cri?tique (Photographers Information)

For all photographers, being asked to pick their “best” work is a nightmaresque challenge. In a few days I have to sit before a row of people and have my work critiqued. The Fun.

So what is it all about, what is

cri?tique

/kr??tik/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [kri-teek] Show IPA noun, verb, -tiqued, -ti?quing.

So I get told how bad my work is, and hopefully why.  I guess this could be good. To ensure that I get the most positive use out of this i am going to really try and understand how it can help.

My first problem is that I can only show 20 photos, How do I pick which photos to show! Which area of my photography should I focus on, should I show a range from work ? Should I be very targeted on a specific area of my work?  I think some background research should be conducted.

There tend to be 4 steps to the whole process;

• The Preparation

• The Pitch

• The Critique

• Using the Critique

Step one – The preparation:

Picking the photos?  Working out what questions I need answers to?  What do I want out of it? There are lots of things that need to be decided a few days before the day. When you walk in the room, even before you have shown your work people will of still made there decisions about you. Everything counts.

Bring Copies
The general rule for being critiqued in a group is to make sure you have enough copies of your work in order that everyone can view it in a comfortable way. This will be the most beneficial to you because then your piers can make comments in there own times without wasting discussion time, and act as a reference during that discussion time. Since you get to take it home, it can also remind you of what was discussed in group and give you a bit of ego-stroking when needed!

Listen Carefully
We have other people read your your work, so that you can catch on challenging, colours, items and other little mistakes. Is your work really saying what you want it to say?

Stay Positive
The people who have been picked to give critique will be honest, very honest at times. It cam be a bumpy ride. Take the rough with the smooth and remember to take the positive comments seriously as well!

Don’t Apologize
Everyone “creates” for different reasons, and we all come from different backgrounds. Your Photography is your art, no matter how good or clever or marketable it is or not. You don’t need to apologize for your art.

Don’t Argue
It’s hard enough to make comments about a piece, but when an artist argues the point with a commenter, it scares them away. Ask clarifying questions, but understand that they’re trying to help, not to hinder.

Grains of Salt
Everyone knows something about photography, so it’s helpful to listen to all comments that you receive. The final decision on your work is yours alone, though. Think about what they’ve suggested, then decide when you’re ready. If needed, take a break from your work for a little while before going back to it to remain objective. A lot of critiques are just personal preference, anyway, but don’t immediately reject ideas just because they hurt.

Ask Questions
If there is a particular part in your piece that you are worried about, ask about it! Feel free to ask for your group’s opinions. The people sat in front of you are more than likely to be a rich source of advice on a wide range of subjects not just the few bits of work you have with you on that day. Make sure you have time at the end to fire some questions back at them, have your list ready.

Step Two – The Pitch;

I have decided to focus my work on two areas for the Review.  The total of 20 photos have been split down in to 2 sets,  12 photos are new edits taken from my Photo-manip portrait gallery (link) with the remaining 8 photos designed to show my rounded skill and style all round. These 8 photos are landscape works, HDR work, Wedding sample and work that represents me as a photographer/ artist.  I have decided to make 12 x8 in prints of all the photos, two of each print. I have also made 5 custom DVDs with the new Review Gallery section added to last years entire portfolio. These will gave to each person giving critique. Business cards will be in each DVD case too. Having a good sized Laptop at the from with me will be a key feature as I am going to play my DVD intro animation as a “ice-breaker” at the start. (The DVD animation has sound too, so i must remember to bring speakers!).

My Next review is on the 23rd of  May, so check back to see how it all goes!

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