Last night, I had a very enjoyable evening judging a photo competition in Knaresborough. It was a relaxed, sociable event—full of conversation, shared perspectives, and thoughtful discussion about what makes a strong photograph.
Afterwards, I watched an interesting video on a YouTube channel called Providence Photography with Alvin Turner(I’ve included it at the end of this post). It offered a refreshing approach to image critique.
Rather than judging photographs, the idea is to evaluate them based on the photographer’s intent (or your intent).
The video outlined seven questions photographers can use to evaluate their own work. I’ve summarised them, with some thoughts of my own. I guess they might require some adaptation depending on the type of photography you are considering.
1. What is the photograph about?
At its most basic, every photograph should be about something.
Is it telling a story?
Provoking emotion?
Revealing something new?
This doesn’t have to be overly literal or complex—but there should be a sense of purpose. As the photographer, what are you trying to communicate?
2. Does the frame support that?
Once you understand the intention, the next question is whether the composition supports it.
How are elements arranged within the frame?
Are they working together to reinforce the subject and message?
A strong composition should guide the viewer toward what matters most.
3. Where does my eye go first?
This was described in the video as “attention control”—a term I like.
When someone looks at your image, where do they look first?
And just as importantly—where do they look next?
If the viewer’s eye is drawn away from the main subject, the photograph may be working against itself.
4. What role does the light play?
Photography is, fundamentally, about light.
Does the lighting enhance the mood?
Does it reveal or conceal elements appropriately?
Is it aligned with the intention of the image?
Light isn’t just technical—it’s expressive.
5. What would I remove first?
This question is all about simplification.
Look around the frame carefully.
Is there anything that could be removed without weakening the image?
In many cases, removing distractions strengthens the photograph and clarifies its purpose.
6. Does the image work without explanation?
This can be a challenging one.
As photographers, we often carry context that the viewer doesn’t have—memories of the moment, emotional connections, or knowledge of the scene.
But does the image stand on its own?
Would someone unfamiliar with the situation still understand or feel something when they see it?
7. What does this image reveal about the decision that mattered most?
This is perhaps the most intriguing question.
Every photograph is the result of a series of decisions—where to stand, when to press the shutter, what to include or exclude.
Which of those decisions had the greatest impact?
For example, it might be the exact position you chose to achieve a precise alignment of elements. Identifying that priority can tell you a lot about your photographic process—and how to refine it.
I think these are excellent questions—open enough to encourage creativity, yet focused enough to provide real guidance.
They shift the emphasis away from simple judgement and towards thoughtful evaluation.
If you’re interested, I highly recommend subscribing and watching Alvin’s video below. See what you think.
Mark Waddington 
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