I finally sorted through yesterday's Convention photos from the Golden Dolphin Expo! I genuinely love this set of action shots—they truly captured that soaring, dynamic rush. When shooting this Youmu Konpaku cosplay (Touhou Project), the most demanding part was designing the postures. For instance, balancing on one foot while gripping the katana required adjusting my center of gravity multiple times between the scabbard and the hilt to stay stable while maintaining an effortless, airy poise. Holding up twin blades was also quite a test of arm strength due to the weight of the props. Fortunately, the photographer continuously encouraged me from the side, nailing the shutter at just the right split second.
Costume texture was equally vital: the interplay between the black corset and the white ruffled skirt hem, accented by turquoise patterns, created crisp dimensional layers under strong lighting. The White stockings hugging the legs and Mary Jane shoes outlined beautiful silhouettes under side-backlighting, which I was very pleased with. To accommodate convention hall lighting, we tested shaded spots as well as direct sunlight; the resulting warm-and-cool contrast suited the character's crisp, sharp demeanor perfectly. During pre-shoot preparation, I fine-tuned the placement of the hair ribbon and choker to ensure both character accuracy and three-dimensional definition on camera. With crowds passing by, staying focused in character without distraction was quite a mental test. The crouching pose was specifically framed to show the relationship between the blades and the skirt hem, adding rich depth to the composition.
The Golden Dolphin Expo was a blast; capturing photos that blend cool swagger with feminine elegance made all the fatigue worthwhile. We avoided forced, awkward posing, letting everything flow naturally from the character's personality to showcase the live charm of Touhou Project Anime-style photography. The petticoat under this skirt was delightfully fluffy, flaring into a gorgeous arc with the slightest spin to complement the sword-slashing motions. Low-angle framing placed demands on body proportions, but the photographer's composition and retouching brought out the long leg lines and spirited energy I envisioned. The pairing of White stockings was the finishing touch—preserving maiden-like cuteness without softening the razor-sharp edge of the swords. Finding clear spots on the plaza took time to avoid cluttered backdrops, but the lighting cuts and background blur in the final captures turned out wonderfully. Seeing these Convention photos made all the sweat and effort vanish into pure joy.