Bali 2008 (Manda)
I managed to get away for a few days by myself - perfect!
On my first day I got up early to take in the surroundings, got lost immediately and chanced upon some kids playing with their kites.
#1 Kuta
After walking back home I found the best driver, I can heartily recommend Wayan Mudiana wayan4bali@mymail.ro as the perfect photographer's driver. He was the one who suggested stopping to meet these people in the rice fields.
#2 Planting the Rice
Quite literally, back breaking work
#3 Rice Padi
In the evening I visited Tanah Lot. My tripod broke again (just like it did last year) but at least it was at the end of the evening.
#4 Tanah Lot
After a couple of days I moved onto Ubud, it was a complete fluke that I chose the day of the Royal Cremation and was staying at the hotel right next to the celebrations. This is actually the day after when the funeral pyer was dust and ashes. The gentleman is collecting scrap metal, the heat was amazing. There won't be another festival like this for another 20 years.
# 5 Ngaben
It's a huge honour to participate in the celebration, so I enjoyed chatting to all the people preparing their floats. In the background is a richly docorated 'bull'. Later it will be added to the fire.
#6 Portrait
My final picture is part of a collection (you can see them in flickr; no one likes over kill). My biggest love is to take portraits as it makes the holiday so much more fun. I drove past a community meeting and thought 'wish I could take some photos of those guys'. I dared to stop and approach the large group men. Before you know it there are smiles all round and they line up for their turn. This guy actually wore a bright red wooly hat and had a lovely smile. He really knew how to play up to the camera, I think he rather fancied himself as James Dean.
#7 Bapak
Thanks for viewing, comments welcome. I'll try and add more as I get through the processing.
See my Japanese series here.
On my first day I got up early to take in the surroundings, got lost immediately and chanced upon some kids playing with their kites.
#1 Kuta
After walking back home I found the best driver, I can heartily recommend Wayan Mudiana wayan4bali@mymail.ro as the perfect photographer's driver. He was the one who suggested stopping to meet these people in the rice fields.
#2 Planting the Rice
Quite literally, back breaking work
#3 Rice Padi
In the evening I visited Tanah Lot. My tripod broke again (just like it did last year) but at least it was at the end of the evening.
#4 Tanah Lot
After a couple of days I moved onto Ubud, it was a complete fluke that I chose the day of the Royal Cremation and was staying at the hotel right next to the celebrations. This is actually the day after when the funeral pyer was dust and ashes. The gentleman is collecting scrap metal, the heat was amazing. There won't be another festival like this for another 20 years.
# 5 Ngaben
It's a huge honour to participate in the celebration, so I enjoyed chatting to all the people preparing their floats. In the background is a richly docorated 'bull'. Later it will be added to the fire.
#6 Portrait
My final picture is part of a collection (you can see them in flickr; no one likes over kill). My biggest love is to take portraits as it makes the holiday so much more fun. I drove past a community meeting and thought 'wish I could take some photos of those guys'. I dared to stop and approach the large group men. Before you know it there are smiles all round and they line up for their turn. This guy actually wore a bright red wooly hat and had a lovely smile. He really knew how to play up to the camera, I think he rather fancied himself as James Dean.
#7 Bapak
Thanks for viewing, comments welcome. I'll try and add more as I get through the processing.
See my Japanese series here.
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Lots of people are friendly in Asia so its not hard to take their photos. The only time I tried in Europe was a complete disaster as people are so much more cautious of random strangers walking up to them to take a photo.
My only tips are to set the camera settings first (aperture mode, f2.8 / 3.2 or 5.6, ISO 200 or 400).
Walk up straight away with a confident / open approach (hesitation or sneaking the shot will make ppl uncomfortable).
Give a explanation for your request "Hi, can I take your photo as your blue shirt really looks good against the a paint" or "Hi, I'm learning to take photos and there is a competition in my class, can I take your photo, it might help me win".
Hang around and chat, show them the screen, exchange emails - then walk away with glee.
thanks Mandy
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Cheers
This was processed with my new hero's ebook on portrait processing.
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