The Photography of Angelwing: Anime Matsuri 2011
Anime Matsuri is an anime & Japanese pop culture convention taking place annually in Houston, Texas. Nerd Caliber had the privilege to interview one of Texas’ talented photographers, Angelwing, who through her photography showcases some of the best cosplays that have appeared at Anime Matsuri 2011. A fan of RPG video games, Angelwing discovered and began to participate in cosplay in 2003 which led her to photography in 2005. Nerd Caliber interviewed Angelwing about her unique camera eye and her work at Anime Matsuri.
Share with us how you first got involved with cosplay culture and photography. What videogame inspired you the most?
It was back in the middle of my junior year of high school that I first learned about cosplay. I didn’t think about cosplaying at first because of the boundaries I‘d have to overcome. I didn’t have any sewing or crafting experience, but eventually the more photos I looked at of the costumes of cosplayers it inspired me to take up that challenge. As far as photography goes, it was because of cosplay that I became a photographer. At my first convention, Ushicon 3 (2004), in Austin, Texas, I had my photo taken in my Rinoa cosplay by Kyle of Cosplay.com. I was really knock-out amazed by the quality of the photo after looking at it online, and from then on I had put in the back in my mind that I needed to get a DSLR camera. But back then, I only thought of solely using it for my friends’ and my cosplay pictures. I wanted to learn the basics of photography so I took a Black and White Photography class in the spring of 2006 at my college. I went to the pawn shop not knowing what brand of camera to get, but the best deal they had was on a Canon Film SLR and I have pretty much stuck with that brand since then. I had such a great experience and so much fun taking that class. I was inspired by my instructor’s stories and photos and it made me desire to use my camera for all different subjects. That summer of 2006 I finally saved up enough money to buy my Canon Rebel XT, my first DSLR. I really admired the photos of other cosplay photographers that I saw at the first two Ikkicon anime conventions (2007 and 2008) in Austin, Texas, especially those of Sky Pirate (www.skypirate.net/). I started wanting to take pictures of cosplayers. It wasn’t until San Japan 2.x (2009) in San Antonio, TX that I had built up enough confidence in myself to start. Since then, I have been going to conventions more frequently than I ever had in the past to take pictures of cosplayers.
Ever since I can remember, videogames had always been a part of my life. I got into Japanese anime in my 7th grade middle school year, but there has been no series that has inspired me more than Final Fantasy. I really can’t pick out an individual game though. Most of my finished cosplays and some of my future dream cosplays are from this series. I fell in love with the characters, gameplay and the storylines of these games as each one came out starting with the very first Final Fantasy that I played on the NES when I was a little 5 year old back in 1991.
The convention you recently worked on, tell me about your experience there compared to other cons. Did you have a good time and why? What was your worst and/or best experience at this con?
Anime Matsuri in Houston, TX took place March 18-20 last month. For this con, I took on a lot more photoshoots than I normally do. I usually average about 10-12 a con, but I did 23 in total at this one. It kept me pretty tied up most of the convention. I prefer to do on-location photoshoots and set up times to meet cosplayers at the con before the convention starts. It is my preference to do this type rather than spend a few minutes taking several shots of hall cosplayers, because I like the idea of spending 45 minutes to an hour with a cosplayer or a group. It’s a more personal level that way and you have time to wander to different locations in and out of the hotel for different spots for pictures. Compared to many other conventions I’ve attended, this particular hotel did not have a whole lot to offer as far as different backgrounds. I found myself going to the same several locations where as other convention hotels I’ve been to had a whole more variety and way more pretty areas to offer. I still had an awesome time because I got to meet new people and take pics of friends I’ve made in the past by doing these shoots. I’d say my best experience is always meeting new people. I was excited to find out that Anime Matsuri 2012 will be at the previous location in The Woodlands, Texas, because it is definitely one of the most beautiful place I’ve been to for an anime convention.
What were some of the challenges you faced in your shoots?
The challenge I face the most in my shoots is trying to get the light as pleasing as I can on the cosplayer. I use a Gary Fong lightsphere , a light diffuser, on top of my external flash (Canon 430EX). This takes a bit of trial and error especially if we are switching locations and going from outside to inside because the light changes drastically. I’m not always successful on this, so when I’m back home and in editing mode I look back and think more of what I could have done to make a better shot. So each convention is more experience for me and I realize more and more each time what exactly I’m doing with my camera and flash settings. Another challenge I sometimes face in my photoshoots is trying to get the cosplayer comfortable in front of the camera. This mostly applies to those who are having a shoot with me for the first time. I try to talk about the series and character, especially if I am also a fan of it. I may ask the cosplayer if there is anything I need to watch out for on their costume that may go out of place. I suggest poses for the cosplayer according to their character. Prior to the convention I always look up references on the character for ideas for poses. During the shoot, if I see something that needs adjustments like a wig or a ribbon I let them know and I fix it for them. Altogether, I’m trying to let them know that I’m working with them as best as I can so we can have some awesome looking pictures in the end.
What camera did you use and, if you use photoshop or something similar, how did you apply it to your photos?
I use a Canon 50D. It is a mid-level entry DSLR. The software I use for my photos are Adobe Bridge CS5, Adobe Photoshop CS5, and Lightroom 2. I shoot all my photos in RAW, which is considered the digital negative. I first use the Camera RAW in Bridge to make adjustments to correct the light and color in the photo. I try to minimize noise as much as possible and enhance the colors and tones in the photo. I then bring the picture to Photoshop and the adjustments I make there typically involve touch-ups. I take out acne and blemishes and I minimize dark circles under eyes and take out anything that might be too distracting in the photo. I send the whole group of photos to Lightroom where I make my final adjustments to the light and color in the photo. Then I sent it back to Photoshop where I resize the photo and add my watermark. This makes up my usual routine to editing pics.
Did you work with any themes in your shoots?
Very rarely. I believe the only time I shot something like a theme was at Oni-con 2010 in Houston, Texas. I had a One Piece group made up of four different characters that never interacted with each other in the series. The idea was to have them all sit at a dining table and act within each character’s personality toward each other. It was hilarious to sit behind the lens and capture! I really wish we could have done a video on it. The idea was the group’s and I left it up to them in what they wanted in their shots. Most of the time my photoshoots are of the cosplayer(s) in different poses with different backgrounds.
What were your favorite pictures you shot at this latest con you went to, and why?
There were a lot this con! My cosplay photography section on my deviant art display my favorite shot from each of my photo shoots. If I had to narrow it down to 3 from the ones I took at Anime Matsuri. It would be San from Princess Mononoke, the Meryl and Johnny from MGS4, and Kirakishou from Rozen Maiden.
Cosplayer – lovelyyorange as San from Princess Mononoke
The courtyard of the hotel had this nice, pretty waterfall. Though you can hardly see the water because of the portrait style of the photo. I asked the cosplayer to open her eyes half way and snapped this shot. The lovely Kirakishou has such an intense look in her eye in this shot. Plus I really like over-the-head kind of shots.
Cosplayer – Holly Gloha as Kirakishou from Rozen Maiden
In the courtyard outside the hotel there were these steps that I thought had a nice texture to it. I asked the cosplayer to lie down and took many shots at different angles in this pose. The San photo is my most favorite probably just because of the soothing expression and light in the photo.
Cosplayers – Juongie and Brian as Meryl and Johnny from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
This group wanted some stair shots and we had a hard time at first finding an empty pair of stairs and but in the end we lucked out and stumbled upon this awesome set. Meryl and Johnny run 2nd for one because I am huge Metal Gear fan always wanting to do a MGS shoot and both just look really awesome in the photo.
Judy Escalante (aka Angelwing) and her amazing amount of work can be found at her website Falling Feathers. You can also see her deviant art page here. If you are interested in doing shoots with Angelwing you can send her an email here.
