This photoshoot for Qingxiao from Wuthering Waves involved a lot of effort in makeup and styling. Qingxiao's blue hair is very distinctive; to recreate that lightweight and ethereal texture, I deliberately preserved the layering at the hair ends when trimming and styling the wig. The ice-blue hair accessories on top of the head were handmade using UV resin material, presenting a semi-translucent gloss under the lighting. In terms of makeup, to match the identity of a Master without appearing overly aloof, the eye makeup utilized large-area orange-red toned blending matched with bright blue circle lenses, adding a touch of vitality and playfulness to the overall look.
The costume chose a style featuring modified cheongsam elements, with a very refreshing white-and-blue color scheme. The gold thread embroidery and knot buttons on the mandarin collar were crafted with exquisite detail; to enhance the ethereal feel, the sleeves utilized lightweight, semi-transparent sheer gauze. The lower body was paired with white lace-trimmed over-the-knee Stockings, which not only showcase leg lines but also fit the 2D anime character setting better. The shooting location was set up with a Chinese-style wooden daybed and carved window lattices; to balance the frame's color tone, red maples and a giant full moon background were intentionally added, allowing the collision of cool and warm lighting to give the frame more narrative depth.
In terms of props, the glowing blue long sword was the focal point. Because it was a vertical format shoot, the placement of the sword and the sword-holding posture underwent numerous adjustments. For instance, the posture of reclining sideways on the wooden daybed with legs crossed was designed to maximize the display of the Stockings' texture and the elongation of the legs; whereas the standing posture holding the sword appeared more heroic, slightly lifting the chin to look straight into the lens, showcasing the character's composure during combat. This time, a fluffy little white rabbit was also prepared as a guest prop, adding a cute interactive feel to a potentially cold scene. Although this time I wanted to portray a Master who isn't overly aloof, a hint of a cultivator's composure was still retained in the gaze and posture. Through the shaping of light and shadow, presenting this scene belonging to Qingxiao within the wooden ancient architecture is something I hope everyone enjoys. This shoot was not merely an external recreation of the character, but also a visual expression of that unique warmth in her personality; the entire process was also a deep exploration of light, shadow, and composition.
Before the lens, how to express the character's aloof yet somewhat humane traits was something I pondered constantly this time. For instance, in the standing photo, although holding a weapon, I intentionally shifted my body's center of gravity slightly, with one leg gently bent, giving the potentially rigid standing posture a bit of dynamic beauty, which, paired with the high-heeled style, elongated the overall visual proportions. There was also that close-up shot reaching out to the lens, where I wanted to convey an interactive feel across the screen, with a gaze carrying a bit of scrutiny yet mildness. The light halo of the background moon prop formed a striking contrast with the foreground red maples, adding plenty of atmospheric vibe to these vertical photos. For the final photo results, my personal favorite is still the sideways reclining shot on the wooden daybed, where the semi-transparent white garment material and white Stockings, set against the plush cushion, look exceptionally delicate in texture. In fact, every time I cosplay, I am building a micro-world belonging to the character; from the direction of a single hair strand to every beam of light in the scene, I hope to bring this 2D image to life in the 3D world. This photoshoot of Qingxiao from Wuthering Waves was a delightful attempt, giving me deeper insights into the expressive power of combining ancient style with modern elements. I hope these photos bring everyone into this night featuring cool moonlight and warm red maples.