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So I've noticed that if I post up pics of a model on the boards, if I come home and there is no responses, it just kills my whole day. I feel like throwing the fig away and quitting the whole hobby. Obviously I'm not going to, but that crap just crushes my soul. Anyone else feel like this when they share their work and don't get a good response? Or am I the only one?

sounds like you might want to re-consider who you are in this hobby for.

model for yourself, not the responses from anyone else.

doesn't matter what anyone else says, its all about what YOU think of it.

I get more annoyed when I see I have replies and it's simple things like "It looks nice! " or crap like that.

Sure, compliments are nice. But I'd rather someone pick it apart and point out something they see that doesn't look right.

People respond to things that interest them. It's not really an objective standard of quality, but rather that some things are easier to comment on than others.

It is nice to get some replies, but it depends if you are talking about replies to a thread with your work in, or comments directly on the gallery.

I don't expect comments on the gallery (I only remember to check for comments every 6 months or so anyway ), but it does make me feel a little sad if my PLog doesn't get any comments between updates. Not ragequit sad, but sad

SilverMK2 wrote:It is nice to get some replies, but it depends if you are talking about replies to a thread with your work in, or comments directly on the gallery.

I don't expect comments on the gallery (I only remember to check for comments every 6 months or so anyway ), but it does make me feel a little sad if my PLog doesn't get any comments between updates. Not ragequit sad, but sad

This. I spent 2 months getting an army ready for a local tournament and won best painted with it. I took pics and updated my P & M Blog hoping for some feedback on what to improve, what folks like, etc.

Nada. Nothing. Finally, a week later a user posted that he liked what he saw and I don't look a gift horse in the mouth, but knowing what was liked and what could use some work, if I missed a mould line, or forgot to drill a barrel would be nice. I'm not looking for validation in my hobby, but we post so others can critique and comment on our work.

I'm sure that the more regularly posted and larger (post-wise) blogs/showcases push the smaller contributors to the bottom of the page. I've posted updates in the morning on a Wednesday and been on page 2 by noon. This is not to say that the "big boys" don't deserve the admiration they get, but I expect this is the cause of some consternation here.

I don't upload my paintjobs because I'm a really bad painter. But you shouldn't let people put you off. I'm actually quite a critic of other peoples painting, but know that some of the stuff I look at and say "you need to improve here" would never be achievable by my hands.

Yeah, I think that easily improved paint jobs (add a wash, touch up the lining, drybrush the texture) and the really amazing stuff tends to crowd out the solid but not noteworthy paint jobs.

I've posted several things and gotten pretty limited feedback.

It's nice to have replies, but ask yourself, how many threads do you look at with other people's work and then leave without commenting. Why didn't you comment?

Don't get down, it's just the way of it. Remember, most blogs don't grow to massive lengths and go down in Dakka history.

What kinda gets me down is how few people *use* the gallery. I mean I look at my most popular image...

Views: 1499
Votes: 34

34? Very nearly 1500 (and you might be that 1500th if you now go into my gallery to see which it is) have viewed it an only 34 took the time to give it a score?

Oh well.

Jimsolo wrote:So I've noticed that if I post up pics of a model on the boards, if I come home and there is no responses, it just kills my whole day. I feel like throwing the fig away and quitting the whole hobby. Obviously I'm not going to, but that crap just crushes my soul. Anyone else feel like this when they share their work and don't get a good response? Or am I the only one?

No, because I keep the perspective that I'm happy with it, and as nice as I think it is, i don't generally comment on anything I look at unless I have something constructive to say. Just saying 'hey, looks nice,' or 'cool job' feels like a waste of precious seconds and electrons.

It's a bit disapointing, but not at all surprising at a site with so many showcase threads. I posted some Void figs a while back and got 3 comments over about 500 views.

If the OP is looking for more comments, asking for advice might help as well as posting it in a smaller or more specialized forum. I posted the same VOID figs in a smaller forum with more interested folks and got double the comments in what was probably a quarter of the views.

In the end though it's worthwhile to ask yourself why you posted the pictures at all. Net-Kudos can be an addictive rush, but as you experienced, Net-Letdowns can be equally powerfull.

I will admit I like to get feed back myself about the models I have built made converted sculpted and lastly photographed as I try and build my apoc sized squat force.

But what I do my painting, building, sculpting and converting for is fun. My force will likely never see a table and I haven't played competatively in years but as I still get a kick seeing cool models that I have made instead of blowing up baneblades.

Feedback is always nice it helps you knock your skills up lots but the important thing is enjoying the process.

Actually, Howard, I do try and comment on every one I look at. I feel badly if I don't. I agree that a 'that's nice' or 'good job' doesn't really help, so if I have nothing to suggest improvement on, I usually just try and specify what I do like about it.

I don't really understand the 'I just do this for me and don't care what anyone else thinks' school of thought. (Not saying it's bad, just that I don't get it.) If you are engaged in some form of artistic expression and you don't care what other people think, then why show it publicly?

Jimsolo, I here ya. As a suggestion, start some threads in the modeling section to call attention. I think it's less that people don't care, and more that you are just one fish in the sea of thousands.

I have lots of gallery images up and I only get a few comments, it's not a unique problem to you I suspect.

Stay at it!

EDIT: It doesnt depress me, I expect it actually.

I don't really expect to get any comments in the gallery but it's always nice too. One thing I find works is commenting on other peoples stuff I always try and check out people who've checked out my work.

Kanluwen wrote:I get more annoyed when I see I have replies and it's simple things like "It looks nice! " or crap like that.

Sure, compliments are nice. But I'd rather someone pick it apart and point out something they see that doesn't look right.

It's the opposite for me; I'd rather have 20 of those comments than people who skip right past the text before and after ie. Just glued this together, going to add such and such, clear mold lines and prime tomorrow. And get 20 responses "ew dude, there's a mold line there..." Or ie. For fun I decided to put the HB team all hunkered in with sandbags, of course no cover save just got bored thought it'd be fun way to make no one realize the tripod is missing. Get response "Dude, you'd better not ask for cover save from that! And why is the tripod missing?"




But in the end its not the lack of comments that bothers me the most with the P&M, its how FAST threads disappear into the abyss! It's by no fault of the board itself, but there are so many new threads made and shared that I often wonder how much PURE gold I've missed because I didn't spend ALL night making sure I went through the last 30 pages of threads . Of course Subbing threads always helps when you find something ya really like.

Rimmy wrote:sounds like you might want to re-consider who you are in this hobby for.

model for yourself, not the responses from anyone else.

doesn't matter what anyone else says, its all about what YOU think of it.

This.

I'm in the hobby for my own gratification, not to keep up with (or one-up) the jones'.

Then again, I don't seem to do the 'depression' thing (I don't do extreme mood swings either way).

Yeah, its annoying. I only got one or two responses on my P&M blog, with a few pics on. I wasn't expect lots or anything, but i was kind of hoping for 3/4+ before my next update. And then i fell back into my normal pattern of not bothering to paint anything, so haven't updated it since.

I love looking at peoples work on Dakka, the P&M log section, and the showcase are great to spend a period of time looking at when i get bored. But to be honest, i'm not going to be any good at giving advice, as i can only paint to a fairly standard level. And as i saw mentioned in this thread, comments saying 'it looks great' don't always mean that much. Its much better if you can give some actual advice or feedback, if all you can say is something looks great, at least try and go into a bit of detail like 'that sword looks really good, the lightning effect is perfect and fits in well with the rest of the model' is better than 'great job' imho.

Also its a time thing, its quicker to just look through images, i often open a few tabs, and just brows through and close without bothering to comment. Its slightly lazy since i'm already taking the time to have a look, but still i don't think its anything to get too upset about.

Not overly bothersome to be honest, but a bit of constructive criticism would be nice I guess. Just make it a challenge to see if you can paint up an entire army with regular posted updates and never get 1 comment, thats my plan!

The reason for it I guess is falling into the middle ground of skill: Decent tabletop level painting, no better and no worse. People look and go, yeah its OK but neither crap nor amazing enough to comment on.

I'm with you on this buddy, put up some of my models that I'm happiest with, had 3 replies, 2 of which are mine lol. Even wrote a bit of a mini story, spent ages on it, but no feedback or owt.

I know I'm in this hobby for my own enjoyment, but I always enjoy other peoples feedback.

Dracheous wrote:But in the end its not the lack of comments that bothers me the most with the P&M, its how FAST threads disappear into the abyss! It's by no fault of the board itself, but there are so many new threads made and shared that I often wonder how much PURE gold I've missed because I didn't spend ALL night making sure I went through the last 30 pages of threads . Of course Subbing threads always helps when you find something ya really like.

This is very true. Its amazing how many awesome projects are missing in the warp since its in the back pages. I rarely go past page 2 on that board

rodgers37 wrote:Also its a time thing, its quicker to just look through images, i often open a few tabs, and just brows through and close without bothering to comment. Its slightly lazy since i'm already taking the time to have a look, but still i don't think its anything to get too upset about.

I also am guilty of doing this. Sometimes I might not even bother looking through half the stuff if its +30 pages. No offense to anyone, I think its great that you're very committed!

Well thanks. I'm glad to know I am not alone. Now I feel guiilty for not looking at and commenting on other peoples' work more often.

Jimsolo wrote:Well thanks. I'm glad to know I am not alone. Now I feel guiilty for not looking at and commenting on other peoples' work more often.

No, you're not alone. I used to put up threads for my 40k conversions that I got excited about only to have no replies. :( It's funny but it seems like the threads that get the most replies are the absolutely spectacular looking model posts and the ones that are utter crap. If you're middle of the road, people just don't really reply. I've switched to a blog format for my Heavy Gear stuff instead of individual model threads and that has helped a bit... with a longer thread with works in progress, I don't mind if no one comments immediately as someone who clicks on it can take a look at a bunch of stuff and is more likely to comment.

So, let me get this straight: Some of you would rather people not bother posting anything if it's to the effect of "Cool model"?

Not everyone is a master in the hobby and lots of us have only our admiration to offer rather than a detailed critique of the model.

Plus, you can't tell me that you would value the critique of a less experienced painter/modeller pointing out that aspect X of model Y doesn't look quite right to them.


I love to see that someone has found some minor enjoyment in something I've done because it adds to the feeling of achievement I get from completing a model. This doesn't mean I do it for others, just that I value both detailed critiques and simple praise.


Some of these comments are sniffing of unpleasant elitism.

Incidentally guys, if any one does have the time to check out what I've been up to please feel free to read through my thread, the links in my signature

Jimsolo wrote:So I've noticed that if I post up pics of a model on the boards, if I come home and there is no responses, it just kills my whole day. I feel like throwing the fig away and quitting the whole hobby. Obviously I'm not going to, but that crap just crushes my soul. Anyone else feel like this when they share their work and don't get a good response? Or am I the only one?

I think that if you are posting stuff and expecting immideate responces, you will be sadly disapointed. If you post pictures and stuff if your blogs with the intention of sharing your ideas with the greater community, I believe you will get a way better reception and more through C&C of your projects.

Just remember all these huge project logs didn't happen over night. Most of them have taken years of hard work and a little more trial and error...and alot of luck.

Just post the pics of your stuff in your blog, and be happy when people comment on it. Don't post stuff expecting immidiate results. I think that is the major problem here. =o]

Good luck with whatever you do in the future. =o]

Michael H=o]

Jimsolo wrote:So I've noticed that if I post up pics of a model on the boards, if I come home and there is no responses, it just kills my whole day.

Well, if you're specifically talking about the scratch-built Vulcan, it isn't painted. I generally will only go through the painted miniatures area or comment on painted minis.

One thing that seems to have worked for me on other forums is getting views via commenting on other people's work. Sometimes the person will be curious as to what you're up to and suddenly both p&m blogs have at least one person giving feedback. Rinse and repeat. At least that's how it has worked on another smaller forum.

That said, I'm guilty of thinking 'thats nice, but I can't add anything to the discussion or help in anyway and thus won't post anything'

Dave - Yes, some people on Dakka actually think that 'Nice Job' constituted spam, the post should be removed, and consistent offenders punished. Especially if the paint job is poor. I'm not one of them, but they do exist.

Mike - I don't have a blog. Thanks for the advice though!

I was just curious if others held themselves to the same high standards that I do. If my work isn't immediately regarded positively, I begin to wonder what I've done wrong. It's a personality flaw. Good to see others with similar feelings.

Posting your work is a bit like losing weight: You should be doing it for yourself first, and others second. Feel good about getting some stuff painted up at all. With the abundance of grey plastic running around, that in itself is an accomplishment to feel proud of.