©Rarindra Prakarsa

Rarindra Prakarsa captures scenes of rural life in lush, cinematic photographs characterized by dense atmospheres and skillful use of volumetric light.

Although documentary in concept, Prakarsa’s photographs feel meticulously staged, almost like a painting. Combining natural and artificial light sources, ordinary everyday situations like children playing in the water or an old man smoking a pipe look through his lens like these majestic, almost surreal occurrences.

The Jakarta-born artist took up photography as a graphic art major and got his first gigs working as a graphic designer for local newspapers. Converging the two disciplines, Prakarsa’s body of work has always denoted a distinctive knack for composition and a striking use of color.

Prakarsa gave us an insight behind his workflow and shared with us some advice for capturing his trademark cinematic light beams while shooting outdoors.

©Rarindra Prakarsa

Where does this obsession for light come from? 

The light came from myself. I always love to see morning and afternoon light. Not sure since when I’m so fond of that beautiful light, but I guess it’s since I learned photography when I was still in college.

While I was studying graphic arts, I visited the Netherlands Embassy in Jakarta which was just a few steps from my college, and it turned out there was a painting exhibition.

The pictures were so beautiful to me and very unique in terms of lighting. All the paintings were about Indonesia (especially Bali) but made by a non-Indonesian painter. That’s when I found the painter’s name: Walter Spies. A German painter who lived in Indonesia from 1930 to 1940.

That work really changed my view on lighting and how I see the scenery of Indonesia. The other thing that really changed how I see light is the film The Last Emperor by Bernardo Bertolucci. It shows really beautiful light, especially indoor light.

How do you achieve that “studio feel” in your work?

I use a ‘common’ gear. Nothing special. A Canon 5d Mark III and Sony A7 with some lenses from wide-angle to telephoto and some speedlights and few diffusers.

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A series of pictures that I believe it is more meaningful if posted at once. I came with idea and my fellow photographers @wintawidodo.gallery prepared everything perfectly with tremendous helps from Riau people. Ill post video soon in ig video Our main talent was Shikila. #elephant #compassion #conceptualphotography #portraitphotography #animallovers

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Universally, children are same everywhere. Wants to play anytime anywhere. This taken from my workshop in Bagan, Myanmar. #monk #children #playground #play #photographyworkshop #rarindra #red #bagan #myanmar #light #happy #pagoda #temple #Burma #ig_Asia

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You’re famous for embracing Photoshop as an essential part of your workflow. When do you know you’ve gone too far with your post-processing? 

I’d say Photoshop isn’t that essential for me. Lighting is far more essential. There are many people (usually students/participants) who think Photoshop is essential to create such a feeling. But they’re always surprised when looking at my raw files or taking a peek at my camera’s LCD.

I won’t deny that Photoshop is important to make a correction, dramatize and change colours/tones. But unfortunately, Photoshop is not able to change the direction of light 🙂

How do you place yourself in respect to the sun?

The key is to place yourself diagonally, perhaps at 45 degrees, whether behind or in front of the sun. It really creates more dimension to subject. The next thing to have in mind is the quality and the quantity of sunlight we wish to hit the subject with.

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The Portrait of Tenggerese young man I took at the hilll during the Sunset. His name Kiki and the horse's name is Soultan.  The background is Mt Batok, a mountain nearest to Mt Bromo. Come join me for Mt Bromo workshop-trip ! #bromo #horse #rarindra #photographyworkshop #sunset #portrait #eastjava #trip #ig_mood #instagram #yes #tengger #nusantara #masterclas

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Can you give us some tips to create such stunning atmospheres? Do you use haze machines or anything of the sort?

Morning and afternoon light are always good to create more stunning/dramatic images. Especially a few minutes after the sun rises and before the sun sets.

Always have your artificial lights ready whether you will use them or not. Somehow, 70% of my pictures now apply artificial lights.

A haze machine (fog machine) or any smoke/dust from nature can make your subject stand out more. You lose some detail in the background, but it creates that “fairy look” in your pictures.

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Magical Bali. The island of God, that often mistakenly considered as a country. This island is small part of Indonesia. Ive been there probably more than 30 times and ..still counting. I am coming next month and few workshops planned already for upcoming year in this island. #bali #ubud #tamblingan #rarindra #canon5dmarkiii #sonya7 #indonesia #lighting

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Balinese farmers #Bali #colours #famers #rarindra ##photography #photographylighting #westjava #rarindra #portraitoftheworld #instagram #photographyworkshop #kids #children #fotografie #?????????? #fotografia #???? #????? #foto?rafç?l?k #Sonya7 #sonyalpha #cinematic #nakbaline

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What can a student expect from your workshops? Have you thought about expanding them to online classes?

I expect my students to get more understanding of how photography is part of art. That’s the basic mentality. Hence they need to enrich their sense of art. That idea is everything.

What I usually teach (and what they want) are only about two things: Lighting and post-processing. Some additional themes are composition & posing.

I was thinking about an online class. However, I understand people spend more money on off-line classes, so it’s tricky. I started doing private skype classes recently.

What I’ve seen is that most people want to combine photography studies with traveling. So they learn and experience at the same time. That’s why many students come to learn and request trip+workshops.

What are some quick tips that anyone can apply, regardless of the camera they’re using, to improve their profile pic on social media?

A small LED, small speedlights or a small reflector can really make pictures quite different.

You can find information about Rarindra Prakarsa’s workshops and Skype courses at his website, or send him a question on his Facebook Page and Instagram.

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After 5 times visiting Russia and 2 times in Ukraine for workshop, finally I became their host here in Indonesia. Famous Russian photographer @karinakiel brought some photographers from the countries here for 10 memorable days in Bali. Not only photographers, they came with talents ! Lovely children of @alena.happy.ru . ??????? ??????? for all of you. And special thanks for @elena_enjoying_life for connecting us during trip. See you again next year! Also thanks for Made for providing local talents and assisting. #bali #russia #ukraine #moscow #?????????? #?????????? #kintamani #ubud #sanur #canon5dmarkiii #happy #childrenphotography #peoplephotography #instagram

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To put words or title about this picture seems useless. Everybody knows the story. Taken from a one-on-one workshop Canon 5dmarkIII, 135mm f2. 1/800. #fishing #childrenphotography #kidsphotos #photography #rarindra #instagram #fish #canon #happiness #?????????? #fotografía

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'I Dream of Kintamani ' One of The most beautiful place in Bali is Kintamani, where we can find lake and volcano. Its a dreamy place. This one I took from my recent workshop Sept  17-24. Willing to join foe next year event? Keep coming to my webisite. #bali #umbrella #kintamani #beauty #photographyworkshop #rarindra #kebaya #kabaya #canon #reflection #love #sister #humanity_shots_ #ig_people #geonusantara #globe_people

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This was taken from my recent workshop in Bali, an East meets West concept, collaborating with @kenvinpinardy. Famous Kecak Dance performance is usually perfomed by several males and two females  Legong Dancers. This time @Rose_vitelli become Drupadi, a female character in Hindu Mahabarata story.  The fashion designer was @rory_wardana. The light was so great that created magical looks in the venue. #bali #kecakdance #kecak #rarindra #photographyworkshop #light #hinduism #magical #instagram #photography #lighting #sonyalpha

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