Capturing the Vibes

There are not many photogenic spots in Xiasha, but the Youth Forest is one of them. By the riverside, you can enjoy the lazy breeze, stroll through the Metasequoia forest, wander in the wildflower-filled meadows, and bid farewell to all your worries. It was quite cold during the shoot, so there were only a few plants similar to Muhly grass; the evening primroses and daisies of summer hadn’t yet bloomed. Fortunately, the young female model was cooperative, which resulted in some excellent shots.

On Adding Atmosphere to Your Shots

Injecting atmosphere into photos is an elusive art, often about creating a mood, a state, or a feeling. Color tone, light and shadow, contrast, or even a glance can convey stories and contexts. The atmosphere can also be enhanced through the foreground or weather to create artistic tension and conflict. The subject doesn’t have to be a conventional full-body or half-body portrait; you can capture her back, portraying solitude, melancholy, or contemplation. Alternatively, you can use other objects to tell a story, such as shooting reflections or silhouettes. Another approach to injecting atmosphere is using the subject’s body language to convey messages. For example, in the first picture, her eyes convey a lot. Eyes are the windows to the soul, and a look can convey a wealth of information. Depth and blur are also crucial. The blurred foreground sets the scene, while the subject in the background or midground must be clear to highlight the key points of the photo, giving the story a focal point. Many women feel that female photographers often capture photos that resonate more with them because female photographers tend to be more sensitive and delicate, able to perceive more subtle patterns and angles, making the photos more atmospheric, nuanced, and soulful.