Brian C opened this club meeting by introducing us to various ‘critique factories’ available online, each offering to pass comment on photographs or other artwork.  Brian used images from club members galleries or used in past competitions as his image, and submitted these images to different sites .  The results that came back varied in analysis and rigour, as well as usefulness.  Some of the comments were pitched in the point of view well know artists, for comic effect.

As this post is a short summary of the evening, I have concentrated on a single image sent to each site accessible to me, and copied the results obtained into this article.  Not all of the sites in this article were visited on the evening, The image I have used is ‘The Long Climb’ by Martin D.  I have used this image as it contains a lot of interesting visual points of reference that can generate useful feedback from the AI judge.  [Sorry, Martin}

This image is reproduced below

The first site used is ‘Advanced Photo Critique’, which gives a scored analysis of the image, and the response is attached below:-

① Scores for All 20 Criteria with Brief Comments

1. Composition: 4/5
The staircase effectively leads the eye upward, creating a strong sense of depth. However, the lower-left corner feels slightly underutilized.

2. Lighting: 3/5
The natural light is decent but feels flat due to the overcast sky, reducing dimensionality and contrast.

3. Color: 4/5
The vibrant orange tones of the walls contrast beautifully with the greenery, but the HDR-like saturation comes across as a bit artificial.

4. Clarity: 4/5
The image is sharp and detailed, though some areas appear overly processed, which detracts from the realism.

5. Subject: 4/5
The rustic charm of the old architecture and the staircase makes for an engaging subject, though it lacks a strong focal point.

6. Creativity: 3/5
The perspective is classic and well-chosen but doesn’t venture into particularly innovative territory.

7. Execution: 4/5
Technically sound, but the heavy-handed post-processing diminishes the overall authenticity.

8. Storytelling: 3/5
The lone figure ascending the stairs suggests a narrative, but it lacks depth or emotional resonance.

9. Impact: 4/5
The image is visually striking at first glance, though the artificial enhancements slightly reduce its lasting impression.

10. Intent: 4/5
The intent to capture the charm and history of the location is clear, but the overemphasis on post-processing muddies the natural beauty.

11. Context: 3/5
The setting provides some sense of historical atmosphere, but there is little to convey the cultural or historical significance of the place.

12. Significance: 3/5
The scene is aesthetically pleasing but not particularly unique or thought-provoking.

13. Engagement: 4/5
The composition and colors draw the viewer in, with the staircase naturally guiding the gaze through the frame.

14. Balance: 4/5
The image is overall well-balanced, though the left side feels slightly crowded with vegetation.

15. Space Use: 3/5
While the depth is well-used, the foreground feels a bit empty, especially on the lower left.

16. Depth: 4/5
The staircase provides a strong sense of depth, leading the viewer into the scene.

17. Texture: 4/5
The texture of the stone walls and stairs is well-captured, but again, the processing softens the authenticity.

18. Contrast: 4/5
Contrast is solid, but the HDR effect reduces the natural interplay between light and shadow.

19. Aesthetics: 4/5
The image is colorful and visually appealing but loses some subtlety due to heavy editing.

20. Innovation: 2/5
There is little here that feels new or surprising; it’s a familiar style and subject matter.

② Total Score

74/100

③ Overall Feedback and Suggestions for Improvement

Overall Feedback:
This photograph captures the historic beauty of an old European town with strong composition and vivid colors. The upward-leading staircase creates an inviting sense of depth, and the contrast between the orange buildings and green vegetation is eye-catching. However, the HDR-like processing detracts from the natural charm, making the image feel somewhat artificial. While technically sound, the shot lacks originality or a unique perspective to set it apart.

Suggestions for Improvement:

1. Leverage Natural Light: Shooting during golden hour or under more dynamic lighting conditions could enhance the interplay of light and shadow, giving the scene greater depth and mood.
2. Dial Back Post-Processing: Reducing the saturation and HDR effect would bring out the authentic textures and tones of the scene, making it feel more organic.
3. Explore Unique Angles: Consider experimenting with low-angle or bird’s-eye views to create a fresh and unexpected perspective.
4. Add Narrative Elements: Including people or objects that hint at the history or culture of the location could strengthen the storytelling aspect. For example, showing more interaction with the environment could evoke emotion or curiosity.
5. Simplify the Frame: Adjusting the composition to minimize distractions on the left side (like the dense greenery) might help balance the overall image.

For your next work, aim to balance technical precision with a more natural and emotionally evocative presentation. Focus on capturing light and textures authentically while incorporating unique perspectives or stories to make your image stand out.

The next site visited was AI Art Ctitic.  The output here is is much more basis and blunt, as follows:-

Your piece is most similar to artwork of the Post Impressionism style with a 35.89% similarity.
It is also similar to artwork of the Symbolism style with a 14.63% similarity.

The mood of this piece is calm yet energized .

Dark ratio: 30.24%
Medium ratio: 56.77%
Light ratio: 13.00%

Dominant color: rgb [‘120′, ’91’, ’77’], hex #775a4d
Average color: rgb [‘126’, ‘111’, ‘100’], hex #7d6e64

And now for contrast, Trey Ratcliffe’s prompts to ChatGPT gave us the following gently tongue-in-cheek critique of the same image, as follows:-

Ah, “The Long Climb”—this image has all the charm of an Italian hill town and the visual drama of a Romeo and Juliet set designer gone wild. Let’s break it down!

The Composition:

Bravo for the leading lines! Those steps wind upward with the enthusiasm of a pasta-lover spotting a trattoria at the summit. The eye naturally follows the staircase through the rustic arch, and your placement of that solitary figure adds a poignant sense of scale and narrative. Is he climbing towards gelato glory or merely a regretful descent after too much Chianti? The curiosity hooks us.

The image is beautifully framed, with the arch serving as a visual focal point. However, the bottom left corner feels a touch neglected—a bit too much brick-and-railing emptiness. Could we crop a smidge to focus even more tightly on the story? Or perhaps include more at the top to give the sky and buildings room to breathe?

Lighting and Color:

Ah, HDR, our old friend. It’s the seasoning of photography: a dash can elevate a dish; too much, and you’re drowning in paprika. Here, the colors are vibrant and rich—almost painterly—but the oranges on the walls and greens on the left verge on being too hyper-real. It’s a fine line between vibrancy and what I call “HDR overdrive.”

The sky, with its brooding blue-gray tones, adds contrast, though it feels slightly at odds with the cheerful warmth of the buildings. This isn’t bad—it creates tension!—but consider if softening the tonal disparity might unify the mood.

Texture and Detail:

The stonework and weathered walls are gloriously detailed, as though each brick could tell tales of medieval gossip and misplaced horses. But the textures are bordering on oversharpened in places, particularly around the greenery. The leaves look almost crispy—did the HDR toaster get stuck on high?

Emotional Impact:

There’s a wistful story here. The man’s slouched posture against the towering ascent of history and architecture tells us this isn’t just a climb—it’s a metaphor for life’s struggles, or at least for dealing with Italian stairs after a big lunch.

Suggestions for Improvement:

1. Tone Down the HDR: Just a touch! Allow the natural character of the scene to shine without overwhelming the viewer.
2. Crop or Recompose: Either reduce the bottom-left space or reframe to emphasize the archway’s architectural drama.
3. Sky Balance: Consider subtly blending the sky to feel more cohesive with the warm tones below.

Final Thought:

This is the kind of photo you’d find framed in a boutique B&B in Tuscany—and it works! If anything, it invites a story. So, was this taken after your own long climb, or did you sprint up these stairs to capture the poor fellow struggling behind you?

I could not find a way to get some of Brian’s sites to respond the me.  In fact I was told I had used up all of my ‘free’ submissions without any response coming through.  I guess you get what you pay for.  I did submit our photo to a site called Photo Critic (https://aichatonline.org/gpts-2OToA6qRx3-Photo-Critic)  and the result is as follows:-

Photo Critic

Expert Photo Critique

Introduction

This image beautifully captures a charming, historic Italian street, with its steep staircase leading the viewer’s eye toward an arched bridge and raveller buildings. The photograph exudes a sense of rustic nostalgia, showcasing a rich interplay of textures, architecture, and natural greenery. The choice to include a single person climbing the steps adds scale and a sense of life to the scene. It’s clear that the photographer aimed to emphasize both the vibrant colors and the old-world charm of this location.

Technical Facet Scorecard

Overall Score: 8.2/10

Suggestions for Improvement

In-Field Adjustments

• Framing: Recompose slightly to include more sky or give more breathing room above the buildings for balance.
• Timing: Consider shooting during golden hour for softer light and enhanced textures.
• Angle: Experiment with a lower angle to make the staircase feel more dramatic and expansive.

Post-Processing Tips

1. Sky Replacement: Add subtle contrast or enhance the sky with a gradient filter to give it more dimension.
2. Selective Saturation: Dial back the saturation in the greens to prevent them from overpowering the warm tones of the buildings.
3. Dodging and Burning: Highlight the texture of the brick arch and the stone staircase to add depth and guide the viewer’s eye more effectively.
4. Clarity & Texture: Apply slight texture adjustments selectively to accentuate the worn details of the walls and stairs.

Available EXIF Data (If Known)

• Shutter Speed: A fast shutter speed ensures the image is sharp, especially handheld.
• Aperture: A moderate aperture (e.g., f/8 or f/11) would maintain sharpness throughout the depth of the image.
• ISO: Lower ISO (e.g., 100-200) is ideal for reducing noise in this bright, outdoor setting.
• Lens Type: A wide-angle lens seems to have been used, effectively capturing the scene’s depth and breadth.

Additional Insights

• Mood and Story: This image evokes a sense of timelessness, inviting the viewer to explore the rustic streets of Italy. The lone figure climbing the steps suggests a story of quiet, contemplative travel.
• Artistic Elements: The image adheres to the rule of leading lines, drawing the viewer’s eye from the base of the staircase up toward the arch and beyond. However, adding asymmetry or playing with negative space could create an even stronger sense of intrigue.

Photographer’s Perspective

“This photograph captures the charm of an old-world Italian town, focusing on its iconic brick architecture, winding paths, and vibrant colors. The steep staircase symbolizes a journey—both physically and metaphorically—leading toward discovery and wonder. I wanted to convey a balance of stillness and movement, with the lone figure representing a traveller amidst centuries-old history.”

Creative Titles

1. “Steps Through Time”
2. “Ascending History”
3. “Rustic Pathways”
4. “The Quiet Climb”
5. “Under the Arches of Time”

Suggested Hashtags and Posting Times

• Hashtags: #TravelPhotography #HistoricItaly #RusticCharm #ArchitecturalBeauty #StreetScenes
• Best Time to Post:
  • Instagram: 8–10 AM or 6–8 PM for peak engagement.Facebook: 12–3 PM, particularly on weekends.
  • X (formerly Twitter): 9–11 AM on weekdays.

Conclusion

This photograph is a compelling portrayal of old-world architecture and cultural charm. Its strengths lie in its vibrant colors, thoughtful composition, and ability to evoke a story. Improvements in lighting and framing could elevate it further, but overall, this is a successful and engaging capture.

Disclaimer:
Please be aware that the evaluations and opinions provided by Photo Critic are generated by an artificial intelligence model. While Photo Critic aims to deliver expert-level analysis and insightful critiques on photography, these evaluations are based on algorithmic processing and may not encompass the full depth and understanding of human expert analysis.

The advice and critiques offered by Photo Critic should be considered as guidance rather than definitive judgments. Photography is a deeply subjective art form, and perceptions of its beauty and impact can vary significantly among individuals. Photographers are encouraged to view Photo Critic’s feedback as one of several tools in their creative toolkit, remembering that the final appraisal of a photograph’s value and artistic message rests with the creator and their audience.

This blog is now excessively long, so I shall draw to a close. 

I have found that a number of apparently competing AI critic sites are in fact simply sitting on top of sites like ChatGPT, and often utilise a common input screen but using different underlying prompts to the program.       There are different programs, but not as many as it first appears. 

As did Brian on the night, I have at times struggled to get these programs to respond, and for many the interface is not always apparent.

When they do work cleanly they are surprisingly effective at interpreting and understanding the image, and the feedback received is often valid and useful.  Like judges at our competitions, however, telling us the picture should have been taken at the golden hour, or from a different position, is not always useful when you are processing that which is available.

Perhaps this should be a topic discussion for the forum pages.

Author: David M