Shooting this set of JK uniform Poolside photoshoot by the pool today, the weather really played a huge joke on me. When I went out, the sun was still hanging in the sky, and I was planning to capture sparkling effects on the water surface. As soon as I arrived at the venue and set up the lights, thick clouds pressed down, completely turning it into an overcast day. This kind of lighting change has a huge impact on the shooting rhythm, but as someone who frequently shoots outdoors, dealing with such sudden situations is practically a professional required course.
Shooting exteriors on an overcast day is actually a double-edged sword. The advantage is that there is no intense direct light, no need to frequently adjust reflectors, the face receives even lighting, and the skin tone looks very natural. The disadvantage is that the overall contrast of the environment drops, making the frame easily appear dull and dark, which requires relying on the blue-and-white color contrast of the clothing and the water color of the pool to brighten the image. Today I wore a classic blue-and-white Sailor suit, a white-based shirt paired with a bright blue tie, and a dark blue pleated skirt that appeared very steady under the overcast environment. The Silver-haired twin tails coupled with a light blue plaid bow added some lively bounce visually. Although there was no specific character setting this time, the matching of the wig and the unified uniform also allowed me to find the state belonging to this style in front of the lens.
Facing the poolside scene, the use of props is crucial. That blue-and-white inflatable swim ring is not only a great visual background, but also a powerful tool to support poses. To break the dullness brought by the overcast day, I tried to keep my poses as relaxed and stretched as possible. When sitting by the pool, crossing the legs can lengthen the visual proportion, or placing the swim ring in front of the body with a slight forward lean. To increase the vividness of the frame, I also tried lightly touching my lips with my fingers or making a V-sign with one hand. Stepping barefoot on the rough poolside ground, with toes gripping the ground with slight force, this real tactile sensation also helps the body maintain a stable center of gravity. There is a photo of standing and holding the swim ring; to balance the weight, the body needed to tilt slightly, and this pose actually tests core strength a lot.
The entire shooting process went from full of expectations to being somewhat exhausted by the torment of the weather. The dimness of the overcast light made the camera's autofocus a bit hesitant, and to ensure clarity, we had to increase the ISO, which is a huge test for image quality. The photographer made a lot of efforts in composition and exposure control, trying to use the reflection of the water surface and the lines of the architecture to stretch the sense of space. Although the weather was unsatisfactory, the meaning of photography lies in recording these moments full of variables. Walking back and forth barefoot by the pool, the soles of my feet felt a bit sore from the terrazzo ground, but every time I heard the shutter sound, I could still readjust my state. It was indeed a bit tiring by the end of the shoot, not only physically, but also mentally exhausted from dealing with the sudden weather change. However, seeing the photos coming out of the camera, with colors and atmosphere meeting expectations, I still feel this trip was very worthwhile. After finishing work, I just want to find a place to sit down nicely and drink a cup of ice water, and I hope to encounter truly good weather for the next shoot.