Critique, Recent Photos

ClaremontPhoto

ClaremontPhoto

Jon Claremont
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3:03 PM
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
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It's ages since we had a critique here.

Let's do one now.

This critique is for photos we've taken in the past few months, not for 'winners' from way back.

Let's show each other what's new and exciting in our photography.



Guidelines:

original author is raypa...

Welcome to the critique forum.
Please read the purpose statement and the guidelines/ground rules regarding participation.

Purpose
The primary purpose is to provide a forum where photographers can give and receive constructive criticism on one another's photographs. By setting up some basic guidelines we hope that this thread will provide a forum where the give and take of honest constructive criticism can help us become better photographers.

The forum has very specific rules regarding participation. The one basic rule is that you cannot provide criticism on an image or comment in a critique thread unless you also have an image posted. To post an image to this thread you must be a participant. Participation in this thread is limited. Here are the guidelines and ground rules for participation:

• Participation in a thread is limited to 5 photographers
• Participants join the thread by posting their intention. You can simply reply with your intent to join by posting something like: "I'm joining," "I'm in," or just state your name
• Joining is on a "first come, first served" basis. The first 5 to reply become the participants
• Once the thread has 5 participants, no other photographers can join or participate in the thread
• Once the thread is full of participants all photographers will upload their image
• The number of photos for each participant is limited to one
• Photographers attach photos as thumbnails (no inline images or links)
• Photographers post their images supplying titles (if any) and other pertinent information (the amount of information should be minimal)
• Photographers can only comment on their own images and reply to comments only when everyone else in the thread has posted their comments on the image
• Every participant must comment on every photo (except their own—initially)
• Every participant must make at least two comments, one positive comment, and one constructive criticism (which is actually two positive comments)
• Once every photographer has commented then a free flowing discussion begins. It is at this point that every photographer can comment on their own work and reply to comments, ask questions, etc.
• The participants decide when the thread closes.


If you'd like to participate in a critique thread and need some ideas about how to proceed with viewing images critically, you may find this thread helpful:

how do you look at photos?
 
hi Jon. I would volunteer, but the last one I did just petered out completely. It seems not enough of us want to talk about pictures :-(

Ian
 
iml:


Yes, I agree. But there is a community of photographers here who appreciate the images.

I hope we can interest five people to show their photos and talk about them.
 
i think people are shy about a critique possibly being a criticism, which often makes people think that something bad is going to be said. but a critique is meant to be constructive, comments made knowledgably based on things like technique, composition, balance, light range, visual focal points of interest in the photograph. i think if people knew their photos were going to be viewed and commented on by people who know what makes a good photograph then they would welcome the help. comments like, "i don't like it" need to be followed by a rationale like, "because....."

i am a confident photographer and a confident image composer but i am also interested always in why people like or do not like a photograph or whether they think it "works." having a photograph critiqued does not mean the person is being critiqued. but the photographer will learn how to improve or feel justified.

i'd happily put a photograph up for an objective critique. and i would listen. but i would ignore criticism because that is almost always emotionally driven or untrained subjectivity. a client will say simply they don't or do like an image but they will have a reason..."because..." then we just re-shoot the job and try to get the brief right.

the next stage of a critique would be to enter into a debate on a particular image to determine a consensus and draw attention to improvement that the photographer and readers will learn from.

we shoot for different reasons and more often than not try to "say" something with our images. a current photo in the gallery is of a RFF shooter kneeling for a shot and showing her knickers. is it meant to be an amusing shot or a sneak rude shot meant to titilate, humiliate? but as a photograph what are its redeeming qualities of narrative, composition, light, etc? or is it for the street-shooter category of catchers-of-the-moment? people putting up images for critique should perhaps categorise their work and firstly indicate what they were trying to "say" with the shot.

i'd happily put any of my few images in my folio here up for critique. but i believe proposers of images should have the opportunity to speak about thier work before conclusions are drawn so that the debate is constructive.

dj
 
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hammerman said:
i think people are shy about a critique possibly being a criticism
Click to expand...

Hammerman:


These critiques used to be run once a week or more at RFF, and in all the ones I took part in or watched I never saw any criticism at all. A few helpful suggestions and good ideas maybe, but no criticism.

Try this critique and be prepared to have four strangers tell you that your photo is great.
 
Im up for it too.

Here is my photo.......

243529522_40_original


Shot with Contax G2.

Sorry I cant figure out how to make it a thumbnail.
 
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And mine:

Chinese Lanterns

Chinese Lanterns.jpg

M7; 50 Summicron (current); Provia 100

PS: Claremont, I think you're supposed to attache a thumbnail, not a link.
 
Shame I'm too late as I'd have joined in.

The merits of these critiques are really based on the people that use them and the effort they make when viewing and commenting. I personally wouldn't feel the need to make comments that describe the previsualisation, nature or desired effect on the viewer etc simply as I firmly believe that an image should be taken on its own merits as a 2D image and left to the viewers interpretation of what is before them. This is of course a very personal opinion and I have many images where a description of what the image is, what its about, why I took it and what obstacles (physical or otherwise) I had would potentially help the viewer understand and appreciate it more.

I'll enjoy viewing the images posted here and hopefully be able to make some time to visit more often and join or start another.

Also, I've never been able to post thumbnails, mine always come up as links for some reason?!
 
Nun

Nun

Nun

...slightly blurry cause the scanner is bad...
 

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J J Kapsberger:

Thank you.

I couldn't attach it as a thumbnail because I'd earlier uploaded it to RFF and the system wouldn't let me upload the same photo again.

Strange behavior.
 
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OurManInTangier:


This thread filled up with five people in a couple of hours.

There is a demand out there for photo threads. So why not start a critique thread yourself with the theme of your choice.

I'll likely join in, and I'm certain some of the usual suspects will too.
 
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