/cgl/ - Cosplay & EGL

I personally think it is because cosplays put all their creativity on making the outfits they are all used up by the time it comes to photoshoots.

I know it happens to me far to often. I feel awkward and don't really know if i am over doing it or under doing it.

>>8017516
check out BGZ. his photos are usually very epic

>>8017522
>I personally think it is because cosplays put all their creativity on making the outfits they are all used up by the time it comes to photoshoots.

But there's a photographer there directing the cosplayer. I understand if we're talking about hallshots then it's ok to see bland posing as many cosplayers seem to forget that they would get their photo taken.

I'm talking about the photos that get circled around a lot from the professional/popular cosplayers. The cosplayers who have been in front of a camera countless times and plan extravagant photoshoots and pick well know photographers. Those photos always look so bland and just follow the same formula no matter who's posing and who's shooting. I'm not asking for dynamic lighting and crazy action shots. I think the picture below is a fantastic representation of what I want out of cosplay photography despite the simple outfits and location

Shooting strictly for prints

>>8018124
That's the final answer, the photographers only care about the model looking good. It's not about the original series or setting up something more than the model.

>>8019220
Often this is at the cosplayer's request too. I've done cosplayer shoots and most of them ask for nice, close up shots that show the details of the costume and can make really nice prints. The far-away cinematic shots don't sell as well.

>>8017516
Same photographers and cosplayers tend to work together often. So same variables going in means same product coming out.

>>8019651
But you still have different photographers and different models still producing the same level of boring work. If this was one model and photographer pairing being bland then I can deal with it but it looks like being boring is the industry norm

How do you guys recommend getting away from these boring standard portrait shots? I've read "try telling a story" but? I feel like it's a lot easier said than done. I know you should be familiar with the character(s) and look up references but is there anything else anyone can recommend to do to tell a story with a photo? Especially on behalf of the photographer with dynamic angles, etc?

>>8017516
All that overediting is disgusting. What's the point of having a high quality camera if you're going to turn your picture into painting quality unrealistic crap in the end?
Like the idiot that went through all the effort of using real fire and processed the photo so hard the fire might as well have been fake too.

>>8020154
It's a combination of the right location, lighting and poses really. What you want to aim for is to have the cosplayers engage in the way so that the photo shows a snapshot of a spcific moment as opposed to them just standing there looking pretty. I remember walking by these cosplayers when the shot was taken and all the photographer had was that lamp and his camera and was able to make these happen

>>8022021

Not for nothing, but that looks like shit. Should've framed out the lamp in the forefront. The lamp just ruins the point of them holding the unlit lamp.

Alright, lets get this question out there.

What is a photo that "tells a story?"

Many times I'll see pictures where more than one person says it tells a story when all it involves is a cosplayer standing in front of a bland backdrop. What are the basic elements?

>>8017516
It's supply and demand

>>8022803
Interacting with the environment or emoting.Looking at the viewer usually doesn't tell a story, unless it's like the cosplayer preparing to attack you.

You could have a cosplayer washing their hands in water and have some blood come off, and it'd convey they're trying to wash blood off, maybe they just murdered someone. You could have someone using a magnifying glass while staring at the ground, brushing the ground to convey they've found or are looking for a clue. A person could be hiding their face in their hands, and you could place a photo at their feet to show they're sad at losing the person in the photo. Best thing is look up photos outside of cosplay for reference, like Journalism, especially old photos. The photos we see today aren't as emotive, so much as every one trying to beat the competition to the scoop, so the quality has gone down. Look up silent films, especially when they aren't action-oriented.

I really like the photo posted here
>>8024752

>>8023578
I think you can also tell a story with a photo of a cosplayer just doing a pose in front of a nondescript background.