The Convention photos from Xi'an Dreamland Comic Convention are finally retouched! This time I wore the stage performance outfit of Kunikida Hanamaru. The costume has an overall blue-and-white color palette, paired with a multi-layered pink skirt, offering strong color contrast. To reproduce that fluffy visual effect from the original design, I specifically added several stiff tulle petticoats; wearing it had quite a lot of weight, meaning I had to relocate my center of gravity before every pose, otherwise the voluminous skirt would easily throw me off balance. The wig was braided and styled in advance, and the white fluffy hair accessories on top were repeatedly repositioned to ensure details remained flawless in close-up shots.
Because we wanted to capture those dynamic, energetic moments of a stage performance, most of the poses chosen this time involved jumping and spinning. The light and graceful reaching out and leg lifts in the photos actually required constant core engagement and power. To maintain perfect facial expressions and angles while suspended in mid-air, we rehearsed on-site multiple times. Although the white platform boots flatter the leg shape nicely, the soles are very rigid; jumping repeatedly in them really took a toll on the soles of my feet. The blue leg garter tied around my leg also had to be adjusted to just the right tightness, fitting snugly against the skin without digging in and leaving prominent marks.
The on-site lighting at the comic convention was quite complex with harsh overhead lights, but luckily photographer @Caicaibo brought professional reflective umbrellas and softboxes. To steer clear of the crowd and cluttered backdrops, we specifically scouted a relatively open corner. Continuously adjusting angles, we experimented with low-angle upward shots, which better highlighted my proportions and made the flared skirt look fuller and more dynamic. For every jump, the timing of hang time and flash sync had to be calculated precisely; a split-second off and the expression would break, taking numerous attempts before capturing a few truly satisfying shots.
Regarding makeup, to match the character's energetic vibe, the eye makeup embraced a peachy-orange tone paired with light-colored contact lenses, deepening the smudging along the lower lash line. For the foundation, I opted for long-lasting products, as singing, dancing, and heat throughout the day at a convention really put makeup longevity to the test. From styling hair and makeup to location scouting and posing with the photographer, cosplaying is undeniably an exhausting physical endeavor. Under the watchful eyes of passing convention-goers, one also needs to quickly immerse into character mode and sustain that radiant smile.
However, seeing the billowing flare of the skirt, natural light and shadow in the final shots, and looking at the record of myself giving it my all at the convention, all the exhaustion vanished in an instant. The details of this outfit were rendered beautifully in the photos—the blue ribbons, pearl chains, and plaid fabric were all brimming with texture. Now, onto sorting through the remaining photos and finishing up the rest of the edits!