Contact Strip
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Green circles indicate images that I considered using, as I liked them.
Red arrows indicate images that I didn't like at all.
The Final Photographs
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My aim in this photoshoot was to practice taking cosplay photography with the idea of obscuring the face, either partially or completely - as this is a common theme in disguise. I also wanted to experiment with various angles, and the use of setting, which is inspired by Paolo Panganiban's photography. For this shoot, I had a model dress as "Ciel Phantomhive" from the Japanese anime "Kuroshitsuji" (Also translated as "Black Butler.") This particular outfit is only featured in one episode of the anime, where the male protagonist dresses as a female in a Victorian ball dress in order to infiltrate a party and solve a crime.
This first photograph features the cosplayer looking downwards towards the grass, sat on a blanket, holding a black Victorian parasol.The models face is completely hidden by the flowers on the hat. This photoshoot was taken using a NikonD3100 camera, natural lighting from the west and I achieved the angle on these photographs using the not very technical method of standing on a chair. I chose not to use a tripod for the angle as it wouldn't achieve the required height. After taking the image, I edited it on Photoshop by editing the levels and changing the image to black and white. I chose to colour pop the ring on the models left hand as it has a large significance to the characters back story, and it is common practice in cosplay photography to have accuracy on the costume down to the very last detail.
The part of this photograph that strikes me as the most interesting piece, is the black gloves contrasted against the white dress. I believe it draws the eye to the models hands, and particularly to the ring. I decided that the blue gem in the ring was a beautiful colour, and wanted the audiences attention to be drawn to it. If I were looking at this photograph as if it wasn't my own, and I had no idea of the style of photography, I'd interpret it very differently. Instead of seeing a character, I'd see what appears to be a woman waiting in anticipation for something, shying away from looking up at the sky. With both hands gripping the parasol tightly, this could be interpreted as nervousness, as well as hiding her face from us as the audience. If I were to do this photograph again, I would only change one aspect. I don't like the use of the blanket underneath the model, as it obscures too much of the surrounding grass.
Technical aspects: NikonD3100. Shutter Speed 1/200. F7.1
My aim in this photoshoot was to practice taking cosplay photography with the idea of obscuring the face, either partially or completely - as this is a common theme in disguise. I also wanted to experiment with various angles, and the use of setting, which is inspired by Paolo Panganiban's photography. For this shoot, I had a model dress as "Ciel Phantomhive" from the Japanese anime "Kuroshitsuji" (Also translated as "Black Butler.") This particular outfit is only featured in one episode of the anime, where the male protagonist dresses as a female in a Victorian ball dress in order to infiltrate a party and solve a crime.
This first photograph features the cosplayer looking downwards towards the grass, sat on a blanket, holding a black Victorian parasol.The models face is completely hidden by the flowers on the hat. This photoshoot was taken using a NikonD3100 camera, natural lighting from the west and I achieved the angle on these photographs using the not very technical method of standing on a chair. I chose not to use a tripod for the angle as it wouldn't achieve the required height. After taking the image, I edited it on Photoshop by editing the levels and changing the image to black and white. I chose to colour pop the ring on the models left hand as it has a large significance to the characters back story, and it is common practice in cosplay photography to have accuracy on the costume down to the very last detail.
The part of this photograph that strikes me as the most interesting piece, is the black gloves contrasted against the white dress. I believe it draws the eye to the models hands, and particularly to the ring. I decided that the blue gem in the ring was a beautiful colour, and wanted the audiences attention to be drawn to it. If I were looking at this photograph as if it wasn't my own, and I had no idea of the style of photography, I'd interpret it very differently. Instead of seeing a character, I'd see what appears to be a woman waiting in anticipation for something, shying away from looking up at the sky. With both hands gripping the parasol tightly, this could be interpreted as nervousness, as well as hiding her face from us as the audience. If I were to do this photograph again, I would only change one aspect. I don't like the use of the blanket underneath the model, as it obscures too much of the surrounding grass.
Technical aspects: NikonD3100. Shutter Speed 1/200. F7.1
This second photograph features the cosplayer stood up, but still directing her gaze towards the ground. I decided to have the fact partially obscured in this photograph in order to show some expression on the models face instead of leaving the image completely ambiguous for the audience. Once again, I used a chair in order to achieve the correct height to shoot the photograph, achieving a sense that we are looking down on the model from a higher standing. In this photograph you an see much more of the detail in the dress, and I have colour popped the ring in order to draw the eye to it once more.
I chose to edit this photograph into sepia in order to create a warmer mood to it. The first photograph has a grim atmosphere, caused by the monotone colours and inability to see the models expression. However, here we can see a content, if not happy, smile on the models face, which completely changes the interpretation of the image. In cosplay, wigs are usually used to replicate the characters hair, however in this photoshoot I chose to use the models natural hair in order to achieve a lifelike feel to the photograph. I find that in photography, wigs can sometimes look too obvious and draw the eye away from the key points of the image.
Regarding the most interesting part of this photograph, I believe it to be the expression on the models face. In the previous image I discussed how a outsider may view this photoshoot as a girl waiting in anticipation, and the models hopeful smile in this photograph only heightens that interpretation. Her eyes are closed, which signifies that she feels safe where she is, and doesn't feel a need to observe everything around her - for she's only waiting for one person.
Finally, I would like to address the background on this image once more. I prefer the background to this photograph compared to previous one as you can't see the blanket below the model as much. I found the blanket to be a eyesore in this photoshoot, and am glad that in this image it isn't as obvious that it is there.
Technical aspects: NikonD3100. Shutter Speed 1/200. F7.1
I chose to edit this photograph into sepia in order to create a warmer mood to it. The first photograph has a grim atmosphere, caused by the monotone colours and inability to see the models expression. However, here we can see a content, if not happy, smile on the models face, which completely changes the interpretation of the image. In cosplay, wigs are usually used to replicate the characters hair, however in this photoshoot I chose to use the models natural hair in order to achieve a lifelike feel to the photograph. I find that in photography, wigs can sometimes look too obvious and draw the eye away from the key points of the image.
Regarding the most interesting part of this photograph, I believe it to be the expression on the models face. In the previous image I discussed how a outsider may view this photoshoot as a girl waiting in anticipation, and the models hopeful smile in this photograph only heightens that interpretation. Her eyes are closed, which signifies that she feels safe where she is, and doesn't feel a need to observe everything around her - for she's only waiting for one person.
Finally, I would like to address the background on this image once more. I prefer the background to this photograph compared to previous one as you can't see the blanket below the model as much. I found the blanket to be a eyesore in this photoshoot, and am glad that in this image it isn't as obvious that it is there.
Technical aspects: NikonD3100. Shutter Speed 1/200. F7.1
This is the final image I have chosen to include in the photoshoot. I chose to add this photograph as I particularly like the composition of the photograph. Primarily, the model covers the image, however there is still a background of grass on the right hand side. This is the only image that I chose to take from a slightly raised angle, giving the impression that we are looking the model straight on.
Compared to the other two photographs from this shoot, this one has the nicest atmosphere in my opinion. The smile is the main focal point of the image, despite the colour popped ring in the bottom corner. Once again, we are led to believe the interpretation of a Victorian girl eagerly waiting for someone. I chose to have the left hand side of the face obscured once more in order to keep the authenticity from the anime, where the character "Ciel" always keeps his left eye hidden from everyone.
Overall, I believe I achieved a lot in this photoshoot. By using natural lighting, I was able to highlight parts of the model, particularly the dress. When the white dress has sunlight on it in these photographs, the edges of it look angelic. I have managed to replicate cosplay photography, including even the smallest props in order to keep the costume accurate, and making good use of background in order to create a far more interesting image than if it had been shot in a studio.
Technical aspects: NikonD3100. Shutter Speed 1/200. F8.0
Compared to the other two photographs from this shoot, this one has the nicest atmosphere in my opinion. The smile is the main focal point of the image, despite the colour popped ring in the bottom corner. Once again, we are led to believe the interpretation of a Victorian girl eagerly waiting for someone. I chose to have the left hand side of the face obscured once more in order to keep the authenticity from the anime, where the character "Ciel" always keeps his left eye hidden from everyone.
Overall, I believe I achieved a lot in this photoshoot. By using natural lighting, I was able to highlight parts of the model, particularly the dress. When the white dress has sunlight on it in these photographs, the edges of it look angelic. I have managed to replicate cosplay photography, including even the smallest props in order to keep the costume accurate, and making good use of background in order to create a far more interesting image than if it had been shot in a studio.
Technical aspects: NikonD3100. Shutter Speed 1/200. F8.0
Original Character Image
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In this section is a image of the character being cosplayed in the photoshoot.
Ciel Phantomhive. (Ball Gown.)
Ciel Phantomhive. (Ball Gown.)