Best products from r/dragoncon

Well, on-camera flash tends to look pretty terrible when it is pointed directly at the subject. (Think deer in headlights) Direction of light matters more than diffusing, but diffusing is useful.

So first, you want to address light direction:

1. Use a hot shoe mounted flash, but angle it upwards so it bounces off the ceiling and comes at your subject at a more natural/attractive angle. If you ever hear "bounce flash", that is really all it means, pointing somewhere to bounce onto the subject. Note that with the A6000 you can actually use its built-in flash and use your finger to point it upwards to achieve bounce. There are also these nifty little plastic things to do bounce. Found here:
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LEX4RW4/
   
   
2. Use a flash off-camera flash with a hotshoe mounted transmitter. There are a number of options here.
   
   Once you get the hang of light direction, you can add "modifiers" like diffusers to the front of the flash to soften the light or direct it.
   
   I would experiment with bounce flash first with the built-in flash. Note that bounce flash becomes ineffective in places with high ceilings like hotel lobbies/atriums.
   
   Once you are ready to buy a flash, I recommend the Godox TT865S which supports Sony TTL and HSS for about $119. It can mount in the hotshoe for bouncing at much higher power than the built-in flash. It can also be used as a off-camera triggered flash with the Godox X1T-S transmitter. Both of these can be purchased for about $150 total. You can set the power level or flash compensation on the transmitter and put the flash on a stand or hold it out with your hand, or have a friend/assistant hold it to the side of the model, etc.
   
   Here is a amazon link for the Godox TT685S for $119 and includes a softbox diffuser that optionally covers the front of the flash:
   https://www.amazon.com/Godox-Speedlite-0-1-2-s-Supports-20-200mm/dp/B01DTXB66G
   
   Here is the transmitter for $46:
   https://www.amazon.com/Godox-Wireless-Trigger-Transmitter-ILCE6000L/dp/B01EHJM8QI/
   
   Please note that these links are NOT referral links, I am not trying to make any commission, these are just direct amazon links.
   
   Best of luck!!
   

Not exactly the answer you may have been looking for, but I figured I would contribute...I bought something like that from Amazon a while back.
https://www.amazon.com/Hubsan-H107L-Channel-2-4GHz-Quadcopter/dp/B00IZC6C8E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1474758367&sr=8-3&keywords=hubsan+quadcopter

That's the model I bought, and extra batteries/chargers/parts have been easy to find online and even at hobby specialty shops. This one doesn't have a camera, but there are models that do. Super fun toy, tbh. Pretty sharp learning curve, even on the "beginner" mode that smooths out the flying. Highly encourage getting a propeller guard thing to slap on it especially if you fly indoors.

Glad to help! IMO Those As Seen on TV "Miracle Copper" Socks have almost no compression so I find them beyond useless, but these offer better compression and are actually cheaper (I'm sure there might be even better compression socks in a higher price range but I'm frugal : ))
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y2W3DVN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . I also like that they are in a multipack because you probably don't want to wear the same socks more than 1 day without washing and probably won't have time to wash and dry the 1 pair between days. These have even more compression: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B072S43822/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . With all of them make sure to get the right size (for example I have wide feet and larger calves so I tend to go for large or mens).

Could try this or this! Amazon's a good bet for cheap props. Party city, too- it's amazing how much stuff you can repurpose.
Also, Dcon has some great costuming tip tracks, run by people who know far... FAR more than I. Great stuff.

I'm in the Athens area and in the same boat as well, working on a bosysuit! I'd recommend seeing if Community downtown has any suggestions for borrowing or renting a sewing machine. I know they offer sewing classes (for a fee) so they may be able to help in your search.

For other tips, someone already mentioned Yaya Han's bodysuit pattern and I'll recommend this Kwik Sew pattern, it's a popular go-to pattern for catsuits/bodysuits.

Also, cosplaytutorials has some great resources as well. Definitely create a mock-up before using your real fabric, bodysuits are difficult.

Thanks for a couple of tidbits I was unaware of.

You got me on Vic's. I already have a reservation for Wed. We have joked for the last 2 years that the drinks were better and Thursday was just getting crazy.

And just curious. I think I have seen the quest giver floating around. Never stopped them. Are they the ones with the question mark over head, RPG style?

Just to add to the cell phone charger or portable charger, I carry a RavPower 26800mAh - Amazon Link. RavPower has been super reliable for me. Had this one for 2 years and it still charges like a beast. At a minimum, I would recommend one with quick charging (they use Qualcomm's chip for it). And if I remember correctly, their battery cells are actually Samsung. The Samsung cells haven't had the issues some other manufacturers have.

HELLO JOURNAL BUDDY, i also have a journal cover from them, albeit it a griffin on it. BECAUSE GRIFFON IS THE OBVIOUS CHOICE.

Anyway, you can use any of the standard “moleskein-size” journal. You can easily get an actual moleskein in lined paper, [like so] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/8883701127/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1526966631&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=moleskine+notebook&dpPl=1&dpID=41fxhUdMTNL&ref=plSrch) but they are pretty expensive since they’re the most popular name brand. you also can get knockoff versions that are cheaper and just as good. piccadilly is a perfectly fine brand.

also pro tip, if you get one with an elastic band, no worries, just cut if off. that’s what i did for mine when i put a bullet journal-type book in it.

Travellers wallets work great for stuff like this

An example. I'm sure you'll fine one that works well with a badge and your particular phone if you poke around a bit. Also, they're useful when actually traveling :D

Me and my roomie had this last year and we used it to make amazing grilled cheese and ham sandwiches all weekend. It was super fast and very satisfying when we didn't feel like spending money on food or wandering our hungover asses out of our hotel room. Also great for late night when you don't want to pay for the ridiculously over priced pizza :P

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZYJ3XPD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-PowerCore-Lipstick-Sized-Generation-High-Quality/dp/B005X1Y7I2/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1468548176&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=ankher+recharger

https://www.amazon.com/Anker-20000mAh-Portable-Charger-PowerCore/dp/B00X5RV14Y/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468548176&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=ankher+recharger

These things are pretty awesome IMO.

It's on Amazon Prime right here: https://www.amazon.com/Fatal-Future-Mitch-Kean/dp/B07DVXJQFB

Glad you like it!

I am currently wearing these and they feel great. They do wear out kinda quickly so I'm thinking about buying them again in black or navy. They are water shoes so they breathe.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D4ERBU0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Anker makes great products. I will be carrying this bad boy in my backpack throughout the con.