[Ye Shunguang Cosplay] Zenless Zone Zero Landscape Location Shoot: Facing the Wind with a Greatsword

The first set of photos standing outdoors holding the greatsword can finally be shared. This time, the outfit focuses on a white base accented with black, red, and yellow color-blocking, creating a crisp and sharp visual. For the Location shoot site, we chose a wooden boardwalk and stone bridge set among mountains and streams, where weeping willows and rippling lake waters blend perfectly with the character's cool and reserved temperament, creating a lovely harmony between the bright ambient scenery and light-toned attire.

Regarding character details, the most painstaking parts were actually trimming the wig and crafting headpieces. The chestnut-brown long wig needed to maintain volume while the bangs framed the face without looking stiff, so layered trimming was applied specifically. The 3D red flower bud detail on the side of the forehead band, combined with red and white ribbons trailing behind, adds dynamic elegance when blown by the wind. For contact lenses, a reddish-brown style was selected to give the eyes a focused look under bright outdoor light.

The massive prop sword brought along was lighter than expected. The sword body's grey base with red diamond mesh patterns and the black-and-yellow guard painting offer decent fidelity. Holding the handle gives a solid sense of weight, which actually stabilizes my center of gravity while posing. The beast tail's fur was specially selected to match the wig's color closely, ensuring it doesn't look jarring in sunlight, and its fluffy texture doesn't obscure the waist design.

The costume itself features off-shoulder cuts and an asymmetrical skirt hem, paired with extra-long sleeves to create clear, distinct layering. The red totem mark on the outer thigh was applied temporarily before the shoot; although a small detail, it serves as a lovely accent in full-body shots. The weather on shoot day was extremely clear, with natural outdoor light filtering through willow leaves to form beautiful dapples on skin and clothing, preserving authenticity without excessive artificial fill lights. Since the outfit exposes shoulders, sun protection and insect repellent are absolute musts during outdoor shoots to avoid impacting your photography state.

In framing composition, the photographer captured the contrast between the heavy presence of the greatsword prop and the character's light posture. I personally preferred looking back over my shoulder by the stone bridge railing, or standing sideways holding the blade with one hand, which showcases costume design details while conveying calm confidence through body posture. Low-angle and high-angle perspectives were tested, but eye-level and medium shots yielded the most satisfying results by fully incorporating the natural landscape backdrop.

The greatest joy of an outdoor cosplay session is the fusion of character and environment. Compared to studio shoots, natural light and outdoor breezes bring photos to life. As I walked outdoors in this outfit, red ribbons and skirt hemlines danced in the wind, which, combined with the long tail behind, brought out full three-dimensional character presence. Additionally, paying attention to facial expressions is key during shooting; the eyes for this character require a focused intensity rather than appearing overly soft—a suitable touch of seriousness adds immense character charm.

There were a few minor hitches during shooting, such as ants on the grass, occasional strong wind gusts, and constantly adjusting postures to keep the heavy sword steady. However, none of these detracted from the final photos, which were captured through careful preparation and precise timing. To me, the most fascinating aspect of cosplay is transforming a virtual, 2D character through physical garments, props, and live performance into various real-world environments.

That wraps up this photo sharing set. There are still many different angles and close-ups in the batch, which will be organized gradually. Often, the full journey of preparing a character—from doing research to purchasing props, to the actual shoot—brings one closer to the character itself. Approaching Roleplay with such dedicated focus makes the entire process immensely rewarding.