During the process of recreating the new version of Cartethyia, mastering the details of the costume and hair/makeup was the core of this entire photoshoot. Pairing the black-and-gold neckpiece with a white cutout top and a semi-sheer blue tulle skirt placed extremely high demands on figure and posture. To recreate that icy, distant aura, shooting required not only controlling the curve of the gaze, but also maintaining deliberate muscular tension—such as when taking mirror selfies in blue lace-up high heels, intentionally adjusting the leg's extension angle to appear slender and elongated.
In the studio shoot, the lighting used cool-toned softboxes combined with a background of blue drapery and a sea of white flowers; this high-contrast, cool-toned environment maximized the character's innate ethereal, glamorous cool temperament. When donning the elf ear props, special attention was needed to align the cranial wig hairline and the position of the black mark on the forehead; any slight tilt would drastically weaken the visual impact. For props, the white staff felt noticeably hefty in hand; to achieve striking poses, I shot for a long time experimenting with arm lines and hand pressure, finding that subtly tilting the body better conveyed that hint of aloof chilliness.
The camera also captured many fine details, such as leg lines in crouching or kneeling poses, which, combined with the silver ring ornaments around the ankles, brought out a unique exotic flair. I tried several sets of movements this time, from cool standing poses to the nimble crouching posture characteristic of elves; since the back is cutout, continuous care was needed during movement to avoid accidental exposure. In post-processing, authentic skin texture was preserved to keep the cool lighting looking natural. Sharing some photoshoot insights for cosplayers: it's not just about outer clothing, but capturing that cold, indifferent demeanor. Because the style of this costume is sharp and striking, it demands high precision in contouring makeup—especially the eye makeup, which requires creating deep, downturned drama.
When preparing for convention-style setups indoors, putting on and taking off these lace-up tulle skirts was quite time-consuming, making it difficult to fasten the rear attachments alone. I frequently had to readjust the blue ribbons and gold chains to ensure nothing shifted out of place when raising the staff. Looking back at the studio experience from dressing up to finishing the shoot, though the process was tedious, the moment I donned the outfit and gripped the prop, I felt as if I had stepped into that luminous blue realm. For anyone planning to cosplay or recreate this Wuthering Waves character, I recommend applying tone-up body cream beforehand, matching your base makeup to cool-light shooting, and utilizing bodily extension in your poses to achieve the best on-camera results.