Pen photo questions

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omb76

omb76

Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
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711
Location
Cartersville, GA
Just curious to find out what makes you want to post a comment on someones pen. Is it the type of pen kit used, the material that was turned to make it, or who posted the pictures? I see certain posts that have hundreds of clicks, but hardly any comments. Maybe the quality of the pen or picture of the pen makes people not want to post. I know I strive to post pics that will get some comments (everyone loves a little boost), doesn't always happen but sometimes it does and what a huge moral boost it is when it does. If there is something about the pen that does not impress you do you take the time and suggest ways to improve the pen especially when someone asks for help in their post? Maybe improve the photo quality, or the finish of the pen? How about adding a certain twist to the way the material was turned?

I'm just as guilty at not posting comments on others work, which I will try and improve on. I think we should all remember that we all need the approval of our peers and a simple "looks great" is a great boost and encouragement to head out to the lathe and see what else we can create to show off to our friends.
 
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David great post, I find myself guilty of not posting enough on the SOYP forum and needed the reminder to post especially to New turners..
 
I sometimes think it is the timing of the post, as in not many people on here. As other posts get added it gets farther down the postings and gets lost onto the next page where people do not look as much. If there are comments it stays at the top of the page.
I to am guilty of not commenting on pens, everyone is. On the other hand you would spend the whole day/knight just commenting on pens if you did each one of them.
Also it seems to me that there are some (who I thank) that regularly post comments. Others are probably just checking out others work and moving on.
 
As a relative newbie, I would like to remind viewers that their posts are very important. Be it a simple "looks nice" or something more complex. I appreciate them all. When I get one that is really special it really makes me feel good about what I do. When I post a picture and see 200 views and have 2 comments, it makes me wonder...is the pen bad...is it boring...what is wrong?

I can honestly say I would like to see more criticisms and suggestions, not just for me but in general. Very seldom do I read a post where someone suggest an improvement or states why they don't like a pen. Personally, I would find that valuable. Sometimes it may sting a little, but I'm a big boy and I will get over the sting. It is hard to improve when you don't know what is wrong.

I try to post comments on other's pens as much as I can. However, I often hesitate to criticize for two reasons. One, I am new and do not feel like I have any room to critique fit and finish or other technical matters. Two I could say what I don't like about a pen from a visual/artistic point of view, but very rarely do so, because I do not see that happening here and do not want to become "the basher".

I do a lot of photography (another art form) and post on some forums where we are pretty liberal with our criticism of each others work. We know that to improve we have to have input, especially from fellow photographers. We also know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and very seldom does anyone get upset over someone else's view of our art. We can take the suggestions and use them as we see fit, or ignore them completely knowing that we like what we did. Either way, I learn how others see my work.

Just my 2 cents worth
 
A lot of times I don't find faults with a pen, hence no need for criticism. I comment on a lot of what I look at, if for nothing else than to express that I like what I'm seeing. It becomes more and more rare that a pen requires serious elaboration.
 
G1Pens said:
I try to post comments on other's pens as much as I can. However, I often hesitate to criticize for two reasons. One, I am new and do not feel like I have any room to critique fit and finish or other technical matters. Two I could say what I don't like about a pen from a visual/artistic point of view, but very rarely do so, because I do not see that happening here and do not want to become "the basher".
Click to expand...


That is exactly what happens. You will receive some lovely PM's too and before long, your posts just get passed by.
People ask for criticism, but when it's given, you become the bad guy.

I don't see the point in commenting on a nice pen. When someone says "nice pen", "good job", or similar, it's just not sincere. Then there are those that post just for the ego boost. If you know your pen is nice, and YOU are happy with it, then who cares what others might think of it through a photo.
 
I try to comment on many pens, but I also try to be positive.

From time to time I will send a PM to someone with ways I believe they can improve.

If you follow this line of logic, you too can have 13000 posts and about 500 pm's a month----OR, you COULD have a LIFE!!!!:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

Then you won't have nearly as many posts and you will choose when to comment, much better than I!!!:eek::eek::eek:
 
I try not to do `Me too`comments , so unless I am the first to reply , I won`t comment , even on one I like very much . Ones that I don`t like won`t get any comment . Ones that I believe are sincere in their request for criticism may get comment if I can offer constructive help .
 
DozerMite said:
G1Pens said:
I try to post comments on other's pens as much as I can. However, I often hesitate to criticize for two reasons. One, I am new and do not feel like I have any room to critique fit and finish or other technical matters. Two I could say what I don't like about a pen from a visual/artistic point of view, but very rarely do so, because I do not see that happening here and do not want to become "the basher".
Click to expand...


That is exactly what happens. You will receive some lovely PM's too and before long, your posts just get passed by.
People ask for criticism, but when it's given, you become the bad guy.

I don't see the point in commenting on a nice pen. When someone says "nice pen", "good job", or similar, it's just not sincere. Then there are those that post just for the ego boost. If you know your pen is nice, and YOU are happy with it, then who cares what others might think of it through a photo.
Click to expand...



I'd like to say the the remark about not being sincere is (in my case ) completely false. when I say great pen or awesome work I mean it completely.
 
I love to look at others work. I don't comment when there are many others just saying "looks good or Nice job". If something stands out and grabs my attention or is super in some way then I will comment.

I don't like to criticizes people I don't know. Some people get all upset so not worth it (not on here of course ;) ) LOL
 
As a newbie I would like to say that I like the encouragement I get from other members. I know my pens are nothing special, I am just learning, but I like the compliments. It keeps me going forward. It makes me want to challenge myself to do better. From what I read about this site before I joined, that seemed to be to mission statement of this forum. Most of us I am sure get enough negativism in our daily lives. I find this hobby and forum as a way to relax and do something I enjoy. If someone wants you to critique their work that's fine, but if a newbie wants to show off their first turn I think we as a group should give words of encouragement. When your child brought to you their first drawing you didn't tell them it looked liked crap. You told them it was the best drawing you have ever seen. I am sure their drawings got better as they saw the enjoyment you got from receiving them. I am not to say we are children, but the same psychology applies. Weather your 4 or 84 everyone wants to feel like their work has value. We as human beings should never lose site as to what truly matters in what gives us all cause to better ourselves and each other.
 
Unfortunately, I don't take the time to look at every pen in SOYP. I tend to look if

  • I recognize the name of someone whose pens I especially want to see
  • The subject line sounds especially interesting to me - a favorite material or interesting combination or something
  • There are few or no replies
That last one is because I want to help give encouragement. It seems like there are always one or more really nice pens with few or no comments.

Of course, I don't comment on all the pens I look at. I think I get more for my commenting efforts by telling someone with no feedback, "great pen!" than by adding my voice to a chorus of hundreds praising the newest pen from one of the really advanced penmakers here.

Please note, I do not consider the newest pen from a really advanced penmaker any less awesome. Also, my "nice pen!" comments are sincere, and I won't comment at all if I don't think a pen is great.

Apart from "that looks really great!" comments, I pretty much only comment when I have a specific question or comment about the pen.
 
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