1. How to Critique a Photo
Kristen Pruett

2. To Start
• group together with other photographers
• during a critique session, or "crit", do not
criticize, critique
• what to think about:
o what is good about the photo?
o what is not good?
o how could it be better?

3. Evaluating a Print
There are four basic factors to determine a
photographs standards:
o value
o clarity
o composition
o presentation

4. Value
• value concerns the light in a photograph
• range-from black through shades of gray to white
• contrast-the wider range between the photographs
darkest and lightest elements
• the more contrast, the greater the visual impact
will be
• photographs should have a range of grays to define
shapes and provide shading
• however it is good to distinguish between good
and bad grays

5. Improving Value
Think: How can it be better?
• the most common problem is incorrect
exposure when taking a photo
• too little light >>> a dark, "muddy" print
• too much light >>> highlights will be "washed
out"
• other aspects that affect contrast include:
improper developing, slight amounts of leaking
light, exhausted chemicals, etc.

6. Clarity
Think: what's in focus? what should be in
focus?
•key to clarity=focus
•with sharp focus, all edges are very clearly
defined
• with soft focus, the edges blur
• the center of interest, or what the
photograph is about, should be be in focus

7. Clarity (cont.)
• clarity also depends on appropriate shutter
speed
• if the shutter speed is too slow, the subject
will be blurred
• if the shutter speed is too fast, it may
reduce the photographs impact

8. Improving Clarity
• focusing is the most common problem-normally
by failure to set correct distance on the
focusing ring.
• depth of field=range of distance that will be in
focus at any time
• trick---focus more carefully while using a large
aperture, after focusing don't move forward or
backward
• to control camera shake, try pressing the
camera tight against your forehead and
cheekbone, or hold your breath, or brace your

9. Presentation
• when critiquing, look for the care and skill
with which the final print has been made
• how clean is it? Are there any white flecks,
glitches, scuzz, etc?
• are there fingerprints on the negative or
print or scratches and dark circles? This is
caused by poor agitation when developing
the film.

10. Composition
• is there a point of interest? A photograph
should have one clear point of interest
• cropping-the way it is framed
• static balance- just sits there, but that can
be effective
• dynamic balance-suggests movement
• lines and curves have an impact on the
photo

11. Aesthetics
• we come to "style"
• often a photograph will have all the right
elements but still not work
• sometimes a photograph will lack critically
important elements, but work very well

12. Critiquing
Sample 1

13. Critiquing
Sample 1
• The value of this photograph is decent. There is white and plenty
of grays, but a minimal amount of black.
• The clarity of the picture is great. It is in sharp focus and not
blurred.
• The presentation of the photo is good, however there is a
horizontal line through the pants of the subject being
photographed. However it is minimal and not distracting.
• The composition of this photograph adds an interesting element. I
like the way the way the picture is cropped. It is a static balance,
therefore the object is not in motion.
• Overall I enjoy this photograph. It contains many critically
important elements and works altogether.

14. Critiquing
Sample 2

15. Critiquing
Sample 2
• value: This photo has a good range of black, and some white. It
has a range of grays to define the shapes and provide shadowing
and has a nice contrast.
• clarity- The photo is focused is the front, however the back of the
landscape is blurred because of the foggy air. This element works
with the photo.
• presentation- This photos presentation is great. There are no
glitches or markings
• composition- This photograph doesn't appear to be cropped. It
shows the whole picture with it's wide landscape. The point of
interest is unclear because the photo focuses on a large scene.

16. Critiquing
Sample 3

17. Critiquing
Sample 3
• value- Part of this photograph is black and white, the other
part is colored. This makes the photo very interesting.
• clarity- This picture is clear and focused. The edges are
sharp.
• presentation- The final print came out great, with skill and
care.
• composition- This shows statics balance. It is artfully
cropped so that the point of interest is the bouquet of
flowers.
• The woman and dress being black and white brings out the
beautiful colors of the flower.

18. Sources
Sample 1- Chapter 4 Developing a Critical Eye
Sample 2- Jay Maisel
http://www.jaymaisel.com/recent-work/#image-
1
Sample 3- H&H Photographers
http://www.handhphotographers.com/#a=0&at=0
&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=0