The photographer stands at a side-front position to the model, shooting at eye level to fully capture the subject, furniture, and environmental elements. A symmetrical composition is used to create a balanced layout with the subject and furniture, while contrasts in lighting highlight the main subject. Foreground lamps and background layers are utilized to enhance the sense of space. It is recommended to use a medium telephoto lens to clearly showcase details, compress the space, and naturally integrate the subject with the environment.

1. Equipment Settings: Panasonic S9.
2. Travel Tips:
① Free admission with a valid ID;
② Opening hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
3. Additional Tips: Try to visit before 2:00 PM on a sunny day to capture better natural light near the windows.

Wu Lian De's Former Residence - Indoor Installations and Photo with Mannequins

The photographer stands at the entrance of the former residence, choosing an upward angle to make the building appear more grandiose while fully displaying the facade. The main structure of the building is centered in the frame, with branches in the foreground adding depth and guiding the viewer’s eye. A wide-angle lens or a phone’s 1x setting is used to maintain the full width of the image, avoiding excessive background compression.

Travel Tips:
① Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Visitors must bring an ID for registration.
② Choose a soft light time, such as early morning or late afternoon, to avoid too much tree shadow interfering with the main building.

Wu Lian De's Former Residence - Exterior Facade

1. Shooting Angle: The photographer stands inside, near the door or window, shooting outward at eye level through the door or window.
2. Composition Technique: Use frame-within-a-frame composition, where the wooden structure and carvings of the doors and windows naturally frame the distant ancient buildings, guiding the viewer's focus to the main structure.
3. Lens Usage: Use a standard lens to accurately capture the spatial relationship and architectural details of the scene.
Travel Tips:
- Ticket Prices: Off-season 40 RMB, Peak season 60 RMB, Treasure Gallery 10 RMB, Clock and Watch Gallery 10 RMB.
- Opening Hours: Off-season (Nov 1 - Mar 31), 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, last entry at 3:30 PM; Peak season (Apr 1 - Oct 31), 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, last entry at 4:00 PM.

The Forbidden City - Meridian Gate

The photographer stands on the opposite bank of the corner pavilion, using a level shooting angle and a reflection composition. The Northeast Corner Pavilion of the Forbidden City is positioned at the center of the frame, with the reflection in the moat symmetrically located below, creating a vertical visual balance and enhancing the beauty of the image. A wide-angle lens is used to ensure that enough of the water reflection is captured while also avoiding cropping the top of the pavilion and the bottom of the reflection.

Travel Tips: For the best shots, head to the Northwest Corner Pavilion early in the morning to capture the sunrise over the pavilion, and visit the Northeast Corner Pavilion in the evening to photograph the sunset.

The Palace Museum - Northeast Corner Tower

The photographer stands below the steps directly opposite the entrance and shoots upward, maintaining alignment with the center axis of the door frame. Slightly elevate the camera for a straight-on shot, using symmetrical composition to keep the left and right sides balanced. Utilize the natural framing created by the door frame and window panels to center the sculpture in the middle of the frame, emphasizing the main subject. Use a 50mm lens or the 2x zoom on a smartphone. The frame should include the complete door frame, window panels, and sculpture in the background, with a portion of the steps in the foreground to enhance the sense of leading lines and depth.

1. Travel Tips:
① Admission Fee: No ticket required for individual visits. No reservation needed; just register at the entrance.
② Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

2. Fashion Suggestions: Neo-Chinese, Republican Era, Qipao.

3. Other Tips: The residence has three floors above ground, with the first and second floors open as exhibition spaces.

Wu Lian De's Former Residence - Main Entrance

The photographer stands in front of the table and shoots from a low angle using a centered composition, placing the table in the middle of the frame. They use a 24mm focal length (or 1x on a smartphone), which is suitable for documenting indoor spaces and capturing a wider field of view.

Travel Tips:
① Admission: Free, just register at the entrance.
② Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

Wu Lian De's Former Residence - Study

Equipment Parameters: Fuji XH2S, lens 8-55mm.

Ticket Prices: Main Gate / $1.50, Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest / $3.00, Joint Ticket / $4.20.

Opening Hours: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM. Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest opens 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM during peak season, with last entry at 5:30 PM. Off-peak season hours are 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM, with last entry at 5:30 PM. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest is closed on Mondays.

Best Shooting Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM is the best time for photography when the light is softest. After 4:00 PM, there is no sunlight.

Outfit Suggestions: Black, white, and red are recommended, or more traditional Chinese-style clothing to create a better atmosphere.

Photography Poses:
1. Place your hands naturally on the white marble railing, lean forward slightly, and look towards the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. You can use a fan or an oiled paper umbrella as props.
2. Stand with your back to the camera, one hand on the railing, and your upper body turned naturally toward the camera with a gentle gaze.
3. Rest one elbow on the railing, the other hand hanging naturally or holding a prop, and stand with your legs crossed to elongate them.

Composition Tips: Place the person at the lower 1/3 of the frame, leaving the upper part for the full view of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest. Use the railing lines to guide the viewer's eye.

Temple of Heaven - Opposite railings of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

The photographer shoots from a slightly greater distance in front of the subject, using a central composition to place the person, dressed in light-colored clothing, in the center of the frame. The backdrop is the colorful ancient architecture of the Forbidden City, with its red walls and golden tiles, using side lighting to highlight the details of the buildings. A medium-telephoto lens is used to blur the background and emphasize the subject, creating a solemn yet lively atmosphere.

Shooting time: Early morning or evening when the light is softer, which adds a warm tone to the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, avoiding the harsh reflections and shadows produced by midday sunlight.

The Meridian Gate in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony at the Forbidden City

Use the rule of thirds to place the black chair at the one-third mark on the left side of the frame, enhancing the spatial depth and highlighting the architectural features of the interior. It is recommended to use a camera with a 24mm lens or the 1x zoom on your phone, which is suitable for capturing indoor scenes while preserving details. Make full use of natural light, avoiding overly dark or overexposed areas, to ensure that the details of the windows, chair, and chandelier are clearly visible.

1. Travel Tips:
① Admission: Free entry; individual visitors need to register at the entrance.
② Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.
2. Additional Tips: Remember to bring your ID.

Wu Lian De's Former Residence - Living Room

The model stands by the railing in front of the southeastern corner tower of the Forbidden City. The photographer shoots from a slightly lower angle, below the model's eye level, with the corner tower positioned above the model. The model is slightly to the right of the center of the frame, while the Forbidden City's corner tower is located at the one-third mark on the left side of the image. The background is filled with trees to enhance the balance of the composition.

Pose: The model holds a round fan and stands at a slight angle, exuding an elegant posture. The fan faces the camera, adding a vintage atmosphere.

The Forbidden City - Southeast Corner Tower