Online Photography Critiques - Improve Your Photos
As personal photo coaches, we give constructive feedback to improve your photography regardless of skill level.
You've probably thrown a photo up on Facebook and asked for a constructive critique. The question is, who exactly is providing the evaluation, and how qualified are they to provide you the best analysis possible?
Our experience as master photographers is built upon our years as competitors and later serving as international print jurors. That sound basis provides you the best commentary, complete with knowledge, perspective, and acumen.
It doesn't matter if you are a shutterbug, picture-taker or full blown professional photographer. When you've grown tired of hearing the same repeated opinions or surface level comments, maybe it's time to take things to the next step.
We can even help seasoned print competition veterans expand on prior or missed comments during live judging.
We are here to help! We encourage your growth as a photographer by acting as a resource that communicates the "how and why" so you can achieve a higher level of refinement in your photographic skills.
We do that by providing recorded online photo critiques posted to a private URL for you to watch, re-watch and learn.
"Your experience as a professional photographer is invaluable because you always brought that into your resepctful comments to help me improve my photography."
Ready To Take Your Photos To The Next Level?
Are you serious about started? Here are the easy steps.
- Make Your Purchase - Order a single critique or purchase bundles at progressively discounted rates.
- Upload Your Photos - Privately share your photos with us. You may lower the resolution or include a watermark, however sending us the best version makes for the most accurate commentary.
- Watch & Learn - We record your personal video, upload to a private URL, and notify you via e-mail when it's ready.
what to include in the filename
- Your Name
- Level of Experience
- Title of Photo (if appropriate)
ie. Edmonson-Pro-Sample-Title.jpg or Edmonson-Student/Aspiring-IMG1234.jpg
"Provided the kind of very instructive comments tailored to each indivdual photo that are elopquent in the wording while constructive and complimenting at the same time."
Photo & Print Critique Pricing
Our pricing ranges from $39 for a single image to most popular bundle of $264 for eight photos (save $48 off the individual image pricing). Would you like to order even more? Contact us for bulk pricing.
*You do not have to send all the photos at one time.
What's Included
- Audio & screen recording by David &/or Luke Edmonson
- Recording for easy playback
- Confidentiality
As our primary job is working as professional photographers, we guarantee to post your video within a few days of the order. During certain seasons of the year, it's often much faster!
We also offer intensive one-on-one mentoring as a service to those desiring more personal attention.
"I cannot thank you enough!!!! This is the first serious critique I've ever heard of one of my images, and it was superbly helpful. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
If you are not completely happy, we will refund you the full amount no questions asked. Satisfaction is 100% guaranteed.Naturally, we will delete your online recording and your photos from our computers during the process.
We use an online shop where you complete your order and make payments to keep things simple. Afterward, just upload your photo(s) to us.
If there is anything you'd like us to know before reviewing your work, we invite you to reach out.
"The video was very important to really see the different parts of the image you were referring to and helped me zone right into the problem areas."
Why Genuine Feedback Is So Important
At different stages of the development of our photographic skills, we naturally experience plateaus in our growth.
You've probably achieved a degree of consistency, perhaps even "standard professional practice" and you're here because it's time to take things up a notch.
There are many different routes to growing, and one of the best ways to improve your photography is to enter print competitions.
In fact, we've published an article talking about Pursuing Growth Through Print Competition.
Your knowledge is priceless. My interest in photo critiques won't be an "one photo thing." I'm planning to send a few images a month so that over the course of time I can compare results at the end of a year."
Synopsis of the major points
- A good critiquer doesn't voice an opinion, they perform an evaluation.
- It doesn't matter if the subject matter or style is our personal preference.
- A good judge understands the process from concept to execution (printing).
- Is simply being good enough your goal? Or are you pursuing excellence?
- Accurate & respectful observations expand your vision.
Critique - noun
"detailed analysis and assessment of something."
Synonyms include analysis, evaluation, assessment, appraisal, appreciation, criticism, review, study, commentary, exposition, exegesis.
Critique - verb
"evaluate (a theory or practice) in a detailed and analytical way."
Standard Criteria We Consider
Professional Photographers of America uses what's called the "12 Elements of A Merit Print."
Wedding & Portrait Photographers International refers to the "10 Steps To An Award Winning Entry," while the Australian Professional Photography Awards practices the "Judges Assesment Criteria."
No matter the prism you look at it, here's what's universally common.
Does the photo have "Impact," "Strong Emotion," or "Make You Feel Something" when viewing it?"
Is it executed at a high standard technically in areas like exposure, focus, composition, lighting, post-production, color harmony, styling?
Are there elements of originality, storytelling or imagination?
What level of execution is the image currently? Words to describe might range from Exceptional or "Best in Class," to lesser adjectives like Outstanding, Superior, Excellent, Average to Very Good, Below Professional Standard, or More Work Required.
We look at all these areas and customize our commentary to share what we like, what can be improved, how to do it, and why it's important.
"I can't tell you how happy I am with the amount and level of critique With purposeful suggestions about how to make make my photography better."
Styles & Genres Of Photography
A common question we receive is what kinds of styles & genres you can submit for review? Our background began as commercial photographers, specifically magazine & editorial photography including books, CD covers, and annual reports.
Later we added wedding photography to the mix as well as naturally including portraits. What currently excites us is exploring the worlds of fine art photography and conceptual work because it challenges our personal growth as creative artists.
On the international level, we've participated on many different panels outside of the typical styles we shoot ranging from Documentary & Photojournalism, Newborn & Maternity Photography, Illustrative (composites and non-composite), Nature Photography and so forth.
Here's a list to guide you about the genres we feel comfortable providing feedback.
Wedding Photography Genres
- Pre-Wedding Photography
- Wedding Couple Together
- Wedding Photojournalism
- Wedding Contemporary
- Wedding Avante Garde
- Wedding Photography
- Bride or Groom Alone
- Engagement Photos
- Wedding Classical
- Wedding Albums
- Wedding Details
- Bridal Portraits
- Bridal Party
Commercial Photography Genres
- Architectural Photography
- Commercial Photography
- Advertising Photography
- Editorial Photography
- Fashion Photography
- Beauty Photography
- Food Photography
Portrait Photography Genres
- Environmental Photography
- Children's Photography
- Maternity Photography
- Contemporary Portraits
- Newborn Photography
- Avante Garde Portraits
- Boudoir Photography
- Family Photography
- High School Seniors
- Baby Photography
- Studio Portraiture
- Pet Photography
- Group Portraits
Documentary Photography Genres
- Documentary Photography
- Environmental Portraits
- Travel Photography
- Street Photography
- Birth Photography
- Photojournalism
Nature & Wildlife Genres
- Landscape Photography
- Wildlife Photography
- Animal Photography
- Nature Photography
- Aerial Photography
Photography Styles
- Underwater Photography
- Infrared Photography
- Candid Photography
- Macro Photography
- In-Camera Artistry
- Black and White
- Monochrome
- Composites
- Illustrative
- Creative
- Pictorial
- Fine Art
- Color
"Your knowledge is priceless! Most feedback is often too broad like "need improvement in posing." Thank you for being honest and direct so I can improve."
Conclusion
Devout yourself to something long enough and we all begin to realize that real improvement begins with great feedback. We typically stop listening when we become defensive.
That's why it's important to balance the tenor of our comments to nourish your growth not dwell on the mistakes. It's about respecting the process, the creator, the photo and so on.
In doing so, you can constantly draw from the mistakes you've made, now knowing the necessary steps to take to take to elevate your photography in the future. We thank you for inviting us to be your personal photo coaches!
Want to be notified when our series of FREE Creativity, Business or Photography online courses via e-mail or webinars are live? Join our mailing list to stay updated and be in the loop!
Copyright 2002-2024 David & Luke Edmonson All Rights Reserved.
All photographs and content appearing on this site are the property of the Edmonson's. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without our written permission. You may share photos using the tools provided in our galleries.
Edmonson Photography is based out the Dallas - Ft. Worth Metroplex, Texas.
Check Availability | 11134 Candlelight Lane, Dallas, TX 75229 | (972) 208-0215