Putting on this blue and white off-the-shoulder outfit and standing under the corridor made of gray bricks and red pillars, the light filters through the ancient veranda and falls on my body, making me feel as if I have instantly traveled back in time. This time I am doing the original skin design of Xishi from Honor of Kings, focusing primarily on using traditional Chinese style cosplay scenes to complement the character's cool and elegant nature. The gray brick wall behind me carries a strong sense of age, and the relief carvings of pine trees, pavilions, and towers are incredibly rich in detail, forming a very harmonious visual balance with this light blue attire.
Today, I mainly want to share my thoughts on this outdoor shoot with everyone. In terms of the costume, the halter-neck design paired with white gloves visually accentuates the lines of the neck and arms, and this faint ice-blue color really complements the skin tone, presenting a great sense of translucency even under natural light. The flowing sleeves and ruffled cuffs on both sides give a lightweight feel as if a breeze is passing by when walking or slightly raising my hands. The accessories on the side of the head are the highlight of the entire look, featuring blue bows, cross-shaped cutout pieces, silver beads, and draping blue tassels, which offer plenty of layering. The black straight-bangs wig was also trimmed to fit my face shape perfectly, bringing out a quiet and focused aura.
During the cosplay photography session, the photographer and I both felt that we shouldn't force overly complex movements. Just like in photo one, leaning slightly forward, with my arms casually resting on the vermilion railing and a calm gaze looking into the lens, naturally brings out the cool aloofness and detachment that the original skin design should have. In photo two, I retracted my gaze a bit, casting my eyes slightly downward, and my entire aura instantly became much softer. This calmness and gentleness, placed alongside those weather-beaten landscape reliefs in the background, seem to add a sense of narrative. Although the colors of Chinese architecture are deep, thanks to the natural light that day, the transition between light and shadow remained very soft, preventing the light color of the clothes from being suppressed.
Many fellow enthusiasts have asked me how to control the framing when shooting in ancient buildings. I feel that you don't necessarily have to take full-body shots; close-ups like this half-body capture, retaining a touch of red paint in the foreground and the gray bricks and stone carvings in the background, can set the environment beautifully. Red, blue, and gray—these three primary color tones happen to form a very classic traditional Chinese color palette. During the shoot, I tried my best to sink my center of gravity down, leaning against the railing, so that the character echoes the relief behind, as if the character herself is part of this three-dimensional painting.
The style of the original skin design is inherently lightweight and ethereal; sometimes, overly complex decorations can disrupt that crisp freshness. The material of this outfit feels very comfortable to the touch, light and breathable, so I didn't feel restricted even when walking around outdoors during the shoot. Honestly, every outdoor shoot comes with various unexpected situations; for instance, the angle of the light shifted very quickly back then, with the shadow positions changing every few minutes. But I really love this feeling of playing guerrilla warfare with natural light; every single time the shutter clicks, the captured light and shadow are completely unique.
Lastly, I have to mention the texture of this ancient architecture; it is truly perfect as a backdrop for traditional Chinese style cosplay characters. The gaps between the wall bricks, the texture of the wooden railings, and the three-dimensional workmanship of the relief carvings give the image a sense of weight without needing too much artificial lighting. Standing here in this light blue outfit, it feels as if the gentle character image and the precipitation of history have collided to spark a wonderful flame. I am highly satisfied with the final photos from this original skin design outdoor shoot. Though it might not be as gorgeous as highly retouched commercial photos, these natural, simple moments infused with Chinese aesthetic conception are precisely why I love doing cosplay. I hope to find more places filled with traditional charm like this in the future to restore the essence of different characters.