Guidelines to judging a good picture
1. Purpose

A good photograph originates with a specific
purpose in the photographers mind before they
snap the shutter.

What was the photographer trying to do?

Tell a story?

Stimulate interest?

Arouse an emotion?

Record an event?
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Inform or Instruct?
2. Effectiveness

Was the photographer successful in achieving
the original purpose?
3. Audience

Appropriate for the intended viewer? A mass
public audience or special interest?
4. Revelation

Does the photographer lead the viewer to a new
level of understanding of the subject?

Is the viewer led to a fresh insight?

New information?

A unique perspective?
5. Value


Was the picture worth the effort?
Does the photo have much value to the mass
publication audience?
6. Technical

Clean? Sharp? Focus? Density? Contrast?
Grain? Dust?
7. Contribution


To what extent did the photographer contribute
to the photograph?
Did the photographer make the picture or did it
make itself?
8. Originality


Is the central idea of the photo original?
Is the treatment of the of the subject unique in
some way?
9. Control of medium


Was this a lucky shot?
Is it clear that the shot resulted from competent
use of the medium by the photographer?
10. Composition

Does the content within the picture show
pleasing elements of composition? Rule of
thirds.
11. Compromises

What limited your options?

Gave up too soon?
12. Translation

Can the picture be translated into words easily?

Can it's story be told?
13. Impact

Does the photo command attention?

Does it cause you to linger? Or feel emotion?
14. Interest



Do we feel the need to explore it's contents?
Do we require more then a glance to obtain its
full value?
Are we inclined to return to it?