If you’ve been on SLR Lounge recently, you’ll notice that there’s a new category where you can submit photos for constructive critique as well as give your own feedback. Check out our new format for constructive critique in the video and article below!

Constructive Critique Season 2 Episode 1

The Constructive Critique Burger

We want to foster an environment that encourages and edifies photographers to be their best. Unfortunately, the internet can be a place of harsh meaningless words and “trolls,” which is why we created the Constructive Critique burger, to help guide criticism to actually be constructive.

When you are giving constructive critique, be sure to be kind and helpful. Start with praise/encouragement, then give your constructive critique, and end with praise/encouragement. Let me show you how it’s done!

Self-Portait by Anthony Saleh

Praise/Encouragement: I absolutely love this self-portrait and I think it’s super cool. You did a great job conceptualizing and executing this self portrait, and as photographers, we can all sympathize with how difficult a self-portrait can be.

Constructive Critique: The duality concept could use a little work. There are elements that work with the theme like the directions that you’re facing and the different shirts, but it’s missing the duality theme in the expression, the expression is identical. Although I can see why you would want to keep the expression the same in both, because the eyes and mouth match up. It’s difficult to distinguish the concept of this image, whether this is a duality concept or a mirrored effect.

Praise/Encouragement: The expression is not a huge issue, because you can make a strong case for the duality theme with this image. Great job shooting an incredible self-portrait!

First Time Photoshoot by Adib Fathil

Praise/Encouragement: This is an incredible image, especially since it’s your first photoshoot!

Constructive Critique: The main critique I have is the lack of focus. Does your subject need to be in focus for the image to be powerful? No, but the main reason why the subject needs to be in focus in this image is because your subject is looking at the camera. Now if she were looking away and the focus was on the flowing nature of the dress then the focus could work.

Praise/Encouragement: I love everything about this photo. I love the composition, the pull and flow of the dress and her expression. Keep up the good work!

Local Deli by David Hill

Praise/Encouragement: This is a great shot, and this is for an actual shoot, not just a journalistic one. You did a great job in organizing the store so it looks full and I know it must have been tedious waiting for a good moment because you also had to deal with the store being open at the time of this shot.

Constructive Critique: You shot this image using a shutter drag because you thought it would add interest to the scene, and I definitely agree with you. My only critique is that it would have been cool if they were behind the counter and they were blurred in the action of working. Also you said that some of the items were organized, but there are a few details that are slightly off putting to me. The cinnamon buns and the flowers on the counter are both crooked, the door on the left side is slightly ajar and the table on the right is not in enough to add to the scene so it just becomes a distraction.

Praise/Encouragement: I like the post production and the use of natural light in this image. It looks like a charming deli that I would want to visit and eat lunch at.

Seductive Fire by Edward Wileczek

Praise/Encouragement: This is an interesting image to look at, which is the heart of photography, taking photos that are interesting! There doesn’t always have to be a purpose or story behind them, some images are just aesthetically pleasing, and that’s it. With that being said, there are things we can do to make images even more interesting to look at.

Constructive Critique: One thing that would help this photo is getting more details in the contrast of the embers. The best way to do this would be to stop down the aperture (increase the f-stop number), and that will give you a wider depth of field and sharper focus. This will give you sharper details in the embers and a more interesting image to look at. Also, one piece of advice is to play around with your shutter speed. Fire is an interesting subject to shoot because it’s constantly changing and it’s unpredictable. Slow down your shutter or speed it up and observe the results!

Praise/Encouragement: Good job on getting an overall interesting image, especially with a cocktail in your hand!

Traditional Tea of Turkey by Mehmet Dinler

Praise/Encouragement: I like the lighting and composition of this photo, they are both fantastic and the execution is spot on.

Constructive Critique: The part of the photo that looks strange to me is the splash. In this particular photo, we’re not sure why there’s a splash (because there’s no objects falling into it) or how it adds to the narrative of the image. Usually when people are shooting still liquids, they can make the photo interesting by adding vapor or smoke coming out of the cup. There’s also a bit of a tilt in the saucer as well, which may have been a result of the splash effect, but that’s something to pay attention to as well.

Praise/Encouragement: Overall, this is a great product photo. When you look at a product photo and want to try the product (which I definitely do), then you know you’ve done a good job.

Conclusion

That’s it for this episode of Constructive Critique! If you’re interested in receiving or giving feedback, be sure to check out the Photo Critique section of SLRLounge. Be sure to get involved in Constructive Critique because you can get more SLR Lounge points by participating, as well as win prizes!

A $50 gift card to the SLR Lounge Store will be given to our top pick in each episode!  

Composition And How To Frame The Shot

Composition and framing are the two most basic aspects of photographic creativity.  There are an infinite number of rules when it comes to composition.  While all of them are meant to be broken some of the time, often times they’re helpful in making an overall improvement in the impact of a photo.  Sometimes the improvement is slight, sometimes the improvement is dramatic, and of course sometimes the decision itself is a matter of personal preference, and viewers are simply left to debate the merits of a photo.

But that’s what photography is all about!  Involving the viewer in your images, making them think.  Sometimes, leaving something out of an image can be what makes it work, because the viewer starts to wonder what the story is!

In this video, we will discuss a number of different images from portraits to landscapes, and how their composition and framing might be improved.  One common point of discussion is paying attention to the direction your subjects are facing within your composition.  Often times, if your subject is towards the edge of your composition, or even just at the rule of thirds, you must decide whether you want your subject to be looking towards the edge of the frame, or towards the center of the frame.  It can work both ways, depending on the intention of the photograph, but sometimes it can de-emphasize the impact of the subject.

Until next time, enjoy!

Click HERE to participate in your Constructive Critique Forum, and maybe you’ll win a $50 SLR Lounge gift card in our next episode!

Skater Life by Gatecitykid

A Couple and the Woods by FLMfotografia

Holly B. 1 by JND Photography

Concert Photography by andreanefraser

View of Lyon

Winter in Sweden by andreas christensen

It’s finally feeling like spring by chris_holtmeier

Barren Tundra by dretket

Bikes by Buddy

…And the winner of the Episode 16 Constuctive Critique is…

Gas Mask by Nine7Nine

Congratulations, Nine7Nine!

 Click HERE to participate in your Constructive Critique Forum, and maybe you’ll win a $50 SLR Lounge gift card in our next episode!    Click HERE to visit the SLR Lounge Store.

About the SLR Lounge Constructive Video Critique

The SLR Lounge Constructive Video Critique series gives you, our readers, the chance to have your photos constructively critiqued by our staff as well your peers in the photography community.

Submitting an image is free and easy! All you have to do is visit the Constructive Critique section of the SLR Lounge Forum and start a thread with your image in it. Please be sure to read the rules prior to posting, and please limit to one unique image per thread. Finally, whether you are posting your images or giving critique to someone else’s, please keep all comments constructive and objective.

Constructive Video Critique Video

The Images

Light Bulb: Thread link

Unless you are going for a that moody, chilly look, a more flattering light may be better for this image.

Blue Eyes: Thread link

Great color with toning with blue eyes compared to the golden-tone. However, it maybe better to crop more of the right side.

Here’s Looking at You Kid: Thread link

Nice pop from post, probably no need for vignetting because it darkened the bill a bit. Frame it a bit more to the left and have some more negative space on the right.

Experimental Car Shoot: Thread link

It’s important to make sure the details of the car interior are sharp by lighting it from the sides. This will add some side highlights and bring out the textures more.

Experimenting with Product Photography: Thread link

Use lighting that will bring out edge detail and shape the highlights and shadows of the watch. Flagging and more lights will help to create this look. Also, if you are going for an advertising look, be sure to photoshop out the tiny scratches on the watch.

The “D” Sisters – Brenizer Effect: Thread link

From the viewer’s perspective, the main point of interest is the Brenizer effect for the super-shallow DOF. The better way to use techniques such as this or HDR is to make an already interesting photo more interesting. It should not be the only factor that makes the photo interesting. Also, it’s more flattering to shoot a subject closer to the waist level. Shooting from a higher perspective made the subjects’ leg look short.

Self Portrait at Office: Thread link

Nice use of mixed lighting that has a look of a television drama with the tungsten light in the foreground and cool blue lighting in the background. Adding some hair or rim light can help separate your hair. Add more blue light to the window and dim the light of the files on the upper left side.

1st pics of baby Henry: Thread link

Looks album worthy. May increase the depth of field just a tad.

Sunrise: Thread link

Waking up before sunrise to catch the sunrise proves to be worth it! The only thing that may help is maybe a presence of a subject. If anything, it may be better to clone out the lone bright cloud above the sun since it comwpetes for attention.

Putting my head on high: Thread link

Great look, pose, and hair from the model. One thing though is that she’s in the dark side of the areas. The strong highlights in the background draw the eyes away from her. Also, there is too much clarity on the subject. It would be better to have the clarity on the hair and not the skin. It works if you’re going for a grungy look for the image, though.

Beach walk: Thread link

Her looking to the right is actually just fine, even though it “breaks” the compositional rule. If anything, the reason to shift the composition to the right is more to show the ocean. The houses on the left side is not as interesting and doesn’t help with the mood of the shot as much because all the varying colors. The overall production is great, though! Really fits the overall scene.

The Previous Episode

To watch the previous episode of Constructive Video Critique, click on this link.

When you are composing your shot and deciding what is your subject, be sure to note what else is going on in the frame. Too many competing elements can distract the viewer’s attention away from the subject. Additionally, although it is easy to assume that the foreground object should be the subject, sometimes the background may have more interesting elements.

Good compositional guidelines such as rule of thirds, leading lines, focus, and contrasting colors, can help emphasize the subject from the rest of the environment.

About the SLR Lounge Constructive Video Critique

The SLR Lounge Constructive Video Critique series gives you, our readers, the chance to have your photos constructively critiqued by our staff as well your peers in the photography community.

Submitting an image is free and easy! All you have to do is visit the Constructive Critique section of the SLR Lounge Forum and start a thread with your image in it. Please be sure to read the rules prior to posting, and please limit to one unique image per thread. Finally, whether you are posting your images or giving critique to someone else’s, please keep all comments constructive and objective.

Constructive Video Critique Video

The Images

Snow in Milan by John MK: Thread link

Summer Sunrise by SnutzUK: Thread link

Falling by Zack: Thread link

Happy Kid by andreas christensen: Thread link

Tattoo Shop by Jpierre: Thread link

Morning Mist by tjdalbello: Thread link

Need Some Input by PhotoKaz: Thread link

Having Fun by mcjoli: Thread link

Self-Self by ReveriesRefined: Thread link

Fishing Pier 2 by Buddy: Thread link

The Previous Episode

To watch the previous episode of Constructive Video Critique, click on this link.

Especially for portraiture, always be on the lookout for small un-important items that may detract from the overall image.  This is something that even the greatest photographers must continue to pay attention to, and the sooner you cultivate an eye for distractions, the faster your images will stand out from the bunch.

About the SLR Lounge Constructive Video Critique

The SLR Lounge Constructive Video Critique series gives you, our readers, the chance to have your photos constructively critiqued by our staff as well your peers in the photography community.

Submitting an image is free and easy! All you have to do is visit the Constructive Critique section of the SLR Lounge Forum and start a thread with your image in it. Please be sure to read the rules prior to posting, and please limit to one unique image per thread. Finally, whether you are posting your images or giving critique to someone else’s, please keep all comments constructive and objective.

Constructive Video Critique Video

The Images

First Attempt At Compositing a la Joel Grimes by 3.0: Thread link

Her by Arash D.: Thread link

Girl by Heindrich: Thread link

Winter Details by Till: Thread link

The Fountine by Teenabug: Thread link

Milkweed by Jackchaskell: Thread link

Sunny Side of the Moon by AdamCaldwell: Thread link

Guitar Man by Christophe: Thread link

Squash Soldiers by Leighton: Thread link

The Previous Episode

To watch the previous episode of Constructive Video Critique, click on this link.

One important thing is to always pay attention to intersecting lines.  Avoid cropping elbows off in portraits, for example, and be careful how a subject intersects a horizon line, whether human or otherwise.

Sometimes the best composition isn’t the one that impress you first; you should always move around a little bit and try a few different angles, frame the shot slightly different, move slightly to change background elements, etc.

About the SLR Lounge Constructive Video Critique

The SLR Lounge Constructive Video Critique series gives you, our readers, the chance to have your photos constructively critiqued by our staff as well your peers in the photography community.

Submitting an image is free and easy! All you have to do is visit the Constructive Critique section of the SLR Lounge Forum and start a thread with your image in it. Please be sure to read the rules prior to posting, and please limit to one unique image per thread. Finally, whether you are posting your images or giving critique to someone else’s, please keep all comments constructive and objective.

Constructive Video Critique Video

The Images

Mother and Child by Leighton: Thread link

Bubbles by Nine7Nine: Thread link

Off-Camera Flash Portrait by Ryan180Becker: Thread link

Sun Light by josh: Thread link

Be Like Water by GLPhoto: Thread link

Ponte de Lima by Mondrulho: Thread link

Bike In Tunnel by Jorn Van Der Lee: Thread link

Church Tower by Jorn Van Der Lee: Thread link

Iridescent Cloud by Sarvath: Thread link

The Previous Episode

To watch the previous episode of Constructive Video Critique, click on this link.