[Yamada Ryo Cosplay] The Winter Bassist of Grand Canal Park: That Splash of Blue in the White Buildings

Grand Canal Park is really great for shooting. Even though it's winter, because the buildings are entirely white-toned, the whole frame becomes exceptionally clear and translucent when hit by natural light. This time, I finally got the chance to properly recreate the character Yamada Ryo from Bocchi the Rock! with a bass bag on my back. I was originally worried about whether wearing so little in the dead of winter would freeze my expression management into a failure, but heaven was very cooperative—the winter sunshine spilled over me, turning my hair even more translucent instead.

On equipment, I used a Sony A7R5 with an 85mm f/1.4 GM2, plus a Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 G2 (2875G2). The 85mm prime lens is absolutely amazing for outdoor half-body shots and close-ups; paired with the high resolution of the A7R5, the texture of the hair strands and the grain of the skin are beautifully preserved. The blur brought by the large aperture cleanly filters out the cluttered background, making the character jump out instantly. The Tamron 28-75mm G2 solved my headache of shooting full-body environmental photos—flexible framing, handling dynamic snapshots of walking up and down stairs or looking back with ease. This one-camera, two-lens combination ensures image quality while accommodating various compositions during outdoor shoots.

For the outfit, I chose a loose black sweatshirt paired with a black pleated skirt. Although they are dark tones, because they're paired with the signature bright blue short wig and over-ear headphones, the visual weight is instantly drawn to the character, creating a highly intense color-clashing effect. The bass bag is a very practical outfit prop; whether wearing it on my back, placing it casually against a railing, or holding it while walking up white stairs, the movements and lines are naturally stretched and graceful.

This entire shoot relied on natural light, especially that warm afternoon sunshine hitting the white metal railings and buildings, enveloping the entire frame in a faint sense of coziness. However, outdoor photography in winter still requires quick completion, because once the sun is blocked by clouds, it gets a bit hard to withstand when the wind blows. Although cold, walking along the canal and watching the light obliquely cast long shadows, catching a few highly relaxed snapshots brought a very deep sense of achievement.

Actually, I personally quite like photos with a bit of dynamic movement, such as walking up steps or looking back for snapshots, which are more vivid than posed shots and perfectly fit the cool temperament of a bassist. The walkways at Grand Canal Park are very spacious, so there's no need to worry about passersby accidentally wandering into the frame, making it a highly suitable location for framing. Having finished a set here, I feel the whole person is exceptionally refreshed. I truly love the atmosphere of the final photos from this cosplay photoshoot; although it's winter, this cool texture combined with the winter sunshine perfectly merges with the character's traits.