Leisurely Traveler with Check-in System

Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Photographer Li Younan

Between the gray bricks and tiles, the contours of the arcade streets and alleys are outlined, neon signs reflecting off the wooden facades of the old post office and silk store, with brass street lamps casting mottled shadows on the cobblestone road, and month calendars, vintage cameras, and embroidered cheongsams quietly standing in the shop windows.

The atmosphere here is truly wonderful, but Rao Zuozuo’s mood is even more sorrowful.

”Can’t capture the feeling here.”

She had made an appointment a week in advance and came with her good friend Lai Xiaodan to take photos.

For this, she bought a very expensive cheongsam and spent hours early in the morning putting on beautiful makeup.

These expenses were actually quite minor; she also bought a camera worth 20,000, and had already looked up shooting tips on video platforms early on.

The blogger clearly said that using his method, even idiots can shoot great photos.

Despite all her calculations, she underestimated the difficulty of photography and overestimated her skill, perfectly turning all her efforts into a joke.

She looked pitifully at the photos in the camera, then looked at the real-life scene.

They don’t look so bad to the naked eye, so why does the camera make them look so bad?

At this moment, Lai Xiaodan had also calmed down, sighed, and said, ”It’s okay, if it doesn’t work we can come back next week, and then we can hire a reliable photographer.”

Just as the two were talking, someone suddenly stood by their side.

Then, Rao Zuozuo heard a very magnetic voice saying, ”Hello, can I take a picture of you two?”

Rao Zuozuo and Lai Xiaodan looked at each other, then looked at the person speaking.

They saw a very handsome guy, smiling at them, holding a camera that looked extremely professional.

Can anyone understand the feeling at this moment? It’s like you’re about to die of thirst in the desert, and suddenly someone appears before you offering a bottle of Coke.

And when you look up, it’s not just a bottle of Coke, it’s a truckload of Coke.

Rao Zuozuo hurriedly nodded, afraid that she might be too slow to agree, leading them to misunderstand that she didn’t want to take a photo.

Then Rao Zuozuo looked at Lai Xiaodan, but to her surprise, this girl was even more exaggerated than herself.

She squeaked, ”Sure, sure, but can I take a picture with you first? You’re so handsome.”

Rao Zuozuo internally mocked her as a ”squeaky voice,” then softly and tenderly said to the handsome guy in front of her, ”That’s great, I was just worried my photo skills were really bad.”

Sweetness and Zhu Qingyue silently watched Li Younan go over and chat happily with those two girls.

Sweetness whispered, ”See, I told you already, a guy can’t be handsome, rich, and loyal all at once.”

Zhu Qingyue, annoyed, knocked Sweetness’s head, saying, ”What are you talking about? He’s not ours, he has the freedom to take pictures for others.”

Sweetness pouted in grievance.

Zhu Qingyue said, ”Come on, let’s go browse that accessory shop over there, it looks interesting.”

Sweetness nodded and silently followed Zhu Qingyue.

However, Zhu Qingyue couldn’t help but glance back at Li Younan, an indescribable emotion emerging in his eyes.

...

Photography is a complex endeavor.

Apart from operating professional equipment, a photographer’s ability to perceive light, compose shots, and appreciate aesthetics must be on point.

At the same time, photographers must also master the skill of communication.

Most good photos aren’t taken spontaneously but are the results of posed shoots.

This requires the model to strike poses that satisfy the photographer, so the photographer’s communication skills are crucial.

Li Younan directed the models while shooting.

To his satisfaction, when the models are eager to take beautiful photos, communication becomes incredibly simple, as everyone is working towards the same goal.

Li Younan looked at the background, occasionally flashing some deeply felt scenes in his mind.

As long as he can capture the inspiration slightly, he can preserve the ambiance of those scenes.

Next, he guided the two beautiful models to pose according to the composition in his mind.

Li Younan spent about 20 minutes and took seventy to eighty photos of the two young girls.

In terms of what parameters to use for different lighting, how to pair compositions with poses and expressions, Li Younan hit all the right notes.

Though these photos had yet to undergo post-processing, they already felt quite atmospheric.

The two girls huddled beside Li Younan, looking at the unedited images in the camera, occasionally bursting into admiration:

”Wow, this one looks great!”

”This one has such a vibe!”

”Wow, this is exactly the kind of feeling I imagined!”

Most new cameras have the function to directly transfer photos to mobile phones.

However, it was clear the girls had more on their minds than just this.

Lai Xiaodan squeaked, ”Could we add you on WeChat, so we can arrange to take pictures with you in the future?”

Rao Zuozuo internally mocked her as a ”squeaky voice,” but immediately presented her WeChat QR code smilingly in front of Li Younan, saying, ”Go ahead and scan.”

Li Younan chuckled, not hesitating, and cheerfully added the girls on WeChat.

While traveling, one probably wouldn’t see the others again.

After bidding farewell to them, Li Younan went looking for Sweetness and Zhu Qingyue but couldn’t find them.

However, at the exit, Li Younan bumped into Zhu Qingyue and Sweetness again.

Zhu Qingyue asked, ”Have you finished taking photos for those pretty girls?”

Li Younan nodded, saying, ”I think the Republic of China hall has a great vibe; it’s a pity not to take some photos.”

Zhu Qingyue tilted her head, looking at the camera hanging on Li Younan’s chest, ”Can I see the photos you took?”

Li Younan gladly took the camera down and opened it, saying, ”Of course.”

Zhu Qingyue looked at the photos, while Sweetness naturally couldn’t help but join in.

Sweetness’s eyes widened as soon as he saw the photos. How can they be so stunningly beautiful? This isn’t just tourist photos; it’s truly like a dialogue with light and shadows from the Republic of China era, full of vibes!

Sweetness never expected Li Younan’s photography skills to be so superb, far better than the photos she paid hundreds for at the photo studio!

Sweetness unknowingly revealed a slight gleam in her eyes that could be called greedy.

But Zhu Qingyue showed no expression.

Thus, Li Younan came to a conclusion that the young woman with a love for cultural travel before him likely has no interest in photography.

Li Younan even had a mischievous thought, some people are naturally lacking in perception and appreciation for colors, lines, light, and shadows; perhaps Zhu Qingyue is one of them.

Li Younan thought for a moment and still smiled, saying, ”The photos came out alright.”

Zhu Qingyue reluctantly nodded, returned the camera to Li Younan, and said, ”Yes, they’re very nice.”

Li Younan casually asked, ”Later, should I take some photos for you too?”

Without hesitation, Zhu Qingyue shook her head, ”Forget it, I don’t like posing.”

Li Younan had just casually asked, but since the other party had clearly expressed her unwillingness, Li Younan certainly wouldn’t insist further, as this was the second invitation, and enough was enough.

Just then, a voice tinged with grievance sounded beside them, ”Why didn’t you ask me?”

Li Younan was taken aback, seeing Sweetness looking at him somewhat aggrievedly. He blinked and said, ”Uh... sorry, would you like to take some photos?”

Sweetness immediately nodded like a pecking chicken, ”Yes, yes!”

Zhu Qingyue’s expression froze, and she rolled her eyes, looking at Sweetness.

No way...