This independent walk cosplay shoot at the 20th Chongqing Dreamland Comic Exhibition successfully completed a total of six outfits with a wide span of styles. Because it was in a large exhibition hall of the convention center, the high ceiling and the messy lighting from various spotlights actually posed quite a challenge for shooting, but fortunately, the photographer was very skilled at finding angles. Combined with the small set pieces we built ourselves, the overall finished pictures have a studio-grade texture.
Let's talk about the blue high-slit modified Qipao outfit first. The wig used a certain lustrous silver-white long straight hair, and to match the overall styling, a sci-fi-esque floating halo accessory was also prepared. The makeup focused on elongating the eye shape and was paired with light-colored contact lenses, making the gaze look sharper. The Chinese-style round fan held in hand was the finishing touch; it not only relieved the emptiness of hand movements, but the flower-and-bird pattern on the fan face also formed a great contrast with the overall blue tone. During the shoot, the photographer instructed me to put my weight on the back leg while pointing the front leg straight to the side and touching the ground. Although wearing extreme high heels, the leg lines captured in the photos were truly stunning. The ribbons formed a natural streamline under the blowing of a fan; this kind of shooting that requires balancing expression management and limb extension really tests a coser's physical endurance.
Another outfit that left a deep impression on me was the dark blue maid outfit with white wings. Putting on white stockings and this dress, coordinated with silver tea sets, a feather duster, and a wooden cart in the background, created a retro manor atmosphere. The crescent-shaped hair ornament on my head was handmade using EVA and shrink plastic, and to prevent it from slipping, several hairpins were used to secure it. During the shoot, I gently lifted the skirt hem with my weight slightly tilted, and the photographer took shots from a slightly elevated downward angle, displaying both the layers of the skirt and the details of the feathers.
The black sailor suit look was a completely different style. The long black straight hair was replaced by white hair with black horn accessories, and the red pupils were particularly striking under the cool-toned venue lighting. The set was a school desk, with lunch boxes and pencil cases scattered on top, and books and a school bag on the floor. To fit that rebellious and somewhat chunibyo feel, the photographer had me pose pointing one finger to the sky; combined with black stockings and a short skirt, the overall frame tension was very high.
The traditional Chinese style with purple long hair was arguably the most time-consuming. To match the large Guzheng prop, we found a background ahead of time to hang a court lady painting, with folding fans and writing brushes placed nearby. The purple long curly hair was extremely easy to tangle, requiring extreme care when walking around the convention site. During the shoot, we utilized scattered flower petal special effect props from the venue; that posture of flying ribbons and long boots revealed through the high-slit skirt required strong core strength to maintain balance.
Finally, there were two maid outfits. The blue-and-white maid outfit paired with wings looked very ethereal in front of the tea set and books, and the white stockings and fluffy skirt hem stood out remarkably in the dark-toned venue. The black-and-white maid outfit featured black stockings and low-angle upward shots; a mop used as a prop added a touch of daily life, and the surrounding chibi figures made the picture even more lively.
Cosplaying at an anime convention site; the most exhausting part is actually not posing, but walking back and forth on the hard concrete floor while wearing high heels and heavy wigs, all while constantly fixing accessories and clothes that easily slip out of place. This year's Dreamland in Chongqing had a huge venue space; although the lighting was complex, it offered plenty of room for post-processing. By utilizing the venue's light stands and background boards, we managed to build several independent mini-sets right inside the convention venue. Every click of the shutter was a comprehensive coordination of styling, makeup, props, set design, and lighting. Being able to leave behind so many satisfying convention photos at this Dreamland event is inseparable from the cooperation of all the photography masters and logistics partners. I hope to produce even more hardcore cosplay works in this venue in the future.