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Xia, Qiyun
Pu, where a river flows into the sea
Kasumigaura
Many people must have heard of it. Even if they haven’t heard of it, they will accidentally see its beautiful pictures on the Internet.
Its beauty belongs to art, it is painting, photography, a wordless poem of light and shadow, a silent melody...
It's considered one of China's top ten photography destinations. It's a charming coastal town nestled between mountains and the sea. Here, you'll find turquoise seas and white beaches, the sounds of fishing boats at dusk, the golden sunset, the endless morning spectacle of hanging oysters, the spectacular swaying kelp harvest, the dreamlike home on the sea, and the magical light and shadow cast across the mudflats at sunrise and sunset, captivating countless photography enthusiasts. It's hailed as China's most beautiful mudflats, the hometown of kelp, the hometown of laver, and the hometown of yellow croaker...
Xiapu is located in northeastern Fujian, bordering the East China Sea and facing Taiwan across the sea. It has a coastline of 404 kilometers and the largest tidal flat area in China.
In every season, nature bestows it with ever-changing scenery. With the ebb and flow of the tide, the baptism of wind and waves, the mud and sand impacted beaches change into ripples of time.
This ancient and beautiful land, encompassing 1,489 square kilometers, is a dazzling pearl set on the shores of the East China Sea, with its vibrant azure seas, golden mudflats, cascading mountains, and verdant fields. The tides of each season, the shadows of the sky and clouds, the eerie and mysterious shadows of fishing rods filling the sea, the dreamlike home on the sea, the golden beaches and brown reefs over which gulls fly, and the afterglow of sunsets in the distant sea...
Photographers often ask when is the best time to photograph Xiapu? Generally speaking, we consider Xiapu to be "photographable year-round." Landscape photography requires the right combination of weather, location, and people, but no single month in Xiapu can truly capture its full year-round beauty or be considered the best. It's all relative. As the saying goes, "Live by the mountains, thrive by the mountains; live by the sea, thrive by the sea." As long as Xiapu's tidal flats and marine resources are preserved, Xiapu can be photographed year-round. Spring, summer, autumn, winter, tides rise and fall, sunrise and sunset—the ocean's heart is vast, and its tidal flats and beaches are no exception.
Each month in Xiapu has its own unique characteristics, both in terms of weather and the scenes of labor. The kelp harvest in April, May, and June is ideal for documenting the labor, making it one of the two major labor scenes of the year. You can capture close-up shots of the kelp harvest, transportation, and drying, or distant shots of the kelp hanging to dry or being harvested in the "S" shape of the Shajiang River. The bustling scene is truly spectacular. However, some describe this season as both "the best and the worst" of the year. The good refers to the scenery, the bad to the weather. Spring weather is unpredictable, with the possibility of continuous rain and a lack of air freshness. However, when the weather is good, the joy is naturally overwhelming.
The China-TravelNote team is in the kelp pile in Xiapu
Drying kelp is one of the unique shooting contents of Xiapu. The color and lines of the kelp, the busy scene of fishermen harvesting kelp and the body language when drying the kelp all constitute a vivid and natural picture of labor. Close-up shots can be used for documentary purposes and long shots can be used for freehand painting.
July, August, and September are the hottest and most humid months of the year, but they also experience the most dramatic changes in light and shadow. The weather's stability is unmatched by any other season, making it easy to capture stunning sunrises and sunsets, and the clouds are truly stunning. Summer is also typhoon season in Fujian. Unless a typhoon makes direct landfall in or near Xiapu, bringing heavy rain, such excellent weather is a rare opportunity for photographers. Especially before and after a typhoon's arrival, the sky is a vibrant blue. The clouds are a dazzling array of colors, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The air's clarity after the rain is unmatched in any other season. In strong convection weather, you can even experience the "flashlight" effect, where light shines through the clouds onto your subject—a truly delightful experience.
Sunrise at Kasumigaura Mantou Mountain
After the typhoon weather came, although there were fewer scenes of labor, the clouds in the weather became rich and wonderful because of the coming and going of typhoons or heavy rains and showers, and the wind, clouds, light and shadow became more rich and wonderful, bringing more creative surprises.
Xiapu is known as China's hometown of kelp and laver. CCTV's "A Bite of China" featured laver farming in Xiapu. Laver cultivation, one of the two major annual activities for photographers in Xiapu, is harvested after the Mid-Autumn Festival in the eighth lunar month. The autumn sunlight softens, and sunrise and sunset views become more favorable, as seen in places like Beiqi, Xiaohao, and Dongbi. Bathed in the golden sunlight, the beaches and mudflats take on a mature charm. Especially in early autumn, the sea is bustling with fishing rods and ropes, tending and harvesting, and boats plying the waters. The shadows of poles, boats, and people interplay, capturing the beauty of the lines in photographers' cameras. The scene of laver farming continues into the following spring.
Xiapu Dong'an Island, a busy fishing village.
So, when is the best month to visit Xiapu for photography? It all depends on two factors: the specific time of year, the weather, and the subject you want to capture; and your personal availability and schedule. Beauty is relative; be adept at discovering and capturing it. Photography in Xiapu won't disappoint you!
Recommended photography spots: Beiqi, Xiaohao, Dongbi, Huazhu, and Beidou
Beiqi
The most beautiful mudflat in the eyes of friends in the photography world - Xiapu Beiqi Mudflat, where there are fertile mudflats and magnificent sea, it is very worthy of creating sunrise and sunset blockbusters.
On the mudflats, thousands of bamboo poles are inserted into square net frames that stretch for dozens of miles. In the direction of sunrise, there is a clear circular bay between the seaweed rows. When there is timely light and fishing boats, it will be perfect.
The tiger-skin beach, circular bends, fishermen digging clams and picking shellfish, caring for and harvesting seaweed, and silk nets on the mudflats make the scenery blend with humanistic and regional elements, and the changing scenery makes the shooting content quite rich.
The elements of the mudflat scene are relatively few and simple, and square frames are often used for composition, which has a sense of gathering and can effectively highlight the subject. The form has more internal tension, bringing unexpected visual effects to the viewer.
Xiaohao
Xiaohao Bay isn't a large harbor, but it's a must-see for photography enthusiasts. Xiaohao East is a great spot for backlit evening photography of the harbor. When the tide recedes, a sliver of seawater lingers on the exposed sand, reflecting the skylight for a breathtaking sight.
As the sky changes, the color of the beach will also undergo strange changes, and unexpected scenes often appear. The mudflats here are mainly sandy and there are no definite waterways. The freshwater channels left from the mountains every day turn into new winding waterways after each tide. From a distance, they look like the arteries of the mudflats. Coupled with frequent fishing operations and the endless seaweed fields in the shallow sea, it is a new photo spot that is always worth taking pictures.
The soul of photography lies in light, and this is especially true for sea photography. The scenery and colors of the mudflats are relatively simple, but the changes in light can produce magical and dramatic effects. The mudflats under light and dark shadows can reflect unique textures and lines.
East Wall
Dongbi is a small fishing village facing the sea in Sansha Town, Xiapu. It is nestled between mountains and the sea, with a broad view and is extremely spectacular, especially during the seaweed season, with strange fishing rods, boats shuttling back and forth, and the setting sun melting into gold. It is one of the ideal spots for photographing sunset seascapes.
There is a winding waterway on the beach, with a small stream running through it, washing out a complex and varied texture. The soft lines appear golden in the afterglow of the sunset.
Huazhu
Huazhu is known as the best place in China for photographing sunrises and offshore mudflats. It is the best place to enjoy the panoramic view of the Fuyao Islands. The sunrise is especially magnificent. Under the scattered light, the ever-changing colors show a magnificent landscape of harmony between man and nature.
Beidou
Beidou is a great spot for sunrise photography. The fish rafts and reefs along the coast provide a great foreground. Paired with the clouds on the horizon and the drifting fishing boats, framing the shot using the rule of thirds, with the waves supporting the clouds or the fishing boats, creates a strikingly themed image.
Recommended photography spots: Shajiang River and Weijiang River
Shajiang
No matter the season, you can see bamboo poles holding seaweed racks piercing the mudflats, forming graceful S-shaped lines. During kelp harvest season, bamboo poles are hung with kelp hanging to dry, while fishermen in their small boats ply the S-shaped harbor waterway, creating a picture-perfect mudflat landscape.
Shajiang Bay
Weijiang
Weijiang is a famous spot for photographing sunrises and sunsets. High tide resembles a steamed bun, while low tide resembles a top hat. The vast mudflats, intertwined with the sky and sky in the light and shadow, are truly spectacular. You can also photograph the kelp harvest in the fishing village and the small boats on the mudflats.
Recommended photography spot: Salt fields
Yantian is the most concentrated fish farm in Xiapu, with a large number of Lianjia boat people who have lived on the sea for generations. It is an excellent place for humanistic or documentary photography.
Recommended photography spot: Yangjia Creek
Yangjia Creek boasts the northernmost cluster of ancient banyan trees and the largest pure maple forest in Jiangnan. As sunlight filters through the lush branches and shepherds walk through the area, a scene from another world unfolds before the camera.
Recommended photography subjects: Fishermen, Lianjia boats, Hui'an women, fish sauce factories
The days of fishing boatmen fighting on the waves
A group of people have lived on the coastline of eastern Fujian for generations - fishermen. They care about tides, ocean currents, wind power, purchase prices... During the days of farming the sea, they are the most beautiful scenery on the coastline.
Lianjia boats, gypsies drifting on the sea
The Lianjia boatmen are known as the "Gypsies of the Sea." They adapt their boat's resting times and habits to their lives, making their boat their home and their livelihood. Xiapu's Lianjia boatmen are primarily concentrated in Yantian Township, making this a great place to capture the rich cultural atmosphere of the Lianjia boatmen's "Gypsy" life. The colorful Lianjia boats offer a great opportunity to capture scenes of people working on oysters.
Hui'an women adorn the beautiful coast of eastern Fujian
The women of Hui'an are a beautiful sight on the coast of Fujian. No matter what season it is, they always wrap their heads tightly with colorful scarves, wear bright yellow hats, dark blue shirts with their navels exposed, and wide black silk pants with flowery belts.
Four seasons tides, sky light and cloud shadows
This dreamy and magical sea has always exuded charm
Beauty always flows through its brushstrokes, just like nature, the most exquisite painter. There is no best season for photography in Xiapu, that is to say, every season is suitable for photography, but each season has its own unique characteristics.
1. Camera: It's best to bring a full-frame camera. A 120mm camera is even better, but a 6×6 or 6×4.5mm camera is also acceptable. A 6×9, 6×12, or 6×17mm camera is even better, as some of the atmospheric sunrises and sunsets in Xiapu require such a wide format. One or two 135mm cameras are also recommended for capturing local customs. If you have a 135mm Horizon camera, it's a good idea to bring it along. You won't regret it.
2. Lens: 120mm cameras: A 35mm wide-angle or 75mm standard lens. A 150mm medium-focus lens is more useful. A 250mm telephoto lens is ideal. 135mm cameras: The 70-200mm focal length is most useful, with 17-35mm and 28-70mm lenses also being common. A 2x teleconverter is ideal. Large-aperture lenses are best, preferably f/2.8 or f/2 or smaller. Filters: A polarizing filter is essential, especially on clear days, for capturing blue skies, white clouds, and vibrant colors. A neutral gray gradient is essential; used appropriately, it creates stunning effects. A sunset filter is also a good option.
3. Tripod: Necessary equipment
4. For photographers using digital cameras, a SLR with 8 megapixels or higher is best. Bring as many memory cards as you can, and ideally a digital companion. You'll also need a tripod, rechargeable batteries, and ideally a car inverter so you never have to worry about power.
5. Reversal Film: Kodak 100VS is best, offering vibrant, lifelike colors and excellent rendering of yellows, reds, and blue skies. Fuji Velvia 50° is also a good choice, boasting vibrant, lifelike colors and extremely fine grain, creating a painting-like effect for mudflats. However, ensure adequate exposure.
6. Negative Film: Fuji 100° and 200° are the best, as they offer saturated colors and fine grain. Kodak 100° and 200° are second best, as they offer excellent warm tones but have a slightly coarser grain.
7. Black and white film: Use Kodak TMAX 100 degree or Ilfu, 50 degree, 100 degree, 400 degree (for low light conditions) film.
8. Quantity of Film: For a three-day stay in Xiapu, professionals are expected to need approximately 10 rolls of 120mm and approximately 8 rolls of 135mm; amateurs will need 10 rolls (of a total of 135mm). For a five-day stay in Xiapu, professionals are expected to need approximately 20 rolls of 120mm and approximately 10 rolls of 135mm; amateurs will need 15 rolls (of a total of 135mm). Film usage is generally worse during sunrise or during rapidly changing weather.
9. The average temperature in Xiapu from May to September is 20-30 degrees Celsius, with little temperature difference between morning and evening. Rain jackets and high-waisted waterproof hiking shoes are best, as well as sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Get a medium-to-long zoom lens ready to capture the excitement of the shallows! The long focal length allows you to capture the beautiful scenery in the distance, while the medium focal length doesn't affect your observation of the people working on the mudflats.
When shooting close-ups, the shooting content and perspective should be determined according to the local characteristics and environment. The close-ups on the mudflats will show some representative scenes in different seasons. For example, use a medium-focus close-up to shoot the process of fishermen collecting their nets at sunset. The red sky at sunset, plus the silhouettes of the fishermen and their nets, can create a wonderful sunset. There is also kelp drying in April, which is suitable for close-up shooting with a medium focus. This can reflect the process of drying kelp and the spectacular sight of drying kelp. Backlighting can also be used before sunset, and backlighting can show the transparent texture of the kelp.
Key points on creating black and white mudflats on cloudy days
When photographing in Kasumigaura, you might not always encounter good weather. Should you avoid taking photos if it's cloudy? On cloudy days, you can still capture the beauty of the mudflats, but you'll need to switch the shooting mode to black and white. This will focus on highlighting the lines of objects like fishing nets and boats on the mudflats, creating a black and white silhouette effect against the water.
As the saying goes, "Stand high and see far." To photograph mudflats, you need to stand at a higher and farther place and use a telephoto lens to capture the changes on the beach. The telephoto lens can more intuitively select and record the infinite changes in the mudflats. It can also compress the space to present an abstract picture of light and shadow lines, which is convenient for the creative needs of the majority of photographers. Because telephoto lenses are generally heavier and the wind is relatively strong near the coast, it is recommended that you wear a stable tripod for shooting.
Focus on the good partner of stabilizing the camera
When photographing the mudflats, you should always be at a relatively high and distant location, so you need a good partner for photographing the long-range view, a telephoto lens and a tripod; the telephoto lens allows you to easily capture the beautiful scenery of all sizes on the mudflats, and the tripod allows you to capture high-quality scenery more steadily in the sea breeze.
telephoto lens
The Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS is a compact telephoto lens that is very suitable for photographing distant scenery such as mudflats. Its lightweight size also makes it suitable for travel enthusiasts to carry.
tripod
Since a telephoto lens is required to shoot the beach, and the climate at the seaside is changeable, in order to ensure the stability and quality of the shooting, we need to use a tripod to shoot.
Telephoto photography of the Xiapu Fish Sauce Factory
Shooting the scenery of Xiapu requires a bracketed composition. First, use a wide-angle lens to capture a few large scenes, then use a telephoto lens to slowly cut and carve the picture, choosing different compositions to shoot new and interesting pictures. There are several points to grasp when making a detailed cut of the mudflat into smaller pictures.
1. Create a scene that blends people and scenery. People work on the Xiapu mudflats year-round. Although the people dotting the mudflats appear sparse from a distance, they often add the finishing touch.
2. The combination of lines and color blocks on the mudflats creates a beautiful image. Pay attention to the color blocks on the mudflats. The Xiapu mudflats have significant differences in brightness and darkness due to the different times they are exposed to the water. Use the lens to combine the various color blocks, and choose large, majestic color blocks to create a simple and beautiful image.
3. Make good use of the lines formed by the artificial breeding racks in the mudflats. The large-scale marine aquaculture in Xiapu mudflats has added lines and regular geometric patterns to the mudflats. These patterns can be used to form a single picture with a strong sense of rhythm.
4. When shooting at sea, long focal lengths are often used and are more effective. Therefore, you should prepare a 300mm or 400mm zoom lens.
5. When photographing sunrises and sunsets, you should definitely use a wide-angle lens. A wide-angle lens can capture the atmosphere and the scene. Use spot metering mode for sunrises and sunsets, metering for red or golden clouds. Because the light ratio between the sky and the sea is different, it's advisable to reduce exposure compensation to allow for dark details on the sea surface.
6. Take advantage of foggy, slightly overcast, or even rainy weather, and backlighting to create works with an ink-and-wash feel. Take advantage of the low light temperatures of dawn and dusk to create works with an oil painting effect. Start with a few wide-angle shots of the grand scene, then slowly slice and sculpt the image with a telephoto lens, choosing different compositions to create unique and interesting shots. Detailed slicing of the mudflat into smaller images requires careful consideration.
The elements of the mudflat scene are relatively few and simple, and square frames are often used for composition, which has a sense of gathering and can effectively highlight the subject. The form has more internal tension, bringing unexpected visual effects to the viewer.
Minimalist Kasumigaura
1. What are the tips for composition when photographing mudflat scenery?
Xiapu scenery photography requires a bracketed composition. First, use a wide-angle lens to shoot a few large scenes, then use a telephoto lens to slowly cut and carve the picture, choosing different compositions to shoot novel pictures. To make a fine cut of the mudflat into small pictures, you need to grasp the following points:
First, the combination of people and scenery creates a scene that blends emotion and mood. People work on the Xiapu mudflats year-round. Although the figures dotted along the mudflats appear sparse from a distance, they often add the finishing touch.
Second, the combination of lines and color blocks on the mudflats creates a beautiful image. Pay close attention to the color blocks on the mudflats. The Xiapu mudflats vary greatly in brightness and darkness due to the different times they are exposed to the water. Using the lens to combine the various color blocks and choosing large, majestic blocks of color creates a simple and beautiful image.
Third, make good use of the lines created by artificial farming racks on the mudflats. The extensive marine aquaculture on the Xiapu mudflats has added lines and regular geometric patterns to the mudflats, which can be used to create a single, rhythmic image.
2. How to express the rich layers of tiger skin patterns on the mudflats?
The tiger-skin-like pattern of the Xiapu mudflats is composed of sand and mud. When the tide recedes, the water is high and reflects light. To capture the bulging lines of the tiger-skin pattern, shoot in low light, morning or evening. At this time, the interplay of yin and yang in the tiger-skin pattern is particularly striking. Because the lines are so delicate, only subtle variations in the pattern appear from a high vantage point. When using evaluative metering, consider reducing the exposure compensation by 0.5 stops to enhance shadows and create a distinct and richly layered pattern throughout the image.
3. How to make good use of the strong reflection of bamboo poles on the mudflat?
The vast expanse of gray on the Kasumigaura mudflats is dominated by the bamboo poles used for aquaculture, which reflect intensely. To enhance the light and shadow effects, these reflections must be controlled, not eliminated. Consider shooting at a reduced exposure to control the brightness of the subject, thereby enhancing the light and shadow effects. Opt for sunset or sunrise to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. At this time, the light contrast on the bamboo poles is low, creating a warmer color, and the poles are stained golden by the setting sun, adding to the dramatic effect of the mudflat scenery. Exposure control requires careful attention. While correctly exposing for highlights, details in shadows are discarded. Consider that the bamboo poles on the mudflats are very small when imaged from a distance. Even using the camera's spot metering function will not be able to measure the brightness of these highlights, so evaluative metering is the only option. Reduce the exposure compensation by two stops.
4. How to manually set the white balance to capture the colorful Xiapu.
Digital cameras offer a wide range of shooting options. If you choose to shoot in RAW format, you don't need to worry about setting the camera's white balance, as powerful image processing software allows you to select the desired white balance mode on your computer screen. Beginners, who are generally accustomed to using JPG images, must learn how to set the white balance, as changes in white balance can significantly alter the quality of their shots.
To create a blue tint in your photos, adjust your camera's white balance (default is "Auto") to a lower color temperature. For example, outdoors, lowering the color temperature (generally below 4000K) will create a bluish tint, known as a cool tone. Raising the color temperature (generally above 8000K) will create a warmer tone, also known as a warm color temperature, with an orange tint. You can take a few photos at different settings to compare your results and gain experience using manual white balance.
Remember to adjust the white balance setting back to automatic after use.
The colors of Kasumigaura
1. Tide is always the most important factor when photographing Xiapu. If you don't know how to calculate tide levels, just know that the days around the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month are the best times to photograph the mudflats at low tide.
2. Tide isn't the only factor when photographing Xiapu. Some attractions, like Yangjia Creek, don't require tides, while others may be best at high tide. For example, visiting Shajiang, Qidu, Yantian, and Bashimen Fences around the first and fifteenth day of each lunar month is not the right time to photograph. Therefore, photographing Xiapu isn't a guaranteed way to capture everything in one go. For example, photographing kelp from late April to May and June, capturing light and shadow in July and August, and capturing the changing clouds during typhoons. From late September to December, photographing seaweed is the right time to photograph. Different seasons offer different possibilities for capturing different scenes.
Third, vantage point photography is the most important characteristic that distinguishes Xiapu's mudflats from other coastal landscapes. Only from a high vantage point can one capture the rich variety of lines, textures, colors, and textures under various lighting conditions, something impossible to achieve from low angles. Xiapu's stunning location, nestled between mountains and the sea, is a gift from nature to photographers.
4. Although lenses of all focal lengths can be used to photograph the Xiapu mudflats, those who take good photos must be those who are good at using telephoto lenses. The complexity of the changes in the mudflats determines that only a long lens can make it possible to create a long "article" on this small mudflat.
5. There is no best season for photography in Xiapu. In other words, every season is suitable for photography, but each season has its own characteristics.
6. When photographing the Xiapu mudflats, don't worry about the weather all the time. Sunny days are great, but cloudy days are even better. Showers often offer unexpected surprises, and overcast days offer a unique charm for capturing high-key ink paintings. In other words, "going with the flow" is far better than complaining about the weather. Shooting with peace of mind is more important than anything else. Capturing outstanding images in all weather conditions is a key aspect of a successful photographer.
7. Don't worry about using a wide aperture; shutter speed is far more important than depth of field control. When photographing the Xiapu mudflats, due to the presence of many dynamic elements like waves, boats, and people, shutter speed is often a priority. Since the camera is located farther from the subject, depth of field control becomes secondary.
8. Unless you're shooting a documentary landscape, don't reject digital post-processing. A digital darkroom can often transform an ordinary mudflat photo into a stunning work of art. As for the degree of post-processing, it's a matter of opinion. I believe you can avoid digital technology, but you can't avoid it. Powerful post-processing is a testament to a photographer's overall strength. In this information age, those who reject digital post-processing are mostly those who don't know how to use computers and aren't willing to learn. Little do they realize that a digital camera is essentially a miniature computer, simply loaded with simple programs.
Tips:
Summary of Xiapu's annual work
January-February: Picking razor clam seedlings. Xiapu is relatively cold at this time.
March-April: The banyan trees in Yangjia Creek are the highlight. This is the season for catching fish fry and hanging oysters at sea.
April to June: Fish fry are caught at sea, kelp is harvested abundantly, and egrets are seen. This is the season with the most abundant photography subjects in Xiapu.
July-September: Typhoon season at the seaside, you can take photos of the beach with the light of the sky and the shadows of the clouds.
October-December: Seaweed farming and maple leaves in Yangjia Creek create a unique atmosphere.
As you can see from the above description of Xiapu, it's undoubtedly one of China's most challenging creative destinations. Photographing here requires precise control of light and shadow, as well as composition of points, lines, and surfaces. Any slight inaccuracy can mean you'll miss out on a masterpiece. Because Xiapu photography, especially mudflat photography, is highly temporal and regional, both timing and location selection can be confusing for beginners. Furthermore, the locations are scattered, so consult local photographers beforehand. Early morning sunrise photography is especially challenging, as it involves traveling before daybreak and traversing county roads that can range from ten kilometers to dozens. Each location requires climbing mountains and navigating back roads. Without guidance, a misstep can lead to missed opportunities. Therefore, several specialized Xiapu photography tours are available for photographers, all led by experienced local guides to ensure you capture the best possible images.
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