You don’t need an hour-long review session to improve. You need 30 seconds between frames.
This micro-critique is built for the field: shoot → check → adjust → shoot again.
The problem
When we chimp (check the screen), we usually look for sharpness and call it done. But sharp photos can still be weak photos.
The goal is to improve the next frame, not admire the last one.
The framework
Ask three questions:
- What should they notice first?
- What is helping that happen? (light/composition/moment)
- What is fighting it? (one distraction)
Field steps
- After your first frame, answer the 3 questions out loud (quietly is fine).
- Make one change:
- move your feet,
- wait for a better gesture,
- simplify the background,
- adjust exposure for highlights,
- change height (stand → kneel).
- Shoot again immediately.
- Repeat once more. Then stop and move on.
Why this works
You’re training two skills at once:
- seeing (diagnosing the frame)
- executing (making one clean adjustment)
That’s how pros get consistent fast.
Common mistakes
- Zooming to 100% and missing the composition problem.
- Keeping the distraction because “it was there in real life.”
- Changing settings when the real fix is moving.
- Reviewing 20 frames later instead of the next frame.
Quick drill (10 minutes)
Do a 3‑frame loop on one subject:
- Frame 1: baseline.
- Frame 2: fix the biggest distraction.
- Frame 3: simplify again (cleaner background or tighter crop).
Pick the best and write: “The change that mattered most was ___.”
Field example
You’re photographing a heron on a branch.
- Notice first: “Heron eye + beak line.”
- Helping: side light + diagonal branch.
- Fighting: bright sky hole behind the head.
Fix: step 2 feet left until the sky hole becomes dark trees. Shoot again.
That one move can turn a “good enough” frame into a portfolio keeper.
Micro-critique prompts (copy/paste)
- “My subject is ___.”
- “The frame works because ___.”
- “It fails because ___.”
- “The one fix is ___.”
Mini checklist
- [ ] Subject is obvious at thumbnail size
- [ ] Background is clean behind the subject
- [ ] Bright corners removed
- [ ] One clear supporting element (light/line/gesture)
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.
What to do with each answer
- If “notice first” is unclear → move closer or simplify the frame.
- If “helping” is weak → change angle for better light or add a stronger line/layer.
- If “fighting” is background clutter → move your feet until it’s gone.
This is how you turn critique into action in real time.
Wrap + next step
If you want your keepers to multiply, stop shooting 200 variations.
Shoot 3 intentional versions, and move on.