Landscape Photography - How to self-critique your own photographs?

In this video: Learning how to self-critique your own photographs is such an important skill for anyone hoping to grow as an artist. Knowing what you want your image to say, express and articulate and knowing where it is going wrong will help you develop your own judgement. The mistake most people make is relying too heavily on external judgement, which in most cases is little more than personal opinion projected as advice.
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Video edited by Ann Kristin Lindaas
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[@anna-karinmickwitz7249]

Very helpful. I am continuously fighting with "is this what it looked like in reality?" whispered by a little troll sitting on my shoulder every time I edit a picture.

[@Ruscombephotos]

I'm late in watching this. I do find this really helpful and I have watched some of the critiques that you and Adam did and prefer the approach to the one I was subjected to about two years ago in a public forum. The order was alphabetic by name, so mine was up first and the first words the critic said were: "That's a really boring photograph." He then proceeded to tell me about how it should have been cropped, how it didn't conform to rules of thirds etc, although one part of it was on one of the rules, but not a major part of the composition. Even if he thought it was really boring, there are other ways he could have said it. He said almost nothing about the mood or atmosphere of the photograph or the fact I had chosen to make it black and white - a choice I made at the time of shooting. It was foggy with a bank of vegetation emerging from the fog, reflected in some still water beneath, and some very distant hills scarcely visible through the fog. Interestingly, nobody else that has seen the image has thought it boring - or have not said so - and have been quite complimentary about it. The impact it had on me was profound and unexpected. I came very close to giving up photography. But the more I thing back to it, I realize it was just opinion and he was just telling me how he would have gone about shooting this subject and how be would have processed it.

[@Alister_Benn]

Wow!! They sound like a complete idiot!! I hate these people, overwhelmed by their own sense of superiority and ego. They’re just hopeless!! Keep at it and forget their rubbish

[@curiousabout1]

"Sliders go both ways" I lol'd because that is seriously something I did not appreciate for a long time. Like a lot of people it seems, I began my journey into photography during the pandemic, so I'm still very new and have so much to learn. This post is exactly the sort of thing I'm starving for. Not only does it confirm some things I've already begun to understand, but it helps to clarify them while also introducing ideas and concepts that I may not have considered yet at all. There is so much wisdom in this post, thank you so much for sharing it! I need to add that your delivery is incredibly soothing as well. I could listen to your voice (and will!) for hours.

[@tonyandsheilaphotography]

Thanks for the valuable insight you provide in these weekly videos. The difference I see between your videos and the majority of KZbin photographers, who I follow, is how your philosophic approach goes beyond just having images technically right, but also looking at them for their creativity and aesthetic value. To me it's like these other KZbin landscape photographers give you a canvas that is more or less like a paint by number format rather than a blank canvas for us to create, which is what I believe you give us in your videos. Thank you! As far as I'm concerned you can stay in your studio and keep cranking out these valuable teaching tutorials, even though I know you are itching to get out in the field. :-). Lastly, how much in American dollars is it to join the EP Forum? Have a great week!

[@nancymatheson8602]

Wow! This video is dense with very worthwhile lessons. Thanks so much. Flagged to watch again.

[@WillieJarlNilsen]

A very useful and interesting video. Will share with my photo club.

[@Alister_Benn]

Many thanks

[@MarkRomine]

Thank you!

[@iaincphotography6051]

I had a little chuckle to myself when you said about pushing the sliders to eleven, you have that amp don't you lol. A good episode this, people who suffer at the hands of club judges need to watch it and take notice.

[@Alister_Benn]

All my amps go to 12 🫠

[@gjgazda4572]

Very helpful discussion on processing. What I was taught on doing literary critique is that critique is about my reaction to the work, not about how I would do it “better”.

[@brendanmcloughlin.photography]

Really enjoyed this. I will apply these to my own photos.

[@Professor_Internet_PhD]

Very informative stuff, Alister. I also appreciated hearing your thoughts behind that composition. Funny that you should mention that part about sharpness. In at least 95% of YT landscape photography channels, there is always a big emphasis on front to back sharpness, but about a month ago I had this epiphany of "I actually don't care about front to back sharpness; only the parts that are important to the composition will be in focus." Why should the foreground grass be in focus when that is not where any attention should go to begin with? Such was my reasoning.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for that. I don’t actually consider my channel a landscape photography channel. You can expect to see an evolution of our brand the next couple of months

[@Professor_Internet_PhD]

@@Alister_Benn I like that, reasonates with my own views. My approach to landscape photography has always been a bit different anyway, and i also don't limit myself to landscape photography only, because, even though there may be creativity stimulating reasons to do so, why limit yourself?

[@bhamerlik]

Thanks so much for your valuable thoughts. They help me (in fact they help us all, I believe) realize things that otherwise would just slip my attention. Great to have you here and I'm glad I bumped into your channel! :)

[@dwrisdon2487]

As usual, it's all about starting with/being solid in the basics. Then "add" the story. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Great video as always.

[@williamneill8839]

Hey Alister, so glad you are discussing this topic. Self-critique is vital and very difficult. Well done! Developing this skill is how we focus on our passionate themes like your stunning OUT OF DARKNESS book. I have had the honor of seeing a preview and it is a must BUY!

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks so much and apologies for the glacial response! Yes, Out of Darkness is a must buy :-) :-)

[@andrewcroxall1416]

Very interesting for self develomment.

[@Alister_Benn]

Absolutely

[@russellraevo6123]

Thank you Alister, I found this to be really interesting and helpful. Sometimes your videos go over the top of my head but not this one. I’m not knocking you, I imagine the reason for that is I am gazing upwards at a greater level of understanding and creativity.

[@chriscockett106]

The info on clipped blacks and printing was very helpful and something l hadn't considered.

[@jeffschreifels8651]

Your videos are a pleasure to watch because you always get me to think and reflect on my mental approach to photography. Having confidence and conviction when it comes to knowing what you want to say with a photo is so important but not always easy, at least not for me. I know why I take a photo but it's difficult for me to apply that with conviction in the field and in my editing. That is probably the reason I am constantly tweaking photos in Lightroom and Photoshop but rarely being fully satisfied.

[@davidskinner274]

Nice aproach in explaining how to adjust our RAW files, thanks Alister. Already sent a couple images in.

[@rolsonn]

Thank you; very thought provoking. Glad to watch a video focusing more on the emotional side versus composition details like rule of thirds, etc

[@keithspangler4814]

I love your thoughts....social media drives me and I'm aware and trying to switch that up. It is so simple, but mastering (social media) "likes". Thank you

[@pietermoolman8087]

Thanks for this video Alister. Appreciate your insight and your willingness to share with us. It is good to get confirmation from someone that I admire that I am on the right track.

[@saxmangeoff]

Loved this one, Alister! This was a masterclass in Photography!

[@dannyhead5287]

Love your insight!

[@davidmcculloch8490]

Great messages. I have found huge benefit from processing an image in stages, going back after the first version and sometimes creating different versions until satisfied that an image reflects my intent.

[@TodColbert]

Excellent video. Self critique is always a struggle for me, but this was helpful. The idea of separating the technical and artistic makes sense. The biggest takeaway is to get in touch with what you’re trying to say and evaluating how the elements express the feeling. Thank you!

[@Alister_Benn]

Excellent, I am really grateful for the feedback.

[@edwardsherwood3854]

So helpful and assuring. Will be applying the two stage, technical and expressive dimensions and resist doing too much, too soon in one go! I also have immense difficulty choosing between say 3 or 4 similar images as to which one I am happiest with. Hopefully your suggestions on self critiquing will make this an easier task!

[@shaun53355]

Alastair your videos and approach is so meaningful to myself and to others I see in the comments. Out of the darkness love that title, as I said before I will be getting an copy.

[@Alister_Benn]

Thank you so much for that, your positive feedback means a great deal

[@mikecasalotti4158]

I have a 5 minute rule. However, rules are made to be broken. :) As always, awesome video.

[@dentom1954]

Thank you Alister for another interesting and very valuable video. This series has been extremely educational and useful. Cheers!!

[@Alister_Benn]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@esanford]

Excellent....

[@amateurphotographerassocia5965]

Great. Will share ;)

[@Alister_Benn]

Thanks for sharing!

[@paulus0109]

Good subject to take notice of. Thnx Allister.

[@Alister_Benn]

Many thanks

[@alexg714]

Very valuable insights, thanks. The thing I struggle with most is detaching myself from the experience I had when shooting the image. The emotions I felt on site tend to get in the way of an objective assessment of the image. Other than waiting three years until I process the image I can't think of anything that would help me looking at my own images in an objective manner.

[@Fishermangg]

I don't really understand this "detatching yourself" principle. If that is what gives you joy, that is how you will create something unique. Objective assessment is for technical details of the picture. The rest, development of emotion, feeling, atmosphere, that best will come from your emotions, wherever you get them from. Don't fight it, express it in your photo instead. Enjoy the feeling. Worst that can happen is that you will not like it as much some time later, and can redevelop it if you so desire.

[@SignorAveya]

Very nice, thank you for sharing friend. Love it 💙

[@Alister_Benn]

Many thanks, you’re welcome

[@alandouglas4612]

The biggest lesson for me over the years Alister has been Less Is More. Thanks for another thoughtful video (:

[@Alister_Benn]

Everything counts, and if it’s in it should be for a good reason ❤️

[@MrBillkaz]

When he references the rock in the left hand corner lower left quadrant foreground as a possible distraction why is that? The possibility of cropping part of it out ?

[@TimberGeek]

I suppose clipping ceases to be a technical issue and returns to being an aesthetic choice with C-type prints.

[@Alister_Benn]

Sorry for the slow reply. Yeah, I guess, I haven't done any c-type printing and wouldn't really know.

[@MrBillkaz]

Im Terrible at this ... For both good and bad photos I capture

[@chriscockett106]

Hello Alister, l tried to send some images in for critique but the email was returned. Is that address working ok? Thanks, Chris

[@Alister_Benn]

It’s working fine.

[@chriscockett106]

Thanks, l've sent again.

[@Alister_Benn]

@@chriscockett106 LOL< all 16 received!! We're working through these slowly, 2 images per week will be critiqued, but Adam is away for a couple of weeks, so we'll be starting slowly. It could be some time before one of your images is selected.

[@chriscockett106]

🤣👍