If you only ask one question when reviewing photos, make it this: “What is this photo about?”
But the real upgrade is a 3‑question loop that turns random practice into targeted growth—fast.
The problem
Most photographers review photos by feelings: “I like it / I don’t.” That doesn’t tell you what to change next time.
A good critique should output a field action: move, wait, simplify, expose differently, or change your timing.
The framework
Answer these three questions:
- 1) What is the subject? (the thing you want me to notice)
- 2) What is supporting it? (light, composition, moment—what makes it work)
- 3) What is fighting it? (the one distraction stealing attention)
The “5‑word rule”
Answer #1 in five words or less.
If you can’t, the photo is unclear. That’s not an editing problem—that’s a shooting problem.
Field steps
- Subject: write the 5 words. Examples:
- “Egret landing with reflection”
- “Foggy trail into sunrise”
- “Bee covered in pollen”
- Support: name one helper:
- side light texture
- clean background
- leading line
- gesture / eye contact
- color contrast
- Distraction: pick one enemy (not five):
- bright corner
- messy background
- soft eyes
- awkward crop
- horizon tilt
- Translate distraction → action:
- bright corner → reframe or move until it’s gone
- messy background → change angle or increase background distance
- soft eyes → faster shutter, steadier stance, or better AF point
- awkward crop → step closer or include the whole element
- Shoot the fix immediately. Don’t “remember it for next time.” Next time is now.
Common mistakes
- Trying to fix everything at once (choose one distraction).
- Confusing “subject” with “location.”
- Blaming gear when the real issue is background or light direction.
- Over‑editing to compensate for unclear intent.
Quick drill (10 minutes)
Open your last shoot and pick 10 photos.
For each, write one line:
Subject: ___ | Support: ___ | Distraction: ___
When you’re done, tally your most common distraction. That becomes your next‑week focus.
Turn critique into a practice plan
After you tally your most common distractions, pick one focus for 7 days:
- Messy backgrounds: practice moving your feet and finding clean tones.
- Soft eyes: practice faster shutter + steadier stance + focus point discipline.
- Awkward crops: practice “tight + clean edges” and step closer.
You don’t need more critique. You need one targeted fix repeated.
Mini checklist
- [ ] Subject named in 5 words
- [ ] One support element identified
- [ ] One distraction named precisely
- [ ] One field action chosen
One more thing to try
If you only change one behavior this week, make it this: slow down for one deliberate decision, then shoot 10 frames with that decision.
Consistency comes from repeating one good move—not from hoping each frame magically improves.
Wrap + next step
Bring this into the field: after your first frame at a scene, run the 3 questions on the back screen.
Fix one distraction on-site and you’ll stop carrying problems home.