Bali is only one of more than 17,000 islands in Indonesia--the fourth most populous nation in the world. But this island, currently enjoying an Artistic Renaissance, must be one of the world's loveliest, rich in dramatic scenery, ancient temples, and graceful people.  It is a paradise for the fortunate photographer, especially since the local people, with very few exceptions, are happy to be photographed when asked.

Bali remains one of the few places in the world where the traveler can explore and discover untouched places and witness authentic rituals that have not diminished with the passing of time. Every back road is a gateway to the heart of the Balinese people.

This workshop will assist photographers in exploring the visually and culturally rich environment of the Balinese celebrations of Galungan and Kuningan, two of the most important celebrations in the Bali/Hindu 210 day calender year. Participants will immerse themselves into the real lives of Balinese villagers: working, living, preparing offerings, and performing the joyous religious ceremonies. They will approach this event from a perspective that interests them: as narrative (you will try to connect with, and follow, one individual family for the entire week), as portraiture, or as cultural environmental photography (as seen in National Geographic).

The staff will give logistical support and language/cultural translation, with George and Beata focusing on giving individual attention to each participant, to enable them to hone their craft, think through their project, and define their vision, in order to grow on their own personal terms. We will follow a digital workflow, to expedite the editing and critique of all photos, and will produce a gallery show, to be hung at the end of the stay in Bali. This show will also showcase the work of Indonesian photographers, with an exchange of ideas, and the donation of the final prints to a local foundation, working for the preservation of native culture.

The trip dates are designed to take advantage of  two of Bali's most important holidays. Galungan and Kuningan are part of a 10 ritual with its origins in India, that celebrates the victory of dharma (righteousness) over adharma (wickedness), and reminds the Balinese to always enforce good deeds and to enlighten the spirit in order to rid the mind of chaos. To celebrate, the Balinese erect penjors, elegant swaying bamboo poles in front on their homes, and invite the deified ancestors to return to the family temples along with their children. There are numerous ceremonies and opportunities to see and photograph the Balinese beautifully costumed. The trance ceremony in East Bali. occurs during a famed temple festival, when the Gods are invited to come to earth and ride in ceremonial palaquins, the proximy of which send the bearers into  trancet. Over all an amazing visual event.

After spending the first week in Ubud, Bali’s cultural center, the second week offers you time to explore the island in  guided tours that offers the best of Bali's natural wonders, exploring the mountainous interior as well as the beaches and tropical waters.

This workshop is designed to inspire and motivate photographers working with Balinese artists and craftspeople in their homes and their social landscape. Participants should be self-directed, fluent in their camera technique, and travel with their own laptop. Individual consultation will be provided in portfolio review, personal style development, digital capture, editing, enhancing, and archiving.

Itinerary
June 25 -July 8 2007

Sat. & Sun. June 23-24: Transit. Depart USA from LAX, New York or San Francisco. Cross international dateline and lose one day, which is made up on your return.

Mon. June 25: Ubud. Arrive in Bali and transfer to your hotel,  where you are met by your guides and greeted with a welcome drink and informtion about the next day’s acitivities.

Tues. June 26: Ubud Penampuan Galungan First orientation session focusing on basic Indonesian manners & customs, followed by a walking tour of Ubud village, culminating at a shop where we will purchase our traditional sarongs and temple scarves needed to attend ceremonies and rituals. In the afternoon George and Beata will introduce you to the workshop, and discuss the personal project.. Group dinner followed by an optional evening performance of the Women's Gamelan with Children dancing.

Wed. June 27: Galungan Ubud.  Breakfast, followed by an orientation/language session, focusing on the Bali/Hindu religion & caste system, and also the meaning of the special holiday today. Morning discussion of the digital workflow, and in the afternoon visit to Tegallagang to photograph the dramatic rice field terracing, and also a unique religious procession with sacred masks in an especially characteristic village. Group dinner at a favorite local restaurant.

Thur. June 28: Ubud. Penampan Galungan (On this day Balinese enjoy outings and go to visit relatives.) Morning photo workshop with your instructors. Afternoon meet again with the families whose lives you will be chronicling. Afternoon visit to the home/studios of two of Bali’s best mask carvers for a talk on trance and sacred masks with a field trip to a carver who creates sacred masks. Private performance of Wayan Kulit shadow puppet performance.

Fri. June 29: Ubud Morning meeting with photo Instructors. In the afternoon meet with our host families for the first time. After group dinner, we meet with Instructors and review the images we secured.

Sat. June 30: Ubud Morning we go with our host families to the market to purchase the days povisions, then learn about and document the daily foods are prepared. Afternoon workshop continues.

Sun. July 1: Ubud  Workshop sessions end. Evening torchlight performance of Kecak and Fire Trance dance

Mon. July 2: Ubud After breakfast depart for, an island tour to discover Bali’s natural beauty and vibrant culture. We board our air-conditioned mini-buses for Bali’s striking North coast, stopping along the way at Pura Taman Ayung, a stunning State temple surrounded by two extensive moats. Onward through the fruit and vegetable basket of Bali: Bedugal. We stop at the fruit and flower market with its stunning display of area produce, then on to Bali’s most beautiful temple, flocating on a lake.
After many stops for photo opportunities, we return to Ubud.

Tues. July 3 & Wed. July 4: Ubud Your Instructors will schedule private individual meetings with each participant over these two days. Otherwise you have "free time", where can further pursue their individual projects, travel to the beach, attend cultural events, etc.

Thur. July 5:  Ubud:  Final day in Ubud. Finish up loose ends, final shopping, and hang our exhibition and attend the evening reception.

Fri July 6   Candi Dasa Depart Ubud for a tour to East Bali. Our first stop is to visit the quaint aboriginal village of Tenganan, where traditional palm leaf "lontar" books are etched, intricate baskets are created, and the famed double ikat (Grinsing) is woven. After lunch we journey through the lava-strewn terraces of East Bali to the local Raja’s water palace at Tirtagangga, where you may swim in the olympic-sized, spring-fed pools, or wander through the surrounding rice fields. Then we stop at stop at  the capitol city of Amlapura to visit the Raja's' Palace, with echoes of the Dutch colonial past.  We continue our travels along the sea, ending our travels in the village of Candi Dasa and our beach-front bungalows. A chance to swim in the crystal clear tropical waters before  a hopefully stunning sunset. 

Sat. July 7 Jimbaran Kuningan Optional morning snorkeling expedition to the Blue Lagoon, or wander the village of Candi Dasa, or enjoy the beach and pool at our accommodation. After lunch, change to our temple attire journey to Klung Kung to attend an exicitng and intense trance ritual. Then on to Jimbaran and check into hotel. Evening farewell to Bali fresh fish dinner on the beach, under the stars.

Sun. July 8: Transit. Final day in Bali. Be sure to take a morning walk on Jimbaran's wide beach to watch and photograph the fishermen brining in their catch. Mid-day check out and transfer to the near-by airport for your flight home, or stay on for more adventures.

Itinerary may change subject to unplanned opportunities. There is a good chance you will also be able to attend a cremation ceremony. Although no one is required to attend all activities, there will be no refunds for missed activities. Anyone who leaves the tour at any time, for any reason, is on their own.

CONDITIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
TRIP COST AND FEES:
The trip price $2295.00 per person is based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room with private bath. Full breakfast, excursions listed in the itinerary, classes, services of Balinese and USA guide, several orientation and language sessions.
Minimum 8. Maximum 15 participants.

AIRLINE INFORMATION: Many major carriers fly to Bali including Singapore, Cathay, Japan, Malaysia, Korean, Continental, Thai and Quantas. You are traveling in high season however, so we urge you to book early, especially if you plan to use frequent flyer miles.
For assistance with an agent who specializes in Bali, call Wendy Simon at 1-800-435-9463. On arrival, you will need to book at the regulated taxi station from the airport to hotel and return.

ACCOMMODATIONS: All accommodations are based on two persons sharing a twin bedded room with private, western-style bath. Single supplement available for $199.00.

ROOMMATES: Single people may sign up for accommodations desired on a share basis and will be assigned a roommate as circumstances permit. If a roommate is unavailable, the participant will be notified of the adjusted price for a SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $199.00.
MEALS: Full American Breakfast daily. One fresh fish dinner. Although meals are not included in the trip, we do organize some group meals at the start of the trip to familiarize you with local dishes and acquaint you with our favorite, cost-friendly restaurants.
SIGHTSEEING AND EXCURSIONS: All sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary will be carried out by air conditioned motor coach. All admission fees are included.

TIPS AND TAXES: Tipping is not customary in Indonesia, except in western-style hotels where service is charged. Optional gift will be collected for drivers and bungalow staff at the end on the stay.

PASSPORT, VISA AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS:
A passport, valid six months from date of entry to any country visited with proof of onward transportation. An Indonesian visa valid for 4 weeks will be given on arrival with $25.00 fee. Those wishing to stay longer should apply for a 60 day visda from any Indonesian
Consulate. No inoculations are presently required or suggested.

ORGANIZERS/ LEADER: Judy Slattum MFA has been organizing and leading study tours to Bali for 24 years after first visiting the island on sabbatical to study mask dance in 1978.  Six months later she returned with the first of many unique travel/learning experiences. Judy has published many articles on Balinese culture and her book, Masks of Bali;Spirits of an Ancient Drama  was released by Chronicle Books in 1992, has been featured in Time Magazine and sold over 17,000 copies, and was reprinted by Periplus Editions in Sept. 2003. Her museum exhibition on Balinese Masks  toured the USA as part of the Festival of Indonesia for 5 years and has now relocated to Bali.

Photography Instructors:
Beata Bernina, born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, studied music and photography in Boston, before returning to work as a magazine photographer in Jakarta. On her second visit to Boston, she entered into a working and life relationship with George Simian, culminating in their marriage in 1995. Currently living in Santa Monica, CA, Beata is involved in teaching photography, to disadvantaged youth in the US, and to a group of Indonesian weavers, in the Eastern Indonesian islands.
She is also pursuing  personal fine art photography projects. Her work can be seen at http://www.beatabernina.com
George Simian, born and raised in Bucharest, Romania, began his career while in college, making documentary photographs, and teaching. Turning to commercial work, over the next 25 years he illustrated over 200 corporate Annual Reports, making images of real people, on location -  recognized with numerous Mead and AR100 awards. After working primarily with medium-format film, George has been capturing images digitally for the past four years, and developed considerable expertise in digital workflow and color management. Still involved in education, George helped launch the Center for Digital Imaging Arts in Boston, before relocating to Los Angeles, where he is teaching at the UCLA Extension and the Julia Dean Photo Workshops. His work can be seen at http://www.georgesimian.com

Call toll free 888-476-0543 or email for further information.
Contact Danu Enterprises today and escape the ordinary!

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