[Keqing Cosplay] Genshin Impact at Dongguan Firefly ACG Expo: Blue-Purple Twintails Striking with Sword

This collection of Convention photos from the Dongguan Firefly ACG Expo represents one of my most thoroughly prepared shoots recently. On-site conditions presented many unpredictable factors—the venue was massive with industrial ceiling lighting, while ambient light from surrounding booths and passersby interfered continuously. To capture a clean, dark background under such mixed lighting, we had to put substantial effort into the light setup; on-site light stands and large softboxes played a vital role.

Regarding the outfit, the core is a blue-purple gradient miniskirt paired with a black tube top. Color saturation straight out of the camera heavily tested on-site light rendering, so hue was subtly adjusted during post-processing to preserve cool blue-purple tones as the primary visual focus. Matching purple over-the-knee stockings and black glossy leather shoes shifted visual weight downward, enhancing the leg line's extended feel. The wig and ear accessories were key styling highlights—the fluffiness of the twintails determined head contours, which easily became messy whenever a breeze blew or dynamic movements occurred during shooting. Thankfully, helpful friends on-site assisted with constantly adjusting stray hairs and ribbons.

As for props, although the pinkish-purple gradient long sword wasn't exceptionally heavy, maintaining core stability while controlling sword angles and orientation demanded serious core strength. Keeping the blade in a straight line without blocking my face while aligning weapon orientation with my line of sight required drafting compositional mental sketches before each pose. Mid-air jumps and turns were even harder—in mid-air, I had to manage facial expressions, ensure the sword wouldn't slip, and keep the outfit from shifting excessively.

During the session, we explored roughly three to four distinct framing concepts. The first involved a jumping action caught mid-air, which took several captures to succeed. A dedicated assistant off-camera flipped fabric ribbons on cue as I timed my jump, naturally bending my knees while holding the weapon across my chest. This dynamic pose, with hair and garments whipped up by motion, authentically conveyed the character's bold, heroic spirit. Another set featured a standing pose perched on my portable luggage case; shooting from a low angle elongated lower body proportions, while a hands-on-hips stance paired with a cool expression projected a steadfast aura.

Another series focused on seated poses using a black metal bar stool and a traditional Chinese wooden chair. Seated poses excel at displaying leg extension lines; combining this with pointing the sword outward created a strong sense of spatial depth. The final image featuring sky lanterns and water lilies was specifically conceptualized for post-processing. The original shot was taken in a dim, industrial-style studio space, but during editing I synthesized a water surface reflection and added floating warm-toned sky lanterns as background accents. Contrast between cool-toned purple-blue figure and warm background lights amplified the mood tremendously. Reconstructing environments in post represented a breakthrough in my work; though time-consuming, the resulting visual impact differs entirely from purely raw photography.

For event photography, unexpected situations amidst crowds are inevitable. Spectators gathered to watch during the shoot, but I've grown accustomed to staying focused amid bustling crowds. While the Dongguan itinerary was packed, all the preparation—adjusting costumes, checking props, and rehearsing poses—proved completely worthwhile. In post-processing color grading, I preserved a cool yet natural skin texture with authentic highlights and shadows, avoiding heavy skin-smoothing filters. I hope this photo set conveys the distinct details of the outfit and props alongside Keqing's heroic, spirited persona.