Posted by Jim Erhardt on February 8, 2013 at 6:27 AM
The 5 to 1 Ratio
One of the reasons many of us join NPN is to improve our own photography by participation in the photo critique galleries. It is “natural” to assume that the best way to utilize the galleries for this purpose is by posting our own photos for critique.
What is often missed is the powerful learning experience of critiquing the photos of others. Through the critique process, we are forced to look at photos more thoroughly – from both aesthetic and technical standpoints – and put in writing what it is that we like about a photo. Through this process, we become better able to critique what we see through the viewfinder and more consistently create photos that we are pleased to have in our own portfolios.
To make the most out of NPN’s photo critique galleries, we suggest for every photo you post that you write at least five critiques. This process not only helps to improve your own photography, but also helps establish you as an active participant in our online community.
To learn more about writing critiques, we suggest you read our Art of Image Critique articles.
Posted by Charlie Baugh on February 8, 2013 at 12:16 PM
Following this guideline can only boost the participation and advancement of our abilities at this endeavor and make for a more open flowing community.
Do you have any thoughts about how we as individuals view and determine which images we critique? Would it not be helpful if we as individuals viewed or at least scanned all NPN posted images? Obviously no one individual can view and certainly not critique all posted images, however by glancing across the entire field of images, one naturally hits on things that resonate for one reason or another.
Posted by Jim Erhardt on February 9, 2013 at 7:56 AM
Charlie, thanks for commenting.
I think most people do as you say- they "scan" the gallery thumbnail page and then click on the thumbs that get their attention. So what is it that gets a person's attention? This is what comes to mind;
1. Visual impact - the color/composition/pattern of the image itself. In other words, photos that grab the viewer's attention.
2. Subject matter
3. Recognition of the photographer, based on previous viewing experience.
I think it is natural for those photos that have "visual impact" posted by members who have the skills to create them to garner the most attention. This is why it is absolutely critical for those who "are not there yet" to actively seek feedback from those "veteran members" who do consistently post outstanding photos. The best way to do this is to email them and ask for it.
I have a confession that might dovetail into this topic.
My processing skills are limited, so much so that I have a hard time commenting on others photos, at least with any credible adjustment advice.
For the past month or so I have occasionally taken a screen shot of a photo to experiment in Photoshop before posting suggestions. This has helped boost my confidence in critiquing. I always immediately delete the photo after experimenting.
Am I a bad boy for doing this?
I have lots of photos that I would like to post, but I need to first seriously improve my web sharpening skills. When I do finally start posting I would be honored if any of the more skilled processors would do with my photos as I have recently done.
Posted by David Bostedo on February 10, 2013 at 5:09 PM
Am I a bad boy for doing this?
Not at all! I do that all the time myself. I find I enjoy thinking about how else an image could be interpreted, and it gives you some practice with post-processing. As long as it's just for you and not shared elsewhere its fine.
At times, with the permission of the original poster, I've even posted my version in the comments in order to point things out.
Discussion
4 repliesOne of the reasons many of us join NPN is to improve our own photography by participation in the photo critique galleries. It is “natural” to assume that the best way to utilize the galleries for this purpose is by posting our own photos for critique.
What is often missed is the powerful learning experience of critiquing the photos of others. Through the critique process, we are forced to look at photos more thoroughly – from both aesthetic and technical standpoints – and put in writing what it is that we like about a photo. Through this process, we become better able to critique what we see through the viewfinder and more consistently create photos that we are pleased to have in our own portfolios.
To make the most out of NPN’s photo critique galleries, we suggest for every photo you post that you write at least five critiques. This process not only helps to improve your own photography, but also helps establish you as an active participant in our online community.
To learn more about writing critiques, we suggest you read our Art of Image Critique articles.
Do you have any thoughts about how we as individuals view and determine which images we critique? Would it not be helpful if we as individuals viewed or at least scanned all NPN posted images? Obviously no one individual can view and certainly not critique all posted images, however by glancing across the entire field of images, one naturally hits on things that resonate for one reason or another.
I think most people do as you say- they "scan" the gallery thumbnail page and then click on the thumbs that get their attention. So what is it that gets a person's attention? This is what comes to mind;
1. Visual impact - the color/composition/pattern of the image itself. In other words, photos that grab the viewer's attention.
2. Subject matter
3. Recognition of the photographer, based on previous viewing experience.
I think it is natural for those photos that have "visual impact" posted by members who have the skills to create them to garner the most attention. This is why it is absolutely critical for those who "are not there yet" to actively seek feedback from those "veteran members" who do consistently post outstanding photos. The best way to do this is to email them and ask for it.
My processing skills are limited, so much so that I have a hard time commenting on others photos, at least with any credible adjustment advice.
For the past month or so I have occasionally taken a screen shot of a photo to experiment in Photoshop before posting suggestions. This has helped boost my confidence in critiquing. I always immediately delete the photo after experimenting.
Am I a bad boy for doing this?
I have lots of photos that I would like to post, but I need to first seriously improve my web sharpening skills. When I do finally start posting I would be honored if any of the more skilled processors would do with my photos as I have recently done.
Not at all! I do that all the time myself. I find I enjoy thinking about how else an image could be interpreted, and it gives you some practice with post-processing. As long as it's just for you and not shared elsewhere its fine.
At times, with the permission of the original poster, I've even posted my version in the comments in order to point things out.