This Beijing cosplay studio shoot schedule was very tight, hitting three completely different styled scenes consecutively. Since they were all real-scene setups, on-site lighting, props, and camera angles needed early planning, so I will briefly record and share my shooting experiences and some practical tips encountered at the two studios, "Fantasy Space" and "Luoying Vision."
First up was the Chinese ancient style cosplay scene at the "Fantasy Space" studio. This time, I chose a blue-toned outfit with distinct national style elements, paired with a black lace short skirt, suspender stockings, and high heels, making the overall styling lean towards a fusion of modern and classical. The decoration of this studio is actually quite attentive; the floral umbrella design on the ceiling adds a lot of points, so there's no need to worry about exposure errors when shooting, saving a lot of post-processing effort for fixing the sky or ceiling. However, what takes some getting used to is the overall color temperature: the lighting throughout the studio consists of warm tones, and local cool light cannot be adjusted separately. Under these conditions, it would be relatively difficult if you want to shoot a cool, detached, or melancholy atmosphere. Additionally, there are some wear-and-tear marks on the floor. At that time, we specially borrowed a white plush carpet to block them; although it masked the flaws, the connection between the carpet and the ancient-style floor would look a bit abrupt in some large-scale wide shots.
Then we transferred to the Steampunk style cosplay studio at Luoying Vision. The hardware setup of this studio is highly textured, with sufficient ceiling height, so you don't feel cramped standing inside. Especially the iron staircase on the upper level and the gears and pipes in the background maximize the mechanical vibe. This time, I was paired with a look featuring bright elements and a black leather jacket, along with boots and a prop sword; standing there, the person instantly exudes a powerful tension of a heavy industrial Wasteland style cosplay. Luoying Vision's fixed lighting presets work well; even without setting up overly complex additional lights, using the studio's inherent main light source and ambient lights directly can shoot a very basic texture. However, a reminder: if you go during the day, the natural light outside the window will be very intense, seriously weakening the somberness of the dark areas. If you want to completely replicate the high-contrast tone of the promotional photos, you might need to pick some cloudy days or go at night. Moreover, this studio has strict electricity limits; going over 100 watts incurs an extra charge. For friends who are used to bringing high-power continuous lights or need high-power strobes to overpower the ambient light, this might require calculating the budget in advance.
We also shot a set in the ruin studio in the same area. The scene was arranged with old monitors, various instruments and meters, as well as moss on the ground and scattered plush toys; the micro-props were made very exquisitely. We needed to use the light and shadow from the blinds to create that effect of traveling through ruins. But because it is on the top floor and the weather was quite muggy that day, even though the air conditioning was on, the indoor temperature was still very high, making it quite stifling to shoot in heavy clothes and wigs.
Looking at it overall, these three studios each have distinct characteristics. Fantasy Space is perfect for finding a warm-toned photographer to shoot cozy and artistic national style themes, while the two studios at Luoying Vision are better suited for hardcore, somewhat cold, or apocalyptic Wasteland style cosplay sci-fi settings. However, in terms of scene planning and time arrangements, it would be better to confirm the lighting time in advance to avoid noon, and be clear about the electricity rules. After all, shooting a good cosplay piece relies on the indispensable coordination of the scene, lighting, and the coser's own state.