Among the hundreds of entries in my guest book collected at different exhibits over time, only a very few stand out and teach me something about my work. As an example, there is a landscape image that attracted lots of attention.
After a seasoned pro stared at it for a long time, I asked him to make an entry. Here's what he wrote, "The xyz image is exquisite." Like the majority of the entries, it was nice, but didn't tell me WHY he considered it "exquisite".
Next came a couple and their 8-year old. Rayna immediately pointed at that photo and whispered something to her parents. After a little chit chat, the parents bought the print. Before they left, I asked Rayna to sign my guest book, and explain why she pointed at the photo. Here's her entry, "Is the top clouds or trees? It is so confusing!". Ah, I got it. Although it was crystal clear to me, and I did not mean to confuse, many viewers' interest perhaps was due to the intrique. For her fine critique, I gave Rayna a print of the same location that is much less confusing.
From then on, whenever anyone commented on my work, good or bad, I would ask them to explain WHY. Providing reasons, however subjective, to support your comments will help those asking for critiques, and will also help how you approach your own work. So how about it, all you critics?