[Reimu cosplay] Touhou Project in Rainy Rice Fields: Wishing for That Rainbow

I braved the typhoon over the past few days to do this Reimu cosplay location shoot. Since the downpour never stopped and umbrellas offered little protection, my hem was completely soaked and covered in mud by the time I finished makeup and styling and arrived at the location. I thought the shoot was ruined, but miraculously, the rain stopped just as we reached the rice field. Sunlight broke through gaps in the heavy clouds, illuminating the asphalt road. After discussing it with the photographer, he mentioned that the air is clearest after rain, making the light gorgeous, though spotting a rainbow wasn't guaranteed. I made a quiet wish in the rice field, and opening my eyes, I actually caught the tail of a rainbow—even if only for a few fleeting seconds before the clouds were dyed crimson by the setting sun. That first outdoor backlit photography shot was taken right then. Lifting my damp clothes, holding the bell prop in hand, with ribbons blowing mid-air in the wind—capturing these spontaneous moments amidst the waving rice felt far more natural than stiff, posed shots. The photographer crouched in the grass, using a wide aperture to blur the foreground rice ears, creating a wonderful natural frame as if the character grew right out of the paddy, delivering an incredible physical depth of field. The soaked clothes were actually quite heavy, requiring caution not to trip, and the floral headpiece had absorbed plenty of water. The second photo shows me standing in the rice fields with open arms; the breeze caught my sleeves and seemed to blow away all the built-up fatigue. The rainy fields were muddy, leaving deep footprints wherever we stepped, but paired with the classic red-and-white outfit, the rice field vibe was dialed up to the max. We also had to be mindful of waterproofing the equipment, but thankfully the photographer protected everything well and kept rainwater off the lenses. From hair and makeup styling, braving the wind and rain, to watching the sky transform, this imperfect weather ironically fostered a rare sense of clarity and transparency. In post-processing, barely any lighting or color adjustments were needed—the raw photos already exuded that cool, clean quality unique to post-rain days. I used to think sunny days were best for shooting, but this experience truly showed me the unique texture of overcast and rainy weather, especially the rim lighting during backlit moments, which looks stunning. Compared to rigid studio shots, these candid captures filled with surprises and anticipation carry a much stronger emotional narrative. That brief rainbow was the perfect finale to this typhoon day outdoor shoot. Heading back while packing up the wet skirt, every bit of effort felt entirely worthwhile.