Parts of Critique

Class Critique Details & Requirements 

Examine the photograph. Note your first impression upon visually taking in the entire photo, then study all of the details of the photo, being sure to view every component both singularly and in relation to the overall composition.

Discern the facts of its taking.  Who is the photographer? Where and when was it taken? What was the purpose or circumstance of the photograph being taken?

Describe the image in detail.  Use precise language to identify all of the visual elements you can perceive. Ex. "The boy in the corner" would be "The young, frightened boy, huddled in the corner".

Decipher what you like and dislike about the photograph. A photo critique generally begins with a basic impression of what you feel works for the photo and doesn't work for the photo. You don't have to share these perceptions; they are, rather starting points for further analysis.

Address the technical components. Try to be as objective as possible when covering the technical elements of a photograph.

Focus-Determine whether the photo is properly focused, or if it is unintentionally blurred by way of technical error. Note the use of depth of focus (depth of field) if it is in evidence.

Dust and other technical distractions-Did the photographer capture unwanted dust or glare in the photo? 

Color-Not all photos need to represent colors as they would appear to the unaided eye, but the photograph's use of color should be intentional and relevant to the photo. Faded, dull or ruddy color tones may be the product of technical error.

Lighting-Too much or too little lighting may result in a number of technically sub-par photography results. Where is the light coming from? Does it flatter and enhance the subject?

Exposure-This pertains to the length of time the camera was enabled to take in the image and affects the lighting and contrast. A higher exposure allows more light to filter in, and may result in too-white highlights, while a lower exposure may result in a too-dark photo with muddled contrast lines.

Tonal Contrast-This describes the separation between the lightest parts of a photo and the darkest parts. The greater the separation the greater the contrast.
        A. High contrast, mainly pure blacks and pure whites with little gray tones.
        B. Normal contrast, equal amounts of pure blacks, pure whites and gray tones.
        C. Low contrast, more gray tones with little pure blacks or pure whites.

Address the subjective elements.

Emotional Appeal-What emotion do you feel when you look at the photo? 

Did the photographer connect with his subjects or do they look tense, posed or stilted?

Does the photograph tell a story, or part of one?  (It could be as simple as, “here are my kids who I adore” or “here’s my dog catching a frisbee.” Or a very deep one such as, “this is what poverty looks like, right in my hometown.”)

Describe the photograph in terms of your general feeling or impression. This is a subjective part of critiquing photography, and is necessary to relaying the aesthetic impact of the photo to the photographer. For example, a gritty black and white headshot may prompt this sort of description: "This portrait evokes a raw and intimate feeling, and gives a sense of the subject's humility and strength."

Adapted from: http://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Photography-Critique