The poverty of Bali, is at best kept from the eyes of foreign tourist. If you only come to Bali for the warm weather, and favorable exchange rate you can easily avoid seeing any unpleasant sights of the poor or needy. The Indonesian Rupiah is valued at somewhere around 30% less than the US Dollar, making it nearly impossible for the Balinese to travel outside of the island. Most locals have learned English not from schools, because of their expensive price tag, but through interactions with tourist (or there need for interactions with tourists). The under lying truth to Bali is that without its tourist base it would be in much worse shape. There is no real economy on the island, besides agriculture (mainly rice cultivation), so all aspects of the island have catered to tourist from all around the world.
As a photographer, I am happiest when I am photographing, especially when I am given the opportunity to document a part of the world that in new and exciting to me. I have struggled with how to show the poverty of Bali, and if I wish to show it at all. I can turn my head and ignore what is in front of me, or show the reality of life here. I want to create an accurate depiction of Bali, but whats the real value of photographing the struggles of another human for my own gain? Its a fine line, and a question that must be answered.
When you see striking beauty one moment and trash covering the streets the next, it becomes hard to distinguish which is a more authentic look at the present state of Bali. Its a classic Catch-22 between the need for tourism, and the destruction that tourism has also caused to the land and its transformation of the people. For better or for worse, this is the reality of Bali. I just hope that those who visit here see the other side of this idyllic paradise, not just the image advertised throughout the world.
i love all these updates and photos you keep posting! keep em coming, and hope you guys are having a safe and fun vacation.
ReplyDeleteYou words beautifully summarize the issues that exsist is so many third world countries. When you say "I want to create an accurate depiction of Bali, but what is the real value of photographing the struggles of another human for my own gain?" This is an important question for us all to ask ourselves. How do we support those who are struggling without using them for our own gain. Use your lens to capture what moves you and then find a way to use those images to help the people who are struggling through their smiles.
ReplyDeleteRachelle