How to Critique a photo.

butterflygirl921 wrote: i thought people liked it when you complimented thier photos by saying good job excellent....call me weird but i like that....but im up for change

It's nice to hear "good job" "great photo" but so many people pass those words around, it makes you wonder are they telling you the truth. Too many people say it, when the photo really needs work. Why lie, it only hurts the photographer who shot the photo..except they don't know it, because they want to hear "nice pic". As it boosts their ego.

IMO, critique a photo should be one's honest opinion. If you are not willing to give your honest feedback, then don't say anything at all.

No one can succeed in any field if they do not get honest feeback.

I think, even if you think it is a truly nice photo and there is nothing to do to make it better, one can still say... That's an awesome, beautiful shot of the landscape. I love how the sun is shinning through the trees and the reflection in the lake is like god is saying hello.

That was a shit balling feedback...but you all get what I am saying.

I have seen it so many times and it's my biggest pet peeve. Comments "nice pic" "I like it" etc..

But why is it a nice pic? Why do you like?

If you don't like it, say so. If the photographer who posted the photo can not take the feedback, then they have alot of learning to do and they will not succeed.

Even if you, yourself is still learning photography, you can still critique an image. Just say, what the photo makes you feel, what you think. Even if you do not know the photography terms on how to make the photo better. Any kind of feedback that is more then "nice pic" will help the photographer.

There is a difference between being nice and being harsh when critiqueing. I know many, many, countless times my critiques are harsh. I don't mean to come off that way, it's just who I am. Some people can take the harsh critiques and actually learn from it, others need a gentle hand guiding them.

Alright I added my 2 cents...off to la la land.

I mostly try to explain why I like a photo or not, I believe there are plenty of us who explain there reasons for any critique they give, there are times when I do say nice photo, why, because its all I want to say at the time, my perogative I do believe, of course it helps a photographer to learn when they have things explained in a constructive critique, but I still defend the rights of anyone in this forum who simply wants to say "nice photo"

This is more of a resource to help you critique. You can compliment all you want. Just wanted people to be aware of different approaches you can take.

It's all up to you.

Nice comment, Scotty!

Good post.

Just keep in mind, everyone can critique a photo, just like everyone has an opinion.

I`ve been shooting since 1975,and I`ve taught myself as best as I can. Sometimes what I think is a good photo, turns out to be not so good. I guess its all in the eye of the beholder!!!!!! Hopefully I can get as good as you guys!!!!!!!! There are times I almost tossed my gear in the drink!!!!!!! I get so flustered sometimes trying to remember all the things you need to do!!!!!!!

Thank you for the link, I wondered how to critique (without hurting someone's feelings), I might practice this a bit in future as we all need to grow. Good post