The photographer stands below the clock tower, shooting upwards, with the main body of the building on the right side of the frame and the left side left blank to emphasize the towering sensation. Diagonal composition is used, with the slanting lines of the roof's eaves guiding the viewer's gaze, enhancing the sense of depth. The focus of the shot is on the top eaves, brackets, and lighting details of the clock tower, against a pure black night sky. Travel tips: It is recommended to visit at night when the lights are on for a more atmospheric experience.

Xi’an Muslim Street Bell & Drum Tower Square – Drum Tower Night View

The model is positioned at one-third to the right of the frame, balancing the subject with the environment. The background incorporates traditional easel stalls, ancient architectural rooftops, and trees of the Muslim street, highlighting the unique characteristics of the street scene. The model stands sideways with a distant gaze, holding items naturally to enhance the narrative of the image. The background is compressed to emphasize the subject.

Xi’an Muslim Street – Photo with Outdoor Street Screen

Photo by Xi’an Drum Tower – Red 3D Art Text Installation

Xi’an Drum Tower – Red 3D Art Text Installation

The photographer used a low-angle shot, incorporating the leaves on the left to add depth to the composition. Diagonal composition was employed, with the鼓楼's slanting lines directing the viewer's gaze towards the roof's plaque, with the main subject positioned on the right side of the frame. The shot includes a deep blue sky background and partial details of the鼓楼, highlighting the integration of architecture and nature.

Additional tips: It is recommended to arrive at the shooting location at sunset to capture the blue hour and also to photograph the night scenery.

Xi’an Drum Tower – Eaves Night View

Photo by Xi’an Drum Tower – By Green Belt Fence

Xi’an Drum Tower – By Green Belt Fence

The photographer stands at a lower position in front of the drum tower, using a low-angle shot to highlight the grandeur of the building. A centralized composition is employed, placing the entire drum tower at the center of the frame, and leveraging the building's inherent symmetrical structure to enhance the sense of balance. The frame captures the full view of the drum tower, with details from the base to the roof clearly visible. The background retains a deep blue sky to accentuate the lighting effects.

Best time for shooting: It is recommended to shoot after the lights are on at night for better results.

Xi’an Drum Tower – Night View

The photographer uses a 50mm focal length. The model can stand to the left of the Fule Wall to partially block the clutter behind. The lighting here is a bit dark, so you can turn on the flash for shooting.

1. Best shooting time: 10:00~17:00.
2. Shooting suggestions: The Fule Wall has a strong sense of New Year atmosphere, so wearing some red clothes or adding red elements as embellishments will make the photos more striking.

Defu Alley – New Year Installation

The model stands in the center of the decoration, and the photographer stands about 2 meters opposite the model for a frontal shot, capturing the model without enlarging the portrait too much, and including the surrounding scenery in the frame.

Kaiyuan Mall (Bell Tower Store) – Xi’an Bell Tower Standee

The photographer should shoot from a distance of 1 to 1.5 meters from the subject, using the lighting from the shops at night to create a warm and harmonious atmosphere between the person and the doll. Both smartphones and cameras can be used for shooting; for smartphones, turn on the night mode to enhance the brightness of the image. For cameras, choose a focal length between 24-35mm and set the aperture to f/2.8 - f/4. The night lighting can create a dreamy atmosphere effect.

Defu Alley – Capybara Installation

The photographer stands close to the water, slightly lowering their head to adjust the angle, ensuring the drum tower and its reflection are fully captured in the frame. The drum tower is positioned at the upper two-thirds of the image, with the reflection occupying the lower part, creating a visual balance. Use a mid-zoom or 2x zoom on a smartphone to reduce distortion while maintaining the clarity and detail of the reflection.

Equipment settings: For smartphones, select the professional mode; for cameras, use a 24-70mm focal length, with an aperture of f/4-f/5.6, which can balance architectural details and portraits, capturing the grandeur and elegance of the drum tower.

Xi’an Drum Tower – Reflection by Fountain