Scoring system!

[singularity]

Is it about the mini or the photo?
I'm new to Coolmini and have submitted the same 6 minis thrice!
Im scoring between 5.6 and 7.3 for very qualified (smooth paint, creative, better than the rest of the same field blah blah).
Having been on here for a week I feel that the photography is the be all and end all, which to an extent I understand. That said, if you have a 9 out of 10 how best to photograph it!
Are the high scorers pro-photographers or do they just know their way around photoshop! I have to say, I have spent almost as much time pi###ng around with photoshop as I have painting. I am becoming obsessed with it and have had nightmares on the subject!n I use a Cannon 400d camera with Elerments 7 so conclude I MUST BE USELESS with photoshop!
Either way, harsh scores for good work!

Nick

 

[A Luna]

I never use photoshop, only for adding several pics into 1 solid picture. Nothing on contrast or so.
5.6 and 7.3 is really odd. Voting on CMON is getting harsher and harsher I must say though.

 

[Chern Ann]

http://www.coolminiornot.com/249012

For an example of a very creative gallery (amongst many others on this site):
http://www.coolminiornot.com/artist/yellow+one/orderby/Descending

When you are competing with the likes of this at 32mm scale, it is hard to get a 9+. While photography plays some part in it, you need to remember you are competing with the best in the world who post on this site, usually international winners of very competitive events.

It's somewhat akin to going to the Olympics swimming events and being disappointed because you didn't place because you're the fastest person at the community pool. In order to compete on this stage you have to seriously up your game, satisfying not just yourself but others (if the scores mean anything to you).

That said, there are many who have started out here that have gone on to win competitions from the honest feedback they've received (not discounting their natural talent and hardwork).

From examination of your magnified pictures, you are using a considerable amount of drybrushing (or at least visible strokes) on your work. You would be surprised at how truly smooth international painting is, even when blown up to a very large size by an unforgiving camera or judge's eye. It may be a bitter pill to swallow but it is not offered unkindly; there is room for improvement.

An example. The =I= painted on the hood of your Penitent Engine pilot is rough compared to the figure above. I'm not certain if you are inviting feedback on your actual figures though, but if you haven't made up your mind yet that all you need to improve is photography I'm sure the rest of the denizens here can offer helpful insight and advice.

 

[supervike]

Like Chern says, I'm not sure if you're looking for feedback on your gallery.

Photography does have ALOT to do with it. That's just because of the format we use.

However, I don't think that your scores are out of line. They are all at or above tabletop level.

Also, alot of your submissions are different angles of the same mini. This is something we try to discourage as moderators. As the submissions come up randomly when folks are voting, they may get the 'back angle' of one of your minis without ever seeing the front view. That probably costs some points.

And in this one:

http://www.coolminiornot.com/249555 There is a visible mold line on the backpack.

But mostly I'd say to not put too much stock in the scores. They are a benchmark, nothing more. I know it's disheartening to spend hours on a miniature to have it barely scrape a 5.2 (just check my gallery!) but as Finn once said, It's like hanging up your drawings in the Louvre.

 

[Avelorn]

I think I've sent a PM to you regarding multiview/collages, that will help the scores as well and making it more convenient to vote. Unecessary nultiple submissions of the same mini almost always gets voted down a bit. If it's not properly lit and photographed we won't be able to see it in all it's glory.

What scores where you expecting btw? Your work is good and would look very nice on the table top but you'll have to improve a lot (or perhaps make a kick ass build, conversion) to get into the 9's.

 

[CrookedEye]

Some of the angles that you have chosen for your photos make it very difficult for the viewer to see what's going on. Particularly the right and left side angles from your chaos marines.

If you wanted to make that side angle part of a larger picture showing the front and back of the marine it might work, but side angles by themselves rarely make any sense.

Zach

 

[singularity]

Hi
I really appreciate your comments and yes, put like that I totally agree with you! The work on here justifying 9+ is astounding, not least the miniature used in this example. Its odd as I never dry brush anything but I could certainly improve my smoothness. That said, my photography doesn't do my work justice. I'm rather confused about the 2 point variance between different shots of the same mini tho. Guess i still have a bit to do! Thanks again for your comments.
Nick

 

[singularity]

Hi
Thanks for your comments. you're right about the mould line, never noticed it! wow, lots to learn.
Nick

 

[singularity]

Hi Avelorn
Yeah, thanks for the collage advice, working on that at the moment! I suppose thats the hard thing to work out in that on close inspection on a tabletop it works really well and I usually win in local competitions (Cornwall) in GW outlets. I am finding that Photographing them I showing flaws I can't see physically! Any photo advive is welcome!
Nick

 

[singularity]

Hi Chern
Any photo advice welcome! Im using a Cannon 400d SLR and Photoshop Elements 7. I'm amazed at a)the quality of your work and b) the quality of your photography.
Nick

 

[singularity]

Thanks Zach. Read my replies for any sense I may have made. Its one thing painting but another alltogether photographing them and shoving them into this field!
Nick

 

[BPI]

I am finding that Photographing them I showing flaws I can't see physically!

Yeah, that's a fun discovery isn't it! I think everyone posting here has been through that process (apart possibly from Cheelfy, hmmm), it can be a little demoralising at first but is a great aid to improvement. Just use your photos to guide your work. When dotting pupils in on a 25mm figure I can't actually see whether I've achieved a neat dot. I use the photo to spot mistakes & tell me where to aim the "minimise damage" brush I invariably spot issues with my paint after posting them online too! Makes a few WIP shots well worth taking before declaring a mini complete & ready for entry into the Gallery (or at least you choose to ignore the flaws rather than being oblivious to them).

Cheers, B.

PS Variance in score on same figure/different entries. Thousands of people vote but minis drop out of rotation after 50-100 votes. You've just picked up different batches of voters each time. Glue subjectivity on top & there's your answer.

 

[skeeve]

Yeah, that's a fun discovery isn't it! I think everyone posting here has been through that process (apart possibly from Cheelfy, hmmm), it can be a little demoralising at first

I often take pictures and close ups just for this purpose. There is something psychological in not seeing your own errors, however when you look at the picture it is "not your model" anymore. You somehow look quite differently at it, more critically I guess.

 

[singularity]

What is so so odd is that one mini with different angles has a 2 point varience in all instances! the thing is - I find Photoshop so boring!
Nick. Thanks for your reply

 

[singularity]

Your not wrong! It shows up stuff I never noticed and of course, There are stunning displays on here which diminish mine in comparison! I'm currently on show in 'Newquay Gaming' in the window and it looks awsome, that said I'm looking at them in a different way! Currently doing Boss Zagstruck and can't bring myself to get back in the hotseat despite me checking out the others on here which mine slaughters!
Lol - I have become a paranoid obsessive!!!!

 

[singularity]

Hi BPI
Thanks for your comments. crazy isn't it! Currently on Boss Zagstruck and having looked at the others on Coolmini I can declare that he slaughters them but can't bring myself to finish him!
Nick

 

[singularity]

Your work is amazing! How did you manage such a smooth blend on the shield! in itself it is stunning!

 

[singularity]

Lol. Example: Obliterators. Having just looked at Obliterators, i'm scoring 6.6, 6.7. I'm not being bitchy but just trying to objectively understand - on page 2 is flyartstudios. scoring higher (7.1) yet looking one to the other please advise me as to why! (no offence Flyart! cause your work is cool!) The thousand sons stuff is lush and I really appreciate it!.

 

[singularity]

Another example is the 'darkartminia' Penitent Engine. Flit between the two and let me know. ie flames, metal work, the 'I' on the head. Chern Ann as pointed out errors in my work which, considering the skills there i'm all ears but again, I feel another example (obliterators being the first) where I have posted a superior job yet am scoring less! I don't expect for a second to score like Chern Ann or any other of that skill.
Again, I'm sorry to be such a freak on this issue but trying to understand the scoring system! In the mean time I am working to raise my game following advice from everyone who has replied to this thead; thank you to all of you!!
Nick

 

[Matt Cexwish]

What happened to the "Edit Post" Option on here...?... Is it still working...?...

You might even press "Preview" before you release a post in here, so you don´t end up having 5 or more posts in one thread...

Edit: Ah, see... It works...... If you forget about something, you can "Edit Post", then change your reply...