[Watermelon cosplay] Dr. Stone Location shoot: The Daily Hustle of Treasure Hunting

For this Location shoot, we chose a park with dense vegetation to capture that primeval, natural jungle vibe. The outfit was crafted specifically for this session: the dried-leaf textured cloak underwent repeated weathering and patchwork to achieve its current look, with the frayed, torn edges meticulously worn down using scissors and sandpaper. The green ring-shaped neck collar was crafted from lightweight clay paired with an acrylic ring; to give it dimensional depth on camera, the inside was lined with white flannel and the exterior brushed with green pigment. Once put on, it truly evoked the character's essence, though moving around required paying attention to the angle to avoid bumping my hair.

The aged map in my hand was soaked in brewed tea, dried, and crumpled repeatedly, with its edges gently singed using a lighter to lend it an authentic, weathered texture in front of the lens. The sunlight was gorgeous on the day of the shoot; the dappled light filtering through the trees served as both a blessing and a challenge. Given the presence of massive reddish-brown root formations and giant mushroom sculptures, I decided to use these oversized set pieces to create a whimsical sense of scale contrast. To infuse more storytelling into the photos, I choreographed several actions—such as rolling up the map to use as a telescope, sitting under the mushroom cap pretending to carefully plan a route, or slumping across tree roots to show the exhaustion of a long treasure hunt.

The shooting process was quite physically demanding. Although the fabric was rustic and coarse, navigating through the woods meant constantly snagging on tree branches. Moreover, to capture that decisive moment of pointing ahead, we had to calibrate my arm angles and facial direction repeatedly to ensure my gaze aligned with the lens. Sometimes, waiting for the perfect interplay of light and shadow meant sitting on stone steps for a long stretch. Still, the final photos turned out wonderfully: the costume tones blended seamlessly with the forest greens and earthy browns, resulting in a cohesive palette. Holding up the map to chart a course made me feel genuinely transported into that world where survival depends on intellect. A Location shoot isn't just about posing before the camera—it's a journey into the character. This experience gave me fresh insights into Prop making and environmental interaction, and I hope the finished set conveys that vibrant spirit of forest exploration.