Does Anyone Else Love Shooting Cosplayers?

by Chris Gampat on 12/28/2009

Cosplayers are fun. Shooting them at conventions like Comic-Con and others can be a real treat for photographers as photos of them bring in lots of hits. Loads of my own shots are after the jump. Also, gaming website Kotaku has a posting on how to west may be able to hold its own with eastern cosplayers. I know there are loads of conventions in NYC, San Francisco, LA, and Dallas amongst others. As a supplement, here are some tips on shooting portraits of timid people like the ones you find at these conventions. (Warning, some possibly NSFW)

Tagged as: Cameras, comic con, conventions, cosplay, cosplayers, costumes, flickr, Photography

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scotman/ Mourgos

I found this blog to get some tips on shooting at a con but I think I could give you a tip or two as well. Overall, this is a very good set and your Flickr shots are good. But sometimes there are garbage cans in the background or one guy with a backpack right next to your subject should be cropped out. When I shoot cosplay I try to find a neutral background and away from other distracting people, bags on the floor and so on. I handle that by either moving the model, or when that’s not possible, get a close-up of their upper body at a wide-open aperture to focus out the background. Good job.
- http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat
  
  Thanks a lot Mourgos. I’ve been looking at that before and really tried to do that here: http://thephoblographer.com/2010/03/29/field-review-nikon-d3s-day-7-pax-east-booth-babes-cosplayers/
  
  Why didn’t I do it with every single one of them? I was partially testing the autofocus on the camera with subjects moving in the background and I was rushing from vendor meeting to vendor meeting. You’re totally right though. Maybe at this year’s comic con if I’m not testing a new camera I will be more patient with my photography. Might I also add on posing your model to be more like their intended character as well?
  
  Thanks for coming to the blog.
- Mourgos
  
  Hi, just saw this answer, six months later! You’re welcome. Con shooting is tough; I’ve done enough of them to know to hang out at the back stage and shoot costumers that way. I get better pix. I ask around if they allow photographers back stage and then shoot them. These people love getting their pictures taken so getting permission is never a problem. See my flickr shots too. Not perfect and I’m no pro, just do this for fun. And to buy comics! http://www.flickr.com/photos/scotman/
  - http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat
    
    NYCC is this friday, I’m going back this week using some of your tips. Hopefully I’ll have some better results.
    
    Also shot a lot of them with the D3s a while back.
Mourgos

Hey, Chris:

How did NYCC go?
- http://thephoblographer.wordpress.com Chris Gampat
  
  Hey, it was pretty fun this year. I tested new flash units there and got some amazing photos. It’s in the complete Orbis review.

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