Photo by The Forbidden City - Photographing the Lion Sculptures in Front of the Taihe Hall

The Forbidden City - Photographing the Lion Sculptures in Front of the Taihe Hall

With the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest as the core background, position the person in the foreground near the railing of the surrounding architecture. This highlights the subject while fully preserving the iconic structure of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest.

1. Equipment Settings: Device: Fuji Camera.
2. Travel Tips:
① Ticket Prices: Individual ticket 15 RMB, Combo ticket 34 RMB.
② Opening Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM, last entry to attractions at 5:30 PM.

Take a photo with the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests near the fence at the Temple of Heaven.

The model sits in a chair, and the photographer stands back an arm's length, trying either a 1x or wide-angle lens.
1. Equipment: iPhone 11 Pro.
2. Pose: The model can sip coffee or hold a coffee cup while sitting.
3. Time: Around 15:00, when the sunlight is good.
4. Outfit Suggestion: A simple and clean style.

Tie Shou Coffee Manufacturing Bureau (Yonghegong Branch) - Graffiti Wall

Photo by Take a photo with the railing, corner tower, river, and willow trees at the Forbidden City.

Take a photo with the railing, corner tower, river, and willow trees at the Forbidden City.

The photographer used an upward angle to capture the top details of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest from below. The rule of thirds was applied, with a partial view of the hall located in the right one-third of the frame, while the left side includes the contrail of an airplane for visual balance. The background captures clouds to enhance the atmosphere, clearly showcasing the top of the building and the airplane’s trail. A medium to long focal length lens is recommended to compress the space and blend the subject with the background.

Travel Tips:
1. Ticket Prices: Adult ticket 15 RMB per person, student ticket at half price. Combination ticket (recommended: park entry + attractions) adult ticket 34 RMB per person, student ticket 17 RMB per person.
2. Opening Hours: Peak Season (April 1 - October 31): Park opens at 6 AM, no entry after 9 PM, park closes at 10 PM. Attractions within the park open at 8 AM, no entry after 5:30 PM, attractions close at 6 PM.
Off-Season:

Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing - Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests detail and airplane.

The photographer uses an upward angle to capture the red walls and rooftops of the Forbidden City, framing the shot with traditional yellow tiled roofs in the foreground and modern skyscrapers in the background, forming a contrast between ancient and modern. The central composition places the tallest building in the middle as the visual focal point, while the sky is left open in the background to enhance the depth and layers of the image.

Travel Tip: It is recommended to shoot during clear weather with good daylight.

The Forbidden City - Taking a photo of modern high-rise buildings in the distance against the red walls and roofs.

Using a low-angle shot, the photographer stands slightly below and in front of the exhibition board, shooting upwards to place the Temple of Heaven and the exhibition title at the center of the frame, highlighting the main information. The shot includes the full view of the exhibition board and the dragon-patterned blue ceiling above, enhancing the depth of the environment and presenting the details of the board and the top architectural elements in full.

The Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing - Meet the Temple of Heaven Exhibition Panel, Temple of Heaven Exhibition Text Wall

Photography Tips: The model should stand sideways next to the Liberation Daily, and the photographer should position themselves 1 meter in front of the model. Use the rule of thirds to place the model on the right side of the frame. 
Ticket Reservation: Free advance reservation through the National Museum's mini program.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00-17:00.
Dressing Suggestions: Minimalist, Artistic / Neo-Chinese style.
Shooting Time: Around 12:00.
Shooting Equipment: Fuji XT30II + 18-55mm lens.

National Museum of China - Jiefang Daily

The model stands at the entrance of the coffee shop, with the photographer about 1.5 meters away, shooting at eye level with the model. The space at the entrance is narrow, so it's recommended to use a focal length of 35mm or less.

1. Equipment Details: Fuji XT5, shooting lens AF27mm f2.8.
2. Pose: The model stands sideways, holding an item naturally to add a sense of everyday life and storytelling to the image.
3. Travel Tips:
   ① Shooting Time: It’s more friendly to shoot during non-meal hours (to avoid disrupting business).
   ② Admission Fee: Free.
4. Additional Tips:
   ① Cars often pass through the alleys, so be mindful of safety while shooting.
   ② There are two Iron Hands Coffee shops in Wudaoying Alley. The recommended shooting spots are the first one when entering from Andingmen Subway Station and the second one when entering from Yonghegong Subway Station.

Tie Shou Coffee Manufacturing Bureau (Wudaoying Store) - Entrance

The model stands in front of the red wall with a natural and relaxed pose, positioned on the right side of the frame, leaving space on the left to enhance the balance of the composition. The shot includes the full view of the red wall, along with the bottom part of the brick wall and some of the stone paving, highlighting the texture of the red wall and the layers of the environment.

Travel Tips:
Admission Price: 40 RMB.

The Palace Museum - Take a photo with the red walls and brick walls.