Constructive Criticism Using AI
Planning your photographs before taking them and then critiquing them or offering your work to others to critique with that plan in mind is a good way to develop yourself as a photographer and was a large part of the OU course I took.
After reading an article about using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to plan a photoshoot I thought I would see how good these tools are at giving constructive criticism (CC). Using Google Gemini I uploaded one of the photos I took last week and asked for CC.
The original image as processed by the Leica Lux App on my iPhone.
“This photo is the edge of an old wood that has just been cleared. I have used black and white to emphasise the look of destruction. I wanted to emphasise the textures. Please give constructive criticism.”
The Initial Response
This is a compelling image with a strong emotional impact. You've definitely succeeded in conveying a sense of destruction and emphasizing textures through your use of black and white. Here's a breakdown of constructive criticism:
Strengths:
Emotional Impact: The stark contrast in black and white, coupled with the barren landscape and skeletal trees, creates a powerful feeling of desolation and loss. The clearing feels raw and exposed.
Textural Emphasis: The monochrome palette allows the textures to truly stand out. The rough, twiggy branches, the stacked stone wall, and the varied ground cover all contribute to a rich tactile quality.
Compositional Use of the Wall: The stone wall acts as a strong diagonal line, leading the eye through the scene and providing a sense of depth and grounding. It also offers a stark contrast to the organic chaos of the cleared woodland.
Atmosphere: The image possesses a haunting, almost post-apocalyptic atmosphere. The lack of color enhances this feeling, stripping away any distractions and focusing the viewer on the stark forms and textures.
Areas for Potential Improvement:
Contrast and Tonal Range: While the black and white conversion is effective, consider experimenting with a wider tonal range. You might find that subtle variations in gray tones could add more depth and nuance to the image, especially in the sky and the shadowed areas. Currently, some areas, particularly the foreground, appear quite dark, potentially losing some textural detail.
Focus: While the textures are highlighted, the image lacks a clear focal point. Is it the wall? The tree stump in the foreground? Consider using selective focus or composition to guide the viewer's eye to the intended subject. For example, slightly blurring the foreground or background could help draw attention to a specific element.
Framing and Cropping: The framing feels a bit arbitrary. Consider exploring different crops to see if you can create a more compelling composition. For example, cropping in closer on the wall and the immediate surrounding area could emphasize the texture and create a sense of intimacy with the scene. Alternatively, including more of the sky could add a sense of vastness and isolation.
Clarity of Intent: While "destruction" is a strong theme, consider what specific story you want to tell about it. Is it about the loss of nature? The cycle of regeneration? Clarifying your intent might help you make more deliberate choices in terms of composition, focus, and post-processing.
Suggestions for Exploration:
Experiment with dodging and burning: In Photoshop or other editing software, selectively lightening (dodging) or darkening (burning) specific areas can help you direct the viewer's attention and enhance certain textures.
Try different black and white conversions: Explore different methods of converting to black and white. Some methods preserve more detail and tonal range than others.
Shoot from different perspectives: If possible, revisit the location and try shooting from different angles and heights. A lower perspective might emphasize the scale of the clearing, while a higher perspective could highlight the patterns and textures of the land.
Overall, this is a strong and evocative image. Your use of black and white effectively highlights the textures and conveys a powerful sense of destruction. By considering the suggestions above, you can further refine your image and strengthen its impact. Keep exploring and experimenting!
The edited version following Gemini comments
The Revised Critique following the edit.
This re-edited version demonstrates a noticeable improvement! The changes you've made have addressed some of the points mentioned in the previous critique and resulted in a more focused and impactful image.
Here's a breakdown of the improvements:
Cropping: The tighter crop is much more effective. By removing some of the darker, less detailed foreground and emphasizing the wall and the textured area behind it, you've created a stronger focal point. The composition now draws the eye more directly to the elements of interest.
Dodging and Burning: The subtle dodging and burning are well-executed. The brightening of the light areas behind the wall adds depth and highlights the texture of the foliage. It also creates a pleasing contrast with the darker foreground, further enhancing the sense of depth. The selective darkening (burning) of the edges helps to frame the image and keep the viewer's attention within the scene.
Focus: While not a change in focus technically, the cropping and dodging/burning have effectively created a stronger sense of focus by emphasizing specific areas and de-emphasizing others. The viewer is now more likely to concentrate on the textures and the interplay of light and shadow around the wall.
Further Considerations:
Tonal Range: While the dodging and burning have improved the tonal range, you might still consider experimenting with subtle adjustments to the overall contrast and brightness. A slight increase in contrast could further enhance the textures and make the image pop a bit more. However, this is a matter of personal preference, and the current tonal range is certainly effective.
Storytelling: The changes have made the story more focused. The wall now stands as a more prominent symbol, perhaps representing a boundary between the past (the cleared land) and the future (the regrowth). Consider how you want to convey this story through your caption or accompanying text.
Overall:
This re-edited version is a significant step forward. The tighter cropping and skillful use of dodging and burning have transformed the image into a more compelling and visually engaging piece. You've successfully highlighted the textures and created a stronger sense of depth and focus. The image now possesses a more defined narrative and leaves a lasting impression. Well done!