We are very close the photographs we create. We know how much time, effort and cost went into the capturing of an image, making it difficult to be objective about our own work. In addition, it can also be frustrating for photographers to post images on his or her website and social media pages to receive only positive feedback from loved ones and no constructive criticism. Mere praise from others about our images will not teach us anything new and prevents us from seeing our work from another perspective.
Professional feedback is key for a photographer as this is where he or she learns how to improve his or her craft. Participating in a professional portfolio critique will help you grow as a photographer it can be one of the best ways for a photographer to gain an understanding of how others see and react to his or her work.
What is a portfolio critique?
A portfolio critique is a meeting with an unbiased professional reviewer to have him or her critique the technical details and execution of a designated number of images in a photographer’s portfolio and to obtain an appraisal of the photographer’s work.
Some photographers may feel intimidated by soliciting their work for the opinion of another person, however, critics are there to help you improve your portfolio. A good critique of your work will provide you not only with tips on how to improve your technique and execution but should also provide positive feedback on what worked well in an image. For more on what’s involved in a portfolio critique, check out this video on AdoramaTV:
Ways you can benefit from a portfolio critique:
There are several ways you may benefit from having your work critiqued:
- You learn what worked well in the image. In a critique session, you will not only be subject to criticism of some of your images, but you will also learn what worked well for you in each image.
- You learn tips and techniques for future shoots. In reviewing your work and receiving feedback as to what you did right and what could be improved in an image, you understand technical — and sometimes creative — aspects to look for during your future photo outings.
- You learn helpful post-production techniques. Sometimes a photographer cannot figure out how to save a partially favorable image. A reviewer can sometimes provide insight into how to salvage an image through the editing process.
- You might discover your personal style. Sometimes a photographer may discover a pattern in his or her vision and technique which helps define their photography style.
- You might just get an assignment. Sometimes you may be reviewed by someone who is looking to hire or has connections to those looking to hire a photographer. Many high profile portfolio reviews are conducted by people from a particular areas of the creative industry, such as fashion, architecture, travel or lifestyle publications and designers.
Preparing for a portfolio critique:
Choosing your photos:
Culling down your images — whether you have 100 images or thousands of images — can be a difficult task. We tend to be very biased toward our own work because we know what we put into creating the final result.
When I cull down my images, I usually leave my personal feelings and sentiments outside the door and initially judge my images in a “first round” of review based on technical aspects such as sharpness, exposure, lighting, proper color scheme, and white balance, as well as composition. From there, I look for patterns in my work and choose my favorite 20-30 images that would compliment each other or would flow well in a page-by-page portfolio. Remember, you want to make an impression on your viewer so choose only your very best work.
Choosing a reviewer:
Sometimes you may be able to choose who reviews your portfolio during a portfolio critiquing event such as the Palm Springs Photo Festival at the PDN Photo Plus Expo. If you have the opportunity to choose which professional in the industry reviews your portfolio, be sure to do your homework on the reviewer and come armed with a few questions. These could be future clients for you.
Presentation methods:
There are a few ways you can present your photos to a reviewer.
- Prints in a book or loose prints. Print format is a more traditional and the preferred way to present your work to a reviewer during a portfolio review. Should you go this route, your prints should really be no less than 8×10. A larger format — such as an 11×14 — is better as it makes it easier to see details in the photo and also creates a greater impact.
- iPad. Due to trends in technology today, it’s easy to place your portfolio on something as compact as an iPad to show to a reviewer, however, the glare from lights in the room where critiques are being held may make it hard to see the screen.
- On your website or a photo sharing website. While you can build your own custom website or create a website by a service like Squarespace or Wix, there are also several photo sharing services out there to help get your work seen by others such as 500px, Smugmug, Zenfolio, Photobucket, Google Photos, Flickr and Snapfish. Most providers will charge a monthly or annual fee to publish your work on their platform, but some providers also offer the option for viewers to purchase prints or other tangibles with your photos on them, such as mugs, tote bags, etc.
Where to get your portfolio critiqued:
There are a few places where you can participate in a professional portfolio review. One of the most well known portfolio reviews is the Palm Springs Photo Festival at the PDN Photo Plus Expo that takes place each year. For a fee, you can meet with industry professionals who will critique your portfolio. It’s a great opportunity to gain exposure and potential job leads while learning new tips and techniques as well as an understanding of viewers’ perspectives of your work.
Another avenue is to have your portfolio critiqued through Adorama. They offer regular in-store portfolio critique sessions. Be sure to check out their event calendar regularly for those monthly opportunities.
I have personally critiqued hundreds of student portfolios through my group, NYC Digital Photography Workshops, as well as through my own photography business, Dawn M. Wayand Photography helping photographers recognize problems with composition, editing, lighting, storytelling and some post production in their images and offering solutions.
Tying it all together:
A portfolio technique does not have to be a daunting experience. Through regular critiques, you will become aware of how the outside world interprets your work while learning new tips and techniques along the way.
Feature photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash
