I have finally completed a satisfying initial edit for this set of Glassy Ripples Cinderella photos. As a novice retoucher still in my internship, spending ample time on every single image—practicing slow, meticulous craftsmanship—aims to present the character in her finest form.
This time, I portrayed Cinderella from GODDESS OF VICTORY: NIKKE. Centered on the theme "Glassy Ripples," the entire costume featured an ultra-lightweight white swimsuit paired with translucent white tulle for an ethereal White tulle swimsuit look. In preparation for Outdoor photography, I began styling the silver-gray Silver-haired twin tails wig several days in advance. The wig is quite long; though styling took considerable time and effort, the sunlight piercing through the hair strands produced an exquisite sense of translucency. For makeup, I deliberately chose red colored contacts paired with soft reddish eyeshadow to give the gaze a more spirited brilliance. The white rose hair ornaments at both temples and the white tulle skirt drifted gently in the breeze, looking breathtakingly aesthetic before the camera.
The temperature was very high on the day of the shoot, with harsh outdoor sunlight that soaked the wig in sweat, but seeing the glistening water-ripple effects in the final shots made every effort worthwhile. The photographer guided my poses: gently lifting both hands to hold the tips of the hair, which, combined with the sheer, lightweight fabric, showcased graceful body lines beautifully. Admittedly, a sensual swimsuit look places high demands on physique management, but having committed to this character, I wanted to express her charm with confidence.
Photo retouching is delicate work. Outdoor lighting is particularly intricate—one must retouch the face cleanly and exquisitely without losing skin texture or lighting nuances, while refining fabric folds and the translucent quality of the tulle skirt took immense effort. The overall color palette leans bright; through the white tulle, one can glimpse the blue sky and blurred backdrop, evoking a refreshing seaside summer feel. This experience deepened my understanding of lighting and composition in Outdoor photography portraiture. Pursuing natural beauty and luminosity under sunlight rather than excessive artificial smoothing has always been my goal. Although the retouching process was slow, watching Cinderella's photos come together step by step brought an indescribable sense of fulfillment.
Because the character is designed in swimwear, shooting in a sandy environment matched the atmosphere best. In front of the camera, I immersed myself fully in the character's emotional world, imagining standing beside a summer sea, enjoying the gentle breeze sweeping over my skirt and hair. This mindset greatly helped capture natural photographs rather than rigid poses. Bringing this photo set to life was not easy—it required coordinating location and timing beforehand and packing essentials like sunscreen. To dial in angles and lighting, even breathing had to sync with the shutter clicks. Whenever we nailed a perfectly composed raw frame, the photographer and I would excitedly discuss it over the camera screen. During retouching, I strove to reflect Cinderella's slightly melancholic yet gentle aura, fine-tuning highlights and shadows so the brightest areas shimmered like sunlight dancing on water. Many might assume retouching simply means skin smoothing, but conveying emotion and ambiance is far more vital. I prefer enhancing the dreamlike aesthetic—such as adding a soft halo to the sky and sheer radiance to the fabric—while retaining foundational realism. Learning during my internship has been very enriching, discovering new editing techniques daily, and this set serves as a meaningful milestone project.