I don’t need your photo critique - I need a critical friend! (And so do you!)
Art is a starting point for dialogue - art critique should cater for that conversation
Let’s assume that any photograph is published with an intention to communicate. In some sense resonate with the viewer. There might be a suggested narrative, an implied emotion or an aim for visual poetry.
So let’s ditch the technical, rules-based, boys club feedback and critique.
A critical friend is advocate for success
Costa and Callic (1993) define a critical friend as someone who takes the time to fully understand the context of the work presented and the outcomes that the person (you - the photographer) is working toward. A critical friend is a trusted person who asks questions and provides different perspectives. A critical friend offers critique in relation to the intention of the artist. A critical friend acts with positive intent.
Using the noun friend, implies a reciprocal, well-meaning relation based on trust.
Liz Wells (2003:432) mentions criticism from a feminist perspective as proposing “…a constructive role for the critic: that the critic should engage with the art object, raising new questions and pursuing new lines of enquiry.”
Nel Noddings (2015), also from a feminist philosophical perspective, state that reciprocity as well as dialogue are central in ethics of care.
Let’s assume that giving photo critique is in fact an act of care. Noddings means that the distinctive element of a reciprocal (friendly) relation: ”…is that the one-caring acts in response to a perceived need on the part of the cared-for. The act is motivated by an apprehension of the cared-for’s reality, where the one-caring feels and senses what the cared-for is experiencing and initiates a commitment to help.” (Burton and Dunn, 2013)
In the intersection between care ethics and art critique, the concept of the critical friend emerges through terms such as reciprocity, dialogue, need, intention and commitment.
The photographer (the cared-for) asking for critique opens for a reciprocal relationship where their needs and intentions are stated. The critic (the one-caring) enters this dialogue by confirming the need or intention with a commitment to help make the work better.
My suggestion for a feedback scheme using the concept of critical friends
I (maybe you too?) aim to make good/interesting/exciting work. The next time I turn to my peers for critical feedback, I’ll make sure to include:
A background and context to my photo.
The photo itself (duh!).
A statement of intention, if possible.
A guide to what I'd like feedback on.
In turn I hope to gain the attention of a critical friend who enters this reciprocal relationship and:
Makes an effort to understand the context of the work presented.
Acts with positive intent.
Does their best to advocate for the success of the photograph presented.
With such a method I hope to never again get feedback such as:
Wow - that’s beautiful.
You might like adding more saturation and color.
What settings and camera?
Such comments are either subjective without context, technical rather than communicative, or questioning without concern for intentions.
So let’s ditch the general photo club rhetoric across the WWW and up the game for caring, reciprocal feedback in the critical friends tradition.
COSTA, Arthur and Bena KALLICK. (1993). “Through the Lens of a Critical Friend”. Educational Leadership. 51. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/234658747_Through_the_Lens_of_a_Critical_Friend. Accessed 2 June 2021.
BURTON, Brian K. and Craig P. DUNN. "Ethics of care". Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Oct. 2013, https://www.britannica.com/topic/ethics-of-care. Accessed 2 June 2021.
NODDINGS, Nel (2015). Philosophy of education. Fourth edition. Boulder, CO: Westview Press
WELLS, Liz (ed.) (2003). The photography reader / edited by Liz Wells. London: Routledge
