The art of self critique in photography

The importance of critique

In my photography workshops, I never used to give much feedback on the photos taken by my students, assuming (wrongly) that they might just take it as criticism. However, critique is now a critical part of my beginner and improver workshops, as feedback from the students themselves suggests that it really helps them to learn how to improve. 

It's not just my critique of their photos that they find useful, it's always really interesting to find that when I ask a group to critique a photo, they often come up with most of the things that I would point out, showing that students often have most of the answers already about where they went wrong. That's why self critique can be a really powerful way of helping to identify where you are going wrong, and areas to focus in order to improve your photography. 

In the rest of this article we will look at some tips for how to properly self critique your photos and identify areas to focus your learning.

1. Technical aspects

Focus and Sharpness: 

Is the subject in focus? Is the image sharp where it needs to be? For more help on taking sharp photos, see this blog. 

Exposure: 

Check the highlights and shadows. Is the photo properly exposed, or are there areas that are too dark or too bright? For help on nailing your exposure, see this blog.

Composition: 

Does the image follow the rule of thirds, leading lines, symmetry, or other compositional rules? Is the subject well-positioned within the frame? See this blog for composition tips.

Simplicity:

Is the image sufficiently simple so that the viewer knows where you want them to look? Is there a visual journey? Are there lots of distractions? See this blog on simplicity.

Lighting: 

Think about the lighting of the scene. Is it soft or harsh? Does it enhance the photo or detract from it? For more about light, see here.

Colour and White Balance: 

Are the colours accurate and pleasing? Is the white balance correct, or does the image have a colour cast? For more about white balance see here.

Depth of Field: 

Is the depth of field appropriate for the subject and intended mood of the photo? See here for more about depth of field.

2. Artistic and creative aspects

Mood and Atmosphere: 

How does the image make you feel? Is the mood consistent with your intention?

Creativity: 

Is the photo creative? Could it be improved by using some creative techniques such as multi exposure bracketing or long exposure?

Subject Matter: 

Is the overall subject interesting? Does it capture the viewer's attention?

3. Post processing

Editing and Enhancements: 

Are the edits enhancing the photo or overdone? Check for over-sharpening, excessive noise reduction, or unnatural saturation. See this blog about the importance of post-processing.

Consistency: 

Is the editing style consistent with your other work and usual editing style?

Practical steps for self-critique

Create a Checklist: 

Develop a checklist based on the points above to systematically evaluate each photo.

Take a Break: 

After taking photos, give yourself some time before critiquing them. A fresh perspective can help you see things more clearly. If you have a lot of photos, flick through them quickly and if one of them makes you stop and look at it a little bit longer, consider why. 

Compare with Previous Work:

Look at your older photos and compare them with your current work. Note your progress and any areas that still need improvement.

Seek Feedback: 

Share your photos with others for constructive criticism. Use any feedback from to gain a different perspective on where you need to improve.

Document Your Thoughts: 

Keep a journal or notes on your critiques, documenting what worked well and what didn't - look for common themes to help you identify where you need to improve.

By following these steps and regularly critiquing your work, you can identify areas for improvement. 

Want to improve your photography skills?

Don't forget that if you want some direct help with your photography, I offer a range of 1-2-1 photography courses for Devon based folks. If you're not nearby then I also  offer residential weekends for beginners or intermediate photographers.