Photo Friday – Fireworks
Last weekend was the 4th of July. The celebration where Americans go out side to watch mini rockets launch into the air to set off colorful explosions. It’s very pretty, and hard to photograph with out the right equipment. This year I did some reading up and I got a new toy for the camera, so I went out to my home town’s extravaganza to photograph the fire works. Here are some results:
It’s a decent result for a first attempt. I learned a lot on this shoot, and I think next time I can greatly improve on the set up.
In other news concerning the blog, I may be starting a new section on the blog. I’ve been collecting strange images, and out-of-context and funny comic book panels on the computer for a while. To the point where I have lost track of the where it originally came from. I’m probably going to start putting some up. I’m not sure if they will randomly show up, or be separate post during the week. In either event I’m going to put the first one up now.
It’s Full of Supers!
I’m planning on going to the Mid-Ohio con in Columbus this October. I’m waiting on a pay check to book the table, but the planning is going on.
At the show I’m going to have prints of several images, a comic book I wrote called “Liberty and Justice”, and a ‘sketchbook’ containing alot of images that will be offered as prints. Since it’s a comic book convention I’m focusing on more comic related shots.
Between now and October I’m going to shoot 4 more comic characters for the book. So far I’m prepping shoots for Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde), Beast, and Dazzler. I’m going to shoot one other, but not decided on who.
Here is a list of characters I’m considering for a shoot. I’d love some feedback of preferences in the comments area.
+ Rogue
+ Ms. Marvel
+ Rogue vs. Ms. Marvel
+ Catwoman
+ Nightcrawler
+ Black Cat
Or do I shoot them all?
Wizard World Chicago Costumes – Part 1
Over the weekend was the Wizard World Chicago 2008 comic book convention. I decided to bring the camera along and take of photos of all the people who dress up for the show. There were a lot of great costumes so I’m going to need to break this up into several posts throughout the week.
Since this was a comic book convention I’ll start off by showing some of the comic themed costumes.
 Spiral |
 Marvel villain Mojo |
 Rogue and Professor X |
 Mr. Sinister |
 Catwoman and Mary Marvel |
 Joker and Rogue |
 Thor |
 Superman |
 Colossus |
 Nightcrawler |
X-Men : Wolverine, Storm, unknown, X-23, and a Raccoon City Cop
A Tour of Wizard World Chicago
This past weekend one of the largest comic book conventions in the country took place in Chicago. I’ve attended the Wizard World Chicago convention for the last 9 years. 5 of those years I was attending as a fan and the other 4 I was attending as an exhibitor selling my comic book and photography. Most of my family and friends know I go to this show, but they don’t really know what goes on over the weekend. This past show I decided to take my camera with and take some images to help give an idea of what the Wizard World convention is like.
I’m going to start at the beginning. Here is an image of what you would see when first entering the show.
All of the big comic books companies (Marvel, DC, Image, etc.) set up booths right at the front doors to promote any upcoming movies, large comic events, and hold signings by some of the most popular artists and writers who work on their books. Farther in the distance are smaller booths for independent comic book publishers and an autograph area with minor celebs like Lou Ferrigno, Johnny Fairplay and any number of former pro wrestler and/or star wars actors.
The next major area at the convention are the vendors. Half the show floor is dominated by a variety of booths selling comic books, movie posters, toys, swords, knives, bootleg movies, patches, collectibles, t-shirts and much much more. The show tends to not focus on comic books, and covers pop culture, science-fiction, and cult tv/movies.
Fans looking through boxes of comics.
Variety of t-shirts on display.
Pez at one of the collectible booths.
The last section on the main floor is Artist Alley. This is where a variety of professional and aspiring artists come to sell their art, comic books, prints, and to do commissions and sketches. Personally this is my favorite area of the show. There is wealth of talent here, and a great opportunity to chit chat with the artists and find new things.
By now you’ve walked around for a couple hours. Hunger is setting in. There are several places around the show to buy over priced, poorly cooked food that’s been sitting out under the heat lamp too long. Best to bring your own food.
Ok, I’m bringing up the food just to show that photo of storm troopers eating. We thought it was amusing. At any show you can pretty much expect to see a small army of storm troopers walking the floor.
Along with the storm troopers there are lots of people in costume. Just an other reason I love to go to this show. I’ve gone in costume several times in the past. It’s a blast. Although it’s a bit difficult to get around the show if you have a really cool outfit because people will stop and take your photo every 20 feet. There are a lot of people dressed up this year. I took a ton of photos of people I saw in costume this year, and I’ll be putting those up in the next few parts.
After all of this we have more show! In an other section of the convention center there are a lectures, discussion groups, and movies held in a series of ballrooms. I didn’t take any photos of these, I don’t normally head to this area of the show. Outside the ballrooms is a signing area. this is where they hold signing for some of the top names in the comics business. The line of people waiting to get a signature from painter Alex Ross is below.
SHiFT : Returns?
As I’ve been redoing the front part of the site, I have thought about what to do with SHiFT the comic that is located at http://shift.hallopino.com. I haven’t talked to Rich about this yet, but I’m considering taking over art duties on the comic my self.
Believe me, I’m not in anyway a comparable replacement for Rich, or am I entirely sure of this plan. People have been asking me for a while what;s going on with the comic. And those people who think I can draw have asked if I would just draw it my self. I’m considering this as only a way to finish the story so those who have been hanging on have some kind of conclusion. (Which the end of the story is a ways off.)
If you like Rich’s art and want to check out more of it you can click here to check out his DeviantArt portfolio. He’s been working round the clock doing sketch cards for LucasFilm, Marvel, Topps, etc etc. He’s just to busy to be doing this web thing. 
And incase anyone is curious of my drawing talent, or rather lack there of, off to the right there is a sketch I did a few weeks back. It’s the type of half ass art you can come to expect if I follow through on this idea to continue SHiFT.
Of course since we have this nifty blog thing here I’d love to hear some feedback to see if there is something you would be interesting in, or if I should leave things alone.