When you judge a photo, what do you look at?

Post YOUR list of the qualities/attributes that you take into account when judging a photo, if possible, start with what's most important working your way down.

Example

• Composition
• Exposure
• Sharpness
• Subject
• Colour
• Uniqueness
• Overall Execution

Hmm, this is a bit tricky, as I don't always apply those criteria in the same order.

For example, with motor sport shots I think the technical can be as important as the comp.

But in general:

1. Comp
2. Exposure
3. Sharpness
4. Overall Execution
5. Colour
6. Subject
7. Uniqueness

It's a tough one as there's two things that always spring to mind when I look at a picture whether it's my own or somebody elses.

1 - Do I like it ?
2 - Do I think it's good ?

Do I like it ?
I guess this is a personal thing and there's no sense to it. I guess I'm more inclined to 'like' a photograph if it's a 'good' photograph but there's loads of examples of my own which are rubbish that I actually prefer to some of my 'better' efforts. I'll love a mountain image because that's my thing regardless of what I think of the photograph.

Do I think it's any good ?
I guess the above list are all things I'd consider when deciding whether an image is any good but there's no hard and fast rules. I'd value composition and quality of light in a landscape shot however subject and sharpness may be key to a great sports image.

On the whole - from your list I would say:

1. Overall Execution (simply because that's everything)
2. Exposure (Photography is all about capturing light)
3. Compostion (any image works better if composition is right)
4. Uniqueness (great to have a unique take on something but image can still be poor)
5. Subject (plenty of naff images of great subjects / great images of naff subjects)
6. Sharpness (It's a kit obsession. Sharpness is nearly always aimed for but sometimes soft is better. If aimed for - it's OK if it's acceptable)
7. Colour (so personal and all manner of things can work well)

What I would say is that the more you progress with photography the more you 'appreciate' what is a good photograph even if you don't particularly like it.

Bit difficult as i dont consider myself a photographer, more a natural history enthusiast that wanted to record my sightings.

1---Subject, has to appeal to me.

2--- Uniqueness--- has it captured something special.

3 --- Composition, important that it appeals to my eye.

4--- Exposure, probably my weakest area.

5---Overall execution.

6--- Colour, can lift an image.

7--- Sharpness, seems to me to be an obsession with some toggers, rather see creativity than pin-sharp.

blimey ,I tried to answer after reading the above and now find I cant as your all right in your own ways but I would add DOF/BOKEH to the lists.
I do have pet hates i.e. trees and lampost growing out of peoples heads ,blue coloured snow etc

What has been left off the list is difficulty to get the shot. For example taking a photo of someone half way up a cliff face, the picture may not be perfect but getting it would not be easy.
So in the end it boils down to what pleases the eye.

Bazza

Difficult really because all photo's are different and taken in different ways, when a photo stands out to me firstly I check composition, exposure, colour, sharpness then wonder where I go wrong lol...