[Berrypheasant Skewers cosplay] Zinnias at the Old Summer Palace and Tanghulu on a Chilly Night

For this shoot, the primary location was set among the zinnia patches in the Old Summer Palace. To fit the night photography concept, we introduced a strong artificial key light on-site to balance the ambient contrast, creating a striking collision between the cool-toned shadows and the warm floral hues.

Regarding the styling, the costume itself was rather intricate. The gold hair ornaments, blue hair, and the black gemstone on the chest were prone to harsh glares under intense light, requiring constant camera angle adjustments to preserve their texture. The design of the white outer robe and the red-and-blue skirt offered wonderful fluidity—especially the carefree way the skirt trailed across the grass, which was a relaxed state I particularly wanted to convey. Walking barefoot through the grass wasn't an easy decision; although the ground was cleared in advance, stray leaves were inevitable. Fortunately, the red ankle bracelet and red nail polish photographed brilliantly in this outdoor setting, adding memorable focal points.

As you can probably see, the Tanghulu in my hand formed a fascinating contrast with the large greatsword resting nearby. While I initially intended to lean into a cold, stern aesthetic, adding this playful prop injected life and a wandering, adventurous spirit into the entire set. It was actually quite hot on the day of the shoot, with plenty of bugs buzzing around the flowerbeds. To capture the fine details of the candied hawthorns, the photographer literally sprawled out on the muddy ground to find the angle, continuously shifting focal lengths to ensure the ideal bokeh ratio between foreground and background. For instance, the close-up in photo three—framed using blossoms as a foreground obstruction—was achieved through endless rounds of squatting and rising.

In post-processing, we intentionally emphasized red tones throughout this series. Whether it was the Tanghulu in hand, the ankle bracelet, the nail polish, or the crimson elements on the garment, everything was harmonized to a consistent luminance level so nothing appeared jarringly out of place. Looking back, sitting barefoot beside the earthen wall felt like the most natural, grounded posture, brimming with authenticity. The gardens around the Old Summer Palace are genuinely suited for shooting conceptual sets with a touch of Zen or fantasy, and when paired with nightscape lighting effects, it creates an entirely unique atmosphere.

I remember my legs were actually shaking towards the end of the session from squatting for so long. Yet, seeing the final images in the viewfinder—especially that crisp, aloof mood set against the blurred zinnia backdrop—made all the effort worthwhile. This shoot also gave me a fresh perspective on portraying such characters within natural environments. Outdoor shoots carry immense unpredictability; elements like light angles, floral heights, and even the direction of the grass blades all influence the final composition. Given the chance, I'd love to experiment with cooler, starker environments next time to heighten the contrast with this character's personality.

One thing worth mentioning during the process is the creation of this contrast. Holding a Tanghulu while sitting in the grass sounds like a wonderfully grounded scene, yet combined with the character's attire and custom weapon, it exudes an effortless chill. Whenever you shoot outdoor sets with distinct prop concepts, remember to prioritize facial fill light because ambient outdoor glares can be unpredictable. Special thanks must go to the natural backdrop provided by these Old Summer Palace flower fields; without such rich chromatic layering, the visual impact of this project wouldn't be nearly as striking.