Meaning:

    The term literally translates as a “sugar water photo.” It refers to portraits or scenery photos that feature aesthetic techniques and superficial beauty but lack significance or meaning. The analogy arises because sugary water is something that tastes good but without much nutrition. “Sugar water” also sounds similar to “pond water” in Chinese, and the latter is deemed by some shutterbugs as a sine qua non in scenery photos.

    Example:

    A: 小李最近拍的一组风景不错啊。

    Xiǎolǐ zuìjìn pāi de yīzǔ fēngjǐng bùcuò a。

    Xiaoli has shot some good scenery photos recently.

    B: 还行吧，就是糖水片。

    Háixíng ba, jìushì tángshuǐpiàn。

    They are okay, nothing but some “sugar water photos.”