A guy with a super cool steampunk outfit spread his mechanical wings for a photo as I entered the library!
Check out these cool photos from Steampunk Day at the Library!
I headed over to San Diego’s Central Library early this afternoon not really knowing what to expect. And what I experienced absolutely blew me away!
San Diego Steampunk, Gaslight Steampunk Expo, and the Friends of the Central Library put on an event that still has me smiling as I write this! You wouldn’t believe all the awesome steampunk costumes and gizmos and props and gadgets and inventions and artwork that filled a good chunk of the library’s first floor. I saw original stuff inspired by Lewis Carroll, H. G. Wells, Jules Verne… Some of my favorite authors! There were also a couple lectures and something called Tea Dueling, which I missed. Perhaps next year…
The participants, most of whom are makers, were all super friendly and eager to tell me about what they had created. I pocketed lots of business cards and flyers, and have tried to provide photo captions that accurately describe what I came across.
So what did I see? Take a look!
Steampunk Day at the San Diego Central Library promotes S.T.E.A.M. learning. Readers, students and imaginative people can explore concepts in science and technology! And enjoy excellent literature and learn some history, too!Dozens of local steampunk enthusiasts had gathered in the library to have fun and provide creative inspiration for young and old alike.A super nice lady had a table full of steampunk crafts she had made. Like others participating in the event, she is a member of San Diego Steampunk.Library visitors during Steampunk Day could pose with Victorian costume accessories and props for a cool photo.One of the first things I saw was an awesome model of Jules Verne’s Nautilus from the classic Disney movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea!Richard Ferrell aka Colonel Malcolm Weatherby was holding a ray gun at the ready. Like many other steampunk enthusiasts, he makes his own props.This ray gun from Steampunk Arsenal is a fusion of glass bottles and imagination.It’s The Mad Hatter! And her mobile table is set for tea! Or perhaps A Moveable Feast! (Okay, I’m sorry–it’s the library.)I didn’t get the names of these folks, but they had some of the most inventive stuff. The blue liquid on the right is composed of distilled moonbeams.That gadget up at the top of this photo propels a courageous adventurer through time.I believe this guy said he’s Gandalf the Brass. His staff emits different colored light, depending on the magic. Should he defeat a Balrog, he might become Gandalf the Gold.Steampunk writer Madeleine Holly-Rosing had a table displaying some of her books. If you like reading steampunk fiction, you should probably check it out!Madeleine Holly-Rosing is author of comic book series Boston Metaphysical Society. Kind of like a steampunk The X-Files I was told. Sounds cool!Maleficent greeted me at the Steampunk Public table. I learned she’s not really evil, just a bit misunderstood.And look at all the cool contraptions created by Steampunk Public! Sheer fun and human creativity!In a glass library display case I discovered steampunk collage art by Ramona Szczerba. She calls these curious vintage fictions.Imaginative uniforms exhibited during Steampunk Day by the San Diego Costume Guild. They create costumes representing many different eras.Goggles and top hats everywhere!A British explorer or officer or eccentric character from a weird alternate reality–I’m not sure which! But he was super nice!Taking an image using patented Spectral Photography.Kids in the Children’s Library were busy making Mad Hatter hats!A scary steampunk vampire looked me over when I stepped outside. Perhaps she was getting a bit thirsty. “Fangs for nothing!”More awesome steampunk cosplay near the Central Library’s auditorium.This guy on the time machine materialized from the future right as I took a photo. I don’t know whether he saw any Eloi or Morlocks.
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A Wells Fargo stagecoach takes a turn around La Plaza de Las Armas in San Diego’s historic Old Town.
Here come photos from today’s Trades That Shaped the West event, which took place in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park!
A wide variety of demonstrations drew curious visitors to a cluster of tents in the park’s grassy plaza. Early San Diego in the 1800’s was completely different from our modern city of gleaming skyscrapers. In many ways, life back then was both simpler and more difficult. Many household objects that are manufactured today were crafted using raw muscle and sweat. Most ordinary tasks were neither easy nor automated.
One hopes that historical reenactments like this continue for generations, so that people don’t forget the unique and meaningful lives of our ancestors.
You might notice this isn’t the first time I’ve blogged about this annual event. I’m so fascinated by San Diego’s history, I decided to experience Trades That Shaped the West again!
Stagecoach Days is celebrated every Saturday in Old Town during the summer. There’s a different themed event every week!
Aspects of frontier life were reenacted today in Old Town San Diego. Visitors watch as a stagecoach passes by!History comes to life during Stagecoach Days in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. There’s a different theme each Saturday in July and August.Many fascinating demonstrations could be viewed by the public at the Trades That Shaped the West event today.Young and old alike watched two blacksmiths at work with an anvil and small forge.A wheelwright explains his craft. To make wagon wheels required great skill. Like cars today, wagons were an important part of life in the 1800’s.The bent metal band tyre would be expanded with heat, then contracted using cold water once carefully placed around the wooden wheel.We take laundry machines for granted today. Years ago in the Old West, cleaning clothes required a whole lot more work!Irons, washboards and other objects from daily life generations ago were on display.These ladies were weaving baskets. Basket-weaving is said to be the oldest of all human crafts.The local Native American Kumeyaay would use willow baskets to protect their gathered acorns and other food from insects.This portable green forge is being used for the first time. The handle turns a belt which operates an air blower. I recognized this blacksmith from the Fall Back Festival in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.Local blacksmith hobbyists created all the items you see here, including the ornamental snake (which took about an hour and a half to make) and the huge padlock!This crafty gambler tried to entice me into playing a game of chance. Nice try!A gentleman had a table containing old tintype photographs. He also had antique cameras on display that were used for daguerreotype photographs.A new wheel is being produced by several wainwrights, trades people who craft and repair wagons and carts. These guys belong to the California Historical Artillery Society.A variety of useful tools on their table. Many look familiar today.The members of the California Historical Artillery Society were attending the annual Trades That Shaped the West event for the first time.Sign shows average blacksmithing prices in the mid 1800’s. The prices were much higher in Northern California during the Gold Rush.These guys also had a traveling battery forge, used by the Army long ago. Today they are often used in Civil War reenactments.I noticed that a snake oil salesman had drawn a crowd!An old lady with a bad case of lumbago was eager to try Dr. Montbank’s Tonic Elixir.I’m not sure it helped much.A guitar, a fiddle, and a bottle. These frontier musicians were getting themselves ready to provide a bit of Western entertainment.Visitors to Old Town were walking in front of the Colorado House and enjoying a sunny San Diego weekend.Look what’s coming! These pack animals have transported the mail all the way from San Antonio!The Overland Mail Delivery arrived exactly at one o’clock!I guess this would qualify as Ground Mail.The small Old Town encampment excitedly greets the four-legged mail carriers.Mail is handed out to many of the event participants!These creative young folk are too busy writing their own letters to notice.An educational reenactment of history was enjoyed today in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
Klingon warrior uniforms on display at the Star Trek: Discovery exhibit. Each member or follower of a House is equipped with a unique style.
Uniforms, space suits, armors, weapons and other props used in the filming of Star Trek: Discovery have been previewed at 2017 San Diego Comic-Con. The exhibit in the Gaslamp Quarter includes some really incredible pieces. A good number of Federation and Klingon items are on display. I took some photos!
After looking at this incredible exhibit, I definitely want to check out the upcoming television series on CBS All Access. The story will take place about a decade before the events of the original Star Trek series.
Those attending 2017 San Diego Comic-Con had a first look at uniforms, armor, weapons and other props from the upcoming television series Star Trek: Discovery.As I waited in line for the Star Trek: Discovery exhibit at 2017 Comic-Con, some cool cosplay went by. These guys have Federation fezzes!I’m almost ready to enter the Star Trek: Discovery exhibit in San Diego’s Gaslamp!A Starfleet Long Haul Space Suit.Torchbearer Armor. This suit serves as both an EV space suit and battle armor for selected Kingon warriors.The Comic-Con exhibit contains Star Trek: Discovery promotional posters and photos from the show’s production.Starfleet Duty Uniforms used in the filming of Star Trek: Discovery.Starfleet Phaser Pulse Rifle, and Starfleet Hand Phaser.Another photo of the Starfleet Hand Phaser.Periscopic Klingon Bridge Officer Helmet. Worn by Klingon pilots to provide a Heads Up Display of weapon systems, star system charts, and other tactical information.Starfleet Tactical Jumpsuit and Vest.Starfleet Medical Officer Duty Uniform and Starfleet Duty Uniform, Operations Division.Standard issue Starfleet Command Communicator and Tricorder.Klingon Disruptor Rifle and a smaller Disruptor.Part of a Klingon mek’leth, a ceremonial bladed weapon used in close quarters combat.House of T’Kuvma Klingon Uniform.Klingon Helmet and Collar. Each warrior’s battle armor bears a unique look reflecting their honor.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I’ve never seen San Diego Comic-Con so crowded. Saturday is usually the busiest day of Comic-Con, but this year it was plain crazy. So crowded in places you almost couldn’t move!
I somehow managed to walk all over the place. Too much fun!
I started off my walk by getting a free Nickelodeon ice cream sandwich at Horton Plaza Park!It seems the Borg and the Federation have joined forces.That crazy, super energetic Syfy drum line is in the Gaslamp again!Must get the hair just right before taking a nice picture with a shark.It’s Jason! Run!Very cool.The latest Mummy is getting all wrapped up at Comic-Con.So much humanity, one can barely move.Profile of a Ferengi.Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman has a buddy.Lego Ninjago characters welcome a Comic-Con fan!People everywhere.Cosplay in the Petco Interactive Zone.Some laser tag action.A party inside the Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie truck.Making friends with Godzilla.More crowds.More cosplay.Don’t ask.Heading down to the area near the Hilton behind the convention center.I guess those Star Wars lasers do manage to hit something from time to time.Salsa picante!Big video screen at the FXhibition.Bolivar Master, from Season 3 of The Strain.A creepy Strigoi Stinger from The Strain.Free water at Archer, but bring your own cup.Cool Snowfall graphic.A pleasant Legion swing.A convenient Snowfall shoe lacing station.Looking cool!Yodeling.People are eager to be screened for the X-Gene.Here comes a couple now.They are placed in a transparent tube by Sentinel Services.An alarm goes off! X-Gene detected! Mutants! The tube fills with some sort of gas!The Orville Space Training Station readies astronauts to be spun like crazy out of control.A shark fin swimming past Adult Swim.Thor and others walking near the entrance to Adult Swim.Thousands of nerds. I feel right at home.Yes, a perfect day for ice cream.Yikes. I surrender.At first I thought he was a castle. He informed me, however, that his cosplay is silverware.An original cosplay inspired by H.P Lovecraft, I was told.Conival was being held on the terrace near the Marriott Marina.Folks chill at Conival.Kylo Ren uses the Force to extract cold mist from a fan.Posing as astronauts amid flying saucers.Looks like some ordinary person is just walking along heading to the hotel.These guys started with established characters then added their own original stuff.These sinister villains are in pink and black uniforms.The Cartoon Network balloons seen from Children’s Park. One of the balloons burst I was told. A bird hit it.A caricature artist at work on MLK Promenade.Superboy transforms into The Tick.Someone had a transplant. They now have a monitor instead of a head.Cleaning up means finding cool swag!Batman’s Rogue Gallery has the Caped Crusader and Robin surrounded.The DC superheroes and supervillains seem to be getting along better than usual.An awesome Transformer stands high above the Comic-Con crowd in the Gaslamp.I don’t know this cosplay. Pretty cool, though. UPDATE! Sam commented that this is likely Azrael Batman.I’m pretty sure that’s Cable of the X-Men.Yes. It must be another San Diego Comic-Con!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
Here comes another big dose of 2017 Comic-Con insanity! Check out all these photos of great, inventive cosplay! And other cool stuff! And I had a sighting of a big TV star, too!
A happy Star Wars family heads down Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp during 2017 Comic-Con.This member of the Fantastic Four seems embarrassed. Probably due to their last movie.I’m not sure what this dog’s super power is.Lots of leathery costumes. I see Flash and Deadpool.Now that is one wicked Venom cosplay!She-Hulk and Raven cosplay during 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!An awesome Dumbledore cosplay!Walking around Comic-Con is like voyaging through a crazy, wacky, wonderful dream.A tiny alien gives me the thumbs up near the Donut Bar.A steampunk Ghostbuster shows me his very cool proton pack.Donate blood during Comic-Con at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel and you’ll get this cool shirt!A friendly Harry Potter says hello.Even Flash can’t remove his eyes from that spellbinding phone.This might be my favorite cosplay. Opera Bugs Bunny! What’s Opera, Doc?Members of the Montrose Magpies Quidditch team!I was told this is a cosplay of Spartan Mandalorian.Must be out of web fluid. Because Spiderman’s hanging at the end of the line.A similar sight everywhere. People don’t talk to each other like they used to. Perhaps escapism can go too far?Cosplay from Dragonball Z.A morning session of Ninjago yoga (Ninjoga) at Comic-Con!Princess Leia sets up a cut-out of Bernie Sanders.Meet Mr. Nice guy!Cosplay of a Star Wars Jawa.This must be Captain A-mario.Lightsabers and minions…Bare-chested Outlander guys were getting lots of attention near the Omni.This guy is raising awareness about the charitable organization Oxfam. They are providing help for refugees during the current crisis. Refugees are real people in a real world.Actor Grant Gustin, who plays the superhero Flash on CW looks down on the Comic-Con crowd from a Hard Rock Hotel balcony.Three large Alien eggs on display. I didn’t hang around because I noticed one was opening.A good old-fashioned Stormtrooper.And a very inventive Star Wars speeder!Hi Gumby and Pokey!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
A dinosaur has been spotted roaming among the huge crowds at 2017 Comic-Con!
The absolute zaniness of Comic-Con is something you have to experience for yourself. It seems that this year, no matter where I walk, downtown San Diego is crazier than ever!
There’s no escape from the all-out Hollywood marketing mayhem; super creative cosplay is everywhere; and everywhere you turn there is something new, absurd and undeniably magical!
Adam Warlock has the Infinity Gauntlet. Thanos doesn’t have a chance.Cosplay of Sheriff Deputy Rick Grimes from The Walking Dead, Season One.Cosplay of Mercy and Reaper of Overwatch!Kids ride a Star Wars speeder through the Gaslamp!Klingon cosplay during San Diego Comic-Con!Actual weddings will take place at Syfy’s Geek Love Chapel during 2017 Comic-Con!A peek into the romantic Geek Love Chapel!Cosplay of Aquaman and–I believe–Mera.Another very cool Loki cosplay!Cosplays of Hermione, Daredevil, and American Maid from The Tick.Just a whole lot of crazy fun at 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!Adult Swim was offering free rides around the city for Comic-Con fans.I was told this cosplay is from PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds.A bunch of Vikings have assembled in the Gaslamp to promote History’s popular show.The dead body of a heroic Viking warrior is carried down Fifth Avenue for Comic-Con.Horn blows during the Viking funeral procession.I see a cosplay Hawkman and Hawkgirl.A fan poses with another cosplay Aquaman.Cosplay of a feisty Robin. He must think I’m a crafty supervillain.Here comes Pepsiman! He must be searching for his adversary Cokeman.It’s Gulliver of the San Diego Gulls hockey team at Comic-Con!Max offered me a ride on his cool Star Trek Discovery pedicab!Here we go, down the streets of downtown San Diego!Wonder Woman was waving her God Killer sword about, so we kept a safe distance.Even the Super Dentists are at Comic-Con!Orange Golf Vader and other assorted weird, unknown villains lie in wait on the sidewalk.Cosplay of Dark Angel Olivia from Rage of Bahamut. Super cool!Uh, oh! Harley’s got her big hammer poised and ready!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
A fan at 2017 San Diego Comic-Con grabbed Conan by the tie for a selfie!
Here are more fun photos from today! I was careless this time about recording unfamiliar cosplay, so leave a comment if you can help!
The Iron Patriot is on patrol in the Gaslamp during Comic-Con.A good Star Wars cosplay!The Syfy band was entertaining the crowd on Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter for SDCC 2017.Dancing to the music!I saw lots of Wonder Woman cosplay. Not sure about the cowboy guy.An awesome Loki cosplay!Looks like Captain Jack Sparrow found himself a friend.He told me his cool cosplay but I didn’t write it down. Leave a comment if you know!The San Diego USO was having people Flex 4 Forces.This Sentinel Services guy wanted me to get tested for the X-Gene. But he implied if I was positive, I’d be sent away on one of those Mutant Transport trolleys!Some very cool Overwatch cosplay!Broad City had a fan man dancing about.Syfy had a handy Cosplay Repair cart along MLK Promenade!These items can be useful in repairing a costume or makeup during Comic-Con!People peddle the Syfy Trivia Trolley while answering questions for prizes!Lots of fun and cosplay everywhere I turned!A lucha libre mask!Santa Claus is busy taking a photo of something up ahead…Supergirl on stilts!Superman had to settle for a Segway. Some kryptonite de-powered him for the moment. I think Batman might have done it.Now that’s a real, genuine Silver Surfer!Another Wonder Woman and cosplay friend.It’s Lady Thor in the Petco Interactive Zone!Cosplayers at Comic-Con are interviewed by Comedy Central.Joker is on the scene!A super awesome Voltron group cosplay photo!Have you seen her Paladin?Schick Hydro Robot Razor is a superhero to the rescue, but it’s a close shave.Fans of the series Mr. Mercedes get ready for a photo.I found the Holy Grail at 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
Here comes a whole bunch of cosplay pics and other cool stuff I saw while walking around 2017 San Diego Comic-Con early this Thursday morning!
Check it out!
I spotted Wolverine spinning a parking sign near Horton Plaza.Thursday morning at 2017 Comic-Con and people are heading through the Gaslamp toward the convention center.Obi-Wan Kenobi cosplay. Observe his fingers. He’s ready to play a Jedi mind trick on me!A really good Assassin’s Creed cosplay at Comic-Con.A friendly artist has lots of cool art for sale along MLK Promenade near Harbor Drive and First Avenue. These are painted on plastic.More of his cool artwork. I see Storm and Catwoman.A young Sheldon Cooper is coming to CBS! That should be really funny!A friendly Pikachu cosplay.These guys represent characters from Outlander.I was told these are characters from Steven Universe.A long line waiting to enter the convention center on Thursday morning included lots of people enjoying every kind of cosplay imaginable.An elaborate, very cool cosplay of Gurren Lagann.One of several Ghostbusters cosplays that I noticed.The long line to enter the San Diego Convention Center boggled my mind.I was told this is a cosplay of Rick the Alien.Cosplay of Madder Red of comic book series Bedlam.Cosplay of characters from Z Nation.Game of Thrones cosplay. I think he said this is Tyrion Lannister. I might be wrong.Cosplay from the webcomic Homestuck.I saw this Tron cosplay last year!
You can see exactly how this cool Tron costume was made here!
And like every year during Comic-Con, food can be found all over the place.Some cool Venture Brothers cosplay at San Diego Comic-Con!Here comes Princess Leia with her entourage.Looks like Wonder Woman is in pursuit of Dr. Who.Check out that huge sword! It’s a great cosplay of Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy!A cosplay of Sans from Undertale.Thursday morning a bit after nine o’clock and the Interactive Zone at Petco has just opened for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con.I’m already hungry for a Wookiee Cookie.A line has formed at Blizzard’s Lich King’s Ice Cream Citadel.Hello Futuristic Ladies of the Galaxy!People in line to check out an attraction promoting New Line’s production of Stephen King’s It.Jack in the Box’s Crave Van smashed through a wall of comic books in the Interactive Zone! Too much fun!A super cool full size replica of a Star Wars T-47 Snowspeeder created by hobbyists who belong to Real Movie Toys.A guy from Sphero shows off their new Spiderman robotic toy that interacts. Kind of like Alexa with voice recognition.People in the Interactive Zone could sit in a Luke Cage set and have their picture taken! There was also a Game of Thrones and Orange is the New Black set!People get ready to enter Sprout’s Kody Kapow attraction.This guy is cosplaying Bibleman!Boom Howdy has posted Missing signs around San Diego.Near Petco Park I saw this cosplay of Goku from Dragonball Z.Wonder Woman on a window in San Diego.I spied this cool truck in a parking lot. Black Eyed Peas present Masters of the Sun.A parking lot downtown has been converted into a Viceland promotional area.Have no fear! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are coming down the sidewalk! Hide the pizza!I learned these actors are performing in Game of Thrones the Musical at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center in San Diego during Comic-Con.Adventure Time cosplay!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
Three canine celebrities get their photo taken during PAWmicon. Cosplay goes to the dogs.
The humans can’t have all the fun during Comic-Con!
Check out some photos of dog cosplay at today’s PAWmicon event, which took place at Hazard Center. Helen Woodward Animal Center had adoptable dogs dressed up as superheroes, and friendly pups proceeded to save smiling humans! As the bumper sticker says: Who rescued who?
Dogs brought by those attending the event were also dressed up for a costume contest. I know–a bit silly–but every two-legged and four-legged critter at PAWmicon seemed quite happy!
Helen Woodward Animal Center created PAWmicon to help adoptable dogs find loving homes. Cosplay for a cause.I spotted Hairy Pawter in the Dogwarts Express.Bat-dog was keeping an eye on the mayhem.I see Harley-canine and Super-growl.Bat-dog returned to the relative safety of Gotham. San Diego is just too crazy.A cosplay dog is a star of the show.The furriest critter around wasn’t a pooch–it was Chewbacca!Not sure what superhero this dog is dressed up to be. Perhaps some sort of Captain Paw-merica.Here comes Scooby Doo. He ate so many Scooby snacks, he outgrew the Mystery Machine!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I’m starting to get excited about upcoming 2017 San Diego Comic-Con! It begins in less than two weeks!
Now that I’m beginning to think again about Comic-Con, I’ve been remembering some of the cool cosplay photos I’ve taken the past few years. Just for fun I’ve collected links to old blog posts that contain lots of cosplay photos!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera. This year I’m going to photograph lots more Comic-Con stuff! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Cool San Diego Sights! 