Photo: Clicksdemexico

Thank you for submitting your beautiful studio portrait for critique. You have captured the beauty and a sense of pride in this woman as she poses with her traditional Mexican dress.

The image has a lot of energy through the woman's colourful clothing, and you have tastefully used photographic techniques such as gelling your background lights to add additional gold and red tones which support the woman's energetic attire.

The portrait is sharp and well focused, allowing the viewer to connect with the subject, as well as bringing all the details from the elaborate jewellery to be explored. The studio light on the woman also gives clean highlights in her eyes which helps to give them life.

The posing on her hands is handled well, ensuring that a slim profile of the hands are shown with primarily the fingers visible.

The body angled away from camera with her looking back to camera is a good traditional use of posing to prevent someone looking too broad, straight to camera, while allowing the face to be engaging. It appears the light source is coming from where her body is pointing from which is a great starting point. It could be interesting to explore some re-positioning of that light, perhaps further back, to create a more dramatic Rembrandt style of light that leaves a gentle triangle on the closest cheek. That style of lighting on the part of the face furthest from camera also gives a slimming quality - although that is not needed.

The angle of the light is also important with this much reflective jewellery as it is creating some very bright spots running down her body where some of the circular elements of her jewellery are reflecting the light to the lens. This can be a little distracting, so having her either gently angle the jewellery, or gently shifting the angle of your light, can help reduce that. You could also potentially bring your light a little higher so that the light is more likely to bounce lower than the lens. This is typically a consideration when photographing people wearing glasses but is also true of highly reflective jewellery.

There are a few other minor areas where the image can be improved. Turning an image upside down can sometimes help to disassociate with the subject matter and see where the eye is drawn. Ideally it is drawn to the areas of the photo you most want the viewer to look at. In this image the viewer is drawn to the face which is ideal, but it is also has some competition from the white area of dress on the bottom edge of the frame. This area of dress is catching the light and creating a strong white triangle that draws the eye. If it could be culturally appropriate, a muted fabric could be worn in that area to prevent it drawing the eye, or in post-production the highlights could be pulled down a little to reduce its visual strength. This also draws the eye to a slither of brighter background and colour that runs along the bottom edge, which may be a post-production error that has snuck through to the final image. There is also a touch of light at the very bottom where the chair meets the edge of frame that could be removed.

In this kind of image it's also important to see how the fabric is falling on the subject, which can be hard to track if you are the only one on set. A stylist or make up artist can be great for keeping an eye out for odd folds in material. Here there is some bunching on the left shoulder, and behind the left shoulder. It would be difficult to fix the bunching on the left shoulder, but the curve behind her shoulder down into her arm could potentially be cleaned up in post-production by using a brush to paint in background texture to create a curve without the bump sticking out.

Overall the image is very professional in quality and flattering to the subject who projects a quiet strength. The critique has identified some small areas for improvement, but overall the skills shown are of a very good level. The image has commercial appeal and the space around the subject supports the addition of text or other elements. The next step in developing it further could be to introduce greater narrative or concept to the shoot, which may be given already in supporting content.

6/10 Commended
(Professional standard - Polished, marketable quality)

Photo: Lustre Ukraine

Thank you for your submission of this studio-lit fighter. There is a lot of technique that's being applied to this image including the use of flash to freeze motion at the end of the fighter's movement, and the use of gels and a longer exposure to create the blended and blurred movement and colour transition towards that final stance.

The fighter is posed and positioned in a way that gives them strength and dynamism, with them throwing a right hook to the body which can be a highly effective strike.

The expression of the fighter in this pose sells the idea of action and aggression.

The final pose also shows that the fighter is keeping their left hand up, protecting their chin or to utilise in a combination of strikes, which is authentic. It's important when photographing experts to maintain authenticity in their actions and presentation especially if the work is seen by their peers. This image achieves that.

Having the fighter's left glove just a touch lower would allow the viewer to see the full mouth of the fighter which would improve it a little visually. It could also be worth considering removing the blur of the glove in front of the fighter's face if you want a cleaner shape, although it could also read as a 'roar' from the fighter being visualised, so it depends on your intentions.

The starting position of the fighter is passive, which could be part of the communication of the image. The fighter has their hands up in such a way that they are not expecting to be struck. In Muay Thai this positioning could be to protect from kicks, but in a pure boxing image it doesn't feel as intentional or engaging.

With regards to the use of the long-exposure to capture movement, the middle step creates distance and some lovely flowing shapes, but also adds a little visual confusion to the center area. The blob of skin within the flowing lines could be darkened down so the viewer's attention is not caught by it and instead follows the flowing blur into the final strike.

The lighting is well executed with clean light for the final strike freezing the motion of the fighter in the final position. However the flash is creating some cyan colour casts on the skin and gloves which could be warmed a little, or the final flash can also be gelled to either create a greater contrast, or for a clean final shot, could be slightly warmed to be more congruent with the rest of the image. It could be worth investigating a transition from cool tones and passive stance to fiery tones with the final strike as well, to better combine the colour communication with the posing.

As some extra minor details, consider pulling back the highlight on the leg on the far right as it is quite bright which draws the eye to a less important part of the image. Also, the floor works in terms of its texture, which is created by the many footsteps on it. However be aware of it, as if it had been earlier in the shoot with only a few footsteps visible then it would be worth removing them as they could be distracting if too visible in isolation.

Overall it's a well crafted image with lighting techniques worth further exploration and well suited to the subject matter.

7/10 Highly Commended (Excellent professional work - Creative approach creates impactful visuals)

Photo: Jacob Wackerhausen PeopleImages

This image beautifully captures the emotion, joy and love of a wedding day and couple. The most important thing to capture in wedding photography is emotion and connection and you have achieved this beautifully.

The technique is very good, with the wedding dress highlights preserved so that the subtle texture of the dress is retained. There is good light on the subject's faces, and the detail is exceptional.

With the emotional content there are also some nice details of the image, such as the way the couple are squeezing each other's hands, and that both their rings are visible on these hands. As highlights draw the eye to areas of the image, the brightness of her nail actually serves to draw the viewer's eye to this smaller detail.

In terms of improvements, there are a few things that could be looked at in post-production and while shooting - which may also be resolved from other shots that may be in this sequence.

While shooting in these situations, particularly where the moment is dynamic and also moving towards the camera, it is worth giving yourself more space around the subject than you would expect. In that way you can capture any spontaneous interactions, and in this particular image the crop runs through the groom's hair. It doesn't take too much from the capture, but it would be more ideal with the top of the head fully in frame. By shooting wider you can crop into the image with intention if you need to.

In post-production there are also a number of distractions that could be addressed. While the joy of the couple draws the viewer in, so the visual distractions are very minimal, there are areas around the edge of the frame which do draw the eye. These are in the lower left-hand corner (behind the leg of the groomsman where it is bright), the hand entering frame on the left, the confetti or petal in the very top-left corner, and some of the brighter petals running down the right-hand edge. These could either be removed selectively using heal or removal tools, or you could use a brush to pull back the highlights in these areas to reduce their strength.

Overall the image is beautifully shot, would be loved no doubt by the client, and is full of joy and emotion - perfect for the genre.

6/10 Commended (Professional quality work - Engaging subject, great expression, excellent focus technique)

Photo: Kenny Eliason

This image really captures the energy of live performance, and the visual tension of the subject's poses also adds to the dynamism of the image as well.

The interaction between the performer's right-most foot and the ground being on point adds tension to the image, and is then mirrored by the wisping hair coming down to the ground from the other performer.

The image successfully shows us several facets of the live performance, from the performers themselves and their instruments which are visible to the camera from this on-stage perspective, their pedal boards and stage monitor speakers, through to the audience where their faces are all visible, and then to the actual place they are performing in - which signage helpfully identifies as being Utah. Not only does this image give us a moment but it also gives the viewer a sense of place.

In terms of improvement there are a few areas that could be considered, and some of that will depend on whether the usage is for documentary purposes and therefore subject to those expectations, or for promotion of the performers in which case there would be some more creative freedom.

There are some distractions in the image that could be removed - if not presenting in a documentary context. These would be the water bottle sticking out of the left performer's head as he sings close to the ground. The other would be the piece of mic stand sticking into the frame from the top right.

The image works well as a black and white and I suspect some of that choice may have been motivated by the loss of sky detail due to the weather or conditions of the day and shooting a backlit subject. The final presentation works well to minimise the impact of that. You could consider using a brush to pull up the shadows particularly in the clothing of the performers. They should still be very dark but a little bit goes a long way when it comes to re-introducing clothing texture, as well as to the side of the singer's face in shadow. The contrast is working well however so this should be used minimally.

The photographer's position to take the shot is very good, although could be improved marginally by being a little more to the left. This would have the guitarist moving more into the leading lines of the buildings rather than just past them, it would also minimise the merger with the singer and bottle, and perhaps remove the mic stand on the right-hand-edge as well.

The image appears to be deliberately unbalanced with the image falling from left to right. If you are entering this into a competitive environment it may be worth considering straightening the horizon, however as a music image I think it does help give it a bit more energy to have that tension of imbalance caused by it not being perfectly straight.

I think you have captured an image that has great value to the performers as well as the event organisers, and having photographed from these positions myself over 15 years, sometimes the identifiable crowd members may even want a copy!

7/10 Highly Commended (Excellent professional work - Dynamic, energetic and establishes a sense of place)

Photo: Pablo Vargas

This image of Salmon with a vegetable medley is bold, dramatic and colourful. The food has been plated well and feels very fresh and appealing.

The lighting used is allowing the colour of the food, particularly the oranges of sweet potato and the greens of the rocket (arugula) to be nice and punchy.

In terms of improving the plating there are a few things that could be looked at. The first is that the rocket leaves aren't necessarily the most photogenic - good but not great, and they are a little jagged in parts. there is also a strand of what might be onion sticking up and towards the top of frame along with the rocket leaf, which takes away from that clean centred appearance of the dish. It could also be worth balancing the pink of the edible flower in the bottom right with a petal of the same colouration in the top left. There is a petal there, but it's taking on a similar colour as the outside of the radish.

Another observation to be made regarding the food itself, is that as a salmon dish, the salmon itself is very hidden. This may be how the chef wants to present it, but it seems like it would be a good idea to ensure the plating highlights the most significant ingredient.

In terms of the photography, the light source is quite strong and directional which does lift the lovely colours up, but also creates a very strong hot spot in the bottom right of the plate. With such an intricate design and thick glass, the design of the plate can also visually compete with the complex visual presentation of the dish.

Another factor with this lighting is that lighter ingredients such as the radish at the top of frame are starting to lose their highlights. Some post-production by reducing the highlights may help to retain the detail and texture of all the ingredients. Otherwise the use of some more diffusion between lighting and dish may assist by softening the light source, as well as choosing a simpler dish with more visually complex meals.

While there are some technical areas that could be improved further, the dish is vibrant, appealing and energetic.

5/10 Approaching professional standard (Energetic presentation, bold colour, visual appeal)

Photo: Cees Schaap

Thank you for submitting this lovely residential interior photo for critique. The photograph portrays a sense of warmth and space that works well within the context of advertising property.

Care has been taken with the styling of the interior, with gold toned furniture complimenting the timber floors. These tones even match with the gas fire in the wall. There are also green tones that have been introduced into the image which further support the idea of connected indoor and outdoor living spaces.

The leading lines of the image give the space a flow which also supports this concept, guiding you to the outdoor living space and then being pulled back by the weight of the elements in the foreground. Overall the composition works well.

There are some distracting elements within the image that could be addressed in different ways to further simplify the image and compliment the peaceful atmosphere.

There are several of these in the image. The first being the red coming through the doorway on the right, which is a feature of the house rather than a responsibility of the photographer. While the doorway sits well due to your careful straightening of vertical lines near the frame edges, the colour is rich and doesn't sit with other colours in the image aside from a book on the table. It may be unavoidable but it is a factor to be aware of.

To the left of there, a curtain by the outside doors is being hit by strong sunlight, any highlight reduction that could be applied to that curtain would help pull back its strength to be more cohesive with the rest of the scene.

The element in the bottom right corner looks like it could have been from either a lamp or some photographic equipment in the room. This can be removed with post-production but could also be repositioned when the image is framed. The idea of having something in this space isn't necessarily bad, a potted plant or similar could help frame the scene. However the black item does not contribute anything legible.

On the left behind the chair, a car can be seen across the street. Adjusting the curtain or if there are any plants similar to the indoor plant that aren't being utilised, could be used to obscure the vehicle. Other images in the set can speak to the connection with community, but this particular frame speaks to living in a peaceful private space.

Overall the image is very well shot and of a professional standard in the genre. Consideration must be given for the amount of time the photographer actually has to work on these images given the demands of the genre. However the changes above could all be worthwhile if using the image in a folio and representing one's own work, or a development project or a significant project.

6/10 Commended (Professional standard - Inviting and spacious)

Photo: Chris Meads

Thank you for submitting this beautiful seascape. There is a lot of intention shown in creating this image, demonstrated through the use of a long exposure that has beautifully smoothed out the ocean's movements, and through the running of the beach's diagonal line to the bottom right corner, which gives the composition a dynamic feel and leads the viewer's eye to the rock arch, the key subject.

Throughout the scene, the detail has been captured with crispness and sharpness, from the foreground grasses to the structure of the rocks beyond. The only exception to this is where grass has moved from the light breeze, but it does not detract from the overall image.

The time of day has been well chosen, creating a warm and golden atmosphere. These warm tones produce a lovely colour palette along with the emerald-coloured waters, offering some relief from the gold tones of the image.

There are a few areas where the image could be improved. The handling of the highlights is overall very good considering the strength of the light. On the left where there is a crest in the grass, the highlights are a little strong in these areas and could be minimized a little to prevent the eye from being drawn into that grassy area for too long.

There are some areas of the waves crashing that have also blown out (have become solid white). You could potentially look into cloning or filling techniques to bring texture from the nearby areas of wave into the white areas to replace those areas of lost detail.

Another potential amendment would be to look at the grasses that overlap into the white area. As the white line is so strong, having it uninterrupted would enhance the strength of that line. In the lower right section, there is a particularly dark plant that breaches the area of white and creates a minor distraction.

As an experiment, it could be worth trying a crop from the left, removing the road and water reflection, and focusing the entire image on the swerving line to the rock formation. It would accentuate the most dramatic parts of the image, add some compositional tension, and remove some distractions. However, the existing composition does create a more peaceful scene, so give it a try and see how you feel about it.

The image represents a professional quality of work. It is dynamic, engaging, and creates a warm atmosphere. The image could have been challenging due to the strong backlighting, but the shadows have been preserved beautifully. The subtle clouds in the distance and foreground grasses create a great sense of depth.

6/10 Commended
(Professional standard - Polished, dynamic, marketable quality)