How to do a short writeup for critique.

[eikin]

From 16th April 2007 onwards, a short writeup will be made compulsory for every picture posted for critique.

Pictures posted without a short writeup that includes any one or all of the following will be deleted without notice.

1. in what area is critique to be sought?
2. what one hopes to achieve with the piece of work?
3. under what circumstance is the picture taken? (physical conditions/emotions)
4. what the critique seeker personally thinks of the picture


writings like 'C&C Welcomed' or 'i took this at Ang Mo Kio' are not counted as short writeup.


The following is a good example of how to make a critique request

A sunday morning at the park

1.in what area is critique to be sought?

Some ways to write this

I will like feedback on the composition.
I have composed the picture this way because I want to show *fill in the blank*

I will like feedback on photography techniques.
The following is the camera settings used to photograph this picture.
I have chosen this aperture/shutter speed/exposure compensation because I want
to show *fill in the blank*

I will like feedback on post processing techniques.
I have done the following post processing because I want to show *fill in the blank*


e.g. I will like feedback on post processing techniques.
I want to depict the feeling of Hope, and I have deliberately increased the contrast
to make the light rays shining into the forest more apparent.


2.what one hopes to achieve with the piece of work?

Some ways to write this

I want to show *fill in the blank* through the picture.*elaborate*

I want viewers to feel *fill in the blank* through the picture.*elaborate*


e.g. I want to show that Life and Death is part of a cycle
by placing the fresh flower beside the withered flower. I have chosen the same
type of flower to emphasize the repetitive nature of the cycle.


3.under what circumstance is the picture taken? (physical conditions/emotions)

Some ways to write this

I took this picture because I feel *fill in the blank* from the scene

I took this picture under *fill in the blank* lighting condition and I adjusted
*fill in the blank* so that I can focus on the subject


e.g. I felt the anger from the crowd in the demonstration,
in order to capture this anger I raised the camera above my head to take this
picture, showing the impact of numbers in the crowd and their action when they
raise their fists together.


4.what the critique seeker personally thinks of the picture

Some ways to write this

Personally, I like this picture because *fill in the blank*

I feel that the picture can be better in the following areas *fill in the blank*


e.g. From the colours of the sky, I think I have successfully captured the
mood of the setting sun, but I should have taken more precaution in the tilting
of the line of horizon and obstruction from some foreground objects.

 

[eikin]

Importance of Writing

some people question the need for writeups when displaying photography works.
there are indeed pictures that work without any writings attached, but i'll like to
show a good example of why a writeup can tell so much more about a picture from
the Pulitzer Prize website

http://www.pulitzer.org/year/2007/feature-photography/works/byer01_jpg.html

as seen from the excellent example, the writeup not only explains the circumstances
of the subject, but is designed (yes the writing is written clearly with deliberation and
intention) to complement the experience of 'reading' the picture.

we've made the shortwriteup a compulsory condition for posting in Critique Corner
because not everybody understands what everyone else is trying to say in his/her
own pictures. the writeup is to provide supplementary information to potential critic,
as well as help the picture poster clear up his/her own thoughts about the picture.

the next time you show a picture to someone, take some time to think about what
you want to say about the picture.

cheers.