Lesson 6: Critiquing Photographs (Part 1)

For this assignment we are going to talk in class about how you feel about pictures. We will talk about the aesthetics and emotional power of what we see. We will be doing this in class with images from the site Photo Critique Forum or http://www.photocritique.net/.

As photographers it is important to be able to take a good picture innately. Not ever picture is going to be the best but I hope through out this trimester you will hone your technique so that your images improve.

The best way to improve is to conscientiously look around where you are and make some visual choices. Your perspective can be unique. But more than anything your image needs to convey a visual message that reflects something about you and why you are taking this photo. There has to be a connection. If there is not connection the commitment to the image is less than what it could have been. I want you to continue to think about your work as a visual ethnography- a story about you through pictures.

1.     Snow Geese in the Heavens by Michael Meek.

Found at http://www.photocritique.net/g/s?00Jrjn

2.     Abandoned by Ruth Rittichier

Found at http://www.photocritique.net/g/s?00JuNn

3.     Bird Girl By Ernest Cadegan

Found at http://www.photocritique.net/g/s?09L7:c

It is my hope that you will take photos that tell a story about someone els if you feel comfortable.

For this class I am going to show you the following images and you are going to CRITIQUE the photos above describing it, analyzing it, interpreting it and finally evaluating it. Taken from Kennedy's Art Center: ArtsEdge https://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/how-to/tipsheets/student-critique.aspx.

Describe: 

Describe the work without using value words such as "beautiful" or "ugly":

• What is the written description on the label or in the program about the work?
• What is the title and who is (are) the artist(s)?
• When and where was the work created?
• Describe the elements of the work (i.e., line movement, light, space).
• Describe the technical qualities of the work (i.e., tools, materials, instruments).
• Describe the subject matter. What is it all about? Are there recognizable images?

Analyze:

Describe how the work is organized as a complete composition:

• How is the work constructed or planned (i.e., acts, movements, lines)?
• Identify some of the similarities throughout the work (i.e., repetition of lines, two songs in each act).
• Identify some of the points of emphasis in the work (i.e., specific scene, figure, movement).
• If the work has subjects or characters, what are the relationships between or among them?

Interpret:

Describe how the work makes you think or feel:

• Describe the expressive qualities you find in the work. What expressive language would you use to describe the qualities (i.e., tragic, ugly, funny)?
• Does the work remind you of other things you have experienced (i.e., analogy or metaphor)?
• How does the work relate to other ideas or events in the world and/or in your other studies?

Evaluate:

Present your opinion of the work's success or failure:

• What qualities of the work make you feel it is a success or failure?
• Compare it with similar works that you think are good or bad.
• What criteria can you list to help others judge this work?
• How original is the work? Why do you feel this work is original or not original?