The photographer uses a drone for aerial photography, focusing on the vast lotus leaf fields with sporadic pink lotus flowers scattered throughout, showcasing the overall texture and color distribution. Travel tip: Shooting on a slightly rainy morning is recommended for better results.

Wangmang Lotus Sea – Aerial Lotus Pond

Photo by Wangmang Lotus Sea – Lotus Field

Wangmang Lotus Sea – Lotus Field

Set against the backdrop of the Qinling Mountains, select a single blooming lotus flower for a close-up shot. Lotus flowers are best from dawn until 11 AM, with earlier times being preferable for soft lighting and fewer people, which makes for better photographs.

Wangmang Lotus Sea – Lotus Field

The photographer stands slightly to the front side of the Hall of the Heavenly Kings and shoots upward, using vertical line composition. The vertical lines of the pillars enhance the solemnity and stability of the image. A medium focal length lens can be used to clearly display the architectural decorative textures and the inscriptions on the plaques. Additional suggestion: The photos will look better in good sunlight.

Xi’an Xiangji Temple – Heavenly King Hall Sign

Photo by Wangmang – Lotus Pond

Wangmang – Lotus Pond

When shooting in the rain, lotus leaves are tightly arranged. Compose the shot with the foreground and midground lotus leaves layered upon each other, highlighting the water droplets on the leaves to enhance the sense of depth in the image. Keep the lotus leaves as the main subject, filling the entire frame while maintaining a natural sense of density, fully displaying the damp atmosphere of a rainy day. Travel Tips: It's recommended to shoot on rainy days for a more atmospheric experience.

Wangmang Lotus Sea – Lotus in Rain

The photographer is facing the plaque of Xiangjisi Temple, using a medium telephoto lens to capture the plaque, red door, railings, and eaves in the frame, with the temple's main entrance at the center of the image. Travel tips: Admission is free.

Xi’an Xiangji Temple – Red Gate Sign

The photographer stands at eye level with the model, using a standard lens, and shoots from the side and front of the model, which can better display the spatial relationship between the model, the lotus pond, and the distant mountains. By using the rule of thirds composition, the image is roughly divided into three horizontal parts: sky, lotus pond, and distant mountains, and vertically, the model is placed in the center of the frame to balance the visual weight and highlight the model's central position. Meanwhile, the use of a shallow depth of field composition, with lotus leaves as the foreground, adds a sense of depth to the image and guides the viewer's attention to the model. 1. Travel Tips: Suitable for shooting on a sunny day with good lighting. It's best to photograph lotus flowers in the morning. 2. Additional Suggestions: It is recommended to prepare for sun protection and mosquito prevention.

Wangmang Lotus Sea – Lotus Pond Edge

As shown in the image, the photographer is 2 meters away from the model, shooting from a low angle. Be mindful to avoid pedestrians to keep the frame clean. Pay attention not to distort the image! It is recommended to use a camera with a 24-70mm zoom lens for the shoot. Set the focal length at 40mm, and the aperture at f/4. The best time for shooting is around 3 PM in the afternoon.

Xi’an Xiangji Temple – Paper-Burning Tower

Photographers should maintain a distance of 1 - 1.5 meters from the subject, making use of the symmetrical lines of the architecture to compose the shot, including elements such as plaques and pillars in the frame. The best lighting for shooting is from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM and from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM, which allows for a sense of beauty with interplay of light and shadow. Both smartphones and cameras can be used. For smartphones, turn on HDR mode to enhance the layering of the image; for cameras, choose a focal length of 35 - 50 mm, and set the aperture to f/2.8 - f/4 to highlight the texture of the image and the atmosphere of the ancient temple.

Xi’an Xiangji Temple – Lotus Origin Sign