what does it take??

You will get more responses on a question that requires just an opinion rather than a true knowledge or understanding.

For example, if one posts a new photo of their latest project, it will get all sorts of "taste great, less filling" responses.

Ask about what Tiger tank kit best represents the type used during July 1944 in Southern France, you may only get one or two responses because the depth of information is rather specific and maybe only a few guys on this site may actually know what type was there and then of the few, maybe only a couple would know would know which kit would be best representative.

Pictures of completed models appear to be a touchy subject on this site. On one hand you will have some folks who will post an endless stream of great jobs, even when the job isn't so great. I've noticed constructive criticism (often called nitpicking or rivet counting) is not well received on this site.

Thus you have a Catch-22 situation. Many "great jobbers" responses have been followed by "nitpickers" making the "great jobbers" look a little silly when obvious mistakes are pointed out (missed seams, crooked parts, etc.). So the "great jobbers" hold off until a "nitpicker" points out the glaring errors.

The "nitpickers" are hesitant to point out errors for fear of incurring the wrath of the site's  [self-appointed forum police] with a chorus of "be nice", "what have you posted lately", "who cares about accuracy, it looks great any way" comments. Many nitpickers have adopted the "if you can't say anything nice, don't" philosophy and stay silent.

Often, half of the thread orignally posting a completed model turns into a tit for tat between the forum police and nitpickers with the occasional great job thrown in.

It also helps to be a shameless self-promoter.. That way you'll get hundreds of "ata boys" and "best i've ever seen" with every piece glued or brush stroke. Some will laugh at that and some won't.. but it's true

Personally, as far as questions go, if I don't have documentation to back it up then I normally won't say anything unless the person actually ask for opinions rather than fact. I don't have the time or inclination to post responses to topics just for the fun of it.

Just my 2 cents.. take it as that.

yeah i hadnt thought about that one either rob. i suppose especially 4 u that uncle sam keeps a close eye on what u can and cant look at!! thanks 4 the insight!

btw guys, if i am to listen to your advice am i to assume the reason i dont get many responses is because no one likes my stuff hence the "if u dont have anything good to say dont say it" stuff??? just curious...

Rob Gronovius wrote:

Pictures of completed models appear to be a touchy subject on this site. On one hand you will have some folks who will post an endless stream of great jobs, even when the job isn't so great. I've noticed constructive criticism (often called nitpicking or rivet counting) is not well received on this site.

I know what you mean.. I posted something finished. It is no prize winner, but after a long break from the hobby I thought I did decent. I only got a few responses.. I guess it was so bad the nitpickers even stayed away. 

Oh well, regardless of how well loved my work is.. I am getting better from reading the forum. I build for me, not you guys. 

paintsniffer wrote:

Rob Gronovius wrote: Pictures of completed models appear to be a touchy subject on this site. On one hand you will have some folks who will post an endless stream of great jobs, even when the job isn't so great. I've noticed constructive criticism (often called nitpicking or rivet counting) is not well received on this site.   I know what you mean.. I posted something finished. It is no prize winner, but after a long break from the hobby I thought I did decent. I only got a few responses.. I guess it was so bad the nitpickers even stayed away.    Oh well, regardless of how well loved my work is.. I am getting better from reading the forum. I build for me, not you guys.

agreed! but some sort of "stimuli" would be appreciated! i have never had other than rob and hans the "so called experts" give me even a second of advice!!! cant help but wonder why we have the forums other than to communicate long distantly! hmmm....! well, i know its not true but sometimes cant help but wonder!

camo junkie: I've been wondering for a long time myself..  I once posted a 1/72 Sd.kfz 234.. My first braille scale armour... A completed build. WIP was in the GB. What did I get? just 2 people responded...

Many posts I make seem to drop rather fast down on the page aswell.. I often wonder, is it my writing style? How I post? When I post? Or is it just that the work is bad?

Based on your posting here I had to go take a look at the builds you have shared with us. On your D-Boy. I really liked it, but as figures are not something I have much skill in painting. I just will say he looks damn good, and I wish I could paint a large figure at your skill level. On your mayhem in the hood, I was thrown off by the title... due to my job, I hear the term "hood" and immediately think of South Central L.A. and the neighboring cities... now taking a look see and I will say it's coming along nicely.. I will keep track of that one.

Neither one certainly qualifies for nothing good to say criteria in my book. Keep your work coming, and thanks for sharing.

stikpusher wrote:

Based on your posting here I had to go take a look at the builds you have shared with us. On your D-Boy. I really liked it, but as figures are not something I have much skill in painting. I just will say he looks damn good, and I wish I could paint a large figure at your skill level. On your mayhem in the hood, I was thrown off by the title... due to my job, I hear the term "hood" and immediately think of South Central L.A. and the neighboring cities... now taking a look see and I will say it's coming along nicely.. I will keep track of that one. Neither one certainly qualifies for nothing good to say criteria in my book. Keep your work coming, and thanks for sharing.

thanks stik that means alot!! really!!

as far as the whole "hood" thing...it's supposed to be part of baghdad so i was kinda going for the alley/slum...hence the "hood" thing.

as far as you wishing u could paint like me...please...i assure you in one or two tries you could do exactly what i've done i assure you...my "skills"  as u so nicely put it (lol) is nothing more than constantly getting better after each screw up.... thanks non the less stik!

philo426 wrote:

Interesting that Rob states that critiques are not well -received!In many of my posts ,members point out flaws that I was not aware of and the whole point of posting pics(at least for me)is to have members point out areas that can be improved!I like "ataboys" but only if they are well-deserved!if I don't know the answer to a question,or if someone already answered it then I don't post!

i guess your the lucky one philo...or just well "liked". non the less i understand and am glad u at least posted on this question of mine. every post helps me understand it just a little bit more!!

There's also a click mentality here.  No matter what you post, if you're part of that group, you'll get a myriad of responses.  But, on the other hand, if you're new and posts pictures of your work, you'll also receive a lot of responses.  If you're not new or a member of the click, you're lucky to receive a few responses.  It kind of reminds me of high school.

usmc1371 wrote:

There's also a click mentality here.  No matter what you post, if you're part of that group, you'll get a myriad of responses.  But, on the other hand, if you're new and posts pictures of your work, you'll also receive a lot of responses.  If you're not new or a member of the click, you're lucky to receive a few responses.  It kind of reminds me of high school.

ouch usmc! i cant speak for everyone and im not sure what your saying is correct...however i've only been here a few months...but i like to give people the benefit of the doubt. the guys here have been kind enough to answer my ?'s especially this post. after hearing all of the responses on this thread i kinda "get it". however, i cant say i wasnt thinking what you've stated b4...i was...but again perhaps its "my" inexperience that's keeping the guys at bay...LOL. who knows! i appreciate your comments though as u are more than allowed to say them! thanks!

It's just my opinion.  I didn't mean it as a negative comment.  And, I'm not saying those in the clicks are bad or wrong.  I'm also not saying your posts will be ignored if you're not part of the click.  

If you're part of the click and post something, you'll get a lot of responses.  If you're not, you won't.  No big deal.  It's just how the forum has evolved.   

My previous comment was not ment to be argumentative.  The forum is made-up of members who determine the direction of the forum.  If the members want a "click-ish" type of atmosphere, so be it. 

Conversely, there are probably a few members who have endeared themselves to others in such a way that their topics are avoided.

I tend to avoid vague topic titles like "Quick question", "Need help", "Look at this", "____ tank". If the poster can't spend a few seconds to think of a more descriptive subject title, than I can't spend a few seconds reading it or commenting about it.

I've been reading this thread with some interest, as I have recently had a similar offline discussion with another member in which we talked of many of the same things.  I've also gone and looked at your Baghdad dio, camo junkie.  That's some good looking work thus far, but I'm not qualified to critique it.  It does look good by my tastes, though.  All I can suggest is adding one or two plastic WalMart-type bags to the street- from what I hear, they are the national bird of Iraq.

As far as the other thing?  Take pride in your work and don't sweat it.  It's the best advice I can offer.

Rob Gronovius wrote:

Conversely, there are probably a few members who have endeared themselves to others in such a way that their topics are avoided. I tend to avoid vague topic titles like "Quick question", "Need help", "Look at this", "____ tank". If the poster can't spend a few seconds to think of a more descriptive subject title, than I can't spend a few seconds reading it or commenting about it.

While there are those whose topics may be avoided, I believe that there are those who are here for all the help that is available by the members on this site. We have to remember that there are plenty of people here who are wanting to improve their skill and to do this we have to communicate. So now matter if the titles of the post is "Quick question", "Need help", "Look at this", "____ tank" we should all be willing to take a look becaue you as the individual may be the one with the answer to the question or provide the comment that lets the person know that they are on the right track or the wrong track. I know that for myself the comments I have received good and bad make me think about how I tackle a build. I may look at a post and not post anything due to my limited knowledge, but in the same respect if I think it looks good I will comment. Just my.

Bushi

Dre wrote:

I've been reading this thread with some interest, as I have recently had a similar offline discussion with another member in which we talked of many of the same things.  I've also gone and looked at your Baghdad dio, camo junkie.  That's some good looking work thus far, but I'm not qualified to critique it.  It does look good by my tastes, though.  All I can suggest is adding one or two plastic WalMart-type bags to the street- from what I hear, they are the national bird of Iraq. As far as the other thing?  Take pride in your work and don't sweat it.  It's the best advice I can offer.

again, thanks alot on my dio build dre!! appreciate that! thanks also for the idea. not sure where i can find a 1/35 scale bag but something can be done im sure. as far as you being unable to critique it...you just have so thanks!!

as far as the discussion....it seems as i stated earlier im not the only one with this issue. perhaps fsm should mabe take a look at it...though im not sure what they could do to absolve it!! again, maybe its not even an absolvable issue as you cant expect people to answer your ?'s...! i dont know. i do know as u stated dre, i enjoy and take pride where i can in my work. however, if the purpose of the forums is to educate, then i feel everyone should be educated!!

Camo junkie, in all honesty I can see no issue for FSM to address.  When it comes to others' posted questions, if I can answer something based on my own experience and results, I might if the same answer hasn't been already been posted a number of times before.  Even if a guy posts the most obvious question, I'm not going to harsh him for it but rather think "hey, maybe this guys a complete noob and just doesn't know".  Last thing I'll do is rudely point a guy to the search function without first offering something helpful. 

Don't give up, keep posting your builds and asking questions and don't worry to much about it. You will get all the feedback you need.

Bushi