Cosplay Series – Kipi and Photoshop
I’ve been kinda busy with university stuff lately, so I couldn’t select and post many cosplay and cosplayers lately…
Kipi
So I’m making a different post this time. It’s mainly about Photoshop work some cosplayers do, and all the criticism that’s been around – specially about Kipi, who has a couple of dedicated posts here on XSpBlog.
Cosplaying in most western countries, is treated more like a hobby than anything else.
Photos are mostly taken on anime conventions, and lots of people do it for fun.
This is also true to Japan, but they also have speciallized magazines and websites, with very professional photos with planned settings, professional photographers with studios, and all that.
So, much like male oriented magazines in western countries, in Japan you can also have lots of Photoshop treatment on Cosplay pics.
Something which became a standard when it comes to model photography nowadays, but which for some reason is extremely criticized when it comes to cosplayers.
The reason I chose Kipi for this post is because she is one of the most famous japanese cosplayers, and having made lots of professional photo sessions which probably included Photoshop, she’s a prime example of this discussion subject.
I heard that she receives tons of criticism and even hate mail from people saying she’s fake, all her pics are photoshopped, and that if it wasn’t for that, she wouldn’t be as successful as she currently is.
Of course those arguments are all from jealous, bitter or misguided people. And it’s a long running discussion. Kinda like Magibon.
Just today I watched a video that claims to reveal “The Real Kipi”.
But before you jump to conclusions, let me first say that there’s no evidence this video is real.
Lots of people are saying the video was staged, and what you are really watching is a reverse video in which the author uses the original Kipi pic and changes it rather than the opposite.
There are very few videos with Kipi, and most of them have very poor quality (mostly cellcam videos), but they are enough to show better The Real Kipi.
They are all from YouTube user sammy666amy:
Still, it’s true that the professional Kipi photo sessions could have Photoshopping involved.
First, because it’s something to be expected on professional shoots. Second because I guess it’s hard to believe she’s this beautiful… xD
About her eyes looking unreal, some cosplayers explained that the effect is achieved by using special lens, which is common among asian cosplayers. Makes the eyes look bigger, it seems.
It’s a subject that will always be in discussion… there are people who are in favor of having NO Photoshopping at all, some are in favor of using it just to make minor adjustments (color adjust, brightness, etc), and some have no problem with it at all – including some more drastic changes.
I personally have no problem with it, as long as it doesn’t become a Photoshop Disaster. 
Feel free to justify and write comments on the comments area.
Source: SankakuComplex (NSFW), which is also where I got most of my Kipi Cosplay pics! Some videos and the main pic was pointed out by commenters there.
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Themocracy
well …
All I saw was a kipi without makeup
and really did not look bad
obviously all do better when we use makeup
and the person who managed to get a photo of it before makeup should be VERY fan
It seemed to me that looked good
not like the "alleged" Hollywood beauties
that when you see one without makeup is a horrible impression
what not happened to kipi, she looked good anyway
besides that it's all about performance and the cosplay herself up nicely
their costumes is very well made it is obvious that you have good vision of the characters he plays
not to make such a fuss, kipi is nice and good cosplayer ,anyway
I think first the cosplayer must do the costume correctly and do the correct make up and stuff, on pictures, some adjustments are necessary, beause we are all cosplaying fantasy characters, it is suposed to be perfect.
The perfect make up, costume well done, interpretation, a good camera and photographers make a real great picture, and I think this is the case.
Kipi is cute, but even her must have taken some pictures and not loved it, photoshoping save some of them by correcting little details.
Some effect can easily be done with a good make up, not only de lens, but mascara, and other make up tricks can make her eyes look bigger, but they can be naturaly in order to make it easier as well
People should not care too much for it. Her pics are great, what's the problem with it?
We should always do our best and do the best for real!
If people don't like her photos, try to do it better instead of complaining and using false arguments
I loved your post, Congratulations!
I don't see any major problems, however I find it hard to appreciate when you know that the picture isn't "raw". Yet again, I also find hard to appreciate most "3D" (or real) person characteristics.
Agreed!
I have no doubts make up and photoshopping has their part on the whole Cosplay effect and shooting… just like it would in any other "fashion" or people's shooting.
Still, not as heavy as what the video shows.
Maybe it isn't even as heavy as the ones applied to certain presidents and models… xD