C3 Chara Expo 2016 returned to Singapore after its inaugural success last year, for another 2-day Japanese manga, anime, games and cosplay event, held 9 and 10 July 2016 at Hall 7 of Singapore EXPO. In this article, I will introduce several photographers who were spotted at the event honing their photography skills and having a great time at the same time.
Have a shot at photography
At the event, Canon Singapore had arranged for attendees to try out some of their latest DSLR cameras, such as the EOS 7D Mark II and the EOS 80D, sporting EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM lenses, and even an L-series telephoto zoom lens, the EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM. Attendees were invited to try their hand at shooting the action of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling matches and printing their best images at the Canon booth for free.
This year's Chara Expo again drew large numbers of visitors.
At the Canon Experience Booth, visitors are trying their hand at shooting the action of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling matches.
NJPW wrestler BUSHI about to put a camel clutch on David Finlay.
Additionally, visitors were encouraged to have their own pictures taken with the popular EOS M10 compact system camera and printed with SELPHY and PIXMA printers at the Canon Booth.
Canon booth ladies showing the printed pictures of the day thus far.
The Canon booth, featuring SELPHY and PIXMA printers for visitors to print their pictures.
Developing photography skills through (cos)play
Canon was well represented at C3 Chara Expo 2016 with the majority of attending photographers using Canon gear to shoot their subject of the day: cosplayers and their amazing work.
From using entry-level DSLR cameras with kit lenses to full frame DSLR cameras equipped with various L-lenses, photographers of all ages were having a great time exploring the extent of the imaging abilities of their cameras as well as their own photography skills.
“Reliving the moments”
EOS 5D Mark III/ EF50mm f/1.8 II/ FL: 50mm/ Manual (f/2.5, 1/200 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto. Photo by Vincent Ong.
Vincent Ong shoots with his EOS 5D Mark III. He prefers to use his 50mm f/1.8 II lens for the weight, as it allows him to “shoot the whole day without much strain”.
Shooting cosplay is a way for him "to relive the moments", as he was an avid fan of anime. He mentions that during his shoots "the individual cosplayers striking their varied poses are the focus", and that he does his best “to let them shine”.
Vincent Ong enjoys birding as well as the occasional landscape photography, apart from shooting cosplay portraiture.
“See my favorite characters come to life”
EOS 70D/ EF-S18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS/ FL: 18mm (29mm equivalent)/ Manual (f/3.5, 1/400 sec, EV±0)/ ISO 250/ WB: Auto. Photo by Ji Ying Jie.
Ji Ying Jie likes her Canon EOS 70D because of its Wi-Fi function, as well as its fast auto-focus. The range of the EF-S18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS allows her to zoom in on her subject, as well as take wide-angle shots when needed.
She enjoys shooting cosplay because she “can see her favorite characters come to life” and she “tries to catch their vivid emotions and their actions in the same way as the original”.
Ji Ying Jie enjoys standing in front of the camera as much as behind the camera, being a cosplayer herself.
“Great subjects for photography”
EOS 7D Mark II/ EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM/ FL: 70mm (114mm equivalent)/ Aperture Priority AE (f/2.8, 1/250 sec, EV±0.3)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto. Photo by Ng Siang Peng. Cosplay by Muzi.
Ng Siang Peng was found shooting with his EOS 7D Mark II. He likes the range of his lens of the day, the EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, as he "can use it for portrait as well as far off".
Fascinated by the costumes and accessories worn by cosplayers, he finds “they make great subjects for photography”. When shooting cosplay, he said he "simply wants to capture the most beautiful shot of the cosplayer, for the cosplayer".
Ng Siang Peng enjoys nature photography, and in particular bird photography, when he is not shooting cosplay.
“Recreate their aura”
EOS 700D/ EF- S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM/ FL: 18mm (29mm equivalent)/ Manual (f/3.5, 1/200 sec, EV±0.0)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto. Photo by Taku Motoji. Cosplay by Erise Zy.
Taku Motoji was spotted using his EOS 700D with EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens, including two off-camera strobes on stands with umbrella.
He likes his EOS 700D because he "can play with different kinds of settings". As he engages in a shooting session with cosplayers, he highlighted he "wants to portray the character's personality and recreate their aura".
Taku Motoji likes creating cosplay props and practicing cosplay poses on his off days for guiding his models during his shoots.
“Capture the character's temperament”
EOS-1D X/ EF50mm f/1.8 STM/ FL: 50mm/ Manual (f/2.8, 1/160 sec, EV±0.0)/ ISO 100/ WB: Auto. Photo by ChangshinVona (The White CosArt). Cosplay by Brenda Chan.
The White CosArt, a group of photographers active in the cosplay photography scene, were spotted sharing various cameras and lenses, such as an EOS 7D Mark II, an EOS 6D, with an EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
One of the photographers, ChangshinVona, who uses an EOS-1D X, states that "cosplay can bring those anime characters into the real world". Therefore, when shooting cosplay the group seeks "to capture the character's temperament" and "the concretization of a particular character in real life".
The White CosArt is a group of photographers who enjoy capturing cosplayers and their myriad of character depictions in their spare time.
“Bring the virtual into reality”
EOS 6D/ EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM/ FL: 33mm/ Manual (f/2.8, 1/100 sec, EV±0.0)/ ISO 800/ WB: Auto. Photo by Chen Ming Wei. Cosplay by Murasaki Hime.
Chen Ming Wei prefers to shoot manual using his current camera, an EOS 6D, and his prized EF24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens, which he says "looks cool, solid, and is multi-purpose".
He likes to capture cosplay in a unique way, and wants to "bring the virtual into reality" in his photos, which "can be challenging". He highlights that working with cosplayers "makes the photoshoot and end results very fun".
Chen Ming Wei likes to chat and share with cosplayers the photos he took, or plan for the next photoshoot, when he is not shooting their pictures.
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