[Wuhan ACG] Ring Universe Convention Photos Record: Anime-style photography and Reflective Floors

On April 6th, day 2 of the Ring Universe anime convention. I hadn't scheduled any high-intensity shooting plans for the day, adopting a completely slacking-off mindset instead. I spent most of the afternoon sitting in the rest area watching people pass by. I thought the yield of photos would be quite small, but I happened to run into several photographers who were fantastic at candid shots. Coupled with good preparation, we ended up with some truly classic convention photos.

The camera gear used for this shoot included a Nikon D750 body, a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 ART prime lens, and a Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens. Regarding lighting configuration, I used three YN685 units along with a Godox V850III, complemented by a Zhiyun M40 as the main fill light. With this setup, both top lighting and angled backlighting could be controlled smoothly. Since the venue floor was paved with bright, highly reflective tiles perfect for reflection compositions, the photographer specially used the wide-angle end for full-body shots, preserving both a sense of space and mirror-like reflection effects in the frame.

Honestly, the most nerve-wracking part of going to conventions isn't taking photos, but the makeup and styling itself. This time I brought several outfits in different styles—whether jackets featuring sailor suit elements or lighter Japanese daily wear, they all required considerable time adjusting wigs and fine details. The texture shown in the photos is largely credited to facial lighting: YN685 provided the key light while M40 added ambient light, carving the subject out from cluttered surroundings even in crowded exhibition halls. Those colorful backgrounds, once blurred by lens bokeh, became excellent atmospheric accents.

The atmosphere for Wuhan ACG events has always been fantastic. Although I've visited the Ring Universe venue multiple times, standing on the reflective floor feels unique every time. Sometimes sitting down to rest yields the most relaxed, natural moments—for instance, the shot holding a bouquet and the one sitting on the white carpet were spontaneous surprises caught by the photographer. Without forcing difficult poses or awkwardly trying to strike a pose, simply showing my authentic daily state made the photos look much more natural.

That afternoon right after finishing the shoot, I exported the raw files almost immediately. Seeing that costume details translated well—the cyber-style prints on the arm sleeves and hand accessories showed no severe blown-out highlights under even flash illumination—was very satisfying. Compared to direct sunlight, diffuse light inside convention halls is much better suited for showcasing cosplay outfit layering. Of course, editing convention photos takes a bit of color correction, but the overall result made me quite happy. During the shoot, the makeup artist and fellow cosplayers helping with wardrobe changes were also very patient; after all, walking around in heavy clothing all day is physically demanding.

Going to a convention to shoot alone means heavy camera gear, heavy costumes, and props; running non-stop all day might yield very few usable shots. Lowering expectations appropriately like I did can sometimes yield much better convention photos. I hope to try similar shooting combinations more in the future; bringing a softbox next time should produce even finer skin textures. I am also deeply grateful to all the TFP photographers who collaborated that day—the communication was effortless, and everyone instantly understood what shots were desired without needing lengthy explanations.