- One-hour tours are offered any day of the week at 7:00 am, 8:30am, and 10:00 am. A custom time can be arranged. 7 am is the best time to see the true spirit of the market. 8:30 is transition time where the market transforms from a traditional pasar to souvenir shops. 10 am is perfect to capture the colourful tourist scene if full swing.
- All tours take place at the Ubud traditional market (pasar Ubud) in the heart of Ubud, Bali. Mark will arrange to meet you there.
- Group size will be from one to four people (4 is the max). Tours are open to photographers of all experience levels who have a passion for street photography.
- Price: donation-based. Yes, you read that correctly. How much you donate and to who is up to you :-). Jump to our Donation Partners.
- Click below to check availability and reserve your spot. For any questions, please email Mark@BaliStreetPhotographer.com.
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Definitely a worthwhile experience if you are visiting Ubud!
“Mark was very friendly and took time to understand my level photography skill and interests to ensure that he provided the right level of guidance on the tour. His knowledge of the market and interactions with the local community helped ensure I got some great shots on the day. Definitely a worthwhile experience if you …
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Night Surfing
A click from Kuta Bali. Photographed while on my way to cover a MataJiwa concert at the Hard Rock Cafe.
Porters Waiting Before Dawn
Porters waiting for work just before dawn — pasar ubud, Bali.
About
Not your typical tour
The traditional shops and markets (pasars) are the veins of the community. Food, tonics, hardware, and spices are not the only “goods”. In the pasars, the latest news and life updates are done face-to-face in real-time.
I thoroughly enjoy being in the pasar. Almost every village will have one. Even in the most touristy of markets, you will see Bali as if time stood still. But, you must get there early in the morning.
Experience Bali by being a part of it, even if it’s just for a little while.
Explore, learn, and interact
I like to call it ‘pasar-karma‘. Pasar-karma is when you sit down at a food stall (warung) for a kopi Bali and the person behind the counter offers you some fresh bananas, or when you ask one of the vendors what kind of canang (offerings) they are making and you get the biggest toothy grin along with your answer.
My approach is spontaneous. I go with the flow. I say hi, chat, try some kue Bali (Balinese cake), and take photos along the way. I always give options, hints, and help. But, I don’t prescribe how or what. No prior experience or fancy camera is needed. Learn the rules, then have fun creatively breaking them all.
Share and tell your story
Whether you take random snap shots or are on a photo essay mission you will end up with a priceless story to tell. I can help you with artist statements & pitches, photo selections & sequencing, and the next steps to get your work out there.
Donation-based
There is no fee for these tours. Any donation you wish to give is purely voluntary. See our Donation Partners page.
Mission
To see rather than look. To create rather than take. To explore rather than visit. To connect rather than separate.
About your guide
Hailing from NE Ohio in the US, Mark is a
freelance photographer and writer based in Bali, Indonesia. He contributes to news, wellness, travel, and photography agencies. Mark’s photography has been exhibited in Bali, Europe, and the US. Before morphing into a freelancer, Mark slung code and managed web teams for Fortune 500 companies.
Mark’s favourite meditations are a good book with a cappuccino, feeding stray cats and dogs, and wishing to be a rock star in his next life. He would be very disappointed if you were in Bali and didn’t meet him for a coffee.
Not all travelers are explorers. It takes a deeper sense of adventure and openness to experience what Bali has to offer beyond the beach and club scene. There is definitely more to Bali than meets the eye.
To whet you appetite, check-out Mark’s Inside Bali photo essay published on Inkifi.com.
Are you ready to rock?
Galleries
Jalan Jalan
“Where are you going?” or “Mau kemana?” in Bali is equivalent to “Hey, what’s up?” And, the common local reply is, “Jalan jalan!”.
Canang
Canang sari is a form of banten or offering that is woven deep in the fabric of Balinese culture.
Ogoh-Ogoh: Bali’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Ogoh-ogoh are statues up to five metres high, which represent the negative aspects or all living things. They generally take the form of a local demon (some look downright obscene). The Balinese Hindu authorities try their best to ensure the statues are representative of the true spirit of the event, though an occasional Sponge Bob …
Continue reading “Ogoh-Ogoh: Bali’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Donation Partners
Trusted and 100% Transparent
Because every rescue mission is possible!
We create real change for animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation, re-homing, education, activation, medical and financial support of solo rescuers.
Caring for the lives of Bali’s cats
The Villa Kitty team works hard to save the lives of Bali’s abandoned cats and kittens. In addition to offering them safe and comfortable shelter we provide quality veterinary care and advice, sterilisation programs, responsible cat adoption services, education programs to promote responsible cat ownership, love and rehabilitation.
