Damn, this is a tough call. A photographer at another site commented on one of my pics, and asked me to critique one of his. Now, I've gone and looked at the shot which is a deer head with a grass background, saying it was taken outside. However, I've notcied the following things about it; The DOF of the grass to me seems out for the deer itself, and seems to recede at a strange angle....while the deer is perfectly upright, the grass seems to go uphill. It looks like he's added airbrush technique on the grass area above the deer nose - which also seems to have overlapped onto the nose. The tip of the nose itself is perfectly sharp and 'cut' from the background, whereas elsewhere (the lower mouth for instance) it looks blurred in. Finally, the reflection in the deers' eye doesn't tie in; it looks like a lighting setup, not a natural light, and the grass - even where it's sharp in close-up - seems to have a lot more grain. Now, that's a few things that point towards the picture not being what it says it is, but I damn well can't come out and say that - I even composed an email (the bulk of which is the explanation above) but in the end couldn't send it. Y'see, even though I think it's p/worked, a) he can deny it and just say the airbrush/blurring was cleaning it up or b) deny it quite validly because I am very, very wrong and it's a genuine picture....... I mean, hell, in the overall scheme of things it's nothing, but if I'm right......... Whatcha reckon I should do?? (I thought at this point it was unfair to post a link or identify the artist. If you think it's ok to post a link, I will) Cheers Mike.

hmm... perhaps you could ask the photographer first about the context of the photo, and what the artist was intending to communicate; nature photography, photoshop skills, whatever... A critique without some background information is a very difficult thing to do. Maybe ask the photographer what elements of the photo (s)he is unsure of so you can provide more positive feedback. Then again, maybe it is just a quiz, and the photographer is trying to catch you with a fake...

If you're talking about Psig....I wouldn't stress....say what you think and don't worry about it....it is after all meant to be a critique site...no? unless of course you're worried about those silly little points that everyone seems so concerned with....in that case watch what you say....you may lose points for being honest..... Damn I hate that place.........

I am, therefore I create.......
--- michelleamarante.com

I suggest you cut and paste the second to fourth paragraphs in your thread starter. Then make a run for it. Heh heh heh (*

Lol - I'm not worried about the points, just don't wanna upset someone for taking a good photo. Oh, what the hell, I've vented my spleen, if he wants to put up p/s stuff why should I care? LOL (",)

Does it have to be a PURE photo? If not. Critique it and go about your business. Bsteph

Just say (write) what you think. I've done it lots of times on PhotoSig and nearly every critique I wrote (some of those were NOT flattering, while still remaining constructive) got positive marks ("helpful"). Sometimes I even get mail from the photographer in question telling me that the photo he/she posted was a test to see "if he/she could get away with" some extensive photoshop postprocess work. Personally, I prefer an honest opinion (even when it's not flattering) to the usual "great; excellent... now review my photo's". I'm not in it for the "points" (couldn't care less), but for the "fun" of it. Just my 2 c worth.

tell him to eat an enchilada, that should suffice.