For my sojourn to the country’s premiere pop-culture event, I returned following a nine-year hiatus—and not by choice. Every attempt to secure passes failed until finally I had opportunity to buy two—for Thursday and Sunday—during Open Registration, November 2025. SDCC runs for four full days plus the Preview Night. As I write, Day Two wraps up at San Diego Convention Center.
I had considered several options for documenting the event, including video interviews. That was a strategy more workable for full event attendance. I chose instead to keep things simple and shoot photos. My SDCC EDC: Nikon Zf and NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 lens; Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Generally, I am dissatisfied with the set captured. Perhaps my technique will be better on Sunday, and more opportunities will present. Day One is what I call geek day. Nerds, if you prefer. They are the die-hard fans looking for comics and collectibles before they sell out. These folks are more objective-oriented, with collectibles their primary interest. I wouldn’t call them the best photographic subjects, no offense intended.
While Hollywood is present throughout the entire event, the big panels, with their showrunners, storytellers, and stars, are the big draw Friday and Saturday. The masquerade ball is evening of the third day, when cosplayers descend en masse on the convention center. Plenty of them will be around Sunday, and I will photograph as many as meaningfully possible.
Okay, so let’s talk photos, all taken yesterday. The Featured Image speaks for itself. The view is from the escalator coming down from the second level. Vitals: f/5.6, ISO 200, 1/250 sec, 40mm; 12:34 p.m. PDT; Zf. The second shot gives you a sense of the massive crowd on the showroom floor. The view is from the Mezzanine level through windows. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 500, 1/125 sec, 40mm; 1:20 p.m.; Zf.
There are a couple food options on the Mezzanine level. The third photo presents one of them. The slices are massively thick and wide, and they had better be. Cost: $16 each. Vitals: f/5.6, ISO 2200, 1/60 sec, 40mm; 1:56 p.m.; Zf. I shot the fourth photo outside the Mezzanine on the outdoor upper deck. The youngster is a future cosplayer! Vitals: f/2.9, ISO 25, 1/296 sec, 230mm ((film equivalent); 1:48 p.m.; S26 Ultra.
The fifth pic is a little tyke dressed as Hornet from video game Hollow Night. Vitals: f/5.6, ISO 100, 1/250 sec, 40mm; 12:14 p.m.; Zf. Location: Second floor pavilion. Number six is the same venue. These two cosplayers are dressed as Lego characters, and one of them carries E.T. Vitals: f/5.6, ISO 180, 1/125 sec, 40mm; 12:12 p.m.; Zf.
In the photo above, a SDCC volunteer dressed as anime character Scratch directs people to Ballroom 20, where big-draw celebrity panels occur. Another: Hall H. Vitals: f/2.8, ISO 200, 1/1600 sec, 40mm; 12:29 p.m.; Zf.
Comic-Con is hard work. The steps walked are numerous; congestion is overwhelming; and waiting is monotonous. In the above portrait, one attendee waits by Ballroom 20. Vitals: f/2.9, ISO 50, 1/120 sec, 230mm (film equivalent); 2:32 p.m.; S26 Ultra. Is she sad or tired?
The next shot shows what appears to be a massive crowd leaving Hall H and walking to the exit nearby area E. Vitals: f/3.2, ISO 400, 1/250 sec, 40mm; 12:34 p.m.; Zf.
Star Trek turns 60 this year. The original series first aired on Sept. 8, 1966. The premiere episode of Strange New Worlds new season started streaming yesterday on Paramount+. Vitals: f/7.1, ISO 100, 1/400 sec, 40mm; 2:03 p.m.; Zf.
Lastly, we present one of the many exhibits or displays placed around or nearby the convention center—this one close to the trolley stop. Vitals: f/1.4, ISO 64, 1/10000 sec, 23mm (film equivalent); 4 p.m.; S26 Ultra.