographer make use of the Rule of 3rds, or make use of edge tension?
-Should either technique have been used alternatively to create emphasis or balance?
-Are there any uncomfortable or distracting mergers?
-What was the photographer’s point of view, angle, and distance from subject?
-Is it appropriate? Would changing it create a more interesting view?
-How are the lines presented?
-What path does your eye follow (eye-movement)?
-What attracts your eye the most?
-Does the lighting match the mood of the subject matter? Is the subject properly lit to fit the mood?
-Is the arrangement of the elements in the image pleasing or awkward?
-How is the overall framing? Could something have been excluded? Or are we dying to see more?
-What is the placement?
-Is the main subject centered, did the photographer make use of the Rule of 3rds, or make use of edge tension?
-Should either technique have been used alternatively to create emphasis or balance?
-Are there any uncomfortable or distracting mergers?
-What was the photographer’s point of view, angle, and distance from subject?
-Is it appropriate? Would changing it create a more interesting view?
-How are the lines presented?
-What path does your eye follow (eye-movement)?
-What attracts your eye the most?
-Does the lighting match the mood of the subject matter? Is the subject properly lit to fit the mood?
The Conceptual Approach
For our critiquing purposes: when looking at your photographs, or the photographs of other’s, ask yourself these questions...
-What response do I have when viewing the image?
-What is the mood of the photograph?
-Are there any ambiguities in the photograph? Do they further the interpretation?
-Is the photographer using a window, observing an outside world?
-Does the image reference an aspect of society or culture? If so, what is their view?
-Does the image make a historical reference? If so, what is it referencing?
-Or are we looking at a mirror, a reflection of the photographer’s self?
-Do you sense the photographer’s presence in the photograph?
-What is their interaction with the subject?
-Is the image a story/narrative?
-What meaning or purpose is created by their self-expression? Does it resonate with your own life? How has it influenced you?
-Does the photographer’s explanation of their work support the photograph or contradict it?
-What response do I have when viewing the image?
-What is the mood of the photograph?
-Are there any ambiguities in the photograph? Do they further the interpretation?
-Is the photographer using a window, observing an outside world?
-Does the image reference an aspect of society or culture? If so, what is their view?
-Does the image make a historical reference? If so, what is it referencing?
-Or are we looking at a mirror, a reflection of the photographer’s self?
-Do you sense the photographer’s presence in the photograph?
-What is their interaction with the subject?
-Is the image a story/narrative?
-What meaning or purpose is created by their self-expression? Does it resonate with your own life? How has it influenced you?
-Does the photographer’s explanation of their work support the photograph or contradict it?