Diving straight into this set of Cosplay convention photos from the 419 Nanjing Arknights Only! This time, I cosplayed Sui from Arknights, a character I've always wanted to try. Before heading out, I joked about stirring up some yardlong beans, but I never expected the atmosphere on the shooting day to be this incredible—this set of photos can truly be called a photo of a lifetime.
The shoot took place in a slightly cool-toned, industrial-style venue, with cool white strip lights across the ceiling and gray metal racks all around. This chilly environment perfectly complemented the blue-gray and white robes I was wearing. When I first got this outfit, I was quite amazed: the traditional cut of the top with its waist cincher and flowing ribbons paired with baggy white sweatpants and red-and-black sneakers below—this contrast worked exceptionally well on camera.
The trickier parts were the props and effects on my body. The horns on my head had to be firmly secured to prevent slipping during the shoot, but the most taxing piece was the long tail behind me—complete with realistic scales and a crimson tip, it carried notable weight. Striking a dynamic pose like a mid-air kick demanded significant core and lower-back power. Photographer Sanmuyuezhitai is fantastic with capturing an Action shot; he had me raise the weapon high and kick out sideways with full extension, tightening my core at the peak of the leap so the robe hems, pant legs, and red hair would sweep through the air to create this sheer visual tension. The splashing flames and flying embers in the frame were seamless post-production VFX that blended perfectly with the tattoo on my arm and the red accents on the tail.
A lot of thought also went into preparing this costume; to stay true to the character's design, textures like the scales on the tail and jacquard patterns on the fabric received special treatment. The red-and-blue tattoo on my arm was applied beforehand; although hidden under long sleeves, revealing it when raising my arm felt remarkably cool. Imagining myself channeling the power of fire in a cold warehouse instantly brought out that fierce combat sensation.
Beyond the challenging action poses, the composition was full and balanced—the subject was centered rather than pushed to the edges, and the surrounding embers provided a wonderful atmospheric foundation for the entire set. Being able to present the character's combat stance in this manner was deeply satisfying. Even though repeatedly leaping into the air was a test of stamina and balance, the resulting impact was completely worth it. I look forward to future opportunities to shoot in similar authentic real-world locations with even better form before the camera.