The day one Cosplay photo sharing from Chongqing taxi comic convention is finally organized! Today's experience was a rollercoaster ride, truly fitting for a convention marathoner. Right after entering, I was chased from the first floor to the fourth, and before I could catch my breath, chased back down to the first floor. Hauling gear and changing bags back and forth completely drained my energy. Unable to handle the back-and-forth indoors, I took my lights and camera straight to the main hall, only to be assigned right next to a huge pillar in the designated photography zone. The composition couldn't even avoid it—it was exhausting enough to make one pass out on site.
The equipment I brought today was a Nikon D850 body with Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART and Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART lenses. Honestly, in crowded and background-complex venues, large-aperture prime lenses are the top choice for Convention photography, as they isolate chaotic environments well. The 50mm is great for half-body close-ups and emotional ambience, while the 35mm provides environmental context while maintaining subject presence. My light configuration today was two Godox V850III units plus a Godox AD200ProII. In Convention photography, speedlights are the soul; a single light only illuminates one side, whereas a dual-light setup creates three-dimensional rim lighting and can even overpower background light. The AD200Pro's power was more than enough indoors, working with a trigger to achieve fast-paced shoots.
I shot three different styling sets today, each with its own photographic intent. The first was an ethereal blue-and-white outfit—light blue hair paired with a water-blue crown and a white skirt spreading like clouds on the floor. Shooting this look, I relied on a V850 from a side angle to fill light at a high contrast ratio, preserving the layered textures of the skirt and delicate transparency of the lace. A low-angle shot was a great choice to elongate her posture, which, combined with holding flowers in one hand, created an ethereal, dreamy atmosphere.
The second styling was a white veil elf aesthetic, which harmonized beautifully with the convention lighting. Sheer veil fabric easily glares under top lighting, so I adjusted light positions to cast a low key light with the AD200Pro, instantly creating a sacred yet tranquil atmosphere. That praying stance with palms together complemented the low light, bringing a profound sense of serenity alongside impressive presence. There was also a profile full-body shot; amid heavy foot traffic, I quickly burst-shot the moment her veil was caught in the breeze, which, paired with her slightly raised chin, immediately brought out dynamic grace and tension.
The third styling is a personal favorite and my top recommendation for the cover: a black techwear leather coat over bright green innerwear. The striking black-and-green color clash radiates a fusion of cyberpunk and mecha aesthetics, complemented by a sharp, black geometric angular headpiece for a sleek look. The highlight of this set lies in the leather jacket's specular reflections; the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 delivered fantastic rendering, showing every leather grain and seam. This seated posture not only displayed the outfit's completeness but also stretched leg lines nicely, making the combination of tall boots and short skirt extremely eye-catching for Anime-style photography.
Although I suffered quite a bit finding locations today and ended up stuck in a "prime spot" next to a pillar, it was quite a headache. Luckily, shooting light directly inside the main hall avoided interference from background crowds. Looking at the final photos, despite extreme physical exhaustion, the distinct textures of each style shone through, leaving me feeling satisfied. Days filled with variables yet yielding great shots embody the unique charm of convention shoots. Finally, a huge thanks to all the kind and beautiful friends today who were willing to let a photographer stuck beside a pillar take their pictures.