[Convention Photos] A Joyful Record of Convention Photoshoot Collaboration (TFCD) for Arknights and Blue Archive

The convention photoshoot collaboration (TFCD) at the Chongqing Dreamland Comic Exhibition has come to a successful wrap, and the experience was immensely fulfilling. As a photographer and cosplayer who regularly attends Chongqing conventions, my schedule this time was mainly set for Day 2 and Day 3, which coincided with the concentrated creation period for our main IPs—Arknights (both main game and Endfield) and Blue Archive.

To handle the intense schedule of convention photoshoot collaboration (TFCD), I prepared lighting setups in advance in the lighting area. Many who are new to TFCD shoots might underestimate the importance of on-site lighting control; in fact, the placement of fill lights and color temperature pairings directly dictate the upper limit of a convention photo's texture. Thankfully, testing in the lighting zone allowed me to rapidly adapt to the color tone requirements of different characters during the high-intensity shoots on Day 2 and Day 3. Whether it was the cool-toned tactical theme of Arknights or the warm, yellow-lit school vibe of Blue Archive, I could quickly find the corresponding light combination, significantly boosting our yield of great shots.

In terms of theme handling, Arknights styling leans toward techwear and crisp uniform aesthetics, so I preferred using industrial facilities around the venue—such as stairwells, hallway ends, or even parking lot corners—as backdrops. When lighting these characters, I intentionally emphasized the contrast between metallic textures and fabrics, using harder light to forge a dashing, heroic feel. It even required me to bend, crouch, or lie flat on the ground to find low-angle perspectives to highlight the character's formidable aura.

On the other hand, Blue Archive's school-style characters are much lighter and brighter, so I usually utilized tables, chairs, classroom props within the venue, and natural sunlight by the windows. When shooting these campus-style looks, to make movements feel more natural, I guided the models into relaxed postures, such as leaning forward slightly or letting their legs dangle naturally. This unpretentious body language conveys the character's youthful vitality very well, and is better suited to displaying clean, crisp lines of stockings and legs, creating a visually captivating effect far more engaging than forcing complex poses.

I also met many new faces at this convention. On Twitter next door, where people often see my handle "Mi Leng," I've finally accumulated 10,000 followers. I'm truly thrilled that my work is loved by so many fellow fans. I've always maintained a go-with-the-flow mindset regarding convention photoshoot collaboration (TFCD)—after all, when coming to a comic expo to participate in TFCD shoots, the most core aspect is having fun together. For cosplayers who are a bit timid in front of the lens, I actively offer small props or chat about the character's backstory to help them get into character faster.

It's worth mentioning that the cosplayers participating in the TFCD shoots put great heart into their makeup and costumes, and their poses were crisp and precise. Since the biggest difference between convention shots and formal photoshoots is the fast pace—with few opportunities for retakes—preliminary communication is critical. Thanks to everyone's tacit understanding and teamwork, many camera positions barely required fine-tuning, resulting in a yield far exceeding expectations.

Apart from my primary featured IPs, I also casually shoot looks from other gacha games; changing up the taste occasionally brings fresh creative inspiration. Every day before the expo opens, I organize a shooting checklist and outline outfit styles along with corresponding scenes to avoid getting flustered on site. Regarding lighting, to cope with the stark contrast between indoor and outdoor lighting at the Chongqing exhibition, I prepared several portable fill lights and color gels in the lighting area to manage major natural light interference.

The biggest barrier in convention photoshoot collaboration (TFCD) is usually not equipment, but whether both parties share consistent expectations for the final photos. I habitually keep highlights dialed down during actual shooting to retain more shadow details, allowing for more composed control and adjustments during post-processing regardless of color temperatures encountered. After shooting great shots, everyone gathers around the camera screen for playback, analyzing shortcomings in composition and lighting together—this kind of face-to-face interaction is far warmer than online likes.

Although Day 2 and Day 3 have passed, the joy of multi-day shooting remains preserved in these images. The overall volume and quality of photos from this convention exceeded expectations. I will edit the final shots as soon as possible and look forward to gathering with all fellow enthusiasts at upcoming events!