How Do You Critique Photographs?

To critique a photograph is to make a verbal or written evaluation of a photograph based on a careful observation.  It is not sufficient to just say that you like or dislike a particular picture. The critique must give valid reasons to back his reasons for liking or disliking a particular photograph.    

Some of the areas which a critique should focus are composite (content), the background, the technical aspect (camera work) and craftsmanship.  In the "composite" aspect, the critique looks at the "centre of interest" in the picture. He finds out what is immediately catching to the eye while looking at the photograph. He makes an evaluation of how close the photographer was to the subject. He states about the wasted parts of the frame, if any, which are not contributing to the theme or the message of the picture.

The critique checks if the background balances the photo or if it distracts the message conveyed by the photo. While doing a critique on the technical aspect or the camera work the critique looks if the camera angle was sharp enough to get the photo technically correct. While examining the craftsmanship, the critique checks if the photo has scratches, spots and stains in it. He also checks if the picture was framed in the best manner possible. In the end, the critique writes a short opinion about the picture and the message it conveys.