Photo Assignments

How to Actually Learn From Photo Critiques (And What Peter McKinnon Taught Me About Telling Better Stories)
Video Tutorials

How to Actually Learn From Photo Critiques (And What Peter McKinnon Taught Me About Telling Better Stories)

One of the hardest things to do as a photographer is look at your own work honestly. I spent years thinking a sharp image with decent exposure was a job well done. It wasn’t until I started putting my photos in front of other people, and watching how they reacted, that I realized technical correctness and emotional impact are two completely different things. A critique session forces that gap wide open, and that’s exactly why I think they’re one of the most underrated learning tools available to us.

What Peter McKinnon's Photo Assignment Reviews Taught Me About Seeing in Color
Video Tutorials

What Peter McKinnon's Photo Assignment Reviews Taught Me About Seeing in Color

Every Sunday morning I walk the same neighborhoods in Seattle with my camera, and I still catch myself defaulting to the same kinds of shots. Interesting light, sure. Decent framing, usually. But intentional? That’s the harder question. One thing that’s helped me shake loose from comfortable habits is watching how experienced photographers critique work, not just make it. Seeing someone break down why a photo lands, or why it almost does, teaches you to look at your own images differently.