I believe one of the key growth factors in moving your photography forward is knowing what you like and what you don’t like in an image. This may seem somewhat trivial, because you might say ‘well, of course I know what I like or I don’t!” However, saying you like an image is a lot different than saying WHAT you like about it, or dislike. It is through this isolation and conscious identification of particular characteristics that enables us to be more focused in our own compositions while in the field. It leads to grown in our photography, and growth as individuals.

So what if you are pretty sure about what you like about an image, but aren’t quite sure how to describe it? Something that will expedite the growth of your visual vocabulary is participation in, reading, or listening to constructive critiques. Sometimes what we like about an image is on the tip of our tongue and it may take someone else to point it out.

This is where I find watching critiques like found on the Radiant Vista, reading or participating in photography critique galleries to be incredibly valuable. Particularly with the Radiant Vista, where a very positive and constructive atmosphere is established immediately. Craig Tanner is very specific about the features he likes, and goes on to identify specifically what might be better in a ‘perfect world.’ Not all photography critiques are like this, sometimes ranging from simple ‘adda boys’ to very negative in nature, neither of which end up truly helping anybody grow. So I consider the comments on RV to truly set a benchmark for others to follow.

I also think it doesn’t matter where you think your ‘skill’ level is in relation to the image you are interpreting. I have seen comments from beginning photographers stating they don’t feel qualified to critique images from more advanced photographers. But if one has the vocabulary and insight to describe what it is they like or don’t like about a photograph, that is truly all they need, even if they have never picked up a camera.

Lastly, as an artist, I enjoying hearing specifically what people like about particular images, and also accept what they don’t like. It will be up to me whether or not to incorporate likes or dislikes into my own processes in creating something new.