A small border pass

[Grinsebar]

Being in rule for just a few weeks, Joachim had already ordered to fortify the borders. Not only came this in handy to register who was coming in and who was leaving, but it also was a nice way to collect money via toll. The garrison was stationed at a borderpost for 2 weeks and was replaced afterwards, to ensure they won't be corrupt.

This is my first freebuild. I would like to become a way better builder than I am nowadays, so any comments and especially critics are welcome.

I do know already i should used more tiles, but as I have a very, very small collection at this moment, I do not own such pieces.

[Slegengr]

This is a nice little build, Grinsebar! I think the detailing is nice for the limited pieces you have.

The only suggestions I have are towards photography and presentation. In the first photo, it looks odd to have some of the background removed up to the pieces, but most of the closest background left there. I recommend using a large enough background to completely cover everything behind the build, then skip editing out the background (unless you have photoshop skills enough to remove the entire background). If the corners in the background are casting shadows and becoming too noticeable, try using a curved backdrop from floor to wall behind the MOC. This helps in getting rid of the backdrop shadows. The second photo seems pretty good, but could use better lighting. The last photo seems to have shadows cast across the pieces. Try adjusting your lighting to avoid shadows on the build.

I think this is a nice first build, and I am looking forward to seeing how you improve from here as you learn tips and tricks from other builders on Eurobricks and as you expand your available MOCing pieces.

Brick on, Grinsebar!

[Lord Vladivus]

Nice job with a limited collection! In terms of improving, an irregular base or a border would help the presentation. Try not to make the trees so blocky (I struggle with brick-building trees myself!). Rocks are better often with slopes, and snotted. Look to bricklink to expand your collection, you can pick up plenty of bricks at a cheap rate- sets are often a expensive way to get bricks! Hope that helps a bit! Looking forward to more!

[Kai NRG]

As others have said, good job for the limited amount of bricks you have. Obviously, if you had a few more it would really help, but as it is you did a pretty good job. A few things I'd suggest keeping in mind; water is usually below the level of the surrounding landscape. So if you could boost the tan up a plate that would make the water look a bit more realistic. Also, grass is usually on top of whatever other landscape there is (dirt, sand, rocky soil), so it's best to use a different color for the base when possible!

If possible it would be a good idea not to use direct flash for your photography, as that gives the bricks quite a glare. It's better if you can get good sunlight (though below shade to eliminate shadows).

[Grinsebar]

This is a nice little build, Grinsebar! I think the detailing is nice for the limited pieces you have.

The only suggestions I have are towards photography and presentation. In the first photo, it looks odd to have some of the background removed up to the pieces, but most of the closest background left there. I recommend using a large enough background to completely cover everything behind the build, then skip editing out the background (unless you have photoshop skills enough to remove the entire background). If the corners in the background are casting shadows and becoming too noticeable, try using a curved backdrop from floor to wall behind the MOC. This helps in getting rid of the backdrop shadows. The second photo seems pretty good, but could use better lighting. The last photo seems to have shadows cast across the pieces. Try adjusting your lighting to avoid shadows on the build.

I think this is a nice first build, and I am looking forward to seeing how you improve from here as you learn tips and tricks from other builders on Eurobricks and as you expand your available MOCing pieces.

Brick on, Grinsebar!

Thank you for your advice on the camara work. I'll try for any upcoming build to make daylight pictures, I am pretty sure that will help to make the lightning and shadows better. Also the background is indeed something to work on, I will give it some attemps.

In terms of improving, an irregular base or a border would help the presentation. Try not to make the trees so blocky (I struggle with brick-building trees myself!). Rocks are better often with slopes, and snotted. Look to bricklink to expand your collection, you can pick up plenty of bricks at a cheap rate- sets are often a expensive way to get bricks! Hope that helps a bit! Looking forward to more!

Thank you for your time to give some feedback. I agree with you that the tree looks blocky, something I need to work on. I bought a creator set today, which gave me some nice additonal pieces that i could use and i will try bricklink very soon.

As others have said, good job for the limited amount of bricks you have. Obviously, if you had a few more it would really help, but as it is you did a pretty good job. A few things I'd suggest keeping in mind; water is usually below the level of the surrounding landscape. So if you could boost the tan up a plate that would make the water look a bit more realistic. Also, grass is usually on top of whatever other landscape there is (dirt, sand, rocky soil), so it's best to use a different color for the base when possible!

If possible it would be a good idea not to use direct flash for your photography, as that gives the bricks quite a glare. It's better if you can get good sunlight (though below shade to eliminate shadows).

Many thanks for your time to give me feedback. I will try adding more bricks as soon as possible, so i can do more detailed builds. I will work one the tips you gave me and indeed you are right, water should be lower.

Thanks to all who gave some of their time to help this newbie with some tips! It is really appreciated!

[Jorrith]

I think it takes bravery to post a simple moc (very nice tho!) in between all the other stuff posted here on the forums, atleast, when i was at your building level, i never dared to post any of my creations. That being said, yes you will definatly improve over time! When parts count is not a limitation anymore, (well to most it still is) you can build anything you want.

I don't have much to add to the tips allready given, but definatly try bricklink! When you see you are running out of bricks, you can order some more, just as easy as ordering pizza. (Not sure if that's a good thing tho)

[Bregir]

Welcome Grinsebar! Good to see your premier.

I think the best way to improve is to post one's builds and use what feedback you get. I joined a few months back, and I have already improved a lot, both from feedback and from seeing the builds of others.

I agree with the general feedback sofar, and really like your waterfall. Simple, yet effective. I also think your rockwork is pretty good - and you did at good job disguising the BURP!

Brick on - Will be looking forward to seeing more from you!

[Grinsebar]

I think it takes bravery to post a simple moc (very nice tho!) in between all the other stuff posted here on the forums, atleast, when i was at your building level, i never dared to post any of my creations. That being said, yes you will definatly improve over time! When parts count is not a limitation anymore, (well to most it still is) you can build anything you want.

I don't have much to add to the tips allready given, but definatly try bricklink! When you see you are running out of bricks, you can order some more, just as easy as ordering pizza. (Not sure if that's a good thing tho)

Thanks Jorrith, I have seen your work and it is something i would work my way up to.

Ordering pizza aint that easy in the part in The Netherlands i live ;) So i hope bricklink is easier.

Welcome Grinsebar! Good to see your premier.

I think the best way to improve is to post one's builds and use what feedback you get. I joined a few months back, and I have already improved a lot, both from feedback and from seeing the builds of others.

I agree with the general feedback sofar, and really like your waterfall. Simple, yet effective. I also think your rockwork is pretty good - and you did at good job disguising the BURP!

Brick on - Will be looking forward to seeing more from you!

Many thanks Bregir,

I did not had have enough bricks for some rockwork, so had to use a BURP. Happy to see it did not turn out really bad.

[de Gothia]

A good start for sure! Brave to post your new mocs here!

I think all the other guilds mates have summed it all up pretty dang good! As Kai says it´s good to use another colour on the baseplate than green, however if you put the other plates one stud out from the base the green will disappear! Works great when you have 48x48 gray base plates that should be converted to a lushy forest area!

[soccerkid6]

Pretty good start! I like the waterfall and you have some cool fig combos

Using only bley for the actual building and dark bley for the rockwork might look better here

[Grinsebar]

A good start for sure! Brave to post your new mocs here!

I think all the other guilds mates have summed it all up pretty dang good! As Kai says it´s good to use another colour on the baseplate than green, however if you put the other plates one stud out from the base the green will disappear! Works great when you have 48x48 gray base plates that should be converted to a lushy forest area!

Thank you for your feedback. I have tried the 'disappearing' baseplate yesterday and i have to say it works well.

Pretty good start! I like the waterfall and you have some cool fig combos

Using only bley for the actual building and dark bley for the rockwork might look better here

Thanks for the input soccerkid, i think you are right. I have tried this last weekend, what in fact, looked better.

For the people who advised me to use bricklink, i have tried this and WOW, what a discovery. I ordered already for quite some parts and currently looking for the flags.