Critique Idea?
Discussion
Just a random idea I have been thinking about. There is of course a huge level of skill on this forum and it seems the done thing at the moment is to share a photo in the Random photos thread. Great, fine, cool no problems with that. But recently I have been addicted to watching Dom Bower critiques and find them really helpful in learning. And for me who is probably no longer a noob as I have been doing it for a year or two now but still has a lot to learn would really like good critique, by which I mean fair and professional.
So maybe we could have a thread purely for photos that people want critique for?
I appreciate people may think this might turn in a mind field of insults and arguments so perhaps we could add a bit of structure to the thread, so for example the picture poster has to:
NB If you haven't seen a Dom Bower Critique here is an example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVaI6dMrewg
Thoughts? I won't be offended if you say its' a rubbish idea
So maybe we could have a thread purely for photos that people want critique for?
I appreciate people may think this might turn in a mind field of insults and arguments so perhaps we could add a bit of structure to the thread, so for example the picture poster has to:
- Post picture (perhaps add a max number like 3)
- State what level they feel they are at IE Pro, Semi Pro, Amateur etc.
- Explain intended purpose of picture
- take into consideration the level of which the person states they are at and the intend purpose of photo
- provide two compliments and two critiques, so two things that were good/correct and two things that could be improved for next time?
NB If you haven't seen a Dom Bower Critique here is an example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVaI6dMrewg
Thoughts? I won't be offended if you say its' a rubbish idea
I think critique is one of those things best saved for someone you know and who's opinion you can trust - no-one really wants to tell someone exactly what the problems are for fear of upset or retribution in some of the places I frequent. I've never found that with PH, it's a much more encouraging place to show your work
andy-xr said:
I think critique is one of those things best saved for someone you know and who's opinion you can trust - no-one really wants to tell someone exactly what the problems are for fear of upset or retribution in some of the places I frequent. I've never found that with PH, it's a much more encouraging place to show your work
I agree with that to a certain extent, except that I don't know and love anyone who is a pro photographer or even a fantastic photographer, so as much as they can tell me what they like and don't like it isn't particularly helping me to improve and become a better photographer. So far the only way I can get constructive critisim is either paying for one to one sessions with a pro photographer (no problems with that have done it in the past and got some great feedback and learnt a lot from it but I don't have endless money) or waiting for the likes of Dom Bower to hopefully critique you.
I don't want to change the way this forum operates, people share photos and people compliment, carry on that is great. But for people who *want* critique for the purpose to learn and improve, what I am suggesting is a specific and fairly "safe" and structured method of getting that. I also hoped that the vast majority on here have the grey matter required to provide *constructive* critisism as opposed to just insults.
Obviously if no wants to partake but me then it wont work
Which is why I thought I would suggest the idea to the forum. I'll go first then.
Rakaia Gorge by robjdickinson, on Flickr
Shot yesteday, 7D, 17-55, ND 0.6 soft grad. Light on the ground was quite flat, getting to a good location was tricky too..
Rakaia Gorge by robjdickinson, on Flickr
Shot yesteday, 7D, 17-55, ND 0.6 soft grad. Light on the ground was quite flat, getting to a good location was tricky too..
Y'see this is where it gets tricky because Rob is one of the best togs on here and *way* better at this stuff than me so it seems a bit of a cheek for me to offer a crit.
But what the heck I'll throw in my 2p worth to get the ball rolling (Rob doesn't seem like the kind of guy to take the hump)
I would probably have cropped it a bit differently - basically chop off about 40% from the top and also remove about 10/15% from the right hand side. This brings the mountains more to the fore and gives roughly 1/3 sky and 2/3 land. I would also have brought down the highlights a wee bit and whacked up the contrast. IMHO you need a good load of contrast to get a B&W looking interesting.
(I have a version which I pinched and mucked about in PSE but I'll spare you all that unless Rob wants to see it )
OP - as you started this what do *you* think ?!
But what the heck I'll throw in my 2p worth to get the ball rolling (Rob doesn't seem like the kind of guy to take the hump)
I would probably have cropped it a bit differently - basically chop off about 40% from the top and also remove about 10/15% from the right hand side. This brings the mountains more to the fore and gives roughly 1/3 sky and 2/3 land. I would also have brought down the highlights a wee bit and whacked up the contrast. IMHO you need a good load of contrast to get a B&W looking interesting.
(I have a version which I pinched and mucked about in PSE but I'll spare you all that unless Rob wants to see it
)OP - as you started this what do *you* think ?!
Oh heck crikey!
Yes to echo DD; Rob (correct me if I am wrong) I had the in the Pro catergory, but I guess thats not to say Pro's don't want to have some thoughts as well, perhaps that all helpful second eye to see something they cant?
To critique Rob, great photo. Beautiful view and composition, excellent sharpness and exposure but I also agree with DD. I don't think I would have gone black and white, and well this could be as it is almost impossible to tell but I feel I am leaning to the left slightly. But this is a novices opinion of course
I had anticipated me to have to take that the first plunge so I have a photo ready for critque:
Deep Dunham by sj-stephenson, on Flickr
Level: Novice
Intended purpose: 1st attempt at using a welders glass to try and get long exposure for a smilky effect.
Yes to echo DD; Rob (correct me if I am wrong) I had the in the Pro catergory, but I guess thats not to say Pro's don't want to have some thoughts as well, perhaps that all helpful second eye to see something they cant?
To critique Rob, great photo. Beautiful view and composition, excellent sharpness and exposure but I also agree with DD. I don't think I would have gone black and white, and well this could be as it is almost impossible to tell but I feel I am leaning to the left slightly. But this is a novices opinion of course
I had anticipated me to have to take that the first plunge so I have a photo ready for critque:
Deep Dunham by sj-stephenson, on Flickr
Level: Novice
Intended purpose: 1st attempt at using a welders glass to try and get long exposure for a smilky effect.
dibbly dobbler said:
Y'see this is where it gets tricky because Rob is one of the best togs on here and *way* better at this stuff than me so it seems a bit of a cheek for me to offer a crit.
But what the heck I'll throw in my 2p worth to get the ball rolling (Rob doesn't seem like the kind of guy to take the hump)
I would probably have cropped it a bit differently - basically chop off about 40% from the top and also remove about 10/15% from the right hand side. This brings the mountains more to the fore and gives roughly 1/3 sky and 2/3 land. I would also have brought down the highlights a wee bit and whacked up the contrast. IMHO you need a good load of contrast to get a B&W looking interesting.
(I have a version which I pinched and mucked about in PSE but I'll spare you all that unless Rob wants to see it )
:blush: I'm still learning.. But what the heck I'll throw in my 2p worth to get the ball rolling (Rob doesn't seem like the kind of guy to take the hump)
I would probably have cropped it a bit differently - basically chop off about 40% from the top and also remove about 10/15% from the right hand side. This brings the mountains more to the fore and gives roughly 1/3 sky and 2/3 land. I would also have brought down the highlights a wee bit and whacked up the contrast. IMHO you need a good load of contrast to get a B&W looking interesting.
(I have a version which I pinched and mucked about in PSE but I'll spare you all that unless Rob wants to see it
)
And if I didnt want crit I wouldnt have posted. Its nice to get all the positive comments but always good to get something more constructive. Would be keen to see your re-edit. I think re-editing should be a feature of this thread if we continue with it.
Rob Original:
Rakaia Gorge by robjdickinson, on Flickr
Dibbly Edit:
Rob D edit - not mine by dibbly dobbler, on Flickr
Just asked Mrs DD and she prefers the original
Rakaia Gorge by robjdickinson, on Flickr
Dibbly Edit:
Rob D edit - not mine by dibbly dobbler, on Flickr
Just asked Mrs DD and she prefers the original
Stiglet80 said:
Deep Dunham by sj-stephenson, on Flickr
Level: Novice
Intended purpose: 1st attempt at using a welders glass to try and get long exposure for a smilky effect.
Generally it looks a wee bit dark but the sky is blown - maybe stick a grad filter on next time ? I see you only exposed for 6 seconds and used F3.5 - I probably would have gone for stopping down a bit and a longer exposure.
The fuzzy grass right in front of the camera is a bit distracting perhaps a rock or similar for foreground interest might be an idea
Stiglet80 said:
You're meant to say two good things first or maybe there wasn't any!
I knew this shot wasn't right but wasn't sure why. I need to blue tac the welding glass I think to get a longer exposure.
ETA Why the hell did I have it on F3.5?
Oops - wasn't aware of the 'say two good things' bit, sorry (memo to self - ask Mrs DD to bear this in mind when critiquing my work or maybe there wasn't any! I knew this shot wasn't right but wasn't sure why. I need to blue tac the welding glass I think to get a longer exposure.
ETA Why the hell did I have it on F3.5?
).If it's any consolation I tried welding glass and the results were uniformly sh*ite and I gave up
Right here are three from me. One from each of the subjects I enjoy to tog.
Be as harsh or as nice as you feel necessary.
1. Nikon D300S, 1/320,f/9.0, 300 mm
You've been tangoed by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
2. Nikon D300S, 1/1250th, f/5.6, 300mm
Warton Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
3. Nikon D300S, 0.5 sec, f/18, 13mm
Llyn Mymbyr by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
Be as harsh or as nice as you feel necessary.
1. Nikon D300S, 1/320,f/9.0, 300 mm
You've been tangoed by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
2. Nikon D300S, 1/1250th, f/5.6, 300mm
Warton Eurofighter Typhoon by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
3. Nikon D300S, 0.5 sec, f/18, 13mm
Llyn Mymbyr by lloydh.co.uk, on Flickr
OK I will carry on I can see this as a way to make myself even more unpopular than I already am
Does me being female reduced the chances I might end up getting punched?
OK llyod
Pic 1
Great shot, really sharp, good exposure, definitly something someone wuld buy from a track day.
I think to make the shot even better IMO i would have more space to the left of the pic as to where the driver was driving into, and perhaps a touch more motion blur.
Pic 2
great position (and plane!) Nice motion blur, I think if I am being picky about this shot i would say the nose/eyes of the plane could do with being a tad sharper.
Pic 3
Really really nice picture, very much something I would have on my wall. I think (and seriously clutching at straws here and you could well have intended this anyway) but seems dark, but thats not too say it doesn't suit it. The rocks in the foreground are amazing!
I will try and keep this going, here is another of mine.
Boat and Mountains by sj-stephenson, on Flickr
I can see this as a way to make myself even more unpopular than I already am Does me being female reduced the chances I might end up getting punched?
OK llyod
Pic 1
Great shot, really sharp, good exposure, definitly something someone wuld buy from a track day.
I think to make the shot even better IMO i would have more space to the left of the pic as to where the driver was driving into, and perhaps a touch more motion blur.
Pic 2
great position (and plane!) Nice motion blur, I think if I am being picky about this shot i would say the nose/eyes of the plane could do with being a tad sharper.
Pic 3
Really really nice picture, very much something I would have on my wall. I think (and seriously clutching at straws here and you could well have intended this anyway) but seems dark, but thats not too say it doesn't suit it. The rocks in the foreground are amazing!
I will try and keep this going, here is another of mine.
Boat and Mountains by sj-stephenson, on Flickr
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