Taking the Arknights-themed gear to an industrial ruin on the outskirts of the city for an outdoor photoshoot, the overall presentation leaned toward a cold, rigid, and Techwear aesthetic. The on-site environment featured rusted metal pipes and scattered rubble; the gritty texture of the real-world setting paired wonderfully with the outfit.
This gear actually has an abundance of details. The upper body consists of a black-and-gray bodysuit paired with tactical chest harnesses and multiple straps. Specially treated, the material appears matte in dark shadows, but under the twilight side-backlight, the holographic fabric of the jacket reflects a teal-blue sheen that shifts with the angle. The lower body features black shorts paired with intricate leg harness rings. While the tightness of the leg straps can be adjusted, wearing them for an extended period leaves a slight pinch; spending ample time arranging and smoothing them ensured symmetrical and flattering leg lines.
The most physically demanding aspect was undoubtedly the massive scythe prop. Reaching almost half a person's height with a forward-heavy center of gravity, maintaining balance with a single hand was difficult. Due to the metallic weight, I had to find stable footholds on the rocks or coordinate both hands at various angles to strike powerful poses. In particular, for the shot standing atop the large pipe, the curved surface combined with uneven rubble underneath meant I was constantly relying on core strength to control balance, gripping hard with my toes inside the shoes to avoid slipping off.
We scouted the optimal lighting hours at the ruins, combining direct backlighting and side-backlighting to seamlessly integrate the gear's reflective strips, illuminated hairpins, and the cool light strip on the scythe handle into the darker color palette, creating a distinctly chilly atmosphere. Since the character lore includes a line about acting as a guard, I deliberately preserved a sense of vigilance and detachment when posing, refraining from smiling much.
Special thanks to photographer Beizhai; the framing and camera positions were spot on every time, precisely capturing the best angles for expressions and props. Warmest thanks also go to assistants Beiliu and my mom, who helped manage the skirt hem, adjust leg straps, hand over water, and offer great advice on reflector angles from the sidelines. Without them, it would have been near impossible for me alone to suit up in this heavy gear and execute the movements properly. The entire photo set barely underwent heavy post-crop editing, retaining the authentic ambient lighting and wild atmosphere of the outdoors. As a realistic Arknights cosplay practice, it provided invaluable experience in capturing candid moments with Techwear styling.