REFERENCE IMAGES

A “how to” guide for any competing cosplayer!

Are you planning on joining your first cosplay competition competition, but are you unsure what a good reference image looks like? The guide below can be your first step towards a clear cosplay reference sheet! These are used by judges to decide how accurate your cosplay’s likeness is to the design of the character you’re portraying. A good reference shows the design and its elements clearly, making it easier for the judges to assess the work you’ve put into your costume.

First of all; decide what character you’d like to cosplay! Looking online for clear reference images can be a difficult task. Knowing what character you’re going to cosplay, and what specific piece of media they’re from can already help a ton. Once you’ve decided on your character, scour the internet for clear images, visuals and illustrations to add to your reference. This will help you understand how the character is designed and how you can replicate their appearance to the best of your abilities!

TOP TIPS

  • Provide high quality images

  • Make sure all sides of the character are visible

  • Make sure provided images are consistent, and of the same character version

  • Add detail shots of:

    • props / weapons / accessories

    • makeup

    • wig / hair

    • other important details

  • Use images from the original source material (unless you’re going for a specific design)

  • If possible, combine your images in a single collage for ease of use

What are judges looking for?

The following examples would be accepted when uploaded for an application to one of our contests.

  • Images are high quality ✔️

  • Multiple angles of the character ✔️

  • Detail shots of weapon, shoes and face ✔️

  • Images come from same source, and therefore have the same colours ✔️

  • Images are high quality ✔️

  • Multiple angles of the character ✔️

  • Image of character in context ✔️

  • Staff clearly visible ✔️

but…

  • Images are not from same source, so the colours are inconsistent ❌
    (some image are from a figurine, others from the anime)

    Note: multiple sources might be necessary when images of the sides/back of the character are difficult to find! Explain this to your judges, and they will understand.

What to avoid?

The following examples would not be accepted when uploaded for an application to one of our contests.

  • Only one angle ❌
    (image is missing back and sides of the character)

  • Character is not completely shown ❌
    (missing bottom half of the character!)

  • Low quality image ❌

  • High quality image ✔️

  • Full body visible ✔️

But…

  • This is an image of a cosplayer! The image is not of the character they are portaying in the licensed source media ❌

  • Only one angle ❌
    (image is missing back and sides of the character)

Cosplayer: @dandelioncostumes
Photographer: @bbx_photography

  • Images are high quality ✔️

  • Image of character in context ✔️

  • Detail-shots of makeup ✔️

but…

  • Multiple versions of the character are shown ❌
    (Although the same “character” [example: The Joker] is shown, the different versions will make it confusing who you’re trying to portray.)

  • Only front-facing images are shown❌

  • Other characters also figure on the reference ❌
    (Do not show a character you’re not cosplaying in your reference [example: Harleen Quinzel])

Now that you know what it takes to make a clear reference image, you’re ready to send in your application to your next cosplay or costume contest!

Still unsure if your own reference fits the bill? Do you have any questions about making a reference image? Then feel free to join our Discord and chat with fellow cosplayers and stay in touch with the BeCosplay crew. Our dedicated “ask-becosplay” channel is the place to ask any questions you might still have. Good luck on your cosplaying journey!