Until further notice all critique sessions will be conducted remotely using ZOOM.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, critique means:
“evaluate (a theory or practice) in a detailed and analytical way.”
The analysis will provide insight on characteristics of the photograph and techniques to improve the lighting, color, cropping, composition, etc. to help members become better photographers, both technically and artistically.
Why are we doing Photo Critiques?
One of the education goals of the Audubon Everglades Photography Group (AEPG) is to
Encourage development and enhancement of visual and technical skills in nature photography
One of the most significant challenges we face as photographers is to critique and then edit our own work.
Sometimes we become so attached to our images that we struggle when we try to edit them. As one photographer put it “Sometimes, I’m … so involved in the image that it becomes impossible for me to look at the image objectively. All I can see are the things I love about it, and none of the faults are as apparent as they should be.” Often the process of both giving and receiving critiques will aid you in evaluating your own images and how you look at scenes to evolve and improve your photography significantly.
A photo critique would include analysis, evaluation, and appreciation of the image:
- What they think the photo is about. Is there a story?
- Impact – WOW factor, unusual view or action captured
- A technical evaluation, the good elements and those that are not as successful.
- Composition – evaluate focal point, sharpness, depth of field, lighting, and distractions
- Post processing – review cropping, contrast, noise, and brightness
- Creativity – the capture, composition, technique, and processing of the image as a whole.
- What they like about the photo, and why
- If they were to improve or change anything what they would suggest.
- Encouragement!
A photo critique would NOT include a grade or score of any of the critiqued images. The goal is to learn how our photographs successfully speak to our audience and how we can make them even better.
As a participant or observer of the group’s critique sessions, you will see and hear the critiques that experienced photographers are making, and that in itself is a valuable learning experience.
Having said all that, every photographer, no matter how experienced and talented, has personal biases, and their advice may not be a good fit for you. It may conflict with your style or point of view for a particular image. Despite that, it is still likely that some of what they suggest will be useful to you
How to Participate in the Session |
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| Photo Selection Criteria |
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| Photo Critique Interaction Options |
Member Photographer Anonymous: Each photo will be critiqued by the guest without the member being identified. |
| Member Photographer Identified: The member submitting the photo may choose to self-identify to have the opportunity to discuss the critique with the reviewer. After their exchange, all present are welcome to add insights or ask questions to maximize learning potential for all. This option was added as a result of feedback from members. |
In Summary, our critiques will be a thoughtful analysis of a member’s photographs and will reinforce positive technical and artistic aspects of the image, as well as suggest alternative approaches to improve its technical and aesthetic value.
We hope you will join us …
Member Guidelines for Submitting Photos for Critique
How to Submit Photos |
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| Technical Requirements | To have your image critiqued, you must be a current member of Friends of Audubon Everglades and have registered in AEPG no fewer than 7 days before the critique session to allow time for setting up software access. To register in AEPG, click here.
AEPG will use your name and email address from your registration information to provide you with access to the PhotoContestPro software (needed to enter your photos for critique). Instructions to set up your PhotoContestPro account and upload images are provided on this web page link: Install and Set up PhotoContestPro Account |
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| Logistics | The number of images to submit, a category of image assigned (if any), and the deadline to submit photos into the PhotoContestPro software for the session will be indicated in an email blast.
Images must be received in PhotoContestPro by the posted deadline to be included in that critique session, so be sure to register and set up your account well in advance of the deadline. There will be approximately 1-2 critique sessions conducted during the year. Note: There will also be 2 Photo Share sessions without critique that will use PhotoContestPro. |
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| Image Categories for Critique | A critique session will always include Nature images.
A critique session may also include an Assigned category to focus on a particular topic or technical aspect of photography. |
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| Nature | Any nature subject e.g. natural landscapes, seascapes, wetlands, waterfalls, deserts, forests, plants, weather, sunrise/set, wildlife including birds, bees, bunnies, butterflies, etc.
No pets or domesticated animals or houseplants should be included in the submitted images. Man-made objects and human activity (e.g., wires, roads, fences, light poles, nesting platforms, etc.) should be avoided if possible. Animal and bird bands are acceptable. |
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| Macro | Close-ups of nature subjects e.g., tree bark, wood grain, feathers, fish scales, facial details, leaves, buds, minerals, and butterflies, etc. | |
| Black and White (B&W) | Any nature image (plant, animal, or landscape) in black, white, and shades of grey rather than in color.
While color and its varying tones capture the “reality” of nature and may be essential to identifying a subject such as bird species or life stage, black-and-white and the grayscale may draw more emotion and drama from a subject. The B&W image relies more on subtle textures or patterns and contrast for impact. Not all images are effective in black-and-white, but this critique category is offered to explore another dimension of photographic creativity. For insights on B&W photography see A Beginner’s Guide to Doing Black and White Photography by Digital Photography School. |
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| Image Standards | All images submitted must be in JPG format with their longest length set at no more than 1,400 pixels and no less than 768 pixels.
No signature or watermark should appear on the actual image. All images must have a title. Post-processing should not include adding, removing or moving elements other than minor details that obscure or interfere with the success of your image. |
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