Hal-Con 2017
On Friday, September 22, 2017 I dashed down to Halifax for the Maritimes' largest sci-fi, animé, fantasy, and comic convention, Hal-Con, which lasted until Sunday, September 24. While I am usually more of a landscape photographer, I was eager to capture some portraits of the convention's costumed attendees.
Olympus E-PL1: f5.4, 1/40 sec, ISO 1600 // IrfanView: Crop
Olympus E-PL1: f5, 1/100 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop
Olympus E-PL1: f7.1, 1/320 sec, ISO 200
Captain Janeway was the dance instructor for the Flash Mob. She led us well. I look forward to seeing the recording, though it will be a bit of a wait: Last year's video was released almost two months after the convention.
On the right is a Fairy Godmother, standing beside a squid from the game Splatoon. One of the most interesting things about Hal-Con is the variety of costumes and seeing them mixed together. There's nothing quite like walking past a conversation between Belle from Beauty And The Beast and a Star Wars Stormtrooper!
Below is a picture from a Bangra dance.
Photo on the right:
Olympus E-PL1: f7.1, 1/320 sec, ISO 200
Nearly anything goes for a Hal-Con costume, and unique ones are highly prized. The pair on the left chose the iconic look of the Red Green Show.
I took these first few photos outside the convention, in the Halifax Parade Square, around the time of the Hal-Con Flash Mob. I did not get any shots of the mob itself (I was dancing in it!), but I did take a few of some general dancing afterwards. Here is a link to the Flash Mob video.
Olympus E-PL1: f5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop
Olympus E-PL1: f8, 1/200 sec, ISO 200 // IrfanView: Crop
The convention this year and in years past has spread over several floors of the World Trade & Convention Centre. The lower floor was reserved for the arcade and board games, the second floor had the large panel rooms and main stage, the third floor had smaller panel rooms, and inside the Metro Centre was the Vendor Floor. Things may change with next year's opening of the new Convention Centre.
On the right is a second-floor shot of Mr. and Mrs. Pac-Man. As I was taking it there was a flash of movement, and the Photo-Bomb jumped in.
Olympus E-PL1: f4, 1/60 sec, ISO 1000
Olympus E-PL1: f4.7, 1/60 sec, ISO 1600
IrfanView: Crop
I only attended one session this year (I was too busy taking pictures!). It was a fascinating one on how students at the Nova Scotia Community College have been building and programming a remote-control R2-D2 from the Star Wars films.
In addition to rolling around, it has lights, a swivel head, and makes sounds. They plan on adding even more functions in the future.
Olympus E-PL1: f4.5, 1/60 sec, ISO 800
The most famous event of this type is Comic-Con in San Diego, California, so it is only fitting that there are characters from comics. On the right is Thor. The guy dressed as him is quite tall, and wasn't wearing a wig, so he really fit the part!
Below is a couple dressed in steampunk style, in the first-floor games room. Like so many of the costumes, theirs displays an exquisite attention to detail.
Photo below:
Olympus E-PL1: f4.5, 1/20 sec, ISO 1600
The photo on the left was taken on the Vendor Floor, but features a subterranean Drow from the Underdark in the D&D world, and a surface Elf.
Olympus E-PL1: f4, 1/60 sec, ISO 640
IrfanView: Crop
Olympus E-PL1: f4.5, 1/60 sec, ISO 1250
Photo Credit: Jamie
Olympus E-PL1: f6.3, 1/160 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop
Link from The Legend Of Zelda was perhaps the most common costume. In the image on the left, which was taken by my friend Jamie, I engage in some swordplay with one of the Links.
I am dressed as Sir Bedevere from Monty Python And The Holy Grail. To be honest, I do not like Monty Python even slightly, but as the image below attests, Jamie led us in a group costume.
Olympus E-PL1: f8, 1/250 sec, ISO 200
IrfanView: Crop
Photo Credit: Peter
I have no idea who this blue character on the left is, or the silver one below, but I certainly admire the dedication to the costumes! Neither of these were in the big costume contest; both were crafted and worn purely for the spirit of the convention.
Olympus E-PL1: f4.1, 1/60 sec, ISO 500
I must confess, I really goofed when taking the picture on the right. I spoke with Aladdin here, I complimented his costume and his monkey, and it never clicked at all in my head that he was a friend of my sister's! If he were entirely blue or blanketed in cardboard I would have an excuse, but this one is purely a case of me having the mental capacity of a goldfish.
Below is a group costume, some of the crew from Firefly. Despite striking those intense poses for the photo, they were very friendly in conversation.
Olympus E-PL1: f4.1, 1/60 sec, ISO 640
IrfanView: Crop
Photo on the right:
Olympus E-PL1: f4.1, 1/60 sec, ISO 640
IrfanView: Crop
Olympus E-PL1: f4.9, 1/60 sec, ISO 640 // IrfanView: Crop
Above is a shot of the Vendor Floor, taken from the stands of the arena. It does get crowded, and there is much to see between the artwork and trinkets being sold, not to mention all the fantastically festooned customers.
To the right is a photo of another Link, taken looking up into the stands from the floor.
Olympus E-PL1: f5.6, 1/100 sec, ISO 1600
IrfanView: Crop
Above is a picture of my favourite vendor, a spray-paint artist. Based on what his customers request, he creates a painting in mere minutes, right before their eyes. It is mesmerizing to watch!
On the right is Merida, from the film Brave. Behind her is a Roman charioteer, in a fantastically tricked-out wheelchair. Hal-Con makes an effort to be universally accessible and open to everyone.
Olympus E-PL1: f5.3, 1/20 sec, ISO 1600
Olympus E-PL1: f4.1, 1/30 sec, ISO 1600
IrfanView: Crop
Olympus E-PL1: f5.4, 1/125 sec, ISO 1600 // IrfanView: Crop
Above is a shot from the Costume Contest, featuring characters from Guardians Of The Galaxy. This troupe was entered in the childrens' category, so the Dad in the outstanding Groot-suit counted as just a prop! We were told that Groot was made out of pool noodles.
Most of the entries in the contest were costumes that had been worn throughout the convention, but a few (Particularly the more elaborate ones) are solely for the judged event. That is the case for Belle, below, who blew us all away when she suddenly began spinning at centre stage...
Always one of the more popular events during the convention, the lineup to watch the contest was over an hour long. Since I had an even longer drive back home (Not to mention the time constraint of wanting to return before the premier of Star Trek: Discovery!) I was unable to stay for the awarding of the prizes. Personally, I hope the costume on the right got one. In addition to the giant creature, the woman's right arm (Not shown, unfortunately) was a very realistic fake. Her actual arm is inside, operating the puppet's movements.
Olympus E-PL1: f5.6, 1/30 sec, ISO 1600
IrfanView: Crop
With all the Links running around Hal-Con, it was inevitable that the big nemesis of the Zelda games, Ganon, would show up. This costume really had it all: extensive body paint, complicated accessories, handcrafted armour and sword, and a big cape. I certainly wouldn't want her terrorizing my realm!
I will leave you with one last image, below. It is a stitch of my first and last photographs from the convention, a rather beautiful set of bookends.
Hal-Con is geeky to be sure, a bit over-the-top, and plenty of fun. From the board games to the Flash Mob to the costumes, it was a memorable weekend. I am glad I was able to attend, and glad that I got in on the group costume with my friends. With the opening of the new convention centre, Hal-Con is set to be significantly larger next year. Here's hoping I make it back then, and the adventures continues.
Any thoughts? Leave a comment-
Olympus E-PL1: f5.6, 1/160 sec, ISO 1250
IrfanView: Crop
On the left is a soldier from the Narnia films. It was also a very popular costume in terms of audience applause, as was well deserved. I am not entirely sure how the person wearing it was able to see...
Olympus E-PL1: f5.6, 1/30 sec, ISO 1600
IrfanView: Crop
