What to pay attention to when taking photos in Sri Lanka?

哈喽！要去斯里兰卡拍照啊？那可真是选对地方了，那儿被叫做“印度洋的眼泪”，随便一拍都是明信片。我刚从那边回来不久，给你分享点实在的经验，保证比你看一堆官方攻略管用。

先说说，去斯里兰卡拍什么？

别光想着拍大象和海，那儿的好东西多着呢：

1. “斯里兰卡的微笑”： 这是最最珍贵的“特产”。当地人，不管是大人还是小孩，眼神都特别纯净，笑容非常有感染力。在古城、在村庄，或者就是路边，看到有趣的人，大胆一点，先给一个微笑，然后用手比划一下相机，他们大多都会很乐意让你拍。拍完给他们看看你拍的照片，他们会笑得更开心。
2. 山地茶园的“绿野仙踪”： 从康提到努沃勒埃利耶（Nuwara Eliya）再到埃拉（Ella）这一路，是世界闻名的高山茶园。一定要坐一次“高山茶园小火车”，挂在火车门边上（注意安全！），让风吹着，外面是漫山遍野的绿色茶田，随便拍都超级出片。在茶园里，还能拍到采茶女，她们穿着彩色的纱丽，在绿色的背景下特别亮眼。
3. 南部海岸的独特风景：
   • 高跷渔夫（Stilt Fishermen）： 这个现在基本是个“表演项目”了，专门给游客拍照的。渔夫们会坐在海里立着的杆子上，装作钓鱼。想拍的话，得给点钱，大概500-1000卢比（人民币20-40块）一个人。虽然商业化了，但那个画面确实经典，夕阳下拍尤其美。
   • 加勒古城（Galle Fort）： 这里是荷兰殖民时期留下的古堡，很有欧洲小镇的感觉。在里面慢慢逛，拍拍斑驳的城墙、灯塔、白色的小教堂，还有各种有情调的咖啡馆和小店，特别小清新。
4. 神奇动物在哪里：
   • 雅拉（Yala）国家公园： 如果你想拍野生动物，这是必去的地方。坐着吉普车进去，可以拍到大象、水牛、孔雀、猴子，运气爆棚的话还能看到金钱豹！记得带上你的长焦镜头，不然只能拍个点了。
   • 大象孤儿院： 这里能近距离看到很多大象，特别是它们成群结队去河里洗澡的时候，场面很壮观。
5. 神圣的宗教氛围： 斯里兰卡是佛教国家，寺庙特别多。比如康提的佛牙寺，金碧辉煌，信徒们穿着白衣，捧着莲花，气氛特别虔诚。拍寺庙内部或者信徒的时候，光线通常比较暗，要注意调高感光度（ISO）或者用大光圈镜头。

摄影装备和准备，给你几个实在建议：

• 相机： 手机、微单、单反都行。关键是你用得顺手。但如果你想拍野生动物或者把远处的采茶女拉近了拍，那一个有长焦镜头的相机会给你巨大优势。
• 镜头： 如果你是换镜头的那种相机，我强烈建议你带两个头：
  • 一个广角/标准变焦头（比如24-70mm），拍风景、拍人文、拍古城，一镜走天下。
  • 一个长焦镜头（比如70-200mm或者更长），这是斯里兰卡的“神器”！拍雅拉的动物、拍山顶的茶农、拍海里的高跷渔夫，全靠它。没有它你会后悔的。
• 配件：
  • 备用电池和存储卡： 一定要多带！那边的美景会让你一直按快门，电和卡消耗飞快。
  • 充电宝： 不仅给手机，有的相机也支持USB充电，关键时刻能救命。
  • 防雨罩/防水包： 斯里兰卡天气多变，说下雨就下雨，保护好你的宝贝相机。
  • 镜头布： 海边湿气大，镜头容易起雾或者沾上盐分，随时擦擦。

最重要的！摄影礼仪和注意事项！

这个一定要记在心里，不然可能会惹麻烦，也显得咱们没素质。

1. 尊重宗教！尊重宗教！尊重宗教！
   • 进寺庙必须脱鞋，不能穿吊带和短裤/短裙（膝盖以上）。最好自己带个大披肩，随时能用。
   • 绝对不要背对着佛像自拍！ 这是极大的不尊重。你可以侧身跟佛像合影，但后背不能对着它。当地人看到会非常生气。
   • 看到僧侣，特别是高僧，不要冒然对着人家脸拍。想拍的话，先微笑示意，征得同意。女士切记不要触碰僧侣。
2. 拍人先打招呼： 拍当地人，特别是老人和小孩，先笑一笑，用手势问一下可不可以。99%的人都会同意。这是最基本的尊重，别偷偷摸摸地拍，感觉很不好。
3. 关于“收费模特”： 就像前面说的高跷渔夫，还有一些在景点牵着猴子、耍蛇的人，他们主动让你拍，拍完就是要钱的。拍之前心里要有数，想拍就准备好零钱，不想拍就笑着摆手走开。
4. 无人机要小心： 斯里兰卡对无人机管控很严。在宗教场所（如佛牙寺、狮子岩）、政府大楼、军事区附近是绝对禁飞的。如果你非要带，一定要提前查阅斯里兰卡民航局的最新规定，并且低调飞行，否则被没收或者罚款就得不偿失了。
5. 注意安全： 在人多的地方，比如集市、火车站，看管好你的相机包。不要把昂贵的器材随便露在外面。在“挂火车”的时候，一定要抓牢了，注意来往的车辆和隧道。

总之一句话：带着尊重去发现美，你的镜头里才会有真正的灵魂。

祝你在斯里兰卡拍到心仪的照片，玩得开心！

Hello! Going to Sri Lanka for photography? You've certainly picked the right place; it's known as the "Teardrop of India," and every shot looks like a postcard. I just got back from there, and I'll share some practical tips that I guarantee will be more useful than a bunch of official guides.

First, what should you photograph in Sri Lanka?

Don't just think about elephants and the sea; there's so much more to capture:

1. The "Smile of Sri Lanka": This is the most precious "specialty." The locals, both adults and children, have incredibly pure eyes and infectious smiles. In ancient cities, in villages, or just by the roadside, if you see interesting people, be a little bold, offer a smile first, then gesture with your hand towards your camera. Most of them will be happy to let you take their picture. After taking the photo, show it to them, and they'll smile even more brightly.
2. The "Green Wonderland" of the Hill Country Tea Plantations: The route from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya and then to Ella is home to world-famous highland tea plantations. You absolutely must take the "highland tea train." Hang out of the train door (be careful!), feel the wind, and outside you'll see endless green tea fields stretching across the mountains – every shot is stunning. In the tea plantations, you can also photograph tea pickers, who look particularly striking in their colorful sarees against the green backdrop.
3. Unique Scenery of the Southern Coast:
   • Stilt Fishermen: This is now largely a "performance" for tourists. Fishermen sit on stilts in the sea, pretending to fish. If you want to photograph them, you'll need to pay a fee, usually around 500-1000 LKR (20-40 RMB) per person. Although commercialized, the scene is truly iconic, especially beautiful when photographed at sunset.
   • Galle Fort: This is a fort left over from the Dutch colonial period, with a distinct European town feel. Stroll around slowly, photographing the weathered walls, the lighthouse, the white church, and various charming cafes and shops. It has a very fresh and artistic vibe.
4. Where the Wild Animals Are:
   • Yala National Park: If you want to photograph wildlife, this is a must-visit. Go on a jeep safari, and you can photograph elephants, buffalo, peacocks, monkeys, and if you're incredibly lucky, even leopards! Remember to bring your telephoto lens, otherwise, you'll only get dots.
   • Elephant Orphanage: Here you can see many elephants up close, especially when they go to bathe in the river in groups – it's a spectacular sight.
5. Sacred Religious Atmosphere: Sri Lanka is a Buddhist country with many temples. For example, the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy is magnificent and gilded, with devotees dressed in white, holding lotus flowers, creating a deeply pious atmosphere. When photographing inside temples or devotees, the light is usually dim, so be sure to increase your ISO or use a fast lens.

Here are some practical tips for photography gear and preparation:

• Camera: Phone, mirrorless, or DSLR – any will do. The key is that you're comfortable using it. However, if you want to photograph wildlife or zoom in on distant tea pickers, a camera with a telephoto lens will give you a huge advantage.
• Lenses: If you have an interchangeable lens camera, I strongly recommend bringing two lenses:
  • A wide-angle/standard zoom lens (e.g., 24-70mm) for landscapes, street photography, and ancient cities – a versatile all-rounder.
  • A telephoto lens (e.g., 70-200mm or longer) – this is the "magic weapon" for Sri Lanka! It's essential for photographing animals in Yala, tea farmers on the mountains, and stilt fishermen in the sea. You'll regret not having it.
• Accessories:
  • Spare Batteries and Memory Cards: Definitely bring plenty! The beautiful scenery there will make you constantly press the shutter, and batteries and cards will drain quickly.
  • Power Bank: Not just for your phone; some cameras also support USB charging, which can be a lifesaver in critical moments.
  • Rain Cover/Waterproof Bag: Sri Lanka's weather is unpredictable; it can rain suddenly, so protect your precious camera.
  • Lens Cloth: The coast is humid, and lenses can easily fog up or get salt on them, so wipe them frequently.

Most important! Photography etiquette and precautions!

It's crucial to keep these in mind, or you might get into trouble and appear disrespectful.

1. Respect Religion! Respect Religion! Respect Religion!
   • You must remove your shoes when entering temples, and you cannot wear sleeveless tops or shorts/skirts (above the knee). It's best to bring a large shawl that you can use at any time.
   • Absolutely DO NOT take selfies with your back to a Buddha statue! This is extremely disrespectful. You can pose sideways with a Buddha statue, but your back must not face it. Locals will be very angry if they see this.
   • When you see monks, especially high-ranking ones, don't just point your camera at their faces. If you want to photograph them, smile and gesture to ask for permission first. Ladies, remember not to touch monks.
2. Ask for permission before photographing people: When photographing locals, especially the elderly and children, smile first and use gestures to ask if it's okay. 99% of people will agree. This is basic respect; don't take photos secretly, as it feels very wrong.
3. Regarding "Paid Models": Like the stilt fishermen mentioned earlier, there are also people at tourist spots with monkeys or snakes who will actively encourage you to take photos, expecting payment afterward. Be aware of this beforehand; if you want to take a photo, have some small change ready. If not, smile, wave your hand, and walk away.
4. Be careful with drones: Sri Lanka has strict drone regulations. Drones are absolutely prohibited in religious sites (such as the Temple of the Tooth, Sigiriya), government buildings, and military zones. If you insist on bringing one, be sure to check the latest regulations from the Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority beforehand and fly discreetly, otherwise, confiscation or fines will not be worth it.
5. Pay attention to safety: In crowded places, such as markets and train stations, keep a close eye on your camera bag. Do not flaunt expensive equipment. When "train surfing" (leaning out of the train doors), make sure to hold on tight and be aware of oncoming vehicles and tunnels.

In short: Discover beauty with respect, and your lens will capture true soul.

Wishing you happy photography and a wonderful time in Sri Lanka!