Use the eaves and branches in the foreground to add depth to your shot; employ the rule of thirds by placing the main structure one-third into the frame to enhance balance and visual appeal.
Equipment settings: Fuji XT30II, lens 18-55.

The Summer Palace - A Tour Through a Painting

The photographer positioned themselves at a low angle to the side and front of the subject, using an upward shooting angle. Employing center composition, the subject is placed in the middle of the frame. A wide-angle lens is used, creating a dialogue between the subject and the background of the Qingyan Fang, emphasizing the main subject.

The Front Balustrade of the Qingyan Fang in the Summer Palace

Use a level angle, stand beside the stone railing, and apply the rule of thirds in composition. Place the stone railing in the lower third of the frame, the lake in the middle, and the green trees at the top, creating a clear sense of layers. Bring branches and the stone railing into the foreground to form a natural frame that highlights the lake view. Include the stone railing, lake surface, and green trees on the opposite bank in your shot to enhance the sense of depth. 

1. Outfit Suggestions: Opt for a light-colored dress, which is versatile and flattering for photos. 
2. Additional Tips: The weather is quite hot with strong UV rays, so be sure to apply sunscreen and use insect repellent.

The Summer Palace - Lake View Stone Balustrade on the South Side

The photographer stands at the front taking photos, with the model positioned in the lower right corner of the frame, and the building occupying a significant portion of the image, creating a naturally harmonious composition.

1. Travel Tips:
   - Ticket Prices: Peak season 30 RMB per person, off-season 20 RMB per person, combo ticket 60 RMB (includes inner gardens).
   - Opening Hours: Peak season 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM.
2. Dress Suggestions: Wear light-colored clothing and bring a hat.

The Summer Palace - Hua Zhong Lou Pavilion and Rocks

The photographer stands on the shore beside the Qingyan Ferry, shooting at a nearly horizontal angle. The central composition technique is used, placing the Qingyan Ferry in the center of the frame.
Shooting Time: It is recommended to shoot during the day.

The Summer Palace - The Clear and Peaceful Boat

Inside the pavilion, capture the scene at eye level, using the pavilion's framework to frame the subject and the garden water scenery. It's recommended to use a medium focal length lens with a large aperture to blur the background greenery, emphasizing the harmonious blend of the person and the classical garden.

Summer Palace - Binfeng Bridge Corridor

The model should stand under the peach tree, leaning against the densest branches of flowers. The photographer should position themselves at a 45-degree angle from the model, about 3 meters away, to capture the most flourishing branches of the tree.

1. Photography Equipment:
A smartphone can be used, but this photo was taken with a Fuji X-T5 camera and an 18-55mm lens.
2. Photography Poses:
① Spread your arms and look up at the peach blossoms.
② Spread your arms and spin around under the peach tree, allowing the photographer to capture the movement.
3. Travel Tips:
The entrance fee is $3 per person. It's recommended to arrive before 8:00 AM, as the place gets increasingly crowded after 10:00 AM.

Summer Palace - under the twisted peach tree on the Western Causeway

In terms of shooting position, the photographer stands at a spot where they can use a foreground opening to frame the distant subject. This technique, known as frame-within-a-frame composition, involves using the foreground opening to frame the distant ancient architecture and lake, highlighting the main subject and adding depth to the image. For lens selection, a medium to long telephoto lens is used to compress the space, making the distant ancient buildings appear clearer and showing more details of the scenery.

1. Additional Tips: Early morning is ideal for shooting; the light in the afternoon on a sunny day is also excellent. It is recommended to shoot in manual (M) mode throughout, adjusting the aperture and shutter speed values according to the on-site conditions.

The Summer Palace - Capturing the Buddhist Fragrance Pavilion and Lake View through the Hollow Stone Railing at Hanxu Hall.

The photographer captures the scene from inside the building, using a medium focal length lens and shooting from a low angle to combine the ancient architecture with cherry blossoms, creating a unique visual effect. Employing a frame-within-a-frame composition, the silhouette of the foreground building serves as the frame, highlighting the cherry blossom tree in the mid-ground, adding layers and depth to the image while also enhancing its classical charm. By utilizing contrast, the foreground building is in shadow, creating a silhouette effect, while the cherry blossoms stand out clearly against the bright background, enhancing the artistic quality of the image.

Opening hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (high season), closed on Mondays; 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (low season), closed on Mondays. When visiting the Jiqing轩 Long Corridor, be sure to plan your time accordingly.

The Summer Palace - Jiqingxuan Long Corridor and Peach Blossoms

Focus on the landscape of the Fragrant Hill Pavilion and Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace. Use the lake as the foreground to extend the visual perspective, placing the Fragrant Hill Pavilion and the surrounding ancient architectural complex in the middle to background of the frame. Use the blue sky and green trees to enhance the classical architectural charm. Choose a lakeside angle to incorporate the reflections of the buildings into the water, and use a medium-telephoto lens to highlight the architectural details. If you want to capture the overall environment, use a wide-angle lens to include the panoramic view of the mountains, water, and architecture, showcasing the grand layout of the garden.

Travel Tips:
① Admission (30 RMB per person in peak season; 20 RMB per person in off-season);
② Opening hours (6:00 AM - 5:00 PM in peak season; 6:30 AM - 4:30 PM in off-season).

Additional Tips: The early morning is ideal for photography; the light is best in the afternoon on a sunny day. It's recommended to shoot in Manual (M) mode, adjusting the aperture and shutter speed values according to the on-site conditions.

The Summer Palace - The Sea of Buddha Fragrance Pavilion