This guide explains the intent, scope, and ethical standards behind each primary tag used in Image Critiques.
Our goal is not rigid categorization, but clarity. Tags help organize work so members can find the kinds of images they care about — and so critique remains focused and meaningful.
You may apply multiple tags when appropriate.
Landscape
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The landscape tag celebrates natural environments across scale — from sweeping vistas to quiet, intimate scenes.
This includes:
- Mountains, deserts, forests, coastlines
- Agricultural and rural landscapes
- Intimate natural scenes
- Landscapes where limited human elements support the natural setting
Human Elements
Human presence is often part of the land. Historic structures, traditional farming, and subtle infrastructure are generally appropriate when the natural environment remains dominant.
Images where modern industrial or urban structures are the primary subject should use non-nature.
The guiding question:
Is the natural world the main visual and emotional focus?
Wildlife
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The wildlife tag is for wild animals photographed in their natural environment.
This includes:
- Mammals
- Reptiles
- Amphibians
- Fish
- Invertebrates (unless primarily macro-focused)
Wildlife images may range from close portraits to environmental compositions.
Ethics & Disclosure
Wildlife welfare is always the priority.
- Live bait is prohibited.
- Use of seed, non-live bait, or recorded calls must be disclosed.
- Images from commercial game farms are not permitted.
- Zoo, rehabilitation center, reserve, or captive wildlife images must use
non-natureand include full disclosure. - Domesticated animals belong under
non-nature.
When relevant, include:
- Species
- Behavioral context
- Location (when appropriate and safe)
Transparency builds trust.
Birds
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The birds tag is dedicated to avian subjects.
This includes:
- Birds in flight
- Perched portraits
- Courtship, nesting, feeding
- Environmental bird scenes
Ethical standards mirror Wildlife:
- No live bait
- Disclosure required for seed or recorded calls
- No commercial game farm images
We encourage images that reflect natural behavior and habitat rather than staged interactions.
Plant Life
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The plant-life tag highlights the diversity and subtle beauty of botanical subjects.
This includes:
- Flowers and blossoms
- Trees, bark, leaves, branches
- Ferns, mosses, lichens
- Mushrooms and fungi
- Cacti and succulents
- Aquatic plants
- Seeds and fruit
Both wild and cultivated plants are welcome.
Disclosure
- Cultivated or garden plants should be identified.
- Staged or studio setups must be disclosed.
- If insects or animals dominate the frame, consider
wildlifeormacro-close-up.
Macro / Close-Up
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The macro-close-up tag reveals details that are often unseen at normal viewing distance.
Macro typically begins around a 1:10 reproduction ratio, with true macro at 1:1 or greater.
Subjects include:
- Insects
- Small invertebrates
- Fine plant details
- Natural textures
- Small abstract elements
Technical Transparency
When helpful, include:
- Camera and lens
- Aperture
- Focus stacking or special equipment
- Cropping (if significant)
Ethical Considerations
- Frozen insects are not allowed.
- Chilling insects is discouraged.
- Staged setups must be disclosed.
Macro work often straddles art and documentation — clarity about process helps critique remain constructive.
Nightscape & Astro
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The astro tag includes images where the night sky is a significant element.
This includes:
- Milky Way landscapes
- Star trails
- Aurora
- Moon photography
- Deep sky objects
- Planetary photography
- Comets and meteor showers
Disclosure Expectations
Please disclose:
- Tracking
- Stacking
- Blending
- Composites
- Significant additions or removals
The night sky invites technical complexity — transparency keeps critique grounded in reality.
Abstract
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The abstract tag is dedicated to images that prioritize visual language over literal description.
Rather than documenting a subject, abstract work emphasizes:
- Form
- Shape
- Color
- Texture
- Pattern
- Visual rhythm
Two Valid Approaches
Pure Abstraction
The subject is transformed to the point where its identity is secondary — or even unrecognizable. The image stands as a composition of visual elements.
Representational Abstraction
The subject may remain identifiable, but its abstract qualities dominate. Techniques may include:
- Intentional Camera Movement (ICM)
- Multiple exposures
- Creative focus
- Extreme close framing
- Light and shadow exploration
A common marker of strong abstraction is when a viewer asks:
“What is it?”
This question signals engagement with form rather than simple identification.
Abstract work should feel intentional — not simply filtered.
Non-Nature
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The non-nature tag exists for subjects that fall outside NPN’s core nature focus.
This includes:
- Urban scenes
- Architecture
- Street photography
- Documentary
- Portraiture
- Industrial subjects
- Captive animals (with disclosure)
Content must remain respectful and suitable for all audiences.
Avoid highly polarizing political or religious themes.
Weekly Challenge
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Every Sunday a new challenge theme is released.
Participants should:
- Follow the posted theme
- Include a short explanation of how the image connects
- Respect subject limitations (non-nature allowed only if stated)
The Weekly Challenge is designed as a creative prompt — a way to encourage participation and experimentation within critiques.
Projects
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The project tag is for cohesive bodies of work united by a focused theme.
Projects differ from portfolios. A project has:
- A clear conceptual or thematic thread
- Intentional cohesion
- A defined scope
Recommended submission:
- 6–12 carefully curated images
- A concise project description
Larger bodies of work should be shared as:
- A curated PDF
- Or an external link
Projects are critiqued as a whole — not as isolated images.
For deeper guidance:
https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/guidelines-for-the-projects-category/33042
Scale & Style Modifiers
These describe how an image feels, not what it depicts.
They may be combined with subject tags.
Grand
Use grand for images emphasizing:
- Scale
- Spatial depth
- Environmental context
- Vastness
This tag may accompany landscape, wildlife, birds, plant-life, astro, or non-nature.
Intimate
Use intimate for images emphasizing:
- Subtle relationships
- Close framing
- Quiet mood
- Detail and texture
May accompany landscape, wildlife, plant-life, macro-close-up, or abstract.
Black & White
Use black-and-white when tonal structure, contrast, and form are central to the image’s design.
Strong black-and-white work demonstrates intentional use of light and shadow — not simply the removal of color.
If you are unsure which tag to use, choose what best reflects your intent. Moderators may adjust tags to maintain clarity and organization.
The purpose of tags is to support thoughtful critique — not to constrain creativity.