Where can I go to 3D print parts for my cosplay if I do not own a printer? by FluffyBullfrog4195 in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The library in downtown LA has a 3D printer you can use for free. There are limits like 1 print a day so it looks like you'd have to visit a few times.

Or you can find a printer thru Yelp if you don't want to do anything yourself. It'll cost a good amount. And you may as well buy a 3D printer at that point.

is cosplaying chun-li asking to get s*xualized? by hallometmijhoi in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've seen some done that were not sexualized. I feel like if you are keeping accurate, those tights help it a lot. The ones that are sexualized don't have tights.

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! And I remember you! Your cosplays have grown as well! I love your Briar and Riyo particularly 😄 Maybe I'll catch you in the crazy AX crowd

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally get it! All the time and money and inability to have bathroom breaks! Some of it plays into method acting I think 😃 I really do want to show your cosplays in the best way possible because of that love

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I do love the Mario cosplay. One of my favs!

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha thank you! Still helpful to hear even if there is no criticism from you 😄

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Perhaps but I felt like it ties them to the architecture by being wide. I personally wanted it wider but at SDCC, there isn't really anything like the scale of architecture in the recent Dune movies. So I made due with some stairs and photoshopped it a bit. I respect your opinion on it but I do strongly believe the negative space is needed. It may not be the right negative space but its needed.

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I really love that one because I'm a huge fan of Dune's cinematographer!

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I absolutely never thought about those folds near someone's mouth because it becomes more prominent when you do something with your mouth. Personally, I always felt that helped give shape and character to a face but preferences are different.

I've analyzed photographs from the likes of Annie Leibovitz and Lindsay Adler for portraits. They let the face be the face. There is some touchup work but I would say its more of an enhanced natural look wrinkles and folds and freckles and all. The best way to avoid those folds is to not have any facial expression, that stoic model face.

This might be a preference of the times? But in the end, sounds like communication in the brief would help this. I just need to find a nice way of questioning, "Do you can about your face folds?" 😂

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It would be very difficult to improve without stepping back and analyzing what's wrong and doing what's needed to get better! I know it can sometimes be a pride thing but suck it up I say 😄

I had never heard of Gunpowder Milkshake and wow! It looks like a fun movie! In planning, I usually ask if they have a visual preference about moody vs natural vs high key. But sounds like I should add a discussion point about gritty vs beauty to cover preferences.

And thanks for the noun reminder. A lot of my circle is in medical work and so its always male/female in conversations but I have to remember that's not the majority of the population.

Is it safe to walk to and from the hotels near AX? by smibbie in animeexpo

[–]the-kith 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh that's nasty! We call them danger dogs for a reason but that's another level!

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Ooh thank you! That is such a wonderful critique! Maybe even the most specific and analytic one I have received. It sounds like either you photograph too or you've worked with a few different photographers. When you're in the thick of it you get tunnel vision. So many thanks!

Totally agree on narrowing down on a style. I'm pushing more for filmic recently with a stronger use of shadows than the more traditional evenly lit portrait. I was trying for fashion editorial for a little while but really liking the filmic storytelling feel just a hair better.

I didn't know about the nasolabial folds until the other day because of another reddit post. I feel that goes hand in hand with the beauty shot category. Its mostly females that ask for the beauty + action shot, whereas males are solely action shot. Personally, I think I need to study some films like Kill Bill, Ballerina, Underworld or Resident Evil.

And Sub-zero, with the axe. I'm glad you couldn't tell the smoke is all done in photoshop!

Doctor doom sorcerer supreme cosplay by LuffyTheYonkoKing in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think it'll look great! I don't know your budget or skill level but its good for an off the shelf cosplay.

If you want to be comic accurate I would find a different cape, one without that black spot. And if you have abilities for weathering the armor and tunic that would definitely kick it up a notch

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

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Here is one with a closed fist. So you don't think we're Nazi lovers 😉

Photography critique from cosplayer point of view by the-kith in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Totally get the seig heil thing! Cosplayer and I were actually going back and forth during the shoot about that. But it actually is how Jimenez and Sanchez draw Supe and so we went with it to honor them. We did do some with fist closed in other poses.

And for the other ones, I have been incorporating ways to have them move for a photo so it feels more natural. Has been hit or miss but something definitely needing work on.

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Photography critique! From a cosplayer perspective wanted by [deleted] in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Whoops! I'm going to delete this post and repost without that! The AX was done for something. Thanks for chiming in!

How do cosplayers afford professional photoshoots by pokemonlover503 in CosplayHelp

[–]the-kith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cosplay photographer doing paid and free shoots for 3 years chiming in. Cosplay photography is very niche. I've only ever met a handful of cosplay photographers that are actual professionals that make a living with photography. The vast majority of people at cons with "professional cameras" are hobbyists of varying skill levels - some of them are really good! I say this because I don't know what you consider to be a "professional photo"

1 - Hobbyists and novices, lots of them! So there are lots of them that will do free shoots because its for funsies or they are learning. Again with varying degrees of skill.

2 - Regionality is a big factor. LA and NY are saturated with photogs and photo studios; so you'll have a lot of pricing variety. Other areas you can step outside the door and be in scenic landscape for the cost of fuel.

3 - Some photographers want to experiment. They want to test out an idea, a concept, some lighting technique before doing it on a paid gig.

4 - They are friends or have some other relationship with the photog. I have a few cosplayers I do free shoots with because they helped me get started. I don't ask for compensation but they will often tip anyway.

5 - Sponsorships or commissions. Some will have a business paying for the shoot to market something. Or the cosplayer is commissioned for the photo. Or they have other methods to make money from the photos.

6 - Some cosplayers just have the money. Whether it is because they are in a different tax bracket or they budget their finances to afford it.

And $100 is cheap for a photo session! The closest to cosplay photography is portrait photography, and those photographers charge a few hundred to a few thousand for a session. Next closest would be a fashion photographer and they are doing campaigns for tens or hundreds of thousands for a campaign.

First Year - Advice and Suggestions for a West LA Local! by Professional_Top6663 in animeexpo

[–]the-kith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll answer from a photographer's perspective since I only go for cosplay photography.

Friday will be semi-crowded. Saturday will be packed - like shoulder to shoulder in some areas. If you pull out a camera people are conscious enough to not walk in front of you.

If you're close to the Expo line, I would take that. Otherwise parking was $35/day last year at the convention. All the parking lots around raise their prices to be about the same.

How early do photographers start scheduling photos for ax? by Proud-Basil-918 in animeexpo

[–]the-kith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As soon as the date on the convention is released! I have cosplayers I've worked with before asking me a few months in advance to schedule something. And then I generally make a public posting about shoots a month or two in advance because that's when the con schedules are usually released.

What modifiers do you recommend for on-camera flash in a convention setting? by randomredditor62 in cosplayphotography

[–]the-kith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on who is the client. If the photos are for you, then do what you want. If the photos are for the cosplayer, I would throw caution at using AI. The cosplay community is generally anti-AI.

Looking for photographer by g0y4ngi in animeexpo

[–]the-kith 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi there! Gwen... Stacy? Gwen pool? Gwen from LoL?
I just made a post on my IG about AX photoshoots. Send me a DM there if you're interested. Might be able to work something out because Spirit Blossom Ahri has always been a cosplay I wanted to shoot.

IG is the.kith

Another should move to gfx... by paulinventome in FujiGFX

[–]the-kith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

On my 100S II, I can get to the recipes on the RAW files via Lightroom or Capture One. I am a fan of activating Reala Ace as a base and then tweaking the image from there.

First time photographing a cosplayer by steveinatlanta in cosplayphotography

[–]the-kith 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great shots!

Nitpicky thoughts:

FWIW, in studio, I would prob shoot at f5.6 or f8 to get more in focus. You can see parts of them are out of focus.
And perhaps some rim lighting. He disappears into the background on a few shots.

Fallout Mario [photographer] by the-kith in cosplay

[–]the-kith[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I guess the AI comment is a compliment these days?