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There are many ways to best a critique, while either giving or receiving one. This article will help you know what to look for, how to define it, and how to appropriately take a full-on constructive critique and make it work for you.

What to Look For:

In giving a good, fair critique, one must be able to know what makes a photograph good. Most appropriate areas are to comment on lighting as well as composition. This later leads to aesthetic feel and timing, among other fields of skill that go into a photograph.

For example: This photograph is very green overall. This takes away from the photograph.

How to define it:

There is a certain lingo and tone your photography critique should take on. You should be using terms such as; depth of field, highlight, shadow, and composition. Also, do not argue in a critique that “this sucks” or “this is good” without actually defining why you took that particular stance. For Example: in this photograph, an appropriate argument would be “your highlight on the side is a little hot.” This is more than acceptable with most photographers. Do not be afraid to be harsh once in a while, as long as you can back up your claim you should be fine.

How to take a critique:

When receiving a critique, however, you should hake it how it is. Do not defend your work unless it is asked of you. If you are worried that your message is not going to get across, then say a few words in the captions or comment to the critique(er) before they begin. For example: in , they tell you where it is and what is it to try and clear up any misunderstandings. Another example of this is . The two photographs are equal in appeal, though the one gives you more information to make an intellectual critique of it. Remember, you are getting their opinion and any advice you get can always help you. Do no disregard anyone’s critique solely because of a bias (they’re younger, different type of photographer, graphic designer, they smell, their photos aren’t good). Everyone’s opinion matters when it comes to critiques. Even snapshot photographers, at some point in their lives, crave critique, even if not by some established photographer. This photograph was taken on the street without the subject being aware, this can be classified as street photography or it could be considered a 'snapshot'. Either way, the intention was pure and makes for an interesting photograph. One that deserves a good critique. Also, do not expect more out of a photographer than their skills show. This makes for a very poor critique.

I hope this helps and don’t forget to visit the artists featured in this article (named below), and keep shooting my little shutterbugs.

~Ember
Artists Featured: