Cosplaying Shimoe Koharu this time at the Firefly ACG Expo was a very special experience. To get this Blue Archive outfit ready, I started grooming the pink twin-tail wig a week in advance, smoothing out the hair strands strand by strand to ensure a fluffy texture even under strong outdoor light. In terms of makeup, the focus was placed on the eyes; pinkish-purple contact lenses combined with specially deepened lower eyeshadow and eyeliner strive to restore Koharu's temperament, which carries a hint of slyness and laziness. A thin black choker is tied around the neck, paired with a hat styled with black and pink wings and the pink horn hair accessories on the head, pushing the details to the maximum. On the clothing side, the black long-sleeved jacket has spliced pink cuffs, the inner layer is a sailor-suit style white-based pink-trimmed collar, plus a red pleated skirt. Because the sunlight was extremely dazzling on the day of the convention, to present better shooting results, I specifically took turns finding angles in shaded and tree-shaded places to ensure even facial lighting.
While shooting this set of images, I tried many different poses. When standing, I would use my hands to adjust the headpiece, or gently press my index finger against my lips to make a playful gesture; when sitting on a folding chair, I would cross my hands on my knees, or turn slightly sideways to let the pleats of the red skirt spread out naturally. To showcase the character's different emotions, I would sometimes look up and stare directly into the lens, and sometimes look down in thought, cooperating with different hand movements like clenching a fist in front of the chest or resting the cheek on one hand, striving to make Koharu's image more three-dimensional through body language. Although outdoor shooting has sufficient light, it is also accompanied by high temperatures; running around the convention wearing a long-sleeved jacket and a wig indeed requires a bit of endurance. Fortunately, the background greenery and the on-site light and shadow were great, and coupled with the large aperture blurring, the overall frame presented a bright and soft feel.
Let's chat a bit about insights on cosplaying. Actually, to play a character well, besides the hardware restoration of costumes and props, the more important thing is to maintain the character's state in front of the lens. The character Shimoe Koharu has her specific personality colors in the work, so at the convention site, I would try my best to immerse myself in that relaxed atmosphere carrying a little bit of a little devil attribute. The pattern of this outfit is relatively form-fitting, but the skirt length and overall coordination require extra care in adjusting angles when sitting and squatting, both to showcase the aesthetic feel of the skirt hem and leg lines, and to maintain the natural coherence of actions. The wig's bangs also needed to be managed at any time, because a gust of wind would easily block the eyes and affect the expression of the gaze.
At this convention, I met many friends who equally love 2D, and everyone exchanged some touch-up makeup tips and photography communication experience in the rest area, which was truly rewarding. Every time I cosplay, it is a brand-new experience, from advancing clothing matching and makeup testing to finding angles and adjusting expressions on-site, the whole process is both busy and fulfilling. I really love this set of convention photos myself; the lighting and state captured the true atmosphere of being at the convention site back then.