[Ellen Joe cosplay] Zhongshan AS Anime Convention lazy shark tail convention photos

This uniform styling of Zenless Zone Zero's Ellen Joe has always been very popular at conventions, but to accurately capture that relaxed, effortless vibe with a hint of tsundere attitude, care is needed in everything from makeup and hair to camera angles. This time at the Zhongshan AS Anime Convention, I decided to use this classic white shirt and pleated skirt combination to complete these convention photos.

First, let's talk about the costume and detail choices. The white shirt was chosen in a slightly stiffer fabric so that it maintains a clean silhouette under both outdoor and indoor lighting without looking slouchy. The black pleated skirt is the part with the most school-like feel, and the wide square-buckle belt at the waist cinches the waistline nicely. The black stockings on the lower body are paired with glossy chunky-heel Mary Janes; this slightly vintage shoe style actually fits the character's temperament very well, and the chunky heel makes walking around the convention all day not too tiring.

The wig restores the character's short black hair, with reddish-pink gradient inner highlights on both sides; this sense of layering is particularly noticeable in backlight or while walking. I deliberately wore bright red circular colored contacts, matching the specially added small black beauty mark under the eye to enhance the cool visual focus. The wide black choker around the neck is the soul of the entire outfit, which, combined with the dark metal pendant in the center, instantly gives the basic white shirt the character's distinctive recognizability.

Of course, this giant shark tail was definitely the center of attention. Although wearing it carries some weight, an internal skeleton was built for support so that it wouldn't look limp. The surface of the tail is specially pasted with eye-catching white cross insignia, yellow diamond patches, and red-base number "2" labels to restore the setting's texture as much as possible. As for the "no touching" mentioned in the title, that is indeed true, because with crowds coming and going at the event, if curious people tugged at it, the support frame could easily break and affect subsequent photos, so it's better to appreciate its swaying from afar. The red lollipop was a small prop I kept holding during the shoot; whether used to block in front of the lens or gently swung when looking back, it is great for breaking up a somewhat rigid standing posture.

The shooting environment this time was the indoor hall of the Zhongshan AS Convention, where the light was more complex and cooler compared to outdoors. The photographer was very adept at capturing this cool atmosphere. We collaborated on several different composition styles: for example, sitting on a black high photography stool allowed me to naturally stretch my legs, showcasing the lines of the black stockings and the drape of the pleated skirt; standing with one hand holding the lollipop resting by the waist made the whole pose look relaxed and poised; and the moment of turning back happened to frame the curve of the tail and the overall back profile into the shot. The hall was actually very noisy with lots of visitors coming and going, but the photographer was great at choosing angles and using a wide aperture to blur the background, turning the cluttered scene into soft, blurred color blocks to highlight the clean texture of the subject.

Regarding the control of gaze and expression, this type of character—cool and tall on the outside but slightly lazy inside—does not require deliberately posing with aggressive expressions. Sometimes relaxing facial muscles, slightly lifting eyes to look at the lens, or looking away from the camera altogether can convey that unique free-spirited feeling much better. The post-processing did not use overly exaggerated filters, focusing on preserving the skin texture and original colors of the costume.

Finally, I would like to extend special thanks to photographers cn Meng Yuan and cn Waiting in Midsummer for their dedicated efforts. In a convention venue where one has to dodge passersby every few steps and the lighting constantly changes, capturing so many natural states with clean compositions truly tests professional skill. The dedication put into these convention photos is deeply touching; what is recorded in this set is not only the character, but also the vivid moments left behind by everyone's joint efforts at the convention.