This time, for the red background studio photoshoot booked with Master Bread, I immediately changed into Misaki's modified navy blue cheongsam. The reason for choosing a studio shoot with background paper was precisely to capture a pure sense similar to a figure base. Paired with the highly saturated red background, it actually highlights the character's silhouette and temperament in a cleaner and sharper way.
Speaking of the details of this costume, the deep blue satin fabric features subtle dark patterns, and the neckline is a classic Chinese mandarin collar paired with light blue traditional frog buttons, which echoes the character's overall color palette perfectly. The most captivating part is the golden dragon pattern extending from the chest to the waist. The scales and body sections catch the light differently under studio illumination; during the shoot, we intentionally adjusted the light positions to make the dragon's texture more three-dimensional. To maximize the display of the cheongsam's modified design, the high slit this time is definitely the highlight. Paired with glossy black high heels, it elongates the body proportions while naturally showcasing the character's confidence and aura.
In terms of makeup and hair, to match this 3D-modeled-like figure texture, the base makeup was kept very clean and matte, emphasizing the bone structure through meticulous contouring. The hairstyle is the classic black straight bangs, with long sideburns left on both sides to frame the face, and two high odango hair buns tied on top of the head. This kind of hairstyle is actually quite difficult to manage; the hair buns need to be securely fixed to prevent them from shaking when turning the head or changing poses.
The shooting process was very smooth, and Master Bread is highly experienced in composition and capturing candid moments. The red background paper isn't just a simple solid color; the folds and gradients of the paper itself actually added a realistic texture in camera. We tried three main standing poses: the first with hands on hips, looking directly into the lens, which beautifully showcases the dragon pattern on the chest and the slit hemline of the cheongsam; the second with one hand gently touching a hair bun, looking a bit more playful and relaxed; the third with arms crossed over the chest, a pose that looks more composed and carries a touch of nobility. These three sets of poses respectively conveyed the character's aura in different states. The biggest challenge during the shoot was preventing the shadows on the background paper from overly interfering with the main subject, so every movement required adjusting the balance between highlights and shadows.
In post-processing, to reinforce the theme of a "figure," I intentionally reduced the softness of the image and enhanced the smoothness and gloss of the skin, making the skin texture look closer to a BJD doll or a high-precision painted scale model. At the same time, I performed localized dodging and burning on shadows and highlights so that the golden embroidery of the navy blue cheongsam could stand out more prominently against the red background. No fancy filters were applied to the entire set of photos; instead, I tried my best to maintain the color fidelity of the image, making the presented emotion more stable and full.
Wearing this high-slit cheongsam actually places high demands on posture. I had to constantly keep my core tight and shoulders open; otherwise, it would easily look not upright enough. The combination of black gloves and the cheongsam was unexpectedly a perfect match, giving off a vibe that is both classical and sharp. Being able to record this look of Misaki in front of the red background paper this time felt like a very special cosplay experience. Huge thanks to Master Bread for the shoot.