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[cosIT]

Hello everyone. After finding that cosplay.com has a photography section (woot) I've finally made an account! So I do hope that you will give me critical feedback as I still need a lot more experience to become better. Let's get this ball rolling.
This is from my most recent convention: Ohayocon.
#1 Tangled (Thanks Access!)
http://chriswiggins.zenfolio.com/img...82059032-6.jpg
#2 Tsubasa Chronicles
http://chriswiggins.zenfolio.com/img...78204472-6.jpg
#3 Schala Zeal from Chrono Trigger (Thanks Patches!)
http://chriswiggins.zenfolio.com/img...28040253-6.jpg
#4 Resident Evil I believe.
http://chriswiggins.zenfolio.com/img...75252278-6.jpg
#5 Ivy and Harley Quinn
http://chriswiggins.zenfolio.com/img...92186842-6.jpg

Please browse through the rest and tell me what you think:
http://chriswiggins.zenfolio.com/p582665598

I would like some harsh critique as that's the only way I'll become better. Remember, this is hallway candid and I don't have the liberty of time on my side for the best pose.
Thank you!
I'll be at Anime St. Louis if anyone is going this weekend.

[Access]

Originally Posted by cosIT

#1 (if someone could tell me this series if any)
http://chriswiggins.zenfolio.com/img...82059032-6.jpg

Probably this: http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/tangled/

[cosIT]

Originally Posted by Access

Probably this: http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/tangled/

Now that you mention it, you're probably right. I never made the connection nor was I expecting someone to cosplay a Disney film lol. Pleasant surprise.

[Patches]

#3 Don't know this series (stage lighting is one of the sexiest things ever)
http://chriswiggins.zenfolio.com/img...28040253-6.jpg

That's Terranell as Schala Zeal from Chrono Trigger


ummm, my only advice would be personal opinion I think. Like, how you're cutting your subjects off at the shin. That's kinda awkward. I know how it can be shooting in hallways though, but even if you go in aftward and crop it a little better, it can really improve thoe overall shot.

And watch how you use dutch angles. They can work, but not all the time. That first shot looks badly composed because of it IMHO. Dutch angles can be a crutch, so watch 'em

Not bad at all.

[cosIT]

Originally Posted by Patches

That's Terranell as Schala Zeal from Chrono Trigger


ummm, my only advice would be personal opinion I think. Like, how you're cutting your subjects off at the shin. That's kinda awkward. I know how it can be shooting in hallways though, but even if you go in aftward and crop it a little better, it can really improve thoe overall shot.

And watch how you use dutch angles. They can work, but not all the time. That first shot looks badly composed because of it IMHO. Dutch angles can be a crutch, so watch 'em

Not bad at all.

Thank you for your feedback. The first shot was a "oh wow, a really good cosplay" and quickly shot it as they weren't posing for me (I didn't have my camera at the ready when I saw them). I hadn't noticed the whole shin cutoff till now. I generally like having the entire frame filled with as little negative space as possible and using a 35mm prime always has the same consistency with composition. I suppose what I can improve on is getting closer for a belly up shot or getting a better angle. Thankfully I'm renting a 17-55mm f/2.8 so I really hope it improves my overall composition.
And thanks for mentioning where #3 was from. It is one of my absolute favorite shots because of the lighting and quality of the composure and cosplay.

[brucer007]

#1 Dutch Tilt is distracting. There are situations where it can enhance a composition, but not here. It actually shows less of her costume. Here are some tilts I did, that seems to work well:http://www.cosplay.com/photo/2346981/ http://www.cosplay.com/photo/2231422/ http://www.cosplay.com/photo/2126237/

#2 I agree that cropping the feet was not a good move. You could should wider an crop it to a square or similar format. I am not a fan of busy backgrounds, but I guess you are going for capturing the event feel.

#3 I do like the low angle, tight crop, and simple background.

#4 The tilt does not bother me here. The straight on pose seems kind of boring and makes her look wide. A lower angle using the ceiling as the background might have been more heroic and have a cleaner background.

#5 Harley's pose is nice. The bright carpet pulls my attention..Again, a lower angle for a better background...but be careful...I find low angles usually work better when they are not looking down towards the lens. Otherwise, double chins and bags under the eye can happen.

[cosIT]

Thank you for your feedback Brucer007. I appreciate you taking the time to provide me feedback and improvements. I do agree with everything you say.
In RE: to #2 was not crop, I was just at a distance that a 35mm cropped the feet. I have not gotten into the process of cropping my photos (as seen the lack of in #1). You are correct in saying that the background should be cropped; it bothers me too. The only reason I hadn't was for people who download them and print photos... but who prints photos anymore? I will start doing this.
I'm going to be more mindful of dutch angles at Anime St. Louis. In addition, I'm renting a 17-55mm f/2.8 so I'm hoping that I can reduce the amount of incidents of cosplayers with no shins and provide much closer shots or full body.
#4 was another one of those posing-for-someone-else-so-snap-before-I-lose-it moments. I kinda walked up on it (who was posing for a photographer friend) and didn't want to lose the shot. But your heroic shot from a lower angle makes perfect sense for her character.

[brucer007]

When I said "cropping", in regards to image #2, I meant cropping during taking the photo, not cropping in post. The word is valid in both situations.

I hope you are better prepaired with the proper lens or lenses, so you won't get caught in a situation when you can't move back far enough to get the whole body, when you are wanting such a composition. My kit includes 16mm-35mm zoom, 28mm-70mm zoom, and a 70mm-200mm zoom. I also bring a 50mm, and an 85mm, for low light or very shallow depth-of-field. I am prepared for most everything. "Don't try to paint eyelashes with a two inch brush."