Request for "brutally honest critique" :-)

[jypsee]

is for the persons who want a critique to get themselves some HARD copies of some photo publications (including a few histories of photography) and start learning about their craft. You will find that photography has suffered these sorts of "issues" since it became possible to "freeze" a frame and print it. The latest round of issues is occuring between/among the so-called purists who think anything manipulated in digital format has fallen outside the realm of so-called "authenticity."
Anyhow, before you ask for a critique, why not learn why you want it? How will you know if you need it if you have only this online realm to go by? I got a gmail some time back that told me that my photos were unacceptable by those who are "in the know." My long time involvement in photography helped me overlook this remark but, what would a novice think of such a "critique?"

The other thing about asking for critique is that it is a time consuming endeavor for the person doing the criticism. And, in my case, I get paid to provide teaching technique and feedback so when I critique your photo I'm giving away my services. There's some fellow here on Pbase who has set himself up as a sort of photo guru (can't recall his name) but he has so-called lessons and offers "feedback" (mostly it's positive reinforcement) to folks. He has a big following and it might be useful to seek him out.