Finding The Best Critics on Google Plus

Every photography magazine on the planet has a section in which readers’ photos are exposed and criticized by various members of the editorial staff. They are the equivalent of gossip sections in local magazines: fly traps. Everybody reads them and we (amateur photographers) all wish to have photos exhibited there, even if it is at the expense of a receiving a bollocking from the critics.

Having a photo criticized by people outside your social circle (unless you know a lot of photographers) is one of the healthiest ways of learning more about your technique. People you know are mainly either too polite to point out the problems in your photos or else not technical enough to recognize a flaw beyond the obvious. The criticism that comes from them is either not directed at the photographic technique or not constructive.

Google+ offers salvation once again. The number of good photographers around is staggering. I find it a constant source of inspiration; both for subjects and ideas to shoot, and for the quality of work that goes around.

The real gem for me, however, is eliciting criticism from fellow photographers around the world. The method is as simple as can be – just type in a criticism tag at the end of your post and you will nearly always find some kind people to comment. I tend to use #critiquepls and #btlcritique – the latter is actively monitored by a page called Behind The Lens: Photo Critique Group, and at times the page moderators will even re-share your post.

In the past few weeks I have tagged about a photo a week and I received a stream of intelligent and constructive criticism every time. No one came in and praised or criticized the photos I had tagged without offering interesting ways of improving my pictures. Even when you think a photo is great, someone will come along and offer a good idea to improve your shot.

It is imperative to keep in mind that when you put a photo up for discussion it is a free-for-all. Most people out there are good and kind but you might also find the odd dim-wit who will simply criticize for the sake of it, without adding anything of value. Just ignore them and move on to the next comment.

So go out there and take the plunge. It might be scary to start off with but I can assure you that it is an immensely rewarding experience.