How to comment
The question of how to comment images valuable to a photographer (me) isn’t an easy one: You touch on something that is dear to a person, and you won’t want to stamp on his or her feet. Fotopia.no has a fine article (Norwegian language only) about this which should be read by anyone interested in the issue, to be read here.
One of the commentators to the article links to a very instructive guide for critiquing photographic images, which is a good tool for serious feedback. From the list I’ve cut and pasted the most important points.
1. TECHNICAL QUALITY
Editors, judges and evaluators all agree: a successful photographic image must have good technical quality to start with.
- FOCUS: Is the image sharp? If not, is it intentionally soft and successful?
- CLEANLINESS: Is it free of scratches, dust spots, stains, lens flare, etc?
- EXPOSURE: Is it too light, too dark or just right?
- LIGHTING: Is the lighting too contrasty, too flat or just right?
- COLOURS: Does it have neutral colours or a strange colour cast?
2. COMPOSITION
Affected by the camera viewpoint and focal length of the lens. It can raise an image from a technical success to an artistic success!
- BALANCE: Is the image aligned correctly or is it crooked?
- LOGIC: Is the arrangement of the visual elements effective?
- PURPOSE: Is there a strong centre of interest, pattern or design?
- CLARITY: Is it simple, yet complete and without distracting elements?
3. EMOTIONAL APPEAL
The vital element for a truly great image, making it unique and memorable.
- DYNAMIC: Does it grab and keep your attention? Does it have the “wow” factor?
- PROVOCATIVE: Does it excite your imagination, or create a strong emotion in you?
- CREATIVE: Does it show a familiar subject in a new, unusual and yet effective way?
- UNUSUAL: Does it show a very unusual subject in an effective way?
A piece of advice at the end: Don’t take this too seriously, but as a guide to what constitutes a good image, it’s not bad, is it?
You can read the full guideline on the Myfourthirds website.
(4.6 out of 5)
(4 out of 5)
