Putting on this Chen Qianyu outfit and standing in front of a pure blue backdrop, the overall shooting atmosphere felt completely different from my previous cosplays. There are so many design details in this look that are worth showcasing in front of the camera. First is the hair and headpiece styling; the angular black mechanical horns on both sides serve as the visual anchor for the entire look. The material was intentionally made reflective so that when paired with cool-toned lighting during the shoot, it brings out that cold, sharp feeling fitting the sci-fi background of Arknights: Endfield.
As for the outfit, the sky-blue glossy jacket paired with a white improved mandarin-collar inner top, along with traditional frog button details at the neckline and red-and-white decorative straps, cleverly combines tech-style with Chinese traditional elements. The glove design is also a highlight; the blue-based pinstripe gloves add to the sci-fi feel while giving hand poses more layers. To complement the character's overall temperament, I put some thought into the makeup and choice of colored contact lenses. The light-colored pupils combined with clean, sharp eye makeup aim to recreate that lively yet introverted trait of the character in front of the lens.
During the shoot, I purposely tried several different poses. The photo ultimately chosen as the cover (with my hands naturally open) felt like it could better bridge the distance between the camera and the viewer, showcasing the character's gentle yet free-spirited side. When shooting this set, I wanted to embody the character's overall vibe rather than just mechanically replicating the look. For instance, in terms of lighting, the photographer used hard, cold flash lighting to create a texture similar to a Polaroid film camera. The high contrast and graininess perfectly match the windy, unknown, and exploratory atmosphere of the environment where this character belongs.
To be honest, I've cosplayed many characters before, but Chen Qianyu's look, which blends traditional Chinese frog buttons with modern industrial techwear, definitely required some patience during the dressing process. Especially the jacket zipper, the frog buttons at the neckline, and the placement of the shoulder straps—if any of them are slightly misaligned, it ruins the overall structural look. Fortunately, the final look turned out very ideal.
Standing in front of the lens, there was no need for overly exaggerated movements; casual gestures and a relaxed expression fit the core of this character better. In fact, for us cosplayers, delivering a photo set is often about more than just wearing a costume—it's about understanding the character's expressions and background. Even though this is an anime-style look with a heavy cyberpunk vibe, I wanted her to feel alive and 'breathing' during the shoot. The blue, white, black, and red color scheme naturally carries a cold, aloof vibe, but adding a touch of playfulness to the expression creates a nice gap moe (contrast cuteness).
That's basically the styling and shooting concept for this whole set. From the choice of clothing materials to the final color grading, the photographer and I made many attempts together. The final effect presented in this set aligns perfectly with my understanding of this character in that specific setting. Although the preparation process was a bit tedious, the result is quite satisfying—and that's just the daily life of doing cosplay.