Last Updated: Feb 16th, 2013 - 10:04:07

Are you stuck taking the same mediocre images?  Do you wonder if your photos are even good? Wouldn't it help to have a professional view your work with a constructive evaluation to include feedback, suggestions and tips?

FIVE STEPS TO BECOMING A GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER
1. Purchase a decent camera (current point and shoot to any current DSLR)
2. Learn the technical, how to use the functions of your camera
3. Learn composition/framing skills
4. Learn basic post processing skills (via iPhoto, Photoshop Elements, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, etc).
5. Have your photos Critiqued/Reviewed by a professional

Each step is equally important. And yes, the last step is especially as crucial as is 1-4. By attaining a greater understanding of the critiquing process, it will become a significant, invaluable tool that could forever alter the way you shoot and view images.

The purpose of critiques is to offer one's impression of a photo. Since we are all coming from varied backgrounds, it could create varying opinions. A good thing. But remember a critique is NOT a criticism. People tend to confuse it. There is no place in critiques for criticism, using nastiness in thought or words, egotism, direct put-downs, photo bashing, etc (you get the picture). But even with that said, perhaps we have been guilty of non-intentional negative sounding feedback. It's always worth the extra time to be aware of what and how words are spoken.

The Image Review Session is done by a professional photographer with years of experience and credibility. Finding something to like about an image, no matter how small, is part of the larger puzzle. Remember to create an image that evokes an emotion, and unfortunately, since images are personal to the photographer, the critiques can often feel personal, no matter how much we wish it were not so. Once we understand the sensitivity involved, we have a better understanding of the larger "picture," improving your skills as a photographer.

If you're reading this, you deserve a thirty percent discount for your Image Review session, please email jf(a)SundaysInNY.com and mention this photoworkshop discount. ALSO A GREAT GIFT!

(The main website: Sundays In NY)

Why Need Your Images Critiqued?
Having a professional photographer offer suggestions is crucial in moving your photography forward and is what's missing in the amateur market today. Professionals go to portfolio reviews, but what about all of us who  wonder if we have the eye or not?

The private Image Reviewing Session was created at Sundays in NY Photo Workshops for non professionals, where your images are evaluated with helpful comments along with encouragement. Participation results in more proficiency in how you shoot and frame your images (for ex, utilizing simple basic post processing tools, cropping, saturation, contrast, etc). The learning curve is increased when sharing feedback on other's images as well.

What often happens when your images are evaulated by a professional photographer is a comment element found and rarely obvious, projecting a recurring thread in how you shoot and what your eye is drawn to. This information is so helpful in understanding your "style." Most beginning photographers are unaware that we have a "style." Comments include:  "I really have potential," to "Phew, I'm heading in the right direction," to "Ahhh, now I understand what I need to work on," to "I've just never seen it like that before...." Soon participants get into "the rhythm" of the critiquing process and are able to comment as well.
 
Explanations are clearly given in how/why your photo works, or not, delving deeper into the composition and the photographer's eye.

Having your images reviewed also teaches an invaluable tool, called "self-editing." Another essential ingredient in becoming a better photographer, and the difference between remaining a snap shooter or moving towards fine art. What you do with your images when you get home is as important to be proficient in as is the actual shooting. Post processing software (iPhoto, Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, etc) are all tools to improve images, where there are tons of classes in becoming proficient in these skills. Having your images critiqued is a great way to train your eye after shooting, and is the missing link between the actual shooting and the using of post processing software.

As The Photographer
Listening to feedback of your images might be challenging for some people to hear, and best not taken lightly or personal. You are asking for advice because you want to improve, so having the openness to new ideas is key.  The session is a safe haven

With the overwhelming popularity of life coaches covering every field of interest today, an Image Coach adds another dimension. It's where participants gain an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your photos, delving into your creative vision, while gaining invaluable new skills.

DO NOT MISS this thirty percent discount for an Image Review session, email jf(a)SundaysInNY.com and mention this photoworkshop discount.

Feedback


The critiquing session helped me to see what I was missing to turn a good photo into a great one. She conveys her vision so clearly that I felt like I could really see what she was seeing and what I need to do to take my photos to the next level. It was great to get her feedback on my photos.  I feel like I learned so much in one hour about how to "see" more clearly and compose better photos. - Grace

This session stresses a set of basic principles, which like all true wisdom seems simple but is really very deep. Practice makes perfect, her critiques are insightful and constructive, and her class is a ball. She attracts a very interesting set of compatible people. - Kathleen Brady, author of Lucille The Life of Lucille Ball and Ida Tarbell Portrait Of A Muckraker.

First, I want to tell you how much I appreciated the critique session with you last week.  I found it to be so very valuable on several levels.  You provided honest, constructive comments that were encouraging and optimistic.  You helped me understand how other people might see my work and how and why an editor would select and use certain images and give direction about improving them and other images.  You also gave me the beginnings of a visual vocabulary with which I can view and edit my own images.  One practical benefit of this is to better recognize on which images it’s worth spending more digital darkroom time and which were just not strong enough at the moment of capture.  And finally, it was really nice to get your positive reactions to some of my images, which means a lot to me and points me in a couple of directions to pursue with even more passion and confidence.  - Jeffrey

I learned that just a little tweaking can transform a boring photo into a keeper. You saw things I never did. Totally worthwhile, thank you - Siobhan

I've participated in many portfolio reviews and my one hour with you was more helpful. You went over each image in great detail, I highly recommend this, money worth spent - Patricia

I got so much out of the private hour I spend with you critiquing my work. Your comments and feedback were crucial in how I proceed with my photography. thank you so much!! - Sara

I paid for 30 minutes of time and had to keep going, it was that helpful! - Bob

Not easy to find a professional to critique your work who knows her stuff. You saved me so much wasted time doing the same kind of boring snap shot photos over and over again. Now I know exactly what I am doing wrong and the improvement has been awesome. - Grant

I had no idea where to go with my photos. I was at a dead end. The encouragement saved me from scrapping photography all together. I can't believe I got my excitement back again to shoot, thank you for getting me back on track. - Lola

There was so much basic information learned from my photos being critiqued, things I would never think of. It's been helpful in going forward for my photography career. Having someone view and give advice like this has been hard to come by, and I got great tips out of it, thank you. - Marina 

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE MAIN WEBSITE
http://sundaysinny.com/critique

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