San Diego Comic Con Photography Tips 📸

👉 Grab my Comic-Con checklist here

Whether you are using a big ol' fancy DSLR or a handy iPhone, it doesn't matter you can get great pictures with BOTH! My number one rule for shooting cons is DON'T let your battery die! Otherwise you are out of the game. I charge my cameras EVERY night regardless of what the battery indicator says. Usually I just let them die, but for SDCC I don't want to risk it.

Here are my favorite tips and tricks for getting great photos with any camera!

Coffee And Cameras: An Introduction and How to Edit Your Mobile Photography!

Grab your coffee, sit down and join me while I share some of my favorite mobile photography tips with you!  These tips will be specifically for you mobile photography, but can be applied to your regular camera as well.

I've been taking pictures for as long as I can remember, thanks to my Nana.  Like most of you, I began with film and then in college I finally bought my very first professional DSLR {Digital Single Lens Reflex} camera!  It was a Nikon since that is what I had been working with at the Penn State newspaper and it was only 4 megapixels!

It is funny to think back on how HUGE that camera was and how small my new iPhone 6 is with it's 8 megapixel camera!  In this new series, I want you to sit back and relax with your coffee while hopefully learning something new!

I LOVE photography and I LOVE sharing my photos with you on Instagram.  In this first article, I want to show you how I edit my photographs for sharing.  In truth, a LOT of the time, I am down on myself for the photos I take in camera.  I've gotten better at getting as much as I can right when I shoot, but it is not until I get home and begin the editing process that I truly begin to love my pictures.

{EDITING}

The very first app I go to for editing my photos on the phone is Afterlight {for Android and iPhone}.  I always take my photos with the phone's camera and then import them into Afterlight.  This way you can take as many photos as you like and pick your favorite to edit.

This is a photo, just as I shot it on the phone.  Again, as I looked at it, I wasn't in love with it.  I tried to center it as much as I could and I knew I wanted a lot of empty space at the top.  One of those two things was accomplished.

A little background on this shot.  I participate in the FMS Photo A Day Challenge on Instagram {click the link, it is quite fun!} and the prompt for this day's shot was "us."  I got all "cute" for an "us" photo and didn't like how they were turning out.  Then I realized I had this nice plain background behind us and both of our personalities represented in the doughnuts we were consuming!  This idea popped into my head and I got something, I think, unique and most importantly out of my personal creative box.  Don't be afraid to try something new and usual!

Photos are usually never bright enough for me, so I always do that first.  I mess around with both the exposure and brightness scales.  Please take these tips and use them to find YOUR style.  Mine is constantly evolving and I hope these tips will be a stepping stone to making your the photographer you were meant to be!

Here is the image brightened and cropped into a square.  For the most part I do square pictures, but sometime I get a really nice wide shot that I love and I use the borders in Afterlight to make the photo square and still share the entire scene.  I will share one of those at the end of this post.

Here are some of my favorite filters to use on Afterlight.  These are my go to filters almost every time.  For black and white shots I usually like, bright and light, COAL {under the original tab} gave that to me with a little bit of tweeking.

ELM {under the seasons tab} is probably the filter I use most often.

Followed second by ANTLER {seasons tab}.  Sometimes I want warm, sometimes I want cool.  Depends on my mood and the photo.

Last is Row {seasons tab}, but honestly, sometimes I click through every filter in the seasons tab {my favorites} and end up picking #nofilter.  Do what YOU feel is best for your photo.

And NOW the finished product!

I ended up choosing the filter Bright Fire under the Guest tab.  It has been one of my favorites lately and I love the brightness and warmth it gives the photograph.  Doughnuts deserve that don't you think?

Now to share a non-square photo!

If I would have squared up this photo it would have lost its effect.  My point was to show the contrast of a SoCal winter!  It is all about composition and what is pleasing to the eye...but that is another post entirely!

Did you find this post helpful?  Is there a certain topic you would like me to tackle in the future?!  Let me know in the comments below and don't forget to share if this post helped you!

I hope you enjoyed our very first Coffee And Cameras date!

2014 Blog Wrap Up!

With 2014 almost behind us and I thought it wise to look back on the year.  I feel like I have come so far in just two years writing for this blog.  In 2014 I felt my place in life has shown itself, and I could not be happier with what the future holds!  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

*My favorite posts of 2014!*

1.  Favorite Post of 2014:  An American Angliophile Tries to Brew a Proper Cuppa.  I had such a fun time with this post and I hope you have a fun time reading it!  CHEERS!

2.  Favorite Everyday Cosplay of 2014:  Shawn Spencer and His Pineapple.  This has to be my favorite of the year because, I FINALLY got The Hunny to join me in a cosplay!  Bonus that it was during my favorite time of the year SDCC!

3.  Favorite Nerd Craft of 2014:  Sherlock Holmes Day at the SD Library  My very first solo outing as a blogger!  It was exciting, stressful and nerve racking but I made it through and everyone seemed to have a great time!

4.  Favorite Music Monday of 2014:  Bad Veins.  I had such a fun time hanging out behind the scenes with this awesome band.  I cannot wait to see and rock out to them again next year!

5.  Favorite Five Fandom of 2014:  Gateway Fandoms That Made Me Who I Am Today.  I am so happy that Super Space Chick and I were able to create this weekly link up together.  I have so much fun writing and reading them each week.  It gives me something to look forward to.  Thank you to everyone for participating and see you in the coming year!

6.  Favorite Day at SDCC 2014:  I just went back through them all and I truly cannot pick!  Everyday I met amazing friends, celebrities and had cosplays I loved.  I cannot pick one!  Read ALL of our SDCC 2014 adventures HERE.

7.  Favorite Other Con of 2014:  Comikaze 2014.  I was able to see my first John Barrowman panel, hang out with nerd friends and even cosplay with one of them, Brooke.  Great con all around!

8.  Favorite Concert of 2014:  A Silent Film.  My very first solo trip to a place I had never been to meet people I've never met in real life couldn't have turned out better.  I had the time of my life!

9.  I Heart Instagram Tag - Instagram holds my photography heart.  I've been a photographer since birth and I am so happy to share and express myself through this app.

10.  Favorite Book:  Meant To Be.  Falling in love in London.  Yes please!

*Blog Posts You Viewed Most*

1.  Nerd HQ Tips and Tricks

2.  London Travel Tips from Being Geek Chic

3.  Introducing 5 Fandom Friday

4. The Best Photo Op You Will Ever Do

5. Everyday Cosplay If My Blog Was An Outfit

6.  7 Lucky Tips for SDCC Badge Sales

7.  Everyday Cosplay - John Bender 

8.  Confessions of a Blogger

9.  Matt Smith Photo Op

10.  Everyday Cosplay - 12th Doctor

*Top Referring Sites*

1.  Google

2.  Twitter

3. Facebook

4.  Bloglovin'

5. Pinterest

*Top Keywords*

1.  www.thenerdygirlie.com

2.  thenerdygirlie

3.  alexandria the red

4.  imagine dragons

5.  the nerdy girlie

6.  tardis

7.  comic con parking

8.  everyday cosplay

9.  nerdy girlie

I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to EVERYONE to reads/shares/comments on my blog.  You made my 2014 unforgettable!!!  I hope that I can continue to write what you want to read.  This blog is such a passion project of mine.  I cannot thank you all enough for all your support and kind words.  I hope to see you all at a con in 2015!!!

I Went Back to San Diego Comic-Con 10 Years Later ✨

There are places that feel like vacations. And then there are places that feel like time machines. For me, San Diego Comic-Con is definitely the second one.

✅ Your 3 Month San Diego Comic Con Checklist

👉 Grab my Comic-Con checklist here

San Diego Comic Con is now only THREE months away! Can you believe it! Hopefully you survived both the ticket sale and hotel sale gauntlets and are ready to get down to the fun stuff! Here are some tips on what you should be doing to prepare for the BIG show come July!

30 Unique Experiences That Happened in My 30th Year

In the beginning of 2013, I found myself completely stressed about turning 30.  When you are young, 30 always seemed like a BIG deal.  You are "officially" an adult.  What I came to find out, as the day drew closer, that 30 is defiantly just a number and that growing older only means that you get to grow into who you really are!  I think turning 30 was one of the best things that has happened to me.  It gave me confidence in myself and passion to purse what I want out of this short time on Earth we are given!

That being said...31 is upon me and I go into it this year with happiness and excitement of what is to come!  But before that can happen, I wanted to reflect on what made my 30th year so incredible.  I had a feeling it was going to be a great year, and 30 did not disappoint!

{Blog related}

1.  First time sitting on a panel.  My good friend Tony {@Crazy4ComicCon} asked me to sit on a panel he was hosting for Stan Lee's Comikaze and I jumped at the chance. It was my very first panel, so of course I was nervous, but I am so glad to have the experience and hope it is the first of many to come!

2.  1st time guesting on a podcast.  The Rummage This Podcast asked me to guest on their show and I was so happy to do so.  I have been toying with the idea of starting a podcast, but can't seem to think of what to do each week?  Maybe starting out monthly would be less pressure!  After listening to the @thenerdfu guys each week, I have a tough act to follow!

3.  SherlockeDCC.  When the lovely Baker Street Babes asked me to help host their SherlockeDCC party at SDCC 2013 I was honored!  It was a blast, we learned a LOT and hopefully can bring you a part two in the future! 

4.  Twitter Followers.  When I began on Twitter, I never thought I would have any followers.  Once I began my blog and sharing it, I found some awesome nerds to connect with.  Flash forward to now and I am over 2,000 followers!  I remember thinking before SDCC 2013 that 1,000 was a lot!  Thank you all so much for following, for your kind words and support.  I love reading your words and connecting with you!  Please keep sharing!

5.  Blog Growth.  I celebrated my one year anniversary with The Nerdy Girlie the end of July, 2013 and by August I was happy to see my 100,000th page view.  Just a few short days ago {5 months later} I hit 200,000!  WOW.  I completely enjoy writing and sharing tips with you all, so thank you so much for reading!  I do have an actual job {pre-school teacher/sometimes photographer} so all the blogging I do is done after the school days.  I put so much time into this blog, it is nice to see the positive response from you all!  Thank you so much!

6.  First press passes - D23, Comikaze, SD Comic Fest.  I began applying for press passes in 2013 and was happy to receive one from each of the cons listed.  I applied for SDCC this year, fingers crossed on that!

{Travel}

7.  UK.  This was the trip of my life time.  I will tell you that it was something I enjoyed with all my heart, and plan to return for a longer trip ASAP.  Nothing set in stone yet, but my brain cannot shut up about it!

8.  Paris.  This was a bonus to our UK trip and I am glad that we did it.  By the time we arrived in Paris we had been on the go for six days solid and I was a bit worn out. But through that entire trip, I specifically tried to take my time and soak it all in. 

9.  Playa del Carmen.  We traveled to Mexico for my brother in law's wedding and what a relaxing vacation!  Besides the wedding, all I pretty much got to do was soak up the sun. It was fun meeting all of my new family members and bonding.  It was an absolutely memorable experience.

10.  First time traveling for a band.  I have been a music fan-girl for as far back as I can remember.  Music has had a huge impact on my life and in my heart.  I cannot go anywhere without it!  After attending my first A Silent Film show for my 30th birthday party, I was hooked. When they came back to states in November with a month long tour, I knew I would attend multiple shows and unquestionably had to attend at least one with my Music Maven {who introduced me to the band}.  After my show in Orange County, I flew to Colorado where we attended not one but two ASF shows.  It was such a extraordinary experience to listen to the music you love live, with the people you love.

{Cons}

11.  SDCC.  The best year yet...but I'm positive 2014 will top it!

12.  Comikaze.  My first time sitting on a panel!.

13.  Wonder Con.  The beginning of meeting all my wonderful nerd friends IRL!

14.  Phoenix Comic Con.  Bumped into Sam Witwer in our hotel lobby, perfect way to start a con!

15.  Vid Con.  Never knew about this con, but it was fun and had great panels!

16.  D23.  A Disney person's dream come true.  Great swag!

{Fandoms}

17.  Psych.  You know that's right!

18.  Sherlock.  I am Sherlocked!

19.  Reign.  My favorite new show of the 2013 fall season!

20.  End of Futurama...again.  Though I am happy that it can live on through the comics!

21.  ASF.  "Our band."

22.  Doctor Who.  My 30th birthday was defiantly a Doctor Who extravaganza!  I got so much Doctor Who gifts, add in SDCC and the 50th and Christmas specials, PLUS my trip to Cardiff.  It was defiantly a Doctor Who year!

23.  Meeting celebs.  Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Stephen Moffat, Sue Vertue, Mark Gatiss, Sam Witwer.  This fan-girl was satisfied this year!

{Hobbies}

24.  Began playing the guitar.  I had my first guitar for ten years before I actually began to use it.  Now that I have my little bro teaching me, I can get the basics and practice with You Tube videos, pretty successfully.  I am hoping to start actual lessons soon!  I even traded in that old blue guitar for a brand new model!

25.  Started en pointe in ballet.  As with photography, ballet has been in my life since the beginning because of my Nana.  I have always loved the beauty and grace of ballet dancers.  I stepped into their world almost three years ago, with a BIG push from a friend, who I am eternally grateful.  I always thought I was too old to do it, but with the right teacher my dream of practicing ballet was realized.

26.  Photo a Day Challenge.  I have been getting serious about photography again and love it.  This FMS Photo a Day Challenge really pushes me to be the best I can be. I love following awesome Instagram photographers, I find them inspiring.  I am quite obsessed with this community!

27.  Concerts - Bad Veins, Royal Teeth, American Authors, ASF {4x}.

{Personal}

28.  Purging/organizing/simplifying.  I have always been unattached to a lot of "things."  I moved a lot as a child and always purged before each move.  This past year, was no different, though I didn't move, I did simplify a lot.  I am getting away from collecting things and instead collecting experiences!

29.  I'm ok without kids - Throughout my life, I felt a huge pull to be a mom.  Ever since I began at the pre-school, that void has been filled.  I love being a teacher and have two special kiddos I've been taking care of since they were 1 {now 6}.  I love all my kiddos, but right now I love what I am doing and I am loving my freedom.  

30.  Being 30 - I always felt like it was going to be a scary thing.  I am lucky enough to have family and friends who made my birthday a big deal.  But day to day living has been as normal as ever, but I am happier than I have ever been.

Coffee And Cameras: Finding The Light

{Previous posts:  Editing, Selfies, Composition, Inspiration}

Photography is ALL about the light. Light is everywhere! Harness it and use it to make your images stand out clear as day!

*Light in your space*

I shoot a lot of images in my apartment and I am lucky enough to have a HUGE window that lets in tons of light. Find the room in your house that lets in the most natural light and set up there.

I have a few favorite plain backgrounds that I like to use for product shots and different set ups. I find moving them to where the light is makes for the best shot possible.

Background Ideas:

• Poster boards - in all patterns and colors
• Tile floors
• Carpet
• Bedding
• Furniture {desks, couches, tables, chairs, counter tops}

TIPS: Using a white poster board as a reflector can bounce even more light into where you are shooting.

*Shooting outside*

The BEST time to shoot outdoors is "Magic Hour," the two hours before sunset. Light is low in the sky and super warm and flattering.

Magic Hour also gives you lots of shady spots to shoot. If you have to shoot during mid day, shade is your best friend. It helps keep things from getting TOO bright and can help your subjects to stay cool and not squint into the sun.

TIP: Whenever I'm shooting outside, I always look for a shady place with a nice clean background. Let your subject be the star of the shot.

*Out and About*

I am ALWAYS the one Instagraming my food! I cannot help but try to create a beautiful image of something so yummy! Look around for interesting surfaces and of course light!

Did you find this post helpful?  Is there a certain topic you would like me to tackle in the future?!  Let me know in the comments below and don't forget to share if this post helped you!  

{FOLLOW me on INSTAGRAM}

Geek Girls Gab with Els, Nerd on the Run

I met Els for the very first time in person at 2013's SDCC.  She, The Music Maven and I had been corresponding over Twitter before the con and made a deal to meet up!  I am so glad we found each other, she is an amazing nerdy girlie!  We had a long time to chat and nerd out together about our love of Zach & Fringe!  She and her dad even joined us at the Nerd HQ Serenity screening!

I’m Els, and I’m from Colorado. I’m a runner, hopeless romantic, amateur photographer, Pinterest recipe attempter, and off-key shower singer. I was fortunate enough to attend my very first SDCC & Nerd HQ this year, and there is a big nerdy glasses shaped piece of my heart that I left there in San Diego...

The Nerdy Girlie:  What is your 1st nerd memory?

Els:  When I was 3, I became obsessed with Beauty & the Beast. No other Disney Princess could compare to Belle. I adored her because of her smarts, love of books, and desire to learn. And once I saw that she cared more about the library than the castle, there was no denying Belle was my favorite. ;) Wanting to be just like her, I begged my Grandma to make me a Belle costume. But I didn’t want the princess outfit…oh no. I wanted the blue dress with the white apron… along with the basket to carry all of my books in. I didn’t realize I started cosplaying at such a young age! And the rest is nerdy history! 

TNG:  How and why did you start blogging?

Els:  I’m not really much of a blogger, but I do have a WordPress and Tumblr floating around the dark spaces of the internet! ;)

TNG:  YOUR favorite blog?

Els:  My two FAVORITE blogs are The Nerdy Girlie and The Nerd Machine. I get all my SDCC & cosplay information from Megan’s blog (you’re the best, Meg!), and I love reading the articles posted on TNM. I also have a love affair with photography blogs.

TNG:  What is your favorite thing/things to nerd out about?

Els:  I graduated college with my degree in Biology, so I am a HUGE science nerd. I can drone on and on about molecules, biological pathways, and chemistry. And of course, I geek out daily over my two favorite shows, Chuck and Fringe. And anything that Joss Whedon (Firefly & Dollhouse, anyone?!) is involved in is a must!

TNG:  Any tips for San Diego Comic Con?

Els:  Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Tackling my very-first-ever day at SDCC alone, I was overwhelmed. I got lost in the throngs of fellow nerds and honestly had no clue where I was going. I even texted my friend who had been in the Con the day before, “Where the hell is the entrance to this thing?!”  Eventually I found a big line of people, and asked what they were waiting for. “This is to get into the Exhibit Floor.” Bingo! 

Also, strike up conversations with people. I mean, we are all there for the same basic reason – to geek out for four days! Everyone is so nice at SDCC, and being able to talk about fandoms, comics, (*cough*) Zachary Levi, or anything nerdy is beyond awesome.

TGN:  Girlie things you love?

Els:  If I can take a hot bubble bath with a glass of wine in one hand and a good book in the other, I’m one happy girlie! 

I also love kisses… like getting a kiss on the cheek. FROM ZACHARY LEVI! ;) (Still can’t believe that happened!!!) xoxo

Now Els is a part of The Nerdy Girlie Team.  She writes under Nerd on the Run about everything from fitness, books and of course Nerd HQ!  THIS is why I started this blog and continue to do it, to make amazing new friends like Els!  Follow her on Twitter:  @elshannahb.

The Nerdy Girlie at VidCon 2013

For all of you who don't know {that was me 24 hours ago!}, VidCon is for people who LOVE online videos.  It began four years ago and has been growing ever since.  Beginning with 1,400 attendees it now has over 12,000!  It is held at the Anaheim Convention Center, taking over expo hall, outdoor amphitheater and arena.  

Thanks to the amazing Cristina at Intel {who also sponsored our SherlockeDCC party} I was able to get a pass to the sold out VidCon!

So of course they were my first stop on the expo floor.  Cristina showed me around their huge space to hang out and play with their tablets.

They even had a photo booth, where your picture was uploaded to the tablet, you were able to add different boarders and then email the picture to yourself!  I even entered for a chance to win my very own tablet.  They were really awesome and so small with an eight inch screen!

OMG I totally WANT a microphone now!!

My favorite part of the convention floor was the MASSIVE inflated shark with REAL working metal jaws.  Every hour the shark would rip through different items, bikes, chairs and even a jet ski!!  Bring on Shark Week!

After the massive show floor that is San Diego Comic Con, the VidCon floor is a cake walk!  Plenty of walking space and you can actually see everything easily!  Every booth was giving away awesome swag.  Tons of tee shirts, capes, bags and even sunglasses!

I was so happy to meet up with a couple of my Twitter friends.  First off The Geeky Hostess!  We tried to get together ALL SDCC but that place is so massive, we never were able to connect.  At VidCon she walked right past me and we finally had a chance to chat!  She was there promoting her online series Job Hunters.  You have to check it out, it is so awesome!

Outside the convention center, there was a stage where musicians were playing, a bunch of food trucks and other You Tubers meet ups.  It was such a gorgeous day to be in SoCal.  After a bite to eat I was able to meet James one of the guys with The SDCC Unofficial Blog.  We had a nice long chat about SDCC, VidCon and photography.  It was great to finally meet up with him in person!

I was able to attend one panel entitled:  The Tipping Point, about the middle ground of You Tube celebrity and not a tiny You Tuber.  I got some great tips on how to get my vlog started up and getting it out there for all to see:

*Find people at your level & grow together.

*Engage with the community. 

*Engagement better than subscribers, collaborate with them. 

*Site:  Tubular .

*Fliers to hand out.

*Thank subscribers for subscribing in their comments so others see you.

*Be consistent in comments so your names is everywhere.

*Connect with fans after video.  Subscribe, follow etc.

*Be on all social media. 

*Reach out to fans for help.

Thank you to the panelists Steve Greene, Olga Kay, Austin Null and Margaret Laney.  I have now subscribed to all their You Tube channels and cannot wait to catch up their stuff!

I took way more pictures at VidCon, check out our Facebook page for the complete album and stay tuned for my first vlog answering your questions!  Please leave comments and questions below so I can answer them in future videos!!

xo