This document provides steps for critiquing a photo: 1. Examine the photo as a whole and in details, checking technical quality like focus, exposure, depth of field, coloring, brightness and contrast. 2. Check the composition and framing to see if there is a clear focal point. 3. Consider the emotional appeal and storytelling elements. 4. Note how well different components are connected and if poses/expressions seem natural. 5. Provide a personal opinion on strengths and weaknesses.

1. CRITIQUE A PHOTO
Julienne Gomez
Period 1

2. Step one: Look!
 The first step is to examine the photograph. Look at the
picture and everything that it contains.
 Also, make sure to view the details both as a whole and
singularly.

3. Step two: Is it Quality?
 In a photo, there will most likely be some issues with the
technical quality.
 First check to see if the picture is in focus which is
crucial for the viewer.
 Are there parts of picture that are blurry?

4. Exposure
 When checking a photo for technical quality, exposure is
also an important factor.
 Look to see if the picture is either too light or too dark.
 Furthermore, check if it contains parts that are blown out
or underexposed.

5. Depth of field
 Moreover, depth of field is a technique used to control
the viewer’s eye.
 Does the picture have a focal point or does the photo
contain a point at which your eyes are drawn to?
 Did the artist use shadows or coloring to highlight an
important component?

6. Coloring
 Also, check the picture for its use of color. Are there
areas where the coloring fades?
 Are there parts where the color should be sharper or
bolder?
 Another thing to check is if color is used in appropriate
areas to outline important factors in the picture.

7. Brightness and Contrast
 Additionally, look to see if the picture contains certain
parts that are too bright or too much contrast.
 Are there parts where the picture has too much
brightness?
 Are there parts where the picture looks too muddy or
gravelly?

8. Example #1
In this image, there are numerous parts that lack
technical quality. First, there are innumerable dust
and scratches in the picture. This could be corrected
by using the clone stamp tool or dust and scratches
tool in Photoshop. Another component that needs to
be corrected is the coloring. There are parts where
the coloring fades such as areas of the face and the
left side of his body. Lastly, framing needs to be
added to the image to develop a focal point.

9. Step three: Good composition?
 One of the most important factors of an image is the
framing.
 Check to see if the photo has framing such as close
framing or a focal point where the eye is drawn.

10. Step four: Emotional Appeal
 Check the photograph for any type of emotion.
 What do you feel when you look at the picture? Or is
there a lack of feeling or emotion?

11. Storyline
 Moreover, look at the photo and see if it could tell a
story.
 Does the components of the picture suggest something
about the artist?
 Note the choice of image and see if it is used properly.
 Was coloring used as a tool to describe such as red for
anger or yellow for happiness.

12. Connection
 Check to see of all the contents of the photo connect
with the artist’s subjects.
 Do the objects or contents look tense, stilted, posed?
 Were the tools such as the warp tool or free
transformation tools used appropriately in places?

13. Example #2
In this image, one thing that needed to be
improved is the exposure or brightness. Areas
of the image are too bright and give off a glare
such as his face and his hands. However, it
seems to be underexposed to the left of the
picture where it is suddenly dark. Another
thing about the image is the framing. The
image could be cropped more to accentuate
the focal point. Lastly, depth of field could be
applied more such as using more shadows in
appropriate areas for the focal point but
brightening areas that draw your eyes away
from it.

14. Step five: Your opinion
 Most importantly, describe what you personally think
about the photo.
 What were some aspects you thought the artist used
well?
 What were some parts of the picture you thought were
weaknesses and needed improvement?
 What did you personally think was a good choice or bad
choice?

15. Example: Chapter 4
In this picture, multiple things need to
be improved. First, the picture seems to
be gravelly and needs enhancing.
Perhaps the sharpen tool from
Photoshop could aid. Another thing is
the lighting. There are areas that are too
bright such as the window, and there
are parts that are too dark such as the
right side of the girl. A third thing that
could be corrected is the cropping. This
could be used to better highlight the
focal point of the image.