Last Updated: August 18, 2025
Welcome to Our Creative Village
Capturing Illumination isn't just a platform—it's a community built on the belief that meaningful critique can transform both art and artist. These guidelines help us maintain the sanctuary we've created together, where vulnerability is respected and growth is celebrated.
Our Foundation: The Three Pillars
Everyone Has a Story
Whether it's an award-winning image or a photo of a sticky note with a thought scribbled at 2AM—your voice matters. We celebrate creators at every level, from first-time photographers to seasoned professionals.
Feedback is Sacred
Critique on CI is never shallow, never mean. We believe in thoughtful, structured, kind feedback that pushes artists forward. Every critique is an opportunity to lift someone up.
Growth Over Performance
This isn't about performing for an audience. It's about showing up, risking vulnerability, and growing through creative connection. Progress matters more than perfection.
How to Give Meaningful Critique
The CI Critique Framework
Great critiques follow this structure:
1. Acknowledge & Appreciate
- Start with what draws you to the work
- Recognize the effort and courage it took to share
- Identify specific strengths before suggesting improvements
2. Analyze & Understand
- Consider the artist's stated goals or intent
- Look at technical execution and creative choices
- Think about composition, lighting, emotion, and story
3. Suggest & Support
- Offer specific, actionable suggestions for improvement
- Explain the "why" behind your recommendations
- Frame feedback as opportunities for growth
4. Encourage & Elevate
- End with encouragement and next steps
- Invite continued dialogue and connection
- Celebrate the artist's willingness to learn and grow
Examples of Constructive Critique
Great Critique
"The intimate moment you've captured here is beautiful—the subject's expression tells a whole story. The soft natural light creates a lovely mood. I wonder if cropping slightly tighter might intensify the emotional connection? The current composition includes some distracting elements on the left that pull my eye away from that powerful expression. What do you think about experimenting with different framing approaches for this type of portrait?"
Avoid This
"This is boring and the composition is all wrong. Too much empty space. Needs work."
Why this doesn't work: It's dismissive, unhelpful, and discouraging. It offers no specific guidance or recognition of effort.
Content Guidelines
Welcome Content
- Original Creative Work: Photography, digital art, traditional art, mixed media
- Work-in-Progress: Sketches, experiments, process documentation
- Learning Exercises: Studies, practice work, educational projects
- Personal Projects: Passion projects, artistic explorations, creative challenges
- Collaborative Work: Team projects with proper attribution
Content That Needs Special Care
- Sensitive Subjects: Mark content that might be emotionally challenging
- Nudity in Art: Artistic nudity is welcome but must be marked appropriately
- Cultural Content: Ensure respectful representation of cultures and communities
- Personal Documentation: Consider privacy implications before sharing
Prohibited Content
- Hate speech, harassment, or discriminatory content
- Sexually explicit or pornographic material
- Work that promotes violence or illegal activities
- Copyrighted material used without permission
- Spam, advertisements, or commercial promotions
- Content intended to deceive or manipulate
Community Behavior Standards
Respect and Dignity
- Treat every creator with respect, regardless of skill level
- Use inclusive language that welcomes all backgrounds
- Respect different artistic styles and creative approaches
- Honor the vulnerability that comes with sharing creative work
Constructive Communication
- Focus feedback on the work, not the person
- Ask questions to understand the artist's intent
- Offer specific suggestions rather than vague criticism
- Acknowledge when you're not the target audience
Professional Conduct
- Maintain appropriate boundaries in all interactions
- Respect artists' rights to their creative work
- Give credit where credit is due
- Handle disagreements professionally and privately when possible
Intellectual Property and Attribution
Your Rights
- You own all creative work you upload
- You control how your work is shared and displayed
- You can withdraw work from the platform at any time
- You decide whether to allow downloads or sharing
Respecting Others' Rights
- Only share work you own or have permission to use
- Provide proper attribution for collaborative work
- Respect copyright and fair use guidelines
- Ask permission before sharing others' work elsewhere
Moderation and Community Safety
How We Handle Violations
- Education First: Many issues are resolved through conversation and clarification
- Community Mediation: Experienced members help resolve conflicts
- Formal Review: Staff review for serious or repeated violations
- Progressive Action: Warnings, temporary restrictions, or permanent bans as appropriate
Reporting Concerns
- Use the report button for content or behavior violations
- Provide specific details about the issue
- Include screenshots if helpful for context
- Contact moderators directly for urgent safety concerns
Appeals Process
- All moderation decisions can be appealed
- Appeals are reviewed by different staff members
- We aim to respond to appeals within 48 hours
- Clear explanations are provided for all decisions
Building Positive Community Culture
Be a Community Builder
- Welcome new members and help them find their place
- Share knowledge generously and without condescension
- Celebrate others' successes and artistic growth
- Participate in community challenges and events
Foster Inclusivity
- Actively seek out diverse voices and perspectives
- Challenge biases in yourself and others (kindly)
- Make space for emerging artists to be heard
- Support creators from underrepresented communities
Encourage Growth
- Share your learning journey, including mistakes and breakthroughs
- Ask thoughtful questions that help artists think deeper
- Recommend resources, techniques, and learning opportunities
- Follow up on critique to see how artists have grown
Privacy and Personal Boundaries
Protecting Privacy
- Never share others' personal information without consent
- Respect artists' choices about what to share publicly
- Be mindful of location data and identifiable information
- Use privacy settings appropriately for your comfort level
Professional Boundaries
- Keep interactions focused on creative growth and learning
- Respect when artists don't want unsolicited business propositions
- Be transparent about any commercial interests or relationships
- Maintain appropriate distance between mentoring and personal relationships
Getting Help and Support
Community Support
- Peer Mentors: Experienced members available for guidance
- Study Groups: Organized learning sessions and challenges
- Resource Library: Curated tutorials and educational content
- Forum Discussions: Topic-specific conversations and Q&A
Official Support
- Community Team: community@capturingillumination.com
- Safety Concerns: safety@capturingillumination.com
- Technical Issues: support@capturingillumination.com
- Response Time: We aim to respond within 24 hours
Our Promise to You
These guidelines aren't restrictions—they're the foundation of the sanctuary we're building together. Every policy exists to protect what makes CI special: the courage to be vulnerable, the wisdom to give meaningful feedback, and the commitment to artistic growth over empty validation.
When we all embrace these principles, something magical happens: artists flourish, creativity deepens, and we all become better at seeing and sharing the light that exists in every creative work.