Sorting through the Convention photos from this event is finally complete! Trying out building our own backdrop set at a convention for the first time was truly a unique experience. Shooting non-stop from start to finish today brought back that pure, authentic excitement, making me feel like I rediscovered the initial joy of attending conventions.
For this shoot, I used a Nikon D750 paired with two lenses: a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART and a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8. The zoom was used for wider scenes, while the 50mm prime captured close-ups and expressions smoothly. In terms of lighting, I brought three Yongnuo YN685 speedlights, a Godox V850III, and a Zhiyun M40, mainly aiming to test the blending effects of multi-light setups across diverse scenes. The venue lighting was very chaotic, especially the rows of overhead lights that easily disrupted the subject's lighting. However, within our custom-built set, light control became much more proactive. The white sheer fabric backdrop combined with transmitted light effectively dimmed the background and accentuated the main subject, while reflections off the floor added visual depth.
The set-building process was indeed tedious. Given the spacious area, camera positions had to be planned in advance, the drape of the backdrop curtains adjusted, and display stands checked to avoid edge-leak in frame. Although tiring, seeing the resulting images made it thoroughly worthwhile. These Convention photos encompass diverse styling aesthetics—dark techwear, vibrant combat gear, and airy dresses. Different outfits demanded distinct lighting techniques; for instance, capturing long legs and Black stockings textures required adjusting side lights to highlight sheen and leg contours. The friends on-site were incredibly cooperative, huddling before the camera or donning their costumes to bring their characters to life. Everyone was so professional with natural gazes and movements, making the shoot exceptionally smooth; without their tacit coordination, capturing this photo set would have been impossible.
The reliability of the gear ensured the smooth execution of this high-intensity Anime-style photography shoot. With dense convention crowds sometimes requiring long waits for a scene, adjusting angles and focal lengths on the fly was an essential on-site skill. From the morning opening until the evening close, it was non-stop walking, waiting, and shooting. Despite the full-body soreness, seeing the final results with unified color grading and rich detail made all the hard work worthwhile. This new setup model tested at the Wuhan Aini convention can be further refined in the future, and I look forward to presenting even more stunning cosplay shots with great lighting and shadow play.