[Gilberta Cosplay] Cool Photoshoot in the Industrial Zone of Arknights: Endfield

Shooting this photo set for Gilberta was actually planned long ago. The moment I received the character art, I was captivated by the black and red color-blocking design and those intricate mechanical details, so I spent an immense amount of effort during prep researching how to bring these elements into reality.

Let's start with the outfit and props. The jacket uses a material with a subtle sheen, featuring asymmetrical paneled tailoring. Achieving a smooth, non-bulky drape for the cuffs and cape really tested my crafting skills. The black sequin material on the chest and shoulder straps gives off varied reflections under lighting, adding great texture in photos. Then there's the giant fluffy tail—to recreate the weightiness from the original design, solid inner structural support was added, making it sway behind me as I move for an incredible visual impact.

The Animal ear outfit accessories were also crucial, matching mechanical structures with leather straps to align perfectly with the outfit's overall style.

Before shooting, we struggled with location selection. I felt her temperament wasn't bright or sunny, but better suited to an industrial feel or a somewhat cold combat atmosphere. So we found several warehouse sets with strong industrial features. Photos 1 and 2 were mainly taken in an area stacked with black speakers and metal scaffolding. Low-key ambient lighting paired with warm side-lighting made the red jacket pop vividly. When crouching on the speakers for that pose, I was actually looking for balance, but the result turned out quite casual and natural.

Next, we shot the subsequent photos in a scene with a desk and computer, closer to a workstation or command center where the character might be stationed. Test tubes, beakers on the desk, and an accent bouquet added a contrasting touch of lived-in daily warmth to the composition.

Collaboration with the photographer during the shoot was equally vital. Beyond natural standing poses, we experimented with crouching, sitting, high-angle, and low-angle shots. For instance, in the high-angle perspective of photo 5, leaning slightly forward felt like conversing directly with you behind the lens, enhancing eye contact. The sitting posture in photo 6 felt more grounded and steady, pairing with the long weapon in hand to project a state of readiness for battle. Since the character's attire is predominantly black and red, we paid special attention to rim lighting during lighting setup; otherwise, blending into the background would be easy. With outline rim lights drawn, character dimensionality and storytelling pop straight out.

This shoot took nearly half a day, spanning from morning styling to wrap-up at dusk. Exhausting as it was, seeing every detail in the final photos—from the mechanical headset to the black stockings and boots pairing, to the casually draped red and black cape—made all the recreation immensely satisfying. To me, this is the essence of cosplay: turning a treasured character moment into reality through your performance and the photographer's lens; it's a fantastic process. This is my visual interpretation of Gilberta, and I hope you enjoy this blend of Industrial style photography and Cyber wasteland style aesthetics.