Since then...
IndyFurCon 2011
I returned to IndyFurCon, this year. I have to say, though, that I don't know if I'll go back. There wasn't a whole lot of activity, and I didn't have a whole lot to do because of that. There was way too much down time for my liking. Fursuiters weren't out and about much, we had even less programming than we had last year, etc. At furry conventions, I can usually find something to do, to avoid slipping into boredom, when the activity calms down. But this year, at this convention, I had to do that often, and I was there for only four days.
I'm beginning to think that the smaller conventions (average attendance is less than 500) aren't for me. More often than not, I have to create my own fun to have fun at the small conventions. Don't get me wrong; I understand that the convention, its attendees, and its programming can't cater to everyone's desires, and I'm not implying that it should. But when I travel to a furry convention and find that there's maybe only one or two or a few panels and activities that interest me, and that I'm on my own for the majority of my time there... well, I think something's wrong. I can create my own fun (fursuiting or otherwise) at home, without spending money on gasoline, a hotel room, or a registration badge.
There were a few highlights, though. I saw aerofox and mrianti there, and we chatted for a bit. I talked to lightpaws for a little while about the new Columbus, Ohio convention, Furlaxation, which will start next year. And, of course, I did a fair amount of fursuiting, and I took some photos while I was there.
Speaking of photos - Soon after I started doing my usual thing with my camera, I was approached by someone on the staff. She immediately questioned me about how I was planning to use the photos (?), and whether or not I had permission from the staff to take photos. There were a couple other things that happened during that conversation, too (I can't remember exactly what was said). But I was stunned by it all, and it ultimately ended with me speaking with the vice chair of the convention (I can't remember his name, either). To make a long story short, there was some miscommunication among the staff members, and that I didn't do anything wrong. But I would be lying if I said that incident didn't affect my enjoyment of the rest of the convention.
I have to say that my feelings on IndyFurCon 2011 were very 'mixed'. There's a rumor that says the convention will move to a new hotel for next year. A new venue can certainly help bring in more attendees, but that's certainly not enough for me to consider going back next year... not now, anyway. If I have to give a definite answer, now, on attending IndyFurCon next year, then I'll have to say that I won't return.
I did visit the Indianapolis Zoo before I drove home, and had some fun there. Of course, I had my camera while I was there. I took a lot of photos and still haven't finished sorting through them all; I may post a few or several more over the coming weeks. The zoo also had an enjoyable dolphin show that was way too short (only about 30 minutes, I think). Unfortunately, I wasn't very well prepared for it, and all of the photos that I took were blurred. The dolphins were active all over the whole room (which was very large and DARK). The shutter speeds were way too slow. Sometimes, I wasn't totally out of range for flash, but I didn't think to even try it. And most of the time, I couldn't react fast enough to get the dolphin framed and focused properly. Still, though the photography was disappointing, I did enjoy the show. And the experience I gained kept it from being a total loss. I'll do a much better job at the next show (no matter where it may be).
Other things
Aside from that, life has been mostly uneventful for me, and that's fine. Work is work, and I still try to find time to get out for some photography. I recently visited the Detroit Zoo for a second time, and took more photos. I also recently bought a new lens, a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, which I plan to use as a 'walkaround' lens when the ambient lighting is okay. The QC issues with Tamron lenses are well-documented, though, and I'll be testing the lens thoroughly before I do any serious shooting with it.
As for the future?
- There's a small chance that I'll take a trip to the Brookfield Zoo, near Chicago, during the annual Boo At the Zoo event. Of course, photos of the zoo visit will be my top priority. But it wouldn't hurt to get some shots of the fursuiters who will likely be there.
- I'd like to get back to Wolf Park soon, for another photoshoot session. An October date is looking more unlikely for me as time passes, but I haven't given up on it.
- Midwest FurFest. Yes, I'll be there again, from Thursday - Monday. I'm really looking forward to going, mainly because I want to take better photos than the ones I posted from the 2010 convention. Most of those shots were terrible, and they were that bad because I wasn't 100% comfortable with my camera. But I've had a lot of time to dissect those shots and pick out all of the things I liked and didn't like, and I won't repeat the same mistakes. This year's set will be MUCH better. I promise.
Oh, one more thing - I'm using Google+ now, and I'm liking it a little more than LiveJournal. I haven't given up on LJ just yet, but I'm warming up to Google+ more as I spend more time with it. I think the site is open to the public now, and anyone can sign up (if you have a Google login). But if you need an invite, then let me know, and I'll send it to you.
Later!