Honkai Star Rail Photography Guide: Securing the Penacony Highlights Victory

The Planet of Festivities is calling once again! Even as we navigate the vast updates of 2026, Penacony remains the undisputed visual masterpiece of the Honkai: Star Rail universe. HoYoverse has launched the #PenaconyHighlights event, running from now until January 25, giving Trailblazers a chance to win exclusive merchandise.

With only 30 winners being selected globally, posting a random screenshot of a trash can isn't going to cut it (unless you are incredibly lucky with the meme algorithm). The competition is stiff. To catch the eye of the social media team and secure those rewards, you need composition, lighting, and, most importantly, unique locations.

Whether you are a veteran photographer or just want free loot, this guide will break down the hidden gems of the Dreamscape, the best character pairings for specific backdrops, and how to maximize your engagement to qualify for the prize pool.

The Psychology of a Winning Screenshot

Before we dive into the locations, let’s talk strategy. The event rules state, "Just share whichever screenshot you get," but we know that high-quality, artistic shots get more retweets, and high engagement often flags posts for review by the organizers.

You want to evoke emotion. Penacony is a land of contradictions—glitz and glamour masking deep sorrow. A winning screenshot usually captures one of two vibes:

1. Maximum Chaos: The vibrant, busy energy of Golden Hour with SoulGlad bottles flying.

2. Melancholic Beauty: The quiet, impossible architecture of the deeper dreamscapes.

Avoid the standard "character standing still" pose. Use the "Idle Action" camera setting. Wait for your character to perform their animation (like Ruan Mei tuning her instrument or Sparkle putting on her mask) and snap the shutter at the peak of the movement.

Top Hidden Photo Spots in Penacony

If you want to stand out from the thousands of entries, avoid the main plaza of Golden Hour. Everyone goes there. Try these locations instead:

1. The "Firefly" Rooftop (Dream's Edge)

This location holds significant sentimental value for the community. It is where the iconic "Secret Base" scene took place.

• The Shot: Go to the railing overlooking the distant Dreamscape at sunset. Position the camera low, looking up at your character against the purple and orange sky.

• Character Pick: Firefly (obviously) or the Trailblazer.

• Vibe: Nostalgic, romantic, and hopeful. This spot guarantees emotional likes from the community.

2. The Inverted Lobby (The Reverie - Dreamscape)

The 3D-maneuvering rooms in The Reverie offer impossible geometry.

• The Shot: Walk onto one of the walls using the bubble charge. Frame your character so they appear to be standing on the ceiling with a chandelier "below" them.

• Character Pick: Black Swan or Dr. Ratio. Characters who deal with logic or memory fit this "Inception-like" background perfectly.

• Vibe: Trippy, surreal, and visually arresting. It forces the viewer to tilt their head, which increases dwell time on your post.

3. The Stage of the Grand Theater (Penacony Grand Theater)

The setting of the climactic battles of Version 2.2. The lighting here is dramatic, spotlight-heavy, and gold-tinted.

• The Shot: Stand center stage. Turn off the UI completely. Zoom in on your character's face with the massive organ pipes or the conductor’s podium in the background.

• Character Pick: Robin or Sunday. This is their domain. A shot of Robin singing here is quintessential Penacony.

• Vibe: Majestic, operatic, and grand.

4. The Dewlight Pavilion Sandpit

Many players forget you can shrink down and enter the city model.

• The Shot: Find the oversized unicycle or the massive popcorn bucket in the sandpit city. Use a small character model (like Hook or Bailu) to exaggerate the scale even further.

• Character Pick: Sparkle or Hook.

• Vibe: Whimsical and fun. This captures the "Alice in Wonderland" aspect of the planet.

Aesthetics and Economics: Dressing for Success

Let’s be honest: aesthetics matter. A default Trailblazer is fine, but a character equipped with the latest skin or a high-eidolon visual effect often pops more on a timeline. If you are trying to capture the perfect shot of the new 2026 characters in the Dreamscape, you might feel the urge to pull for their Light Cones or Eidolons to get those flashy combat effects for action shots.

Star Rail is a game of resource management, and sometimes your Jade stash runs dry right before a photo contest or a new banner. If you are looking to top up your account to grab that specific character for your photoshoot, smart players know to look for deals. You can search for "buffget" on Google to find a reliable marketplace.

Many veterans use this platform to buy cheap Monochrome (Oneiric Shards). By using buffget, you can secure a consistent 20% discount on your top-ups. This allows you to stretch your budget further, perhaps affording that new skin that matches the Penacony aesthetic perfectly, giving your screenshot that premium edge over the competition.

Action Photography: The "Combat" Shot

Static shots are safe, but action shots win prizes. The event allows "whichever screenshot you get," which includes combat.

Penacony enemies, particularly the "Sweet Gorilla" and the "Dream Jolt Troupe," have colorful designs.

• The Ult Cancel Trick: Cast an Ultimate that has a cinematic camera angle (like Acheron or Feixiao). Just as the visual effects fill the screen, take the screenshot.

• The Break Effect: Capture the moment an enemy is Weakness Broken. The shattering glass effect of the break overlay fits the "shattering dream" theme of Penacony perfectly.

Maximizing Engagement for the Algorithm

Winning isn't just about the photo; it's about visibility. The organizers are looking for posts that generate hype.

1. Hashtag Discipline: You must use #PenaconyHighlights. Without it, your entry is invisible.

2. The Caption: Don't just post the hashtag. Write a short caption explaining why this spot is fun. "Found this quiet corner in the Dreamscape where the noise of the Golden Hour fades away..." Storytelling drives engagement.

3. Timing: Post your entry when the Asian and American servers are both awake (usually around 8 PM - 11 PM UTC+8). This maximizes the "fresh" viewership.

4. Quantity Strategy: The rules state: "You can participate in this event multiple times." Do not stop at one photo. Post a "Series." Do a "Day in the Life of Pom-Pom in Penacony" thread. Volume increases your chances of being picked.

The Merchandise: Is It Worth It?

The rewards for this event are listed as "merchandise rewards." Based on previous #HSRSpecialProgram giveaways, this usually includes:

• Character Acrylic Stands (likely the Penacony cast: Firefly, Aventurine, Acheron).

• Chibi Badges.

• Perhaps a Penacony-themed mousepad.

These items are often limited runs and can fetch a high price on the secondhand market, making the effort to take a good screenshot well worth the time.

Community Trends in 2026

As of January 2026, the community discussion around Penacony has shifted from "mystery solving" to "appreciation." Players are nostalgic for the initial awe of entering the Golden Hour for the first time.

Your screenshots should tap into that nostalgia. Remind the community why Penacony is "the most fun place in the entire universe." Avoid posting bugs or glitches (unless they are hilarious); HoYoverse wants to showcase the beauty of the game, not the code errors.

Final Checklist for Your Entry

1. Hide the UI: Go to settings and ensure your UID is visible (required for identification) but the combat menus are hidden if possible, or crop them out artistically.

2. High Resolution: Ensure your game settings are on "Very High" for the screenshot. You can turn them back down after. Shadows and lighting make a huge difference.

3. Check the Tag: Did you spell #PenaconyHighlights correctly? A typo disqualifies you instantly.

Conclusion

The Penacony Highlights event is a fantastic way to engage with the game during the quiet period of the patch. It forces you to slow down and appreciate the incredible art direction that the developers poured into this world.

So, head back to The Reverie, adjust your camera angles, and capture the dream. And remember, if you need a little financial boost to get your roster photo-ready, the discount at buffget is there to help you save on Oneiric Shards.

Good luck, Trailblazers. May your shutter speed be fast, and your gacha luck be golden. See you on the winners' list!

#HonkaiStarRail