what does it take??

Well, whatever the formula, you got to to read this whole thread.

I was very hesitant to post any of my stuff after seeing what the members here are capable of skill wise, and after a 20 year layoff from any type of building.

But I was pleasantly surprised at the response I got, generally postive.  I am pretty thick skinned, but I certainly don't want to read "you suck" without any explanation.  I know I am not ever going to win a trophy with my builds, that's not why I build anyway, I will probably never enter a contest.  But I do take some pride when someone whose work I have seen notices a small touch or a technique that I tried out.   

Like Huxy, I always activiely request feedback, and oftewn pepper my WIPS with specific questions, "too much mud?" etc. 

As far as commenting, there are guys I seem to have gotten to know, either by pestering them with questions, or simply by posting on their builds, and they in mine.  So I generally check in on their posts, and keep my comments light and positive.

Criticism from me is generally an underhand beach ball, but I certainly owe honesty, if I missed a huge mold line and someone points it out, I am grateful, and that's why I would post similarly, but it's all in the delivery.

Some guys seem to hit and run, always negative, and in an abrupt way.  I haven't attracted that negative attention myself, though.

Bill   

Borg R3-MC0 wrote:

And I am very cautious what comments, a lot of people do not like comments. I think it would help if a poster adds whether he wants comments or not.

I always do.. As I am posting to aid people, and to get comments. I always write something along this line: "comments, questions, hints & tips, criticism and all that are welcomed!"

I have to ask the same question Rob. Ok so you glued one thing on since your last post?????? This subject was brought up last week in a thread and the poster got roasted for bringing up the question. Why post something when you have done nothing?

Thad

Rob Gronovius wrote:

I agree with Borg's observations. Sometimes I see several photos stretched out for a week that are marginally different from one another. OK, first photo has 4 road wheels glued, next day all eight are on. What's he looking for? A "looks great, you glued four more pieces on and none of them are backwards!"

...yeah, sometimes i think things do get "over done" with certain builds. some people like it...i find it to be a bit much...but i guess as the author you can do as u please.

I often look at post of completed builds or WIP's but do not respond. This is because I often do not know the the poster wants. Does he want some atta-boys or does he want some comments/critique?

I do not really "do" atta-boys (after 5 or 6 "that looks great" what does my remark add?)

And I am very cautious what comments, a lot of people do not like comments.

I think it would help if a poster adds whether he wants comments or not.

But, if the poster took the time to ask a proper "quick question" he would greatly increase the probability that someone with that knowledge would answer it. For instance, if he asked "Which Tiger was used in Africa", someone who knows the answer is much more likely to answer the question than a topic titled "Tiger Tank".

You're right, I may be the one person who knows the answer, but if you can't find the time to think of a title to your post beyond the lame "Help!", I'll never answer it.

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

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. 

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!!

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

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.

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.

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. 

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!

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.

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!!

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!

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.

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?