20 Years In The Industry: Jay Tablante Talks About Cosplay Photography, Comics, Anime, And His Partnership With Canon Philippines
From what started as a new concept in photography twenty years ago became a mainstream phenomenon in the industry today. Photographer Jay Tablante is a trailblazer and pioneer of cosplay photography not just here in the Philippines but internationally as well.
'Anything new is always met with skepticism'
Cosplay photography was met with a lot skepticism in the past, especially for Tablante who wants to express his vision through his lens. He often gets criticized for doing something out of the norm at the time. But alas, his passion for the craft through the years definitely paid off. A lot has definitely changed since then.
"Anything new is always met with skepticism. Tatawagin ka, 'What are you doing?' Parang when I was starting it out, you know, I would get criticized na, 'Why you're not doing anymore formal means of photography or like whatever', I mean, for me kasi, parang, to hell what they say," recalled Tablante during Day 2 of ToyCon PH 2023 after his photography workshop sponsored by Canon Philippines in July. "I mean, It's my execution and it's my passion for it. Because I come from a space na I'm a geek at heart at the same time, I want to express my concepts in my head. And for me, eventually cosplay photography was the best avenue for it. So you know, at the end of the day, if you look at it now, I think it's already mainstream, as much as, nowadays."
It's a team effort
Tablente's works has always been a spectacle at conventions, most notably at the recent ToyCon PH 2023. It's like seeing a cover of a popular comic book or a scene from an anime come to life. His attention to detail is something a spectator or fan will take notice. In other words, his cosplay photography is simply amazing!
But the cosplay photographer insists he couldn't have produced all those great photos without the help if his team.
"It's a team effort. I'm just the photographer. It's a team effort. If you were here during my talk, actually, I was fortunate enough na nandyan yung isang creative director I get to work with. It's a team thing, I can't do this alone," he said. "So, makeup artists, stylists, production designers, art directors, we all pitch in to produce an idea. So, each image there is a team image. Team effort siya talaga."
Working with top names in Cosplay
Through the years, Tablante has worked with many well-known cosplayers both locally and internationally. One of the most notable names he has collaborated with is Alodia Gosiengfiao, who started cosplaying in 2003 and she's still active in the industry to this day. She's also one of the co-founders of Esports team management agency Tier One Entertainment.
He has also worked with local actresses like Marian Rivera, Maine Mendoza, Rhian Ramos, and international cosplayers including Yaya Han and Stella Chu.
"Alodia [Gosiengfiao] is a household name. I got to pull in a couple of celebrity friends who were game enough to pose. Like, I got Rhian [Ramos], I got Carla Abellana back in the day, I also got Marian Rivera to cosplay several times and si Maine Mendoza as of late," he said. "Mga international cosplayers, sila Yaya Han, Stella Chu, are some notable cosplayers sa states [United States] I got to work with na."
'I've always been a comics guy'
His fandom for comics is evident in his works. Most of them feature characters from the X-Men like Psylocke and Phoenix, just to name a few. Although anime characters are also notable in his cosplay photography, however, Tablante's love for comics will always stand out.
" I've always been a comics guy. So, I would have to rank my fandom kasi I've always started with comics. Anime is a close second with gaming," he bared. "So for me, if there was any, if I were to choose characters, I will go for a comic book character muna but it's a personal preference ko na lang din yun kasi mahilig ako sa X-Men."
'It's really a soap opera!'
Being a self-confessed comic geek, his eyes lit up on the subject of the X-Men. Asked particularly which arc a newbie X-men comics reader should start with, he recommends "The Phoenix Saga" followed by "Days of Future Past".
"Oh boy! Actually the comics version of 'The Phoenix Saga'. Well, for me, at the end of the day, you know, take out the super hero element, it's really a soap opera. Drama siya eh. I like what happened in the scenes sa story arc non eh," discussed Tablante. "Actually, If you can start, manood ka nung [1992] X-Men Animated Series, as a starter ha. Then dig in to the comics na right after. Yun mga favorite parts ko non, they ended up in Genosha Island, yung mga ganoong part. The best part about sa akin kasi, not so much about the powers, but the drama that they have, bouts against each other."
"Especially yung 'Days of Future Past,' when Bishop came back. For me, I like that the dystopian future na wala nang X-men and they're all fending for themselves from the Sentinels and he has to come back to change everything. I'm a sucker for that," he added.
'I like Gundam because of its politics'
When he's not reading his favorite X-Men title, Tablante watches a lot of anime as well. He enjoys watching Mobile Suit Gundam series, best known for injecting real-life themes like politics and what-if scenarios in its stories.
The most recent Gundam title he followed was Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway, which aired globally on Netflix in 2021. He was glued to the series because it was specifically set in Davao, Philippines, and Jollibee was featured in the anime as well.
"Particularly, I like [Mobile Suit] Gundam because of its politics. If you noticed, every version of [Mobile Suit] Gundam there's always a politics at play. So ako, ang babaw nito, yung latest na pinapanood ko was [Mobile Suit Gundam] Hathaway, alam ko it's 2021 eh," he said with excitement. "Kasi it was held in Davao – the scene was in Davao – and I'm, 'Hey this is cool!', so may homage lang talaga siya sa atin. It's an international anime and to think kumain pa sila sa Jollibee. Nakakatuwa lang. So, but I like the politics."
2007's Mobile Suit Gundam 00 or Double-O was another Gundam title he fancied due to its what-if scenario about fossil fuels running out on Earth.
"Now, if you're talking about arcs, then Double-O Gundam [Mobile Suit Gundam 00] kasi I like the tensions na wala ng fossil fuels, people's source of energy, and the power play happens who has the next viable source of energy," explained Tablante. "And that's were the Gundams came into play because of 'Celestial Being' at yung kanilang solar furnaces, and you know, mga ganon. So, I like the tension when there's a scarcity of something and people have to fight over something."
Canon Ambassador Program
His passion for cosplay photography was finally recognized by Canon Philippines as he was invited by the brand to join their Ambassador Program about 10 years ago. Tablante was indeed grateful to Canon Philippines' support during the genre's emergence.
"I have always been grateful to Canon Philippines for all their support over the years. And I find it awesome of them to support a photography genre such as cosplay even in its infancy. I guess it comes to show their vision when it comes to how far their imaging tools go," he said. "I joined the ambassador program almost 10 years ago out of an informal invitation. If my memory serves me right, I got a call from someone from Canon Marketing Philippines and told me they're inviting particular professionals to join them for a get together in one of those sports bars, and from their they laid out their plans of expanding the ambassador program. Joined in around Batch 2."
Be a fan
For Tablante, being a fan of something is important if anyone wants to get into cosplay photography, whether professionally or just a hobby.
"Be a fan. Know what you want to shoot," he advised. "Sa akin kasi, being a fan out of something gives you the nuances of who the character is and how to build the world properly."
Two decades in cosplay photography and beyond
It's truly amazing and admirable that his passion for cosplay photography still burns to this day. Tablante has seen the community grow and is grateful to be in the industry for twenty years.
"I've been, I guess, you know, I feel fortunate enough I get to do this for this long and it's fun. And I've seen how the industry and the community has grown so much," he shared. "I mean, I've seen it starting it off na i-ilan lang kami tapos eventually now you see a bunch of cosplayers, a bunch of creators, not just photographers, but video creators, gamers and all that."
