West Sumatra is a province of Indonesia. You can access directly by flight from Jakarta, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The capital city of West Sumatra is Padang and it has an international airport named Minangkabau International Airport.
There are 3 unique photography event and subjects that you can’t find anywhere else in the world.
MENTAWAI TRIBE
Mentawai tribe is indigenous people of Mentawai islands. In Siberut island, some of them are still living in very natural way, especially the Sikerei (the shaman of the tribe) and their family. Currently not more than 200 of them left. They are also considered as the guardian of the tribe. Everyday they still use traditional clothes and their ancient way of life. They are living in the jungle, deep inside the island.
There are 2 ways to take photos of them. First, go to their home in the island of Siberut. The journey will take about 3 hours by fast boat (3 times a week) plus 3 hours more by foot. In their area there are no proper accommodation. Second, by inviting them to mainland. Outdoor locations in Sumatra mainland and Siberut are similar. This is more convenience.
What photos you can take? You can take photos of their daily life activities and portraits. You can also make photo stories (photo series). For example: The story of fishing, hunting, making tattoo etc.
BLUE EYES PEOPLE
Blue eyes is normal for European people right? But what if dark skin people with blue eyes? It’s very unique! As the pioneer of Portrait of Blue Eyes, I know personally about 18 people with blue eyes in West Sumatra (I am the founder of all of them). Luckily all of them are living in villages not far from the city.
What photos you can take? Various style of headshot portrait. Why headshot? Because the main purpose is to explore their eyes and expression.
COW RACING
In local language we call it as Pacu Jawi. It’s not a racing actually. This is a traditional festival in part of West Sumatra that take place in the rice field after harvesting or before planting. There are no actual winner in the race. The jockey have to make a pair of cows to run fast and keep their balance from starting point until the ending point. The cows that are running fast and balance are considered as good. This can make the price of that cows higher in the market.
This event is very dramatic and one of the most photographed event in West Sumatra.
PRIVATE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
I accept private workshop request (up to 9 photographers in a group, the smaller the better). To shoot Mentawai Tribe, Blue Eyes People and Cow Racing you will need about 7-9 days workshop at any month in a year. This workshop is not cheap but I guarantee you will get the best photos. In the workshop, I will introduce shooting technique, Lighting technique (all lighting equipment are provided by me) and last but not least post processing technique (I am good with Lightroom and Photoshop).
If you love people photography? This workshop is for you. Contact me for detail!
Other than 3 main subjects, I can arrange other photography event: Traditional Dance, Martial Art etc.
*** More sample photos can be seen on my INSTAGRAM page.
Yos Photography 