The other day I searched Google using the following terms: photo, critique, forum. The search yielded 318,000 hits. That represents a hell of a lot of photographers and a huge number of photographs. Then I picked several forums and and looked randomly at critiques. Twenty percent of my small sample mentioned the word composition, 10% the word perspective, and an additional 10% used the term lighting. The remaining 60% said things like, I like your photo.
Now, I assume that a great many people who participate in these 318,000 sites are familiar with the rule of thirds, and many more know about cropping and f-stops and depth of field. But, and heres the important point, very few of their photographs are memorable. So did we miss something? Is it possible that there is more to becoming a good photographer then participating in forums where the majority of critiques dont mention anything but the authors opinion of the photo? I believe there is.
So, I would like to engage a group of people to:. 1) study and discuss the elements of a photograph such as unity, negative space, viewpoint, theme, 2) find examples (look at the work of established masters), 3) carry out assignments based on various elements of photography, and, give each other informed (meaningful) critiques.
Now, I assume that a great many people who participate in these 318,000 sites are familiar with the rule of thirds, and many more know about cropping and f-stops and depth of field. But, and heres the important point, very few of their photographs are memorable. So did we miss something? Is it possible that there is more to becoming a good photographer then participating in forums where the majority of critiques dont mention anything but the authors opinion of the photo? I believe there is.
So, I would like to engage a group of people to:. 1) study and discuss the elements of a photograph such as unity, negative space, viewpoint, theme, 2) find examples (look at the work of established masters), 3) carry out assignments based on various elements of photography, and, give each other informed (meaningful) critiques.