I've been looking through all the threads, n00b bibles and anything that seemed to be a sticky topic or a guide... including the Minitokyo Policy and the FAQs and I found nothing really on good guidelines on how to post gallery comments.
All this may be a little obvious to some, but I have decided to write this up onto a thread as a (nearing politically correct~ trying to not type wallpapers, changing them to artworks now... credit DernierCri) guide on how to post gallery comments. Really, it's so simple, but it confuses me sometimes when I receive a comment. I don't know if I should report some of them. *shrugs*
Here is just what *I* think. As I said there were no real guidelines found so these were ones I made up some time ago. I typed them up twice but never managed to post them anywhere, so here they are for everyone to read.
PS: WILL BE UPDATED WHEN I REMEMBER SOMETHING I FORGOT TO WRITE
***All examples of quotes are not real quotes. They were written by me as examples***
Also the credit parts are those comments I have received on this thread which has made me word some sections differently :) I'm getting there... I ain't perfect, so point out anything I have left out ;)
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((what is going to be talked about in this guide))
* Introduction (credit casplim)
* Write something that is of use to the waller or drawer
* Don't write misleading comments (Don't download the artwork? Don't comment)
* Don't misuse sugar (Edited: for tareren)
* When commenting on a wallpaper, don't comment on the scan unless you've seen the original
* If you see there is nothing wrong with the artwork
* If there is something to criticise, remember WHAT, WHERE, HOW
* Keep comments objective rather than subjective (when it comes to criticism /credit KorganoS; first pronoun use/credit
almina)
* Keep in mind the textual integrity of the scan
* Try not to rate artworks.
* Suggestions on commenting on scans (credit gekiganger)
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Introduction
Due to a post from casplim, it triggered in my mind if this thread was misleading or not. I knew it was a bit, but here it is.
A gallery comment can:
* Praise an artwork
* Suggest things for improvement
* Condemn an artwork
Whilst all these are valid for commenting- do try to stay away from the last one... there is no use in flaming something that has nothing wrong with it. If you do feel it is poorly done, please PROVIDE REASONS (what where how... later in this guide).
Mostly gallery comments are a combination depending on what you are trying to comment on.
DISCLAIMER: This thread is NOT teaching you how to write your comments, and it is not complete. This thread is here to
simply suggest a few other options and things you could possibly write in your comments.
In return, if you do try to follow some (not all) of these suggestions, you could 1. help reduce spam 2. help improve
our galleries
I'm not a genie of course. This is just a thread with suggestions--- no more :)
Whether or not you choose to follow this guide is completely up to you- this is just here if you need or want it
:)
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* Write something that is of use to the waller or drawer
You may be surprised that there are many comments that fit over the 64 character limit but might as well not even be posted.
Quote: I never knew that you were going to submit this afternoon and I was so surprised when I got this notif and now I'm looking at the screen and now I'm looking at the colours and now I'm typing this comment. Good work I like.
It doesn't take me long at all to write something like that. Sure, it's legal, and still 'relevant', but it doesn't help an artist at all!
Say something that is based *ON* the artwork.
It doesn't take that long for you to at least squint at the thumbnail if you have a bad internet
connection- and if you can't make out anything at all (because you didn't download it) don't even bother
commenting.
I know that there are people who don't download wallpapers or doujinshi and make a comment.
Don't do it! More than likely you are going to say something that:
1. Makes no real sense because you don't know what you're talking about
2. Will direct the artist to a part of the artwork which is perfectly fine
3. Copies the person above because you can't be bothered making your own comments.
GENERAL RULE: Don't download the wall? Don't comment on it
There are comments (like Kryuzei and toxictea23 mentioned) that aren't on the wall itself.
There are comments which advertise their wallpapers, and comments like the example above. They are not illegal, but I encourage you all to write comments that aren't like that, so that it's fair on the comment receiver. Besides, if you want to advertise, put the link in your signature. Posting a link in a gallery comment already takes up about 20 characters, so really, those who aren't bothered to type, won't type much about the wallpaper at all.
Also, Don't spacebar your way to 64 characters. It's unfair T_T
(Credit soujiokita) There are also LOTS of comments that look like this:
Quote: GREAT WALLIE!* :) :) :) :) :) I LIKE!
It's great you're so enthusiastic, but it is kind of spam :\ Try not to overuse emoticons and exclaimation
marks... especially when they come one after the other ^_^' (* imagine lots of exclamation marks... Mt3 disabled
that XP)
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*Don't write misleading comments
I've seen many comments that can be paraphrased as:
Quote: there's nothing really wrong with this wallpaper but because I've got nothing better to do I'll just say that you have some extraction problems and that'll make you improve hahahaha.
NO.
Don't write anything like that. It confuses the artist, and it makes them wonder what's wrong with a perfectly fine piece of art. In other words, don't direct the artist to a section of the wallpaper which has nothing wrong with it.
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*Don't misuse sugar
I've seen walls with a scan slapped onto a gradient background, with a few sparkles from photoshop default brushes and there are comments as such:
Quote: WOW! It's so pretty... this is so nice... this is so cute! Must fav.... must!
Uh... it's a nice comment, but it's misleading ^_^' But if you really think that way, go ahead!
But please:
BE HONEST and COURTEOUS about it.
While being nice about criticising something is really important, say it in a way that doesn't mislead the waller into thinking their stuff is completely fine- just let them know if they're on the right track or not.
Making a wallpaper requires a lot of effort.
Whether you are a n00b or someone who has been around here for a while, please take note that some wallpapers and
artworks take even months to complete. It's horrible to get a comment which sinks the artwork.
SO:
* I suggest if you haven't seen their previous work, have a little look at that as well to compare and shell out some thoughts.
* While the comments should point out something wrong with an artwork, don't be too nasty. Use the correct sugar levels accordingly and appropriately.
If you don't want to be too mean, do something like this (and I encourage unmeanness):
Quote: The idea of the (in this case) wallpaper is nice and I know it's your first, but don't you think that this doesn't look too great for a desktop? I know that you'll improve for sure. Have a look at the extraction and download a new set of brushes ^_^
Look at the smilie at the end. Smilies do wonderful things in this world. Use them.
NB: Don't be mean when you're talking about a good artwork. Some people really do write nasty comments when
there is nothing wrong. So please, if there is anything wrong, say it... accordingly to the 'wrongness' of the
artwork.
By this, I mean that you should be as nice as possible, but don't ignore the flaws. Just nicely suggest what you think can be improved :)
Respect the artist when you make a comment, because works take a very long time to make, and a lot of concentration. The most important thing to keep in mind is that it'd be nice to have encouragement from fellow MTers; motivation to keep on walling, drawing or scanning: *not* super harsh criticism, because it's not very pleasant -.-'
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*When commenting on a wallpaper, don't comment on the scan unless you've seen the original
Sometimes when wallers submit something, people tell them there is something wrong with it.
However, most of the time, people haven't seen the original scan. It is not the waller's fault for not editing the scan most of the time, because it can ruin the scan's textual integrity (the idea the original artist had when they were drawing the scan).
Some tips in the future:
1. Don't comment on the use of the scan.
It doesn't matter if the scan is ecchi, buff, an animal or mech, whatever. This will cut down on the number of
these kind of comments:
Quote: CUTE GIRL!
NB: this is fine when commenting *on* a scan or on a doujin, but on a wall, it really doesn't help.
2. Only comment on elements of the scan or techniques used.
This includes extraction, colour contrast, pixelation (if any, which there shouldn't be), scan manipulation
etc.
3. Comment on the suitability of the scan with the background.
Not a bad idea. Some walls are wonderful, but the scan doesn't fit. It's your job to tell em.
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*If you see that there is nothing wrong with the
artwork
Obviously you would want to post. This section is written for the likes of jakulito.
So if there's nothing wrong with the artwork, and you really like it, there's nothing wrong with writing:
Quote: Great (in this case) wallpaper! The colours are good and the scan goes really well with the background. I don't see anything really wrong with it. Great effort!
Provided that it has some sort of truth to it.
I'm sure that the gallery would gladly welcome these kind of comments rather than the "wow cute girl!" type comments.
Some things you can comment on (credit Chibi-Lizard)
* Colours
* The feeling / atmosphere of the artwork
* Symbolism or cleverness - do try to look into the motifs of someone's work :)
* Why you like it or not
* Suitability of background
* The cleanness or the dirtiness and how you feel about it
* Creativity or originality
* The technique used (credit omni) eg. if you feel it took a lot of skill making
the artwork, be it sketching or photoshop, mention that
These are some things you can talk about, without actually having to comment on the scan, and it helps the creator know what others feel about their work. ANYONE can write a decent comment containing these things :)
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*If there is something to criticise, remember WHAT,
WHERE, HOW
That's copyrighted by me. Don't steal it XD
==-==
***WHAT
You have go to be careful of what you are pointing out.
*There are poor details
Tell us. What details were lost in the first place.
eg. The details on her face are poor. I can't see her nose anymore.
(the NOSE is the what)
*Extraction problems
Then you must tell us where. On the arm, leg, hair- left side, right side, fringe, top of the head? A wallpaper is
large.
(following the above example, the FACE is the where)
*Body proportionality problems
On a doujin artwork, you gotta say what.
BAD *below*
Quote: There's something horribly wrong with the characters
(What is wrong? Where on the character? How can I fix it? This comment tells me nothing.)
GOOD *below*
Quote: Your shoulders are drawn too straight
Be specific. The first one tells the artist nothing. What's wrong with the characters? You must tell them what. In the second example, it is clear that it's the shoulders. Very easy to determine the problem, and it can be fixed without confusion.
==--==
***WHERE[(...) be surprised how large an artwork is. In most cases it includes a character, so you must be specific.
The hair, the shoe, the eyes, the shoulders, the legs (left or right, please specify).
In most cases, it'd be great to give a comment like this:
Quote: There's a little white patch still stuck to her hair, just near the lowest branch of the tree
It's great to know that your commenters have seen the wallpaper or artwork, and know what they're talking about. Please include **WHERE** the problem is in the future.
==--==
***HOW
In most cases once you've specified the problem and where it is, wallers generally can figure out themselves how to fix it. However if you feel that you are commenting on someone who just started with photoshop or drawing, do try to provide an answer.
1. Refer them to a tutorial
If you know any, it'd be great to direct them to one. Otherwise, you can search up an existing thread with some
good links.
2. Refer them to a group
There are plenty of groups in Minitokyo, and if you're not sure on how to give advice on these matters, I'm
sure another group or member will.
3. On the matter of extraction problems, *never* tell them to use the magic
wand
It's immoral. Just don't do it. The thing doesn't work 95% of the time. It's more likely to confuse
people. So if you don't know, just say the pen tool. Or nothing at all.
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*Keep comments objective rather than subjective (when critising)
Most of the time, wallers and artists do art for themself. You don't know what the artist was doing at the time of creating the piece, so bear that in mind.
And most of the time if only one person doesn't like a particular part of the artwork, chances are the artist will ignore you, unless you provide a ***logical*** reason. This may require you to mix the subjective and the objective together (eg. I feel that...) [credit almina]
BAD
Quote: Those hearts you put on are stupid. They look dumb.
GOOD
Quote: Those hearts... there are too many! I feel that they stand out too much as well... perhaps lower the contrast a bit or get rid of some?
Give a reason. State a fact. Don't look like an idiot.
When you don't criticise anything, you can always revert to the subjective
But bear in mind, subjective does not mean this:
Quote: I love Kira! Kira Rox! Kira lives in My Sox!
or
Quote: That section of the wallpaper is so annoying... blah blah blah
Keep your comment balanced. If you feel that it's a wonderful work of art, by all means, say so- but if you don't like something, at least try to justify it somewhat :\ It's not very nice when someone says that there is a particular aspect which is not nice, and the creator doesn't know why.
Comment vs Statement
Credit: tevi
Statements- yeah, shows you know what you're talking about, but try to make it meaningful.
Quote: You used black
Yesh, that's great... I know that too :\
Quote: Black here is great for the atmosphere!
:) You get the idea ? ^_^ That's something a lot nicer and meaningful ... <3
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*Keep in mind the textual integrity of the scan
Textual integrity= the idea of the original scan
More than often you see comments criticising a wallpaper or artwork for being ugly.
If you do not know the anime or the category or the themes of the anime, chances are either you don't understand
the wall, or either the waller doesn't understand the wall.
Most of the time, a rather 'unpretty' scan can *only* go well with an 'unpretty' background.
This is not the fault of the artist: it only can work one way. Usually you can tell.
The main point is, the background must fit in with the character. If they don't, obviously you can say something about it, and the artist will get back to you and explain things, if there was some sort of misunderstanding.
Another subheading under this is the artist's textual integrity
There are artists create stuff for themselves rather than for the general public. Respect their intentions when they made the piece.
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*Try not to rate artworks. (credit tareren)
Rating artworks... uhhhh... well. Usually rating wallpapers don't provide any reasons... just a score. Really, it does fill up 64 characters and sometimes it's great that we know you've thought about giving a score, but really it doesn't say too much. It's a number @_@
We'll just leave scoring artworks to those who have joined groups to score artworks ^_^'
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Commenting on scans
credit gekiganger
Well I didn't think of this before, so full credits. Here are some suggestions on what you could say on a scan:
* yes, "cute girl" is okay (since the poster didn't do anything to the scan, so these comments are
generic but are still good to receive)
* colours
* feelings or ideas you get from the colours (dark, gloomy / happy, cheerful)
* art (the style of the artist or studio or whatever)
* rare scan or not (some might like to write down "wow this is a rare scan... I haven't seen this one
before")
* scan quality ("high quality!" or "hmmm wish the quality was a bit better though")
* resolutions ("I wish this was in a larger size though..." or "great resolutions!")
There are probably more you could think of, but here are just a few :)
These could probably be applied to doujinshi as well :)
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FOOTNOTES ~~~ why this was written for the general public
Artists make mistakes. Looking at a particular artwork for a period of time, really washes out the brain.
Artists check over their stuff before submission, but because of the long exposure time, sometimes it's really easy
to miss out on a little thing.
Of course not *all* the time you'll hit a wallpaper with lots of mistakes if any- by all means go and write down I love this I'm using it on my desktop I can't wait to see your new stuff! That is perfectly fine- just remember to write something a little more that can tell the creator just some more info on how you feel about the work ;)
Hopefully by following this little guide, there will be better comments in the gallery in the future, and if one person, or two or three people will start to set this example, surely in the future many more will follow.
Improve the galleries! Cut down on spam.
It's all good people. Cheers.
Misa
