Photoshoots! Part One

So. One my new years resolutions was to do more with the section of this blog that wasn't just me making cosplays for myself. Well, here it is! The first thing I'm going to do is talk about photoshoots. This post is going to be an intro to photoshoots--photoshoots basically starting off as a cosplayer with no money and no one to photograph you. (FYI: You are going to have to bare with me through this post as I couldn't find my tripod and took these photos with no intention to put them on this blog and changed my mind at the last second by telling myself, "Why not? You haven't posted anything in a while--you might as well." When I originally put gray makeup all over my face it was just to amuse myself and my friends--not the internet as well. Yeah.)

PHOTOSHOOTS LEVEL ONE:
These can be described as you finishing a piece of your cosplay, or the wig came in, etc. and you instantly want to share it with everyone so you throw it on not caring what anything around you (or even you yourself) looks like and quickly take a photo and upload it to your computer. For examples of these types of "photoshoots" look at most of my previous blog posts.

PHOTOSHOOTS LEVEL TWO:
These are also just selfies but they differ from level one because this time, you are showing your complete costume to the world (not just a part you have acquired). An example of these photoshoots would be the post before this one titled, "The Underwater Hemisphere." In it Danni is using level two photoshoot techniques.

PHOTOSHOOTS LEVEL THREE:
These photos are the photos taken of you by random people you meet at a convention. You're in character in your complete costume, but the setting isn't right as there are tons of other characters from other fandoms swarming around you. (Also, the badges... and the carpeting...) If you click on the "About Me" tab above, you will see a picture of me cosplaying as Rei Ayanami at Anime Boston 2013 in a level three photoshoot.

PHOTOSHOOTS LEVEL FOUR:

Okay. Here's where I may differ from the obvious. To create a level four photoshoot, you want to have your own back drop (so that your audience isn't focused on how messy your room is instead of you). If you draped a solid-colored sheet or blanket over a door, wall, railing, etc., you will automatically find that your photos look more professional. If you use a tripod and set your camera on a timer, you can even make it look as if you had your photo taken. Although I couldn't find my tripod, here are some photos of me with a solid background and I hope that you all can see how much of a difference it makes to my photos. (Also, don't mind the fact that every piece of dust in the world appears to be on my mirror right now. *takes out cleaning supplies*)















As opposed to this. Which can probably be considered a level 0.5 photoshoot. The backdrop really does make a difference. Well, I hope this post helps you improve your cosplay photos a little but if it didn't, there are more photoshoot levels coming soon! (Yay!) And with that, MadDog out!










PS--I'm not working specifically on a Homestuck cosplay at this time--I was just goofing off with makeup that I had, a random wig that I had, and some horns that I had previously made for my own amusement. However, if you all want to see a Homestuck cosplay, I can make that happen (they seem pretty simple to make). Hey, suggestions in general, shoot me an email at wickedcosplay@yahoo.com or leave a comment below. Thanks!

Zip-Lock Bag Storage

Many people have actually asked me how to store cosplays because they don't for example, have enough closet space. (And let's be honest, once you make one, the pile on your floor will just get bigger.) Well, stop your searching because I have an answer! :D Zip-lock bags. I have found that the easiest way to store cosplays is by taking a big freezer bag, folding your cosplay up so that it will fit into the bag, fitting it into the bag, and then closing it and chucking it in a bin (that you then proceed to shove under your bed or something). Also, if you take the ten extra seconds that you need to label the bag, finding it again becomes a lot easier. (Like, a lot--especially for those of you make different outfits for the same character.) Yes, this means that you will have to iron your cosplay when you take it out again to wear but that is a small price to pay as ironing your cosplay makes you look better anyway.
At the moment, I cannot help you all with storing weapons and other huge props as I really don't do that. If any of you were to walk into my room right now, you would assume that I was a weird flamboyant assassin or something. (And you'd have to be careful as well because some of my weapons are real. This is me talking to random friends all the time: "Put those hook swords down right now before you slice your arm off. And don't you think about picking up that katana! No, not that one, that one--the other one!!!" Facepalm. Why do I even try?) My advice for weapons and just props in general is to find a corner for them or if you have the luxury of not having only one room, find a place that people don't go when they come over and stockpile props there. (If you have a tiny prop and it will fit, just put it in the bag with your main outfit.)
Moving on! You can generally put wigs in bags too unless they are ridiculously styled. If you have for example, a Yu-Gi-Oh wig, you are probably just going to have to  put it with your stockpile of props if you don't want it destroyed.
For makeup specific to a certain character, you can just put that in the bag too. Same with smaller pairs of shoes. If you are dealing with huge thigh-high boots or something, store them wherever you put your normal shoes. (That's what works best for me.) I hope this post was helpful and I shall leave you with a few examples of bag labels. MadDog out! :D

Name of character
Series, franchise, etc.
Outfit
Extra

Riza Hawkeye
Fullmetal Alchemist (Brotherhood)
Military uniform

Beast Boy
Teen Titans
Body suit
Green body paint

Madoka Kaname
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Magical girl outfit

More on How to Get Started

I'm putting up this post because I lot of you may be saying, "I've done steps one through four (of "Where do I Even Start?!") but how do I do step five?! You're telling me to start but I don't know how to!" Calm down. Here's what you do:

1) Order a wig.
Or acquire a wig or whatever, just make sure that you have a wig coming. Even if it's not coming in for a while, just get the ordering done and out of the way. For more information on where to buy wigs, Please Click Here. For more information on wigs in general, Please Click Here.
2) Make the hardest part of your outfit.
Just do it. If you get it over with, then you won't have to worry about it anymore and after making something hard, you'll be more confident in finishing the rest of your outfit. Right now, I'm working on a Devit cosplay (for more info on my own projects, Please Click Here) and I know that his pants are going to be the hardest part of his outfit. So I'm doing them first. Get. It. Over. With.
3) Make your character's prop(s).
(If your character doesn't have a prop, disregard this section.) Props can be very hard. But don't be discouraged because most props can be made out of everyday materials. Their real downfall is: they can take a lot of time. Waiting for things to dry can be very annoying and this means that making a prop can take a few days. However, you still don't want to rush or you are just going to have a crappy prop. Instead make sure that if your prop has a lot of pieces or is gigantic or both, that you make sure you have time set aside for drying paint and glue and things (not just build time). Most props can be made out of things like cardboard (cheep, easy, good looking) but you can really use anything if it looks right. And remember, there is a lot of experimentation in making props and the more you make, the better you'll get at it.

After you've done these three things, you can calmly go about getting your makeup, making other pieces of your outfit, styling your wig, and all that good stuff. I hope this makes your cosplaying adventure easier. And now... COMING SOON: How to Make a Cosplay Sword! (I'm doing this as an example of how to use an easy and cheap technique to make a simple prop.) MadDog out!

Click Here to see part one of how to make a Stocking sword--as it is now completed.

"Where do I Even Start?!"

I here this phrase all the time. (Like, all. The freaking. Time.) And really the answer is, you just have to jump in. You can watch a PowerPoint on how to swim but you are never going to learn unless jump into the water. End of story. However, these are a few things I do to help get me started on each project.

1) Pick an event.
If I have a timeline, or even just a deadline, I can always work better and more efficiently because I'll know when things need to be done by. Also, if I preregister for a convention, like I usually do, there is no going back.
2) Pick a character.
Just do it. Don't "think about it" for two months--just decide. Also, If this is you first cosplay, I highly recommend picking a character with a simple design/outfit/etc. (To learn about altering everyday clothing for cosplay, Please Click Here.) Take it or leave it but if you take it, you will be thanking me later.
3) Reference pictures.
Reference pictures, reference pictures, reference pictures! I don't know how many times I can say it. (Probably a lot more. XD) The last thing that you want to be saying is something along the lines of "How is this supposed to look from the back?" when you are already done making whatever it is that you are talking about. So Google some pictures. (It really isn't that hard in the great scheme of things.)
4) Make a visual checklist.
Draw/print a picture of your character and label all of the parts you need to make/buy/acquire/etc. I even have a board filled with info that I need on upcoming characters I'm going to cosplay as.
5) Get started and have fun!
I know your probably looking at this like, "Really?" but you don't want to fall victim to procrastination. Don't be that person who makes their outfit a week before the con! (Unless you and your friends are all doing it as some sort of challenge or whatever; then it's okay, I guess.) And remember to always make sure you are having fun. If you are stressing out big time, just remember that we are all a bunch of geeks just being extra geek-y when we are at a con. This is no need for stress. Have some fun, darn it! :)

My cosplay board (or rather, four boards...) and a typical visual checklist: