[Gongsun Li Cosplay] Frostfruit Pilgrimage Outdoor Photoshoot, Ethereal Moments Among Cherry Blossoms by the Water

Regarding this outdoor photoshoot for Frostfruit Pilgrimage, from preliminary preparation to the final output, a lot of effort went into polishing. From the wearing of costumes and accessories to the fixing of that heavy feathered fan prop, every step was a challenge. To present the character's light and agile feeling, we made many adjustments to the layering of the clothing and the weighting of the props, striving to ensure the posture in the frame would not appear stiff.

Regarding the equipment used this time, it is my highly trusted Canon R5 Mark II paired with a large-aperture lens. In outdoor environments with high contrast and strong light reflection by the water, the camera's high dynamic range performance is crucial. It not only accurately captures the highlighted water splashes from the surface but also well preserves the details and texture of the white fabric under sunlight, while the transition of skin tones is extremely natural. The white rabbit ear headpiece, red rope knots, and sleeves present excellent color saturation under the lens without any color banding.

The shooting environment was selected under the cherry blossom trees by the water. The white cherry blossoms and the cold tone of the lake formed a great visual contrast with the character's red and white color scheme. We specifically arranged for water splashing by the side to capture flying droplets. The dynamic water droplets combined with the static posture of the character added a kind of “flowing” vitality to the whole set, which is exactly the feeling that the design of Frostfruit Pilgrimage brings to me.

In terms of props, that fan with a white base and feathers, featuring black and red, can be called the “weight carrier.” Hand-held shooting tests arm strength significantly. To balance the weight of the fan with the elegance of the sitting posture, we repeatedly tried multiple angles before finally confirming the posture in this set. Although the shooting process was a bit tiring, the result indeed met expectations. Going barefoot paired with detailed red rope anklets, echoing the environment of stepping on rocks and approaching the water surface, creates a natural and ethereal fairy-like vibe.

In terms of post-processing color grading, I didn't make overly exaggerated changes, mainly tending toward a low-contrast, soft style to highlight the translucency of the light on the skin and water surface. I preserved some of the atmosphere of the original photos, allowing the water surface and the cherry blossom forest in the background to have a natural blurred transition, which can keep the screen breathable. The greatest joy of outdoor photoshoot lies in the randomness of light and shadow; this texture brought by natural light is hard to replace by studio shooting. I am very grateful for the assistance of companions during this shoot. The prepared small props and composition schemes made the output rate much better, presenting a state I am very satisfied with.