Guidance needed for shooting cosplay convension

[voice123]

1. which type of lens is recommanded (zoom or prime)
2. do photographer go for full body / half body / head shot?
3. trigging of flash is it importance?
4. Do u guys shoot with auto af point or keep it in the middle or manual keep changing.if manual keep changing how to do it fast?
5. post-processing(under exposure or over exposure picture easier to save?

 

[gprana]

1. which type of lens is recommanded (zoom or prime)
2. do photographer go for full body / half body / head shot?
3. trigging of flash is it importance?

The kind of shots you take and the gear to bring depend on your shooting style, since if you're there as a visitor there are no "external requirements" regarding the result Some people carry minimal equipment (e.g. 1 body, 1 prime lens, no flash), but there are also people who set up portable backdrops and multiple lights to get the "studio portraiture" look. Consider the venue as well... this coming weekend's EOY, for example, is held at Marina Barrage -- there's open space with plenty of sunlight. Some other events may be held indoors, in which case a fast lens and flash would be useful.

 

[Dura77]

1. which type of lens is recommanded (zoom or prime)
2. do photographer go for full body / half body / head shot?
3. trigging of flash is it importance?

1. Like gprana said, it depends on your shooting style. But personally I would use a zoom, as I don't have the luxury of having 2 cameras to switch primes with, especially when wanting to get a different composition quickly.. (Wide angle for more dynamic or full body shots, normal for half body, tele for half body or head and shoulders shots) I also use primes, for a change of pace.

2. All, but generally less of the head shots.. Well, the cosplayers put much effort into their cosplay, so it'd be a waste to just take a pic of their heads, no? :bsmilie:

3. Not so much in the upcoming EOY event, as it's outdoors. And you would need high speed sync or an nd filter to be able to shoot wide open with flash there. Reflector would be preferred though.. For indoor conventions then yes, it's important.

 

[SkyStrike]

1) Depends on your shooting preference. Some like to use 1 zoom and some like to carry alot of primes, or some just bring 1 prime of their preference

2) Still depends on your shooting preference. It's like what do you want to eat later tonight? At the end of the day, really depends on what you want to achieve.

3) If it's indoor, you will likely require to use flash. Outdoors, depends, if your subject back lit, you will want to fill the shadows with flash or reflector.


Personally, in such events, generally I would use a telephoto zoom (100-200mm) and take a 1/2 body max. It will probably get me enough isolation for the subject. I would not use a wide angle in such event, since I dislike having unwanted things (hands/legs/props/heads/distracting shirt colors) poking into my frame, unless I have a clear shot with no such distractions.

Do note that in such events (Marina Barrage, MBS, Suntec, Downtown East), it will be very crowded. Using wide angle will almost assure that you will get those distracting elements in your frame. And for long telephoto, you may not have enough room or clearance needed to shoot, since a 3m distance from you and a cosplayer will confirm + chop guarantee some people will walk past and other scenario, other photos using wide angle and shoot infront of you.

 

[rhino123]

TS... what lens you have? What camera body you have? Main reason for these question is... we do not know what lens you have available to you. And if we are to suggest a lens that you don't have, are you going to buy one or rent one just for that event?

And whether you need a flash or not depend on the location of the shoot, but bring one with you just in case.

 

[Blur Shadow]

1. Both works.

2. Both works.

3. Certainly important if you intend to use flash.

 

[dennisc]

Depends on your style. Some shoot at f1.2 to look dreamy. But these cosplayers took a lot of effort in dressing up to the image of their favourite characters, it's better to do their outfits some justice. Especially if you intend to pass them some photos via facebook or via cosplay websites. Why don't you google, youtube on the /shooters cosplayers photos to get some ideas?

 

[keithwee]

1. which type of lens is recommanded (zoom or prime) 2. do photographer go for full body / half body / head shot? 3. trigging of flash is it importance?

1. I use a prime , a 42.5 aka 85mm equiv , shoot wide open at f1.2 complemented by the 12-40/2.8. (Using a MFT system here ) for these events. The 12 aka 24mm is good when there are group shots opportunities.

2. Mainly half body and more , cosplayers spend a lot of efforts on their equipment and I watch anime ; so capturing the clothes is important to me.

3. Depends on the situation and your needs. Especially if it's indoors vs outdoors.

And don't focus too much on shooting enjoy the atmosphere of the event too.

 

[gprana]

And don't focus too much on shooting enjoy the atmosphere of the event too.

That is a good point Have fun at the event, maybe make friends with some cosplayers or fellow photographers. Even if you're unable to get the kind of shots you want during the event itself (e.g. due to crowd or lack of space), no worries, just plan a photoshoot outside the event

 

[voice123]

TS... what lens you have? What camera body you have? Main reason for these question is... we do not know what lens you have available to you. And if we are to suggest a lens that you don't have, are you going to buy one or rent one just for that event?

And whether you need a flash or not depend on the location of the shoot, but bring one with you just in case.

I am noob with XE-2 and i have 18mm and 32mm lens . I shoot once in cosplay outdoor also with only 32mm , its not wide enough to get a full body shot , need to stand quite far from them. even shoot close i feel that its not bokeh enough. hah

 

[Dura77]

even shoot close i feel that its not bokeh enough. hah

Then you are not getting close enough :bsmilie:

 

[Turbonetics]

I am noob with XE-2 and i have 18mm and 32mm lens . I shoot once in cosplay outdoor also with only 32mm , its not wide enough to get a full body shot , need to stand quite far from them. even shoot close i feel that its not bokeh enough. hah

Can show some shots to define your definition of not bokeh enough? A lot of factors play a part in bokeh.

 

[keithwee]

I am noob with XE-2 and i have 18mm and 32mm lens . I shoot once in cosplay outdoor also with only 32mm , its not wide enough to get a full body shot , need to stand quite far from them. even shoot close i feel that its not bokeh enough. hah

the 32mm is a very very good choice already bro as at approx 50mm FL, its quite decent for portraiture And it can deliver bokeh/blurred backgrounds.

shot using the X-E2 and Touit 32

using this setup, i suggest u go :Select AF point (focus on face area), then go pure MF as Fuji's AF speed and accuracy though good, is still not excellent.

 

[Thoth]

I am noob with XE-2 and i have 18mm and 32mm lens . I shoot once in cosplay outdoor also with only 32mm , its not wide enough to get a full body shot , need to stand quite far from them. even shoot close i feel that its not bokeh enough. hah

Ah. U need full frame.

 

[Thoth]

the 32mm is a very very good choice already bro as at approx 50mm FL, its quite decent for portraiture And it can deliver bokeh/blurred backgrounds. shot using the X-E2 and Touit 32 using this setup, i suggest u go :Select AF point (focus on face area), then go pure MF as Fuji's AF speed and accuracy though good, is still not excellent.

Not bokeh enuff bro. U should use yr Leica summilux 35mm f/1.4 with the close up adaptor to show the true bokeh. Haha

 

[Shizuma]

whatever you do, don't bounce flash off the sky. or stofen into sky

 

[voice123]

Can show some shots to define your definition of not bokeh enough? A lot of factors play a part in bokeh.

i will post tml after work.

 

[voice123]

Then you are not getting close enough :bsmilie:

don dare get too close to them haha...

 

[keithwee]

don dare get too close to them haha...

Which is right there will be other photographers too, u need a lens with a good reach. Bringing along a 35mm lens will probably end up with few images u can use.

One lens approx 90mm FL and another one for wider group shots.

 

[rhino123]

I am noob with XE-2 and i have 18mm and 32mm lens . I shoot once in cosplay outdoor also with only 32mm , its not wide enough to get a full body shot , need to stand quite far from them. even shoot close i feel that its not bokeh enough. hah

Actually don't quite understand what you mean by not bokeh enough. if you mean the background not blur enough, then you need to look at your aperture and DOF... Also... you can always fall back to PP (although it is a tedious and not too simple a job but there are tutorial in youtube to show you how it can be done).

Yeah, it would be good if you can show us some photos that you have taken, remember to include the exif info