Long ago, in Bali... Photo

Photographer’s Note

...women used to go bare breast. Dutch sailors used to enjoy stopping a few days in Bali, because of its natural and human beauties. Balinese women go bare breast was a part of the Bali myth. In the fifties, HCB shot Bali, the myth was still living ; at the beginning of the 21st century, they wore Quiksilver or Adidas T-shirts.

I always ask first permission but generally don't accept to pay for photographying, (not a point of strictly money, i send or give pics whenever possible, just my point of view about photographying) this is one of the very few images I gave some money for shooting. I was so surprised to see a remnant of the mythical Bali binding rice stems on the side of the road.

I don't like this shot.
While bali is a richer country compared to other Indonesian islands, there are really poor parts in the island out of the tourist track. Bali is strange in a way, on one place there will be 2 or 3 buses, turn right or left on a small path, drive 200 meters and you'll be totally off the beaten track. 5 minutes before I had seen on the road near rice fields an old guy carrying empty baskets, as tourist buses stopped he was posing for souvenir snapshots and getting money from the photographers.

This was shot half a mile further, on the side of a path, it seemed it was off the track, but as I gave a small amount of money to that old woman and was about to leave, the same old man with the empty baskets, who could have been the old woman's husband, leaped out of the bush and made everything was possible to get my attention, have his photo and some money back. I told him in bahasa that I had no film left and was leaving. The old guy insisted, he started climbing to a coconut tree, froze, hoping I was preparing a shot, then imitated a monkey for an everlasting time.
The scene was really pitiful and sad.

I left the place with a bitter feeling.

hispic, rage_tm, michel_r, eleparc, maciekda, markgong, benkrut, Glint, yasoda-nandana, hmusty has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

greg (2835) 2003-06-20 20:50

I like this portrait - the textures, the colours, the expression. Very nice.

nmess (2289) 2003-06-20 20:54

I also like this portrait, but with you discription, I feel emotion too.

Abocc (3292) 2003-06-20 23:27

Of course I like the portrait, but I read 3 or 4 times ypur comment to see better the other side of this picture, thanks for sharing the story.

gringofil (0) 2003-06-20 23:36

Nice work, Luko. Great note. The image wouldn't be the same without it. Great colors, textures and her gaze is really something. Wonder how Bali was in the 50's? Must have been incredible.

anadai (2490) 2003-06-21 0:02

Not exactly Playboy centerfold but still a great photo with an interesting note.

Djib (426) 2003-06-21 2:38

Great picture. It looks like a picture of the past indeed. The only element that doesn't look traditional and/or natural is her cardigan. I really felt touched by your story...

Aegean (2567) 2003-06-21 3:39

A very nice enviromental portrait Luko! And the story behind it is very human and interesting...I understand the feelings when you left...It happened to me too in some areas...

philip_coggan (11) 2003-06-21 5:48

What an interesting story to go with the picture!

In 1972 (or thereabouts) I was in Ubud, staying at a little losmen; one evening I walked down to the river, and the local girls were bathing bare-breasted. They waved and said hullo, totally unselfconscious - if anyone was self-conscious it was me! At the time I felt I'd arrived in Bali far too late, that 1950 would have been the right time; nowdays is even later...

momshu (503) 2003-06-21 6:48

I like the story line for this shot & like the womans direct look, excellant shot. She seems to have figured out the myths and I'm happy you did too.
I sailed into northern Bali in the 80's and missed the tourist intro. What interested me was once the local folks realized I was not interested in the next bus to the best beach & bar they were ever so open & welcoming.

Darren (6819) 2003-06-21 23:36

Your story is very interesting Luko, and certainly it adds to my appreciation of your photo. However, even on its own, I like your photo very much. What is like most here is the natural/subtle colors you have caught. I am very impressed with this, especially since now so many people are starting to use highly saturated film. In a shot like this, too much saturation would look unnatural, but with yours the colors just seem to work. The woman looks good as well, although I would prefer if she was doing something other than just looking at your camera. However, the slightly posed feel doesn't really bother me much. I guess I just like this shot Luko.

joseelias (367) 2003-08-28 3:17

Great photo! The expression of her face is striking. About your note, excelent. But I have something else to say, your story is arround all of us, unfortunatly...and not only at the the "end" of the world...

maciekda (19599) 2004-01-16 20:47

I am not sure about the picture, I don't know whether I like it, it seems to me a bit strange - an old woman and bare breast. Also the way she is looking is somehow not pleasant.. strange picture, but the scene is very strong I think..

and such a great story...

fapmap (250) 2004-06-11 20:05 [Comment]

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rage_tm (623) 2004-11-08 5:54

Interesting notes. Reading your notes and now seeing the photo i sense the feeling of sadness. You can see a lot of emotions in this picture from her eyes. I like how you captured this moment. thanks.

flydragon (0) 2004-12-10 18:12

ho que oui luko
on organize ce mariage ,o)
il va etre ravi mon pepere ;o)
le temps de remonter son zip
on arrive a Bali ;o))
il est jamais trop tard ,o)
••simon••

eleparc (24059) 2004-12-11 11:04

c'est pas mal ce mariage arrangé entre Toi et Simon, ou plutot entre le Monsieur au zip de Simon et ta dame au barebreast ...;-) tu as eu du pot de ne pas tomber sous la censure mais à l'époque (2003) peut être y avait il moins de puritains à bord de TE, soucieux de faire respecter le TOS disanbt no nude breast... hahaha ! ;-)

nattocks (19) 2004-12-16 20:50

Great portrait, heartbreaking story