darkagesun

Yeah, I know it's a cliche, but I followed the recent trend, and setup a Facebook page. So if you like my photos please like my new FB page: /DarkAgePhotography (www.facebook.com/DarkAgePhotog…) Thanks! I will post full photos sets on this page, and maybe some before-after (using Lightroom) photos if you are interested.

I had a blast in Leipzig Book Fair just over a week ago, it was freezing cold outside, but inside the convention halls, it's super hot, I was sweating wearing a T-shirt. It was so nice to catch up with some old friends and meet some new, and I took a LOT of photos, I was exhausted by Sunday night. Like all big conventions, there were some regret, that I haven't met all ppl as planned or take proper photos of. But there's always next time xD

It's already mid-March, but it's still freezing cold and even snowed recently across Northern Europe. We had a glimpse of nice spring weather couple of weeks ago but now feels like in the middle of winter (after living in London for nearly 2 years, I'm starting talking a lot about weather ).

Anyway, I'm coming out of my hibernation, I went to London Super Comic Con (LSCC) a month ago, and it was a blast, it's a small con, but got chance to meet ppl, and there were more time and space for photos <3 As you might have seen, I did a great set with Aigue-Marine as lovely Princess Leia from Star Wars. It was a perfect warm-up for upcoming bigger conventions. Speaking of which, below is my convention plan this year:

15-17 March | Leipzig Book Fair (LBM) | Leipzig, DE
18-19 May | Dokomi | Düsseldorf, DE (80% confirmed)
25-27 May | London MCM Expo | London, UK
10 August | Smash! | Sydney, AU

Last but not the least, I finally upgraded my camera to full frame, Nikon D600, therefore my 50mm f/1.4 would be a true 50mm, and also bought a new lens Nikkor 20-70mm f/2.8 and flash gun Nikon SB-700. Now there's no excuse for bad photos because of the gear Now bring on LBM, where I'll using my new camera and lens for the very first time!

With the finish of the London MCM Expo on 28/10/12, my cosplay season is over this year. The past London MCM was my third one, but the first time I shoot some serious cosplay photos, but due to the cold and rainy weather, couldn't get as many outdoor photos as I wanted. Nevertheless, it's still a blast xD As usual, it's good to meet the old and new friends, and some of us even had group dinner together, twice! I think that explains I didn't even try any game nor do any shopping in this MCM o.O

I'll still have some more cosplay photos from MCM weekend to post, and after that maybe I'll post some landscape photos from my travel this year?

To all my cosplay friends, happy hibernation and see you next year!

Last but not the least, thank you all for making my last London MCM Expo enjoyable and memorable:

Connichi is over and it was a blast. It is very special to me in every aspect. Not only because it's my first German anime/comic convention, but also I get to meet many of my favourite cosplayers in the real life, as long as catching up with some old friends. From photography point of view, it's the first time I shoot everything RAW, and I started to use Lightroom 4 for editing. I also got chances to work closely with some cosplayers for 4 mini shootings. Now all the photos turned out as I wanted, but at least for now I have some cosplay photos I'm proud of.

As for my experience of Connichi, it's a huge convention and I felt a little bit overwhelming in the beginning, I walked everywhere in the first couple of hours and couldn't see any face I'm familiar with (well, I'm familiar with many characters cosplaying). In the end, theDevil-photography found me, after all, he's the one inspired me to come. I love the location of the convention, Kongress Palais Kassel is beautiful itself, and the surrounding gardens, car park, church provided a variety of locations for photo shooting. It offsets the negativity of the location of Kassel as it's in the middle of Germany and not easy/cheap to reach. Everyone I met is extremely friendly, and almost everyone speaks perfect English (shame on my poor German). The ticket for the convention is not cheap, but to see my friends Leo et Dea performs in WCS Germany Preliminary is priceless. Since most my friends were hanging outside the Palais, I haven't spent much time inside at all, so can't really tell you my experience of the inside, about the shops etc.

As a big fan of Germany, food, drinks, language, autobahn, football and… girls, Connichi is already becomes my favourite convention. And I'm looking forward to any more future German conventions.

Last but not the least, thanks for everyone who made Connichi 2012 becomes an event of my lifetime! Namely, but not limit to:



PS, as a result of Connichi, I've got myself an animexx account, all photos are uploaded there, and I will gradually upload some more here to dA. animexx-en.onlinewelten.com/fo…

Summer in Europe means fun, fun, fun! And my summer 2012 is the most colourful period of my lifetime, ever (most likely forever). Here is a brief list of places I've visited and events I've been to this summer:

June: 1 week Scotland round tour.
         French Open Ladies Final (Paris)
         Euro 2012 Group Matches (Warsaw and Gdansk, Poland)
         Wimbledon Round 3 (London)
July: San Fermin Running of the Bulls Festival (Pamplona, Spain)
       Ibiza clubbing (Ibiza, Spain)
July – August: Multiple events in London 2012 Olympic Games

Coming up:

August: Manchester United vs Fulham (United's first home game of 12/13 season)
           1 week Ireland round tour.      
September: Connichi Manga & Anime Con (Kassel, Germany)
                Ensiferum concert in London
October: Oktoberfest Closing Weekend (Munich, Germany)
             Bundesliga: Borussia Dortmund vs Shalke 04 (Dortmund, Germany)
             London MCM Expo
             Lacuna Coil concert in London

As above, my upcoming photo shooting will be mainly focused on cosplay, can't wait to catch up with some old friends and meet some new friends