Shooting this set with Shiranui's giant folding fans, the biggest takeaway was how exhausting it was on the arms. Seeing others dance with fans made it look so effortless and light, but only when holding them myself did I realize just how heavy and solid those two giant fans truly were. To support the texture of this costume while balancing arm strength and fluid lines, I trained my arms and core for nearly half a month beforehand—doing planks and dumbbells daily just to hold out a few more seconds before the camera in this Shiranui cosplay.
This photo set was shot in a pure white studio against a solid backdrop. While a white studio looks clean, it readily exposes flaws; improper lighting makes everything look flat, and even garment folds appear stiff. Huge thanks to the photographer for relying entirely on practical set lighting and raw in-camera output. As everyone can see in the post, there are virtually no traces of heavy retouching, which seriously tested on-set light and shadow arrangements. By fine-tuning the ratio between the key light and fill light, the photographer captured the semi-sheer chiffon textures, red piping, and the vibrant color contrast of the checkered sash with rich, layered depth. Unwilling to rely on heavy post-processing to clone out clutter or force composites, we repeatedly repositioned the fans on set. Assistant Arabidopsis (拟南芥) worked incredibly hard, not only holding up the massive fans for me but also watching off-camera to ensure fabric drape and that the red tassels never got tangled.
Regarding wardrobe, the white garments and the contrasting red-and-blue sash were exceptionally eye-catching. The inner base layer and off-the-shoulder cut, paired with a white wig and crimson makeup, delivered a visual presence that was both alluringly bewitching and slightly aloof. For action choreography, since the character of Shiranui inherently carries strong dance and spellcasting grace, I incorporated intricate details into my finger positioning and eye lines. If you look closely, the tension in my fingertips and the extension along the back of my hands were consciously controlled, drawing inspiration from classical dance hand positions. Framed by the colossal folding fans behind me, my arms had to project dramatic tension, meaning every frozen moment demanded full-body muscle engagement in secret.
Honestly, shooting this set was physically exhausting. Because the fans were so massive, once a pose was set, shifting was nearly impossible; any loss of balance would blur the frame. Therefore, whenever adjusting posture, I had to freeze and hold it rock-steady while waiting for the photographer's shutter. Toward the end, it was pure willpower. But seeing the final images made every bit of hardship worth it. The color contrast and lighting texture in the frame pushed the Japanese-style fantasy atmosphere of Onmyoji to the absolute maximum in this Anime-style photography work.
White studio shooting also poses a severe test for makeup longevity, especially the red contact lenses and forehead markings; a little perspiration quickly softens edge sharpness, necessitating very frequent touch-ups between takes.
Coinciding with the Onmyoji 10th Anniversary, reinterpreting my beloved character in this manner holds wonderful commemorative significance. This series also stands as a fresh creative attempt by our entire crew in both photography and styling.