[Xishi cosplay] Delicate Delicacy: Candied Haws and a Girl's Lively Afternoon

This set of Xishi's Delicate Delicacy skin from Honor of Kings is a project I have been very satisfied with recently. The day of the shoot was actually overcast and gray, and I was initially a bit worried that we wouldn't be able to capture the brightness of the red and blue color-blocking. However, since the outdoor location was already booked, I just pushed forward. Fortunately, we brought dual lights—two AD200 flashes paired with soft-light modifiers—which beautifully brightened up the texture of the face and clothing under the long corridors and ancient structures. The Sony A7M4's dynamic range in low light is truly powerful. Combined with the large aperture of the Sigma 85mm lens, it blurred the ancient buildings and leaves in the background into a very soft bokeh, avoiding any stiff, artificial-looking rendering.

In post-processing, the color grading leaned heavily toward a digital film simulation look. I intentionally compressed the highlights to make the contrast between the red outfit and the blue pleated skirt more distinct, adding a touch of vintage grain, which actually gave it a bit more character than a bright sunny day would have. I played around with the candied haws prop for quite a while—holding it up, biting it, and leaning it against a pillar as a decoration. Six photos captured five different poses, which was actually a test of framing and shot coordination. Since there was no directional natural light on a cloudy day, we needed to use flash units to simulate the mottled look of sunlight filtering through leaves, so we spent quite a lot of time on the lighting setup. The 3D feel of the skirt hem and the flowing streamers at the cuffs were entirely supported by the fill light; otherwise, it would have easily turned into a flat photograph.

Recreating the sweet vibe of this character was entirely ground out bit by bit through lighting and composition. This kind of Chinese-style photography attire is perfectly suited for shooting in an ancient architectural corridor; the red pillars and stone railings form a wonderful interaction with the costume's color scheme. The charm of an outdoor location lies in the fact that even if the weather conditions aren't ideal, you can always find a suitable way to express it. The joy of photography lies precisely in these unexpected surprises within uncertainty.