3 things people are surprised by when I critique their photos

Have you ever participated in a photo critique? If you’re saying “what the hell is a photo critique?”, then I’m going to answer for you. No. If you have...then this might sound vaguely familiar.

A photo critique is simply a process where you submit your photos to a photographer and then she gives you feedback on those photos. It can be in a workshop or group setting...or in a one-to-one kind of coaching or mentoring relationship.

The feedback consists of things like…

...this is really nice, but this thing could have been better if...

...trying it from this perspective might have had this effect…

...here’s how a different shutter speed (or aperture or ISO) could have made a difference…

I think you get the gist of it.

So why are we talking about this? 

Well first of all, I wanted to tell you WHY a photo critique is so valuable. Yes perhaps a bit intimidating, but incredibly valuable.

And second, I want to share with you the top 3 things that people are surprised by when I critique their photos. This is going to be one of those fabulous “learn from other people’s mistakes” kind of posts. Because let’s face it...mistakes aren’t usually that unique. Generally people are doing the same thing wrong over and over, but just don’t always know it.

This is a good example of how perspective gives this photo a very unique look. Versus if I would have stepped back and tried to capture the entire building in one shot.

Okay, back to that first item on the agenda. Why a photo critique? This is #1, hands-down the best way I’ve learned how to take better photos. Feedback. Of my photos. Of other people’s photos. You can watch all the video tutorials you want. But when you look at your own photos? You’re biased. And not necessarily an expert.

In order to take a particular photo, you weaved through a crowded plaza, contorted to lean over a railing...just to get the right angle and…CLICK! Best photo ever! The problem is...that it’s NOT the best photo ever.

But you’re so connected to the process, the memory of HOW you got the photo and what was happening...what you were experiencing at the time, that you’re too emotionally invested to be impartial in deciding what went right...and what didn’t.

Enter...the photo critique.

This is where an impartial person (likely a professional photographer) takes a look at your photo with absolutely no emotional attachment, just experience and training. She can tell you what didn’t quite work that you were trying to do, and what, on the other hand, worked out really well.

And if it something didn’t work out? Why not? Were your exposure settings off? The focus function? Is there too much going on and you can’t tell what the subject is? 

I do a lot of photo critiques with my students - both in group programs and for individuals. So what I thought would be helpful is to talk to you about the 3 most common things that said students are surprised by when I critique their photos.

Ahhh…distractions can make or break a photo. This one was taken in New York City, where distractions are absolutely everywhere. So by angling up, I eliminated those pesky people, trash cans, cars…

THING #1 DISTRACTIONS

When you compose and snap your photo, chances are you’re completely focused on the subject or scene that you’re capturing in your photo. Say for example a busy street scene in New York City. You see a building or vendor or man in his underwear (yes that’s a real thing in NYC, the Naked Cowboy...look it up). So that is what you’re honed in on.

Unfortunately, when looking at your photo later, there is so much going on...so many distractions...that you’re not even sure WHAT the heck you were trying to take a photo of. Or there’s a distraction that you didn’t even notice when taking the photo, that now dominates the image and kind of ruins it even.

Those distractions can take the form of white cars (the nemesis of photographers...SO distracting!)...trash cans...other people wearing neon clothes (another nemesis). 

Distractions not only take the form of unwanted objects but also cutting something off in an awkward way. Like limbs. So if you cut off the feet or part of the hand of a person? It looks kind of weird. Behead your subject in the photo? You won’t go to jail for it...I mean it’s not real after all. But it sure looks kind of creepy.

Knowing this upfront as you compose and create your photo, can make all the difference in your outcomes.

On the left side of this photo you can see not only a white car driving by, but with their lights on. It tends to pull your eye away from the beautiful canal and the runner.

In this photo, I recomposed…and waited a few seconds…to eliminate that annoying car (no offense to whomever was driving on that street at that exact moment)

THING #2: WHAT IS THE SUBJECT?

When I ask my students “what is the subject here” I often get a response of “uhhh….” followed by “I’m not sure” or “this guy?” 

Each photo should have a clearly identifiable subject. And if you’re thinking “no kidding!” I challenge you to go back and look at your old photos and pick that subject out. Hmmm...not always so easy to identify, right?

Yes, even landscape photos. Even when you’re photographing an entire busy scene. One particular object in the scene should be the main focus of your image.

That way, the viewer’s eye knows exactly where to go, and then where to continue to go. Otherwise, as the viewer, you look at a photo, and your eyes just dart around, confused as to what to look at.

And during this state of eye confusion, the viewer’s brain will pick out 1) what’s in focus and 2) what’s brightest. Yes, it’s true...we, as humans, are attracted to shiny objects. 

So even if you DID have a subject in mind, it might get overlooked if you aren’t careful with your a) composition (watch out for those distractions - see Thing #1), b) focus, and c) lighting.

Although there are many vines and grapes here in this vineyard in Bordeaux, France…you know which one is the subject - the one at the front. Mmmm…wine…

THING #3: THE IMPACT OF EDITING

Usually, when I do a photo critique I start by asking what they liked, didn’t like, and then what they are disappointed by or wish was better.

For some of the things that are not quite hitting the mark, I can suggest changes to camera settings like a different aperture. For some maybe a different perspective could have eliminated distractions or helped with lighting the subject.

But sometimes, there’s only one thing that can make the photo better. Editing.

Because when you’re traveling, you’re at the mercy of the light. Oh sure, you can get up before dawn and traipse around with your tripod for “perfect light”. But MOST of the time you’re creating photos is when the light isn’t all that perfect.

So you do the best you can. And there are some good tips for making the most of the light you’re given.

But in the end, there is one little magical remedy that can help pretty much every photo. And that, my friend, is editing.

Now I’m NOT saying that editing can salvage a terrible photo. It’s magic, not a miracle. But I AM saying that a ‘close but didn’t quite make it’ photo can often be salvaged.

So when my students come to their photo critique with a dull photo that they wish had more “pop”? I show them exactly how to make it happen. And it’s not with shutter speed.

I think in general it’s surprising for students to see their own images transformed into something amazing with just a few simple edits. It’s converted a lot of those “I don’t believe in editing” or “I just don’t have time for editing” die-hards.

My summary for Thing #3? Editing can transform your images, so don’t rule it out as an option.

Edits can be subtle yet powerful at transforming pretty good into wow photos.

**If this sounded intriguing and you’re interested in giving photo critiques a whirl, check out my mentoring page for some options by clicking here. And if you STILL haven’t grabbed my free Camera Creativity Guide...what are you waiting for? It’s a super fun way to try some new and creative things with your camera. Grab that right here.