[Tingyun Cosplay] Honkai: Star Rail: There Are Actually Perks to Having Such a Big Tail

Starting with last year's shoot of young Tingyun. Looking back at this set of photos really brings back memories of the meticulous preparation process back then.

Let's talk about the tail first. Many of my friends tease me about how huge this tail is, but having a large tail is, in a way, the true soul of this character setup. To make it look fluffy yet structured, internal wire framing and cotton filling were used, and during shooting I had to account for supporting its weight—otherwise an off-center gravity point could easily ruin the overall visual effect. For the black wig with red highlights, to make the hair top look natural, the wig net and hairline underwent matte anti-glare treatment so it wouldn't look unnatural or produce harsh reflections under the studio's key lights. As for the costume's large-area red-and-white color blocking and gold accessories, matte hardware was chosen specifically to prevent harsh reflections under direct speedlight flashes.

That shoot took place mainly in an indoor studio with an antique cloud-patterned wallpaper background, flanked by folding fans, dried flowers, reeds, and raw wood tables and chairs. Since I feel the character herself carries an Oriental Xianxia or Wuxia flair, this quaint and serene backdrop suited her perfectly. During the shoot, we explored several distinct poses—sitting cross-legged on the floor playing with trinkets, kneeling, and sitting on a grand armchair holding a folding fan. Looking back now, photo #4 sitting on the chair is probably the best at capturing both costume details and poise. Boot details were also crucial; with white and gold stitching plus an open-toe design, refining foot line edges took considerable effort to prevent editing flaws.

Studio Cosplay photography differs vastly from outdoor location shoots. The biggest advantage indoors is controllable lighting—key lights, fill lights, and rim lighting easily outline facial contours. However, arranging props like the folding fan and neighboring vase required constant attention so the frame wouldn't feel cluttered. To avoid stray light clutter in the background, the photographer specially adjusted camera angles, ultimately producing these five clean and crisp final photos.

Crafting a mature cosplay project—from early costume tailoring and wig trimming to studio shooting and post-processing—is truly labor-intensive. But seeing the final result makes every bit worth it. Although the big tail was exhausting to transport, the Fox tail styling turned out great in photos. Plus, whenever I share Animal-eared girl cosplay featuring traditional style elements, fellow enthusiasts engage in lively discussions about eye makeup shades and accessory craftsmanship—interactions that greatly relieve the fatigue from hunching over during long shoots and selecting photos.

Speaking of which, the new version of Tingyun is coming soon! I've received many DMs asking if I'll cosplay her next. My personal habit is that if I love a character, I'll definitely try different versions. Her new design extends and modifies certain elements; if I schedule it before the New Year, I'll probably need to adjust the makeup—perhaps a clearer, more translucent lip color to complement her battle outfit.

In short, I've organized last year's young Tingyun photos to post today. Both photography and post-processing were precious experiences. Looking forward to meeting the new version of Tingyun soon, and I hope each recreation brings further improvements in costumes and props.