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Updated: May 20, 2026
04:43
Visualizing Visual Adaptation
Published on: April 24, 2017
Differences between experts and non-experts in photographic perception and assessment
Valentina Mulas1, Renato Troffa, Pierluigi Caddeo
1Department of Pedagogy, Psychology, Philosophy, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Cognitive Processing
|July 18, 2012
Summary
Photography experts and novices perceive images differently. While experts focus on objective assessment, novices are swayed by subjective appraisal and facial expressions, particularly smiles.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive psychology
- Visual perception
- Social psychology
Background:
- Professional expertise and cognitive schemata influence perception.
- Facial expressions in photographs can impact viewer responses.
- Previous research indicates differences in expert vs. non-expert evaluations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how professional skills and schemata affect cognition and aesthetic perception of pictures.
- To examine the influence of facial expressions on photograph evaluation.
- To compare the evaluation strategies of photography experts and novices.
Main Methods:
- 118 participants (60 experts, 58 novices) evaluated stimulus pictures.
- The Circumplex Model of Affect (PAQs) measured affective dimensions.
- A Semantic Differential scale assessed aesthetic and distinctive feature evaluations.
Main Results:
- Experts and novices showed significant differences in picture evaluations.
- Smiling subjects elicited more positive evaluations, but only among novices.
- No significant effects were found for subject position.
Conclusions:
- Expertise significantly shapes the evaluation of photographs.
- Novices' evaluations are more susceptible to affective cues like smiles.
- Facial expressions play a nuanced role in image perception, differing between expert and novice viewers.
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