This outdoor location shoot for Touhou Project's Shiki Eiki was truly a hardcore expedition. Early in the morning, loaded with bags of props and wardrobe, we set out by vehicle toward the countryside, arriving just when the daytime sun was at its absolute harshest. This costume has immense detail: the deep navy fabric features subtle damask patterns, paired with a black high stand collar and gold corded knot frogs, off-the-shoulder cuts, and sleeves tiered with layer upon layer of white lace. The cap adorned with ruffled lace and golden square plaques also carried notable heft. To match the setting, I styled a mint-green wig and blue contact lenses, carrying a circular wooden-framed mirror as a key prop.
Truthfully, the shooting process was far more arduous than anticipated. That Spider Lily field was colossal—standing inside, one was practically submerged in a sea of crimson blossoms. During the day, the sunlight was excessively harsh, casting intense facial shadows with extreme contrast. To wait for ideal diffused light, we held out until dusk. Once the sun dipped below the horizon and twilight deepened, the ambient atmosphere transformed completely. We switched to night shooting mode, relying on off-camera flash units and LED fill lights to illuminate the subject. Looking at the camera monitor parameters, to maintain image fidelity and keep the background Spider Lilies sharp, ISO was set between 400 and 800, aperture held steadily between F1.4 and F2.8, and shutter speed oscillated between 1/125s and 1/640s. Because the flower stalks grew tall, executing overhead angles and reclining poses was exhausting, leaving quite a bit of grass debris and soil clinging to the dress.
Immense gratitude goes to the photographer's patience; to seize water reflections, low-angle waterside perspectives, and close-ups nestled within expansive flower beds, nearly every focal length was utilized. To carve out depth between the subject and the sprawling crimson Spider Lilies against the pitch-black night, we experimented extensively with light placements. This finished set successfully married the eerie mystique of the environment with the character's solemn majesty. The process was demanding, but seeing the raw unedited captures made every hardship entirely worthwhile.