[Ch'en the Holungday cosplay] Arknights Ch'en Convention photo Share

Shooting this set of convention photos for Ch'en the Holungday made one thing immediately obvious: managing the highlights of patent leather under studio lights is seriously tricky. To achieve the perfect sleek sheen, we constantly readjusted the lighting angles before shooting to prevent wide patches of harsh overexposure. Securing the wig and the dragon horns on my head also took considerable effort, particularly making sure the wig stayed sleek and frizz-free across various dynamic poses. The long tail behind me had an internal wire skeleton, making it easy to bend into natural curves when seated or posing, though navigating the convention hall still meant walking with extreme care so nobody would step on it or trip.

The toy gun in hand was a really fun prop—its bold blue and orange colorway contrasted sharply against the black-and-white patent leather jacket, delivering high visual impact. To hold the prop securely while executing crisp, tactical firearm grips, I practiced extensively in front of a mirror at home. Beyond arm engagement, keeping the shoulder lines relaxed was essential, as the stiffness of patent leather easily turns bulky or awkward during wide motions. The final shots sitting on the metal stepladder came out of extensive back-and-forth adjustments with the photographer. Crossing my legs at just the right angle elongated my leg lines while keeping the overall silhouette fluid, projecting a casual yet effortlessly cool aura.

The temperature inside the convention hall was actually quite warm, and walking around in full kit was physically exhausting. But the moment shooting began and the shutter started firing, the adrenaline kicked right back in. Ch'en carries a cool-headed, sharp presence, so in terms of facial expressions, I deliberately kept my features composed and focused my gaze sharply on the lens or the prop in my hands, steering clear of anything overly sweet. Even in seated or semi-crouched stances, maintaining an upright posture without slouching from fatigue was non-negotiable.

The beauty of studio-style setups is having full command over the environment; the light stands and softboxes in the background even added an authentic backstage documentary feel from certain angles, which aligned wonderfully with the character's urban techwear motif. Seeing the finished convention photos was a delightful surprise. The sheen of the patent leather, the fine hair strands, and the gloss of the props were all preserved crisply. From prepping props and fitting garments to working out the synergy on-site, the journey was demanding, but seeing the final photos made every bit of it worthwhile. This set serves as a complete tribute to my take on this gear and the character.