Scale modelling and social media

[Ancientmariner]

A bit of an aside but something I have pondered for a while.

Many people have Instagram and the such like and there are some amazing productions on there when it comes to scale modelling etc, however I have noticed the algorithm for what you search for obviously picks more of the same and all of a sudden you are left feeling like the worst modeler in the world which can have a very detrimental effect on your mojo.
I have an issue where I see something and want to replicate it or have a picture in my minds eye that I want to create and am very disheartened when I am not capable of this.

Besides rambling on anymore I now pay little attention to what I see on Instagram as though I take some interesting ideas and techniques from it that is it. I like forums like this where life is more realistic. We post what we create and it's the best we can produce, however the enjoyment comes from the build and all here appreciate that what ever the end result maybe it's special to the individual and a huge amount of work has gone into it.

James

[David Lovell]

The quickest way to find the exit door is to compare or try to copy/emulate (if thats the right word) other people's work ,yes like many I watch YouTube not to find out how but why they do it ,many on there are very naturally talented artists and would be at the fore of most things they chose. The how bit is best left alone how many of these products work as in the demos? Very few do what they say on the tin but they do work you've got to find your own way with them.

If something makes me go wow then ive been inspired not to be the best but hopefully make this one better than the last and if it isn't I dont worry anymore and hopefully have learnt a little something for the next one.

All ive done really is repeat your final paragraph it took me a few years but its the best place to be.

[Guest]

Totally agree, there are some great modellers out there. Good to watch what they can achieve, but just know your limitations.

[Ian M]

There are a few on YouTube that I like to watch. NightShift being one of those I enjoy the most.
Most excellent work. OK humor and NOT a constant sales pitch.
Do I feel inadequate after seeing one? Nope. Do they want me to try new things and try to improve. Yes. Job done.

[Dave Ward]

I only use Facebook & YouTube - but I get the most entertainment from YoouTube, whether it be from 'how-to' videos, or cute puppies! What it does show is that there'a a lot of people out there who care enough about a subject, to share it with us. Some are well meaning, some are just unhinged! At times you get fascination for things that you shouldn't have any interest in - recently I've been bemused by videos of 'sovereign nation' from the USA - In modelmaking, I can't say that I watch any particular channels, just those that catch my eye, or demonstrate a particular technique & the more 'professional' in-the-box reviews, I leave well alone. In my learning curve of 3D modelling, I've watched loads of videos/ One thing that I find puzzling is the obsession with speed, if you're a professional, OK time is money, but for everyone else, is it world shattering if something takes 3 hours to print instead of 1? I always raise a smile, when the reviewer says " Creality/Bambu/Elegoo were kind enough to send me their latest model to review, but this has no bearing on my findings & opinions" - and all with a straight face!
It is what it is take thing onboard with extreme scepticism, not to say cynicism - and avoid influencers!
Dave

[Guest]

Forget what you see what others have done, it is you the modelmaker that puts your vision or idea into a three dimensional object. You can have all the latest tools and gizmo's under the sun, and still never make a single model. Not because you do not know how, but because you do not have the confidence to make the first cut. And remember the first rule of being an amature modelmaker - it is a hobby and that is all it is. To some it is an obsession where counting rivets is the main object but never put into practice.
On this forum I am considered to be a good modelmaker, but what you do not see is the mistakes, the wrong measurements, the wrong colour, the airbrush playing silly burgers, the crawling all over the floor looking for a part or the sheer frustration when things go wrong. But what you also do not see is the puffed out chest, the big silly grin and the bounce in my step when I get the applause and praise from my fellow members on this forum.
I too watch youtube and a couple of my favourites are Night Shift and Scale Model Shed where I look at what they have achieved, but do not try to copy them, but use what they have done using my own version.
So enjoy the hobby, yes, the hobby, it is not a race to the finish, it is the fun and frustration of completing what you want, if the model takes a month or in my latest over three years, then so be it, you are not judged, you are encouraged, and if you are judged then the one judging needs to put up their work for comparison.
And above all enjoy this forum, there is a tendancy of certain members to go off subject at times but we allow for that:rolling: as I can be one of the main culprits. But you will not find criticism, only constructive criticism here.

[CarolsHusband]

There are a few on YouTube that I like to watch. NightShift being one of those I enjoy the most.
Most excellent work. OK humor and NOT a constant sales pitch.
Do I feel inadequate after seeing one? Nope. Do they want me to try new things and try to improve. Yes. Job done.

Interesting you mention this bloke, particularly in the context of comparing ones work to others. I used to watch him but one episode put me right off.
It centered around him showing some models he'd built as a youngster. They were really well made and detailed & I felt that the critical onslaught he ventured upon his 14 year old self was ridiculous.
It just seemed so disrespectful to himself.

I hope my modelling improves over time, and if not, I hope I learn from what I do. But I' m equally proud of what I did 35 or 45 years ago.

[Jim R]

Very sensible comments already which pretty well sum up my own thoughts. I don't use Facebook, Twitter or any thing of that ilk. I do watch YouTube videos. Some inspire, some entertain and some teach, some do all of the above.
My 'go to' is this forum. Great friends, great support and encouragement, helpful criticism and plenty of humour. Where else would dog's dangly bits and a matron of such ample proportions and fearsome reputation feature so frequently.
I love it. Thanks guys.

[Tim Marlow]

I don’t use Facebook for modelling purposes, the interface is just not user friendly for anything above posting on-the-spot events. I do use YouTube for info videos and music, and occasionally for modelling. It’s also good for gaming rule walk throughs if I am looking to try a new rule set.
However, modelling wise I find most of the guys that post there are a bit over the top for me. To be honest, they pretty much all have a selling agenda, either selling product, or selling self, which I find quite off putting. There are some that I enjoy, but most of them are either really dull, or headache inducing.
This forum is my model club, and as such, I get far more from here than anywhere else on the net. Nowhere else could you get marmite banter linked to modelling could you…..

[boatman]

Very sensible comments already which pretty well sum up my own thoughts. I don't use Facebook, Twitter or any thing of that ilk. I do watch YouTube videos. Some inspire, some entertain and some teach, some do all of the above.
My 'go to' is this forum. Great friends, great support and encouragement, helpful criticism and plenty of humour. Where else would dog's dangly bits and a matron of such ample proportions and fearsome reputation feature so frequently.
I love it. Thanks guys.

my thoughts exsacly Jim i just try an model as best i can an im not the best modeler but i just try an recreate the model from plans an it may not be completely accraute but im happy with it an to me thats all that matters as on another forum ive had a chappie who put on a blog sayin my tigers bridge was to far forward an i would not have room to fit on the big gun turret but tiger turned out ok apart from motor props an ive put on that forum the finished pics of tiger sailin an guess what not a word from him lol an i also do not use facebook as i dont like what ive heard about some of the members sayins
chrisb

[davecov]

During my formative modelling years before the Internet, I felt the same way when I got my Airfix Magazine and saw work by Alan W Hall, Chris Ellis, Gerald Scarborough et al. However, it didn't take long before I realised that they also started off as newbies and that it took a lot of hard work to get to their standard but it was something to aspire to. BTW, I also wanted to be the next Jim Clark but at that time I only had a bike.

In 2006, a couple of years after I started modelling again, I created a modelling forum and there was an emphasis to make it a safe environment for youngsters new to the hobby. I set a lower limit of 13 years to join the forum but children younger than that could enrol with parental permission. I would point out to the parents that a lot of children (and adults) would get disheartened and sometimes most upset because their work wasn't as good as what they were seeing on the forum. In those cases I would ask the parents to remove their children and get them to come back when they were older as I didn't want them to be put off modelling for life. What with the huge amount of modelling on display on the Internet nowadays, I can appreciate that somebody could get overwhelmed by it all.

I can get just as much enjoyment from reading somebody's build log as if I was making the model myself and many times I am inspired to buy a model to try and emulate the build I have read about. I have made models for Airfix and other commissions in the past but now that I am starting to suffer badly from arthritis, I am having to choose my "battles" more carefully. At the moment I am building a lot of simple OOB builds painted with brushes rather than super-dooper detailing and airbrushing. It is as if I am back to the beginning again but I am enjoying it so much which is what it is all about!

Dave

[Neil Merryweather]

This forum and Planet Figure are the closest I get to social media in any context.
Yes, some builds blow me away(especially figure painters) and others leave me cold, but I view them as more inspirational than disheartening. I love the good-natured and gentle banter here and long may it continue. I think we all try extra hard not cross a line, which is no bad thing considering the trolling that goes on in other spheres of the internet!
As Mike says- remember it's a hobby, the whole point is your enjoyment and pleasure.so if necessary set your own bar a bit lower for a while- you certainly won't improve if you don't build anything.

[Mini Me]

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments Neil, I also shun social media.......it is the love of the hobby that has brought us here and in my humble opinion it's the "banter" that has become the glue that holds us together. First and foremost: FUN, FRIENDSHIP and ENCOURAGEMENT.

[Waspie]

For what it's worth, I have looked around and by far this is the best place for me. I look nowhere else since I found this forum.
As for Facebook, yeah, I have an account. A total of 1 'friend', (how sad is that?). I use it as an emergency comms channel for number 1 son if all else fails. I used to be on there every day then I left, just one to many 'this is me and my pint at the dog and duck' ENOUGH!!!

Everyone on here seems to be on the same wavelength, modelling for the pleasure. Long may it continue.

[langy71]

..... my favourites are Night Shift and Scale Model Shed where I look at what they have achieved, but do not try to copy them, but use what they have done using my own version.

totally agree with what you've written Michael, 'Uncle' Nightshift actually shows you how he gets the results he does, and doesn't tend to over complicate things..