With the New Year bells drawing near and taking advantage of the final moments of leisure before New Year's Eve, I dug out my CCD camera to shoot a series of New Year-themed cosplay photos.
For this photoshoot, I chose a modernized Traditional Chinese style Qipao rich in Eastern charm. The upper bodice features a white mandarin collar paired with a red halter-neck design, complemented by sheer black tulle over the chest adorned with delicate floral jacquard patterns. Gold thread-woven frog buttons fasten the neckline, creating a visually balanced look that never feels dull. The red main tailoring perfectly fits the upcoming Spring Festival atmosphere. Paired with a white ruffled maid-style headdress, vibrant red flowers on both sides, and a thick white plush shawl draped over the arms, the red-and-white color contrast is both festive and filled with cozy winter softness. The embroidery details on the garment are exceptionally refined—rhythmic, densely stitched golden peony motifs create a rich textural contrast between the supple fabric and pure white faux-fur trim, giving the entire outfit enhanced dimensionality.
The wig retained her iconic silver-grey bob, with subtle teal-blue highlights peeking through the straight bangs across the forehead. To complement this Traditional Chinese style Qipao, I made subtle tweaks to the eye makeup—slightly elongating the eyeliner and wearing high-transparency blue contact lenses to give the gaze a more lively sparkle. Handheld props played a key role in the final shots as well: a butterfly-shaped circular fan with delicate floral and bird embroidery on semi-sheer tulle and elegant tassels softened hand poses naturally. Additionally, a woven bamboo tea tray with two white porcelain cups, set against semi-sheer drapes printed with golden calligraphy and traditional Chinese window lattices, greatly elevated the ambiance.
For this session, I dusted off an old CCD camera to experiment with CCD camera photography. Portrait skin textures straight out of a CCD sensor are genuinely soft, naturally carrying a faint, subtly faded filter feel; though color saturation is modest, the overall palette feels wonderfully comfortable. Compared to modern mirrorless cameras, this slightly smeared highlight rendering makes it easier to achieve a clean, radiant skin tone under complex indoor lighting. The set featured warm yellow paper lanterns and warm overhead lighting; under the CCD's exposure behavior, the entire frame gained a vintage film aesthetic and a warm winter vibe that perfectly complemented the festive attire. The CCD sensor preserves sharpness naturally without over-sharpening pores and flyaway hairs like modern digital cameras. The lens's gentle resolving power gracefully conceals minor imperfections, resulting in a gentle, approachable look.
After capturing a few standing sets with props, I tried sitting poses. Hugging my knees while seated on a wooden chair not only showed off a relaxed demeanor, but also highlighted the leg lines and the white thigh-highs outfit with lace trimming. Framed by the fluffy shawl, it created a lazy yet spirited, playful charm. Later, sitting directly on the carpet alongside flowers and the tea table, I did a few more open, relaxed poses, fully showcasing the multifaceted layers of the costume.
A major reason for choosing to cosplay Cheshire was my love for her cheerful, straightforward personality, which forms a delightful contrast with the dignified grace of this modernized Traditional Chinese style Qipao. Although she is typically lively and mischievous in Azur Lane, this festive styling revealed her gentler side.
The festive spirit of the New Year is often tucked within carefully prepared details—costume styling, prop selection, and capturing light and atmosphere before the lens are all essential ingredients of a great cosplay photo. When it comes to one's passions, embodying a character is always a fresh experience, and I hope to keep carrying this enthusiasm into the new year.