It was my first time going to one of the largest comics convention in the US. I’ve been to smaller ones at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, but they don’t compare. This is on a different level. Four days of comic goodness. Plenty of panels to partake in involving well known actors, studios, and artists. From topics of breaking into the industry to hints of the next big movie or show to come out, Comic Con has it all.

Besides panels, the convention floor were full vendors! I like toys as much as the next person, but this was just insane. Rows and rows of them lined the exhibit hall. Many of them were exclusive products that wouldn’t see the retail market. If I had the disposable income for it, I’d come home with BAGS of goodies. Alas, I don’t. I was limited to what I could do to remember the ones I liked, which was of course…to take pictures. Not being an avid toy collector however, it saved these products from being put into the corner collecting dust.

Not to mention, this is one of those times where you can dress up as your favorite comics hero or hell, anyone or anything you’d like to be. Whatever you chose, you sure wouldn’t feel out of place with the many others around you. I saw so many talented cosplayers, it was like being a kid in a …well, you catch my drift. With that said, trying to get a great shot was a little hard when the surrounding people are trying to snap a picture like you.

Unfortunately, it being my first time and not researching the topics beforehand, I missed out on a ton of great panels. I did get to see one which I thought was fun: Expendables 2. Sylvester, Arnold, Terry, Jason, and Dolph came out and greeted their huge fan base and entertained without disappointment. You can watch the panel if you search for it on youtube. Sad news followed the next day, so my condolences to Sylvester and his family.

I also participated in a scavenger hunt on Friday. I didn’t know about the hunt until that morning walking towards the convention center. There was a SHIELD agent standing next to a makeshift hole in the wall and I wouldn’t have paid any attention, but I kept noticing people stopping around the hole and entering something into their phones. So naturally I asked and found out what the whole deal was. Apparently there was a screening for short film called Item 47, a spinoff of what happens after the Avengers kick the Chitauri’s butts. A Chitauri weapon is found by two humans and one of them figures out how to activate the weapon. The short revolves around two Shield agents sent to retrieve the item. If you want to know more, you’ll have to purchase the Avengers movie when it comes out in September. It was definitely worth walking to five areas on two streets while figuring out some picture puzzles.

Although I only went for two days I had a blast at this event and I’m sure to attend future events now that I’ll have earlier access to buy tickets, if I don’t forget to that is. It’s definitely an event you have to check out. With that said, let’s jump to what you want to see…some pictures!

Update: I got my tickets for next year! Woohoo. 2013 can’t get here fast enough!

I wasn’t kidding when I said the place was reeking of death and decay…literally. We decided to make a trip up to Bombay Beach located right by the Salton Sea in Imperial County. A couple buddies had made the trek to shoot some HDRs last year and I wanted to see what it was all about. If you’ve never been there, you should definitely check it out. It makes for an awesome backdrop if you’re looking for an urban decay style shoot, or just sightseeing in general. Things are just rotting all over the place. Walking near the shore you’ll see scores of dead fish (mostly bones) and run down shacks. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any shots of death, but I’m sure you can google and find some online. Anyway, that’s beside the point. Let’s just move on to some pictures, shall we?

Model/MUA/Stylist: Apryl Chang

As much as I would hate seeing my work being used in a different country for commercial gain, SOPA and PIPA are bills that are not well thought out. It’s broad and overreaching arm will limit our access to information, a benefit of having an open internet. I was quite astounded to see how many photography studios supported the bill. Maybe it’s the lack of knowledge about the details or selectively choosing the good parts while ignoring the rest, but I hope that these studios and businesses do some research and see that it would cause more harm than good.

There’s great news however. It seems as though yesterday’s blackout definitely helped, if not spread more information to the masses. The tide seems to be turning, and for the better. Go Internet!

Arstechnica: PIPA support collapses with 13 new opponents in Senate

Bloomberg has a good article discussing why these bills came up in the first place. It makes sense if you think about it this way.

Last is a look at the companies who support the bill. You may be surprised. I definitely was, especially for the smaller companies. Not so much for the bigwigs.

For more pictures, check out their Facebook page.

Model: Crystal Monte

Art Director\Stylist: Apryl Chang

Makeup Artist: Juliana Joo