Critiques

Essential Questions:

How can a critique help to inform a photograph?

How can a photographer use a critique to their benefit?

What effect can a critique have on the work of the artist?

Let's talk about this picture as a class...

Photo by M. Sholich Mubarok

Choose one of the below photos to write your own, fully composed critique the same way we did as a group with the above photograph.

All of the Critique Steps are at the bottom of this page.

Make sure you take notes in your sketchbook first, then write it in a GoogleDoc. Make sure to check your work against the rubric!!

I DO CARE about spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Use the computer 'spell check' to make sure they are correct.

Once you are finished, print it off, attach a rubric (in the Photo basket) that you have filled out, and turn it in to me.

These will be due at the end of class.

CRITIQUE OPTION 1:

Photo by Danny Fieldman

CRITIQUE OPTION 2:

Photo by Alex Cooke

PARTS OF A CRITIQUE:

Describe what you see. This is the objective portion of the art critique. It involves a technical description-nothing more. It should include things like:

The actual things you see in the image (trees, sky, sun, rocks, etc.)

Artist's name
Title of work
Type of artwork
Subject of the image (scene)
Objects in the image
First impression––note the characteristics of the artwork that first jump out at you
Sensory qualities––identify the predominant mood and visual effect.

Analyze the artwork. Evolve the art criticism from a technical description to an in-depth examination of how the technical elements were utilized by the artist to create the overall impression conveyed by the artwork. Technical elements you need to analyze when you critique artwork include:

The Elements of Art and Principles of Design

Color, contrast
Shapes, forms and lines.
Texture.
Value, Light and shadow.
Balance
How each technical element contributes to the overall mood, meaning and look of the artwork.

Interpret the artwork. This part of an art critique is more subjective than the others, as you are expected to use your analysis of the technical aspects of the piece of art to apply your own supposition to the artist's intended purpose for the artwork. Try to accomplish the following things when formulating your interpretation:

What is the message? Why do you think so? What in the image tells you this message?

Communicate the artist's message. Describe what you think the artist is trying to say through the work of art.
Describe what the artwork means to you, and why.
Explain what you feel is the artist's intended purpose for creating that particular work of art. Examine why the artist made the choices in technique, materials and subject matter and how they relate to the intended purpose.
Identify symbols in the artwork and describe how they relate to the artist's technical choices and contribute to the artist's execution of the intended purpose.

Evaluate the artwork. This is a summation of the art criticism process leading up to this point. Use your analysis and interpretation to draw conclusions and reach judgments about the artwork.

Good? Bad? Why do you think so? What would do do differently or change?

State what you think the artwork's value is. For example, its value may be to evoke nostalgia, to incite anger or to impart beauty. Explain why you feel this way.
Describe the artwork's relevance to the art community and to people as a whole.
Explain where you feel the artwork has strong value and where you think it falls short.

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