I’m starting a new "feature" here on Photon Detector: unsolicited photo critiques. Generally, they’ll be of photos that I think work really well. Hopefully I’ll be able to articulate, at least to some degree, what’s successful about them to me, though I may put up the occasional "damn, check this shit out!" just because it’s awesome.
Disclaimers and notes
- Most photos will be from Flickr, whose Terms of Use allow images there to be posted on other sites as long as they link back to the photo’s page on Flickr. Point five under "General Conditions" says:
The Flickr service makes it possible to post images hosted on Flickr to outside websites. This use is accepted (and even encouraged!). However, pages on other websites which display images hosted on flickr.com must provide a link back to Flickr from each photo to its photo page on Flickr.
When posting images not coming from Flickr, I will get the photographer’s permission in advance. I’ll try for Flickr images, too, but if I don’t, just know that I’m not being evil; those are the terms we agree to when we upload work there. I "we" because I have my own stuff there, too, which is of course subject to the same conditions.
- This is all completely subjective—just one person’s opinion at a particular point in time. I may be wrong. I may change my mind at any time. I may still be wrong. You get the idea.
- It’s about the result, not the process. The process is for the photographer, not the viewer. I don’t see "cheating" with Photoshop as a negative or "keeping it real" by coating your own plates as a positive. Likewise, no points added for Leica and none taken away for a webcam. I’m not a purist and I don’t care how you got there. What works for the image works for the image, and what doesn’t, doesn’t.
The only caveat is that if a technique breaks the spell with its heavy-handedness, it usually detracts from my experience of the photo.
- If I do say something negative, I’m genuinely trying to be constructive. I’m also not saying that I could do better.
- If you think I’m not sticking to this, please bust me on it!
- Remember that I have no idea what the photographer was aiming for when making the image, I only know what I see.
- When I look at engaging photos, I have a tendency to go into a kind of borderline fugue state, step into the image as best as I can, and see where it takes me. Some of my comments will undoubtedly make more sense if you try to do the same, or at least know that going in.
- If you leave a comment—and I hope that you do!—play nice. Let’s not turn this into Michael Johnston’s Great Photographers on the Internet. Be constructive and helpful. If you must attack something, attack ideas, not people. Remeber that liking something and recognizing is as effective are completely different things. I will leave comments that are respectful alone, even if they’re not flattering, and will delete any that I deem assholic.
Check out the first critique: Jessica, Tomsu Cleaners by Dan Loflin