[Reze cosplay] Chainsaw Man Swimming pool Night view Photoshoot Notes

For this Chainsaw Man Night view Swimming pool photoshoot, we chose an outdoor Swimming pool equipped with lighting fixtures. The water temperature was quite cool at night, so it took some mental preparation before jumping in. Shooting in the water is vastly different from shooting on flat ground—the biggest challenge was the added weight once the wig and clothes became waterlogged. Reze's outfit is usually quite lightweight, but in the water the drag was huge; striking a sideways defensive stance while controlling facial expressions consumed considerable energy.

The Water splash in the center of the frame was deliberately created through our coordinated efforts. My partner playing Denji practiced the force of splashing water repeatedly in the pool—splashes that are too large easily obscure the face, while splashes that are too small lack dynamism. The photographer captured this fleeting instant using high-speed flash sync. The Water splash droplets were frozen in mid-air into glistening beads, with reflections across the water surface behind adding great atmosphere. We splashed water over a dozen times and got water in our eyes repeatedly, but all of this was necessary to capture that vivid splashing effect.

When shooting a Night view in a Swimming pool, lighting is vital. The photographer brought two flash units: one aimed at the water surface to illuminate the Water splash, and another placed behind us as rim lighting. Water at night is very dark, and without sufficient light, the surface turns into a flat black void. Fortunately, testing the light positions beforehand ensured the crystal-clear translucency of the water droplets. Since this was dynamic action capture, synergy between Denji and me was essential; we agreed he would move half a beat slower so I could react right as the water rose.

Regarding character posing, I initially imagined many moves, but in practice, underwater movement is heavily constrained. Beyond water resistance, one must prevent slipping on the slick pool tiles—I almost slipped at one point. To keep balance, I had to keep my leg muscles firmly tensed. The photographer's guidance was also engaging, calling out angles to turn slightly or tuck in my chin. Water refraction easily distorts facial features, so tilting my face upward slightly helped find the right angle. This real on-location shooting felt far more immersive than posing before a green screen in a studio.

For makeup and wardrobe, wigs easily get disheveled in water, so we sprayed plenty of hairspray before going in. The choker collar felt tight in the water, but wearing it was essential to fit the character design. Waterproof eye makeup was used and thankfully didn't smudge. We soaked in the water for over an hour, leaving our hands and feet wrinkly. In post-processing, we mainly restored the cool tones of the Night view without exaggerated warping, preserving the granular texture of the Water splash without over-smoothing skin. After wrapping up, we immediately bundled up in towels. Looking back at the photos, despite the exhausting shoot, the on-location ambiance, dynamic tension, and the character's nuanced aloofness were all captured beautifully.