Laurie Bergner
November 2024 - Wayang Kulit
About the Image(s)
Fujifilm camera, ISO 160, 56.5 mm, f/4.0, 1/30 sec
Wayang kulit is a traditional form of shadow puppetry originally found in the cultures of Java and Bali in Indonesia. In a wayang kulit performance, the puppet figures are rear-projected on a taut linen screen with a coconut oil (or electric) light. When I was there, we watched the shadow puppets and then went behind the screen. Much to our surprise, we discovered a huge number of musicians as well as these puppeteers and two singers.
8 comments posted
I heard of them but never got a chance to see...nice theme and very good concept. There is shake on the puppeteers hand .. probably due to 1/30 sec ? Ignoring that I love the photo. Posted: 11/12/2024 18:34:24
We saw them just by luck. We actually were going to see a palace and they happened to be having this show there that day. It was by far the best thing at the palace! I was totally astounded when I went behind the screen and saw what was there. Take a look at the pictures I posted below. Posted: 11/23/2024 13:30:08
Beautiful. That place is in my Bucket list. One day I will go there. Posted: 11/24/2024 15:11:09
I had never heard of this before. You did good to handhold this at such a slow shutter. I wonder why you did not use a higher ISO and therefore faster shutter and a much steadier image? Posted: 11/18/2024 13:27:00
Sadly the answer is that I did not pay close attention to the ISO or I would have realized that I needed it to be higher. Posted: 11/18/2024 16:35:38
Wayang Kulit is very traditional. This may have been in Bali, but it is popular elsewhere in Indonesia. The stories are usually from the Hindu epics, the Ramayana or the Mahabharata. In Bali, there is almost always a Gamelan orchestra that accompanies the action. It is unusual to see this performed in the daytime. An oil lamp would not throw enough light. As far as the composition is concerned, a little more on the right and a little less on the left. See image. Posted: 11/18/2024 14:24:18
I see that I should have included a little more on the right - it's kind of squeezed. I was trying to have less in order to focus more on the puppeteer. This was hard to photograph because it was such a huge space. I wish now that I'd found a way to get it all in. Check out the instuments behind these guys! Posted: 11/23/2024 12:15:34
Posted: 11/23/2024 12:16:36