Living inside the Batak Karo Traditional House (Best View Larger)

Located some 15 km from Berastagi, is a unique Batak Karo village

where traditional houses are still well-preserved and inhabited

today. Five to six families live in each house, un-separated by any

partition, while each family have their own stoves.

An outside view

Excellent documentary shot. Exposure, color saturation, composition, focus all well done.

Cool shots. Lighting is perfect!

Great job in capturing this scene in what appears to be tricky lighting.

Excelente luz, color y encuadre, saludos Alec.

I like it very much. Super lighting and very original.7/7

I've visited something similar in the thick of Flores, and you've done a great job in capturing the inside of such a place both on a documentary point of view (the courtains, the fireplace, the materials) and a photographic point of view. As for the latter, the lights and shadows are just great, as are the spot of colours of the backlit courtains and the fire-place.

Great captue, great light. Very interesting.

Alex, Vincent, Craig, Salvatore, Spencer, Julio, Sarah glad you guys like it too. It was pitch black inside and I had to use a slow speed to record the details. A challenge and you're right Sal, I was amazed at the subtle details and colors captured by the D200. Love it and of course the bright 17-35mm F2.8 really helps.

love the feel of this shot. like something out of National Geographic. the light and texture on the wooden planks is wonderful!

Thanks Bilal, I'm surprised the D200 control noise very well too. The large print looks good.

Alec, Is it in the north of Indonesia? There are Batak houses like this, and I have visited them, very interesting, good photo as yes, it is hardly any light inside... and thanks for sharing, brought good memories to my trip there. Pnina

Very interesting and informative travel shot Alec. Strangely aesthetically pleasing too. There is quite a large area that is very dark at the top that holds almost no detail. I wonder if opening the shadow slightly to give a hint of what lies there may improve the shot without reducing the excellent contrast in this scene?

You absolutely right Pnina, it's still the same village after more then 200 years except more dilapidated.

 

Kit Yoong, like Pnina said it's pitch black and I'm already lucky to get so much details in. A flash will have spoilt the atmosphere. The firewood light does make it more aesthetic. ^_^

I don't know what to say... It is well executed. You are the man..!!! NICE colour... Did you use PS to do any editing? It is just beautiful. :)

No Kenny, just slow speed.

Alec, you really captured the mood well. I like the subtle colours and can't believe the grains in the wooden planks came out so well. Cool!

Well Andrew you and Vincent went off earlier so my stay seems worthwhile. Doesn't seem the same as the dark dank place we visited eh?

I admire your work...very detailed and nice colours...:-)

I'm wondering if a slight crop on the right side to eliminate that hot spot may not help the image. I suppose it might make the image feel slightly mysterious without a clue where the light was coming from.

You are correct Emmanuel. I purposely show the small entrance for all to see where the light source is. If the door is shut, even in broad daylight it will be very dim inside the hut. Only stray shafts of light will penetrate through the wooden planks.

 

I like to photograph images like these as it portrays the natural living condition of the villages. Contrary to what we take for granted in urban living.