Mark Laverty of Plymouth was a photographer for his high school newspaper, but put his camera aside for about 30 years before the digital revolution rekindled his interest.

This month, we have a bonus critique from Globe staff photographer Barry Chin. As he looked over the portfolios of amateurs who had submitted photos for a Globe review, he came across photos submitted by RAW regular Erin Hart of Boston, and said, "Hmmm. She doesn't need much help."

Colleen McQuaid of Pembroke first became interested in photography after sneaking a few shots with a camera her mother received as a birthday present. She told us she "instantly fell in love with taking pictures” and “learned to really appreciate photography."

She was planning to take a digital photography course at her high school this fall when it was abruptly canceled. So instead, she's hoping to get some advice and tips for improvement in a critique by a Boston Globe photographer.

Derek Brown became hooked on photography after getting a Nikon D80 DSLR a bit more than a year ago. Reaction to his work from friends and family has been positive, but Derek's not so sure. He looks at the same pictures and sees problems. "I feel sometimes my photos are dull and they don't 'pop' like they should," he wrote us. "Sometimes they turn out to be too gray and they appear cartoonish."

Derek wondered if a pro would agree, so we asked one: Globe Assistant Chief Photographer Ted Gartland.

Michael Palmer says the Canon Rebel XSi he received recently as a birthday present has allowed him to become "more adventurous" in his photography.

With every shot he's growing more confident using the camera's manual settings, and wondered "if there is some talent in my untrained eye." RAW asked Globe photographer Yoon Byun to take a look at Michael's portfolio, and tell us what he thinks.

Maria Svigos fell in love with photography after taking one class, and has been trying to hone her skills ever since. She's the subject of this month's critique by a Boston Globe photographer.

Maria is a junior at Bridgewater State College and shoots with a Canon EOS Rebel K2.

Her work was evaluated by the Globe's Jonathan Wiggs, who has won numerous awards since becoming a member of the Globe staff in 1990. His assignments have taken him all over the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Cuba. You can see a portfolio of his work in the section of Boston.com dedicated to Globe photography. Jonathan and his family live on the South Shore.

Here is his critique:

This month's Critique by a Globe Photographer is a little different. We received a batch of submissions from students in a photography class taught by Chloe Hill at Waltham High School, and the Globe's Essdras Suarez, who has a soft spot in his heart for beginners, jumped at the chance to work with them.

One of the students, Anna O'Brien, is the subject of this month's full critique. But Essdras also agreed to critique a photograph from each of the seven other students who sent in their photos at the same time as Anna. You can find those critiques in the next entry.

Meanwhile, back to Anna. She wrote in her critique request that she is "hoping to learn how to improve my photo-taking abilities." Good news, Anna: Essdras thinks you've already come a long way.

At the urging of their teacher, Chloe Hill, eight students from a digital photography class at Waltham High School were among those who submitted portfolios for RAW's Critique by a Globe Photographer feature.

This month's Globe photographer, Pulitzer Prize winner Essdras Suarez, picked the portfolio of one of the students, Anna O'Brien, for a full critique. But he also agreed to comment on what he thought was the best work from each of the other students. So consider this a Critique by a Globe Photographer bonus feature.

This month, Globe staff photographer Michele McDonald critiqued the work of Bernadette Markey of Hopkinton. Bernadette told us she takes pictures for fun, but also "to completely torture myself when they just come out wrong, whether it be because they are out of focus or the lighting stinks, or I God forbid chop off a foot/feet, arm or leg."

Michele thinks Bernadette is being a little hard on herself. When she looks at Bernadette's work, she sees someone with a photographer's eye and an interest in creating pictures that are more than ordinary.

This month, The Boston Globe's Bill Greene chose the work of Lesley Mattuchio of Melrose to critique. Lesley wrote us that she "wants to photograph it all, portraits, scenics, wildlife/nature, street candids, actions, etc." and said she worries "that I am biting off more than I can shoot!" Bill noticed that -- however, it's one of the things he liked best about her work.

This month it's RAW contributor Caitlin Robbins' turn to have her portfolio critiqued by a Boston Globe staff photographer. Caitlin lives in West Newton, and although she's always loved photography, she says she's been serious about it for just a year and a half.

Dennis P. Sheehan has been taking pictures for five years, and though his friends tell him he's good at it, he'd like to know "the opinion of a true professional." Happy to oblige, Dennis. We've selected your photos to undergo the first in our series of monthly critiques by a Boston Globe staff photographer.

This month's evaluation was done by John Tlumacki, who has covered events from the Olympics to the fall of the Berlin Wall, for which he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. You can see a portfolio of John's work in the new section of Boston.com devoted to Globe photography.

Dennis began shooting with an Olympus C-700 Ultra Zoom before graduating to a Canon EOS 20D DSLR. He edits his shots in Photoshop CS2.

Here's John's critique:

Globe photographer John Tlumacki has looked over the 10 applications from amateur photographers, chose one, and is doing his critique. We'll post the lucky photographer's photos, and John's comments, in the middle of next week.

If you'd like to be considered for a professional critique from a member of the Boston Globe's photo staff, just drop us a line here. Include 5 photos you'd like help improving.

The 9 people who applied for this month's critiques, but not chosen, are still eligible for future critiques, so don't give up hope!

Once a month, a Boston Globe photographer will choose one of you for a critique. Just e-mail us 5 photos, sized at 800 pixels wide and 72 dpi, and a paragraph about why you'd like a critique.

Perhaps you're struggling with composition, or how to shoot in low light without getting too much graininess. Maybe your portraits just aren't as elegant as you'd like. Or you don't have a specific thorny issue, but just want to get better.

Include your full name, town, and a phone number (for contact purposes only). E-mail your application to raw@boston.com.

And good luck!