[Hai Qinyan Cosplay] That Touch of Silver-White in Ghost Blade, From an October White Studio

Toward the end of last October's iJoy convention, photographer Teacher @BaizhuanZainane and I completed this Hai Qinyan cosplay photoshoot in a white studio. Choosing to cosplay this character back then was purely because her cold, pure demeanor and this fairy-like styling were deeply attractive to me. As a starting set, there are indeed many details worth reminiscing about.

First, let's talk about hair, makeup, and costume. The silver-grey wig displays different sheens under light, which, combined with the character's signature elf ears and blue gem accessories, established a cool, aloof baseline right from the first step. The biggest difficulty with this outfit was those massive feather wings; they aren't just a large prop, but also need to seamlessly connect with the tulle at the skirt hem. When first putting them on, adjusting the weight distribution and positioning took quite a lot of time, as slight carelessness would make them look clunky. We spent considerable time on set arranging the feathers' direction, striving to make them present a breathing, airy lightness in frame.

Working with Teacher @BaizhuanZainane this time was incredibly harmonious. Shooting in a clean, solid-colored environment like white background photography heavily tests the photographer's mastery of light, shadow, and character emotion. Without proper lighting setup, white can easily become flat or even overexposed in the frame. We tried several lighting schemes, letting soft light fall on the edges of the skirt hem and wings to create delicate layers. Photo two, chosen for the cover, was a guiding gesture with my right hand reaching out that satisfied me greatly at the time. This posture naturally displayed the neckline and dress structure while expressing a casual yet distant temperament through the hand gesture. In comparison, photo one's curled seated pose expressed more of the character's fragile, self-protective side; thus, in terms of composition and tension, I selected photo two as the main feature.

The shooting process was considerably more complex than imagined. In a white studio, the colors of the skirt, wings, and skin easily blend together, so before every shutter press, we deliberately adjusted my body positioning, utilizing the placement of wrists, shoulders, and fingers to break up the visual fatigue of pure white. The temperature in the studio at the time was actually quite low; despite wearing thin tulle throughout, everyone very patiently searched for the best camera positions for the sake of the final result. Teacher Baizhuan's snapshots were also very quick, capturing my best moments in a timely manner without letting the pace lag due to complex props.

This photoset holds great personal significance for me. It isn't the most gorgeous costume I've ever cosplayed, but it records the beginning of everything regarding the character Hai Qinyan. Being able to settle down and refine a work in a studio near the end of a convention felt fantastic. Looking back at the preview after shooting, I felt we conveyed that ethereal feel very fittingly, relying less on post-processing effects and more on preparation, garment texture, and sincere emotional commitment during cosplay photography. Although the wings poked a bit during shooting and the floor-length tulle skirt was frequently stepped on, the moment I saw the final photos, all the hard work turned into treasuring these images. From then on, I gained a deeper understanding of this character, hoping to maintain this clean, pure style going forward.