|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:06 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:06 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 8:55 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 7:58 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 18, 2013 8:09 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2013 10:35 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 10:11 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:16 am
|
|
|
|
Wow! Someone as long winded as I am! In character, I should say "I hate it when someone has a bigger mouth than I do." But in fact, I like it when someone has something to say. I hate spending more time getting to a post than reading it.
In response to the original post, Yes I do take pictures. I took a lot more when I first started than I have in more recent years, but i think that's true of most places I go.
For the most part, my reasoning/criteria for taking a picture is usually because i want to show someone else. But underlying what i want to show others is usually that I like the character or a friend of mine does. Along with that is usually good craftsmanship and/or originality. If I see a decent rendition of a character I like and an amazing rendition of someone I've never seen, I'll usually go for the "amazing" one. However, rare characters and shows often trump all of that. since I tend to do things people don't recognize, I appreciate people that strike out there as well.
Still, that's hypothetically speaking if I have to choose one. Usually if I have to pass a costume up, I'll keep my eyes peeled and they make it higher on my priority.
As for the whole "beginner" thing, I think we all had that period. I still don't think I've totally gotten out of it. I know that "vanity" is my vice, so I often find myself trying to suppress it in it's obvious forms... like photos. (My vanity also makes me hate most photos of myself. sweatdrop )
But we are cosplayers. No matter how "good" it turns out, we worked hard and have the right to show a little vanity and confidence. We particularly owe it to the people that worked up the courage to ask us for a picture.
So strike a pose. Half the time, one we used playing power rangers as kids will do. And if not, they might ask you for something else, or just go with it. It's not a picture you have to look at anyway.
Actually, I have few good pictures of my own cosplay. But I've gotten my Akira worked out pretty well by now (I wear him a lot). And some people will even want a picture with you or want you to pose with them. One girl even bowed to my Loki.
I know that I've asked people to do things like "turn so I can see the sword better." or "Can I get a picture of the back, too?" And even when I don't many people have asked me if I'm finished or if there's anything else I'd like to see. Due to recent... events... cosplayers have earned a rep for being catty, but most of the ones I've met are even better sports than you'd expect them to be. I think one of the most important things is dialogue. Don't be afraid to ask and talk to people, like our OP here.
I've also noticed recently, more posing and photography workshops and panels (as well as more cosplay panels in general) at cons, so check those out too. Several cons i went to in recent years before moving had some more-or-less free photography set-ups so try those out and see if they give you some pose suggestions and what-not. if they're not busy, they are usually willing to spend quite a bit of time with you. If one of the wandering semi-pros asks you, try discretely asking them first if there's a pose they'd like. Most of the time it's in a hallways or something, so they won't be creepy about it. (but if they are, by all means, refuse and walk away. exclaim be safe at cons exclaim )
well, that's my windiness for the day. now, to go and take some of my own advice. sweatdrop
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 24, 2013 10:26 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:24 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:55 pm
|
|
|
|
Nekkid Dante Wow! Someone as long winded as I am! In character, I should say "I hate it when someone has a bigger mouth than I do." But in fact, I like it when someone has something to say. I hate spending more time getting to a post than reading it. In response to the original post, Yes I do take pictures. I took a lot more when I first started than I have in more recent years, but i think that's true of most places I go. For the most part, my reasoning/criteria for taking a picture is usually because i want to show someone else. But underlying what i want to show others is usually that I like the character or a friend of mine does. Along with that is usually good craftsmanship and/or originality. If I see a decent rendition of a character I like and an amazing rendition of someone I've never seen, I'll usually go for the "amazing" one. However, rare characters and shows often trump all of that. since I tend to do things people don't recognize, I appreciate people that strike out there as well. Still, that's hypothetically speaking if I have to choose one. Usually if I have to pass a costume up, I'll keep my eyes peeled and they make it higher on my priority. As for the whole "beginner" thing, I think we all had that period. I still don't think I've totally gotten out of it. I know that "vanity" is my vice, so I often find myself trying to suppress it in it's obvious forms... like photos. (My vanity also makes me hate most photos of myself. sweatdrop ) But we are cosplayers. No matter how "good" it turns out, we worked hard and have the right to show a little vanity and confidence. We particularly owe it to the people that worked up the courage to ask us for a picture. So strike a pose. Half the time, one we used playing power rangers as kids will do. And if not, they might ask you for something else, or just go with it. It's not a picture you have to look at anyway. Actually, I have few good pictures of my own cosplay. But I've gotten my Akira worked out pretty well by now (I wear him a lot). And some people will even want a picture with you or want you to pose with them. One girl even bowed to my Loki. I know that I've asked people to do things like "turn so I can see the sword better." or "Can I get a picture of the back, too?" And even when I don't many people have asked me if I'm finished or if there's anything else I'd like to see. Due to recent... events... cosplayers have earned a rep for being catty, but most of the ones I've met are even better sports than you'd expect them to be. I think one of the most important things is dialogue. Don't be afraid to ask and talk to people, like our OP here. I've also noticed recently, more posing and photography workshops and panels (as well as more cosplay panels in general) at cons, so check those out too. Several cons i went to in recent years before moving had some more-or-less free photography set-ups so try those out and see if they give you some pose suggestions and what-not. if they're not busy, they are usually willing to spend quite a bit of time with you. If one of the wandering semi-pros asks you, try discretely asking them first if there's a pose they'd like. Most of the time it's in a hallways or something, so they won't be creepy about it. (but if they are, by all means, refuse and walk away. exclaim be safe at cons exclaim ) well, that's my windiness for the day. now, to go and take some of my own advice. sweatdrop
Hi, thanks for the long response. I enjoyed reading it. Basically I'm in the Experiment phase right now. I try different things and see what works. I've always been shy and it gets in the way sometimes. What seems to help with that problem is that I find it easier to approach a Cosplayer when I'm Cosplaying as well. I'm always curious as to why the person picked their outfit. Also I need to find a balance between talking for a while with a Cosplayer with taking up their time. Sometimes when I look at the photos that I took later on I ask myself and then others, who is that Cosplayers character. At one photoshoot that I joined in on I got the courage to ask one of the girls who she was cosplaying and what series it was from. I had a nice talk with the cosplayer and even setup a private photoshoot with her at the next con.
Poses is something that I'm working on. I have learned a lot about it from joining in on two photoshoots and the one that I did myself. The one that I did myself the girl asked me what I wanted. Thankfully I already had some ideas that I had come up with from watching other Cosplayers pose and I did my homework on the Cosplayers character and what was appropriate in both poses and settings. One of the things that I try to do is see how receptive the Cosplayer is to having their photo taken. If they are not interested I tell them that it's Ok and move on. Sometimes I get a really enthusiastic Cosplayer and ask if I can take additional photos. One time I helped out a Cosplayer learn some new poses that could be used in the future. I got a big thank you for that which made me happy.
I will definitely check out some photography workshops and or panels. I have never had a photography class so the info would be valuable. I don't care much for my photo being taken but friends, family, and "Cosplay" friends want to see what I have come up with so I usually have someone with me that can take photos of me.
I share photos in a big way. I have had a page on Deviant Art for over a year and recently started a Facebook page. I get tremendous praise from artists, Cosplayers, and even other photographers from around the World. That has boosted up my confidence up a lot. You can check out my photography work on my Deviant Art page: http://smithers456.deviantart.com/ If you don't have a Deviant Art account yourself you can still look at my photos you just can't comment on them. If you do check them out I hope that you enjoy looking at them as much as I really liked posting them. You can certainly send me a message here on Gaia or post another comment on this thread to let me know what you think.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 7:29 am
|
|
|
|
yeah, praise can go a long way. and it can feed into itself as well. we're shy at first, but someone praises us, so we go out and do more. more exposure means more praise, so we gain confidence, work harder, and take more risks, and are usually highly rewarded for it, likely along with more praise and recognition. that's really what most of us end up doing it for... you know, right after love of the craft, of course. wink
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Oct 04, 2013 6:32 pm
|
|
|
|
Nekkid Dante yeah, praise can go a long way. and it can feed into itself as well. we're shy at first, but someone praises us, so we go out and do more. more exposure means more praise, so we gain confidence, work harder, and take more risks, and are usually highly rewarded for it, likely along with more praise and recognition. that's really what most of us end up doing it for... you know, right after love of the craft, of course. wink
Very nicely said. Thanks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2013 3:11 pm
|
|
|
|
I have always taken pictures of other cosplayers (with their permission, of course --- unless it's like an audience or a field of cosplayers, then it would be impossible to ask everyone then... cat_sweatdrop ) at the various conventions that I have attended.
I usually take pictures of my favorite characters, characters that I have seen in an anime/manga/video game, and/or the outfit looks interesting to me aka I like the outfit. When I first started to take pictures of cosplayers, I kind of felt bad for not taking a picture of someone in a random group that I didn't know the character of or the outfit didn't really interest me, so now I try to take a picture of the entire group.
I've been taking pictures of cosplayers ever since May 2010. For the past two conventions that I have attended, my friends and I did some photo shoots/video footage with each other. Last December, my cosplaying group hosted a local winter photo shoot. At that photo shoot, the other administrator of the group and myself took the pictures.
Even though I managed to get a few 'special' shots from time after time (due to the right moment the light was coming from behind the person and so on), I still would say that I'm an amateur photographer since I mainly focus on being a cosplayer than a photographer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Oct 16, 2013 9:20 pm
|
|
|
|
KayaLing I have always taken pictures of other cosplayers (with their permission, of course --- unless it's like an audience or a field of cosplayers, then it would be impossible to ask everyone then... cat_sweatdrop ) at the various conventions that I have attended.
I usually take pictures of my favorite characters, characters that I have seen in an anime/manga/video game, and/or the outfit looks interesting to me aka I like the outfit. When I first started to take pictures of cosplayers, I kind of felt bad for not taking a picture of someone in a random group that I didn't know the character of or the outfit didn't really interest me, so now I try to take a picture of the entire group.
I've been taking pictures of cosplayers ever since May 2010. For the past two conventions that I have attended, my friends and I did some photo shoots/video footage with each other. Last December, my cosplaying group hosted a local winter photo shoot. At that photo shoot, the other administrator of the group and myself took the pictures.
Even though I managed to get a few 'special' shots from time after time (due to the right moment the light was coming from behind the person and so on), I still would say that I'm an amateur photographer since I mainly focus on being a cosplayer than a photographer.
Looks like you are off to a good start. I'm the opposite of yourself. I do Cosplay and have 3 outfits and I'm looking into creating a 4th one. My main focus is taking photos of Cosplayers. I have come a long way since I started this exciting new hobby / interest. I have been a regular photographer since I was a kid. Cosplay photography for me is a dream come true because photography in general is one of my top hobbies, I Love costumes and now Cosplay outfits due to being born on Halloween, and I finally get really good chances to take photos of people posing for me. Something I haven't done before. I'm starting to do Photoshoots for the first time and it's really exciting. To do a photoshoot properly I research both the character that the Cosplayer is dressed up as and the anime series that the character is from. I have many fans on my Deviant Art page. Feel free to check out my work at http://smithers456.deviantart.com/ If you are not a member of DA you can still check out my page but you will not be able to comment on anything. If you don't have a DA page it's worth the time to start one. You can showcase both photos of your Cosplay outfits and the ones that you take of others. Good luck in all that you do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|