CITIZEN ERASED

Life has been a struggle for me the past almost-two years, but I was able to make it to our local renaissance faire. I left extremely early due to the heat, but it was nice to be a part of something for a bit.

The last Fanime was two years ago 😮

Jakurai: tem_cakes Hifumi: @sadonishi Doppo: raikacospon

More Fanime memories, with some Tales of Xillia friends

Jude: @herogenkaku Milla: tem_cakes Leia: @lightofhope18 Alvin: @sadonishi

Psycho-Pass date with @wiredclover, from Fanime

I’ve been thinking about doing self shoots. Any advice?

Thought I’d make a separate post for this! I’m sure others might do things differently, but here are my main considerations.

Having a tripod is a must. Even if you’re using just a phone, there are inexpensive tripods for phones. A small one you need to set on a table can still let you be hands-free and provide more angle options.

Many advanced digital cameras have remote control options, and I believe most phones nowadays have a voice command option for the shutter. Check all options that can let you shoot from your pose before relying on the classic 10-sec timer while you walk back and forth.

Set up your area + camera before wearing cosplay! Try to minimize the amount of time you are in makeup or a possibly uncomfortable outfit. For the set above I moved sofas and lamps around at home, and while Yu’s outfit isn’t too warm, it’s still better to do any furniture moving beforehand to keep your costume free from unnecessary dirt or wrinkles, and not look sweaty or uncomfortable in your pictures.

Adding on to the above, if you’re using an actual camera, you can get settings adjusted beforehand. If you have another human in your household you can ask them to step into your planned shot for you to test pictures or check lighting. I didn’t have anyone with me so I did more adjusting while shooting myself.

Having large backdrops (which I don’t atm) can help for full-body shots, but it depends how much you care about how much home is showing. Of course “any background can be Photoshopped out” but there’s a large consideration of how time consuming and impractical it can be, and how unnatural it can look if you don’t have a good starting point. I’m personally not a fan of background editing without a green screen or a solid background.

Portrait shots are easier to do without backdrops, since even a small corner of your home can be much less conspicuous. (Yu’s photoset was in front of curtains, and Samatoki’s in front of backyard door and step.)

Practicing self-shooting portraits during these strange times, part 2

Practicing self-shooting portraits during these strange times

Guren (me) and Shinya (tem_cakes)

Pokemon GO! Only one of us matches our actual team, but we needed all three leaders.

Candela: @sadonishi​ Blanche: tem_cakes Spark: @aftersong

Our prom pictures from the ball at Fanime 2018. Pretty much sums up our shenanigans that year.

Cardia: @lightofhope18 Lupin: @tomoyoichijouji Frankenstein: @herogenkaku Van Helsing: @sadonishi Saint-Germain: tem_cakes Special guest appearance Yuri Katsuki: @karukaikashi

Sakura Con may be cancelled but we are still the champions.

Jakurai: tem_cakes Hifumi: @sadonishi Doppo: raikaorapon

We were reminiscing about what festive pics we’ve done in the past, and one of them was APH’s magic duo / fairy pair. Merry Christmas!

England: @herogenkaku Norway: @sadonishi

FYI Jakurai outdrank Hifumi too afterwards...

When Hifumi and Sensei surprise Doppo straight out of work. Happy Birthday to Doppo, may you get all the sleep you need! ... After drinking lots first!

Jakurai: tem_cakes  Hifumi: @sadonishi  Doppo: raikacospon

Photos by jimbitts, decorations by Rai, cake made by Tem, and I contributed booze and liquids 😂