Elements of Image Evaluation Aesthetic, Technical and Conceptual Emma Gilette APJA Director of Training
How do we judge an image? I like it / I don t like it (takes 0.5 sec) BUT WHY? What aesthetic elements are working or not working? What technical skills have been used or neglected? What is the concept behind the image and has it been successfully conveyed?
AESTHETICS
Art Elements What are Aesthetics? line, colour, tone, shape, texture, space Design Principles Balance, Emphasis, Contrast, Movement, Rhythm, Pattern, Repetition, Unity, Variety, Proportion, Scale Art Concepts Composition, Juxtaposition, Perspective, Camera Angle Compositional Guidelines Rule of Thirds, Golden Mean, Leading Lines, Lead Room, Natural Framing, Rule of Odds, etc.
Impact How do we create impact? Beauty / Awe Powerful message Technical Excellence Rare / unusual / unique Strong Contrast (of any element) Emotion / Mood Level of Difficulty
Focal point = what is important in the image It can be emphasised through: - Composition - Lighting - Depth of field - Art elements and concepts - Lighter and brighter colours/tones advance in space. Focal Point
Leading lines, tonal contrast & composition have all been utilized to emphasises the focal point. Tonal contrast has been used to create a strong point of focus on the shape of the man, which is also in contrast with the structural geometric shapes behind him.
Depth of field can be used to emphasize the focal point. Here, lighting and colour are used to develop mood and a point of focus.
No focal point: Some images don t have a specific area where the viewer s eye will rest, but are instead designed to focus on the whole image especially abstracts. These images often focus on pattern and repetition instead.
Composition What compositional elements have been used? Would a different composition be more effective? What is included? Excluded? Do we need to see more or less?
SOOC (straight out of camera)
Cropped and Rotated
Final result has more impact Focuses attention on the big sis and the relationship. Cuts out distracting background
Camera Angle Walk around your subject first Consider the background Consider the concept Visualise the end result Work within your limitations
What is the focal point? Is this image successful? Get in closer, crop tighter, avoid distractions, create a composition (e.g. symmetry and leading lines) - Is it successful?
ISO 2000, f/14, 1/5 sec - What is the focal point? - Is the image successful? - What other advice could you give the maker?
Camera Club Outings Distracting background Model not looking at me Model not suited to background Story? Intent? Limited room to move When it s hard to change camera angle, how else can you create a successful image? Can you Crop? Think of a concept.
Art Elements Every image is made up of the art elements LINE, TONE, COLOUR, TEXTURE, SHAPE & SPACE Understanding them is critical to judging Identify the art elements featured in each image you judge and use the lingo when critiquing. Do the art elements used suit the purpose of the image? Do they add or distract? Are the elements in harmony or contrast?
Use of line to create a harmony between b/g and foreground (subject) and emphasise the pattern.
Harmonious colour scheme (use colours next to each other on the colour wheel to emphasise similarity) Complementary colour scheme (contrast is created by using colours on opposite sides of the colour wheel)
Design Principles Refer to how the art elements are arranged within the composition. Contrast (difference) Harmony (similarity) Movement Emphasis / Dominance Balance Pattern, Repetition & Rhythm Proportion & Distortion
Lets look at SHAPE: Movement emphasis Pattern distortion Repetition and contrast
Contrast between organic & geometric shapes
The power of Triangles
TECHNIQUE
Technical Elements to Consider: An understanding of technical skills, equipment and processes in paramount If you don t know how an image was created, can you accurately judge it? Club members love getting constructive and practical advice on how to improve their techniques. You must have enough knowledge to be able to advise others.
Technical Considerations Camera Settings? Editing? Gear? Lighting? ISO? Sharpness? Print quality? Exposure? Creative / Experimental Techniques?
SOOC: f/8, 1/250 sec, ISO 100, tripod used, no flash. 20mm. Backdrop on washing line, spotlight used.
Exposure If underexposed advise dodging, increasing shadows, etc. If overexposed advise to reduce highlights (hopefully shot in RAW) or paint/heal back in on low opacity. Black and White can often hide exposure issues.
What advice would you give the maker? f/22, 0.8 sec, ISO 100, 18mm, Pattern Metering, no flash, just before sunset
Sharpness Is the image sharp where it needs to be? If camera shake advice wider aperture/ higher ISO / use a Tripod / weight on tripod Portraits sharpest point should generally be the eyes Landscapes generally ideal to have all in focus.
What advice would you give the maker? f/20, 1/100 sec, ISO 400, no flash. Exposure +1 stop
Edit: Crop, brighten shadows, sharpen Advice lower ISO, wider aperture, composition.
Dodging and sharpening
Purposeful blur
Aperture The most common technical advice I give is to use a wider aperture. A narrow DOF instantly creates a focal point and blurs distracting backgrounds, creating more successful images.
Shutter Speed Shutter speed affects sharpness. Know your limitations. Has the photographer purposefully used shutter to blur movement? To freeze movement? Have they used experimental Techniques: Panning, Zooming, camera jiggle, etc.
Fast shutter, freezes motion. Slow shutter, blurs motion
Camera jiggle Panning
Lighting Lighting adds mood and drama to images It helps to convey meaning It creates tone Know the difference between studio and natural Look at the direction of light and the shape and hardness of shadows to help you determine what lighting has been used.
What can you tell me about the lighting used here?
Natural Light Tips: Consider the Time of Day Use backlighting and reflectors Find open shade Avoid dappled light on subject AND background.
Editing Common editing mistakes: No editing Over blurring skin Over / under sharpening Over-increasing contrast / curves Oversaturating Not masking Not removing bright spots/distracting elements. Editing not matching the concept or subject
Technical Flaws When we judge an image, the first thing many novice judges do is point out the technical flaws. Engage disengage reengage Does the technical flaw ruin the image or does it not really matter at all?
How would you judge this image? Judge says: Shutter speed too slow camera shake? nothing in focus - blurry No centre of interest Under-exposed Subject not facing camera Bright spots at edges of image Needs cropping Grainy
Bill Henson is a Famous Australian Artist Henson s artwork must be viewed in the context of his entire portfolio Common features of his style: Chiaroscuro, underexposure, bokeh, diptych/triptych, flattened perspective (using telephoto lenses), moody, dark, depressing. Common features of his subjects: shadowed or blurred, facing away, adolescents, sexualised, expressing duality.
Common Technical Flaws Not sharp or focus point not on subject/point of interest Underexposed or Overexposed Bright spots in background not removed Too much in focus / not enough in focus Wrong time of day Camera shake Poor timing / not waiting for the shot No editing or poor editing Not paying attention to lighting Horizon not straight Converging verticals Distortion
CONCEPT
Intent What is the meaning or idea behind the artwork? Does the image contain a message? From whose perspective / viewpoint is the image shot? Who/what is the appropriate audience for this work? Has the image been submitted into the best possible subject?
Unity and Consistency I often see images that are technically excellent and aesthetically pleasing, yet lack coherence. Often I see a disparity between different elements in the image Be mindful that editing techniques employed should match the message of the subject.
She is meant to be a fairy. Good costume and interesting character, BUT Poor pose arms pulled in which hides her top half, makes her look silly and is unflattering. Poking nose why? Doesn t match. The cigarette breaks the illusion of the costume. The biffies in the background! Enough said.
SOOC Here, I have chosen to edit by clipping the blacks and turning to sepia to match the contemplative mood of the image.
SOOC Inspired by Tim Burton, I chose to add patterns to this image to create harmony with the costume and develop a sense of confusion
SOOC shutter too slow and created accidental blur Here I chose create a cross process type look to match the funkiness of this street scene. I embraced the blurred figures and in fact increased the blur in order to add a sense of movement.
Story Telling Images that tell a story are instantly more engaging. They make you remember them long after judging them. They have PURPOSE and are designed To make a point To elicit emotion / empathy To increase awareness To create a fantasy
Emotion / Mood If you feel emotion when judging an image, you know it has successfully done it s job.
Planning When I can see that a photographer has planned their image, this instantly gives them more credit in my eyes (not necessarily a better mark though!) Poor or incomplete planning can be obvious when judging an image. Planning involves thinking of every aspect model, H&MU, pose, expression, lighting, background, location, props, post-processing, etc. Often less is more.
Fantastic concept! This was shot for the subject of Old and New. I love, love, love this idea and the photographer has gone to a lot of effort to acquire all these items and set up the scene. However the background, layout and camera angle do not allow the greatest impact to be achieved. A little more planning in regards to these factors was required.
A lot of planning and effort has gone into creating this scene the model, background, lighting, the dusty book, the lamp and the facial expression all give a sense of nostalgia and age to the image. However, the brightly titled book and the flower do not match this story and needed to be removed. A warmer/sepia tone would also have suited the story more than the cool colour scheme. Still a great concept that has been well considered.
Originality What is originality? Hasn t everything already been done? When you are the first to do it, or the first to see it differently, then you have been original. Judges see 1000 s of images a year anything that is out of the ordinary or from a unique perspective will stand out.
In conclusion: When you judge, look at the whole picture Engage, disengage, reengage Continue to learn and practice Use the lingo (but explain yourself don t confuse your audience). Consider: The aesthetic, the techniques and the concept. Ultimately is it successful? Does it have impact?
The End Questions? www.emmagilettephotography.com.au