In another topic, a couple of our guys got their pictures published in FSM, and I think that's great. But it reminded me of a problem that many of us are having with FSM, and I just wanted to vent, rant, stew and steam for a moment or so:
FSM has a bad record or habit of not publishing most of the pictures that they make at shows, conventions, etc., or even providing some sort of fair photographic representation. This has been addressed to them numerous times without (in my mind at least) adequate resolution. Past rationale by FSM staff members have included statements to the effect that many of the pics will be used as stock photos, and drawn from as necessary to supplement future magazine articles, histories, etc. So far, I haven't seen any, and I've been a subscriber since about 1988/1990 or so.
Assuming that about 15% of the pictures are unpublishable due to photographic or reproducing error, and another 15% aren't suitable for one reason or another, and a pathetic 1% is published in the magazine, that still leaves a whopping 69% that goes---where? If memory serves me correctly, we don't normally see pictures from the IPMS Nationals (held in August) until the following February edition of FSM. In that issue, the Nats pictures are included along with the regular Reader Gallery section. Only about 10 or so pictures are published of the Nats event. Interestingly, FSM probably distributes somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 or so "We want to photograph your model" flyers to contestant entrants. It's truly sad to see all those participants lining up to have their pictures made knowing that the probability of seeing them in FSM is slim to none.
![Sad [:(]](/FSM/CS/emoticons/icon_smile_sad.gif)
In GSM 2004, 22 (!) pictures are published of AMPS 2003 where over 450 kits were entered. While this is a little more representative, consider that the Nats normally have about 1500 entries, and we only get to see 10-15 pictures.
In addition, also in GSM 2004, Mastercon XII, a show attended by "world class modelers" (FSM, p.73) the show only garnered a grand total of six pictures. This is completely unsatisfactory--especially for a "special issue".
The argument could be made that fewer and fewer contest entrants are submitting their models to be photographed. I think one reason is that more and more people are becoming frustrated because they are not seeing any reason to have their entries photographed; why do it if the kit is never going to be published, or the show adequtely represented in the #1 national modeling publication that is supposed to be supporting and representing our hobby?
What
is becoming signifcant, is that I'm not the only one who feels this way. Many of the modelers I associate with through the local clubs here, as well as modelers I meet at regional and national events are starting to feel the same way, and most are now refusing to fill out the FSM form and get in line...and are beginning to encourage others to do the same. There are some other things happening as well in shows as a sign of disapproval, that I would rather not discuss in this post. Sadly, FSM, the readership, and ultimately the hobby stands to suffer.
I'm curious.....Do any of you--my forum family--have feelings about this one way or the other?
I would also like to get some input from a couple FSM staffers, if possible...Anybody out there?
Please understand I'm not angry or bitter...just frustrated, and it would seem from people I've talked to it's spreading.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Gip Winecoff