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An unlikely spot for a family portrait in Ubud that turns out awesome
An unlikely spot for a family portrait in Ubud that turns out awesomeGetting a family portrait in a park or on a beach? Thatâs so 2006
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An unlikely spot for a family portrait in Ubud that turns out awesome
Getting a family portrait in a park or on a beach? That's so 2006.
We wanted something different. Something above par, which is why I instantly said yes to the offer of shooting Lisa's family portrait at an Ubud rice terrace.
If you happen to go on a Bali vacation with your family, do come to Tegalalang rice terrace in Ubud to take some unforgettable shots, and take in the fresh Ubud air.
But why a rice terrace?
Good question. The panoramic rice terraces in Ubud are widely known among tourists. However, Lisa, Adrianto and their 1-year-old baby Jamie might have a couple of other reasons.
For an adventurous couple, being photographed in the open is a must for family portrait. And after living in the United States for more than a decade, they wanted a family portrait with a local touch of their homeland.
I had to get there to take the shot but thought I would not stand a chance. It was late at night and I needed to book plane tickets and a hotel room for the next day. Even if I did find them, buying a ticket to the most popular destination only 18 hours before the flight would cost me at least Rp 1 million (US$84.89) for a one-way trip.
Luck was on my side. After asking for recommendations on Twitter, two friends suggested I book both flights and hotel in Ubud with Traveloka.com.
The cheapest I could find in the search result was Lion Air. The flight from Jakarta to Bali using Lion Air cost Rp 773,300, including a 15 kg bag.
For hotel booking, I picked Putri Ayu Cottages on Jl. Bisma, located not far from the Sukawati art market.
Thanks to the painless process of hotel and flight booking in Bali, I finally booked my flights and hotel room at ease.
The location
Tegalalang site is also known as Ceking. The location is pretty easy to find, on the main street between Ubud Monkey Forest and the beautiful highland of Kintamani.
Despite the various ways to get there, I suggest renting a car, especially if you travel in a group of three or more.
Renting a car in Bali normally costs between Rp 350,000 and Rp 500,000 for 10 hours and that includes driver, fuel and parking.
After a pleasant ride with our driver Bagus, we arrived in Tegalalang around 7 a.m. Once I stepped onto the roadside, the strikingly beautiful lush green rice terrace mesmerized me.
The rice terrace spreading down before me extended over the slopes across the valley, with the sun streaming through the neatly arranged green paddy fields. The sky was bright, the air was crisp and the sun was shining gloriously.
Perfect, I said to myself.
There's no entrance fee. However, to go down to the paddy field, we had to find a sign that said 'trekking', kept out of sight in between art shops and cafes on the Ceking roadside.
Adrianto carried little Jamie on his back using a baby carrier. As we trekked down more than 100 meters of steep steps, I started to have doubts.
Once you're down there, you would forget the trouble you've just been through. The paddy field looks like layers of unfolding green carpet heading up and surrounding us like a citadel.
Surprisingly, the sight of coconut trees and the sound of streaming water out of bamboo pipes from the rice field created in me some sort of reviving joy. As we passed, a farmer invited us to sample some coconut water.
We spent a while looking for some good spots. After more than 30 minutes shooting some pictures, we decided to go back to the roadside.
Photography tips
Here are some tips on how to have a safe and pleasant photo session at Tegalalang rice terrace, Ubud:
- The best time to take pictures is in the 'golden hours': a period shortly before sunset or an hour after sunrise. That is when the natural light is at its most mellow, with less strong shadows, rich in colors. Also, the photo session is more endurable with less heat.
- Additionally, use a wide-angle lens for landscape photos. Don't forget to bring a backup memory card and batteries. You never know.
- Wear the right shoes for walking. High heels are a no-go.
- Before the car ride to Tegalalang, wear your kids out so they will sleep in the car. This way, they will be fresh for photo shoot.
- Put insect repellent on your kids.
- Bring extra clothes for you and your kids, hats and umbrella; just in case it rains. There's hardly any shelter in the rain.
As we left the stunning rice terrace behind, I had two new revelations: the Tegalalang historic rice terrace is a national treasure with a timeless quality existing independently of tourists, and if there's something that has served me well in my life, it's been being open to trying something new.
