These convention photos of Dusk cosplay from Arknights were taken at a previous expo, and I wanted to organize and share them while the memories are still fresh. At the time, the lighting environment inside the exhibition hall was quite complex, with various overhead lights and booth advertising signboards interweaving together; shooting straight unedited photos would easily make the frame look cluttered. Fortunately, after discussing it with the photographer, we adopted a color-grading approach of turning the background black-and-white in post-production. This not only suppressed the messy background colors, but also made the blue, white, black, and fluffy teal elements on the character pop vividly. The visual depth was immediately elevated, and everyone can see the final effect across these photos.
Let's talk about the character's hair and makeup first. The wig features a two-tone gradient material, and the horns on top have great texture—not heavy rubber, so they stayed securely fastened without slipping off. The elf ears combined with this hairstyle beautifully outlined the character's unearthly, ethereal presence. The top features a white Japanese-style wide-sleeve design with ink-wash-like blue cloud motifs across the collar and chest, which, along with the fabric's natural drape, flatters body proportions nicely. The bright blue wide sash at the waist is a visual highlight of the upper body, paired with a glossy black diamond-quilted high-waisted leather miniskirt and a pair of black pointed-toe stiletto heels to elongate leg lines in this stocking outfit. The blue gloves on the arms are also packed with details, maintaining the fluidity of hand gestures as an ACG Cosplayer.
What took the most effort this time was undoubtedly the props, especially that massive broadsword. While the blade was made from lightweight materials, its sheer size made the center of gravity quite unstable when held in one hand. The hilt was decorated with golden hexagonal grid patterns, giving it a high-tech yet enigmatic feel. The scabbard was given a matte finish, and rows of handwritten black calligraphy characters across it gave the weapon a weighty presence, brimming with the charm of a traditional scroll painting. Because the sword is truly long, whether holding it upright or blade-down, I had to deliberately manage the angle so the tip wouldn't accidentally poke fellow convention-goers.
And then there's that long, fluffy tail. It practically trailed onto the floor, with fur transitioning smoothly from white to teal. While gorgeous, this tail was quite troublesome during shooting: it gets dirty easily, and it tends to obscure the intended costume details. We paid close attention to its placement, keeping it smoothly curled by my feet or trailing naturally behind me. For example, the pose in Photo 2—holding the sword in one hand while pointing forward with the other—skillfully avoided blocking the legs while fully showcasing the leg silhouette, stocking outfit, and heels.
At a high-intensity event like an expo, standing for extended periods makes your legs ache, especially in high heels while striking seemingly effortless standing and seated poses, which seriously tests core strength. The character's temperament is casual and aloof, yet harbors inner gentleness and leisure. So, when adjusting my expressions, I avoided forcing a smile, maintaining a calm, poised gaze while taking in the bustling crowd around me in a relaxed state.
Overall, the shooting experience was fantastic. Despite the intricate gear, meeting and interacting with so many fellow fans on-site created a wonderfully harmonious atmosphere. These photos serve as a cherished record of convention photos; the costume textures and prop details were preserved beautifully in these shots, and I hope everyone enjoys viewing them.