Wearing this Arknights Exusiai costume for an outdoor shoot, I think the most important thing is to maintain that capable and energetic feeling. The short red wig is highly conspicuous under outdoor light, and paired with the white-and-black spliced jacket, the pink lines on the shoulders and sleeves make the overall visual center clearer. To fit the character design, besides the iconic halo and geometric wing special effects, a lot of thought went into the prop details; though the firearm model was prepared for the shoot, it still provided plenty of tactical feel when gripped. The location for this shoot chose industrial-style metal stairs and outdoor corridors. The rugged gray metal background and the black, white, and pink color palette on the character formed a subtle balance, which neither stole the visual focus nor beautifully built up the daily atmosphere of Penguin Logistics. Multiple angles were attempted during the shooting process, including high-angle shots looking down from the stairs and relaxed states sitting on the steps. I am personally quite satisfied with the posture where one leg is raised, as it showcases the overall silhouette of the clothing while preserving some of the character's own playful and agile traits as a red-haired character.
As an official photoshoot, the choice of costume materials and the fitness of the cut greatly affect the final outcome. This black short skirt paired with black stockings and thick-soled combat boots beautifully elongated the leg proportions. However, walking outdoors indeed required extra attention to the footing conditions, especially since metal stairs slide easily. The black gloves were quite convenient when holding the props, and the pink wristbands on the wrists were the finishing touch, breaking the monotony of black, white, and gray. In terms of overall expression control during the shoot, I also tried to hold back some smiles to keep a focused gaze; after all, the character setting isn't just about being lively, but more about maintaining professionalism during work. After adding special effects in post-production, the overall sci-fi atmosphere became even thicker. Although we wore quite thick clothing during the shoot, standing for a long time still made it easy to get tired. Fortunately, the photographer cooperated very efficiently, allowing us to finish most of the shots at noon when the light was best. While wearing this outfit on the streets daily might be a bit too conspicuous, as a piece of Cosplay photography, this outdoor shoot achieved my expected results, and looking at the photos brings back memories of going up and down the stairwell that day.
Adding some details about the makeup and hair. Considering the outdoor lighting, the base makeup was made slightly matte to avoid reflections. I am very satisfied with the trimming of the wig this time; the layers at the edges retained a sharp look, perfectly coordinating with the division of the bangs on the forehead, so it wouldn't look rigid under high-angle shots. For the choice of pupil color, since it becomes more obvious during close-ups, I chose a pair of amber-toned colored contact lenses, which paired quite naturally with the red hair. Regarding costume details, the drawstrings at the collar and the ID badge are also crucial for accuracy, especially the style of the lanyard and the penguin logo in the card holder; though they are small accessories, any error would quickly break the immersion. For the few shots sitting on the stairs, the leaning-back posture was quite a test for the placement of the skirt hem, requiring occasional adjustments to keep the pleats looking crisp. As for the prop weapon, the model used this time was quite large in volume; when lifting it to pose, it had to be held steadily besides looking handsome, otherwise, after a few shutter clicks, the arms would start to ache. I am very satisfied with this metal step scene because of its reflectivity—when the sunlight strikes, there are very beautiful transitions between light and dark, which, combined with the white coat, allows the subject and background to separate into distinct layers. For the tone of the final photos, I didn't let the photographer over-color it, keeping it in cold tones as much as possible, which fits the cyber-urban feel of the entire work. Overall, I think although the time for this outdoor shoot wasn't long, every angle was taken into consideration, and the post-production special effects were added to the right places without being overly exaggerated. Carefully examining the photos, whether it's the calmness of the sitting posture or the dynamism of holding the gun, each achieved its own balance.