Image Reviews…….

At the recent Master’s Class this image shot by Jerry Reese, above, came on the screen and I said, “Wow, I wish I had shot that, terrific!”   I had called some other images as, “Nice”!  That led to a question that I knew needed to be addressed, “What determines whether an image is “nice” and another “Wow!”  On the spot I answered that images for review fall into about five categories, but before I list them I need to make couple of clarifications!

When reviewing students images I want to be sure that I am clear that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”!   (1) Just because I’m the leader or instructor does not mean I can do anything more than render my “opinion”.  I have years of experience and  study under my belt, but, it is still my opinion! (2) All reviewers have to work from the position of their own training and background, and of course, that is different for all of us.  If we keep those two factors in mind we can continue in agreement and seek more understanding!

These are my Five Categories of Image Effectiveness:

1. This is really awful!  While this is certainly true of some images put up for review we would never say that!  Most images would automtically be moved into category number two. There is no value in demeaning someone’s work.
2.  This needs a lot of help!  When an image has a good central theme or subject but has lots of things preventing it from being successful it falls into this category!  This is where we can teach a lot about how to eliminate the problems.
3. Good idea, done “Mostly” well!  This is an image that has a clearly defined subject, made in good light and in the right conditions, but with some distractions that keep it from being a really nice image.  We see a lot of these kinds of images, and they are valuable for teaching!
4. A really “Nice” image.  This is an image that meets all the good things in the previous category and the distractions are well taken care of, a technically and aesthetically well done image.  Deserving of praise!
5. Wow!!!  I with I had made that shot!  This goes into the area of an images appeal to the reviewer!  For example a really nice image of a flower would never get any higher for me than category 4.  Why, because I’m just not into flowers!!! Others might see that flower image as a Wow image.  A rusty truck done well might well be a Wow for me, because I’m into rust!  For others not so much!  The other factor is the soul of an image, a powerful message, or stunning beauty of the subject or even a moving emotional image.  Many things can trigger the Wow factor for each of us, it is highly individualized!

This image is a Wow for me.  Why, I love streams in spring done at slow shutter speeds, and this is my favorite spot on the Tremont Branch of the Little River in the Great Smokies, my favorite National Park!  I’ve spent many days on this river with dear friends and valued students.  This is the perfect water level which does not happen all the time, so many factors make this a Wow for me!

I’m sure you can understand why this a Wow image for me, personal attachment to the subjects, a 8 week old Chester and my bride, Sherelene!  It’s hard too believe Chester ever weighed 12 pounds and that was just 4 months ago!!!

Chester, now at 42 pounds!

Nancy Dill’s stunning composition of a great moment is a Wow!!!!!

Nature is so spectacular that our only need is to be sure and capture it effectively!  From the Upper Peninsula of Michigan last fall!  We’re going again this fall, by-the-way!

I hope that this was helpful as you attempt to review your now work!  These are the same categories I use to access my own progress and yes, I’ve made images that fit in each one!!!!!

Blessings,

the pilgrim