The Munchkin's Notebook

Group Photo from Columbus Meet Up on April 7th On April 7 th  I hosted a meet up of the  Dayton-Columbus-Cincinnati Cosplay Photoshoot  group at  Chromedge Studios in Columbus.  This meet-up was more of a standard studio shoot, because the location was a basic photo studio with access to items like colored seamless paper. This was a great location for detailed cosplays and to get more of a fashion type look. I worked with all 12 cosplayers in attendance, which resulted in me shooting 265 frames. Of the 240 frames I edited 155 images and delivered 114 final images. I shot the whole meet using a light from a single off camera speed light on a light stand alternating between using an umbrella and just a bare speed light. I shot using ISO 100. My aperture varied between F4.5 to F5.0 with the most common being F4.0.  My shutter speed varied greatly from 1/20s to 1/320s with the most common speed being 1/100s.  Finally, my focal l...

On March 10th I hosted a meet up of the  Dayton-Columbus-Cincinnati Cosplay Photoshoot  group at  Urban Artifact’s Venue space which is above the taproom in an old renovated church. The venue space we used to be the main reliquary space of the church, and the taproom would be in what was the basement area. Highly recommend visiting the Urban Artifact taproom , if you like craft beers. This was the second meet up of the year for the DCC, and we had a great turn out for the event.   I shot 312 frames of which I edited 197 frames and delivered 139 final images. I shot the whole meet using a light from a single off camera speed light on a light stand with an umbrella. I shot using ISO 200. My aperture varied between F3.5 to F8.0 with the most common being F7.1.  My shutter speed varied greatly from 1/25s to 1/1250s with the most common speed being 1/250s.  Finally, my focal length varied from 18mm to 50mm, with the most common focal length...

I have delivered all photos from Katsucon 2019, so it is now time for the annual wrap up post.    This year was a little different, because they made the convention a closed convention.   Making it closed meant that you needed a badge or room key to be in the hotel and convention space, and they were checking badges.   I think this significantly cut down on lobby-conning and somewhat reduced the crowds, but since they got rid of the tables to sit at, it increased the number of people sitting in hallways.   Also, by checking badges right at the beginning of the area of gazebo level it hindered flow of traffic and I think reduced the number of people who usually stand up there to show off their cosplays.   Now onto the actual photography. I had 21 sessions booked and I took 1,837 shots across two days.   (Due to living in Ohio, I no longer shoot on Sundays due to an 8-hour drive home.) The most prevalent focal length used was 18mm, which was u...

On January 20 th I worked with Vida Muerta on a 1920’s heiress inspired session.   The session was originally supposed to occur the day before at the Dayton Art Institute ’s great hall, but weather forced us to reschedule for the next at Something Old DaytonVintage Rentals .   Even though we were forced to reschedule in a new location, the shoot went well and still maintained the 1920’s look I was going for.   For this session I used my Canon 70D, a 18-200mm lens, strobes with power supply, large octagon soft box, 30-degree Grid, C-stand with boom arm, light stand, RF-transmitter, tether line, laptop, white loveseat, mirror, pop up changing room, and a handsome assistant.   The dress is from Retro Stage, and the jewelry is from the Alley Vintage& Costumes .   For this session I shot 147 frames and kept 80 and delivered 58 final images.   All images were shot at ISO 100 using a F5.6 aperture.   The focal lengths varied with th...

On January 27 th I hosted a meet up of the Dayton-Columbus-CincinnatiCosplay Photoshoot group at Something Old Dayton Vintage Rental studios.   This was the first meet up of the new year, and I’m glad we had a nice indoor space for the meet up.    This meet up was held in the loft studio space, and easily fit the group and provided interesting space and props to use during the 3-hour shoot. I worked with all 8 cosplayers in attendance, which resulted in me shooting 242 frames. Of the 240 frames I edited 153 images and delivered 118 final images. I shot the whole meet using a mix of natural light and light from a single off camera speed light on a light stand with an umbrella. I shot using ISO 100. My aperture varied between F4.5 to F7.1 with the most common being F5.6.   My shutter speed varied greatly from 1/50s to 1/250s with the most common speed being 1/125s.   Finally, my focal length varied from 18mm to 50mm, with the most common focal length being ...

On January 20 th , I got to work with two lovely ladies for a romance themed shoot. The whole shoot was centered around a red dress from the Polish designer Ewa Jobko and a white studio room at Something Old Dayton Vintage Rentals .   At this point I would like to thank both models for coming out and the studio for allowing me flexibility due the previous nights snowstorm. The first session with But Dragons Tho Cosplay was inspired by the cover of the book “ Kushial’s Chosen ”.   The second session with Deanna was inspired by Valentine’s Day romance.   Both sessions turned out lovely and were published in the February 2019 issue of Realm Magazine . For the session I used the following items: Canon 70D 18-200mm lens Strobes with power supply Large octagon soft box 30-degree Grid C-stand with boom arm Light stand RF-transmitter Tether line Laptop Balloons Fake fur blanket White loveseat Pop up changing room Handsome assistant ...

I have now spent a whole year in Dayton, Ohio and accomplished a lot in 2018.   But it is now time to look to the future and photography goals for 2019. General Photography Goals 1. Expand the Dayton-Columbus-Cincinnati Cosplay Photo Shoots Group In 2018 I started the Dayton-Columbus-Cincinnati (DCC) Cosplay Photo Shoot Group which currently has over 100 members on Facebook.  I hosted five meet-ups for the group. The goal for 2018 is to double the number meet ups and find interesting shoot locations.  I also want to bring in some additional volunteers to help do location scouting and help with some of the other aspects of the group like check in and supporting the groups social media sites.  If you are interested in joining the group you can look us up on Facebook at Dayton-Columbus-CincinnatiCosplay Photo Shoots Group or on Instagram @DCC_Cosplay_Photoshoots . 2. Book paid shoots outside of conventions Currently all my paid work comes from sessions...