Zooming-In Critique

About Zooming-In Critique

This is a group aimed at people who want real feedback rather than the obligatory "nice shot" that so many contacts post. In reality we are all at different levels of this art and none of us are expert or perfect but have strengths and weakeness in different aspects of it. Therefore this group has been started for photographers who are passionate enough about their art that they want to keep improving and developing a tapestry of skills. We can do this best if we work together in an open but respectful way.

It is by its nature geared towards technique and understanding of photography principles but is not reserved for experts by any means and should be an invaluable resource for beginners and more experienced shooters alike.

Our sister group "Learning to See" is an assignments based group to work in conjunction with this group but to develop a portfolio, set and project and hopefully help us evolve into more versatile artists.


"Learning to See Assignments"
www.flickr.com/groups/learning_to_see_assignments


Everyone here is qualified to make a comment and hold an opinion, it doesnt matter if you think you know nothing and are just passionate about photography or have been doing it years, qualified and the worlds best, so dont be shy, post and comment and share our knowledge and ideas :)

WHY CRITIQUE?
One of the most important skills a photographer can develop is the ability to constructively critique a picture. By studying the work of others, you can not only gain motivation and ideas, you can also learn from their mistakes. When you are confident in your analysis of other images you can apply those principles to your own work. At the same time, you can hopefully help others to improve their work.

This group will be kept private for members only to see and post comments: We want people to post shots they are not sure about with confidence here that they will receive open, honest but constructive feedback about the image.

It is proposed that photos posted here are changed to PRIVATE under "who can see this photo" this ensures that the only comments on the photo are from this group until such time you repost or feel happy to show it to a wider audience or have made any changes as a result of feedback.

Points to remember:

Being Critiqued
If you ask for a critique - be prepared to have your image picked apart.
Welcome the feedback

Giving a Critique
Be honest, to the point, specific, helpful and always respectful

You don't have to be an expert to give a critique. Be descriptive in what you mention, eg (Compostion, Clarity, Subject, Colour, Contrast, Lighting, Cropping, Sharpness etc)
Give alternative suggestions and also SAY WHAT YOU DO LIKE

Posting to the pool
Images you cant decide on, images that seem unpopular, least commented on, didnt get any favourites etc


Notes
Return the favour - once posted your image, critque at least 3 others.
I will not be checking this as dont have time and prefer to run the group based on trust.
Do not ask for your whole stream to be viewed/critiqued
Don't take the critique personal, some will be harsher than others, its all to help you develop and improve as we are all students of photography.

Things to consider in your feedback:

Impact
- How does it make you feel? Does it evoke a mood? joy, sadness, love, trust, surprise, fear, calmness, etcetera
- Why does it makes you feel that way?
- Would you recommend anything to make the photo even more meaningful to you?


Composition
- Subject: Clear? Strong enough? Large enough? Too large?
- One Subject? Competing subjects?
- Orientation: Would portrait, landscape or square be better?
- Anything missing or cut off that should be in? Anything in that would be better left out?
- Negative (empty) space: Enough? Too much?
- Background: Pleasing? Busy? Distracting? distance, color, brightness, lighting
- Elements: Use of Patterns, Textures, Shapes, Lines, Framing. Works? Doesn't work?
- Shadows
- Depth of field (DOF): Sufficient? Less better? Bokah: More? Less?
- Straight? Level? Skewed? Distortion? Angled? On purpose? Does it work that way?
- Balanced? Rule of 1/3s. Golden Rule.
- Camera vantage point: Good? Suitable for subject? Go higher, lower, closer, farther?
- Lens: Focal length: Wide, normal, telephoto. Works well? Best choice?

Technical
Camera: - Focus - Sharpness (aperture, shutter speed, camera shake) - Noise - Depth of Field (aperture) - Exposure - ISO (noise), - Dust, Crud, - Lens, - Focal Length, Histogram, Light, Shade, Other, etc,

Post Processing
- White balance, - Tone, - Color: flat, muted, vivid, saturation, luminance, - Color Cast, - Brightness, - Contrast, - Selected areas, - Dodging, burning, - Sharpening, - Noise, - Noise reduction, - Retouching, - Cloning, - Blurring, - Crop, - Recommended software, - Monitor, - Color calibration, -Color Space, -Other, etc.