How to Evaluate Photographs

Overall Impression

Do you like the photograph? For you, does it convey a mood, evoke a feeling, or tell a story? If so, what mood, feeling, or story? If not, why not?

Light

Does the light complement the photograph’s subject and message?

Does the light help draw attention to the main focal points of the image, or does it draw your eye to uninteresting or distracting elements, or pull it out of the frame?

Composition

Does the composition complement the photograph’s subject and message?

Does the photograph “read” clearly, or is it cluttered and confusing?

Does the image have a clear focal point? (Not always a requirement, but it usually helps.) Do you see secondary and tertiary focal points?

Are there distractions – elements that compete with the main points of interest? Run your eye along the edge of the frame; does anything catch your attention and pull your eye to the edge?

Does every part of the frame contribute to the photograph’s message, or are there uninteresting areas that don’t hold their weight?

Evaluate the photograph’s design. Is there an underlying line or shape that helps to unify the image, like a triangle, circle, rectangle, or curve? Multiple shapes? Can you find patterns – repeating lines or shapes?

Does the composition feel balanced?

Does the composition feel cohesive, or disjointed?

Technical Considerations

Does the exposure look right? Do you see blown-out highlights, or black shadows? If so, was that intentional?

Is everything sharp and in focus? If not, was that intentional?

Processing

Does the photograph look overcooked, undercooked, or just right?

Does the contrast seem too high, too low, or just right?

Does the saturation seem too high, too low, or just right?

Does the white balance seem right?

Do the colors look harmonious?

Do the colors complement the mood or feeling of the photograph?

Should parts of the image be emphasized so they draw the eye more?

Should parts of the image be de-emphasized so that they don’t pull the eye too much?

Are there distractions that could and should be cloned out? (Look for sensor dust!)