Today's on-location shoot finally wrapped up smoothly. Bringing this Arknights: Endfield Si cosplay to life took considerable effort, from early concept preparations to on-site production. To echo the atmosphere of Danqing Ferry, I deliberately chose a park featuring an expansive lotus pond framed by modern architectural buildings, hoping to create an unexpected visual dynamic.
This costume is packed with intricate details. The top features strong tailoring and layered patchwork; while the blue-and-white palette looks crisp and refreshing, wearing it was no simple task. The asymmetrical cut is a major highlight: one side features a black armguard etched with gold totem patterns, while the other drapes into an expansive light blue cape trimmed with gold lining. The horns on my head were crafted from rigid materials and anchored to the wig with hairpins. To make sure they wouldn't dislodge during dynamic movements, I spent hours styling and test-wearing them in advance.
Styling the wig was another challenge. To achieve those natural, fluffy white twin hair buns, I began prepping the wig a day early, using generous amounts of styling spray. In terms of makeup, to bring out Si's cool, aloof, and subtly enigmatic temperament, I deepened the reddish eyeshadow beneath the lower lash line and at the outer corners. The eye makeup leaned toward soft pink tones, making my gaze look significantly more spirited under outdoor daylight.
For the first set of photos, we shot on the stone balustrade beside the lotus pond. The sunlight was bright and ample, filtering through the foliage onto the fabric to reveal wonderful textures. The lower half of this ensemble consists of a white mini skirt, paired with white stockings calf socks and black high-heeled boots. Sitting on the stone railing required not only maintaining balance but also keeping an eye on the skirt and long streamers so they wouldn't get blown messy by the wind. The prop bow was quite heavy, demanding careful control over arm strength and angles to avoid camera shake and blurred shots. The long streamers were essential for creating picturesque frames—when the wind picked up, they needed to billow with grace without obscuring my face.
The second setup transitioned to the concrete pillars and glass curtain walls of the building. The cool tones here complemented the outfit seamlessly. Because the architectural space was vast, I experimented with different standing poses to establish presence, letting the streamers drape naturally or flutter in the breeze. The reflections cast against the glass curtain wall were a serendipitous surprise; in wide-angle compositions, the expansive scale made the subject appear delightfully diminutive, which inversely accentuated the dynamic tension of the costume itself.
Throughout the entire shoot, I paid special attention to body language. The character of Si embodies both ethereal lightness and a distinct combat readiness. Therefore, when posing, I made larger, sweeping gestures, utilizing the linear flow of the long streamers and bow to guide the visual lines. The leg positioning was also deliberately choreographed: alternating between seated and standing postures naturally highlighted the pairing of white stockings and boots, ensuring the composition remained aesthetically pleasing without feeling forced.
Shooting on location is genuinely taxing on stamina. Walking extended distances in heavy boots was tiring, and wearing the wig for hours caused some scalp fatigue. However, seeing the lighting and colors captured in the unedited camera preview made every ounce of effort worthwhile. This exploration of styling and scenery was also a personal breakthrough. I can't wait for the post-production team to fully realize the poetic atmosphere of Danqing Ferry.