How to judge photographs

A picture is worth a thousand words. Yet most people can't even come up with ten. How many times have you shown your pictures to others and got the same "it's nice'' response. Ask people what they like about a photograph and most of them can't tell what it is about an image that they find interesting. I once showed a group of people a photograph by Ernst Haas which showed a street scene at night and asked if they liked the photograph. Their reply ranged from "it's not bad" to "it's OK." I asked them to look a little closer, and they did. Still they just saw an ordinary street with cars and traffic signs similar to any other streets we see everyday. Haas a master of photography, produced an extraordinary image of a street scene at night using bright colors that standout against a black background. Colors are even, and do not dominate each other or the scene. You can almost feel the stormy evening. Haas used a telephoto lens which compressed the whole image. Everything from street signs, lights, and cars appear closer together, giving a sense of overcrowding. You can see an endless line of street lights to a point that they become less recognizable at the far end of the photograph, but even more noticeable. The long lens does not allow the viewer to separate the scene. Cars on the right of the photograph seem to have no choice but to move forward and into even a more compressed space, while the ones on the left seem to have just come out of it. Far-center of the photograph looks the busiest and set against the dark background which does not give any clue of how far this scene goes. What's even more interesting is that no person is visible in this obviously overcrowded, man made place. Unfortunately, I can't show you the picture because of the copy write laws. After I explained all the details of this photograph, everyone who saw it earlier, wanted to see it again, and this time they found the image much more interesting.

You have to pay attention to details when viewing your photographs or when you are to take one. Pressing the shutter release or using expensive equipment won't guarantee good images. Even a small object which does not relate to others, can destroy a photograph. Often a simple shape or color can give better results. Ask yourself what it is that you find interesting about your subject. What is it that you want to show? You have to organize the scene by either removing or including different objects. Light is very important and effects your pictures greatly. Any ordinary photograph under good light, can turn into a great image. Your subject is not as important as how you photograph it. A simple well composed subject under good light is much better than one taken of a more beautiful place with distracting backgrounds or colors. I still have my very first pictures when I had just started doing photography. I can't come up with a thousand words to describe any of them. Only four: What was I thinking? I can't believe I was that bad. All are distracting with colors, shapes, and objects that do not relate to each other. Sharpness is a big problem. There is no order in any of them. Look at the picture below:

This picture has serious problems. Branches are covering the whole scene, disturbing the eye. Why were they included? The overcast sky is also disturbing. Remove the branches, and the gray sky distracts the viewer's attention. It makes the whole scene look dull. Look at the small gray spot at the top left of the photograph. A small gray spot, but an obvious distraction. The blurry water was intentional, but why is the rest of the picture unsharp?

Any place in the world can be a great photograph. Light and composition are extremely important. Next, organize the shot carefully and include what is really needed. Have a point of interest without creating any confusion for the viewer. Choose your equipment carefully as well as your exposure settings. Now look through the viewfinder and ask yourself why you should release the shutter. If you can give a convincing answer, go ahead and produce your image.

Recommended reading: Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography (Updated Edition)

Almost everyone can "see" in the conventional sense, but developing photographic vision takes practice. Learning to See Creatively helps photographers visualize their work, and the world, in a whole new light. Now totally rewritten, revised, and expanded, this best-selling guide takes a radical approach to creativity. It explains how it is not some gift only for the "chosen few" but actually a skill that can be learned and applied. Using inventive photos from his own stunning portfolio, author and veteran photographer Bryan Peterson deconstructs creativity for photographers. He details the basic techniques that went into not only taking a particular photo, but also provides insights on how to improve upon it—helping readers avoid the visual pitfalls and technical dead ends that can lead to dull, uninventive photographs. This revised edition features the latest information on digital photography and digital imaging software, as well as an all-new section on color as a design element. Learning to See Creatively is the definitive reference for any photographers looking for a fresh perspective on their work. * New edition of a best-selling title * Updated to include digital * All new artwork, and a totally revised and expanded text * All-new section on color as a design element * Written by one of Amphoto's bestselling authors