Hello everyone, I posted my latest bryce work recently and the first comment kind of threw me for a loop. Maybe, I'm taking it to heart to much, but I thought I did a decent job or maybe I do need to try harder. Your honest opinions are greatly appreciated. This is the url for my work: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=350438

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=350438

well, it's kind of a double-edged sword..the caption above the comments read 'suggestions for improvements'..and some folks take that literally. Sometimes they're helpful, and you might even learn something (thanks to the hardy souls who gave me the tips on my last, BTW..;). Sometimes the comments can just be wrong (done that, and retracted same, more than once..;). Rarely are they actually any sort of attack..and you'll find that often the attackers don't have any gallery of their own (just a personal observation..;) to respond to.
Don't take any of it personally..consider what they're saying..and just figure if it's worth trying out what they say or not. Whenever I've made a suggestion, and it's taken, I usually stop by the repost and comment favorably. I think it's a good pic, personally, I'd probably brighten up the laser beams and expand the diameter to match the ports on the mechs, but..see what I mean? Personal preference..and I didn't mean anything bad, just an observation. Keep at it..you got something going there...

As a rule of thumb on what seems like overly critical comments here's what I do: 1. If it's the first comment and really offensive, I delete the pic and reupload it. They rarely come back. 2. If it isn't downright offensive, I click on their name and see if they have a gallery. It's surprising how many people with either no talent or not enough confidence in their talent to share their work with us have no problem with venting on us with their comments. No image posting on their part, less interest in their comments on my part. I know a lot of people think their own talent or lack of same has no bearing on their ability to judge the work of others, but they are wrong, IMHO. They're the same people who say, "I may not know art, but I know what I like." I say ignore them. 3. If they do have a gallery, is their work (in your opinion of course) better than yours? If so, then I reread their comments. I'm never against learning something new. IM them and put them on the spot by asking specific questions on what EXACTLY would help. They'll either run away screaming (cowards!) or give you some really helpful advice. In conclusion, I've seen the member in question's gallery (not bad, but more model demo pics than artworks overall...some very good models, but no artwork that I think is truely better than your latest). And his name is one I've seen mentioned in this Forum as being overly critical, so you are not alone. You can't please everyone, but you do please me, if that helps. Tjohn

Thank you pakled and tjohn. Both of your insights and support have helped me to wind down since this morning. I really enjoy being a part of this community. And many of you have made me feel welcome to be here. I guess you could call it just another lesson in life. I know myself, that when I comment or suggest, I try to do it in a way that doesn't offend people. I'm always honest about my comments and if I don't have something good to say about someones work, I'd rather keep it to myself and not offend anyone. It's not a perfect world so we'll have to take it for what it is. Thanks again, Rich Z.

as soon as I read your post, I had a feeling that I knew who it was... and, after checking your image, I was right. Ignore that one. I have seen him/her/it comment on several gallery images, rarely saying anything constructive or positive. I've even seen them leave B.S. comments on Hobbit's pieces (if you don't know who I'm referring to, do a member search for Hobbit and check out his gallery... well worth the time) my 2 cents.... I liked it. Frankly, IMHO, these mechs are more believable as future human constructs than the clunky, hydraulic ram driven versions one usually sees. The only suggestions I might make would be something barely visible in the haze on the horizon... mountains, ruined buildings, etc.... and some tracks on the ground would add something to the sense of action, rather than having these mechs standing in the same place as the dust settled around them. Of course, these are just my opinions.... your actual mileage may vary, results not typical, allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery, some assembly required, for ages 8 and up.

Z_Shadow, artists are sensitive people by nature. Things affect us at a different, more profound level than most. That's why we create. Artists can also be brutally honest and can sometimes be unintentionally hurtful. Unfortunately, some artists feel threatened by another artist whose works subject may resemble their own and may feel like their sacred domain is being encroached upon. More often than not, we need to extract from a negatively embellished comment, its useful kernel which is buried somewhere in its core and this, only if you decide that its important to do so. We must decide how seriously to take the comments of a fellow critiquing artist. The image you create is YOUR image that you have so generously decided to share with the outside world. Some would have you change this and that on your image to conform to their standards, then, in the end, that wouldnt make it your image anymore, would it? Some people just tend to forget how much time and effort most artists put into their creations. And some people just forget that theyre casting stones through their own glass houses. Tjohn has hit the nail spot on. I myself follow the route he proposes here and it has served me well. Its a good routine to follow when in doubt. Sorry for the winded rant. BTW, good work.

Try not to take it personally, Z Shadow. This has happened to me several times in the past (different people), and it bothered me at first. But then I just blew it off. If someone is rude, they have the problem, not you. I figure it's either jealousy or their just plain assholes, or both. Doug

Congratulations...you were reviewed by Ev3rM0r3...and got off relatively light, lol. Ev3rM0r3 is a BRUTALLY honest commenter. Not a bad person, not an evil person, just...matter of fact, pulls no punches. Ev3rM0r3 has left way more brutal comments than the one you got, so feel lucky, and do not take it personally. Getting comments can be scarey enough as it is. AS

so are they shooting at birds?

birds? hmm..I have the problem that my eyes are more talented than my fingers..;) I took some art courses in college, but am hardly an expert. I usually try to point out things I think that can be fixed or changed; and I always try to be encouraging, no matter what. I've only been slammed 3 times in one year, and with the exception of the first one, we agreed to play nice..;) tjohns' got a good point, that's the best way to handle it. It did crack me up about the 'no gallery postings' from the most vocal critics..it turned out to be true on one of them..;)Maybe they should italicize improving ..oh yeah..they do. Take care all.

Nah, don't get too upset about the comment. Have a think about what they've said, and see if its relevant to the type of picture that you want to make. Keep posting your work here and in the galleries - though I think the forum here is a better place to get useful feedback. As for your pic, looks fine to me, though I agree with what FWTempest said about putting some things in the distance to break up the horizon a bit. Ruined buildings perhaps. Some mech footprints wouldn't go astray either.

Thanks again everyone. Much better now. I took this thread and printed it out to keep on the wall next to my pc. It helped a lot. AgentSmith: from what everyone has said, I guess I did get off easy. Flak: I tend to agree with FWTempest also. Maybe I'll give it a try at some other time. This image was a huge learning project, and I had reached a level that I could live with for now. My terrain work isn't the greatest and I've been working on another project with terrains, off and on, for about a month now. TCSP: Yep they are. To best view them turn the bightness and contrast on your monitor to "0" and you will see the biggest, funniest bird of all time. Later:)

LOL @ Z Shadow!