The CRT monitor on the desk lights up, and the knobs of the reel-to-reel tape deck on the rack and the green LED lights glow faintly. Backlight filters through the blinds, cutting the entire space into alternating blocks of light and shadow, where even the dust seems to leave traces in the light beams. Choosing to portray Makise Kurisu in this vintage electronic equipment room is probably my closest attempt yet at capturing the character's temperament recently.
The core idea of this shoot was to present the character's focused and serene state within a laboratory atmosphere. The precision vintage testing instruments and cassette decks on the equipment racks, and even the shelves cluttered with miscellaneous items in the corner, are all vital elements that construct this part of the world-view. I also prepared an extra corkboard clue board with a scientific research feel, pinning it to the wall to increase the realism of the details. Although a vintage film look is a common aesthetic for this kind of tech theme, this time I wanted more to preserve the refractive texture of natural light in a real environment, trying my best to build the retro tech style atmosphere of Steins;Gate's time machine laboratory through practical scene staging. The combination of the Fujifilm GFX100II and a 55mm lens performs incredibly well; the sense of space in the frame and the three-dimensionality of the character's silhouette are excellently expressed. The resolution is high enough to make the details crystal clear, and the final photos indeed met expectations.
The rhythm on the day of the shoot was very comfortable. Immersed in a space stacked with mechanical and electronic equipment, the character's trait of seeming detached yet full of desire to explore the world naturally flowed through body language. For the wig styling and care, I specially chose this reddish-brown style with a subtle luster and layering to stay as consistent as possible with Makise's iconic hairstyle in the original artwork. As for the costume, besides the basic white shirt and red tie, the beige coat was intentionally worn loose and open. This not only highlights the character's signature elements but also provides a soft silhouette under the backlight, avoiding a rigid look that a tightly wrapped outfit might cause.
In this atmospheric space leaning towards hardcore physics or stacked design blueprints, the collaboration with the photographer was seamless for this piece of Cosplay photography, with almost no wasted shots, and the light and shadow in every frame aided the extension of the character's personality. While adjusting my sitting posture, I paid specific attention to the brightness of the computer screen to keep it from overexposing and stealing the spotlight, while also minding the composition angle of the row of instrument knobs on the rack. I think what is presented this way is not limited to a mere duplication of attire, but a faint loneliness stemming from the character's heart, and a quiet strength of dedication to truth.