Some of the beginners have a hard time offering critique or evaluating an image.
Let's do a general guideline on the aspects of a photograph that we look at when we are viewing as critics:
1- Exposure
2- Composition
3- Sharpness and detail
4- Subject
Now, elaborating on each of them:
1- Exposure-
Formal definition: exposure is the total amount of light allowed to fall on the photographic medium
(film or image sensor) during the process of taking a photograph.
What do we look for? Highlights and shadows in check, meaning you will see detail in both light and dark areas.
Whites should not look solid white (referred to as burned or clipped) and blacks should not look solid black
(we called them blocked)
Whites should not look muddy (underexposed), darks should not look washed out (overexposed).
If the whole image looks too light or too dark, it may not be correctly exposed.
2- Composition-
Formal definition: composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art.
This may be more complicated than exposure and very elusive to some.
Basics:
Do not frame too tight (subject bigger than 75% of the total frame), especially for printing. Web
presentation can be tighter.
Rule of thirds: Divide your frame into thirds, both vertically and horizontally, and try to place your main subject
on or close to the intersections. Horizons or frame divisions work well in thirds. Centered placing works
better in symmetrical compositions and in vertical format.
Leave room in front of subject rather than behind. If the body is facing one way and the head the other way, try
and leave room in front of the face.
Avoid distracting elements, especially big blobs of white or black, they take attention away from your subject.
Consider perspective when choosing your angle of view. Eye level is more intimate and appealing.
Branches or lines shooting out of the corners emphasize the rectangular or square shape of the frame and are to
be avoided.
Some strong compositional elements are diagonals, patterns and textures.
If you want to practice composition, visit us in Out of the Box and join the fun:
3- Sharpness and detail-
Formal definition of sharpness: Having clear form and detail.
It is just as easy to over sharpen when you are preparing an image for the web, as it is to go the opposite
way, referred to as soft. Soft images do not appear crisp. Over sharpened images have lines that are too crisp
and look frozen.
4- Subject-
Formal definition: The dominant element of a composition.
It is important to have a clear subject. In avian, wildlife or macro, this is easier that it may be in landscapes. We
need a main element that holds the viewer attention. If you have two subjects, it is best if they interact.
subject placement and space was discussed in composition. Subject cropping should be done carefully, and it is
preferable to cut half a wing or leg, rather that just clip. You cut as composition. You clip as mistake.
In the case of live subjects, a nice specimen will always be better than a less fortunate one, unless you are
trying to illustrate a point. Ex: Butterfly with broken wings, flower with decaying petals.
Eye contact and catch light are positive elements. Eye contact meaning looking at you or if two subjects, looking
at each other. A catch light implies life and vibrancy.
Head angle is important for two reasons: It looks more intimate when the subject is looking at you, rather than
away from you. And, when the subject (bird or mammal) is giving you a profile, the eye and tip of bill or nose
are on a different plane in regard to the sensor, depending on the size of the subject, this may mean not enough
depth of field to get both eye and tip in focus. A slight turn towards you will improve the situation.
There may be a lot more things not coming to my mind now, but this are the basics. There is also the very powerful element of emotion and how an image makes you feel. Visual impact may be more important than the other elements and tends to attract the viewer more than technicalities. When a photograph makes you gasp and holds your attention for a while, techs are not that important, in my opinion.
Please fell free to add anything I may have left out. This is for all of us, so please share!!!
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