[nutcase23] Looking Back At A Year of Photography

In a blink of an eye, it has been already 1 year since I picked up my first DSLR, a humble Nikon D70 borrowed from my uncle.

Suddenly, I was thrust into the world of PASM, the world of RAW, the world of infinite possibilities (as infinite as your wallet can afford lenses).

Photography for me started way back in 2008 when we were still blogging under the now defunct Anime Banzai!. Back then, it was a simple curious question to blog master and slave driver oOgA on where to buy figures. Little did I know how such a simple question would have such large consequences.

Very old pic. Collection way bigger now 8D

It began with some really horrible puchis of Lucky Star by FREEing. Back then, I thought the world of them. My first figurines. My first step into a crazy world of consumerism. I now keep them in their own personal display. A commemorance of my very first step, as well as to free up space in my display cabinet.

Horrible quality. Just look at Kagami’s face

Figure photography began with the arrival of my 1/10 Suzumiya Haruhi PVC by Wave. Back then, all I got was a point and shoot. Such humble beginnings. I brought her out to a nearby park for a small shoot. My very first figure shoot and my very first figure review.

Everything went downhill from there of course as I soon started buying more and more figures. And so started my figure reviews as I began to document my purchases and what I thought about them as well as incorporating some measure of a mini story into those reviews.

Showdown at noon

I soon progressed into comics, beginning with my very first 4koma featuring my 2 Moyashimon plushies. This soon led to my very first full blown short comic featuring Konata and Kagami’s tangle with Exia and Dynames, an odd combo if there was any. This was soon followed by a few others like Konata’s Candy Girl and Kagami’s Dream (1, 2, 3), a parody of the Lucky Star OVA.

With the move over to The Banzai! Effect, there have been many more reviews, comics and figurine theatre, not least the creation of the Figurine Life! series. Do check out what we got there.

Konata with beam rifle = bad idea

I still remember the very first cosplay event I attended and that was the Start-of-Year (SOY) 2008. Armed with only a point and shoot, I experienced for the first time what a cosplay event was like and joined the ranks of the many photographers who stalk such events.

everyone knows this banner has been reused for at least 3 events 8D

Of course, I now look back to all those photos I took back then and shudder at the quality.

So what triggered the change?

I look back to that fateful day of Seiransai 2009 where I first met up with zh3us, Papershot, Yuki-To, ScorchNRoses, Arayden  and Maverick and we had my very first group figure photoshoot together outside the event halls of Games Convention Asia 2009.

The fruit heads of WLNF

That fateful meeting along with others with like-minded people would soon eventually lead to the formation of the We Love Nendoroids and Figmas (WLNF) group, a group of singapore bloggers with a love for figurine photography. It was they who sparked my interest in photography and I would never have gotten this far without their help. With their guidence, I soon embarked on my journey in DSLR photography.

*invokes Lion King drama*

I first borrowed my uncle’s old Nikon D70 with kit lens and a 50mm prime at the start of this year. With help from zh3us, oOgA and the other WLNF guys, I slowly picked up the ropes, feeling my way slowly in this strange new world. I soon got used to editing RAW files though I am nowhere near exploiting its full potential.

training in the special arts of figu photography

So after many months of grueling training in the school of WLNF, I finally took the plunge and got myself my own DSLR, a Nikon D5000, timed to coincide with my Japan trip. And with that, my entry into the DSLR world is complete.

Nothing like experiencing the Sakura season personally, with figus of course

As I covered more cosplay events, I soon got to know more people in the field, cosplayers and photographers alike. People like Gordonator, Fariz and Fuzzy from Kyouran Kyoudai, Hexlord, Amano, Garion, Khaikhai, Speedknight, the hordes of cosplayers whom if I name there would be no end to this post. They have given cosplay events a new meaning for me, from simply attending and taking photos, to meeting friends and shooting friends.

Invic and Broken. Awesome fellows.

Of these people, I feel one deserves special mention. Throughout the course of my cosplay photography, Hexlord has been part mentor to me, giving me tips and showing me a thing or two about shooting cosplayers. Appreciation where appreciation is due, you have my thanks Hexlord. =3

Not exactly Hexlord but he’s shy so this shot will do 8D

So where am I now?

I began as a figurine photographer. I am now equal parts cosplay and figurine photographer (though I have been neglecting the figure part recently). I certainly hope to continue improving myself in both fields.

I look back to 1 year ago and am surprised to see how far I have come. I hope to go further. I thank all those who have helped me come this far (WLNF people, cosplayers, photographers, everyone else 8D), and I hope you will continue to help me go further.

I look cool when in silhouette 8D

Long new year post is long so I will end it here.

New Year’s Resolution will be to survive university, do more posts, buy more figus, upgrade camera equipment, make more friends and shoot more cosplay.

AND GET F**KING OOGA TO PAY ME MY WAGES #$*)#($&#^%^#&$^(#*%&$%&*(%^