Shooting the character of Penance this time was full of challenges and fresh experiences. First, regarding the costume: the texture of the black suit and skirt was fantastic, but the layers were highly intricate, making putting it on and taking it off extremely tedious. In particular, the white bow required precise positioning; any slight deviation would lose that rigorous judicial solemnity on camera. Leather over-the-knee boots paired with Black stockings delivered a striking visual effect, but wearing them while standing for extended periods or perching on high surfaces made my legs feel very strained. To showcase slender leg lines, I kept my leg muscles tightened between shots or shifted my center of gravity to mask fatigue from long hours on my feet.
Props were another major highlight. The golden thorny chains and scales were far heavier than they looked. Especially with the barbed chain, keeping it taut and undistorted while posing required continuous exertion from arm and wrist muscles, all while taking caution not to get scratched by sharp edges. This is truly what they call visually graceful and light, yet physically heavy and cumbersome.
For hair and makeup, to match the character's stern and cold design, I intentionally elongated the outer corners of my eyes and deepened the lower eyeshadow, complemented by a piercing gaze and highlighters. These subtle touches made facial contours pop with three-dimensional depth under high-contrast spotlights.
Set design and lighting were the most crucial parts of this photoshoot. We found a room with Gothic-style arched windows, incorporating ample white sheer drapery, dark velvet backdrops, angel statues, classical candleholders, and iron chains. Most importantly, through specific lighting setups, the warm yellow light beams cut through the background, giving the white sheer fabric magnificent texture under light and shadow, forming a stark visual contrast against the dark wooden cabinet to evoke a solemn atmosphere akin to a cathedral or medieval courtroom.
I was very pleased with the set of poses holding the tome while sitting atop the dark wooden cabinet; paired with statues and lit candleholders in the background, that presence of an arbiter passing judgment over all emerged instantly. The skirt hem and long legs made a captivating visual focal point in the seated pose, with the texture of the Black stockings performing flawlessly under strong light and transitioning seamlessly into the boots.
There were quite a few behind-the-scenes episodes on set. For instance, standing on the narrow wooden cabinet in high heels required utmost caution against slipping; or twisting my neck and waist into uncomfortable angles to align with the photographer's perspective—yet I persevered through the discomfort for the camera until the photographer called cut.
In understanding and interpreting the character, I tried to add authenticity through subtle gestures—like a slight head tilt or the tension of fingertips lightly resting on the chains. It's never just putting on an outfit to strike poses; it requires delving into how a judicial figure perceives the world. As a cosplayer (and everyday corporate worker), this is what I find most rewarding.
In post-processing, we strived to preserve the warm yellow on-site atmosphere without excessive smoothing or heavy retouching, focusing instead on capturing the authentic textures of materials, light, and shadow. In this room filled with a Gothic style mysterious ambiance, the strong chiaroscuro already carried immense visual tension, which over-editing would only disrupt.
Reflecting on the whole journey—from preparing costumes and props to scouting suitable venues, to repeated blocking, lighting adjustments, and posture refinements on set—every step demanded immense dedication. Bringing out the character's essence through the lens and recreating this solemn scene gave me a profound sense of accomplishment in this Penance cosplay project.