The photographer should stand slightly behind and to the side, shooting at a slightly lower angle to capture the light and shadow diagonally, emphasizing the three-dimensional feel of the window frame projections and adding depth to the image. It is recommended to use a 35mm-50mm standard lens or the 1x focal length on a smartphone to avoid distortion caused by wide-angle lenses. 1. Equipment Settings: Sony a7m4, with 16-35mm and 70-200mm lenses. 2. Travel Tips: ① Weather Selection: Choose a sunny day with excellent air quality. The sunlight will make the architectural details stand out, and the Forbidden City is most beautiful with its contrasting light and shadow under a clear blue sky. ② Shooting Time: The strong midday light in winter in Beijing can be very harsh, making it easy to overexpose the buildings and landscapes. Therefore, it's best to enter the Forbidden City early in the morning and take photos before noon or after 3:00 PM. 3. Additional Tips: Focus on capturing the changes in light and shadow on the halls, walls, and glazed tiles.

The Palace Museum - Bench next to the Right Gate of the Taihe Hall

The model leans against the railing while the photographer stands below, shooting upwards from a few steps away. You can try using a 2x/medium-telephoto lens. 1. Equipment: Fuji X4, 18-50mm f2.8 lens. 2. Pose: Looking at the camera or not is fine, but turning your body slightly towards the camera gives a more cinematic feel. 3. Outfit Suggestions: Keep it simple and clean, with black, white, and gray being versatile choices.

The Forbidden City - Taihe Hall railing side

The model stands in front of a red wall with a window, while the photographer takes a frontal shot from a slight distance to ensure the composition is symmetrical. Use the window frame, branches, and rock formations as foreground elements and framing devices to highlight the subject and add depth. A medium-telephoto lens is recommended to compress the space and emphasize the details of the subject and the environment. Outfit suggestion: Recommend pairing with modern Chinese-inspired clothing.

The Palace Museum - Langqiao

The photographer should position themselves at an appropriate spot inside the Qianqing Palace to capture a complete view of the “Zhengda Guangming” plaque and the surrounding architectural structures. Utilize the spatial layout of the building to place the main subject at a key position in the frame. In terms of composition, use a framing technique, leveraging the pillars, doors, and windows of the building to frame the “Zhengda Guangming” plaque and intricate decorations, enhancing the order and depth of the image, and highlighting the solemnity of the historical architecture. In terms of camera settings, ensure clear details of the plaque, the architectural paintings, and the structure, compressing the space to make the elements compact and cohesive while keeping the subject prominent and preserving the overall atmosphere of the building. Travel Tips: ① Admission Price: 60 RMB per person; ② Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays.

The Palace Museum - The Plaque of Zhengda Guangming

Using a contrasting composition, the red walls and yellow tiles contrast with the blue sky and white flowers; simultaneously employing a frame-within-a-frame technique, part of the building's silhouette frames the blooming tree. A medium focal length lens is used to clearly capture the details of the architecture and trees. When the apricot flowers bloom, shooting from either outside or inside yields beautiful results.

The Forbidden City - Apricot Blossoms by the Wall

The photographer stands on the left side of the Jinshui Bridge, using a level angle. The curve of the Jinshui River serves as a leading line, guiding the viewer's eye to the central Wumen Palace. The composition includes the yellow railings in the foreground, the river, and the red walls and golden roofs in the background, adding depth to the scene. Shooting time: It’s recommended to choose a sunny day for better lighting conditions, which is ideal for photography.

The Palace Museum - Golden Water Bridge

Shooting Tips: The model should stand in front of the railing, and the photographer should stand two arm's lengths away, using a 2x/medium telephoto lens. Shooting Time: 3-5 PM, when the outdoor light is better. Shooting Equipment: Fujifilm XE4 + 18-50mm f/2.8. Outfit Suggestions: The overall red walls and dark tiles of the Forbidden City create a solemn and majestic atmosphere, making it very suitable for traditional Hanfu or modern Chinese-style clothing. Simple, everyday attire also works well. Posing Tips: If you’re unsure about poses, you can look down at the camera, look up at the sky, or look down at the ground.

The Forbidden City - A distant shot of Jingshan's Wanchun Pavilion

The photographer should stand in the hall, look up, and take a shot with the caisson ceiling centered in the frame using a standard lens. Travel Tips: ① Ticket Price: 60 RMB per person; ② Opening Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (closed on Mondays).

The Forbidden City - The Alcove Ceiling in the斋 Palace

Using frame-within-a-frame composition, the photographer positions the red door frame as the foreground, with a blurred effect on the sides to highlight the central building. The shooting angle is level to ensure the building appears perfectly vertical and upright. The composition includes the yellow roof, blue plaque, red doors and windows, and the courtyard's stone path, enhancing the depth and layers of the image. Travel Tip: Opening hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (last entry at 4:00 PM), closed on Mondays.

The Palace Museum - Hall of Ancestral Worship

The photographer stands directly in front of the Meridian Gate, shooting at eye level with the gate as the central focus of the frame. It is recommended to use a wide-angle lens to capture the full grandeur and majesty of the Meridian Gate, enhancing the depth and spatial tension of the scene while accurately depicting the architectural proportions. Travel Tips: The ticket price is 60 RMB during peak season and 40 RMB during off-season.

The Palace Museum - Meridian Gate