After breakfast we will visit Wayan Dirga, prominent sacred Balinese mask artisan in Ubud, a lontar writer and philosopher. Environmental portrait shooting and his daily life around his house/workshop. Later in the afternoon we will assist a Fire Horse dance: Sanghyang or Hyang is an important type of spirit entity in ancient mythology When this spirit or unseen force is invited to enter the dancer’s body, the Balinese call it Sanghyang Dance. Then, when the spirit of “jaran” or horse enters the dancer’s body and performs a horse-like behavior, people call it Sanghyang Jaran Dance (Tari Sanghyang Jaran). Note that we will bring lighting equipment and provide all guidance to such photography, as this event takes place after sunset.

We return to our traditional village for more portraiture and cultural discoveries. After lunch, transit to Rejang villages, and witness Rejang dances. Rejang itself means “offering”, which is basically offering themselves to the gods. There were even some cases that the dancers lose themselves in the ceremony. Where they have a transcendental experience and reach a higher state of consciousness. Local people believe that Rejang has an important role in a ceremony. The dancers are said to be the heavenly maidens. They come to earth to welcome the gods to bestow protection and prosperity on earth. This dance is usually taught from generation to generation so that the tradition doesn’t stop.

Today we take a short fly to Jogjakarta, Java island (under 2 hours). After settling and lunch, we visit old ladies making Batik, old man building puppets. The existence of Yogyakarta batik is closely related to the history of the establishment of the Islamic Mataram kingdom by Panembahan Senopati. After moving the royal center from Demak to Mataram, Panembahan Senopati often meditated along the coastal of Java Island, among others in Parangkusuma to Dlepih Parang Gupito, tracing a thousand mountainous cliffs that looked like “pereng” or cliff march.

We leave quite early to enjoy sunrise in Borobudur, then return for Breakfast, and rest. This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms, and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO’s help in the 1970s. After lunch we will tour around the city for casual street photo.

With good weather conditions, this sunset will allow you to take images with statues on the foreground, trees and mist in the mid-ground, and volcanoes in the background.

Short drive to Solo and check in, lunch. On afternoon, we visit the umbrella makers. Ancient ornamental umbrellas from Central Java have long been famous since 12th Century. We will visit the last two umbrella artisans in this village. You will learn how to compose, arrange a scene to tell a story, play with light and lines, curves and angles.

A short drive to a larger Batik-making village, witnessing their craft and various photo opportunities. After lunch, we visit a gong factory, where you’ll see how locals build the largest gongs with just basic tools and fire. Afterwards, we visit Wayang Kratas (shadow puppet) maker. Brambang. A grandfather who is currently 91 years old. Even in his old age, he is still a paper puppet craftsman. Besides leather, paper is the raw material for making wayang He persists in preserving culture with his spirit that is at the end of his life.

Early departure for the Bromo national park, and checking into a resort just outside the caldera. After lunch, environmental portrait and portraiture of distinctive faces of Tengerese People. We have access to original, unspoiled Tenger villages, maybe get in their homes, and take portraits at low light.

Leave early morning by 3.00 AM to the crater. Witness the mists shrouding the crater and the surrounding area. We will enjoy Tenger horsemen running, posing, and showcasing their skills. The Tenger people are descendants of loyalists of the Majapahit Empire who resisted Islamization for centuries and were driven further into the mountains after the mass arrival in the area of Moslem Madurese in the 19th century. The Tenger initially numbered 600,000 but over the past decades, many have been assimilated into the dominant immigrant Moslem population.

Another super early departure to photograph 20-25 Tengger Horseman in a conceptual setting with morning mists.
After lunch, our main itinerary is complete. We will be returning home and drive to Surabaya and fly to Bali and checkin and farewell dinner.

Day 14: The  trip is over, you can continue to experience the beauty of Bali (we can help arrange a nice hotel and spa) or return home (Airport drop-off)

• Designed in close collaboration with local cultural experts and professional photographers
• Prime access to rituals, to families, to places otherwise non accessible to foreign tourists, all with the proper permissions, avoiding cultural “dont’s”
• Guidance from photographers to help make your images stand out, more dynamic yet realistic
• Minimizing the time in minivans or airplanes, by designing an itinerary that maximizes time on the ground, exploring and learning
• Priced according to the quality of the accommodations and dining venues, as we’ve chosen the best places to stay and eat, and the closest to the action
• Main itinerary is accessible to all and brings lots of culture and beauty, in addition to as much artistic and technical guidance as you can get
• Weather or other circumstances can hinder our experience, so we built alternate locations or activities to avoid wasting time