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Nikon D4
Nikon Coolpix S9300
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ30
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The Art of Criticism
So how might one go about making constructive criticisms? I actually think that there are five easy steps.
Firstly and most importantly one must respect the artist whose work one is criticising. That doesn’t mean that one has to like everything but rather that one must try and understand the creator’s motives and approach. Only then can one make a judgement about whether one thinks them right or wrong. The very best way to understand is to engage in a dialogue with the photographer. (Unfortunately competitions, by their very nature, inhibit or even prohibit such an approach so the web forum is a better environment for this approach.) Rather than say “I think…” the judge or critic should be asking, “Why did you...?”
Secondly, it is beholden on the critic to be knowledgeable about photography - not in some narrow, parochial way but in a deep and broad way. All too often those commenting on competitions or forums appear to feel that they are doing other photographers a favour by deigning to give an opinion, however ill-informed or biased that opinion may be.
Thirdly, the judge should be humble. The critics’ role should be to serve the photographers whose work they are appraising. He or she must bear in mind that whatever they feel about the image presented to them the person whose vision it is has no doubt poured their heart and soul into its making.
Fourthly, the critic must supply a reasoned argument for their opinion. It simply isn’t good enough to say that one doesn’t like something without backing up that opinion with reasons and examples to support one’s viewpoint. Any artist is not surprisingly apt to feel that unsupported criticism is a personal attack on them as creator of the work and become defensive. This defensiveness then stops them from listening to useful comments.
Finally, the critic should make suggestions on how to improve a work. If they don’t have any suggestions they have no business being critical!
It’s not wrong to be critical, though you might not think this from the almost universal, thoughtless praise one sees on web forums. The key is that criticism should be used as a tool to help other photographers not as a stick to beat one’s peers with. Used this way, by explaining why something works and constructively criticising less well-executed work, criticism can help others achieve a higher level of output. Judgements on photography or any other art must necessarily be relative, not absolute so this can never be an exact science. The preeminent characteristic of a critic should be that they wish to help others improve.
To return to my idle speculation from the beginning of this post, I’ve decided that I’m not really bothered what a critic thinks of my work unless they have some useful insight. After more than 25 years as a photographer I feel reasonably secure about my approach and the quality of my work but this is rarely the case for those starting out. I would advise that if you seek critical appraisal in order to improve the quality of your work you must also appraise the quality of the critic. Think about the comments that are offered and ruthlessly disregard those without a consistently reasoned argument, this goes for the mindless “Wow, great!” comments as much as for the “Don’t like it” ones. Above all be true to yourself and only heed those that are trying to help you on your journey through photography.
Biography
http://www.lightandland.co.uk
http://www.into-the-light.com
David Ward is one of Britain's most accomplished large format photographers. He has a very varied knowledge of photography, acquired while working for previous advertising, design and publishing clients. Over the years David has photographed everything from dogs to food to racing cars but landscape photography has always remained his passion.
In recent years he has concentrated his efforts on leading photography workshops for photo tour company Light & Land, taking groups to places as diverse as Utah and Norway. His emphasis in teaching is on the photographer's vision, rather than on what equipment is being used, and he passes on his knowledge in a uniquely humorous and accessible manner. Light & Land runs a broad range of photographic workshops for all levels of photographers – both in the UK and worldwide – full details can be found at http://www.lightandland.co.uk
David has recently hosted Landscape Beyond - a hugely successful exhibition of his work at Londons OXO Tower gallery which was also the launch pad for Davids most recent book of the same title.
All images in this article © David Ward
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#1 Mandeno Moments
This is an excellent treatment of a difficult subject. I particularly like the five guidelines for critics and the following:
I would advise that if you seek critical appraisal in order to improve the quality of your work you must also appraise the quality of the critic. Think about the comments that are offered and ruthlessly disregard those without a consistently reasoned argument, this goes for the mindless “Wow, great!” comments as much as for the “Don’t like it” ones.
I believe that photography is art, with the possible exception of the most basic forms of documentary photography (eg job site photos): please don’t start a flame war over this statement! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if you think that your photo of a mangled dead cat is beautiful then it is beautiful, even if a critic disagrees.
I am by conviction an objectivist, but when it comes to art objectivism is impossible and relativism reigns. Translation: it is impossible to define what is a ‘good’ or ‘beautiful’ photograph.
http://MandenoMoments.com/
http://ExplainingTheBible.com/
7:48 pm - Tuesday, January 12, 2010
#2 luciano
Sono d’accordo con il tuo commento!
Quel giudice ha perso una buona occasione per tacere! Ha dimostrato di singoli e nonssere all’altezza dell’incarico di giudice. E ‘un mese che mi sono iscritto al vs blog e sono contento di averlo fatto: è istruttivo e da informazioni Sull’evoluzione della fotografia.
E per anni ho utilizzato l’analogico (quasisclusivamente dia) Con reflex Canon, Nikon e Leica. Quest’ultima l’ho usata in manuale. Ora vorrei acquistare una reflex digitale di qualità, Ma senza spendere troppo. Quale mi consigli? Sarei Orientato su Nikon D90, Nikon D5000, Pentax 7, Canon 50D, oppure al Micro Quattro Terzi (Olympus o EP2 Panasonic GH1) per il minor peso e ingombro.
Inoltre Avendo Alcuni Obiettivi Leica M potrei utilizzarli MANUALMENTE.
Ti ringrazio anticipatamente e.. Buon Anno 2010.
Luciano
8:29 pm - Tuesday, January 12, 2010
#3 Charles
There is a great quote by George Bernard Shaw about critics, it pretty much sums up what you are trying to say. I think I can quote it accurately from memory:
“It is not the job of the critic to say whether he was or was not amused. It is his job to say WHY he was or was not amused.”
9:21 pm - Tuesday, January 12, 2010
#4 Conor Lawrence
I worry that there is a such a level of expectation placed on the critic. If you are placing your work before another individual and asking for a response then you must be prepared for anything ranging from a simple smile to a 50 page review.
10:02 pm - Tuesday, January 12, 2010
#5 rob
First of all, the art-critique is - sort of - an art in itself. There are critics who are more or less sensitive to certain topics and/or techniques. There are critics who have more or less experience in evaluating all elements of an image. And then, there are critics who have seen more or less works of art in their careers. Some critics have academic backgrounds, while others base their opinions solely on intuition and/or intelligence. All those factors weigh in on their opinions about images they are commenting on.
My private opinion about what is the critic’s role, is exactly the one expressed in the quote from Bernard Shaw, above.
I am not that much interested whether or not I like or dislike any particular photo. After all, there is as many artistic tastes as there are artists and as many opinions as there are critics. But if I can explain WHY I like or dislike a work of art, that means that I have made an effort to understand the artist’s intent and/or their efficiency (skills) to communicate that intent to me.
I have been in situations where the same photo has been praised by one critic while another one hasn’t been impressed at all. That is totally normal and understandable situation. If we all would see any particular photo in the same way, there would be no need for art and artists (not to mention - art critics).
10:03 pm - Tuesday, January 12, 2010
#6 tisane
Very nice interesting article.I am very delighted to read it.I would like to say this is really an excellent treatment which is shared here.I want to know more on it.Please share more detail on this mater.Thanks.
3:48 am - Wednesday, January 13, 2010
#7 seoras
I very much agree with Rob.
The first step is however with the photographer who must analyse rigorously their own work to the best of their abilities. The example given is such a case. Do all the elements in the sand picture adhere to an oriental ‘zen’ aesthetic ? Clearly not as the the key element falls short of these aesthetic qualities and does indeed look like a turd. The ‘critic’ might I agree could have been more diplomatic but was correct. So, while there was a recognition of a particular ‘style’ it was not pursued rigorously enough. Photographers must also go beyond mere technique and be prepared to study and try to understand all visual media.
One must not mix ‘judging’ with ‘critique’ so readily. You can critique an acknowledged work and what should be reveled is an academic analysis of the work, not a judgement as you might find in a competition.
12:24 pm - Wednesday, January 13, 2010
#8 Bryan grant photography
I have a degree in Fine Art and Art Education and i have had over 7 years of scholastic critics. What i learned was… that the people that dont want to hear it and dont care need it the most. Ant if you start your criticism with “i like” you are bad at giving critics. if you really care about improvement and growth then you will want “constructive criticism” and not a bunch of “oh its soo good and i love it”,,,, please.
7:22 pm - Monday, November 1, 2010