Today, is the second day of a pop culture convention here. Day 2 of taking more photos! I decided to try to restrict myself to only my prime 50mm lens so I could concentrate on composition and have the added bonus of a larger aperture; there would be a lot of people, in the background, and the smaller depth of focus meant that the subject would 'pop' with clarity, leaving a more unfocused background so the viewers' attention is less distracted.
This lens also seems to be a favourite for portrait photography and I can see why. It has become my favourite, as I have mentioned in previous posts. As you may also be suspecting, I love getting in close and personal, with a lot of my photos. This lens is perfect for this. However, occasionally I want a full length shot, I have to take several (and then a few more) steps away from the subject. This is interesting as much that I have read, about this lens, usually mentions that the photographer has to be willing to step in closer for a shot.
I have been attending SF conventions, since the 1980s. I love meeting up with friends, dressing up as my favourite characters (and the buzz and satisfaction of creating the costume myself). Secondary, but I cannot deny a big part, is meeting the actors that create my favourite characters. We used to attend fan cons, with any (usually little) profit being given to charity. We had fun and interesting panels, often with the GOH (guest of honour) participatining, discussions on scripts, characters, sometimes even philosophy and metaphysics! And the charity auction, often with momentos donated by the GOH. These days, the panels are now just 'talks' by the guests, with some questions. While entertaining, is not really the same intellectual fodder. (oops, that is sounding really old and grumpy)... I do miss those smaller, more personal conventions, I must admit. What I don't like now, is the commercialism of it all. Large lines that take hours to get to meet/see the actor for 3-5 seconds.
Conventions have changed. I cannot do anything about that. I can just sigh heavily and reminisce about the past. What I can do is try to find other things to enjoy about them. Yesterday, Richard Dean Anderson greeted us to the photo session, with open arms "Welcome to the Carlisles!" (my thought was how the... then realised our SGU uniforms had our names on them. Duh!) J G Hertzler (General Martok, Star Trek), in full Klingon regalia (it was so cool, I have always wanted a Klingon costume of that calibre!), passed us in the hall. I had my hair in a long braid. He stopped, smiled and asked it was my own hair. I confirmed the fact. He gently tugged it and told me about his sister used to have braids and he would pull them. I have also found that the larger conventions can provide a smorgasbord of photo opportunities. So many people, so many costumes, so many colours!
... and just occasionally a brilliant shot that I will treasure. Just like the new memories I collect.
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