2. Evaluating a Print
Three Main Questions:
What’s good about it?
What’s not good?
What could be better?
Style vs. Standards
Each photographer and each individual photograph has
its own style, or mood and interpretation
People cannot critique a photo based on whether or not they
like the style or subject matter of the photo
Standards: not objective, and are focused on skill
Determined by four basic standards:
value, clarity, composition, and presentation
3. Value
Refers to range of light in photo
More contrast (greater range between darkest and
lightest elements) = greater visual impact
It’s also good to have shades of greys to define shape
and provide shading
Good greys are consistent and clear, bad greys are
muddy
Causes of poor value include incorrect
exposure, length of time the film is in the
developer, and the type of paper used
4. Clarity
Key=correct focus
Can be sharp or soft focused
Sharp focus- all edges clearly defined
Soft focus-edges blur a bit
Can be used to achieve a desired effect, but cannot be overly blurry
Center of interest is often in sharp focus with the background in
soft focus
Draws viewers eyes to the center of interest
Soft focus can be used to obscure blemishes, enhance the
mood, or achieve a dreamy effect
It is better to create soft edges using a filter application than to
shoot out of focus
5. Poor Clarity and How to Improve It
Clarity is dependent upon:
Shutter speed and the relationship between the subject and the
background (contrast, layout, context, etc.)
Improving Clarity:
In a setting that lacks light, decrease shutter speed or increase
aperture
After focusing the camera, do not move forward or
backward, especially if close to the subject, with a shallow
depth of field
Hold the camera against your forehead and cheekbone, hold
your breath, and brace yourself against a wall to reduce camera
shake
Make sure your eyesight is good and your lens is clean
6. Presentation
Cleanliness of the photo indicates its quality and the
photographer’s commitment to standards
Look for satellites, glitches, scuzz, hickies, or glop, as
well as scratches, dark circles, and fingerprints
Should have neatly trimmed edges, squared corners, and
proper adhesion to a mat board
Four points of composition:
Points of interest, cropping, lines, and aesthetics
7. Points of Interest
Does it stand out or does it get lost in the surrounding
confusion?
Should have one dominant element
Usually in the middle of the page, but not directly in the
center
8. Cropping
Cropping- the way a photo is framed
Should not be too tight or have wasted space
General rule: keep photo clean and simple, leaving out
unnecessary details
Balance can be static or dynamic
Static: balance of composition is weighted, with the point
of interest near the center
Dynamic: suggests movement. Achieved by weighting the
composition away from the center, on one side or in the
corner
9. Lines
Straight lines and curved lines
Direct the viewer’s attention either to or away from the
point of interest
Increases/decreases the dramatic impact of the photo
10. Aesthetics
Style that makes the difference between skilled
photography and art
May or may not have key elements
We can learn to recognize aesthetic style over time
11. Sample Critique 1
This photograph is clear and in
focus. It has many shades of grey
which help provide shape and
shading. However, it does not
much black and white
value, reducing the visual impact of
the photo. It also lacks a point of
interest. The viewer is not really
sure what the dominant element in
the photo is supposed to be.
Photo Credits: The Photographic Eye
12. Sample Critique 2
This photograph is clear and
focused in the center, but blurry
around the edges. This creates an
interesting effect because it allows
the lights to cast a more soft effect.
It does not have good contrast, and
while I think the firework is the point
of interest, the photographer does
not do a good job of making that
clear.
Photo Credits: Brandon Stanton
13. Sample Critique 3
This photograph has a clear point of
interest: the couple in the bottom
right corner. It is made more
interesting too, because the point of
interest is not centered.
However, the photograph has a
poor value because most of the
shades in the photo are light, so
there is not much contrast.
Also, there is a bright smudge in the
middle of the photo. This indicates Photo Credits: Caroline Frost
bad quality and poor presentation of
the photo.
14. Works Cited
Frost, Caroline. "Frost Photography - New York
Wedding and Engagement Photographer - Caroline
Frost Photography." Frost Photography - New York
Wedding and Engagement Photographer - Caroline
Frost Photography. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2013.
O'Brien, Michael, and Norman Sibley. The
Photographic Eye: Learning to See with a Camera.
Worcester, MA: Davis Publications, 1995. Print.
Stanton, Brandon. "Photographer." Humans of New
York. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Jan. 2013.
