[Ye Shunguang Cosplay] Ink, Brush, and Heavy Sword: A New Chinese-Style Aesthetic Record

When shooting this Ye Shunguang Cosplay photoshoot, a lot of thought went into the compatibility between the costume and props. The modified white short outfit and the yellow-and-black woven belt at the waist revealed a subtle, hazy texture under the warm indoor lights. The shooting location features a typical new Chinese style; with high-backed wooden chairs, carved end tables, and a full-moon lamp in the background, the atmosphere was instantly maxed out.

Holding that heavy sword with a black-and-red diamond grid pattern, the most immediate feeling was its immense weight. It wasn't just a decorative shooting prop, but rather a stabilizer that needed to interact with body movements. When we got the prop, we specially secured the yellow mechanical structure inside the crossguard and the red tassels to prevent them from messing up the hair when swung. The detached sleeves paired with silver rings—accessories with a strong sense of techwear—actually test the lines of the arms severely, so I did a brief fitness conditioning session before the official shoot. The color-blocking of white, yellow, black, and gray, coupled with the high-slit skirt hem, would pull against the joints when walking or bending down, but throughout the shoot, we paid attention to managing the positioning so that these straps and tassels could drape naturally following the body's posture.

In terms of action design, we wanted to highlight a contrast between a warrior and a scholar. When holding a blue brush in the right hand and a scroll in the left hand, or leaning directly against the edge of a wooden table with crossed legs while raising a wine cup, part of the weapon's sharpness is neutralized by this casual ease. Those black ultra-high-heeled sandals looked exceptionally striking on the red wooden floor, and paired with that specially made red tattoo sticker on the leg, their visual prominence could indeed instantly capture attention. Regarding makeup and hair, the layers of the wig were styled to be quite fluffy, and the intentionally highlighted yellow-green section formed a natural gradient transition. Complemented by a red hair ribbon and plum blossom hair ornaments, it prevented the top from looking too flat. The heterochromatic feel of the red eyes, paired with a subtle red flush at the outer corners, presented a detached texture carrying its own emotions under the lens.

The Chinese elements of the venue were actually quite varied, including porcelain vases, paper scrolls, and real red plum blossom branches. During the shoot, we tried not to rigidly repeat the same movement; for instance, when sitting and lifting a sake flask, I had to pay attention to the curvature of my fingers, simulating a realistic sense of liquid and weight even when posing. For sword-fighting or looking back while holding the sword, the most crucial aspect was the connection point of the gaze—rather than simply staring at the lens, I had to find a space that could create a focal point for my eyes. During post-processing, considering Zenless Zone Zero's overall art style leaning towards urban fantasy Anime-style photography, we shifted the raw photos' color saturation slightly toward the cool spectrum, allowing the white, gray, and black clothing to pop out against the complex Chinese backdrop. Overall, this attempt retained the ACG settings while adding real physical textures and lighting logic, hoping the photoshoot could convey the character's co-existence of casual wildness and combat sharpness in this new Chinese-style setting. Although the shooting process was exhausting, seeing the reflective changes in the prop materials under different lighting angles provided a great sense of creative fulfillment.

On the chosen makeup, I used a glossy color for the lips, which, paired with the clean, fair base, echoed the red-and-white bows on the head without looking too abrupt. The red plum blossom branch styling formed a foreground obstruction on the right side of the frame, suppressing the surrounding dark areas and adding a sense of depth and storytelling to the image. Especially during the pose where I extended my hand while holding the sword, the slightly spread fingers, combined with the penetrating power of my gaze toward the camera, struck a great visual tension. The rhythm of the shoot was actually quite fast. Due to it being an indoor venue, the movement space was relatively limited, but shifting the height and angles boosted the richness of the image layout. I also tried the angle of leaning against the edge of the wooden table, holding a scroll with legs crossed, which required extending the body's center of gravity backward to make the legs look more slender and continuous. The integration of high-heeled elements actually stretched the overall proportions visually, preventing the short design of the garment from making the legs look short. The focus of the shoot lay in utilizing the scene; we couldn't let the complex furniture steal the spotlight from the subject. Guided by the red plum branches to direct the eyes, we ensured that each snap of the shutter simultaneously showcased the costume's texture, prop attributes, and specific dynamic emotions.