Welcome to the April 2025 Critique the Community Contest! For this month's contest we want to make it super simple and inclusive by asking for your best portrait images. They can be full length, headshots, single person, multiple people, natural light or lit in the studio. Anything is fair game for this critique!
As always, please write a short story on how you took the portrait, what camera gear and lighting you used, any challenges you faced, and any other interesting information about the shoot in general.
Rules
- This contest is 100% free to join
- Each photographer may submit up to 3 images
- Each photograph must include a description that includes details about how the photograph was taken, what post processing was done to it, where it was taken, and what challenges you faced taking the image. Simply writing a single sentence that doesn't explain much of anything will disqualify you from being chosen!
March Prizes
1st Place
This contest is sponsored by the culling, editing, and retouching software company Aftershoot. Aftershoot is a powerful all-in-one AI based editing suite aimed at helping photographers shave off hours and even days on their photography sessions. Unlike other editing software suites, Aftershoot does it all by helping photographers quickly cull down their full photo sessions in minutes, batch complex edits throughout different mini sessions, and offers quick skin and face retouching with just a few clicks.
Fstoppers readers can get a free 30 day trial of this software, but one lucky first place winner will receive a full Annual Aftershoot Max Plan worth $720.
On top of that, Aftershoot is including a $500 Amazon gift card to help you produce better portraits on your next photoshoot! Total prize value ($1220).
2nd and 3rd Place
This month, both 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive their choice of any Fstoppers photo or video tutorial found at Fstoppers.com/store
The total value of this prize is up to $299
We are excited to see your best portrait photographs. Good luck to everyone and we will see you at the end of the month!
Bonus April Sale
For the month of April, we are offering up Clay Cook's Fashion and Editorial Portrait Photography tutorial for just $59. Clay Cook is an incredible photographer based out of Louisville, Kentucky who specializes in eye catching portraits used for marketing, advertising, and story telling. In this 11+ hour tutorial, Clay teaches some of his favorite lighting setups, shows you how to completely change your images by building and designing inexpensive sets, and explores how to set a mood with wardrobe, interesting color grades, and outdoor location choices.
This tutorial was design for photographers in both large and small niche markets looking to build a significant business around editorial and fashion portraiture. Normally this tutorial is sold for $300 but we are marking it down to $59 just for the month of April.
Featured Image by the talented Marc Olivier Le Blanc
Alex, your shots are beautiful. Now I haven't looked at much of this contest, nor your images on this contest. That said: I can likely tell you right here why I would and probably others would give you low grades. That's not to say I haven't given you a good grade before. It's just for much of your work: I question whether it had anything to do with the 'Camera', and more to do with 'Computer AI Processing'. I would like to know whether you actually travel to all of those places. I think you are a wonderful 'Graphical Artist'... but isn't that a different concept than 'Photographer'. So if you dazzle people with heavy displays of computer art in your images... you will divide the audience into two camps... Those that say: Oh that's so awesome. And others that go: "Oh did you actually take that photo, and how much processing was put into that shot? Was it generated?
Then there is what I said earlier. Now you wanted feedback. Good, but does everybody? As already stated. No. Not everyone wants feedback. And I might bet, that this feedback might be controversial.
Uggh... not even going to dignify that with a response.
Stepping aside from the disagreements in the comment section, I have to say that I have never voted so many 4s in a contest thus far as I have in this one. There is some amazing work in there!
Been there done that 2** (needs work) ;)
I've even left comment, compliments and critiques. :)
Maybe, just a thought, since their are all levels of photographers voting, if you give a 1 or 2, you need to comment why. not in a mean way, but in a helpful constructive way.
Something that's unfortunately becoming rare these days is people joining local camera clubs. These clubs have long been fantastic places to learn, grow, and refine one’s photography skills. I've been a member for many years and have gained a lot from having my images judged in both print and digital competitions.
While judging is ultimately subjective—I've seen award-winning images score low under different judges—the feedback is often invaluable. Many times, I've improved my work by applying advice, whether it was about cropping or adjusting tones. It's easy to hand out 4s and 5s, but I truly appreciate honest, constructive critique.
I genuinely believe all photographers can benefit from participating in local clubs as well as online communities like Fstoppers. I really enjoy their critique shows—Lee, Patrick, and the team do a great job selecting a wide range of images to review, regardless of the current scores.
I like to participate. That's why I enter this contest. I know that F Stoppers is geared towards Professionals. I am not one but I know that I am subjecting my images to be critiqued at that level. If I get some votes above 1 that's a win for me. My votes are often in line with the community. sometimes not. That's subjectivity eh? My only thought about what would make many of the images better is that for me torso and tighter shots make far and away better portraits. Not saying the full body shots are in any way bad but just not great portraits to me.... Now some of the conversation here is about "real" photographers and judgements coming from not real photographers. People sniping at each other. There ought to be a TV sitcom about them . " Here come the Gate Keepers !" lol... My sense of who I am and my self esteem is not at all based on what other people think of the hobbies I enjoy or how well I do them. The Gate keepers and Karens on the other hand apparently base their entire sense of self security on being better at or having more knowledge about whatever thing they are involved in. Lets strive not only to be good photographers but also good people. I , the Gate Keeper of being good people , have spoken !! hahahahaha....
I'm willing to wager that most people who vote don't watch the follow up video for the contest where its mentioned that the ratings don't matter. They will bring up ratings if they happen to select an image that was the highest rated image, but outside of that they don't bother mentioning it. All that being said, I think a lot of people vote low to keep other people's scores down thinking that's a factor in winning.
I think like or dislike would be more appropriate. Not everyone likes all types of photos or art. If they dont know what it took for a certain image, they shouldnt vote at all. fstoppers shouldnt write that one and two stars is (needs work) just because someone doesnt like the image. I for one get nauseous on sunrise and sunset images, but can tell if the image took skill or not.
That sort of mean spiritedness was bred out of me. I do watch the follow ups. I like that Lee and Patrick are trying to be constructive. They are not saying petty things about the participants in contests they sponsor. Sure my images dont score all that well. Yet I can spot a good image. I also never was a great softball player but boy I sure can tell the ones that are. My guess Simon Cowell is not all that great of a singer yet his opinion matters.. apparently.
The people who are lowball voting are doing so because they can and will continue to do so because the have anonymity on their side. Remove this factor I bet you see these lowball votes decrease drastically at least in cases that don’t warrant 1,2 or even a 3 vote 3 vote in CTC are good / okay, but in the general forum a few 3 votes to even a string of 4’s can be detrimental to a member’s rating from adding images to their portfolio, to effecting their overall profile rating.
Totally agree. Thery are depressing the image and stature of fStoppers
disagree on both counts. I do not agree 'raters' are voting you down just because they have the ability to do so on the average. I'm not saying it hasn't ever happened. I'm just saying that If 30 people rate your photo, and the average is 1.5... expect to be only mildly impressed or completely unimpressed. Look at the past contests... The highest rated photos are in the 3.5 to 3.7 range. There has never been this amount of debate as I'm aware of on the value of the rating system. You can educate me on that. But I'm guessing because this is Portraits. That the 'Standard' is just so much higher, than ever before. So what constitutes a '3' is much higher for John-Doe-Photographer is not what constitutes a '3' for 'Pedro' or 'Paul'. As stated by the management, it is not the 'highest-rated' that determines the winners...although they do have to admit that is usually from the ones in the higher category, and probably for good reason, because those tend to be better.
I also think some people would be willing to tell you why they stamped it with a 1. Just change your comments on your so-called low-balled image and ask for feedback of why your being so lowly rated. You'll find then some will then give you comments. If they changed the rating system as already said above: It would basically just shut down how it works.
Then then: As I also stated above: Are you sure you prepared for the answers of why a '1' would be given? I don't believe everyone is ready to be 'critiqued' by just anyone. There has also been a lot of: I don't think you're qualified to 'Critique' me. I've seen put forth the hypothesis in these comments that "1s" are being given without any warrant. Just move on, and take the counsel for what it is. What makes this contest any different from the former ones, that you must complain about the 'system' now? Only that the 'bar' has been raised. I couldn't meet the bar either. One of my images, got a bunch of "1s", and I deleted it. I moved on, and I didn't complain about it. I think it looks nice, but I can understand. it was my 'Grandma'. One 'Hidden' criteria that you might not be thinking of and I mentioned it above in one of my other comments is: 'Subject' Whether people think it is fair or not. If the 'Subject' is not something interesting and cool, than you won't get much + votes. Then others will think about the effort you put into it... like did you think about 'lighting', for portraits. Those are the ones that some people will give 4s and 5s too.
Here's the thing; I WANT to be able to create 5 star images. In order to get there, I need to know what I'm missing. I'm sure lots of other photographers feel the same way if their goal is to become a really good photographer.
Imagine if you want to become a top chef, but several diners keep sending your meals back saying they don't like them, but never telling you what's wrong with the way you prepared it. How will you ever improve?
Feedback is important, even if it's harsh. I understand that the scores don't mean anything in the final vote. After all, they picked one relatively low scoring photo in a recent contest above several others that scored over 3.7 simply the model in the photo was "hot."
I don't think it's asking too much to tell raters to justify their answer if it's going to help everyone improve.
Yes it is because if you leave a comment you lose anonymity
You don’t think people are giving 1s just because they can? Are you new here?
If you go back to last year's portrait contest, the same conversations were had. The highest rated images were 3.3 (and there were only 3 of them) and if you look at the top rated images before you hit Load More (which were scores 2.8-3.3), I would rate almost every single one of them a 4 or 5. There's maybe one I would rate a 3?
Well there it is: It will probably happen again, that the best-ish images will still make it over 3-points. You believe that they should have more points. I'm afraid that is the nature of the beast. You expected the highest-rated images to end up even higher? If you polled 10 people in a room and asked them to rate almost anything from 'French Fries' to 'Soap' would they ever get the same set of ratings? No. That is why the final answer is an 'Average'. and it makes sense. Just because you would give those photos a 5, doesn't mean John-Doe Photographer would.
And no, I don't think there are many that are just rating '1s', without a valid reason. I still don't think you know what your asking for, when you want feedback. However, feedback is what you will get, at least from me. If I can find your photos. Edit: (I will not rate or comment on Richard's photos, its a style I skip, but I did find one of Kyle's.).
Robert Whoa there cowboy ‘I do not agree 'raters' are voting you down’ first show me were I said this or express anything about being concerned about my rating. I was commenting in general my concern for what community member endure with lowball “anonymous” votes.
Have you ever watched the video reveals the Lee and Patrick (+ occasional quests) present after each CTC? Quite frequently the talk and even joke about lowball voting and even refer that some members “gaming the system”?
If not please watch a couple of these CTC while you do I will look for the same as stated above in the meantime.
Sounds like to me this last comment of mine struck a nerve! Why is this last comment set you off to rambling about ‘1’. While none of my other comments offering possible solution generation a response from you. And you response here does nothing as to be constructive, it’s just a loud, objection call to Foul rather loudly and just short of rude.
Show me any 1 star rating (exclude ones you made) that have a viable honest comment.
I quote from above your words: "The people who are lowball voting are doing so because they can and will continue to do so because the have anonymity on their side..." Isn't basically what I said "you said", except I said it in simpler terms.
https://fstoppers.com/entry/698400 -- I also gave this one a 1-star. I think in general, the thrust has been positive for commenting on photos, and that's probably the way it should be. As already stated on a few of my replies here: I don't think you know what your asking for, when asking for 'Negative' and/or 'Constructive' comments. Not everyone would wish for that. In the above link is a nice example that someone else did. I agree him, that the photo would be improved by removing the 'green', but that would probably not be enough to improve it much.
Robert,
https://fstoppers.com/entry/698156#comment-777914
10 minutes ago!
Yeah I noticed that too
Aftershoot prize worth 720$. Is that a perpetual plan?
It says full annual max plan.
Does that mean for ever?
I would assume it means a full year only.
If the system seems so unfair, or you're bothered so much by the low scoring, then don't enter the contest.
Thank God the founding fathers didn't feel the same way about British rule before the Revolutionary War.
Maybe so, but I hardly consider what is an essentially private photo competition to be on the same scale as oppressive taxation or national governance. Do we really need to elevate every last petty complaint into a revolution?
As I said before, you've got a good portfolio and I think your attitude for being open to constructive criticism will help you improve. I just don't think this is the event where it's practical for that to happen. Besides, now that I think of it, these competitions have been held for a few years now, with the same type complaints expressed every time. Don't you think the owners have given it a lot of thought, and would have made changes by now if they thought the system could be improved?
As Wayne Gretzky once said, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
Who knows, maybe one day the powers that be will modify things after repeatedly hearing complaints. Nothing will change if everyone stays silent.
I like this site, and love some of the work I see on here. I would hate to see it become another internet ghost town that everyone eventually walks away from because the contests and ratings just become redundant.
My time is valuable to me. If this site isn't helping me improve as a photographer, then I'll simply pack up and find another place. I would imagine others already have and will continue to leave as well.
I can't imagine comments on your picture in the context of a photo competition helping you much. Most are simple opinions, not an in-depth constructive analysis of a photo. Most of how I feel like I've improved has been from looking at other pictures that I like, and trying to analyze the picture myself. Why do I think it's good or bad? Portraits are especially challenging because of the intricacies of posing and multiple lighting sources. Seeing pictures here might inspire us to do better, but the nitty gritty work of actually making better pictures comes from studying educational material and practice, practice, practice. And since your goal is to support your retirement with some sort of photography service, the quality of your photography is probably the least of your challenges in starting a business.
When I first came to this site, and watched how the rating system worked. I was fascinated by it. Of course it drives you to be better.
I will tell you a story: A man tells his wife every night that the food she cooks is great. Every night 'Great'! Ok... After a while, does it actually mean anything? Would she even trust your judgement? Probably not. Conversely: Being a little more balanced... No it may not be popular to do so. But if you were more honest... And only say this is 'Good' when it actually was. Then your 'word' would be accepted as more truthful. Then when you actually say you 'Love-it', when it actually 'Great'. It would really mean more. Of course I'm relating this to the ratings. Yes, some people are really critical. Please keep seeking those '4+' star ratings, or in a contest. You will be looking for anything average around 3. That's the nature of how they work. Don't complain about it. I would hate to see it change.
Edit: I've said a few times on here: 'Are you sure you know what your asking for?' In regards to the idea of changing the rating system to (1 & 2s) with constructive comments. Well one of the persons on here, who actually reiterated that idea. I won't say who, but you can easily find it. I gave the comments, but then I was basically told, I was not qualified, and then he resorted to name-calling. This was after I gave my reason for rating a '1'. So 'No'. I don't think you really want that in the system. It would make people afraid of rating '1s'. You may ask for feedback. But don't really want it in the end.
A lot of people complaining about 1 and 2 stars given in this contest. My image is currently at 2.59, and I'm completely fine with that. I'm sure I got some 1 star ratings, which makes no sense at all, but I also got some 4 or 5 stars based on the notifications, and I know it's not a 4 or 5 star image, so the balance is there. If you all want to see what 4 and 5 star portraits are, click the "Community" tab, then "Popular Photos", and then click the "Portraits" tag. Majority are 4+ star images. Now compare those to what you see in this contest, and you can see why so many 1 and 2 stars are given in CTC.
Photoshop, LightRoom and numerous other applications as well as Promptography and all the other AI programs and apps have certainly come a long way towards the production of novel and interesting imagery and while they may assist you in becoming a better graphic artist, digital artist or artist period, they in no way shape or form make you a better photographer. The fact remains, that if you can't do it in camera and take that file, negative or slide directly to print with little (spotting, color balance, minor exposure and contrast adjustments) or no post process/pre-print manipulation, you're not much of a PHOTOGRAPHER.
The last time I logged in about 2 years ago, they were having this same discussion /arguments about the rating system. Who cares? Just enjoy producing images and keep trying to improve. If I come back in 2 years, hopefully the conversation will have progressed to something more meaningful!
I love your defense of the ratings. But you speak from a different era of photography. I would love to have lived or used cameras from that era. I think the great majority of us now live in the era of 'editing' our photos. Do the rest of us need you to turn your nose down at us for doing it? We do not live in the world of: 'in-camera-to-print'... I'll quote "Field Of Dreams": "Get Back! There's no place for you here in the future! Get back while you still can!" We need not have the AI debate, but there is no need to tell people they are unable to be a photographer because they began Photography in an era after you did. Or they must learn photography only the way you learned it, on a film camera.
By this logic Elia Locardi, Peter Lik, Stephen Wilkes, among many others aren’t much of a photographer? Make it make sense.
I agree totally. People get tied in a knot because if one manipulates/enhances an image in post production, it is, in their opinion, no longer a pure form of photography. Nonsense. It is more likely because they don’t possess the skills or want to take the time to learn them. It is simply just another skill-set necessary in today’s digital photography world. The second you open an image in any editing application and push any slider to the left or right - it is no longer “out of camera” and if you criticize someone for editing an image to their personal artistic taste when you perform even the most rudimentary edit, then you are a hypocrite. Ansel Adams spent considerable time dodging and burning his “zones” in the darkroom to great dramatic effect. Was he considered a fraud of the times, or just innovative and groundbreaking for crossing that threshold? No different today. Get over it edit-haters.
I came of age in the film era, as did you from what I can gather. I have made thousands and thousands of darkroom prints, and all of them have modifications in the final printing... and BTW, there never is a "final printing". The image changes with time. So while I agree that one must have the requisite skill set, i disagree that everything has to be done in camera. I do a LOT of post process print manipulation. For my money that's where the genius is hiding.
What bothers me about the rating system here is, what's written about them. 1 Star ratings are limited to snapshots only. 2 star images "need work" before they should be included in your portfolio. This is taken right from the site here. Everyone should read them before offering the stars. That is why I suggest another option that just says (dislike). Just because you dislike an image, does not necessarily mean its a 1 or 2. Maybe even, just dont give it any vote.
Comment deleted...
Edit: Kevin is right see my comment below. I hadn't read the rating rules since I started.
Those aren't my terms, that is what's written here about them from (quote) the site, Just the facts, nothing to do with splitting hairs.. I didn't say you shouldn't celebrate getting them.
Your right... the explanation of 1-star is really in depth. I hadn't read it since I started here https://fstoppers.com/rating It is saying that if thought is put into it at all, you should not rate 1-star. hmm.
I can understand what you're saying. There have been a couple of images in past contests where I was ready to put a 1 and realized I was only doing so because the image turned my stomach. I had to put that feeling aside and judge it based on its photographic merit, not the subject matter. Finding I could not be unbiased, I simply did not vote on it.
Subject always affects average 'rating' whether that's fair or not. Thems the breaks. Not something to whine about.
Um, I'm not whining about it?
Hey, not just you specifically but the concept of 'why is my image being rated so poorly is a continual theme here?' is it because people don't like my subject as much as they like the subject in someone else's image. Surely the ones chosen in the 'winners' group, may actually be chosen, because they have some interesting 'subject matter'.
I'm guessing that the large majority of Fstoppers members who breeze through rating these competition photos don't think much about the concept of a portfolio. How many people even have one, either on a website or in paper form? Probably not many. Photographers will throw their best images to date into a portfolio, regardless of the criteria applied by some universal set of standards for what qualifies as an "expert" or "professional" level image. And a professional can be anyone who takes money for work... it says nothing about the quality of one's work. I only raise this point because "portfolio worthy" is vague and subjective to begin with. Certainly my portfolio is very different today compared to 20 years ago. It wasn't as good then, but it was still a portfolio.