[Surtr cosplay] Thoughts on the Remastered Clouds and Water Surface Edition

Because my previous account was deleted due to real-name identity re-linking, it left many regrets; so this time, I sorted everything out again as an archive re-upload for Surtr cosplay. The shooting location was an observation deck at high altitude in Switzerland, where low-altitude clouds floated right beneath our feet. On the day of the shoot, the high-altitude environment and fluctuating UV intensity presented real lighting challenges. For the outdoor wooden bench series, we used a wide-angle lens paired with reflectors, aiming to highlight the contrast between the fiery red hair and the snow-capped mountain Sea of Clouds. The black horns were fixed and styled with hair products; in strong winds, they would occasionally tilt, requiring me to manually adjust the angle each time. The white tulle dress shifted into different shapes under varying wind speeds, requiring genuine synergy for candid captures.

Afterward, we relocated to the water's edge. Sunset time was very tight and the water temperature was quite low—staying in the water for a long time made my legs feel slightly numb. The highlight of this photoset lies in utilizing water reflections, where a low-angle perspective formed a natural symmetrical composition on the water surface. The wide-angle lens accentuated the sense of smallness of a person standing before the vast Sea of Clouds. The water was remarkably calm, mirroring the sky and snowy peaks, making the red hair stand out vividly in the water. The diffuse reflection from the water surface softened the overall color tones. Regarding the outfit, this white dress was paired with black chunky platform sandals; once soaked in water, the garments grew considerably heavier, exerting substantial pressure as wet fabric clung to my body, requiring me to move delicately without disrupting ripples on the water.

We accumulated plenty of raw footage, eventually selecting the shots with the best lighting. Post-processing focused on compressing sky highlights and refining the layered depth of cloud mist in the Sea of Clouds, faithfully recreating the transition between cool-toned mountain ridges and the warm sunset seen with the naked eye. The twilight backlit shot in Photo 5 felt most suitable as the cover: the oblique sunset filtering through the clouds cast rim lighting along the edges, giving the horns a stunning reflective sheen and perfectly capturing the moment where the Sea of Clouds met the water. This shoot built a lot of valuable experience—such as staying warm during cold-weather waterscape shoots and finding water surface symmetry amidst mountain environments. I hope everyone can appreciate the adjustments made based on environmental conditions during shooting; this set of Arknights photos serves as a heartfelt retrospective and fresh recreation of past works.