Ulanqab: A Romantic Wasteland

Ulan Hada Volcano Geological Park is like a mysterious alien world, with more than 30 volcanoes scattered across the grassland. The unique volcanic landforms and magnificent grassland scenery make it a paradise for photography enthusiasts. Next, we will present you with this super practical photography guide to help you capture the magnificent moments of the volcano! Preparation Clothing: - Color selection: Considering that the volcano is mainly black and brown, choose contrasting colors or colors that blend into the environment. Bright colors such as red, yellow, and orange can make people stand out in the picture; light colors such as white and light blue complement the blue sky, white clouds, grasslands, and volcanoes, creating a fresh and natural feeling. - Style recommendation: If you want to shoot a space theme, renting a spacesuit is a great choice, instantly transforming you into an interstellar traveler; for a fashionable and unique look, workwear and denim styles are very suitable; for a literary and fresh look, floral dresses and knitwear can help you take artistic photos. Remember to bring hats, scarves, sunglasses, and other accessories, which not only enrich the style but also provide sun and wind protection. Photography equipment: - Camera: A professional DSLR or mirrorless camera is the first choice, paired with a 16-35mm wide-angle lens to capture the vast volcanic panorama and showcase its grandeur; a 70-200mm telephoto lens can capture distant volcanic details and close-ups of people, adding depth to the picture. - Mobile phone: Mobile phone photography is convenient and sufficient for daily recording. Download photo editing apps like Snapseed and VSCO in advance to enhance your photos anytime. - Auxiliary equipment: A tripod is used for long-exposure photography, such as volcanic starry skies; a polarizer can reduce ground reflections and enhance color saturation; a drone can capture the unique perspective of the volcano from a high altitude, but be sure to check local regulations before use to ensure safe flight. Best shooting time Sunrise and sunset: In the early morning and evening, the light is soft and the colors are rich. At this time, the volcano is bathed in golden or red light, creating excellent light and shadow effects. Use the sunset as a background to shoot silhouettes, creating a strong atmosphere. Sunrise is usually around 5-6 am, and sunset is around 6-7 pm, so remember to arrive at the shooting location early to secure a good spot. Other daytime periods: Before 10 am and after 4 pm, the light is relatively soft, suitable for shooting volcanic details and close-ups of people. At noon, the light is strong and can easily create shadows. Use buildings or props to block the sunlight or find shaded areas for shooting. Special weather: Cloudy or after rain, unexpected light and shadow effects may occur. Changes in cloud layers add depth to the picture, and the volcano looks fresher after rain. The water on the ground can reflect the shadow of the volcano, adding a unique charm. However, be sure to protect your equipment from rain. Recommended shooting locations Volcano No. 3 (North Alchemy Furnace): A boardwalk has been built, making it easy to climb and suitable for visitors of all ages. Climb to the top of the volcano to overlook the unique landforms inside the volcano and the beautiful scenery around it. It is a great place to shoot volcanic panoramas and sunsets. The red phone booth at the foot of the volcano is a popular check-in point. Use the phone booth as the foreground and the distant volcano as the background to take artistic and unique photos. Volcano No. 5 (Middle Alchemy Furnace): Relatively well-preserved, with a gentle slope, but be careful of slipping when climbing. Standing on the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a wide view of the continuous volcanic group and vast grassland. Taking photos of people and volcanoes here can showcase the grandeur of nature and the insignificance of humans. Volcano No. 6 (South Alchemy Furnace): Due to mining, the mountain presents a unique black and red color, making it the most alien-like volcano and the best place for photography. There are many spacesuit rental points at the foot of the mountain. Wearing a spacesuit makes you feel like you are on Mars, and any photo taken is a masterpiece. It is recommended to go deeper into the volcano, where there are fewer people and more beautiful scenery, and you can find more unique shooting angles. Photography tips Composition methods: - Foreground composition: Use stones, grass, fences, etc., around the volcano as the foreground to add depth and space to the picture. For example, use a unique volcanic rock as the foreground to shoot the distant crater, making the photo more attractive. - Symmetrical composition: When shooting craters or the entire volcano, use symmetrical composition to make the picture more balanced and stable, showcasing the solemnity and orderliness of the volcano. - Leading line composition: Use the boardwalk, tire tracks, mountain lines, and other leading lines of the volcano to guide the viewer's eyes to the subject, highlight the theme, and enhance the depth of the picture. Shooting angles: - Low-angle upward shot: Shooting the volcano from a low angle can highlight its grandeur and make people appear smaller, creating a strong visual impact. When shooting, place the camera close to the ground with the sky as the background for a more shocking effect. - High-angle downward shot: Climb to the top of the volcano or use a drone for a downward shot to showcase the entire volcanic group and unique landforms, with a wide field of view and grandeur. When shooting people from above, you can capture unique perspectives and interesting pictures. - Horizontal angle shot: Horizontal angle shots make the picture more natural and friendly, suitable for capturing interactions between people and volcanoes, as well as volcanic details. Keep the camera at the same height as the subject to take real and vivid photos. Creative shooting: - Use smoke bombs: Using colored smoke bombs during shooting can add a dreamy and romantic atmosphere to the picture. Choose smoke bombs with strong color contrast to clothing or background, such as red smoke with a black volcano, for a more prominent visual effect. Use them in open and safe places to avoid causing fires. - Shoot star trails and starry skies: The starry sky over Ulan Hada Volcano at night is a great place to shoot star trails and starry skies. Use a tripod to fix the camera and set a long exposure to capture beautiful star trails. When shooting the starry sky, use the volcano as the foreground to add depth to the picture. - Use reflections: After rain, there may be water accumulation around the volcano. Use the reflection of the water to shoot the volcano, creating a symmetrical beauty and making the picture more rich and interesting. Precautions Safety issues: The volcanic area has complex terrain, with many rocks and steep slopes. Be careful when walking to avoid falls and injuries. When using drones, follow relevant regulations, stay away from crowds and no-fly zones, and ensure flight safety. Environmental protection: Please protect the natural environment of the volcanic area, do not litter, and do not damage the landforms and vegetation of the volcano. Let this beautiful natural landscape be preserved for a long time for more people to enjoy. Respect local customs: Ulanqab is a multi-ethnic area, so respect local religious beliefs and customs to avoid unnecessary trouble due to inappropriate behavior.