[Eyjafjalla Cosplay] Arknights: Summer Underwater Swimsuit Photography

Preparation for this Underwater photography shoot was actually quite rushed, booking the pool venue only two days in advance. Since it was a shoot for the little lamb's Swimsuit, the foremost concern was the underwater stability of the wig and sheep horns. While wind usually makes one worry about messy hair, hair becomes completely unmanageable underwater. Even after double-reinforcing with wax, hairspray, and bobby pins, buoyancy kept pulling them upward; in the end, we had to use transparent fishing wire to secure the sheep horns firmly to the hair bun, struggling for nearly an hour before finally getting into the water.

Upon arriving on set, the first step was testing the water temperature and lighting. The water was relatively clear, and luckily the blue-green tones refracted underwater aligned perfectly with the summer theme. The photographer directed from the shore while I adjusted poses in the water. Unable to see my positioning, I relied entirely on the photographer's calls or hand gestures. Opening eyes underwater tested willpower immensely; even with contact lenses, the water pressure and saline sting irritated my eyes, requiring me to close them underwater for several seconds and only open them with effort to stare straight into the lens once lighting was set.

The chosen outfit was a plaid Swimsuit featuring ruffles and clear straps, giving off a very refreshing aesthetic. This lightweight fabric tossed constantly with the currents underwater, sometimes wrapping around the body or floating up to obscure the face, making smoothing it out repeatedly quite troublesome. The thigh ring and lace Stockings looked subtly visible underwater; in particular, the visual magnification caused by water surface refraction actually made the leg lines appear even more slender and elongated underwater.

Capturing over-under (split-level) water shots was the most difficult, requiring precise control to keep the upper body positioned exactly at the air-water boundary. The water surface shimmered with sparkling light reflections, while submerged body parts warped and refracted underwater, producing a unique hazy aesthetic. Mastering this composition required keeping posture exceptionally steady, relying on core strength to anchor against floating.

The whole process took about four hours on and off, during which I accidentally swallowed water countless times. Especially at the beginning without mastering breathing rhythms, it was easy to choke. Later, I gradually adapted to the underwater rhythm, figuring out the optimal timing for opening and closing my eyes to keep expressions natural. Although my arms ached from awkward postures in the water, looking at camera previews showing translucent textures of light cast onto skin through water refraction, paired with post-processed water hues, confirmed that real underwater authenticity is completely irreplaceable by studio shoots.

Preparing for Underwater photography involves numerous items: waterproof cosmetics, hairspray, contact lenses, clean rinsing water, and spare backup outfits—all details interlock closely. For makeup, warm pink tones were used to closely match the character's design. The pink skirt was exceptionally photogenic against the blue sky and clear water. During breaks, I constantly checked for makeup smudges, especially around the eyes; fortunately, waterproof setting spray kept everything in place. Being able to participate in this project is both a record and testament to my recent cosplay work. This project represents a complete visual presentation: rather than looking solely at the face or specific body parts, connecting elements like headpieces, wigs, costumes, water ripples, and lighting breathes life into the character's temperament in an underwater setting. To me, the greatest significance of this shoot lies in accumulating experience and broadening perspectives—because variables of water and light are uncontrollable, one must adapt spontaneously, putting on-site adaptability and communication to the test. Although shooting in the water was demanding, seeing the final overall result turned every bit of effort into deep fulfillment.