Cosplay Photogerphy

[Yukinari]

Hell everyone, Names Larry and i work for my local anime convention and i also travel to other cons around the country and besides Landscape photography i also do Cosplay photography as well as cosplay meself and I'm pretty at photography and i have chosen Cosplay photography as i am sure that there are others on here that have as well and need some tips on doing it right, like how do i go about asking a person if they would like a private photoshoot without looking weird? what type of shots look best? and what are the best lenses to use for this type of photography? i currently have a 10.2 MP Sony Alpha a100 equipped with a 18-70mm lens with a 3.5 - 5.6 aperture.

[wulf]

Have you got any examples of your work?

Wulf

[inkista]

I'm not a cosplayer. I don't costume. I've just gone to Comic-Con for 30 years.

Originally Posted by Yukinari

how do i go about asking a person if they would like a private photoshoot without looking weird?

Include their boyfriend/girlfriend in the conversation and invite them along to observe the shoot. That might help. And keep a professional demeanor. This is no different than any other photographer/model relationship. Also, use fan/cosplay contacts. I'd actually say, start with group shoots and try to build a reputation as a solid photographer, rather than one of the papparazzi con crowd might help. Talk cosplay and anime with them and let them know you're one of them. A lot of this is about simple people skills.

I actually think that setting up AT the con is the best way to go. If you're in with the con organizers, setting up a studio area (possibly in or near the green room) with lights and a seamless if there's a masquerade is another way to go--there's a lot of time for folks to sit about waiting and practicing their poses during a masquerade and judging of same. You might have to learn how to elbow you way to the front of the photographer scrum that always develops around the costumers. That's what they did at Worldcon, so that even someone with no talent and no interest could get a halfway decent shot. Like me.

At a con, getting snapshots of someone in costume is damn easy. Getting good studio shots is a whole 'nother deal. Don't know if you want to go to this guy's extremes, though.



But, as you may have noticed, anybody involved in costuming knows how to pose. The hard part is to get them to stop doing it.

what type of shots look best? and what are the best lenses to use for this type of photography? i currently have a 10.2 MP Sony Alpha a100 equipped with a 18-70mm lens with a 3.5 - 5.6 aperture.

I think that possibly going for a simple seamless backdrop and two/three light studio setup is going to work the best. Kyle Cassidy has some fantastic shots of steampunk costumers that he took at a con with a studio setup he brought with him.

[Naois]

I love anime otaku!

Welcome to the forums!