The Rhythm of Bali

One of the things that makes Bali so interesting is how much dance is part of everyday life. We had several opportunities to watch performances during our time on the island, and each was quite different. Some were graceful and deliberate, with incredible attention to hand movements and facial expressions, while others were more energetic and theatrical. The costumes, music, and movements all come together to tell a story. What I found particularly interesting was the precision of the dancers and the way even the smallest gestures and expressions played a role in the performance. As a photographer, I was constantly looking for those moments that captured the movement and character of each dance.

Legong – Grace and Precision

Legong is perhaps one of the most recognizable forms of Balinese dance. The movements are graceful but remarkably precise, with intricate hand gestures and expressive eye movements. The elaborate costumes are certainly part of the attraction, but what caught my attention was the dancers’ control and the precision of her movements. Even the smallest gestures seem carefully choreographed.

Getting to the Banyu Wana Amertha waterfalls to photograph a Legong dancer was an adventure in itself. After parking, we climbed onto the back of a motorbike for the ride down a narrow, steep, winding, and bumpy path through the vegetation. The seat was barely attached, and every bump seemed to send me sliding backward. I was trying to hold on for dear life, keep my seat, and manage a 20-pound camera bag strapped to my back. To make matters worse, the driver wasn’t exactly someone I felt comfortable holding on to! By the time we reached the bottom, I was more than ready to get off that bike. Happy to be off, I felt impending doom, I had to do the reverse to return to our vehicle. At least it was uphill.

From there, we continued on foot, descending a series of stairs into the valley. The waterfalls were beautiful, and having the opportunity to photograph a Legong dancer against that setting made the terrifying ride worthwhile.

Bhuana Sari cascade of the Banyu Wana Amertha waterfalls, beautiful on its own, dancer not required.

During our trip, our guide always carried his smoke machine. Cam in handy here.

Not just a pretty fan!

A couple of weeks later, we had another private performance, this time in the backyard of one of our guides. The dancer was just eight years old! You wouldn’t have guessed it from watching her. Her expressions, movements, and command of the dance were remarkable. She seemed completely comfortable performing, with an attention to detail and precision well beyond her years.

The elaborate costume, traditional fans, and shower of flower petals added to the setting, but I kept coming back to the dancer herself. Watching someone so young perform with that level of confidence and control was quite something. I found myself spending as much time simply watching her as I did looking through the viewfinder. It was a memorable afternoon and an opportunity to photograph a very different side of Balinese dance.

Eight years old, a fan, a crown, and a whole lot of attitude.

A little eye contact goes a long way.

The full monty! There were petals flying, smoke generated.

Kecak – The Monkey Chant

Kecak is quite different from the Legong above. Rather than traditional musical instruments, the soundtrack comes from a large group of men chanting rhythmically in unison. Their voices create a distinctive rhythm that builds throughout the performance. The dancers act out scenes from the Hindu epic Ramayana, with elaborate costumes and dramatic movements bringing the story to life.

Our Kecak experience took place at the temple of Goa Garba. Before the performance, we dressed in traditional Balinese sarongs and made our way down a series of stone steps to a clearing surrounded by jungle, with the temple providing a backdrop. It was quite a setting, and a very different atmosphere from the other performances we had seen.

The performance itself was quite theatrical. The circle of men provided a continuous soundtrack, while the dancers portrayed a cast of characters from the Ramayana. There were elaborate costumes, dramatic expressions, smoke, and even fire. At times, it was difficult to know where to look, as there was so much happening around the circle. From a photography standpoint, I found myself looking for those moments when the performers, smoke, and fire came together to create an interesting image.

A mischievous look from a Balinese nymph.

Not exactly the friendly face of the performance.”

We climbed an uneven, very steep staircase to get the overhead views. Well worth it!

Where chanting, movement, and fire come together.

Fire, smoke, and movement bring the Kecak performance to life. Full disclosure, our guide was using his smoke machine again.

Joged Bumbung – Dance and Interaction

Joged Bumbung is a more playful and informal style of Balinese dance. Accompanied by bamboo instruments, the performances often involve interaction between the lead dancer and other dancers or participants. There was a lighter feel to this performance, quite different from some of the more formal dances we had seen.

For our final photographic shoot in Indonesia, the dancers came to us, performing right in front of our villa. It was a great opportunity to experiment. I particularly enjoyed working with the movement, using a slower shutter speed to blur the surrounding dancers while keeping the lead dancer sharp. The contrast between the movement around her and her relatively still pose, along with the colorful costumes, made for some interesting images.