Bali Arts Festival 2008- part 2

Over a period of one month, from June 14-July 12, the Bali Arts Festival celebrates the cultural heritage of Bali and beyond. Art teams from districts all throughout the island and the outlying provinces would converge in the Bali Arts Center in Denpasar to present cultural performances, from the traditional to the neoclassical and even modern. Dance, literature, music, sculpture, whatever art form there is, these can be found in a backdrop of a pameran country fair, Indonesia-style.

Every year, foreign delegations would also come over to showcase their own festivals or cultural features, hoping to draw in the same tourists that flock over Bali. This year alone, about 14 troups are joining the Bali Arts Festival.

To celebrate the glory of Bali, what better way than present portraits of Balinese ladies in all their regal fineries. They are sure magnets of the photographers anywhere.

Before my trip, I bought a 100mm f/2.8 macro lens. I tested it as an all around lens in the Bali Arts Festival and I must say, I love it! Here some tips on how to convert this sharp macro lens for street portraiture:
1. Set the focus to manual. Practice and learn how to focus. Trust your eyes to get the right sharpness.
2. Adjust the exposure compensation and test what is right for the prevailing light conditions.
3. To prevent camera shake, ensure that your shutter speed is 1/100s or faster. You may have to increase the ISO, or use flash.

beauties of Bali


Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/200s, f/2.8, 50mm, ISO 200, +1/3 EV
phototip: Stalk. This lady was texting in her cell phone at the same time chatting with her friends. I knew that sooner, she would look up as they always would after using the phone. She did and I got rewarded with this Julia Roberts mile-wide smile. (uncropped)



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/1000s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 400, +1/3 EV
phototip: Frame. I had several shots of this beauty but I wanted to frame her among her friends and the banten offerings that they were carrying. (very slightly cropped)



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/2000s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 400, -1/3EV



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/1250s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 400, +1/3 EV
phototip: Be on the lookout for the “different”. While all the other girls were posing for the photographers, I noticed one solitary lass who looked at me. I smiled and she returned the favor here. (uncropped)



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/640s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 200, +2/3 EV
phototip: Wait for the right moment. These girls aren’t dancing. They were stretching and folding their banners. A lot of things are happening during the waiting period before the start of the parade so be quick and be ready with your camera. (uncropped)