The Convention photo set from this NCE Comic Exhibition has finally been retouched! From initial planning to execution, this Yao Guang cosplay shoot truly took immense effort. The character's quote—"Wax and wane follow their measure, the cosmos is boundless, yet all depends on human effort"—directly set the tone for the aura needed during the shoot. It wasn’t merely about striking poses; it meant weaving that poised composure and unwavering confidence in mastering one's own destiny into every single gaze and gesture.
Immense effort went into the styling. For the silver-white wig featuring a gradient into light blue, not only did it need to be brushed sleek and smooth, but extensive setting was required to shape the volume and contours of the twin ponytails, while the dark feather headpiece at the crown needed secure anchoring. The costume's color layering is remarkably rich: the white halter top is spliced with a blue-purple-pink corset featuring peacock feather motifs, flanked by butterfly-shaped metallic hardware at the waist. The asymmetrical long skirt on the lower half bears blue ripple patterns and pink polka-dot accents, offering a stunning drape. The vibrant blue plush stole on the arms added visual volume, which, paired with the silver tasselled choker around the neck and metallic wrist jewelry, fully brought out the opulent grandeur of the entire ensemble. On my feet were silver platform high-heeled sandals, accented with a delicate silver anklet around my left ankle.
The on-site environment at the expo was honestly quite challenging. Foot traffic at the NCE Comic Exhibition was enormous, and scouting an area with a steel-structure ceiling and clear, translucent lighting was no easy feat. To capture that sleek, capable, yet slightly mysterious presence, we spent a long time searching through the venue before settling on this industrial-style ceiling space. The photographer skillfully used a wide aperture to blur out the bustling crowds and cluttered booths in the background, anchoring the visual focus firmly on the character. The ambient lighting leaned cool-toned, echoing the blue-and-white color palette of the attire seamlessly.
For props, we used a black folding chair borrowed on site. In the first shot, resting my right foot on the chair seat required engaging my core while balancing in platform heels to steady my center of gravity, while the upper body paired with a hand lightly caressing my cheek and eyes looking dead straight into the lens, exuding a commanding, aloof sense of control. The seated pose in the second photo adopted a different presentation: extending the right leg naturally forward while the left hand gently lifted the skirt hem; the hand gestures were designed more softly, paired with a subtle tilt of the neck, looking far more languid and relaxed.
When taking a Convention photo on-site, the biggest hurdle is usually the condition of the wig and the longevity of the makeup. Temperatures inside convention halls are quite warm, and walking around while posing makes it easy to sweat. Fortunately, thorough styling products and anti-sweat prep before heading out kept the bangs and sideburn strands holding their original curves by the afternoon shoot, without noticeable frizz or makeup breakdown. Before the camera, I also experimented with adjusting different jawline angles and gaze directions, striving to capture that essence of meeting an unknown cosmos with unwavering composure.
The resulting texture across the entire set was genuinely a delightful surprise. The blue-and-white tones appeared remarkably crisp and translucent under cool lighting, clearly capturing the plush texture of the stole, the glossy sheen of the heels, and the intricate weave of the skirt. Every convention photo set briefly pulls a 2D character straight from the screen, carving out a slice of existence within this bustling, real world. The photoshoot went seamlessly, and I look forward to meeting everyone at upcoming conventions with fresh new looks!