Great question, Eric.
I have mixed feelings... I really enjoy seeing the showcase posts and would hate to have anyone dissuaded from showing their work. I learn an awful lot from reading about the process used and any special problems encountered.
I don't want anyone to be dissuaded either. Quite the opposite actually. I think we all can learn from people's processes. I know that I surely do.
But I understand that most of you guys are at a very different level than I am. I'm sure you get bored reading the "great job!" posts in response to mediocre work.
Not at all Jay. Most of the guys that I know, including some of the most well respected detailers on the boards, still enjoy looking at other's work and remember that, at some point, they were just starting as well. It also gives them an opportunity to offer info on a product or process that will be helpful. The same way that they were helped out when they were first starting out, and let's them "give back" to the community. I have been very lucky to have been on the receiving end of some great advice from some great detailers.
I think, as you pointed out, the respectful and helpful aspects are key. I guess the problem is that I, for one, can be pretty blunt and easily offend where that was not the intent. I don't know... tough call.
Regards,
Jay
That is the drawback. That is why I mentioned that maybe the thread starter can let everyone know if he is looking for suggestions. If not, you play it conservative so as not to offend. I'm the same way Jay. I don't beat around the bush, I jump right in! Sometimes, it is not well received, so I have to watch not only what I say, but how I say it.
Since I am still learning how to "detail", constructive criticism would not bother me at all. Personally I would rather read that, than "job looks great". But a pat on the back from the true detailers on this site, make me feel good about what I am doing as hobby. It keeps me going. Unfortunately with posting pictures, only the detailer himself can tell - just how good the job actually is.
Agreed 100%
Pictures can be deceiving with any small adjustment to camera angle and without a tripod remaining completely in place, it is hard to show true correction photos. In a detail with correction, it is almost impossible to take photos of every panel throughout the entire detail because it really is, time consuming. Most of the time I will take photos of some panels to show some correction and then put the camera away. So you guys just have trust that I finished the job the same way as the photos showed. If I didn't and took short cuts, then I am not only lying to myself and my customer, but to the guys on this board for whom I trust will give their honest opinion about my work.
Well said!
Getting to core of the conversation, I like to complement the poster about the effort and work, but also put in some constructive criticism if I see something that could help improve the out come. After all detailing is a constant process of learning, it is for me.
Very good point. I think the "criticism" would be much better received if it was following a compliment or two. And as I said before, presented in a respectful and helpful manner.
Example is some time back a member posts his detail work, paint in the pics looked great. However the wheel wells where not cleaned or dressed..Maybe this was an area that he didn't know to clean, didn't think it was important, etc...There was a couple of members that pointed it out along with the at a boys...and talked about how to do it. That's the part of DC that I like..we can all learn from each other.
I learn something here almost every time I log in!
Perfect example. When I first started out, I can't count the times that I thought the car was perfect and had someone else point out something that I missed. Once it is brought to your attention, it's like "how in the heck did I miss that!" Wheel wells were one of those things.
Good point, original post and comments. I guard my comments most of the time so as not to offend. If I see something in pictures that isn't as good as I might have expected from the process the user described I might ask a question politely. That way I'm offering what I might have done but in a way that simply asks the detailer to further qualify his approach and explain maybe why he chose the process he used. Pictures as we all know don't show what it's like in person and what it was like to work on and the conditions at the time. I give that consideration.
I will invariably offer kudos nonetheless. I appreciate what the detailer did to get any results worth posting in pics. We all know it is work and we expend a bit of effort to get any results. Plus I appreciate anyone sharing their work in pics. I like the photos.
Great points as well. Yes, there is always something that the poster can be "praised" for. I too appreciate people taking the time to post pics and do write ups. I sure as heck don't have the patience to do it. And we all love pics!
As far as the photo comments.......I agree with all of them. This wasn't really about the manipulation of photos that Gearhead posted about. That is another can of worms. As mentioned here, it is more or less impossible for people to take "true" photos with all of the variables being exactly the same, before and after. I just meant when someone posts a photo and it is obvious that they missed something on a "full" detail.
So basically, if the thread starter doesn't say they are looking for "cc", we should tread lightly and offer suggestions preferably after a compliment or two. If they ask for "cc", let them have it! j/k :rofl
Thanks for all of the replies guys! I will say this. Of all the boards that I go to, this one seems to have the best group of members as far as being helpful and respectful and keeping the drama to a minimum. Kudos to the members, Troy for a great board (and just being a great guy!) and to the mods for doing a great job! :dcrules
