So, you think you aren't experienced enough to critique?

[KathysPix]

Critiquing scares a lot of people, but it's really rather basic. You don't need to have a lot of technical knowledge to critique (leave that end of it to the real "Pros" around here. Sometimes the photographer just wants to know how you "feel" about his/her image.

http://www.photozo.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25342
I wrote the above article here at Zo about you, the Photographer, but the concepts actually work both ways. It comes down to "What catches your eye?" "What holds your eye?" "What moves your eye?" and finally - "What irritates your eye?" You really don't have to have much techie knowledge for those questions.

Get used to critiquing. The more you do, the more you learn. What you like or don't like in another person's image should give you an idea of what to attempt or avoid in yours.

Btw, don't worry about a negative comment. If you can nicely say what you think might need a "Fix" (maybe along with a positive comment), people won't get mad at you. That's why they've put their image up for others to view. If they weren't looking for reactions and/or suggestions they wouldn't have uploaded. Right, guys???!!!!! You may not want to offer suggestions on Challenge Entries, though. (that's my personal opinion.)

[Leonie]

Thanks for bringing your article to my attention Kathy. I hadn't seen it the first time around and found it very useful. It's put new light and ideas on how I go about composing a photo.

[Skippy]

Love your article. All things that I have read before, but always need to be reminded of. I like the you compared to a conversation. Well done.

Skippy

[KathysPix]

You may or may not know (or guessed) that I have a world-class case of Attention Deficit Disorder - and tend to ramble. I wrote that for myself one day to help me focus (the brain, not the camera!)

I still try to remember the concepts. The image's meaning doesn't have be deep, just as long as the viewer gets something out of it.

Glad you thought it helpful. k

[Sage]

Great article, Kathy. I hadn't seen it before and needed to be reminded of what I'm trying to say with my images. As far as critiquing images, it took me a while before I'd make a comment on someone's capture. I didn't feel like I had enough experience or technical knowledge to do so. I still don't, but I have gotten to know what I like and don't like, so very timidly I comment on images now. You're right about it helping one focus on what to attempt in their own photography. Thanks for the encouragement!