Some photos will have you stopping scrolling for a second. Others will have you looking at them a second time because you’re not quite sure what you’re seeing. Shanghai based photographic artist Ziqian Liu has this particular ability. She creates the very essence of that magic using nothing more than a camera, a tripod, mirrors, plants, light and a few bits and pieces from the everyday world to turn the mundane into dreamlike compositions that are essentially little portals into another world.
Self Portrait of Artist Ziqian Liu
What’s so compelling about her photography? It’s not just the clever use of reflections or the perfectly composed flowers. It’s the way she takes the ordinary and makes it feel utterly new. A mirror becomes something more than a mirror. A plant becomes part of a much larger narrative about life, balance and our relationship with the natural world. Her own body is often part of the image too, albeit without the face.
And the fun bit is you don’t need a studio at all or any particularly expensive kit to see the thinking behind the work. She makes her photographs entirely on her own using just a camera and a tripod and very carefully constructs each scene. Every reflection, every shadow, every shape is there for a reason.
Her images are all about getting us to slow down, to look at what we’re seeing and to find the beauty in the things we tend to ignore. In a world saturated with visual noise that’s a very refreshing concept.
You can find Ziqian Liu on the web:
The Surreal Photography of Ziqian Liu: Where Reflections Meet Reality
Shanghai based photographer Ziqian Liu creates extraordinary images from the most mundane of objects using mirrors, plants, light and shadow. Her work is very much in the realm of the surreal and is about challenging the viewer’s perception of the ordinary. It’s a very subtle kind of magic, achieved through carefully composed images which are at once utterly simple and profoundly imaginative.
"Ziqian Liu transforms a simple mirror, a black dress, and delicate orange tulips into a surreal visual composition. The reflection, soft colors, and carefully arranged flowers create a dreamlike scene that explores beauty, perspective, and the connection between humans and nature."
"Ziqian Liu creates a striking, dreamlike composition featuring a woman reflected in a round mirror, surrounded by flowing dark fabric and delicate pearl strands. The muted colors and balanced arrangement explore femininity, reflection, and the quiet beauty of minimalist conceptual photography."
"Ziqian Liu creates a mysterious, dreamlike scene featuring a glowing candle, a delicate flower, and a softly blurred human figure. The shallow depth of field, muted tones, and gentle light evoke a quiet connection between humans and nature."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal portrait by replacing a model’s head with a green fruit topped by a dark rose. The circular mirror, flowing green fabric, and muted pink background transform everyday elements into a striking exploration of identity and nature."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal portrait featuring a woman in black, her face partially concealed by a striking red flower. A reflective tray, slender green stem, and muted blue backdrop create a minimalist composition exploring identity, nature, and unexpected beauty."
"Ziqian Liu transforms oranges, a circular mirror, and a partially visible figure into a surreal still life. The soft blue background, balanced composition, and playful reflections explore perspective, everyday beauty, and the fascinating relationship between objects and their surroundings."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal composition featuring a woman with a red apple balanced on her head, mirrored perfectly in a circular mirror. The muted green background and minimalist arrangement explore symmetry, perspective, and the unexpected beauty of everyday objects."
"Ziqian Liu creates a delicate, dreamlike composition featuring tiny yellow flowers against a softly blurred human figure. The muted colors, shallow depth of field, and flowing fabric highlight her artistic vision of harmony between humans and nature."
Turning Everyday Objects Into Art
Ziqian Liu shows us that ordinary things can make extraordinary photographs. Flowers, mirrors, fruit, and household items become something special when you arrange them creatively. You don’t need expensive equipment to try this style. Sometimes, a little imagination and the right light are all you need.
Simple Ways to Get Creative:
- Use flowers, fruit, glasses, or other objects you already have at home.
- Place a mirror near your subject to create interesting reflections.
- Try shooting near a window for soft, natural light.
- Keep the background simple so your subject stands out.
- Move objects around until you find a composition that feels right.
"Ziqian Liu transforms a delicate flower and dramatic shadows into a poetic, minimalist composition. Warm sepia tones, flowing fabric, and sculptural shapes create a dreamlike atmosphere, reflecting her artistic vision of finding extraordinary beauty in simple forms and natural light."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal composition featuring a woman’s distorted reflection in a round mirror, reaching toward a suspended pink rose. The delicate flowers and fluid reflections explore perception, human connection with nature, and the beauty of unexpected visual illusions."
"Ziqian Liu creates a poetic, dreamlike portrait of a woman surrounded by delicate purple flowers, viewed through a textured, translucent surface. Soft focus, muted tones, and scattered petals evoke a quiet connection between human emotion and the beauty of nature."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal still life featuring a circular mirror, a black vase, delicate orange flowers, and a partially hidden figure. Soft colors, layered reflections, and unusual framing transform everyday objects into a dreamlike exploration of perspective and beauty."
"Ziqian Liu creates a dreamlike composition featuring a blurred human figure dropping a tiny red object toward tomatoes arranged on miniature steps. The soft lighting and shallow depth of field transform everyday subjects into a surreal exploration of perspective and balance."
"Ziqian Liu transforms a simple wooden chair, delicate flowers, and a small mirror into a surreal artistic composition. The muted pink palette, elegant curves, and unexpected reflection explore perspective, solitude, and the quiet connection between humans and nature."
"Ziqian Liu creates a serene, dreamlike composition featuring delicate green branches in a glass vase against a blurred human figure. The soft lighting, shallow depth of field, and earthy tones explore the quiet harmony between humans and nature."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal composition featuring a woman bending gracefully inside a circular mirror, beside an orange slice and overlapping reflective surfaces. The muted colors, symmetry, and reflections transform simple objects into a poetic exploration of perspective and beauty."
Bringing Humans and Nature Together
One of the beautiful things about Liu’s photography is the connection between people and nature. She combines her own body with plants and flowers to show that humans are part of the natural world. Her images feel peaceful and remind us to appreciate the life around us.
Simple Ways to Capture Nature:
- Photograph flowers, leaves, and branches alongside human figures.
- Look for similar shapes between plants and the human body.
- Use natural colors to create a calm and peaceful mood.
- Leave enough empty space to keep your composition clean.
- Think about the story you want your photograph to tell.
"Ziqian Liu captures an intimate, dreamlike composition featuring a delicate white flower held against a human figure. Warm lighting, deep shadows, and the flower’s graceful curves highlight her artistic vision of harmony between the human body and nature."
"Ziqian Liu creates a playful, dreamlike portrait featuring colorful cherries seemingly floating around a blurred woman. The soft green background, shallow depth of field, and minimalist composition beautifully express her artistic vision of blending human presence with nature and imagination."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal portrait featuring a woman partially concealed behind an oval mirror, with vibrant red roses appearing beside her face and hand. Soft lighting, elegant shapes, and muted colors explore reflection, identity, and the delicate connection between humans and nature."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal portrait featuring a woman whose face is concealed by dried flowers, paired with a delicate arrangement of pearls and an egg on a reflective table. Dramatic lighting and minimalist styling evoke mystery, balance, and nature’s beauty."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal still life featuring a woman, a suspended black handbag, and green apples arranged around a circular mirror. Clever reflections, minimalist styling, and muted colors explore perspective and the unexpected beauty of everyday objects."
"Ziqian Liu creates a mysterious, dreamlike composition featuring a traditional floral vase and a blurred human figure behind a textured translucent surface. Muted earthy tones and delicate shadows evoke introspection, revealing her artistic vision through everyday objects and subtle visual storytelling."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal portrait featuring a headless figure, a delicate dried flower, and a raised hand emerging from an unexpected position. The circular mirror, soft pink table, and muted colors explore perspective, identity, and harmony between humans and nature."
"Ziqian Liu captures a delicate flower against a textured beige background, where shadows of hands appear to reach toward it. The minimalist composition blends nature, light, and human presence, creating a poetic visual exploration of connection and imagination."
Creating Magic With Mirrors and Reflections
Mirrors play a big role in Liu’s photographs. They help her show familiar objects in unexpected ways, making simple scenes look almost unreal. A small change in camera angle can completely transform an image. That’s what makes experimenting with reflections so much fun.
Simple Ways to Try Reflection Photography"
- Use a small mirror to create unusual reflections.
- Photograph your subject from different angles.
- Combine a real object with its reflection in one frame.
- Experiment with reflections in glass, water, or shiny surfaces.
- Try unusual compositions that make viewers stop and look twice.
"Ziqian Liu creates a serene, surreal composition featuring a woman draped in flowing olive-green fabric, holding a lemon near her shoulder. Carefully arranged citrus fruits, soft colors, and elegant folds celebrate simplicity, connecting everyday objects with nature and artistic imagination."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal still life featuring green apples, a sculptural red table, flowing curtains, and a blurred human figure. The striking color contrast, soft focus, and layered composition transform ordinary objects into a dreamlike exploration of perspective."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal composition featuring a woman’s fragmented reflection in a round mirror, surrounded by delicate yellow tulips and a bare branch. Soft natural light, muted colors, and unusual framing explore perspective and the harmony between humans and nature."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal composition featuring a red-and-yellow tulip inside a circular mirror, surrounded by disembodied arms reaching into the frame. The minimalist setting, unusual arrangement, and muted colors explore perspective, human connection, and the beauty of nature."
"Ziqian Liu creates a mysterious, dreamlike portrait featuring a blurred human figure surrounded by delicate golden fragments. Warm earthy tones, shallow depth of field, and floating details transform a simple composition into an exploration of perception, beauty, and imagination."
"Ziqian Liu creates a dreamy composition featuring a blurred figure holding an orange behind a textured translucent surface. A sliced orange rests on a circular glass platform, blending natural colors, reflections, and soft focus to explore perception and everyday beauty."
"Ziqian Liu creates a minimalist, dreamlike still life featuring transparent glass bottles and a mysterious hand-shaped shadow. Soft beige tones, delicate reflections, and subtle distortions transform ordinary objects into poetic compositions exploring perspective, light, and the beauty of simplicity."
"Ziqian Liu creates a dreamlike portrait featuring a woman reflected in a round mirror, partially obscured by textured glass and surrounded by pink lilies. Soft colors, layered reflections, and delicate details explore perception, identity, and the beauty of nature."
Using Light, Shadows, and Silhouettes
Liu often hides her face in her photographs, allowing viewers to imagine their own stories. Soft light, gentle shadows, and simple compositions give her images a dreamy feeling. By focusing on shapes and mood rather than facial expressions, she creates photographs that feel personal yet open to interpretation.
Simple Ways to Create Dreamlike Photos:
- Photograph people against a bright window to create silhouettes.
- Use soft daylight for gentle shadows and natural colors.
- Hide faces or crop portraits to add a little mystery.
- Keep only a few important elements in the frame.
- Experiment with light and shadows to create different moods.
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal portrait featuring a woman reflected in a round gold-framed mirror, holding an orange behind her back while reaching toward a red tulip. The minimalist composition blends vibrant natural elements with reflections, exploring perspective and beauty."
"Ziqian Liu creates a surreal portrait of a woman dressed in black, holding a curved mirror that conceals part of her face. The minimalist composition, unusual framing, and muted colors explore identity, perspective, and the beauty of visual simplicity."
"Ziqian Liu creates a mysterious, dreamlike portrait featuring a woman in black, holding a delicate purple flower within a circular mirror. Deep shadows, muted colors, and unusual framing explore identity, perspective, and the quiet beauty of nature."
Editor’s Summary:
Ziqian Liu reminds us that creative photography begins with curiosity, not expensive equipment. Her thoughtful use of mirrors, natural elements, and light shows how ordinary scenes can become personal works of art. The real lesson? Slow down, experiment, and learn to see familiar things in unfamiliar ways.
What We Can Learn From Ziqian Liu
- Experiment fearlessly: Try different mirror placements and camera angles to discover unexpected compositions.
- Find beauty at home: Use everyday objects instead of waiting for the perfect location or expensive props.
- Connect with nature: Explore plants, flowers, and human forms as elements of one shared environment.
- Master light and shadows: Observe how changing daylight transforms the mood of a simple scene.
- Develop your own vision: Borrow inspiration from Liu’s techniques, but create photographs that express your own ideas and experiences.
