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Cameko Flash! - Super No. 1
Attendees of Anime Expo will certainly recognize this venerable cosplay cameko. Nicknamed Super No.1, he specializes in cosplay photos with a high degree of bokeh - that's a tech term for areas that are out of focus. His shallow depth-of-field technique really makes a cosplayer pop off the screen and we're glad he's taken the time out of his busy schedule to answer our bevy of queries. See his latest collection of convention photos on his web site.
Thanks Super No.1 for sharing your insight with us. An even bigger Thank You from all the cosplayers of whom you have captured the essence. The spirit of cosplay shall live on because of the great photos you shoot.
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What's your favorite aspect of shooting cosplayers?
After a convention is over and all of the pictures and reports are up, I get a lot of emails, IMs, and nice comments on message boards from people who are happy with their pictures. It's a great feeling to be able to make somebody's day just by taking a photo of them.
How many conventions are you averaging a year?
Before this year, I would only go to Anime Expo. I've gone to two conventions this year and plan to go to a third. I'd like to go to three next year. I'd like to go to Pacific Media Expo and Ani-Magic for 2005. I'm also considering Fanime for the third convention. I don't have a lot of web space, so even if I went to more conventions, I wouldn't have room to post all of them on my web site and keep them up for a decent period of time. I'd rather put the photos on my web site than on a photo sharing site because I like to do reports on each convention that I go to just to make my site more personal. I'd like to do three conventions each year from now on.
What type of shots do you prefer to take? (candids, group shots, stages shots, etc )
I really enjoy individual, portrait-style shots. I also like masquerade photos because it's so challenging. It's hard to get any usable shots from a masquerade contest, and that's what makes it fun.
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photo courtesy of George Montemayor |
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Of the total number of photos you shoot at a con, what percentage get posted online?
I'd say about 50% make it online. I take a lot of duplicates, especially of group gatherings. I often take 5-10 shots of a group and post the best 1 or 2. It's the same for individuals. I'll take several shots of one person and only use the best 1 or 2. Then, there are technical problems. Cameras aren't perfect so some shots are out of focus, or I don't adjust the camera settings properly. If I can't save a shot with editing software, then I just don't use it.
How many shots do you try to get of each cosplayer?
I like to take anywhere between 2 and 5. It's nice if they have multiple poses. Otherwise, I'll just vary the focal length of the lens or the distance between me and the subject just to change the depth of field.
What motivates you to spend the time and money to travel to these events documenting them in digital format?
Until now, all of the conventions that I've gone to have been local, so traveling hasn't been a big expense. I still see conventions as an opportunity to visit friends that I only see at such events, and that's the main reason that I go. Any pictures that I get are a bonus. I want to have fun while I'm at a convention, just like everybody else. |
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I'm not as heavy into anime as I used to be, so a lot of convention programming doesn't interest me. I starting taking photos at conventions because it gave me something to do during the day while everybody else was at other events. In the evening, I like to socialize because it's not as hectic. |
What is your profession?
My business card says "Field Engineer." I work on lenses that are used in broadcast, video, and film production. I work for a company that manufactures these lenses.
Did you go to school for photography?
No.
Are you a big anime fan? List some favorites.
Not really. I'm more of a fan of Asian pop music and drama. I just don't have time to watch a lot of anime.
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What's your typical con-going camera setup? (camera, lenses, battery count, laptop, etc)
Camera: Nikon D-70
Lenses: Nikkor 18-70mm f3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX--This lens is primarily used for group shots.
Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF Zoom--I bought this lens as a sports/action lens, but it also takes excellent portraits. This lens has become the one that I use for most hall cosplay.
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D AF--Nice portrait an low-light lens. I like to use this lens when I don't have room to use the bigger lens.
Flash: Nikon SB-800 Stroboframe QuickFlip 350 bracket, Nikon SC-28 TTL cable
Batteries: Nikon EN-EL3 (2 for camera), Lenmar No-Mem Pro AA NiMH (2 sets of 4 for flash)
Memory: Sandisk Compact Flash 1GB (2)
I also bring appropriate battery chargers and cleaning equipment. |
photo courtesy of George Montemayor |
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Are you shooting full resolution?
Yes, because I like to print a lot of them. It's nice to be able to make a 2 X 3 ft. poster if I want to.
What type of post-processing do your photos require?
I use Ulead PhotoImpact 8 for editing. Most photos need to be brightened up. I'll try an auto-level adjust first. If that doesn't work, I'll undo it and use the tone-mapping tool. After that, I'll work on facial blemishes if necessary. For posting online, I'll resize the photo and use the web optimizing tool to get the photo down to a reasonable file size.
Do you make any money as a result of shooting cosplayer photos?
No.
How many poses should a cosplayer have for any given outfit?
At least 2.
Peace sign. Good, bad, or indifferent?
Indifferent. I usually don't do more than tell the cosplayer where I want them to stand. The rest is up to them and if they want to make the peace sign, that's okay.
What's the best way to get a nervous cosplayer to relax for the camera?
I really haven't encountered nervous cosplayers. I try not to be so serious when I take my photos, and I try to smile a lot.
Any costume construction tips as they relate to photography?
I don't know if it's my place to give construction tips. I'll just say that bright and colorful costumes make for really good photos. There are different reasons why I take a photo of a particular costume. It might just be very eye-catching, or it could be one of my favorite characters, or it might just be humorous.
The perfect cosplay photo is...
...one that captures the heart and soul of a cosplayer. Many cosplayers are very passionate about cosplay. They're proud of their costumes. If you can feel some of the passion and pride that they have by looking at the photo, then you have taken a great photo.
How long should a cosplayer hold their pose while on stage during contests?
Five seconds is usually long enough.
Where should a cosplayer look while posing on stage?
Look at the audience. Engage the crowd and connect with us.
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What type of poses give poor results?
I generally want the cosplayers to look at me. Eye contact is very important, but not always necessary. I try to avoid group shots where the group is trying to act out a scene from the anime. I've never really liked them because nobody is looking at the camera, and it takes up a lot of space if you want to get the whole scene. As a result, there's a lot of dead space in the photo. For the same reasons, another situation I try to avoid is fight reenactments when you have two characters facing each other in a fighting stance. A lot people like these type of shots, but they just don't work for me.
For individual shots, I don't do a lot of coaching. I let the cosplayer do whatever they like. One of the few poses that I will change is when a cosplayer sticks their arm straight out to the sides, resembling a cross, maybe because they have weapons or other objects. This would require me to increase the distance between me and the subject. Otherwise, I'll end up chopping off their hands from the photo. The facial expression will be harder to see and the depth of field may not be as shallow as I like. There's also going to be a lot of dead space and I don't like to crop. I'll usually tell the cosplayer to bring their arms in closer. I had this cosplayer to bring his arms in closer so I was able to include the weapons and not chop off his hands.
The only other thing I'll try to correct in an individual shot is if the cosplayer partially blocks their face with their hands or with a prop. |
What's the best way to use a flash?
Indoors, it's usually necessary. If I can bounce the light off of the ceiling or a nearby wall, I'll try to because a direct flash can sometimes be too harsh. Outdoors, it's not so crucial. I don't use flash outdoors at all. It's more of a camera limitation more than anything else. My camera isn't capable of a high-speed sync flash. On most point-and-shoot style cameras, you can use flash outdoors as a fill-flash to eliminate shadows because they are not capable of very high shutter speeds. Everybody should know the range of their flash. If it's a built-in flash, it's probably not more than 10 ft. If you can add an external flash, you should do so to get more range and a flash that sits higher above the camera is not as harsh as a built-in flash.
How should one choose the setting for their portrait?
I've never done any cosplay photography outside of a convention or cosplay event. When you're photographing hall cosplay, it's simply a matter of making the best out of what you are given. You have a hotel and convention center and whatever they have to offer as far as landscaping and architecture. If I want to photograph someone, I have to do it right then and there. This forces you to stay in high-traffic areas and then you have a crowd to deal with. Basically, when you're shooting at a convention, you can't really choose a setting. You have to take the surroundings that you are in and make it work.
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With the current style that I shoot in, I like to throw the backgrounds out of focus, so some of the techniques that I use may not be applicable to some people. This style requires that there be objects in the background at various distances in order for me to get it to look the way I want it do. Objects that are further away will be more out of focus than those that are closer. So, I don't want my subject with their back against a wall or building. I'll just turn the cosplayer so that I shoot along the side of the building. Indoors, I like to use hallways and doorways as natural frames. Here, the building and the line of trees create a natural frame. Outdoors, you can use buildings, walls, trees, lampposts, fences, or columns to create frames. Because I like to use a shallow depth of field, anything in the background is not so intrusive or distracting from the subject. If you can't create this effect, you may not care about shooting with the cosplayer's back to the building just so you don't get any other people in the background because that can be distracting as well. Having as few people in the background is always good, but at a convention, it's difficult. |
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If you can find some architecture or landscaping that can create lines that emphasize the subject, you should use them. The lines created by the trees and the colored bricks on the path converge towards the subject, naturally drawing your attention to it.
I try to avoid indoor photos, particularly hotel lobbies, because the lighting is poor and backgrounds turn out very dark or even completely black. It's just not good for showing off costumes. However, some indoor areas are more forgiving that others and sometimes you just don't want to pass up a good opportunity when you see one. This area was bright enough to get a well-lit background and roomy enough to get the shallow depth of field that I like to use.
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Also, when in doubt, a simple background of plants seems to work in most cases. Flowers and trees are good backgrounds as long as there are different shades of color.
In most outdoor areas, you can find a good angle to take photos. Indoors, you're usually asking for trouble.
What are some best-practices when it comes to taking pictures of cosplayers at conventions?
If you see a cosplayer eating, don't disturb them by asking for a photo. Let them enjoy their meal. Interrupting anybody's meal is simply rude behavior.
Get to know some of the cosplayers. It makes it easier when you see them in another costume and want to take their picture. It's easier to take a picture of your friend than one of a complete stranger.
If you have a web site, let people know about it. I put photos of myself on my web site, and I sometimes use a photo of myself as an avatar on message boards. I also have my screen name on my convention badge. It makes it easier for cosplayers to figure out who I am, and if they like my work, they will want to work with me.
Don't follow a cosplayer around for long periods of time without taking their picture. It just makes you look like a creep.
Don't monopolize a cosplayer's time, especially when other photographers are waiting to take a photo. Unless you know them personally, just take your photo and move on. If a cosplayer wants to talk to me, I'll let them approach me. Otherwise, it's best to keep conversion to a minimum. Other photographers will just get mad at you if you take too much time.
Most of all, just be patient. Wait your turn if you have to. Don't settle for taking a shot from a bad angle just to get it over with so you can move on.
What types of pictures should be avoided?
Don't ever take a photo from behind a cosplayer unless they give you permission to. If you're using a flash, don't take a photo of a cosplayer who has their back to a huge pane of glass. The flash will reflect off the glass very brightly.
Photos of skimpy costumes are always a touchy subject. Sometimes you get a photo that might be a little too revealing. It's up to your discretion whether to use it or not. You don't want to post a photo that will embarrass a cosplayer.
How do you go about asking a cosplayer to take their photo?
If there's a group of photographers taking a photo of someone, I'll just join in. If I'm not in a good position or if I want to move the cosplayer, I'll wait until everybody else is done, and I can move to a better position. Then I'll ask them to pose for me, or I'll move them if I want.
If I'm alone, I'll just politely ask a cosplayer if I can take their picture, and if they agree, I'll tell them where I want them to stand. I will usually stand in area where I think pictures will turn out nicely, so I don't have to move the cosplayer very far. If I see a costume that I like and the cosplayer doesn't come near the area that I like to work, I'll just let it go. I don't like to chase down people no matter how much I like their costume. I'm really one of the laziest photographers out there.
When shooting a group and there are other photographers shooting the same group, how do you get your subjects to look at you?
The best spot to be is in the center of the group of photographers. Most photographers like to stand, but I don't mind kneeling or sitting on the ground if it means that I can get to the center of the group. If there aren't too many photographers, I'll wait until a lot of them leave and be one of the last ones to take my shots so that the whole group will be looking at me. If there are a lot of photographers, I'll take a lot of shots and there will be at least one where a majority of the group is looking in the right direction.
Include cosplayers' footwear in the shot?
I rarely include footwear. |
Tips on sunlight...
I like overcast or cloudy conditions best because the natural light is evenly distributed. Morning or evening sun isn't too bad. Just have you subject facing into the sun for best results. Mid-day sun in harsh and causes bad shadows on a person's face. It's worse if they're wearing a hat or use a parasol as a prop. If you can move somebody into the shade, that improves conditions a lot. If not, you just have to deal with it, and edit it the best that you can. If you can use a flash as a fill-flash, that would eliminate harsh shadows.
If you have any rumors to dispel, or you would like to elaborate on something - please feel free.
You don't need an expensive camera to take really good photos. If you can follow the rule of simply filling up the frame, then you can get good results. There are a lot of good photos that come out of every convention from photographers that use simple cameras because they frame their shots very well. When you see a good photo, you don't know what camera was used to take it, and it really doesn't matter. A good photo is a good photo.
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