“I believe a photograph is worth a thousand words. What makes it more worth is when you have captured an amazing photo! A cosplayer’s existence is exposed thanks to their respective photographers.. or those who have exposed them. That’s why for my next feature, it won’t only be a cosplayer.. but the person behind the camera as well.” - katz

Feature n#12: Alfred Jorrel Bayle aka.. Shimekops/ The troll master!

K- LOL at the pic! It’s the Alfred pose!! *rolls on floor* wahhh konnichiwa! Thank you so much for squeezing some time for me.

AB- No Frovlem

K- Hehe! Let us start from the beginning, shall we? What would you like to be called?

AB- Alfred would be fine. Easier to pronounce for most people because I hate having to explain how my second name is properly pronounced only to be mispronounced again in the next minute.

K- Now you got me curious! *will remember to ask you next time* >:3 Your interest in photography, when did it start?

AB- Not sure, hmmm… Could have started waaaay back when I was but a weee little boy because for as long as I can remember, I’ve had a thing about capturing the right moment at the right time. Although, the first time I held a DSLR was back in 2007 when I started working. The rest is as it is today.

K- Photographer MUST-HAVES, what do you think one should be equipped with?

AB- Well, I’m still pretty much a noob and with no formal education on the art save for what I read in books but, I do believe a camera is a prerequisite if one wishes to pursue photography. Doesn’t matter much what kind of camera as long as it takes pictures. But of course, you’ll want a DSLR if you plan to REALLY go at it. Or at least have an advanced compact camera like a Lumix or a NEX5 or a Ricoh GX200. A flash could come in handy, and maybe a tripod…. but I suppose the most important things that every photographer should always come equipped with are knowledge, inspiration, and creativity.

K- Now we’re talking! I like that response very much, or else Mr. Bayle would not have achieved shots like those above! Do you prefer working solo or do you participate in groups?

AB- At my level of experience and knowledge, working with groups is still preferred, just not really big groups because a big group will eventually splinter off into smaller groups of 2-3 photogs anyway. I like small groups because you get to interact more and learn more things from fellow photogs.

K- What can you say is your specialty? If none, what do you love most about taking pictures?

AB – I don’t know about a specialty YET unless you can count BTS shots as a specialty I personally like capturing expressions of people in their most natural state. When they are completely unaware or have completely forgotten about the camera. You look into a picture like that and you learn a little more about a person and if you look deeper, you can even make out some details on what was happening at that very moment. The story if you may, of why that person had that particular expression on.
If there’s one thing that I’ve learned and I’ve taken to heart, a good photo always tells a story and incites an emotional response. Technique is good, it’ll help a lot when telling a story, but first and foremost, there must be something that you want to convey with the photo, not just pretty colors and pretty models. Well those are the words of a newbie so it’s up to you if you want to put any weight on it.

K- Don’t forget your action shots!

and how does he do it? DEMONSTRATION!

Striking a pose for a Vocaloid Luka cosplayer

Doing an actual jump kick.. i think O.o

K- Awesome jumping and posing is AWESOME! *ahem* Getting back, Pros and Cons of Photography?

AB- Pros and Cons huh? ….Hmmm….. Well you get to meet and interact with people that you otherwise wouldn’t interact with on a regular day. You learn to see the world from more than one perspective. You get to share what you see with other people. AH! And you have a means of making other people smile without uttering a single word or making a single gesture. I have a feeling that there’s more to it, but for now that’s what I got.

As for the Cons well, when you share your vision with the rest of the world, not everyone will like what you see and that leaves you vulnerable. If you can make people smile with photos, you can also make them angry, or cry, or sad. And well, if you really want to be good at it, you’ll need to put in a fair amount of time and effort. But then again, isn’t that how it works with many things in our world?

K- True that! *nods* How did you get involved with Cosplay Photography then?

AB- My involvement with Cosplay Photography mostly came from my interest with anime and manga. Since we couldn’t really pull our favorite characters out of the TV, the idea of seeing a, shall we say replica of that character walking around in full regalia was quite appealing. That’s when I started to pick-up and borrow the office DSLR for conventions and photo shoots, which I still continue to do to this day until I save enough money for my own Nikon D90 XD XD XD which should come into fruition before the year ends mind you

K- Beautiful photos *clap* they all look intense! Pictures aside, what other things would you like to do for yourself off the camera?

AB- Well I like to read fantasy books, especially ones written by R.A. Salvatore. I also like PC games mainly to play through the campaign missions and absorb the story telling. I like tinkering with gadgets and whatnot. I’ve an interest in martial arts, of which I’ve studied Tae Kwon Do and Kendo (which I sorely miss because I don’t get to practice anymore due to busy schedules). I read up on Chinese martial arts particularly, about Bagua Zhang and Tai Chi (beyond its medicinal applications) and am in search of a Shifu who is near our place and willing to take me as a student. I also like to walk on the extreme side of life from time to time. I’ve tried white water rafting, scuba diving, rappelling, indoor wall climbing, ultra-light flying, that swing of death like thingy in Bohol…. I think that’s it right now. I’d like to try sky diving though, and swimming with the sharks (with full protection gear of course). I’d like to learn how to hack into anyone’s computer like they do in the movies (if it’s even possible). Ah of course I dream of learning to play the violin. I’ll stop there so I don’t bore your readers

K- Fascinating dreams indeed! Based on your experience, how’s about a message to aspiring photographers out there?

AB- Don’t be daunted by all the big fancy gear or how much it’s going to hurt your wallet. You can start out with a simple compact camera and just click away! Read some books, meet people and other photographers, both pros and beginners like yourself and learn FROM them and WITH them. But most importantly, just keep taking pictures. Although do make sure you apply what you learn so you can take better and better pictures as time goes by.

K- Now, please tell me something about yourself that no one knows. Like, what makes you YOU?

AB- What makes me, me is not something I can properly put into words not because I lack the vocabulary but, it’s because I find the gesture too limiting to encompass the ME-ness of me. You’ll just have to spend time with me I guess XD

K- For those of you who noticed the random photos of Vocaloid Miku figurines.. it is a growing hobby of Mr. Bayle’s enormous Miku collection! Yes he collects Miku anything from Figma toys, nendroids and plushies. Look what he did here:

Thankfully he doesn’t stalk Miku cosplayers! Hehe peace man! *glomp* But even as a hobbyist, he is among those who respects cosplay AND the cosplayer alike. Thanks again Alfred, it has always been fun working with you during photoshoots and get-togethers! WHERE YOU’LL FIND HIM: Facebook page, DeviantArt

Once in a blue moon, he would dress to impress

Till next feature~! *mhew*