Just to add my two bobs worth! First NO your work certainly does not suck, your work is very expressive and passionate. I believe that your (Meaning anyone not just you) work first and foremost is for you, and if you like it that is most important, if others like it, and they do then all the better, if some dont like it then it is no real loss you cant please everyone. I also believe that you are qualified to give critique everyone is regardless of their training or lack of. Being professionally trained doesnt change that. There are people of all levels here no one is the best or the worst but some are technically more experienced than others. Like you have said you get lots of nice comments but little critique, and that is more likely as people tend to air on the side of caution so as not to offend, myself included. Whilst there is nothing wrong with constructive criticism, I dont like to see negative criticism, and have had some myself that really has had absolutely no relevance to the image in concern. Just before I end my ramblings, I would just like to share this: Recently I was involved in a conversation with a woman (a new member) at a club that I attend on competition hand in night, she said to me that wasnt going to submit her entry as her work was below what she felt the standard was. I said that she should enter anyway (which she did) if only to get feedback and learn from it. Some of the judges make some really odd comments and what is considered poor can often do quite well. I entered a photo of an old RAF Spitfire and the judge said it would have been better if it was in a field! (It wasnt and there in nothing I can do about that) I also told her about RR so maybe she will join. The wonderful thing about photography is you never stop learning. LP

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