How to Take Good Cosplay Selfies
Get a camera., Choose somewhere to take the photo., Set up a stand to place your camera on., Look through the lens of your camera to see where the edges of the shot are., Choose what pose you want to do for your photo., Set the timer on your...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get a camera.
You'll be needing an actual camera for this if possible.
If you don't have a proper camera, a phone or an iPod will work just as well, but you will get a better picture quality from an actual camera.
It doesn't have to be a big, expensive one.
Just a simple digital camera will do. -
Step 2: Choose somewhere to take the photo.
It's better to fit the background to your character (can you really imagine Sherlock Holmes taking selfies in a bathroom mirror?).
If in doubt, use your back garden or a large, outdoor area as you will usually get better light outside as well as more choice of backgrounds for your shots.
Good place ideas for shots include brick walls, woods, lakes, or even simple park benches. , If you own a tripod, then that would be perfect, but if not, anything from a pile of books to a window ledge will do. , You don't want to have a beautiful photo of you in costume, but the top of your head is missing.
If the camera is too low or high, adjust it accordingly.
Also, be sure to check whether any large props will fit within the frame of the camera
- that epic scythe you made will just look like a big black stick if the blade is cropped off the top of the shot. , Something that will fit the character, for example if you are cosplaying as Naruto, perhaps make a peace sign with your fingers and pull a huge grin.
If you are cosplaying as Hermione Granger, perhaps bring a book with you and pretend to read.
Try to be as creative with poses as possible; many of the same poses are used time and time again but a unique idea will make your cosplay stand out even if the costume isn't 100% accurate. , About 10 seconds should do it, so you can get into position.
If you have a large prop to adjust or it is hard to move in your costume then you may need more time. , Remember, you don't necessarily have to be staring straight into the camera. , Some cameras have features that let you take lots of shots in quick succession automatically.
You could try setting this on your camera too, for more interesting shots. , Never use the delete button on a camera.
Digital cameras don't have a recycle bin; once you delete a photo, it will be gone for good.
It is safer to get rid of the ones you don't want on a computer so if you delete one by accident, you can retrieve it from the recycle bin. , Now, don't worry if you don't have Photoshop.
You don't need it for minor edits.
Simply left click the photo you want to edit, click 'open with' and select 'Windows Live Photo Gallery'.
Once this is open, click 'Fix' in the toolbar and then edit to your hearts content.
You can change the brightness, colouration and even straighten the angle of the photo.
You can also fix red-eye caused by staring into the flash of the camera. , -
Step 3: Set up a stand to place your camera on.
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Step 4: Look through the lens of your camera to see where the edges of the shot are.
-
Step 5: Choose what pose you want to do for your photo.
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Step 6: Set the timer on your camera.
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Step 7: Pose for the photo.
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Step 8: Once the camera has taken the shot
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Step 9: you can go and look at it.
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Step 10: Upload the pictures to your computer and delete the ones you don't care for.
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Step 11: Time to edit!
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Step 12: Congratulations
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Step 13: you now have a wonderful cosplay photo!
Detailed Guide
You'll be needing an actual camera for this if possible.
If you don't have a proper camera, a phone or an iPod will work just as well, but you will get a better picture quality from an actual camera.
It doesn't have to be a big, expensive one.
Just a simple digital camera will do.
It's better to fit the background to your character (can you really imagine Sherlock Holmes taking selfies in a bathroom mirror?).
If in doubt, use your back garden or a large, outdoor area as you will usually get better light outside as well as more choice of backgrounds for your shots.
Good place ideas for shots include brick walls, woods, lakes, or even simple park benches. , If you own a tripod, then that would be perfect, but if not, anything from a pile of books to a window ledge will do. , You don't want to have a beautiful photo of you in costume, but the top of your head is missing.
If the camera is too low or high, adjust it accordingly.
Also, be sure to check whether any large props will fit within the frame of the camera
- that epic scythe you made will just look like a big black stick if the blade is cropped off the top of the shot. , Something that will fit the character, for example if you are cosplaying as Naruto, perhaps make a peace sign with your fingers and pull a huge grin.
If you are cosplaying as Hermione Granger, perhaps bring a book with you and pretend to read.
Try to be as creative with poses as possible; many of the same poses are used time and time again but a unique idea will make your cosplay stand out even if the costume isn't 100% accurate. , About 10 seconds should do it, so you can get into position.
If you have a large prop to adjust or it is hard to move in your costume then you may need more time. , Remember, you don't necessarily have to be staring straight into the camera. , Some cameras have features that let you take lots of shots in quick succession automatically.
You could try setting this on your camera too, for more interesting shots. , Never use the delete button on a camera.
Digital cameras don't have a recycle bin; once you delete a photo, it will be gone for good.
It is safer to get rid of the ones you don't want on a computer so if you delete one by accident, you can retrieve it from the recycle bin. , Now, don't worry if you don't have Photoshop.
You don't need it for minor edits.
Simply left click the photo you want to edit, click 'open with' and select 'Windows Live Photo Gallery'.
Once this is open, click 'Fix' in the toolbar and then edit to your hearts content.
You can change the brightness, colouration and even straighten the angle of the photo.
You can also fix red-eye caused by staring into the flash of the camera. ,
About the Author
Jerry Peterson
Writer and educator with a focus on practical crafts knowledge.
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