Today, I'm sharing a set of official photos for my Canghai cosplay from A Dream of Jianghu. We chose a serene bamboo forest for this location shoot, dedicating extensive thought to both props and costuming to complement the character's unique demeanor.
First, let's talk about the gear. The photographer brought along a HASSELBLAD X2D 100C paired with three prime lenses: XCD 25V, 55V, and 90V. The resolving power of medium format is truly breathtaking, especially in an environment with intricate lighting like a bamboo forest, where it precisely captured subtle sequin reflections on the fabric and individual strands of hair. Sunlight filtered gently through the bamboo leaves, and paired with a wide aperture, produced a creamy, soft background bokeh that exquisitely highlighted the character's presence.
The costume features a classic red and black Hanfu palette accented with gold. The top is a black halter-neck design, adorned on the chest with delicate golden bird embroidery and red tassels. The outer red chiffon robe carries golden fish-scale patterns; as I moved, the lightweight chiffon fluttered gracefully, radiating the breezy elegance of Jianghu martial artists. To elevate the sense of opulence, pearls and metal accents were embellished across the waist and skirt hem. The wig was styled into twin buns fastened with red ribbons and golden hairpieces, along with slender braids cascading on both sides to contour the face while enhancing a lively charm.
The props used during the shoot were equally rich. The golden compass in my hands featured a wooden base adorned with golden concentric rings, delivering a tactile, premium finish. Then there was the long sword—I practiced the sword-drawing movement for quite a while, coordinating with the sweeping flowing sleeves in hopes of expressing the Canghai sect disciple's blend of agile grace and valorous martial prowess. Moreover, we included a skewer of candied hawthorns and a bamboo scroll; the candid shot of nibbling the candied hawthorn gently softened the cool and aloof ambiance, adding a playful touch.
There's a running inside joke in the game about Canghai's signature oversized headgear keeping the rain away. Even though this styling didn't feature the literal oversized head, memories of sect adventures continually surfaced in my mind throughout the shoot. Sitting cross-legged on mossy rocks, lifting one knee while balancing the compass, or raising the sword pointed toward the sky—every pose aimed to resonate with the character's spirit. A bamboo forest location shoot is undeniably demanding: balancing atop rugged rocks while managing hefty layers of clothing and intricate props was challenging, yet seeing the final results made every effort worthwhile.
I hope these photos bring you the refreshing breeze of the bamboo forest and the thrilling freedom of the Jianghu world.