I can see that point of view, but Tommy asks for feedback. I couldn't take photos as good as his, but it doesn't mean I'm not entitled to an opinion. I can see when he has people out of focus, or a random boot in the way- my personal abilities don't change that.

Simon Cowell, by his own admission, can't sing a note, but he's still able to determine a good singer from a bad one, or explain where someone needs to work on their game a wee bit, despite not being able to do any better himself.

Former Chelsea manager José Mourinho, never really played football either, but he certainly knows how to make a good player become a great player, again, despite not being anywhere near as good a footballer as the players he coaches. Sir Alex Ferguson is the same. Average player, but what a fantastic coach, and is good at pointing out where someone else can improve.

It's not whether or not you can do any better yourself, it's whether or not you can spot something in someone's photograph, that you feel, if they were to just tweak it here, or crop it there, could make the difference between a good photograph and a great photograph.

....it's because they have an appreciation and at least some knowledge about what they're talking about

Seems I've insulted quite a few people here, which wasn't my intention! I shall bow out from this thread and just say that I think that others who's work is out of focus etc should receive the same level of critique - even if they are beginners, surely they will learn more from being criticised in the same way that Tommy is than being told their work is excellent?

Wasn't getting at anyone, didn't want to cause agro!

I'm certainly not insulted Lorna, it would take a lot more than that
It's just good, healthy debate.

It seems we'll agree to disagree though, that by giving a beginning amateur the same level of criticism as a working professional, could well have a detrimental effect on their love for photography as well as self confidence.
It doesn't really matter what any members of this forum say about Tommy's photography, whether we like it or not, because he's clearly in demand in his own country, and seems to be constantly working, taking shots for magazines and bands, so a couple of people saying " you've got a rogue shoe in that shot " or " The lighting could be a bit more subtle in my opinion " won't really affect him too much. I don't really think Tommy has come here to learn anything from us, or to give any advice or help to others either, whereas a beginning amateur coming to this forum to learn more, has to be encouraged, not criticized.
And by the way, I've never once told someone their photographs were excellent , if I genuinely didn't think they were.
But there are different degrees of excellence.
If there was someone who has generally posted simple point and shoot images for weeks, then suddenly posts a nice image that has great composition, use of lighting and nice depth of field, my comment to them would be "Excellent", even if it was a tad soft. Simply because there had been a marked improvement on their technique and understanding of taking a photograph.
On the other hand, if someone who has a higher standard of photography was not producing images that we had been used to seeing, you have the freedom somewhat, to go into more depth as to why you think their image isn't working for you, whether it's a technical issue or down to their technique, simply because they know more about photography than a beginner.

I would much rather be encouraging to a beginner, jeez...I'm still a beginner myself. A year of amateur photography certainly doesn't make me an expert by any manner of means.

And for the record...I actually quite like Tommy's style of photography. I don't think it always works for every shot and in every location, but I certainly enjoy seeing his winter sports shots, some of which are the best I've ever seen.