Experiments: The Temple of Heaven

"What you see depends not only on what you look at, but also on where you look from." — James Deacon

I do post-process photos. I enhance, and very rarely replace skies. But I'd never created a custom reflection before. Years ago, I watched a video of a photographer pouring out a bottle of water to capture one. Ever since, I'd wanted to try. It took some time, but I finally found the perfect place and the moment to do it.

It felt right. The Temple of Heaven, built in the early 1400s, was designed to symbolically connect Earth and Sky. Laying low to the stone floor with my camera, I believe I made that connection visual.

February 24, 2025 – Beijing, China. Alexander Seleznyov.