Commander, the atmosphere at the China International Comics Festival (CICF) Expo was genuinely fitting for bringing out this highly stylized design. Having been busy with conventions and live events recently, I finally organized these Convention photos shot by photographer AGG to share with everyone. What you see in the photos are dynamic moments captured against an outdoor lawn backdrop. The lighting conditions that day were actually quite challenging; to balance character silhouetting with background integration, we tested backlighting and side-backlighting setups extensively. As you can tell from the texture of that backlit shot looking back over my shoulder, high-contrast shooting heavily relies on clean facial contours—fortunately, the final output accurately captured that intended dashing presence.
Let's talk about the costume and props first. This outfit features a bold black-and-white color-blocked theme with an ergonomic tailored fit. The halter-neck cut elegantly accents the collarbone lines and shoulder-neck proportions. The white circular chest badge featuring two black decorative straps—though photographed many times—is a signature visual element that has completely merged into the overall aesthetic of this look. Black gloves on the arms, complemented by gold-and-black wrist guards, prevent the monochrome scheme from feeling plain while adding a touch of refined accentuation to the cool aura. On the lower half, a white pleated miniskirt paired with cutout straps and over-the-knee boots naturally flows with floating movement as I walked across the convention floor.
As for the polearm blade prop, it was actually heavier than I anticipated. To maintain physical power in poses without obstructing facial or body lines during shooting, I spent considerable effort adjusting my grip stance. Looking at the Convention photos now—whether in a defensive guard stance with the long blade crossed single-handedly before my chest, or resting the hilt on the ground for support while kneeling—a prop with substantial weight actually anchors the character more securely in frame, yielding excellent visual balance. For the kneeling shots on the grass, although the ground was somewhat rough, maintaining a composed gaze required keeping my facial expression relaxed and confident despite slight knee pressure.
The convention floor was lively, but the photographer and I agreed to scout a relatively quiet, dimmer outdoor area to emphasize the subject and the visual contrast of the monochrome palette. Personally, I love a direct lens-gaze with an unreadable, slight smile, as it conveys a calm and composed aura. Lighting-wise, to create delicate edge highlights, we experimented with low-positioned rim flashes, achieving a final image texture with a distinctly cinematic atmosphere.
Reflecting on the offline atmosphere at CICF, bringing one's interpretation into the cosplay process is immensely fulfilling. The wig for this look was layered, topped with a voluminous white bow. To prevent it from blocking line of sight from behind, I carefully adjusted the tilt angle and rear mounting point prior to shooting. Every successful set represents a technical synergy; special thanks to photographer AGG for capturing those optimal moments so precisely, letting this black-and-white ensemble shine brilliantly in light and shadow.