[Shenhe Cosplay] Genshin Impact Lantern Rite Qipao Version, Outdoor Photoshoot Log

For this Lantern Rite, I decided to do Shenhe's Qipao version. Actually, this outfit was prepared long ago, but I hadn't found a suitable location for an outdoor shoot. Fortuitously, some friends were shooting at Xiangsi Town, so I temporarily tagged along on their model schedule, which also served as a test for my newly acquired RF24-105/4 lens.

First, about the costume: the deep blue modified Qipao is highly well-designed. The frog buttons at the neckline and the gold thread embroidery details at the waist are fully realized, while the off-the-shoulder and split tailoring preserves Shenhe's inherent coldness while incorporating the festive elements of the Lantern Rite. The wig is silver-blue with subtle curls at the tips, and together with the hair accessories on both sides, I'm quite satisfied with the restoration level. The biggest headache for me was that oil-paper umbrella; the wind on site was quite strong, and I had to constantly adjust the angle while holding the umbrella with one hand, otherwise the canopy would flip inside out, which messed up the composition of a few shots.

It was an overcast day for the shoot, so the light was relatively soft without harsh direct sunlight, which beautifully pressed the color saturation of the blue-tiled flying eaves and red lanterns in the background into a comfortable range. The photographer took a few low-angle wide shots, capturing the background drum tower and covered bridge into the frame; the wide end shooting vast scenes is truly magnificent. The shot of me squatting on the stone steps holding the umbrella was actually because I got tired of walking and took a temporary break, but it unexpectedly resulted in a highly natural atmosphere—leaning forward, gaze fixed on the ground, paired with the scattered skirt hem. In post-processing, I slightly shifted it toward a cooler tone, forming a cool-and-warm contrast with the red umbrella surface; I personally adore this quiet state.

Regarding the RF24-105/4 lens, I was previously worried that an F4 aperture wouldn't be enough on an overcast day outdoors, but in reality, shooting at around ISO 800 left the shutter speed completely sufficient, and the image stabilization was highly effective. When shooting half-body close-ups at the mid-to-long telephoto end, the background blur transition was highly comfortable without turning into a completely smeared mess like a prime lens, beautifully preserving the structural textures of the covered bridge. The autofocus speed was also fast, and dynamic shots of me spinning the umbrella basically didn't blur. As a dual-use lens for both travel and conventions, the weight is also well-controlled, and carrying it around for an entire afternoon didn't place a heavy burden on my shoulders.

This shoot was actually a spontaneous decision without preparing too many props beforehand, relying merely on an umbrella and body postures to enrich the frame. If given the chance in the future, I'd love to add a set of Cryo special effects in post-processing or switch to a night light setup to capture a cooler vibe. Every location shoot encounters many small surprises, but it is precisely this randomness that gives the final photos a sense of authenticity. Posting these few frames that I feel are decent can be considered a proper closure for this outfit.