Time flies like a white horse, and in the blink of an eye, 2023 is about to become a thing of the past. In the past year, as a photographer, I have experienced many challenges and opportunities, but also gained countless joys and growth. Now, I'd like to share with you my 2023 video journey through this review.
The article is relatively long, containing 5800 words and more than 70 sheets**, if you don't have enough time or patience, you can also click on the text link below, **I 1 minute** part.
In 2023, the wonderful images are reviewed.
1. Northern Xinjiang in winter.
1. Hemu. Hemu Village, located in the northern part of Xinjiang, is a pristine and beautiful village. The grass wood in winter is like a fairyland on earth. In the early morning, the entire village is shrouded in a thin layer of mist, as if it were a link between heaven and earth, connecting reality and dreams. The sun rises slowly, shining through the mist and sprinkling every corner of the village, illuminating the whole world.
Walking on the path of Hemu, the snow is thick under your feet, and the sound of the wind blowing through the trees is in your ears. The mountain peaks in the distance shimmer in the sunlight as if they were nature's jewels.
The houses in the village are covered in snow, like cottages from fairy tales, full of warmth and serenity. Occasionally, a few small animals leave cute footprints in the snow, as if telling the story of winter.
Winter in Hemu is also a paradise for photography enthusiasts. The picturesque scenery here, whether it is the mountains, the forest, the starry sky or the people, can be a great material for the camera. Many photographers come here to capture the most beautiful moments. And Hemu's winter never skimps on her beauty, and always shows the magic and magnificence of nature in the purest way.
Of course, in order to shoot captivating work, you need a little bit of technique and aesthetics in addition to photographic equipment. For example, the wide-format work in the picture above is actually cut from the picture below.
We must not be greedy when shooting, just keep the best part of the picture.
There are also techniques for shooting this night scene ** in the picture below. The first is the shooting time, which must be the blues moment after the sun has set and the sky has not yet turned black. Regarding the shooting parameters, I used an aperture of F16, **30 seconds, ISO400. Because I used a tripod, I increased the amount by extending the time, and the small aperture was used to shoot a beautiful starlight effect.
Overall, Hemu in winter is a must-see. Not only is it a place of great natural beauty and culture, but it also has the charm of food and photography. If you are looking for a peace and beauty in winter, then Hemu will be your best choice.
2. Kanas.
Kanas in winter, covered in snow and covered in silver, is picturesque, as if you are in a pure and flawless ice and snow world.
Kanas is not only a natural sight to behold, but also a place where the soul can be purified. Here, you can forget about the troubles and troubles of the world for a while, and enjoy the beauty and tranquility that nature has to offer. Whether it's early morning or dusk, whether it's sunny or snowflakes, the winter beauty of Kanas makes you forget to return.
It's just that it's too cold here, and the temperature during the day can drop to -20 degrees, cotton boots, cotton hats, cotton gloves, in short, how thick and thick you can wear.
The picture above is a picture of snow steamed buns by the Kanas River, and the picture below is the scene I saw. The snow in many parts of the scene was destroyed by the footprints of tourists, so I chose this part for shooting. Again, just shoot the most exciting and moving parts of the picture.
The following two ** are also what I took and what I saw, please experience it for yourself.
3. Swan Spring.
Swan Spring, located in Yining City, Yili Prefecture, Xinjiang, is a naturally formed spring. It is said that it was once the birthplace of a beautiful legend of a heroic prince and a white swan in ancient times. Today, it is a popular destination for photography enthusiasts.
The best time to shoot here is early in the morning and late in the evening. During these two time slots, you'll be able to capture the best natural light and water views, as well as the chance to capture animals in action.
If you want to photograph a swan well, patience and observation are also important. During the shoot, you need to be patient and wait for the best time to shoot and stay alert to capture those rare moments.
4. Lake Selim.
In the cold winter months, the lake shows a tranquil and solemn beauty. In order to capture this beauty, photographers need to master a few techniques and precautions.
First of all, the choice of shooting time is crucial. The best time to shoot is in the early morning or dusk, when the sun's soft rays bring a golden glow to the surface of the lake, making the picture warmer and more vivid.
Secondly, the choice of shooting angle is also key. Because the lake is frozen, I chose a drone to shoot from a high altitude, using this crack in the lake as a guide line, including the frozen lake, the sky, and the mountains in the distance. This shows the vastness and depth of Lake Selim.
Unfortunately, because it had just snowed, the beautiful cracks and ice bubbles on the ice could not be photographed. In the end, I took a road portrait photo of my lover, and the effect was quite satisfactory.
5. Dushanzi Grand Canyon.
Dushanzi Grand Canyon is located in Dushanzi District, Karamay City, Xinjiang, about 70 kilometers away from the urban area. It was once the only way to Ili and an important pass in history. Today, it attracts visitors with its spectacular natural beauty. The Dushanzi Grand Canyon in winter is a snow-covered and picturesque ice and snow world.
The text introduction above is more official, but to be honest, I personally don't like this attraction very much, because all kinds of commercial construction has seriously damaged this place, but every time I come to northern Xinjiang, I almost have to pass through here, so I will come by the way to see.
However, this time it is indeed a bit of a surprise, there is fog in the canyon, and many people have been to Dushanzi, but such a scene is still rare.
Cherry blossoms at Iron Buddha Temple.
The Iron Buddha Temple is located in a small town in the south of the Yangtze River, which has a long history and profound cultural heritage. Every spring, the cherry blossoms in the temple are in full bloom and are breathtakingly beautiful.
The beauty of the cherry blossoms at Iron Buddha Temple is not just a visual treat. In the bloom of cherry blossoms, there is also a profound cultural connotation.
According to the monks at the temple, cherry blossoms are a symbol of vitality, and their short but brilliant bloom is the best interpretation of life. The withering of cherry blossoms is not the end, but a new beginning, because after they wither, they will turn into nutrients and nourish new life.
While admiring the cherry blossoms at the Iron Buddha Temple, we can not only feel the magical charm of nature, but also appreciate the profound influence of Buddhist culture. The sound of temple bells and chanting is intertwined with the fragrance of cherry blossoms, purifying and sublimating the soul.
There are also Taihu Ancient Town, Nanxun Ancient Town and Moganshan Scenic Area nearby, which are also worth visiting. However, due to time constraints, my wife and I only went to Moon Bay in the afternoon, where Huzhou's famous landmark (toilet seat) is located.
The picture above is the sunset beauty of Moon Bay in Huzhou, the lake water is clear and sparkling, and the surrounding green mountains, green trees, flowers and plants are very suitable for aerial photography.
*。1. Linzhi peach blossoms.
*Nyingchi, located in the ** Autonomous Region of China, is known as the "** Jiangnan" and is a world natural heritage site. It has vast plateaus, clear lakes, snow-capped mountains and abundant flora and fauna. However, the most memorable season in Nyingchi is undoubtedly spring. Every spring, the peach blossoms in the Nyingchi area decorate the plateau in a picturesque way, attracting countless photographers.
Nyingchi peach blossoms are usually in full bloom from March to April every year. The best locations are Bomi, Lulang, and Nyingchi counties. The peach blossoms in Bomi County are in full bloom at the earliest, around the end of February every year. The peach blossoms here are mainly pink, and they contrast with the surrounding mountains and blue sky. The peach blossoms in Lulang County are set against the backdrop of the mountainside and the villages at the foot of the mountain, forming a beautiful pastoral picture. The peach blossoms in Nyingchi County are the most spectacular, stretching for dozens of kilometers, forming a magnificent peach forest belt.
When you come to Nyingchi to shoot peach blossoms, don't just take a close-up of the peach blossoms, otherwise we can shoot them at the door of our home, right? When composing the picture, be sure to bring local characteristic elements, such as Nanga Bhava Peak, Brahmaputra River, and some Tibetan cultural symbols, such as the White Pagoda, Mani Dui, etc.
2. Potala Palace.
Let me highlight a few of the cameras used to shoot the exterior of the Potala Palace.
The first is the square in front of the Potala Palace, there are two cameras here, one is directly opposite the Potala Palace, which is a must-see place for every tourist, and you can take a reflection photo of the Potala Palace by pouring a bottle of water on the ground.
It seems that a master photographer once said, "There is no reflection ** that cannot be solved by a bottle of water, if there is, then two bottles". If no one of the great photographers has said that, then I said it, haha.
When shooting, it is recommended that you turn your phone upside down and shoot close to the ground, so that the lens can be closer to the ground and the effect is better.
There is also a camera position next to the artificial lake on the southeast side of the square, so you can also take beautiful reflections when the wind is not blowing.
There are also two shooting cameras here in Yaowang Mountain, one is the Yaowang Mountain Observation Deck, where the picture on the 50 yuan was taken.
There are a lot of people shooting in this position, so you have to come in advance to take the spot.
There is also a relatively niche location in the back of the Yaowang Mountain Temple, which requires a visit fee of 20 yuan, and the specific seat is shown in the figure below.
This is one of my favorite cameras, and it is suitable for shooting in the early morning and late afternoon. The picture below shows the effect of the evening shooting, the sunset shines on the Potala Palace from the oblique side, and the light and shadow effect is beautiful.
It should be noted that Yaowang Mountain is located on the west side of the square, but there is a security check to enter the square, and the security check does not open until 8 am. So if you want to shoot the sunrise, you have to go to the temple from the flyover on the west side of the Potala Palace.
I went to two of the three cameras in Nanshan Park, located directly south of the majestic Potala Palace, across the water from a green mountain. Enter the park and walk a few dozen meters inside and you will see a fork in the road. Walking to the right, you will find an artificial lake, and when the wind is calm, you can take a picture of the sky mirror of the Potala Palace.
If you go left from the fork and go up the river, you will find a bridge.
Standing on the bridge can also take a good picture of the Potala Palace.
There is also a camera in the park, and you need to continue to climb up, which can take aerial shots. But I didn't go up because of my limited strength.
If you want to take a night view of the Potala Palace, there is a good camera on the fourth floor of Barkhor Mall. This machine is on the roof of the building, and you need to pass through the Xingyue Bodhi Cafe, and you have to spend 30 yuan to go up. It is recommended to shoot in the evening, which can take pictures of the effect of the traffic under the Potala Palace. Below is the hustle and bustle of human fireworks, and above is the stately Potala Palace.
Since there is a building on the left side, it is recommended to bring a telephoto lens to shoot in this position. I'm a little late in this photo, so it's best to shoot it in the blues before the sky goes dark after sunset.
There is also a legendary camera position, that is, the Lalu Wetland, which is located behind the Potala Palace, which is also the largest urban wetland in China. It's a pity that it wasn't open when I went, and the picture above is ** in the gallery for your reference.
In addition to Nyingchi and Potala Palace, I also visited Ranwu Lake, Sheep Lake, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery and other places, but I won't introduce much in between.
Qinghai. On this trip to Qinghai, I visited Qinghai Lake, Chaka Salt Lake, Dachaidan, Mangya Emerald Lake, Aiken Spring, Oboliang, Zhuoer Mountain, Crescent Spring, Taer Temple and other places.
To be honest, the weather in Qinghai was not very ideal, almost all of them were blue sky. Fortunately, these scenes are basically relatively flat, so most of the scenes I shot with drones.
Everywhere is the scenery, everything is the color of the "great beauty of Qinghai's ultimate beauty."
In fact, the big blue sky is not useless, and this kind of weather is perfect for taking photos of the starry sky.
For example, in the scene of Yadan on the water, the ** taken during the day feels very dull, but the starry sky photos at night become very exciting.
In fact, it is not difficult to photograph the starry sky, because the parameters are basically fixed, and the key is to find the right weather and scenery.
Of course, there are also some requirements for hardware. First of all, a stable tripod is essential. The lens must be wide-angle and have a wide aperture, f28 Start, the bigger the better. The composition has a larger proportion of the sky, so you can shoot more of the sky.
Of course, I am referring to the shooting of a wide area of starry sky (Hoshino). If it is deep-space photography, photographing objects such as stars and nebulae in the depths of space, then you have to use an equatorial mount or even a special machine.
This is a very sci-fi art shape at kilometer zero of the Mars No. 1 highway in Oboliang, and I replaced the background with the mobile phone retouching app of mix, and the following is the original picture.
These four ** are the substitution effect of different backgrounds. Mix is one of my most commonly used mobile phone retouching apps, its color grading function is more perfect than Snapseed, in addition to white balance and curves, there are also professional tools such as HSL, tone separation, color balance, and its filters and poster functions are also very powerful.
Suzhou. 1. Humble Administrator's Garden.
I have been to Suzhou many times, and I have been there twice this year, and I really like the gardens in Suzhou, and I can't get enough pictures every time. The landscape, flowers, pavilions, pavilions and other elements in the garden have been carefully designed and laid out, making the whole garden present natural beauty.
At the same time, the designer creates a multi-level and multi-angle landscape effect by using design techniques such as borrowing scenery, framing scenery, and opposing scenes, so that visitors can enjoy different beautiful scenery in different positions and angles.
Every time I come to Suzhou, I live near the Humble Administrator's Garden, just to fly around with a drone before it opens, and I can take a very clean picture. The picture above is a picture I took in the spring, and the picture below is the effect of the autumn, which is beautiful in different seasons.
2. Suzhou Museum.
There is another view next to the Humble Administrator's Garden that is also worth seeing, and that is the Suzhou Museum. It is the work of the famous architect I.M. Pei, who drew inspiration from traditional Chinese ink painting, cutting the wall with gray lines and dividing the wall into geometric shapes, reflecting the beauty of lines in traditional Chinese painting.
The whole museum is based on the traditional pink walls and tiles of the south of the Yangtze River, echoing with the classical garden elements such as ponds, rockeries, small bridges, pavilions, bamboo forests, etc., exuding a kind of tenderness and graceful beauty of the Jiangnan water town.
The architecture of the venue is very distinctive and worth taking a photo, but you need to make a reservation online in advance to take a tour. I went by the way after visiting the Humble Administrator's Garden, and there were a lot of tourists in it at that time, so I only took two **. The picture above is a corner of the Chung Wang's Mansion, and the bottom is the original picture.
I used snapseed to make basic adjustments, and used mix's poster function to add text and stamp effects to **.
This pomegranate tree's ** was taken in the museum, and it can be regarded as an Internet celebrity camera.
3. Hanshan Temple.
Hanshan Temple outside the city of Gusu, the bell rings in the middle of the night to the passenger ship. I personally like this Hanshan Temple's **, and the following is the original picture.
In the red box is my crop range. I made some basic adjustments with snapseed, and then moved the position of the four words "Fengqiao Night Park" in the ** up a bit by double**. In order to make ** more picturesque, I used the poster function of the MIX app to add verses and seal elements to **.
The shooting camera of this ** is located in the Fengqiao Scenic Area opposite the gate of Hanshan Temple, near the teahouse near the river.
4. Jinji Lake.
In addition to the gardens and ancient towns of Suzhou, such as the Humble Administrator's Garden, the Lingering Garden, and Shantang Street, the beautiful scenery of Jinji Lake also impressed me deeply. The picture above is a photo taken a few years ago, when I was shooting on the terrace of a hotel, this time I deliberately brought a drone, planning to take a good picture of several representative beauties around it.
I planned to take off on the square near the Moonlight Pier, one is to shoot the Suzhou Culture and Art Center next to it, and the other is less than a kilometer away from the Peach Blossom Island in the middle of the lake, so you can fly over and use the Peach Blossom Island as a foreground to shoot the Oriental Gate in the distance.
The weather was cloudy that afternoon, and I was worried that it would rain in the evening, but there was a sunset, everything went well, and I also took a pretty good **. The only regret is that the Purple Pavilion on Peach Blossom Island is not lit up.
This one of the Culture and Arts Center is the one I am most satisfied with, both the composition and the lighting effects are not bad. The tragedy is that I was thinking about taking a few more photos from a different angle, but the drone suddenly became uncontrollable, and by the time I found it, it had already fallen to pieces.
At that time, the prompt on the remote control said "the ambient light is insufficient, and the obstacle avoidance fails", the problem is that this prompt does not play a role in early warning, and the plane is already out of control when I see this prompt message.
Because the plane fell too badly, it was only depreciated by less than 1,000 yuan when the new plane was replaced, and it was distressing to drop blood.
Fortunately, it was only the plane that was broken, and there was no third-party damage, and the satisfactory work has been taken. It is said that there are people there who use flare guns to interfere with drones, I don't know if it's true or not, but you still have to be careful when you fly again in the future, especially in the city, and try to fly as little as possible when the light is low.
5. Suzhou Bay Grand Theatre.
This is the third largest theater complex in the country designed by the international architect Christian de Bauzenbach, and the Suzhou Bay Grand Theater, the museum and the EDCC digital pavilion form the "Möbius Ring" of Suzhou, which attracts countless photography enthusiasts with its unique shape and elegant environment.
In fact, there are many beautiful scenery in Suzhou, such as the Lingering Garden, Tiger Hill, Tianping Mountain, Tianjing Pavilion, etc., I will not introduce them one by one here.
Due to space limitations, let's review it here for the time being, and there will be parts of southern Xinjiang, Gannan, Yunnan and Chengdu, which I will share in the next part.
Let's turn the page in 2023 Looking back on this year, I am proud of my work. But I also know that photography is an endless pursuit, and every shutter is a new beginning. In the future, I will continue to explore the boundaries of photography and tell more stories and emotions through the lens. At the same time, I also look forward to communicating and learning with more photography enthusiasts, and growing and progressing together. Thank you readers for your continued support and encouragement!Thank you also for the company and care of my loved one!Let's welcome a better 2024 together!
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