Week 9: Brendan O’Neill

According to Mountfort et al. (2018), what are the three main genres of cosphotography, and how did they historically develop?

Cosphotography is a category of photography based around the photographs of cosplayers. These photos often exist as a result of the work of the cosplayer to create the cosplay in addition to the efforts of the photographer, making it an interesting form of photography where the subject matter is more credited than the photographer for the final result. According to Mountfort et al. (2018), There are three main genres of cosphotography.

The first genre of cosphotography is the runway style of cosphotography. The runway style is meant to replicate the way that mainstream fashion culture functions at the professional level. Like mainstream fashions shows this genre of cosphotography are typically held on a catwalk or stage. This genre is unique because the quality of the costume is usually the more significant factor, taking precedent over the cosplayers ability to accurately enact their character. In addition to this the stageshow format of this genre also limits the extent to which the cosplayer can represent their chosen character. Being limited to music choice and body language.

The second genre of cosphotography is studio style cosphotography. Studio style is often impromptu or organised shortly beforehand. Studio style comes as the result of an agreement between the photographer and the cosplayer. The photographer often either wants to take the photo out of admiration for the character being cosplayed, or the quality of the cosplay itself, and the cosplayer will cooperate as an expectation of the results of cosplaying at a convention and because the impromptu photo request is a form of compliment. 

The final genre of cosphotography is hallway shots. Where the photographer photographs the cosplayer in the middle of their ‘performance’ within the improvised cosplay space, and then distributes the content through social media. Unlike the other genres, this genre doesn’t necessarily require the knowing cooperation of the cosplayer. 

Mountfort, P, Peirson-Smith, A, & Geczy, A. (2018). Planet cosplay: Costume play, identity and global fandom. Intellect Books.