The Xuhui Riverside green space has always been an exceptional location in my heart for shooting Japanese campus style. Today, we fortunately encountered a clear and sunny day; the sunlight filtering through the leaves and the river breeze made it the prime time for photo shoots. The theme this time was set to the Japanese everyday feel of Rascal Does Not Dream. Instead of deliberately replicating a specific plot, I wanted to capture that brightness and relaxation unique to anime. Putting on a beige sailor-collared short-sleeve top and a dark blue pleated skirt, paired with white stockings and black platform loafers, the overall color tone is clean and refreshing. To add a bit of detail, I deliberately applied a bandage to my knee and wrapped a bandage around my wrist—this kind of detail with a slight trace of real-life wear makes the character in the photos more dimensional and authentic.
The shooting took place around 3 or 4 PM, when the sunlight slanted down nicely, forming gorgeous light spots on the railings and metal flooring. I held a booklet with "Douma Chako" written on the cover as a small prop to block the sun, and bought an iced drink. The plush charm on the black tote bag was the finishing touch, adding a playful vibe to the frame. We sat down on a metal grating bench and also walked around the nearby reed bushes; as the wind blew, the swaying reed tassels created an amazing atmosphere. In between, we also sought shelter from the sun at a green booth, casually snap-shooting a few profile shots leaning against the edge.
As someone who frequently studies Japanese style photography, I pay special attention to the texture of the clothing and the color coordination with the environment. The white stockings and black leather shoes form a classic contrast, and against the backdrop of dark green steel frames and light-colored backgrounds, the character easily pops out. While taking photos, I tried my best to relax without deliberately posing in complex postures, but rather acting like an ordinary girl after school—reading, daydreaming, walking, and turning back to look. The shot of walking forward with my back to the lens was actually captured while turning back to speak to the photographer; such inadvertent moments are often the most touching. The image of sitting on stone steps with eyes closed resting aimed to convey an afternoon laziness and comfort.
The shooting at Xuhui Riverside went extremely smoothly this time, with great lighting cooperation and high scene compatibility. Without overly complex post-processing modifications, I tried my best to preserve the original warm tones of the sunlight and the texture of the skin. This expression leaning towards everyday photography actually hopes to let viewers feel the breeze and quietness belonging to early autumn or late summer, experiencing the feeling of 2D anime imagery landing in reality. I will continue to try this kind of Japanese style with a touch of daily life breath in the future, recording more beautiful light and shadows.