How do you critique an image without sounding mean ?

Question: How do you critique an image without sounding mean !?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

There's this thing called "Sandwich Criticism" - the bread are the positive, and in between is the negative!. Tell what is good at first, then what is wrong and why, and how it might get better, and what ever needed to be addressed!. Then end it with the positive again!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

By being completely honest, and also by making statements rather than opinions!. If you say that the girl in the picture is ugly, well that is not helpful, but if you say that the picture needs more contrast to enhance the girl's bone structure, or whatever is actually wrong with the image, then you won't sound mean!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

be abstract about your answer!.!.say how it reminds you of something!.!.dont be brutally honest but be relavent!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Tell the truth, don't say thats the ugliest thing I've ever seen!. also give a positive if any it will make it seem less harsh!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Start off by complementing them on what you do like about the picture, then make a suggestion on how you might have done something differently!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

use big words they don't understandWww@QuestionHome@Com

Use the "sandwich method"

First is a piece of bread!.!.!.!. start with what is good about the image!.!.!. find something good to put the photographer in a good frame of mind!.

Next is the stuffing!.!.!. here is where you are critical of the image, but use soft words!.

Last is the other slice of bread!.!.!. offer positive suggestions as to what can be done to improve the image IYHO!. Be helpful!.!.!. this helps ease the pain of the critique and leaves a good "taste" in the mouth of the photographer!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I just give the critique!. If the person cant handle it they really arent really to learn - they cant handle it!.

Some people really want a critique to improve their skills, learn and get better, some people think they know it all already or just want people to say wow to their crap!.

So I proberly sound mean cause I went to school for years and have worked professionally for a few years so I dont say wow often, I say things like : work on composition, lighting and generally photography then people think that is mean!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.the smart ones like someone I wont mention here (AF) take on the critique go away and practice and get better!.!.!.!.the others go back to "taking" crap!.

EDIT: I say what I like, what I dont like, what I thinks great whats not, how I think it could be better or stronger, some images warrent more than others, some get comments like, they are snapshots, use better angles and learn composition, for better work its all about lighting mostly

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"Good subject of your son--but the composition is a bit off!. There is too much space above him!. You may have focused on his face and left him in the middle of the viewfinder!. It is a common practice!. also, it's very bright!. He stood in the middle of the afternoon sun - facing the sun and he squinted!. Try waiting until it's a cloudy day, or under a shade, and do it again!. also, don't count 1, 2, and 3--some people get a bit uneasy!. Just snap away!. Hope this is a little helpful!."

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It's a fake critique I just made up!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Start out positive, then put the negative in the middle, make suggestions for improvement, then positive again, and wrap up with a compliment!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Great question!.

I can't possibly guess what someone I have never met will consider "mean"!.

So I do tend to use the Sandwich Theory put forth by other answerers!.

Personally!? Hit Me With Your Best Shot!

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i try to temper everything for the possitive, i say what i like about the image and make that stand out!. then i mention the rules of composition or the likes (the sun is too bright and blown out) !.!.!. and state where specifically i see it needs improvement!. dr!. sam and antoni do the same thing (with sam it is the level horizon an unlevel image makes him crazy probably like crooked teeth)!. i encourage the person to keep at it and not be discouraged and grow a thick skin because critiques can be brutal!.
study the answers your contacts give to critiques, they are informative and encouraging!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The magic words, "I prefer!.!.!." will take any sting out of it!. Photography is a very subjective thing and I can express my opinion while allowing that I jus tdon't get what the photographer was trying to do!.

Example, a la Pookie:

"If you are trying to capture that emo look that is so popular on MySpace, then you've done it!. This technique leaves me cold, though!."

"These images will be great to help you remember a wonderful time,but they would not hold very much interest for anyone who does not know the little boy in the pictures!."

Stuff like that!.

Everyone above has given good answers, so composite them all and read them!. Maybe you can do THAT in photoshop!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

When in doubt, just say it's "interesting"!. If it's a total piece of poo, say it's "different"!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Start by confirming what IS good about the image!. This can be anything from choice of subject, timing, etc!.
Next, instead of pointing out the bad things about the image, suggest improvements on those areas and WHY it would be an improvement!. If you can't explain why something needs improving, then don't make the suggestion!.
Finish with a "Well done" or of the likes!. Remember, the artist probably put all his/her skill (if any) into creating this photograph and will be very proud of it!. Anyone who posts their images onto the internet are either proud of their work or are hopefull they have that 'spark' that could make them a photographer!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You just keep to the technical points, and don't use too many adjectives!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The "sandwich" method is what I used as a supervisor to over 65 photographers when I worked for a large studio!.It works the best because if you start with negatives, many people's brains begin to race with excuses or other thoughts and miss the rest of what you are saying!. When you start positive their minds open up!. Then by ending on a good note, they are open to your suggestions!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Simple!.!.!.

You make positive suggestions, with detailed recommendations about how people can improve their images!. You explain how and why!.!.!. so it becomes a positive learning / teaching exercise!.

Negative comment in a vacuum is an ego trip about knocking other peoples work!.!.!. if someone wants a critique they implicitly want to learn!. But this is not about lying or being false either!.

We all had to start somewhere and negative critiques seem to be the norm, but they are of NO help to anyone wanting to improve, on the contrary they are liable to undermine the other persons morale, which is why I view negative critiques as unacceptable and unprofessional!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

You don't just say that terrible you give the person advice on why its terrible and how to make it better!! You also need to point out the good and then say but this needs some work!!Www@QuestionHome@Com