Photo by Juyongguan Great Wall - The Great Wall wall body, mountain terrain, and watchtowers.

Juyongguan Great Wall - The Great Wall wall body, mountain terrain, and watchtowers.

Photo by Juyongguan Great Wall - Peach Blossoms and the Octagonal Pavilion in the Same Frame

Juyongguan Great Wall - Peach Blossoms and the Octagonal Pavilion in the Same Frame

Photo by Juyongguan - City Tower and Great Wall Forest

Juyongguan - City Tower and Great Wall Forest

Photo by Juyongguan Great Wall - Great Wall Beacon Towers and Watchtowers

Juyongguan Great Wall - Great Wall Beacon Towers and Watchtowers

Photo by Juyongguan Great Wall - Red Wall Watchtowers and Distant Mountains with Forests

Juyongguan Great Wall - Red Wall Watchtowers and Distant Mountains with Forests

Photo by Juyongguan Great Wall - capturing the architecture of the Great Wall and distant mountains.

Juyongguan Great Wall - capturing the architecture of the Great Wall and distant mountains.

Photo by Nanguan City Tower - City Tower, City Gate, and Distant Great Wall

Nanguan City Tower - City Tower, City Gate, and Distant Great Wall

Use the water's reflection to balance the stone bridge, city tower, and the background mountains in the frame. The composition includes the foreground water, mid-ground city tower and stone bridge, along with the background watchtower and greenery, enhancing the sense of depth. The photographer shoots from a level angle at the shore.

Juyongguan Great Wall - Wall towers and greenery around the lake.

Stand directly in front of the Juyong Pass gate and take an upward shot, placing the watchtower in the center of the frame to ensure the architecture is symmetrical and complete. Include the archway, walls, and the top roof in your composition, with the deep blue night sky and the surrounding mountains in the background. When shooting at night, adjust the exposure to balance the lights with the colors of the night sky.

Juyongguan Great Wall - Night view of city gates and wall architecture

The photographer stands at a lower position in front of the city gate, adopting an upward shooting angle to highlight the grandeur of the city gate. Using the rule of thirds, the main body of the city gate is positioned at the left one-third of the frame, while the right side retains the winding Great Wall, green mountains, and blue sky, enhancing the balance and depth of the image. The framing should include the entire city gate, part of the city wall, the stone pavement, and the background landscape, showcasing the integration of the Great Wall with nature. A wide-angle lens is recommended to capture the large scene and retain environmental details.
Other tips: Wear comfortable shoes.

Juyongguan Great Wall - watchtowers, stone steps, walls, and mountain ranges