[Cartethyia Cosplay] Wuthering Waves: Fleurdelys's Will of the Deep Ocean

This photoshoot was taken on-site at the Firefly ACG Expo. Compared to a studio setup, convention lighting is far more complex, especially with large dark backgrounds combined with harsh overhead lights. The main gear used was an A7C2 paired with a 28-75G2 lens. Wide open, it rendered crisp facial contours and exquisite hair edge backlighting, delivering a comfortable sense of spatial perspective.

As for the character styling, the blonde wig carried much more weight than anticipated; its high crown and thick volume put noticeable strain on my neck throughout the shoot. The elf ears were secured with specialized adhesive, while clear supports held up the floating blue halo above my head. Because these pieces easily shifted while walking around the crowded venue, we had to pause every few shots to readjust. The outfit itself features rich layering: the black-and-white color-blocked top and metallic chains required careful lighting to highlight, but the most refined element was the blue floating cape skirt. This sheer blue fabric is quite broad; while it catches light naturally when hanging down, getting it to flow like a sea breeze required significant core engagement and arm force.

The dynamic shots you see were fairly challenging to capture. Posing while standing on one leg with the other raised high tested my balance while demanding precise shutter timing from the photographer. Because the skirt and hair fluttered differently every second, we tried repeatedly to freeze the most natural arc in mid-air, resulting in a high throwaway rate. The first image features a barefoot look paired with blue ankle wraps, offering a lighter, more breathable feel. The other two photos feature clear acrylic high heels, which lengthened leg lines without clashing with the blue, black, and white palette. White gloves and crystal wrist cuffs served as accents, extending visual lines whenever I raised my arms.

In terms of framing and composition, since the location was fairly open, we kept the background dark while using overhead light to isolate the subject. This high-contrast approach allowed the light-toned wig and blue trailing skirt to become absolute visual focal points. We deliberately avoided passing crowds at the expo, seeking out dark concrete backdrop areas to create a cleaner space that elevated the overall anime-style feel.

The makeup complemented the character's serene, restrained demeanor—avoiding heavy colors in favor of deep eyeshadow and a flawless, fair base. For works emphasizing fluidity, I believe post-processing shouldn't be overdone. Preserving raw lighting, colors, and skin texture lets visual focus return to character design and motion capture, which is the ultimate respect for cosplay. This shoot took over half a day, with several pauses to adjust footwear and untangle the cape. Though demanding, I'm thoroughly pleased with the final images.