[Iuno cosplay] Wuthering Waves: Ancient style cosplay at Yongqingfang

I recently finished retouching this Ancient style cosplay photoshoot for Iuno cosplay from Wuthering Waves. The shoot took place at Yongqingfang, where the traditional blue bricks, wood carvings, and Lingnan architectural aesthetic aligned seamlessly with Iuno's white-and-gold attire accented by sheer light-blue tulle.

First, regarding the preparation for this look: The wig featured deep blue Twintails with blunt straight bangs and an ahoge on the crown, complemented by golden tassel hairpins and small blue blossoms to create rich visual dimension. Makeup focused squarely on the eyes—pairing blue contact lenses with blended reddish-pink eyeshadow, while deliberately defining the eye contours to capture the character's anime essence. The gold moon patterns on the garment and the layered blue-gray sash at the waist required careful arranging; the oversized flowing water sleeves easily lost their shape when in motion, so they were discreetly pinned in place before shooting.

For props, we used a round silk fan, ancient tomes, a calligraphy brush, and a guzheng. To convey the character's uninhibited yet serene, cool persona, several seated and standing postures were designed: crossing my legs on a wooden chair while holding the fan, sitting on a carpet turning book pages, or standing beside the guzheng lost in thought with my chin resting on one hand. Posing barefoot with a delicate chain around the ankle brought lively authenticity to the frame. The ambient lighting at Yongqingfang was truly exceptional; circular lanterns in the background paired with red maples and bamboo made for a remarkably high hit rate of good photos. In framing, I intentionally left ample breathing room in the composition so the figure wouldn't appear cramped near the borders.

As a cosplayer, mastering props and channeling emotional expression are critical during conventions and on-location shoots. With a long, floor-trailing dress, paying attention to how the skirt flares out ensures the fabric folds drape in natural curves. Holding the round fan calls for a relaxed wrist, and the gaze should carry a calm, distant composure rather than tension. During retouching, the overall palette was guided toward warm golden tones and translucent clarity, preserving the fabric's sheen while softening skin imperfections to keep textures authentic.

Outdoor shoots are fundamentally a test of endurance—holding a pose for long durations to catch the perfect angle can be demanding. Yet seeing the gossamer tulle catch the backlight alongside the fine embroidery in the final photos made all the preparation and posing entirely worth it. Organizing this photo set also deepened my connection with the character, and I hope this series captures Iuno's graceful elegance in this unique setting.