EDIT: Just a short time thinking has caused me to overhaul this proposal to a request for input.
We have a few costuming tags that are broadly used and not yet defined. Among these are alternate_costume, costume_switch, and cosplay. While I have made suggestions on a definition for the first and last, I want community feedback on both the descriptions I've provided and other questions:
1. Should alternate_costume include canonical costume changes, as many long-running superheroes have had?
I am conflicted on this, but I do lean towards "yes." However, I believe that the costume element of the tag means it should not apply to normal clothing, only to costumes that provide a distinct identity. I would probably propose an alternate_outfit tag for normal clothing, if we feel it's necessary.
2. Should costume_switch include cosplay if both of the source characters are present?
The costume_switch tag is currently empty as I write this, which only means there are no images tagged with it. Given the definition currently written, crossover cosplay would qualify as a costume_switch, as I read it.
3. Where, if it exists, is the line between costume, uniform, and cosplay?
I expect we generally agree by this point that specific uniforms (military, police, martial arts) are not just a costume for the sake of tagging. Likewise, we know certain costumes, once put together, become their own thing, like the bunnysuit, maid, or nurse.
When I look at cosplay, I see various things in it that do not scream out cosplay to me. For example, there is at least some tendency to tag cosplay on any costume that can't be readily identified by another name already in use:
[[hypnohub.net/post/show/42...ge-coin-collarbone-cosp]]
This picture is currently tagged as cosplay, but it doesn't appear to actually be cosplay -- this is an alternate_outfit or alternate_costume that Misty has worn in the show, and would be fitting of its own tag, in this case I would call it showgirl or showgirl_costume (I've noticed other pictures lately using similar costumes, so the tag may be due)
[[hypnohub.net/post/show/46...ar-dawn-dazed-delia_ket]]
This is a good example -- these pokemon-themed showgirl costumes deserve a tag of their own, but they don't each deserve one.
Another issue to me is the use of Team Rocket costumes as cosplay, when really they're more of a uniform, as most of these Team costume pics are corruption/recruitment than actually playing a different character. Would some sort of gang_outfit tag solve this issue and be recognizable enough?
I think that costuming is definitely important for pictures -- sometimes the right costume can make an image, while the wrong one can ruin it --so maybe we need a bit more of a robust language for costuming in pictures?
We have a few costuming tags that are broadly used and not yet defined. Among these are alternate_costume, costume_switch, and cosplay. While I have made suggestions on a definition for the first and last, I want community feedback on both the descriptions I've provided and other questions:
1. Should alternate_costume include canonical costume changes, as many long-running superheroes have had?
I am conflicted on this, but I do lean towards "yes." However, I believe that the costume element of the tag means it should not apply to normal clothing, only to costumes that provide a distinct identity. I would probably propose an alternate_outfit tag for normal clothing, if we feel it's necessary.
2. Should costume_switch include cosplay if both of the source characters are present?
The costume_switch tag is currently empty as I write this, which only means there are no images tagged with it. Given the definition currently written, crossover cosplay would qualify as a costume_switch, as I read it.
3. Where, if it exists, is the line between costume, uniform, and cosplay?
I expect we generally agree by this point that specific uniforms (military, police, martial arts) are not just a costume for the sake of tagging. Likewise, we know certain costumes, once put together, become their own thing, like the bunnysuit, maid, or nurse.
When I look at cosplay, I see various things in it that do not scream out cosplay to me. For example, there is at least some tendency to tag cosplay on any costume that can't be readily identified by another name already in use:
[[hypnohub.net/post/show/42...ge-coin-collarbone-cosp]]
This picture is currently tagged as cosplay, but it doesn't appear to actually be cosplay -- this is an alternate_outfit or alternate_costume that Misty has worn in the show, and would be fitting of its own tag, in this case I would call it showgirl or showgirl_costume (I've noticed other pictures lately using similar costumes, so the tag may be due)
[[hypnohub.net/post/show/46...ar-dawn-dazed-delia_ket]]
This is a good example -- these pokemon-themed showgirl costumes deserve a tag of their own, but they don't each deserve one.
Another issue to me is the use of Team Rocket costumes as cosplay, when really they're more of a uniform, as most of these Team costume pics are corruption/recruitment than actually playing a different character. Would some sort of gang_outfit tag solve this issue and be recognizable enough?
I think that costuming is definitely important for pictures -- sometimes the right costume can make an image, while the wrong one can ruin it --so maybe we need a bit more of a robust language for costuming in pictures?