To Participate:

You must bring at least one image, even for your first visit with us, to be critiqued by the group. The critique is for participants, not watchers. A photographer wouldn't show up to shoot without a camera; one shouldn't expect to show up for a critique without images.

Submit up to 5 images via email, dropbox.com, wetransfer.com, or other methods to images@critique.red (note email address change) one or two days before the meeting date. The images should be high-resolution jpegs, typically 1500 pixels or larger on the long edge of the photo works well.

The Critique Environment:

We limit people to 5 or fewer images to give time to discuss each image. If we have ten people attend, that's a max of 50 photos to show, which would take 2.5 hours at 3 minutes per photo. Usually, we have 30-40 images since it is ok to bring less than 5.

We upload the photos into a private password-protected space on gestaltphotographs.com, hosted on Smugmug, using a slide show for the critique.

Our current approach allows us (including the organizer) to participate, focusing on the pictures during the critique, and not the process of loading images.

The Critique Experience:

We spend around 3 minutes per image. The review is initially blind, but each photographer's photos are grouped together. For each image, the group discuss what they see, feel, or think about the picture.

After which, the photographer can ask questions, add context, detail challenges they faced. Often that leads to a debate rooted in each participant's own experience.

The goal is not to correct an image, that would imply images are right or wrong. The goal is for the photographer to hear a plethora of ideas, and for the group to debate exploring ideas that arise.

The Critique Culture:

We strive to use language like "I see X," "I feel X from the photo," or "I experienced X when trying to shoot something similar." This approach informs the photographer by bringing real experiences to the forefront that they can decide how to incorporate.

We try not to use "you should" statements or other direction that diminishes the photographer. When saying "you should," you are telling someone what to do, and is not particularly valuable for them; the image is their image and not yours. It is perfectly acceptable for the photographer to ask the group questions specific advice if they want.

A common question asked, "Is this image successful?" We define success as the image evokes the outcome desired by the photographer, not if an image follows a fixed set of "rules?" Not following the "rules" is encouraged.

When discussing your image, be ready to hear it was not successful or that others see varying degrees of success. Be prepared to listen to real direct feedback of what others might do. Be open to hearing others' experiences taking similar images. Understand that an honest but safe space is very positive.

But do not despair, many times, the group is delighted with an image! It happens often. If it does, congrats. Feel good. But don't let the group off easy; challenge them on why they are delighted.

The safe space critique isn't meant to show your best images, although you can. We are not running a contest. There is nothing to lose, and everything to win by bringing new creative photos, pictures you aren't sure are successful, or photos you are struggling to capture your mind's eye.

Ownership:

At all times, your photographs are owned by you. Participation in this group does not assert any rights or ownership. We do not post anyone's images to the meetup website, so even meetup's terms of service do not apply to the images sent directly to us. However, If you upload a photo directly to meetup.com, their terms and conditions will apply.

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