A critique is the process of evaluating and interpreting the elements of a photograph in order to determine its meaning and effectiveness.
3 main points to consider when critiquing your work and the work of others:
1.Technical Quality a.Is the photo in focus? (if not, was this intended and does it add to the photo).
b.Exposure: Is it too light or too dark? If so, is this intentional and does it add to the overall effect of the photo?
c.How is the use of Depth of Field to control the viewer’s eye?
d.How is the lighting in the photo? Is it effective?
e.How do the colors look?
2. Composition a.Where is your eye drawn to the most? (What’s the focal point?)
b.How is the use of elements and principles of design and compositional tools?
c.Is the composition interesting to catch the viewer’s eye?
d.Is it balanced? If yes or no, is it intentional and does it add to the overall effect of the photo?
3.Emotional Appeal / Purpose a.What emotion do you feel when looking at the photo, or lack of?
b.Did the photographer connect with the subjects, or do they look posed? (is this the intent of the photo and does it add to the desired effect?)
c.Does the photo tell a story, or part of one?
d.Does it prompt the viewer to want to know more? (if not, is that intentional or should it?)
There are many more things you can take into consideration when critiquing work, but these are a few main points to consider to help your photography progress.
When critiquing…
1. Something Good:Start with stating what you love most about the piece.
2. Something to Improve:Then follow up with some critical suggestions as to what you think would make the photo more effective.
The point of a critique is to start a conversation about the piece.Think about your work objectively and take an honest look at how you can improve as a photographer. (You will never get to a point where you cannot improve more. Everyone will always be able to improve on something.)
Famous Photographer Critique: This year we will be examining photographers who's work has influenced the medium in either, technology, approach, genre or vision. To complete a photographer review research the chosen individual and their work to answer the following: A. Photographer Name
Find out when the photographer lived (or lives if still alive) and what their primary genre of photography is.
B. Genre (what type of images are they famous for?)
Write 4-6 complete sentences that discuss the type(s) of images they take.
Do they focus on portraits, landscapes, street photography, abstract, etc.?
C. Reflection (describe their body of work)
Write 4-6 complete sentences that discuss how their work makes you feel. Do you like/dislike their photographers.
Do they represent a time period, group of people, or event?
D. Create a Gallery of *at least* 5 images taken by this photographer.
Images should be titled, dated, and critiqued
Images should be high resolution images
Images should be large on slide so it is easily viewed
E. Presentation
You will tell us who the photographer is, when they lived, what their primary genre of photography is. You will also show us the images you chose and lead us in a critique of the images.
Choose one image that is your favorite and one image that is your least favorite and explain WHY.
Below are a list of photographers you may choose from. (However, no 2 students can choose the same photographer. So if a student has already done one, you cannot choose the same photographer.)
Richard Avedon
Annie Leibovitz
Man Ray
Ansel Adams
Dorothea Lange
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Paul Strand
Diane Arbus
Ernst Haas
Paul Nicklen
Jerry Uelsmann
Sally Mann
George Hurrell
Lewis Hine
Robert Capa
Garry Winogrand
Timothy Hogan
Art Wolfe
Michael Kenna
Florian Ritter
Jeremy Cowart
Steve McCurry
Joel Sartore
Berenice Abbott
Jay Maisel
Alfred Stieglitz
Elliot Erwitt
Erik Johansson
Rubric 30: Artist | Chose *at least* five photographs to critique from famous photographer, gave sufficient background information on artist 30: Critique | Led critique effectively, giving their opinion as well as soliciting the opinion of other students in class. Student used the above critique outline as a guideline for facilitating the critique. 20: Presentation | Student had a clean, tech savvy, creative, entertaining presentation with large images that everyone could see 20: Language | Spoke clearly, able to keep your audience's attention, did not "read" from presentation, knew and understood the information being presented. 100: Total
Phase two: The Photograph
After studying your famous photographer for a week now, I would like for you to create a photograph that demonstrates what you have learned from this person... (download file>>>)
Guiding Questions to assist you with your divergent thinking...
“How would my photographer have shot this? Am I doing it different or the same? Why?”
“What techniques are present? Are they same or different than the photographer?”
“Why is this a good way to photograph this? Is there a better way?”
“What will my photograph communicate? Will it be different or the same as the photographer?”
Please place this photograph and your planning sheet (you created yourself) INTO your presentation. You are expected to present your recreated image within your presentation. By placing your planning guide into the presentation, 1. it'll be easier to grade for Ms. Dogoli and 2. it'll be a nice way to let your peers know what you did, why you did and how like your image is in comparison to your famous photographer.