Yunfan Xu, Director of Photography: Capturing Stunning Visuals Across Los Angeles

Yunfan Xu, an accomplished Director of Photography (DP), has left an indelible mark on contemporary cinematography. With a diverse portfolio that includes theatrical releases, award-winning short films, and high-profile streaming productions, Xu has mastered the art of storytelling through lighting, composition, and visual aesthetics.

Based in Los Angeles, Xu has shot several projects in the city, including two award-winning films, Slobopoly (2024) and Jewish for Lunch (2022). "Los Angeles has been a great place to shoot because of its diverse locations, talented crews, and access to top-tier equipment," says Xu. "Both of these projects challenged me to adapt my cinematography to different comedic tones while maintaining strong visual storytelling—something that contributed to their success on the festival circuit."

When it comes to shooting in Los Angeles, Xu has some favorite neighborhoods and locations. Burbank and Hollywood Hills are his top choices for their proximity to rental houses, studios, and production resources. "Burbank is ideal because it's home to many major studios and equipment rental companies, making it easy to source gear and troubleshoot any last-minute production needs," explains Xu.

For scenic and cinematic views, the Hollywood Hills offers some of the best backdrops in LA, with incredible natural beauty that adds production value.

In addition to shooting in various neighborhoods and landscapes, Xu has also filmed in many mansions in the greater Los Angeles area, particularly for vertical dramas. These productions often require lavish, high-end settings to match the tone of the stories, so filming in luxury homes provides grand interiors, sweeping staircases, and expansive city views.

This makes a perfect fit, as the characters are always wealthy, so a sprawling mansion is a great setting for these films. “These productions often require lavish, high-end settings to match the tone of the stories, so we frequently filmed in luxury homes that provided grand interiors, sweeping staircases, and expansive city views,” said Xu.

“Shooting in these spaces comes with unique challenges—natural light control, managing reflections from glass and marble surfaces, and working within the constraints of the home’s layout—but it also offers incredible production value without the need for extensive set design,” he adds. “The architecture and décor naturally enhance the visual storytelling, making the world of the characters feel more immersive and aspirational.”

For Conrad: The Last Defender, California's natural landscape played a huge role in shaping the film's epic fantasy aesthetic. Shooting on location at a castle in Agoura Hills, Xu was able to take full advantage of the rugged terrain, vast open skies, and dramatic natural lighting to enhance the medieval atmosphere. The rolling hills and rocky landscapes gave the film a larger-than-life, almost mythical quality, making it feel like a grand, immersive world without relying entirely on VFX.

When asked about specific areas with the "magical light" that David Lynch often talked about Los Angeles, Xu points to the San Fernando Valley and Mesa Bella in Orange County. "There's something about LA's combination of urban sprawl, desert-like terrain, and ocean air that gives it this distinct, cinematic light—it's why so many filmmakers are drawn to capturing its atmosphere on screen," says Xu.

Xu's versatility shines through in his projects, from the dark, moody, and sharp look of Escaping Eden to the softer, more diffused tones of his recent work. "As a cinematographer, I'm always open to adapting my approach to serve the story," says Xu.

With a growing body of work in the streaming space, Xu has collaborated with platforms like ShortMax, Flex TV, and Dramabox, with standout titles like I Can Never Be Yours and Before the Divorce: My CEO Husband Can't Get Enough of Me. As a sought-after cinematographer in both indie and mainstream productions, Xu continues to craft visually striking, emotionally resonant imagery, solidifying his place as a master of contemporary cinematography.

Xu’s favorite LA landmarks include the Getty Center and the Griffith Observatory. He recommends it to visitors of the city. “I absolutely love the Getty Center—not just for its architecture but for how it merges art, design, and natural light in such a cinematic way,” said Xu. “The way sunlight reflects off the white travertine stone, casting sharp contrasts and soft glows throughout the day, makes it one of the most visually stunning places in LA. The modernist structure, combined with its breathtaking views of the city, feels like a perfect harmony of nature and human-made beauty.”

To Xu, Griffith Observatory has its own “cinematic magic.”

“The combination of its Art Deco architecture, sweeping views of the city, and the way it glows at night makes it one of the most iconic and visually striking locations in LA,” he said. “The observatory has this timeless, almost surreal atmosphere—especially when the fog rolls in at dusk—that makes it feel like a place pulled from a movie. Both the Getty and Griffith have that perfect blend of light, space, and visual storytelling, which is what makes them so inspiring for me as a cinematographer.”