Tag Archive for 'anime convention'

Pacific Media Expo 2008 (PMX 08) photos are up!

Published on November 24, 2008 in Anime/Manga, Cosplay and Photography. 1 Comment

Unfortunately, they’re quite disappointing…

Click here to go to my PMX 08 gallery. In two parts, from the morning on Saturday to 8PM and then part 2; from 8PM on…  I used Adobe Lightroom 2.0 and Photoshop CS3 for post processing.

I had a great time at PMX ’08 seeing many friends and meeting some new ones.  Like every year before, this one was small but unlike the last one I attended (2005); this one was not spread out but was centered in a hotel lobby instead of the vast Long Beach Convention Center.

I attended only Saturday which ended up Saturday and early Sunday morning as I left at 3:30AM, it’s funny how many Costumes randomly appear throughout the late night hours!  I found Camille and then John after midnight; she had just finished her costume that day.

So, let’s talk photos.  I am unhappy with them.  I didn’t realize that I simply do not know how to use my flash yet and even worse, do not know how to shoot indoors!

This bothers me, that the results are so poor.  Due to the nature of this small con, I befriended many of the people I shot and they are looking forward to seeing the pictures.  Really, even after I told them to wait a bit while I post process a week ago, they messaged me again to remind me they’re waiting for them.

So, this is what I need to learn:

  • How to use my external flash, less shiny, oil skin, and more even flash for groups (one side blue the other side yellow…)
  • How to shoot indoors, pay attention to light!  Put your models under the lights and be weary of slow shutter blur.

And What I need to work on:

  • Set Custom White Balance and remember to USE IT when you’re not using the flash!
  • Scout good areas before taking a model to there, make sure the lighting is good and the background is clean.
  • Remember to bring backup AA’s for flash.

There’s more but I need to focus on what’s above.

Now to clarify, I had a great time at PMX, although disappointed in my photos, and would like to go next year.  I’ll improve my photography skills by then, I always do.

I want to thank JC of anime-photos.com for giving me his tired flash AA batteries when mine ran out.

And now I need to contact all those who messaged me since the con…

Anime Expo 2008 Day 0 Pictures

Published on July 9, 2008 in Anime/Manga, Cosplay and Photography. 0 Comments

Pictures from Anime Expo 2008 Day 0 are up.  I wanted to put something up although I have much more work ahead of me.

It’s been two three days already since AX08 and I still have to adjust Day 1 – 4 pictures in Lightroom 2.0 beta before posting.

I had a blast at AX this year.  Truely, the most fun I have during the year is AX.   The Shuttle system worked well, I did not have to stay in line for any longer then an hour for anything, and I met/photographed many people and friends from the Net. I’ll post more later but for now, here is the link to my AX Gallery.