✩Hexlord

Ryeain:
Hexlord, I bet some of you guys have already know him through DA. Yup, I've been following on his cosplay photography too waaaaay before I started cosplay. Have always been loving the way he capture close up potrait photos. Love how he always plays with lights and shadows to create a suitable atmospher for the character.

✩Hexlord✩

.deviantart . daportfolio . multiply.

Ryea: What type of camera do you use in capturing those awesome photos?

In the past I was using the Panasonic LC43, the FZ30 and the Nikon D80.

Currently I use the Nikon D300s, with a compliment of lenses ranging from an ultra-wide zoom lens (11-16mm f2.8 Tokina) to a telephoto lens (70-300mm Nikkor f4-5.6). I also use prime lenses, consisting of the 35mm, 50mm and 85mm for most of my works.


Ryea: What inspires you to start photography?

I started out in photography after attending some of the Singapore cosplay events back in 2003-2004. After being invited to some of the photoshoots during that period of time by friends, I decided that it is not too bad to pick up a camera and learn a few things. :)

Also, with the advent of amazing things produced by cosplayers, what better way to showcase their works other than photography?


Ryea: What makes you to continue in photography with passion?

The world of photography is very vast. There's a lot to learn, things to explore... the possibilities are endless.

It is like chess, easy to learn but hard to master. For cosplay, there are also new series to encounter.

And in the process of learning more about photography, I can make new friends, travel the world, and experience new things!


Ryea: Which is your most satisfied/favorite shot so far?

The Puppet IV - I quite like it because of her outfit, the background that I have chosen, as well as the umbrella that she used. Red is nice too.
Burst Angel Broken Wings
Nunnally Her Endless Dreams
Sandplay Miku
The Moon King II
The Lone Wolf II
The World is his Stage


Ryea: Which photo you've taken is the most challenging to you? why?

My most challenging shot so far would be this shot The Tale of Odin's Daughter because of the extreme lighting condition presented to me during that time. Also, because of the strong wind it is not that easy for my friend to keep still!


Ryea: What aspect do you think that you have improved a lot since you started photography?

In the past I tend to be 'trigger happy' in taking photos and love to spend a lot of time behind the computer to 'fix' up the shots. Nowadays, I try to get it right during the photo taking stage, doing a bit of touch up at the post-processing stage.

I also have a better understanding of how light works, both natural and artificial, as well as the equipments used to achieve the effects required.


Ryea: What's your goal achievement in photography?

To make memories, to make people laugh, to inspire others to do better. I also wish to present cosplay photography as a serious genre, not as something that is easily dismissed by the rest of the photography community.


Ryea: Who do you look up to or inspires you?

Here are some of the people that inspires me, which by no means exhaustive.

John Raddell Rankin: http://rankin.co.uk/
Nick Brandt: http://www.nickbrandt.com/
Colin Bell: http://www.colinbellphoto.com/
Steve McCurry: http://www.stevemccurry.com/


Ryea: Any advise to those are new starter or interested in photography?

Never to be intimidated, to always learn from mistakes, and to practice often. There's really no special magic to it, everybody can learn and improve in their own photography!


Ryea: In your opinion, what defines a photo as an average photo and an awesome photo?

An average photo, is a photo that can be well taken in every technical aspect. It can even have a momentary wow factor, an instant gratifiying feeling.

But an awesome photo, to me, is something people can remember for years to come. Such a photo, defines the photographer who takes it, and goes beyond the mainstream. It can be unique, it can even be a shot that is not techically perfect. In short, a photo that can tell a thousand words (or tales).


Ryea: Lastly, what do you think about Let's Cosplay this site?

It is a nice site that showcases some of the most amazing cosplays around, with balanced coverage featuring the photographers too. I hope to see the site grow from strength to strength in the near future.


Thanks a lot, Hexlord !!~

✩Pu Kwong

Ryeain:
Always creates the best atmosphere for his photos with the angles, colours and composition.
TTGL: Nia x Simon, real love that he uses blue as the back light as it brings the whole soft yet strong atmosphere.
Yuna_2, I'm moved by this photo, the scene is exactly touching. The colour, the photo coordination is just perfect ! *lovelove
Can't deny that his still life photography is equally fascinating, you guys should check them out!

✩Pu Kwong✩

.deviantart . blog . yamblog.

Ryea: What type of camera do you use in capturing those awesome photos?

Early(Mid 2007) I was using canon 350D, which is my sister camera, start off with 50mm f1.8 and 18-55mm kitlens and lately bought 85mm f1.8. Used it until 2009(June), return back to my sister, and saved enough money for my 1st own DSLR camera which is nikon D90. Now it pair with 35mm f1.8 , 18-105mm and 50mm f1.4D.


Ryea: What inspires you to start photography?

During college years, I have photography class for Basic of what is photography. And I was amazed by Lecturer photography, it can capture beyond human eyes limit, is like an art to me. So, I started to get interested in photography ( Mid 2007 ). During End of 2007 year, 1 of my friend is cosplayer ( Roxanne ), she brought me to explore the cosplay event at Taylor College 2007, and where everything related to cosplay passion started there !!


Ryea: What makes you to continue in photography with passion?

From the beginning, I was amazed by cosplay photography, as the beauty of the costume itself simply draws my attention to it 0.o~!!!! Later, I found deviantart, where I started to explore more on photography and art of course, thus it bring my passion towards photography even further until end of 2009. My sister saw my Deviantart photos and she said I should give a try still life photography, as a result, she showed me a lot of still life photography from flickr. I was totally stunned and amazed by those photography because they can just simply frame a interesting object of each shot, they art sense is simply awesome. Now my passion photography is more into still life photography while the second is cosplay photography.


Ryea: Which are your satisfied shots so far?

Digital Lomo - http://heroinekpk.deviantart.com/art/Evening-LOMO-84424097

P4 - http://album.blog.yam.com/show.php?a=lomomo&f=6553753&i=11103269&p=1

Ciel - http://heroinekpk.deviantart.com/art/Ciel-107112859
(Featured in Otacool2, thanks to Hoshi for visiting our CF event)

Yuna - http://heroinekpk.deviantart.com/art/Yuna-153049420

Setsuna - http://heroinekpk.deviantart.com/art/G-00-Setsuna-146789815

Gantz - http://heroinekpk.deviantart.com/art/Gantz-190477172


Ryea: Which photo you've taken is the most challenging to you? why?

Every shoot has it own challenge, it's always a challenge to find the right angle and feeling from the heart through the image.


Ryea: What aspect do you think that you have improved a lot since you started photography?

Photography observation, is the only main thing I keep want to improve on, combining with my current passions (still life and cosplay), both side helped me improve greatly.


Ryea: What's your goal achievement in photography?

To achieve greatest photography observation, to find out my own style, sit back and let the pictures tell the stories.


Ryea: Who do you look up to or inspires you?

Mayu - ttp://www.flickr.com/photos/mayu_/

Lefty - http://www.flickr.com/photos/12142152@N04/

ditteisager - http://www.ditteisager.dk/

miki - http://www.flickr.com/photos/rocamiki/

others are behance.net and deviantart.com


Ryea: Any advise to those are new starter or interested in photography?

If you like take pictures, it is good to understand the basic of photography(operate your camera, art sense, aperture, shutter, and other...). Without understanding well on basic things, you may not able to enjoy your photography. Every master out there will sure tell the same, master your basic photography. Everything is about the person behind the camera, not the gears. Unless you found out there is limitation on your gears for yours shooting...then only invest on the gears.


Ryea: In you opinion, an artistic eye or the camera equipments and gadgets, which is much more needed in creating a wonderful shot?

Camera equipments and gadgets do help to creating a wonderful shots in certain situation, example like night photography, fireworks and wild life. But, the one will create wonderful shot still the person behind the gears, because that person control everything to create that very moment wonderful shot.


** Question from Zeratul :
Cosplay photography is not main stream photography, what actually makes you truly think its worth your time and effort in doing it? What kind of returns are you looking at?

In photography world, there are many type of photography, each of it have it's own reward in return, like cosplay photography is one of the many type photography, I can't says is it 100% worth my time, but I will says it worth to shoot. I learnt many new things through cosplay shoot. Whether is it worth or not, the comparison between my earlier cosplay photgraphy and the currents ones, it tells the answer. Each cosplay shooting, I will set a goal for myself and I will take it as a challenge for myself to produce nice cosplay photos. In return, I gain much improvement on my photography observation, must feel gratitude to the one who bring me to cosplay world.


Lastly, what do you think about Let's Cosplay this blog?

Well, it is an interesting site to share a person feelings and thoughts. I'm sure many wish to know how others feelings and thoughts, good job site~~~.


Thank you so much PK!!~

✩Itismoi

Ryeain:

Movement. This is what I always sees in his photos. Bringing the characters as if in motion and alive. Love it !

Inscense - my favorite shot, the flow of this photo is captured beautifully.
Different attempt can be seen and he does improved a lot!! *thumbsup

✩ ITISMOI ✩

.flickr . deviantart . blog.

Ryea: What type of camera do you use in capturing those awesome photos?

Canon 350D, an old dslr camera that i bought about 6 years ago. I am so accustomed to it that it feels like i am not holding anything when i shoot. Sometimes i use my brother's film camera Canon EOS 300.

28mm and 50mm prime lens. I like wide angle lens because it forces one to be close to the subject, encouraging more interactions.


Ryea: What makes you to continue in photography with passion?

Looking at other people photographs and felt that "hey that is one way of looking at things" The unique and sensitive vision and eye of another photographer motivate me to seek my own.

The smiles of cosplayers when they look at the photos i took.


Ryea: Which is your most satisfied/favorite shot so far?

Well to me there is no favorite or best single shot. However there are certain photoshoots that i feel i have achieved something, like Honey and Clover, Mikuo and Ruki, Mori Girl, Sheryl Jamming and Kasuga.


Ryea: Which photo you've taken is the most challenging to you? why?

Every shoot has its own challenge. It is always challenging to tell a story through an image.


Ryea: What aspect do you think that you have improved a lot since you started photography?

First will be relationship with people though it still needs more improvement. I am introspective person who is often lost in thoughts in the inner world. Photography also trains me to observe more of the outside world.


Ryea: What's your goal achievement in photography?

To find out more about myself. A famous photographer once said "Every photo one made is a self portrait." The kind of subject matter one choose, the feeling the photographs evokes, actually tells more about the person taking the photo. Cosplay photography wise, sometimes it tells you how the photographer interpret the character he is shooting.


Ryea: Who do you look up to or inspires you?

Takashi Homma for his nonchalant style at taking tokyo landscape and teenagers.
Mika Ninagawa for bringing out the youthfulness and sweetness of girls.
Rinko Kawauchi for her observation of ordinary objects and natural phenomena.
Glen LuchFord for his cinematic lightings.
Hybridre for her take at cosplay photography.


Ryea: Any advise to those are new starter or interested in photography?

Ask yourself "Is it the camera gadgets that motivate you more or photography itself?" There is nothing wrong being a collector of gadgets but the interest in the act of photography itself will bring you a long way.


Ryea: Lastly, what do you think about Let's Cosplay this blog?

Great site to read more about fellow cosplayers and photographers thoughts that you cant find in other sites.

Thanks Itismoi !!~

✩Zerartul

Ryeain :
A photographer that I'll always keep myself updated with his latest works. Always on the go for experimenting different styles, different angle and others *thumbsup

Plus, I'm totally fascinated too by the backgrounds that he includes in his most of his works.

It seems that the background combination does works well in every shots and in the end gives an awesome impact on the photo itself. Do check out his gallery for more!^^

✩ ZERARTUL ✩

.deviantart.

photos by Zerartul

Ryea: What type of camera do you use?

Started off with a Canon 300D, then 40D and finally 5DMk2. I use mainly prime lens of 24mm F1.4 and 50mm F1.4. They allow capture of low depth photography that works great for portraits. I also utilize a 70-200 F2.8 lens for compression of background. Ultimate the greatest difference lies in my love for the low light and night scenes which are somewhat different from the usual bright and vibrant which is something 5D mk2 can deliver.


Ryea: What inspires you to start photography?

My passion for technology. I started of photography not as a form of art, but as a love of high tech equipment lol. It slowly turned into something I enjoyed doing.


Ryea: What makes you continue in photography with passion?

I like to do photography as it allows me to keep track of memories and time. The occasion complements also keep my passion going really and of course some of the fantastic photo that turns out.


Ryea: Which is your most satisfied/favorite shot so far?

Its the latest but also something I am highly satisfied in a some time.


Ryea: Which photo you've taken is the most challenging to you? why?

Almost no light and photography is all about light!


Ryea: What aspect do you think that you have improved a lot since you started photography?

Mainly in looking for possibilities and imagining it. Imaging in the mind of what you expect to achieve. Photography is all about imagination and of course putting them into action and through experience this is one of the best thing that can be gained.


Ryea: What's your goal achievement in photography?

To take many nice picture, file them up and enjoy them for many years to come lol. I keep an A3 file for them and love it everytime I flip those huge pages. To me the greatest achievement is to look at those picture and say: Yes this is what I took!


Ryea: Who do you look up to or inspires you?

I dont really look up to anyone. To start with I came from an engineering background. What inspire me are not people, but the work that are produced. If anything, Hollywood movies inspire me most lol.


Ryea: Any advise to those are new starter or interested in photography?

Pick up the basics before anything. Read, observe and try is the best way to fortify those basics. With the basics done, imagination(and your equipment of course) is your boundary.


Question from Hybridre :
Have you been asked to imitate or copy another photo or fanart? If so, what do you think of it and what would you do?

Yes. It is common to be ask to follow such shots. However many a time, its impossible to actually replicate those shots really. Artworks do not follow the nature of physics usually. However I will still try to achieve as close of a feel to the artwork as possible.


Thanks Zerartul!! ~

✩Hybridre

Ryeain :
Serious love for Hybridre photography style!~
Love how every photo is fulled with story and emotions, as if the character come to live.
Day and Night shoots are captured spectacularly and angles are of course perfectly captured too.
Indeed a very young age with great achievements, can I say it's talent? but yes, behind those awesome photographs does lies a whole long journey of learning process.I fav more than a single shoot in the gallery.. you guys should really take a look !!!
Oh ya, a great cosplayer too =D

✩ HYBRIDRE ✩

deviantart . blog

photos by hybridre

Ryea : What type of camera do you use in capturing those awesome photos?

I mainly use my cannon 400D
with a lens and a 50mm 1.8 lens, sometimes my friend 4j would borrow me a 16-35mm2.8 or 12-24mm4.5 lens, I'm totally a wide angle fan XD


Ryea : What inspires you to start photography?

The eager to capture the touching moments of my friends.


Ryea : What makes you to continue in photography with passion?

The achievement of bringing those surreal characters into reality,
words can't express my joy when I managed to restore my favorite works with the right composition, lighting and location setting.
Besides, cosplay is a good way to deepen the relationship with my pals, we had great fun and knew each other better at the same time.


Ryea : Which is your most satisfied/favorite shot so far?

I have to say there're many shots I love but it's difficult to pick out the best one.
I tried different styles according to the works and it's impossible for me to compare between totally different things. I may want to leave this question to you guys XD


Ryea : Which photo you've taken is the most challenging? why?

The experience of taking BACCANO shoot, upon a real train at night.
And shooting APH battles, within a heavy snow are probably the most impressive memories for m, both are under very very tough environment and there wasn't any thoughts in my brain at that time, I just pressed the shutter on instinct. It was great fun though~

Ryea : What's your goal achievement in photography?

Keep creating something new and interesting~


Ryea : Who do you look up to or inspires you?

www.pixiv.net - you can fild all styles of pictures in this site
Dogs by Shirow Miwa - I learn a lot from the storyboard, the special angles, how to shoot fighting scenes, etc. I feel my soul and aesthetic sense resonate to the work in many ways.


Ryea : Any advise to those new starter or interested in photography?

Try as many ways to take photos as possible, and own one or two distinct style~
Step out of your comfort zone, delete those exposure correctly and composed steadily but flat and dull photos. Editing is important too.


Ryea : Lastly, what do you think about Let's Cosplay this blog?

It's like a magazine about cosplay to me, it's trilling for me to be featured XD


Thanks Hybridre !! ~