[Jie cosplay] Arknights: Our Belonging Golden Age

This Arknights "Golden Age"-themed photoshoot was filled with challenges right from the beginning with custom costume fabrication. Upon receiving this ensemble dominated by deep cyan and orange tones, what captivated me most were the geometric hidden patterns outlined with orange lines across the fabric, along with the dragon-motif embroidery featuring red backgrounds and gold threads along the hem. To recreate that atmosphere laden with a sense of historical sedimentation yet tinged with fantastical colors, I invested a tremendous amount of effort into styling the wig—not only managing the orange highlights at the hair ends, but also ensuring the horn ornaments atop the head rendered a natural texture across diverse lighting conditions.

On the day of the shoot, photographer Baitao delivered incredible surprises with the lighting arrangement. The first scene group was set in a space featuring a pure white background paired with massive gray geometric blocks, where I sat sideways on a rattan bamboo chair holding a prop book. This posture looks effortless, yet it demands rigorous core strength; to preserve a straight spine while projecting the relaxed ease of natural reading, I constantly fine-tuned the curvature of my spine and my gaze focus. With the long skirt hem spreading across the floor, I needed to mind the long scaly-textured tail prop, positioning it in a winding yet unforced state. The overhead lighting for this photo set was exceptionally clean; the outlines of the bamboo chair and the folds of the costume appeared razor-sharp under the light and shadow, making it feel in that exact moment as though I were truly situated within a tranquil afternoon, immersed in text and contemplation.

Transitioning to the ink-wash background set, the atmospheric vibe instantly skyrocketed. Massive black ink splashes cast intense tension against the white background, and to contrast against this unrestrained and expressive backdrop, I opted for a standing posture with both hands folded inside my sleeves. This action looks deceptively simple, but to prevent the wide sleeves from slipping and exposing the white inner lining underneath, the muscular exertion in my arms had to remain tightly tensed. Distributing the center of gravity across both feet was equally crucial, requiring the entire body to project an aloof, upright, yet unrigid state. Baitao instructed me to lower my head slightly with my gaze drooping naturally, avoiding direct eye contact with the camera. As the rim/back lighting swept across, the contours along the costume's edges were exquisitely etched, while the cyan-green and white fabrics showcased magnificent textural depth under the sharp light-and-shadow contrast, with the metallic buckles on the boots refracting a cold, sharp gleam.

To ensure our movements stayed closely attuned to the character, we maintained continuous communication throughout the breaks between shots. For instance, controlling breathing to keep the body completely stable during long exposures, and positioning hand gestures to appear more natural. Executing this photo set expended substantial physical stamina due to the heavy layering of the costume, requiring skirt hems and sleeves to be rearranged after every single pose adjustment, but the instant I saw the finished photos, all fatigue melted away entirely.

I have always felt that cosplay is far more than simply donning a character's garments; it is about briefly touching the inner world of that character through physical control and emotional expression. Within this studio space intertwining ink-wash and geometry, we sought to capture a fleeting silhouette of this character using light, shadow, and the camera lens. The visual output delivered by this costume's fabrics and prints under the lens left me thoroughly satisfied. The entire process involved no forced posing; instead, it leaned into a calm state to experience the sheer weight and lines of the costume itself. Sorting out props and attire once the shoot concluded offered a uniquely special sensation of slowly drifting back out from within the character.