I have been anime fan for over 20 years now but I only found out about anime convention few years ago.
How I got into photography
2007
I attended my first anime convention in 2007. I learned that taking pictures of cosplayers is common at the anime convention.
2008
I borrowed my brother’s camera to the anime convention to take pictures of pretty girls :-[. I did not even own a camera at that time.
2009
2009 is the year I got more interested in cosplay and began to appreciate the beauty, complexity and realize the hard work needed to be put in for customized cosplay. But instead of doing cosplay myself, I decided to do photography of cosplay. I bought my own point and shoot camera (about $200) for the anime convention. I was taking pictures of all types of cosplays and not just the pretty girls. I was not happy with the way my pictures turned out. Especially compare some pictures posted on the convention forum. That was the beginning of me studying photography on my own. Around Christmas of 2009, I bought my first SLR camera.
2010 – current
I went to a cosplay meet few weeks before Sakura Con. A first meet up ever for me :). I went to that meet to test my skill on my new slr camera. But I enjoyed the meet up and have been going to other meet up since.
Sakura Con 2010 was my first big test of photography skill. I had to deal with indoor low light condition, bright light from the glass wall, bad weather condition outside the convention center etc. My pictures qualities were not consistent. Overall, I say ok result but not bad for beginner.
I have long way to go to be anywhere close to professional photographer. When I do, I am looking forward to buy a better SLR camera. I prefer not to rely on Photoshop for my pictures especially for fixing mistakes. But judging from the pictures I took this year, I think I have potential to be great photographer.
Favourite genre of music: pop
Favourite cartoon character: Sakura Kinomoto