KECAK DANCE, a photo from Bali, Nusa Tenggara

Photographer's Note

A photograph of a Kecak Dance that I took last friday, at Saba beach, in Gianyar regency..

Using slow speed and zoom in/out technique to add the effect of moving.

What is Kecak dance?
The Kecak dance is one of the most famous of Balinese dances. It is unusual because it has no musical accompaniment like many other Indonesian dances do, the rhythm of the dance is produced by the chanting ‘monkey’ chorus. Instead, a troupe of men, serve as the chorus, making a wondrous cacophony of synchronized “chak-achak-achak” clicking sounds while swaying their bodies and waving their hands. From that chanting noise of “Cak-cak-cak”, then it gave the dance its name Kecak.

What makes the Kecak special is that the accompanying music is provided by the human voice, a choir of a fifty men or more sitting in concentric circles, swaying, standing up, lying prone as the story develops. Amongst the swaying masses the voices of the storytellers can be heard telling the unfolding tale.

The story is a fragment from the Ramayana, the Hindu epic which finds its expression in many forms, not only in dance, but also in painting and carving.

Hope you like it.

Happy monday all my TE friends.

Dashab, Royaldevon, Kofman, Ilducabianco, SnapRJW, CLODO, eversmile, Wanda1, daddo has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Dashab (2564) 2011-04-24 22:43

Hello Yoga,
The slow shutter speed and zooming in and out does indeed accentuate the sense of motion in the picture. I like it very much, it gives it a feel of something special, which this dance surely is.
You chose a good vantage point of capturing this group and the b&w rendering was a good choice.
Cheers,
Dasha

Royaldevon (85674) 2011-04-24 23:51

Hello Yoga,

There is a wonderful rhythm to your photograph.
I can sense the movement, the co-ordinated swaying; not an easy thing to project, on a photograph.
My congratulations to you, for your inventive photography.

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

SnapRJW (31631) 2011-04-25 6:50

Hello Yoga - I think this B&W image has captured the spirit of this ancient ritualistic dance rather cleverly. There is a feeling of slipping in and out of the present reality which is all attributable to your use of shutter speed and zoom. An original and fascinating image. TFS and best regards Rosemary

CLODO (45116) 2011-04-25 10:02

hello Yoga

the blurred movement of the zooming associated with the round of these men give a very dynamic picture, enhanced by a superb B&W treatment.
Congratulations
CLODO

eversmile (11636) 2011-04-25 12:32

Hi Yoga!

An excellent pic with a powerful and intriguing effect due to the zooming. It gives an extra amount of energy to the pic, with a dynamism which is both on the earth and in the air, and the center of the circle appearing like a vortex. It is clever to have included the waves too, it increases the impact, no matter if we believe the water is flowing back or the contrary. Impressive. Congratulations!
Regards
Marine

Wanda1 (15142) 2011-04-26 0:09

Hi Yoga,
I remember this dance so well from when I visited Bali many years ago. You have captured the movement and the essence so well, I can almost hear the sound of their voices and feel the atmosphere. Nice POV from slightly above too.
Regards
Wanda

lilito (3534) 2011-04-26 9:46

Bonjour!
Je ne trouve pas d'autre façon pour nous montrer une danse, vraiment réussit!
Lily

meor (67) 2011-04-26 16:10

The blurred make it superb on this picture. I can feel the dance movement. Nice one....
-meor-

daddo (28748) 2011-05-23 4:05

Hello yoga. Anyone who has seen the Kecak will appreciate this version. The rapid movement of the hands and arms that distinguishes the dance are conveyed here dramatically. A dynamic shot, creative exposure. Pity we cannot hear the voices. Regards. Klaudio.

Dragut (14) 2011-07-15 23:42

Bonjour Yoga

Très belle image...un témoignage tout d'abord , mais aussi une belle réussite technique. Jolie maitrise du coup de zoom, combiné a la vitesse lente. parfait choix de b&w.
Voila une bien belle réalisation. On aimerait en voir plus comme celles ci sur TE