10 Tips for Writing a Photo Critique

A photo critique is like any other opinion, everyone has one but some are more educated than others. Despite having so many places to share photos these days, and an ever-increasing audience, thoughtful critiques are harder and harder to come by. The photo critique has been reduced to:

this 👍🏼

or this 🙌🏻

or if you’re lucky, this 🔥

Below are 10 tips I’ve compiled to help have a deeper conversation about the photographs we view on a daily basis. I don’t assume you’ll be posting these on Instagram but I do hope that they’ll help you be more thoughtful when viewing images. And maybe expect more than an emoji from those who are viewing your own.

1. Use photographic terms and define them.
In order to communicate we all have to first understand the language of a critique. We’ve all got to be on the same page (pun intended). Using photographic terms when writing your critique helps reinforce their meaning for yourself. Defining them also helps teach them to others who are not as familiar with photography while establishing credibility with those that are part of the photography industry. (I.e. “For a stronger composition, you might try using the rule of odds. This compositional rule suggests that odd numbers of subjects in a photo are stronger than even numbers.”)

2. See. Think. Question. Write. (Repeat)
Evaluating an image is much like reading a book. It’s really difficult to process the words in a distracting atmosphere. Often you end up rereading the same line a million times because you aren’t comprehending it. Finding a place where you can think without distractions is even more crucial when trying to read the visual language of photography. Not only are you looking for things that stand out technically, you are also trying to determine how the image make you feel. Once you find a place where you can focus on the image, begin looking at the image in order to determine the subject matter. Think about why the photographer decided to photograph this and what it means in the context pictured. Ask yourself questions about why the photographer made the aesthetic choices they did. Write your thoughts. Repeat.

3. A critique is not just negative.
A critique is an opportunity to have a conversation about a photograph. It is not an invitation to find weaknesses. Your critique should aim at helping the photographer improve – they are actually looking for suggestions for improvement. There are positive elements in every photo. It is your job to find them. However, don’t forget that your critique is your interpretation and is one of many possible options. It is only a persuasive argument based on your observations and reading of the image. A critique is never right or wrong. It is only reasonable, informative or convincing.

4. Separate the technical from the intuitive aspects of the photo.
Some photographers focus entirely on the technical aspects of a photograph. While this might help, it is often short sighted. They focus so much on the forest that they are unable to see the trees that comprise it. I have had many students that lacked technical acumen still evoke feelings within me based on their artistry. Photography is a product of the balance of technique and intuition. Without enough technical skill, it’s impossible to communicate with photography. Without intuition you are merely a technician. Whenever you see a “pretty picture” it is likely the photo of a technician. They are highly capable of creating beautiful imagery that doesn’t say anything. Photographs that have a mood, a narrative, a concept are much more difficult to make because the artist has to actually feel something first, then convey this feeling with a photograph. A good critique will assess both aspects.

5. Analyze the technical elements of a photo:
Color
Composition
Visual weight/Balance
Exposure
Focus
Focal length
Depth of field

as well as the mechanical flaws (which are often unintended):
Dust spots
Color noise
Chromatic aberration
Lens distortion
Camera shake

6. How does the photo make you feel?
Photography is a visual language. The person who created the photo is expressing themselves and trying to convey a message. They are trying to say something. In verbal communication, one way to let someone know you’ve understood them or not is to restate their idea back to them in your own words. This is precisely what a critique is. You are essentially saying, “I feel like you are saying this. Is that what you were attempting to convey?” Make sure to include examples and rationale for why you feel the way you do. (I.e. The way the girl looks off to camera right into the negative space makes me feel a sense of longing, like she’s looking for something or waiting for someone to return.”

7. Address the post processing.
Not every image uses post processing but presets, filters and other editing practices have become increasingly common. Unfortunately, many photographers are like people trying to decorate their house – they over do it. I received some advice from an interior designer once that can be applied to editing. “When you are decorating a room, make everything exactly how you like it and then take one thing out.” We have a tendency to do too much or to think “What can I do to this photo to improve it?” If you don’t know immediately, the answer is often NOTHING.

When evaluating good post processing you have to think like a serial killer. The reason Dexter never gets caught is because he never leaves a trace of himself at the scene of the crime. If a viewer can tell you’ve been there then it’s a bad editing job. A good editing job should be like good makeup, it looks so natural you can’t even tell she was wearing any. Does the editing change the photograph’s interpretation? Is it neutral? Does it weaken the photograph?

8. Avoid the use of statements of finality.
Excellent work! Dope! Great job! Cool! These statements are the product of a lazy mind. A good critique will have compound sentences and not one liners. “Your photo is dope,” as opposed to “The use of the color blue in your photo makes me feel thoughtful and peaceful.” Remember you are a sounding board for the photographer and they are relying on your feedback to understand if they’ve effectively communicated their idea.

9. Don’t try and change the message.
Once you determine what you think the photographer is trying to convey it’s important that you don’t confuse the message with its delivery. You are not the thought police nor is this a debate about the merits of the person’s opinion about their subject. You are solely trying to determine if they have communicated something visually. We all have strong opinions about the world and just because you disagree with someone’s viewpoint doesn’t mean it should influence your analysis of their image. In today’s polarized climate this might be difficult to do for many. If this is the case, and your bias about the subject matter inhibits your ability to assess the image – STOP. Go find a message you agree with or find something more neutral. The critique won’t be a useful exercise for you and will be damaging to the person to whom you give it.

10. Proofread your critique.
Typos, grammatically incorrect sentences, lack of punctuation or its misuse and other writing gaffes will cause miscommunication. Language errors will also cause you to lose credibility. How can you expect to assess the visual language of a photograph if you can’t successfully communicate in your own? One tip is to read your critique aloud. This will help determine parts of your critique that might not flow or that might be confusing. Remember, a critique is a conversation. The more it resembles a dialog, the better it will be. After you’ve give the critique, try and get some feedback from the person whose work you were analyzing. This will give you a chance to clear up any confusion, answer questions and make sure YOUR communication was received in the right way.