How to Critique a Photograph

Photographs are a product of a series of choices that a photographer makes in order to produce a specific version of reality. While pictures have the ability to capture what is "real" they also have the ability to change the way people view an event. Real in a photograph, especially with new techniques in alteration and enhancement, can become subjective. Like any other composition it is important to carefully analyze and interpret the meaning of a photograph.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A photograph
• An analytical mind
• Pen and paper for notes.

1. Look at the angle. This is the vantage point from which the subject in the photograph is placed. Ask yourself would the meaning change if the angle was higher or lower? Consider how the angle contributes to the overall meaning of the photograph.
2. Next digest the frame. This is the edges of the photograph and where the photographer has determined what you are going to see within the photograph. Does the subject fill up the frame or is it seen at a distance as part of a larger context? What is your attention drawn to? Imagine what may lie outside of the picture and what effect they might have had? What does excluding a certain object mean for the photograph?
3. Study the lighting. This is the photographer most powerful tool. The ability to manipulate dark spaces and show contrast contributes to the mood of the photograph. Is the photograph light or dark? Is there a strong contrast between the two? How does this affect the mood?
4. What is the Focus? This is the clarity or blurriness of the images. Define the depth of field meaning what is the range between the nearest and furthest subjects. What is the effect of the clarity or blurriness? What is the effect of one subject being clearer than another?
5. Look at the overall composition. What is the first thing you notice? Where does your attention fall to? Are there multiple centers on interest? How does your eye move through the photograph and where does it rest? What sense of order does the photograph have?
6. Decide what it all means. What do you think about the work? What does it communicate? What would words describe how you feel? What do you think the photographer wanted to communicate?
7. Look up the artist. Some artists will share their intentions of the photograph and how they feel about photography in general. Decide weather or not this photograph fits with the aesthetics of the photographer. What does it mean if it doesn't? What does it mean if the photograph feels different from what the photographer feels about photography? Does this or should this affect the interpretation of the photograph?
8. Look over all your notes and decide what the important factors were concerning the photograph. What version of "real" do you see in the photograph?