Is it impossible to get valuable critique on such a forum?

Fair Enough. Contest is different from CC. But CC is mostly useless because:

• most people are genuinely nice
• nice people don't criticized others
• when they do, they use SOFTNER (its pretty good; its not bad; I like it)
• so, whatever feedback you get isn't an honest opinion anyways
• Its like the Paula Abdul white lies to protect the fragile ego of a bad singer

. People are competitive, lousy photo are judge harshly, while genuinely good photo are praise highly....just like Simon Cowell.Contest is the best teacher way and enter any photo contest. Simon CowellIf you are serious about improving your photography skill, do the
DPR challenge is FREE and I love it. While people generally disagree on the winner, the Top 10% are always stunning, while bottom 10% are truly lousy. Enter enough contest, and watch your photography skills fly.
Take a look at the TOP 16 of ICE contest:

• http://www.dpreview.com/challenges/Challenge.aspx?ID=7669&View=Results&Rows=4

versus the BOTTOM 16 of ICE contest:

• http://www.dpreview.com/challenges/Challenge.aspx?ID=7669&View=Results&Rows=4&Page=10

Top 16 is always good, bottom 16 is always bad.  Then try to emulate the top 16.