Shot on September 28, 2025, this set of photos is an official cosplay photo shoot built around Eleg from Goddess of Victory: New Hope. We poured a lot of effort into early preparations, makeup test runs, and location scouting. As post-processing and retouching are basically complete now, I'm sharing our progress here.
The camera angle was deliberately set to a near-horizontal low level, commonly known as a Low-angle view. The advantage of this perspective is that it significantly stretches visual length, making the character appear taller and more imposing. Coupled with the crisscrossing metal trusses and pipes in the background, the entire image creates an intense sense of visual convergence and tension.
The character's costume features white and yellow as dominant colors, trimmed with crisp black lines for a clean yet signature sci-fi aesthetic. Shoulder detailing, an irregularly pieced hemline, and long red trailing ribbons introduce vibrant pops of color into an otherwise hardcore techwear motif. The mechanical gauntlets on the arms adopt a yellow-and-black pattern paired with blackened connectors, delivering a sharp look along with an authentic post-battle weathered texture.
The primary prop for this shoot was a hefty heavy mechanical weapon in a yellow-and-green color scheme. Positioning it near the bottom of the frame or holding it while framing established a wonderful visual balance with the character. Because this prop carried substantial weight, handling and posing tested arm strength, requiring physical poise to achieve that effort-free wielding effect on camera.
As for the location, we chose an industrial ruin environment perfectly suited for the character. High-contrast metal trusses, messy cables, retro equipment faintly visible in the background, and hints of greenery tucked in corners created a cold, gritty setting that provided a striking contrast with the clean white-and-yellow color scheme of the outfit.
Collaborating with photographer Heli Xieyang went seamlessly. We repeatedly tested various standing positions and angles on location, particularly refining the interplay between camera height and lighting. We utilized hard side-top lighting to accentuate contours and metallic surface reflections, rendering a cold, crisp gleam across the mechanical parts.
Regarding post-processing, we are currently working on key details. To pass platform censorship review, I temporarily covered unfinished areas with hand-drawn teddy bear illustrations. Once the final draft is ready, these sections will be fully restored. In fact, retouching allows one to re-evaluate the entire photoshoot; many details that went unnoticed across focal lengths gain new life after re-framing and color grading, especially the texture along the armor edges.
Speaking of cosplaying Eleg this time, what pleased me most was the outfit's wearability; despite being heavy gear, the tailored fit felt very comfortable. When posing, the jacket cut didn't restrict arm movement, offering generous tolerance for various stances. This flexibility allowed us to capture far more natural and relaxed poses on camera, avoiding any stiffness caused by overly tight clothing.
As for the visual impact of these photos, my personal favorite aspect remains the striking perspective created by the Low-angle view, complemented by the character's calm, sharp expression. The composition's visual tension and detailed styling across this set hit exactly what I envisioned. It was a demanding yet deeply rewarding photoshoot.