Hello all. I have been a member of NPN since 2021, and I have loved it and learned lots over the years from contributors in this community. I feel, however, that I have “posted and run” too often. I am looking to be a better “contributor” to try to add some value here. But I’m not sure that I’m qualified to critique another’s image much beyond “I like it”. Is there any advice on being more active without overstepping my knowledge base? Or is “I Like It” enough?
Thanksfor your time, and I hope to give at least as much as I take, if not more, in the coming year.
Hi Todd! I’m happy you decided to get more involved with the community. In addition to contributing, one of the main values of critiquing other peoples’ photos is how much you learn that aides your own artistic journey. It’s amazing how much it improves your own vision and photography.
That was a great post Todd and I have to say I have had the same thoughts over the years and I still have the same thoughts. My process to become better at critiques is to study images and read lots and lots of critiques of those images. In addition, when I do write a critique, I try to be one of the first and I do it on an image where I feel fairly confident that I can make a contribution both complimentary and constructive.
Hey Todd, I too wish I was more consistent here - mostly for me I just forget to login and chat. My attention is pulled in too many directions. But in terms of being qualified - you’re HUMAN and have preferences, so I’d just lean into those preferences and say what you like, and what you wish was different, in a kind way. I don’t think critique has to be more complicated than that. There’s also a really good guide that NPN has here on the site that can give you more tips on this.
Hey Todd, learning how to give feedback is one of the most valuable ways to grow as a photographer. It forces you to slow down, analyze what’s working and what isn’t, and, just as important, start to understand your own preferences. That process alone sharpens your eye over time. When critiquing, it always helps to consider the photographer’s vision first, if they’ve shared it, but beyond that it can be as simple as spending a few minutes with the image and asking yourself what you’re responding to and what might be distracting or pulling you out of it. Critiques are ultimately opinions, and every honest, thoughtful opinion has value. Even saying what you like, whether it’s the light, color, composition, or how the image makes you feel, can be incredibly helpful. You don’t need to be highly experienced to share how an image affects you. Constructive criticism is also welcome here when it’s offered with tact and respect, and I actually think we could use more of it. We need honesty to grow as artists. At the end of the day, the photographer gets to decide what feedback resonates with them, but every perspective gives them another way of seeing their work.
I agree with @Matt_Payne on this. Just jump in and start splashing. That’s how we learn how to swim. The best way to learn a language is through immersion and talk. Don’t worry about the perfect critique. Just say what’s on your mind. The skill will come as you do it.
Let’s put it this way. It’s better to give a weak critique than no critique at all.
Hi Todd - I applaud your willingness to share your hesitance to post, but desire to do more. This coming from one who hasn’t participated as much as in the past, but what the heck. I can only encourage you to try to get past feeling like you’re not qualified. To do what? Give an opinion? Suggest an improvement? Ask a question? You are more than qualified to do those things. Especially at NPN where we are all about giving and receiving feedback. None of us are end-all, be-all experts, but we have our own perspectives, techniques, likes and dislikes and sharing those in a safe place is really valuable. So like others said, jump in, the water’s fine.