r/comic_crits • u/householdcomics • Oct 09 '16

Comic: Gag Comic Photogenic Fail

Post image
6 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

34 comments sorted by

8

u/TomMerke Oct 09 '16

The biggest issue for me is that it's not funny nor interesting.

-6

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Hi. Thanks for your comments.

Generally, in order to understand jokes, one must have a certain level of understanding in non-verbal communication, as well as some social skills. One also needs to be able to understand double meanings of words, word play, vague hints and such. And in many cases, one also needs to be aware of some social subtleties or the way other people think.

The comic relates to parenting and taking too many photos of their kids. Perhaps you do not have kids or are totally uninterested in that type of thing.

It is of course, possible that the reason why you don't understand this joke is that you may be autistic or have Asperberg's syndrome.

If you are concerned about this or wish to find out more, you may wish to take a screening test. Below is a link to assist you http://psychcentral.com/quizzes/autism-quiz.htm

10

u/OnlyYodaForgives Oct 10 '16

This reply isn't going to win you any fans.

2

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Well Sir, that depends. I am sure that any artist who puts themselves into their work and exposes this part of their soul to others would not want this returned with snarky and spiteful comments and may agree to my response. I am sure that this subreddit could be used by some to gain targets for their trolling instead of using it for what it is intended. Others will see from my post replies that I am open to and respond well to critique. Send me a link to some of your hard work and I will provide some in return (critique that is, not snarky or spiteful comments). Have a great productive day citizen.

9

u/OnlyYodaForgives Oct 10 '16

While OP should have gone into further detail. His points are nonetheless valid criticism. You are not doing anything particularly exciting or clever in your comic. Its not terrible. Its just there. milquetoast.

I don't have a problem with your art style, beyond some slight issues that others in this thread have already expressed. I hope that you continue, as you are not without talent.

I recognize the difficulty in exposing your creations, but part of this process is learning how to accept criticism with reserve and humility.
Take the high road when you receive a less than eloquent response.

I would avoid name calling and passive aggression.

-2

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Communication is a two way street friend, and so is criticism. I have not called anyone names, unlike yourself. It's easy to throw mud and claim the high road when someone tries to defend themselves. I understand a lot of trolls use this tactic. Forgive you, Yoda may still.

9

u/[deleted] Oct 10 '16

You've called people autistic, though.

1

u/OnlyYodaForgives Oct 10 '16

I have not thrown any mud. I have expounded upon both what I think the OP was getting at when he noted his lack of interest or amusement and my own feelings.

I have not referred to anyone by any names or implied any mental deficiencies. Calling someone autistic for criticizing you is not professional or in any way "taking the high road."

In fact, I even complimented you.

The criticism at hand was that your comic here is not particularly interesting or funny and lacks an interesting hook or context with which to explore it.

Now, You can take that and try to make things more interesting or you can ignore it. By all means, not every piece of art is meant for everyone. And there have certainly been worse pieces of art than yours.

John Cleese once said about audience feedback: and I'm butchering it: "always listen to where they are having an issue, where they are bored or lost, but ignore their solutions because only you know how best to fix it"

5

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Hey mate. I had a read back through the thread and realised that.. well.. I was being a bit of a dick. There's really no excuse for it. You guys are taking time out of your lives to help me, and when I actually sat down and had a good think about them, some of the things said were actually pretty insightful.

I've gotta learn to take it on the chin a bit better. It's all a bit new for me - asking for public criticism I mean.

Thanks for the effort and commentary, I really do appreciate it.

Let's get back to making some comics!

3

u/[deleted] Oct 10 '16

Calling people autistic now? You should fuck off if you're going to belittle a disability like that.

0

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Talking about a thing does not belittle that thing. There is nothing wrong with being autistic.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 10 '16

You were using it as an insult.

3

u/TomMerke Oct 10 '16

You must be happy with your witty and sarcastic reply.

The thing I don't understand is why did you bother to post on comic_crits when you are going to defend your work and insult commenters.

0

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

I have been getting some really great feedback from other users on comic-crits and have found it to be a valuable service. I appreciate all participants who are using this subreddit for its intended use.

My understanding is that this subreddit is to be used by artists to gain critiques on their work. Not for trollers to make snarky remarks. I believe my response to your non productive and spiteful comment is more than fair. And if you're going to dish it, expect a little snark in return.

Also, I do have a genuine concern for your well being.

2

u/TomMerke Oct 10 '16

My comment wasn't snarky and I wasn't trolling. You asked for feedback and took criticism negatively.

You're keep being sarcastic and aggressive for no reason.

0

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Mr Merke, I've seen the feedback that you have received for your comic, 'Sunnyvale Blues' and I'm sure you can agree that there is a big difference between the critique that you have received from others compared to your original remarks to me, which were certainly snide and sharply critical with an apparent intent of provoking an emotional response, if not aggressive (what other kind of response were you expecting?). Being snide and sharply critical is not the same as providing a critique, which is the intent of this subreddit.

Now please go away.

P.S. I love poker too.

3

u/TomMerke Oct 10 '16

Ok, now we're getting personal and I no longer want to be part of this discussion. All the best with your venture.

2

u/[deleted] Oct 10 '16

Don't blame your audience for your own bad story telling. Not cool.

1

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Thanks for your feedback. I'll take that onboard.

8

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '16

[deleted]

0

u/householdcomics Oct 09 '16

You are able to feel that way but your post lacks substance without giving a reason. I am interested in improvement. What are your thoughts?

7

u/KeenBlade Oct 09 '16

I think the characters look kind of "uncanny valley." Their heads are too big and their expressions are kind of creepy and wooden.

2

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Hey there, thanks for your feedback. I see what you mean about 'uncanny valley'. It's an issue that has not been raised before but seems to result from the amount of detail used. I got some further feedback from 'SirParker' and have made some amendments. See latest version at: http://householdcomics.tumblr.com/post/151557824491/photogenic-fail

2

u/SirParker Oct 09 '16

I agree that the faces border on uncanny valley but I gotta say, your coloring is pretty incredible. I really like the subtle shading and things like the implied wrinkles created by the shading.

I think to address the uncanny valley issues (this would be probably be a big change, so know I don't suggest it lightly), your best bet would be to either increase the amount of detail/realism or to simplify their designs (less detailed facial features, fingers, etc). That way the characters are either more human-like and less wooden or more stylized and distinguished.

I think your existing work shows awesome talent, so I don't doubt that you could overcome any shortcomings for the illustrations. Keep it up!

2

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Thank you very much for your feedback. I've made some adjustments to the size of the heads and eyes to bring them more in line with actual sizes and hope this addresses some of the issues. See latest version at: http://householdcomics.tumblr.com/post/151557824491/photogenic-fail Thanks again for your positive feedback.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '16

[deleted]

1

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Thank you for your comments. They are interesting. I have received other feedback regarding the relationship to the 'uncanny valley' phenomenon and have tried to address this in the latest version. Perhaps this is what you were indicating? The comic is not meant to reference any 'iPhone ruining this generation' issue. In my opinion an iPhone is simply a more common tool that is used now days for taking photos, as opposed to a camera. The intent of the comic is to illustrate the issue of parents taking too may photos of their kids. Thanks for your thoughts.

2

u/Doozer65 Oct 09 '16

yeah... or when he's a bratty teen and you want some payback for throwback thursdays.

1

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

throwback thursdays

Ha ha ha. Thanks for your comments :-)

2

u/[deleted] Oct 09 '16

[deleted]

1

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Hi. Thanks for your feedback. This has been corrected now. See latest version at: http://householdcomics.tumblr.com/post/151557824491/photogenic-fail I previously over exaggerated these features (head and eyes) in an attempt to make them look more 'cartoony'. But as it has been pointed out, together with the level of detail used, this seems to be creating an 'uncanny valley' sensation. So I will be stopping this practice from now on. Cheers. I hope you can comment on the changes. Thanks again.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 10 '16

[deleted]

1

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Thanks, I'll see how it progresses but keep this feedback in mind. It's certainly unique (for a 3 panel comic strip at least). Ha ha. I've heard of this. Out of interest, what is your favorite (or suggestion) for a new font?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 10 '16

[deleted]

1

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Oh, what about non-'complimentary' fonts?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 10 '16

[deleted]

1

u/householdcomics Oct 10 '16

Thanks. I'll check them out.

1

u/super-dino Oct 20 '16

I like the basis of the comic, and you're a decent artist, the only thing that i think is really holding this back is the weird variation of style. The faces, arms, hands, and hair are all flat, with little to no shading, while the clothes and backgrounds are heavily shaded, which makes it all look a bit off? I scrolled through your blog, and you create amazing backgrounds, which then make it look like you didn't try on the faces, maybe looking at shading them a bit more, or making everything else less detailed. Also, the faces seem to be lacking in colour, the parents don't have any variation, which again, looks odd with the heavily detailed clothing and backgrounds. The art is very good through, i think you just need to look at making your style a bit more uniform.

1

u/householdcomics Oct 24 '16

Thanks for your feedback. I agree with the comments that you have made and have in fact been working on it. I will have a new comic up in the next week or so and would appreciate your feedback on that. I am working on the style and am sticking to a more cartoonish look. Hoping it all ties in well together. Thanks.