Off the top of my thoughts, directly to the keypad...first, I don't see that "lack of critique" makes this a "beginners" site.  That is a leap beyond me.  As a  beginner at first, flaming critique would likely have put me down so far I would have been quite down and hesitant to post again.  I did not then know the difference in honest critique and well disguised self serving cruelty.  What did I do? I looked around in the galleries. I saw wonderful images done much better than mine..yet at the time of posting my first stuff, I was proud of it feeling accomplishment.   I do have empathy for the others who now are in the same shoes I wore then.  I do not critique beyond what is asked or is obviously needed.  Then, the honestly needed is spoken kindly and generally by IM and not on the posted comments.  I keep it pretty much between me and the poster and that does quickly give the option of recourse to that poster as desired.

Read a play review.  One critic says, "Wonderful presentation" and another flames every member of the cast and the production crew.  Each critic comes from a different stage in the same venue.  The same holds true here.

Part of the so called "problem" is that photography is grouped into >photography>genre, not in a critique gallery.  That would seem an unworkable solution and the critique thread is not a bad beginning at all.  There are so many images..who sees all and has the opportunity(it blessed by the time) to critique all they see?  And without regular vistors to your gallery, it is a hit and miss as to who will happent to see your thumbnail while looking things over.   

Again, the likely best solution is to ask for critique and even IM a few proven members to let them know you poste and to take a critical look! That is not a difficult task.

As for some photos, I might see an image that grabs me from the first view.  At that point, I see less of the technical detail and see the emotion and "speaking" of the image to me.   Then, the critic comes along and says "that leaf is distracting and the dof should be such and such".  Likely true...but did that critic see the image and feel the emotion and hear it speak? If not, the critic is stuck to tecnnical detail and that frankly misses the artistry of any image to some extent. I do not dismiss the technical because that is what makes or breaks most images...but the content should not be missed. Unfortunately, as two men sitting on a hill watching a city below, one crys then laughs...the other does not understand and only speaks of the wails not being woeful enough or the laughing not jovial enough.  I would rather be able to laugh and cry with those others thant to not feel that empathy.  Some critics miss the point and speak from only techincal ivory towers.  Some, some few do give merit to the speaking of the image and are also able to give kind and helpful criticism of the technique.   So much for that speech! Take it as you might.

Develop the thought of asking for criticism and not expecting it automatically and the 'rosity site is easy to live with and very satisfying.   Ask those you respect to view and critique your image when they have the time.  Most will do just that.  This is a work around but it does work.

Allow the beginners to get their feet wet and learn as did I and as I still do...with the mostly friendly atmosphere which is acceptance of the novices and respect of those who have proven their stripes.

Just a thought or three or four or more.  Hoo boy..I am done with this keypad for a while.

Yes, this kind of discussion can go for years and be lost and resurface with much the same sort of comment.  We live with what we have and I am glad to have it.  There are work arounds if we make use of that.                 TomDart.