[Cartethyia Cosplay] The Wind in Wuthering Waves Blows Through This Ancient Church

Actually, this set of photos was shot during the hottest days in Chongqing. Many people asked me why I didn't shoot in a studio, but I feel that this character has a powerful sense of connection with natural light and shadow and open outdoor scenes. That white pointed bell tower, the arched windows on dark stone walls, coupled with a large expanse of neatly manicured lawn, the atmosphere was genuinely incredible. For this shoot, I made ample preparation in advance, not only meticulously restoring the character's elf ears and forehead ornaments, but also repeatedly fine-tuning the layers of the thin, sheer translucent fabrics. Today, I'll share a thorough look into the behind-the-scenes details of this shoot under the blazing sun.

Let's talk about the costume first. The most troubling part of the clothing was that semi-transparent patchwork design. The inside features a black and gray base, covered with white light tulle on the outside. The criss-cross straps on the neckline look simple, but they actually impose strict requirements on upper-to-lower body proportions; even a slight lapse would make it look bulky. The ultimate test was the blue gradient ribbons attached to both sides of the shoulders and the skirt hem. This fabric is extremely lightweight, fluttering at the slightest breeze. To capture that fleeting moment of unfurling in the wind, the photographer and I practically chased the wind across the lawn. We had to press the shutter precisely in the fraction of a second when the wind arrived and the ribbons just lifted. The failure rate of this process is actually quite high; most captured shots showed the tulle skirt clinging to the body, making the few selected photos that perfectly showcase a flowing feel exceptionally rare and precious.

Next up is the makeup, hair, and accessories. The light golden long wig underwent multi-layered braiding, which, paired with the silver feather-like headpiece on the forehead and the long tassel blue earrings hanging beside the ears, made the overall styling highly multi-dimensional. However, the difficulty in the actual shoot was also immense. Wearing this wig on a scorching day, sweat soaked through the hairnet in less than half an hour. I also had to constantly make sure the bangs and headpiece positions didn't get messy, so the stylist kept staying right beside me with a mini fan and powder puff to control my makeup. Silicone elf ears were used for the ear part, and the color was fine-tuned for a long time to match my skin tone. Additionally, the transparent chunky-heeled high-heeled sandals worn in the photos look light, but they were highly unfriendly when shooting on the grass; the heels frequently sank into the soil and green grass, making every step require absolute caution. I almost tripped once in the middle, but to showcase the character's leg lines and slender body figure, these styling trade-offs were entirely worth it.

The choice of location was also our primary consideration. The environment outside this church is very clean, free from too many cluttered elements interfering. During the shoot, I leaned my back against an old tree with rough bark, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves onto my face, creating highly enchanting light spots. The frame of sitting on that large rock was actually a relaxed candid capture during a shooting break. At that time, I had been standing for a very long time, and my legs felt a bit sore, so I naturally sat down and rested my feet. Unexpectedly, this pose with a slight backward glance and pondering look turned out to be surprisingly natural, showcasing both the character's softness and laziness while carrying a slice of cool, serene temperament. The photographer also used a large aperture to blur the white tower in the background, making the character subject stand out even more prominently and enveloping the picture in a dreamlike atmosphere.

Regarding the theme of this shoot, "Let me become your sword," I hoped that what I displayed was not just an external recreation, but also that determination and gentleness flowing through my gaze. In the strong outdoor light environment, although I would blink or squint from time to time due to the blinding sun, when the breeze blew across my cheeks, cooperating with the backlit effect captured by the lens, it instead managed to render a translucent, pure picture feel. We intentionally preserved this natural outdoor light and shadow, avoiding too many exaggerated color renderings in post-production, making the combination of cyan, white, and metallic colors more clean, simple, and elegant. This set of photos was shot from morning till night. Though my body was exhausted, when finally looking at the raw images, I was stunned by this refreshing yet power-filled visual effect. Every character's shaping is a brand-new attempt, and the vividness brought by an ACG outdoor location is something studio lighting can hardly replicate. I hope my relatively detailed sharing of shooting insights can let everyone see the dedication I put into this look.