First time visiting cosplay

[Phoenix_Jackson]

I just head about a cosplay happening nearby within 2 days and I'm very interested to witness it for the first time. I called the needed people for info and (most importantly) I'm allowed to take pictures along with the other information needed.

My problem is, being a newbie who just had a "hit rock bottom" moment in photography, I have no experience on taking pictures in such an event or any related form. So I don't even know if it's categorized as street photography (due to its nature, although the event is held indoors), fashion photography (due to the costume highlights, although it's a daytime event), or simply portrait (since most of the highlights of the event are the people attending).

I'm asking for tips here. I'm currently geared humbly with a 60D, 50mm 1.8, 18-55mm kit, and 55-250 kit, lenses. With the expected heavy crowd, I figured it'd be wise to bring only either the 18-55mm (for a wider view) or the 50mm (for faster shooting and dim light), but can't choose which. I also hope I could pre-set my camera so I won't have to tinker every shot when things are going fast. But I don't know a standard setting for such an event. I probably need to switch from one to another if the changes are minute. But a standard or all-around setting would be more convenient.

So I come to ask for guidance. Please help.

[RichardTaylor]

Have a look at this guys photo stream.

Approx 3500 cosplay pics along with exif data.
Flickr: cosplay shooter's Photostream

It's an event and I would approach it a couple of ways.

If the outdoor stuff is in good light.
(1) For 'scenes and full body shots
18-55mm
Shutter priority at 1/125 or faster and ISO to give me an aperture of around F8-F11.
Be prepared to dial in exposure compensation if needed.
(2)
For head shots.
The 55-250mm
Aperture priority and the lens wide open (or down 1 stop if it is not real sharp wide open)
to blurr the background.
ISO set to give you a minimum shutter speed of 1/250 (with IS on) to prevent problems caused by camera shake.
Be prepared to dial in exposure compensation if needed

For the indoor stuff basically shoot aperture priority wide open and high ISO to give you a shutter speed high enough to prevent camera shake.
If you don't have enough light the switch to your 50mm F1.8 and shoot near wide open or at the best aperture that is not soft. Be prepared to dial in exposure compensation if needed
Do not be afraid to use high ISO and shoot RAW as this will give you more control when PPing (especially noise reduction).

Can flash guns be used?.

[Phoenix_Jackson]

Thank you very much. I'm still browsing the overwhelmingly plenty of photos.

According to the info, the event will be held in a closed gymnasium. And according to weather, it'll be rainy during those 2-day event. I just hope it'll be good lighting inside as most Korean themes are either very flashy or very emo.

My initial thoughts are:
Priority 50mm for more chances of faster shooting under dim light (but am concerned of having to grab a space near the subject to get a nice shot so maybe the 18-55mm?)
To be safe, expect not to use flash since I have no idea how a cosplay works.
ISO 400-800 under manual mode (I just thought having the shutter speed fixed would help me secure non-motion-blurred shots, and total aperture control for DOF close up and DOF wide/candid).
Spare battery, spare cards, charger, card reader, no tripod, and shoot RAW... bring the digicam just in case.

Your suggestions makes things easier. But I really wish I'd only bring one lens with the camera. Is 50mm the safest bet for its wide aperture? Or is it the 18-55mm for its range? How is the photography situation on places and events like these are, anyway (I think I need to check youtube for this)?

[RichardTaylor]

Light levels will be low.

I was recently shooting a concert rehearsal in a reasonably well lit lecture theatre and I was shooting ISO 1600, 1/200 @ F2. (I was using a 135mm F2 lens on a 40D)

With just one lens I would go for the 50 F1.8 because the other lenses will be too slow.
Good luck.

[Phoenix_Jackson]

Oh wow, ISO 1600? Pro's keep telling people not to be scared of bumping up ISO (and I'm mostly always scared) and I'm trying, but I never knew it could go that high.

Thank you very much for your advises.

[Phoenix_Jackson]

Not really needed to bump but I just want to say thank you for the replies and messages for tips. I had mixed results from this event but I grew more confident taking pictures of people (the one thing I'm really scared of). I know I grew a bit more and although very few of my shots are worth keeping, I got to put your advises in practice. Surely, it didn't go to waste. Thank you very much.

My favorite of the entirety:


Inspration by phoenix_jackson2002, on Flickr

Side note:
I was feeling tired, hot, low, uninspired, and confused (also shy 'cause all the rest of them photographers are strutting their huge L lenses while I only have a cheap kit lens) for the day. This girl stood in front of me, signaled me to shoot her, and posed posed posed posed so fluidly, that made me enjoy shooting. For the first time I felt like I'm a real photographer.

[RichardTaylor]

Glade to hear it worked out ok.
There is always next time and don't worry about what the other guys are using..
Also keep in mind at "events" like this a lot of the participants are expecting or even wanting to be photographed, so that makes it a lot easier. Also if you have a card to hand out, with your website on it, it may help with future shooting as they can see their own photographs.

[uubird]

Light levels will be low.

[Phoenix_Jackson]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

Also if you have a card to hand out, with your website on it, it may help with future shooting as they can see their own photographs.

That makes a lot lot more sense than asking for emails if they want a copy of their shots (it feels weird doing that)! I never thought of having a card for anything (just an ordinary guy) but now there's a good reason for it. Thank you thank you.

Originally Posted by uubird

Light levels will be low.

Second time I read this and I still don't get it. Kindly pardon my ignorance.

[RichardTaylor]

uubird is probably talking about the inside shoots where it is relatively dark compared to outside in the daytime.


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