I just got back from Otakon 2010, as with any convention there were many memories and new jokes that will now circle amongst my friends. By far the best thing about the convention was being able to meet Ejen Chuang, the mind behind the book 'Cosplay in America' and buying the book from him in person.
I found out about his project via a girl I watch on an art hosting site and instantly fell in love with the idea behind his project. The book is beautifully put together visually and physically, I was not expecting the quality of the book when I purchased it from him. Flipping through it I was floored by the quality of photographs. The book isn't organized in any particular way, the photographs vary from center quarter the page size images to double page spreads. My favorite of the book are the full bleed images, but the sizes seem to work for each image chosen.
My favorite part of meeting Ejen was just talking to him about how much he loved working on the project and being able to talk with cosplayers at conventions he was returning to now sell his book. He told us about the cosplayer who is now pretty much 'the face' (quiet literally and figuratively) of Cosplay in America was surprised and didn't know what he had gotten into when Ejen had asked to photograph him. Also, I love how he described his book as a capture of what cosplay is like now in America and how in like 5 or 10 years it'll be completely different. He commented on how he even saw a cosplay on friday with led lights built right into the costume and he was excited to learn how we had seen a cosplay with moving mechanical wings.
So guys, I guess this is my plug for his book. Go out and buy it, if not at least check it out because it really is a wonderful look into what cosplay is right now in America, even if you don't like anime or conventions you'll love looking at this wonderful captivating photographs.
Facebook Page
Video of the Book
Website
