The big Nyepi day celebrations have been missing in Bali for the past three years due to covid restrictions, so the revival of this exciting event will be in March 2024, and promises to be one of the largest and most attended yet. So, David Metcalf Photography will be hosting a very special photography workshop in the Ubud area.
Held over three days from March 8 – 10 you have a choice of joining all three days, or just one day or two, take your pick.
We have hosted these Nyepi workshops on 6 occasions now so have worked out the best places and villages to go to get into the spirit of this wonderful occasion
The workshop is designed to challenge you as a photographer, teach you new skills and techniques under the watchful guidance of professional photographers, capture some amazing images and give you a great insight into Balinese culture at a very special time of the year.
Nyepi (the day of silence) is one of the most important days on the Balinese calendar and a wonderful and unique opportunity to photograph the spectacular color and spirit of the days before Nyepi.
This is a workshop not to be missed!!
Nyepi day is preceded by ceremonies such as Melasti a purification ceremony. You will get to witness Balinese Hindus carrying temple offerings and other sacred symbols to beaches or springs where the purification rituals are held. This is a time of celebration and the Island is alive with dance and music.
One day prior to Nyepi is Pengrupukan when monster replicas or Ogoh Ogoh’s are paraded through the streets on the shoulders of village youths who have spent weeks preparing the colorful displays. This is a feast for those with a photographer’s eye.
However, this is not all you will see! You will be taken to some very special non-touristy places to photograph many aspects of Bali including stunning views over rice fields and volcanoes, a Sunrise over Mount Agung, and ancient temples in the most historic areas of Bali,.
Also, rural Balinese life as we will wander into traditional villages in search of portrait photography and an experience of the way the Balinese live and have done for thousands of years.
The cost per person for the full day is $ 240 USD which includes lunch, transport, pick up from your Hotel, and the services of Dave or Nyoman.
If you join all three days we also offer special rates.
Please enquire with Wayan at David Metcalf Photography WhatsApp phone 62 817 4773619 Or davidmetcalf312@gmail.com
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1
MARCH 8
Pick up at your hotel (in the Ubud area) around 6 am then we head to the beach for some great people photography as will photograph the special ceremony of Melasti on the beach for the rest of the morning. This generally happens only around Nyepi and is a very photogenic sight, as thousands of worshippers pay their respects to the spirits of the ocean and are accompanied by dancing and colorful processions on the beach literally in the waves at times.
The memory cards will fill up in no time so make sure you bring plenty! Then we head back to Ubud stopping for lunch in the rice fields on the way, and an opportunity to review the photos from the morning.
Expect to be back at your Hotel around 2 pm.
DAY 2
MARCH 9
An early start around 5 am as we head to the rice fields for some spectacular landscape photography with Mount Agung the highest Volcano in Bali one of the subjects as the sun hits this huge mountain the colors change throughout the morning.
We will then head to the ancient village of Pejeng to photograph the huge Ogoh Ogoh as they are getting lined up to be carried through the streets. We will meet the makers of these strange creatures and they will explain the creativity and history behind what they are doing. Then we head to a typical Balinese village for a delicious home-cooked meal in a Balinese home, to finish off a wonderful day around 1 pm.
DAY 3
MARCH 10
A later start around 1 pm, and we will visit some traditional villages in the Ubud area as they get ready for the afternoon/ evening celebrations.
We will witness the Ogoh Ogoh parade in a traditional village and get right into the craziness of this experience.
This is challenging street photography playing with many aspects of light, but plenty to point the camera at.
We will get you back to your Hotels in the Ubud area around 9 pm in plenty of time for the silent day, which begins at 6 am the following morning. This a great opportunity to rest in your hotel all day and edit the many thousands of photos from the past three days!
This workshop will have restricted numbers and is generally sold out each year, so please reserve your place here by putting down a $ 200 USD deposit via Paypal.
You do not need a fancy, expensive SLR camera, that is preferred but an iphone is also fine.
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