Tuesday, September 1, 2015

DigPhotog: Intro to Photography: Photo Criticism II - Andre Cabuche & Kevin Carter (W2-P3) Fa15


Photograph Criticism II

There are a variety of ways of critiquing a photograph.  Below is another way outlined by Andre Cabuche in a Canadian Camera article (2004). Cabuche divides his approach into three parts: technical quality, composition, and emotional appeal.

1. TECHNICAL QUALITY

  • "FOCUS: Is the image sharp? If not, is it intentionally soft and successful?"
  • "CLEANLINESS: Is it free of scratches, dust spots, stains, lens flare, etc?"
  • "EXPOSURE: Is it too light, too dark or just right?"
  • "LIGHTING: Is the lighting too contrasty, too flat or just right?"
  • "COLOURS: Does it have neutral colours or a strange colour cast?"

2. COMPOSITION

  • "BALANCE: Is the image aligned correctly or is it crooked?"
  • "LOGIC: Is the arrangement of the visual elements effective?"
  • "PURPOSE: Is there a strong centre of interest, pattern or design?"
  • "CLARITY: Is it simple, yet complete and without distracting elements?"

3. EMOTIONAL APPEAL

  • "DYNAMIC: Does it grab and keep your attention? Does it have the "wow" factor?"
  • "PROVOCATIVE: Does it excite your imagination, or create a strong emotion in you?"
  • "CREATIVE: Does it show a familiar subject in a new, unusual and yet effective way?"
  • "UNUSUAL: Does it show a very unusual subject in an effective way?"


Use the above approach on Kevin Carter's Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of a starving girl in Sudan.  This photo definitely provokes emotional appeal and raises ethical issues in photojournalism.



Some closing questions:
  • Any similarities or differences between Cabuche's approach and Barrett's approach?
  • What is the relationship between critiquing a photograph and composing a photograph?




Share this post with others. See the Twitter, Facebook and other buttons below.
Please follow, add, friend or subscribe to help support this blog.
See more about me at my web site WilliamHartPhD.com.






No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for your comment.
Your comment will be reviewed.
If acceptable, it will be posted after it is carefully reviewed. The review process may take a few minutes or maybe a day or two.