Otakon 2011

This has been my second otakon; Overall It went well. Although some of the cosplayers I was going to photograph didn't respond to my text messages, I did manage to find new and willing participants.

Otakon is the 2nd largest anime convention in the United States. Large convention are always better for photographers because there is a nice sample size of cosplayers to choose from.

It was really hot so I was staying inside most of the time, but there were still plenty of people outside walking to and from restaurants and their hotel rooms. I took most of my photos outside; only a few places indoors had suitable lighting.

The well lit locations Of the convention center are outside, on the 3 floor roof terrace and in the one hallway you can't really take photos in because its too crowded. I also walked through the upper lobby of the nearby Hyatt. It had low but very even, beautiful light.

Parking is always a problem for that convention. The nearest gargle with a reasonable rate is 8 blocks down town in the really shitty part of the city. When are Baltimore's gentrification plans going to be complete?

        I had a few opportunities to use my Polaroid. I tried to find cosplayers with colorful, contrasting outfits. The polaroids are shit, but they are supposed to be. I wish I moved in a little closer; the view finder isn't totally accurate. As for the old canon I used up the last remaining frames in roll. Then, I put in a roll of Lomo film. Now thinking about it, I don't think I used it in a very Lomo-esc way, but the photos are still in the camera until the remaining 12 exposures are exposed. Overall using film cameras was fun and everyone loved my polaroid. though, It is expensive, and I was let down by the performance of the Land camera.

I left for baltimore at 9:00Am and arrived in baltimore at 2 checked in with my hotel group and hung out for a few hours until the preregistration line let up. The line this year moved fast I don't even think it stopped moving when I got in line. Friday was started off early my roommates woke me up early they went to some 8 o'clock panels. The rest of the time was a blur of picture taking. I was busy this year finding people and photographing them. Saturday was the same way only longer and tougher because the weight of the bag and cameras were so much. I did see Ejan in the dealers room. Apparently, he sold out and is working for crunchy roll. When I talked to him it didn't seem like a genuine conversation, it was more like I was person 15000 that he had talked to that day. I did see Ackson there I think it was him that or either it was some other asian guy with a gyroscopic camera.

Check out the rest of my photos on my flickr page. More will come when the last roll is developed.

Preparing for Otakon 18

It's a week to Otakon and I have already started packing my gear. This will be my second Otakon. I plan on bringing three cameras. my dad's old 35mm SLR Canon with a 3 pack of Lomography negative film, a 1968 Polaroid Land camera with 3 packs of fuji color film, two disposable cameras, and my main Nikon D-300s with all my lenses.

I feel I have grown photographically since last year. If you look at my Flickr set of last year I didn't get many usable frames, I expect to change that. I feel now I am less nervous to talk to people and I have already messaged several top notch cosplayers and they have agreed to let me photograph them and I look forward to meeting new cosplayers.

My attack plan is to hang out at the convention for as long as I can out side and in the well lit spaces of the convention center. I won't carry all cameras all the time, but I will at least have my Nikon on me at all times.

The Worldwide Cosplayer Photo Journey

       I stumbled upon this blog post on The Cosplay Chronicles while searching the Internet to see if anyone uses a disposable camera for lomography style cosplay shots. I was astounded by the idea basically a disposable camera is sent to a cosplayer to take one frame of there costume or other anime related things. then, sent to a different person in a different country. The project is about 6 participants in, so it should last for a few more months.

       This Idea seems better than the anonymous film project in which a camera is left in a public place with a note and is hopefully returned. This project has more of a connected feeling to it, uniting people over the world with their love of cosplay. I can't wait until the first camera is finished.

Welcome, This is my blog.

Hello I am Steven, I've been photographing cosplayers for about 3 years now. I started this cosplay photography specific blog as a project to fill my time. This blog will cover conventions, feature cosplayer and photographer Interviews, news, tips, and anything to do with cosplay or photography. I'm looking to slowly build up this site.