transaction, a photo from Bali, Nusa Tenggara

Photographer's Note

These women were doing transaction of traditional money, or what they call "uang kepeng".

According to the ancient history books of Bali, written on lontar palm leaves, Uang Kepeng has circulated as a primary medium of exchange on the island of Bali for at least the past 1,100 years. A wide variety of these coins, made of various metals and with different texts, share the similarity of having a hole in the center, similar to a washer for a bolt, which allows them to be strung together to become larger units of currency.

Throughout history, Uang Kepeng was extremely important to the Balinese people, touching on all aspects of their lives, cultural, religious, social, political and economic. Today, the valuation of Uang Kepeng relates mainly to cultural uses in the arts and religion, while the social, political and economic aspects have withered away.

shirgold, weswang, singuanti, ChrisJ, nwoehnl, sleon, Ramy has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

shirgold (2485) 2005-08-30 2:11

Hi Cessy,
Beautiful picture and excellent note.
I was wondering about the frame - wider on the sides.
TFS - Shir

greg64g (11193) 2005-08-30 3:45

Hi Cessy,

Superb B&w, i like the clothes of the Woman, i didn't know about the traditionnal money, that's very interesting.
cheers
greg

faubry (35447) 2005-08-30 4:47

very good image, i like face expression from young girl,very good idea in B &W? GOOD NOTE ALSO
THANKS
FRANCINE

Rockyboy (20598) 2005-08-30 4:54

Very interesting picture about this traditional money... I like the way you composed the image with the old money in the hand of the women. The desaturation is nice too. Well seen!

weswang (18247) 2005-08-30 10:13

Wow, Cessy, this is a very clear and sharp image. I enjoy the nice contrast and well use of light in this picture very much. A very well taken picture.

singuanti (15250) 2005-08-30 22:52

Hi Cessy. This is a change for you but I really like it. The note is very good too. The use of b/w is a great choice, as usual I agree with your decision to go that way. Nice shot Cessy!

john_c (24666) 2005-08-31 13:02

Hi Cessy,
An outstanding daily life shot, rendered with great clarity and artistic expression. The B&W format is very effective here. The clarity and expression are outstanding and to me this shot has very high impact. One can imagine a variety of emotions of these two people as they count. Superb work, Cessy.
John

nwoehnl (122) 2005-08-31 13:05

Very interesting scene, Cessy. The interaction between the two people is well shown, and the b&w not only gives a very pleasant tonal range but also enhances the "timeless" aspect of this moment. Well captured.

flydragon (0) 2005-09-01 5:04

hello
very nice black and white
i guess heavy transaction ;o)
goo picture and interresting note
where are you now ?
regards
�simon�

sory green later

ChrisJ (171220) 2005-09-01 6:42

Hi cessy

A superb b&w with an excellent tonal range. I would clone out the branch or piece of twisted metal in the background as it is slightly distracting. Good work overall. Bagus!

ishai (4097) 2005-09-01 9:14

Hi cessy,
I did know this about the money ,
It a good transaction caption, there is a lot of detail here too
The light falls on the two in a special warm way (looks it was a cold day)
The DOF is excellent too

Well seen and captured

Ishai

sleon (9402) 2005-09-06 16:24

Hi Cessy
Superb daily life scene. The tight crop gives an excellent framing and the detail and sharpness is excellent too. The facial expressions and the poses of these two characters are perfectly captured and the curious coins are a well placed focal point.
Regards, Susanna

kinginexile (2598) 2005-09-07 1:29

Great note, Karina, you are teaching us something of balinese culture. Your photography is making great leaps, in every setting you wish to choose. Very impressive, even in shots apparently less exciting as this one.