Photography Self Critique Checklist

Self Polaroid by Siobhan Evans

The human eye naturally gravitates towards light areas of tone so, generally it helps to keep these away from the edges of the image

Darker tones should be lower in the picture to give it a firm base

Normally, out of focus areas should be kept to the background rather than the foreground

A picture that has two equal centres of interest can often be a confused or weak one Anything that leads the eye away from the centre of interest should be avoided

Consider the picture as a whole. It should not be seen as a collection of components

Horizons should be level and verticals upright unless the intention is otherwise

An image should have a natural point of interest, somewhere for the eye to rest

If the image is a 'pattern' picture, it often helps if the pattern is broken

Don't always regard a grainy picture as substandard

There should be no lines that lead the viewers eye out of the picture

A central horizon is usually quite boring. An image should either concentrate on the land or the sky, the most successful placing is often but not always one third from the top or bottom of the image.

Landscape Photography Critique Checklist ​Light & Atmosphere​

Quality of Light:

Does the lighting reveal texture and depth (e.g., low-angled golden hour light), or is it harsh and flat (midday sun)?​

Dynamic Range:

Are the sky’s highlights preserved without losing shadow detail in foreground elements?​

Atmospheric Depth:

Do haze, mist, fog, or layered elements establish a clear sense of distance between foreground and background?

By Keith Spicer