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PhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos

PhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos

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PhotoZAP!

Constructive criticism to help you become a better photographer. Everyone can use a good ZAP!

By Mason Resnick - October 19, 2009


Welcome to PhotoZAP!


Welcome to PhotoZAP, where reader-submitted near-masterpieces are subjected to the slings and arrows of our team of photography experts. Read our scathing critiques and unmitigated praise! The goal, of course, is to learn something about composition, technique and those little details that can make or break a photograph.


Every week, we select two or three photos to critique. Those whose photos we use get a $25 gift certificate that can be used to buy stuff from Adorama.com. Want to submit a shot to be considered for a ZAP? Read our Call for Entries for all the details.


Think we're full of it, and that our comments are way off base? Let us and the world know! Leave your response in the comments section of each ZAP.

 

Our thanks to the thousands of readers who have contributed sometimes outstanding and sometimes ZAP-worthy images for our consideration so far. Only a small percentage are actually critiqued but we appreciate every entry. Keep 'em coming!


Bookmark this page, add it to your RSS feed, and come back often. Your photos and comments are always welcome!

 

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PhotoZAP #84: Not Seeing Eye-to-Eye

Our Panel of Perfectionists Picks Apart Your Pictures

ArticlePhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, July 20, 2012

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"Your model's pose is endearing and the conversion into black and white really amps the sentiment of this moment, but the missing pupil ruins all of those good attributes." -Jena Ardell

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TAGS: canon,  photography,  camera,  b&w,  photoshop,  composition,  photographer,  photographs,  crop,  photography tips,  black & white,  photo technique,  photography tip,  cropping,  photo tips,  Canon EOS 5D Mark II,  photo critique,  Photoshop CS 

PhotoZAP 83: Mission Impossible

Our Panel of Perfectionists Pick Apart Your Pictures.

ArticlePhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, July 6, 2012

"Work a scene like this! I see dozens of potential photos within this photo. A slight change in camera angle, shooting a horizontal, varying your focal length, all could lead to more interesting photos than this."—Mason Resnick

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TAGS: canon,  photography,  digital,  digital camera,  creative,  photographs,  photography tips,  photo technique,  photography tip,  photo quality,  photo tips,  PhotoZAP,  photo critique,  Canon T3i,  critique 

PhotoZAP 82: The Shadow Blows

Our Panel of Perfectionists Picks Apart Your Pictures.

ArticlePhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, June 29, 2012

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"Despite the aforementioned exposure issue, causing too much shadowing on the kids' faces, I'd say this photo is a winner!" -Jena Ardell

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TAGS: nikon,  photography,  shade,  sunlight,  photography tips,  summer,  photo technique,  photography tip,  sunny,  sun,  shadows,  shadow/highlight,  photo tips,  PhotoZAP,  critique 

PhotoZAP 81: Freeze Frame

Our Panel of Perfectionists Picks Apart Your Pictures

ArticlePhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, June 22, 2012

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"This is the first image I've had the pleasure of critiquing that I really enjoy and it's a lot better than most portrait work I've critiqued from photographers 10 years your senior." -Brandon Partridge

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TAGS: canon,  photography,  camera,  portrait,  photographer,  outdoors,  outdoor lighting,  photography tips,  outdoor photography,  photo technique,  photography tip,  photo tips,  PhotoZAP,  photo critique,  critique,  outdoor,  portrait photography 

PhotoZAP #80: A Mess With Texas

Our Panel of Perfectionists Picks Apart Your Pictures

ArticlePhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, June 15, 2012

"Experimenting with a macro lens would be worthwhile. Don't be afraid to get low to shoot every angle possible." -Jena Ardell

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TAGS: canon,  photography,  camera,  photographer,  photo,  photography tips,  photo technique,  photography tip,  photo tips,  PhotoZAP,  photo critique,  critique 

PhotoZAP #78: Light of his Life

Our Panel of Perfectionists Pick Apart Your Pictures.

ArticlePhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, June 8, 2012

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"B&W is usually a fallback for a badly captured image." -Brandon Partridge

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TAGS: canon,  photography,  camera,  composition,  portrait,  photographer,  black & white,  photo technique,  photography tip,  photo tips,  PhotoZAP,  critique,  portrait photography 

PhotoZAP 78: Welcome To My Nightscape

Our Panel of Perfectionists Picks Apart Your Pictures

ArticlePhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, June 1, 2012

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"If it weren't for the hot spot at the base of the formation, which pulls the viewer's eye away from the rocks, I'd say you have a winner here." -Mason Resnick

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TAGS: canon,  photography,  landscapes,  creative,  flash,  photographer,  photo,  photography tips,  photography tip,  creativity,  night,  PhotoZAP,  photo critique,  Creative Light,  critique 

PhotoZAP 77: Choppy Waters

Our Panel of Perfectionists Picks Apart Your Pictures

ArticlePhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, May 25, 2012

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"I believe this image can be saved by carefully cropping the lower-third—and telling everyone you meant to capture the water’s beautiful crenelations as waves collapse and intersect all along."  -Brandon Partridge

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TAGS: canon,  photography,  sunset,  photo,  sunlight,  photography tips,  photo technique,  photography tip,  sun,  photo tips,  PhotoZAP,  photo critique,  Canon EOS 7D,  critique 

PhotoZAP 76: Looking Toward the Future

Our Panel of Perfectionists Picks Apart Your Pictures

ArticlePhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, May 11, 2012

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"We are drawn into the moment by that great pocket of light toward the center but, when we get there, we realize there really isn't a moment." —Jena Ardell

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TAGS: digital,  exposure,  photoshop,  portrait,  photoshop elements,  people,  outdoor lighting,  perspective,  photography tips,  photo technique,  photography tip,  natural light,  photo tips,  PhotoZAP,  photo critique,  outdoor,  portrait photography 

PhotoZAP 75: High ISO Spotted

Our Panel of Perfectionists Picks Apart Your Pictures

ArticlePhotoZAP: We Critique Your Photos Techniques and How-Tos - by Adorama Learning Center Editors, May 4, 2012

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"While capturing a beastie in the wild like this is a true challenge and consists of infinite patience and waiting... you didn't set your camera properly in advance." ~Mason Resnick

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TAGS: canon,  photography,  digital,  camera,  digital camera,  DSLR,  photographer,  photographs,  D-SLR,  photography tips,  photography tip,  ISO,  wildlife,  cameras,  daylight,  photo tips,  Canon EOS 5D Mark II,  PhotoZAP,  photo critique 

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