This time at Hypergryph Carnival, I cosplayed as Amiya, wearing an outfit with a strong casual vibe: a white off-shoulder ruffly shirt paired with a high-waisted black skirt. Combined with the long rabbit ears headband and that signature black cross-heart bow, the iconic look immediately came together.
Actually, whenever I cosplay Amiya, the most challenging part is managing the texture of the outfit and the overall vibe. Since the character's temperament leans towards cool and resolute, I prefer balancing it out with these slightly designed, cute feminine elements for a casual convention look. This way, it doesn't feel overly heavy, yet still stands out in the colorful convention atmosphere. This outfit strikes a perfect balance between lightweight comfort for a summer convention and the character's iconic elements. Walking around the venue, the sheer texture and ruffles of the shirt created lovely layering effects.
I filmed the entire event with the DJI Pocket 4 Pro. The device is incredibly lightweight and operates smoothly with just one hand. In a heavily crowded exhibition area with a complex layout, holding it single-handedly allowed me to capture snapshots from various angles effortlessly, which is perfect for high-frequency mobile scenarios like convention photography. Many of the final shots surprised me with their dynamic range and image stabilization; many photos could be posted straight out of the camera. Looking at different compositions, low-angle shots highlighted the character's distinct cool vibe, while full-body shots perfectly showcased the shoes and socks outfit. Overall, both the texture and color accuracy aligned with the recording style I wanted.
Speaking of scenes, the set design at this carnival was genuinely sincere. Areas like the colorful balloons paired with floral displays felt light and cheerful; there was also a purple-pink neon pavilion with a cool cyber-traditional vibe and rich atmosphere; and the realistic artificial jungle set behind, combined with character standees, even gave the illusion of being outdoors. The lighting across different areas in the venue varied significantly, but the Pocket 4 Pro's automatic exposure adjusted extremely quickly without overexposing or blowing out highlights, nor crushing dark areas. This made the entire shooting process very smooth, allowing me to immerse myself more in the character.
I particularly loved carrying around Amiya's matching rabbit plushie to check in at various spots. Taking photos with the huge standees felt like hopping through different dimensions. Although walking around the hall taking photos all day in platform shoes was undeniably tiring, my spirits remained sky-high. The magic of conventions lies not just in wearing favorite outfits and applying setting-accurate makeup in this special space, but also in meeting countless like-minded fans.
Everyone struck poses, discussed compositions, and shared props in front of their favorite booths. That uninhibited joy was incredibly pure and direct. Compared to studio photoshoots with strictly controlled lighting, I actually prefer these casual visitor photos that carry a sense of everyday life and presence. Although the lighting and background elements were indeed complex, adding some difficulty to framing, as long as we make good use of the device's compact advantage and a bit of camera movement, we can always find interesting angles to capture authentic moments.
Throughout the process, I was also deeply touched by the organizers' heart in building the sets. The balloon floral art, massive neon signs, and highly restored outdoor sets provided excellent atmospheric material for cosplayers who love documenting conventions. I think whether doing cosplay or being a 'life director,' we often worry that our final photos aren't perfect or our poses aren't natural enough. But my takeaway is that as long as you truly immerse yourself in the character and environment, joy is the core state.
At this carnival, I captured all these happy fragments with my lens. Rather than chasing ultra-refined, heavily edited photos, these vivid pictures carrying the venue's emotions and traces of sweat are the precious memories that will truly make me smile when looking back. I'm definitely coming back for next year's Hypergryph Carnival, because this vibrant, passionate, and warm atmosphere makes you want to stay immersed in it forever.