Hard Core Critiques (no holds barred)

About Hard Core Critiques (no holds barred)

For some time I have been looking for a group that is made up of people who are a bit more mature in their photography and can handle a more straight forward and down and dirty critique on your (and my own) work. I have created this group to be a safe place for people of common goals (mastery of photography) to communicate on a level, about the work, that is for the express purpose of making your work better, openly, honestly, and without having to spare ones feelings. Please put your emotions aside as we attempt to tell you all the things you are afraid to hear about your work. I also want the group to be a place where you can learn how to critique work, and how to look at your own work more critically. If you wish to comment on someone else’s work please use your visual vocabulary to prove to us that you are photographically and artistically sophisticated and literate.

I would also like to emphasize the content and concept of the photography over the technical (of course if your photograph is obviously technically challenged then this may be important information for you to hear).

I will be making critiques and moderating in order to ensure that the critique language is appropriate. What do I mean by appropriate?

If you tell someone “nice pick” you will receive a warning that this is not a valid critique response.

If you tell someone “your pic sucks” and give no explanation you will receive a warning that this is not a valid critique response.

If you get all emotional or start arguing about how you are offended by what someone says you will receive a warning that this is not a valid critique response.

If you have to be warned more than twice, you are out (3 strikes)!

A good critique includes what you like and why, what you don’t like and why, and the why’s are intelligent and well thought out, constructive, reasons for the former. Remember, BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE TO HELP IDENTIFY STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES (we all have both)!

Something along the lines of, “I like this photo because it has nice (shapes, tones, line, composition, concept, etc.), but it could use a lot of work when it comes to (shapes, tones, line, composition, concept, etc.).” would be an excellent opener.

Please be forewarned, you may not like what you hear (you may even cry), but I promise to be honest and fair.

If you are interested in REAL critiques on your photography, and are not afraid that someone might make you cry, then this is the group for you.

About Jim: I am a Professional Architectural Photographer and am currently studying for Master of Fine Art at Academy of Art University, School of Photography in San Francisco. I have taken part in some brutal photo critique sessions, both with clients and at school. I have found these experiences to be very painful at times, but the benefits far outweigh the emotional scars. I want to share my experience with you, and hope that you are able to benefit from brutal honesty as I have.