From rogerebert.com today:

"Praise without merit is more harmful than unearned criticism."

Comments? Does it merit praise or earn critique?

Thats a definition of flattery isn't it Doug?

I agree with the quote.

I am on a couple of forums and notice very few will give an honest critique of an image that someone posts. And if someone does they usually get flamed. All of this does not help someone who is asking for help/advice, and prevents others from saying anything at all.

Carried to an extreme, it does nothing to advance our product.

You could justify the phrase the other way around too...just wouldn't be as catchy.

If we're talking about retouching / art forums - I'm with Mike. Praise is nice, but we only learn by our errors.

Rô

I think it depends on how the critique is delivered and the person's frame of mind as to how it is accepted. I know I have learned a lot from the techniques and styles of others. If I offer a critique, I prefer to do it via the pm where it can be viewed in private and is not seen as a put down in public. I personally would like to receive critiques that way and then have a chance to chat about corrections, make them, and repost with credit ascribed to the person from whom the critique came.

For what it is worth,

Janet

I agree whole heartedly with Janet. I enjoy getting PMs and emails from folks who want to talk in depth about my work. And I think it also depends on where the art is posted. If it's in a critique forum, then I expect others to say what I should or shouldn't have done, but when I post it in a photo art forum, then I'm pretty much finished with it, and I probably know its shortcomings. :)