Bali – Aerial Views of Rice Terraces


Reisterrassen zwischen Palmen auf Bali aus der Luft

When we were planning our trip to Borneo and Bali, I had an idea in my head: a series made only of aerial shots of rice terraces, “Portraits of Rice”. I have since taken my portrait site the-portraits.com offline for lack of time – but the series became reality on Bali.

Portraits above Jatiluwih and Canggu

Most of the shots were taken in central Bali around Jatiluwih, known for its rice terraces. The terraces are irrigated by the subak, a centuries-old system of canals and water temples that UNESCO recognised as a World Heritage Site in 2012. From above they become sweeping lines in lush green, laid into the slope step by step. Near Canggu, too, I found large fields that look from a height as if they had been drawn with a ruler.

A reason to return to Bali

Bali never let go of me. I should have stayed longer – out there countless rice terraces I haven’t seen are surely still waiting. A good reason to come back.

Rice terraces with an overgrown stream in the middle on Bali, straight from above
Rice terraces on both sides of a green stream – the start of the series “Portraits of Rice”.
Curving rice fields on both sides of a green strip on Bali from the air
Curving fields to the left and right of a green strip, twice.
Wide rice terraces with clusters of trees in the hills of Bali from the air
Wide rice terraces with clumps of trees in the hills around Jatiluwih.
Green and golden rice fields along a stream on Bali from above
Green and golden fields along a stream.
Rectangular rice fields in green and yellow on Bali, straight from above
Rectangular fields in green and yellow – as if drawn with a ruler.
Small rice terraces in the middle of dense forest on Bali from above
Small rice terraces in the middle of dense forest.
Curving rice terraces with paths and trees on Bali from the air
Curving terraces, paths and trees – laid into the slope step by step.
Rice fields with small huts and palm trees on Bali, straight from above
Rice fields with small huts and palms.
Stream between flooded rice fields on Bali from above
A stream between flooded fields – the subak has shared out the water for centuries.
Rice terraces in a valley between palm trees on Bali from the air
Terraces in a valley between palms.
Terraced fields and palm trees on a slope on Bali from above
Terraced fields and palms on the slope.
Rice fields between palm trees on Bali from the air
Rice fields framed by palms.
Huts and paths between rice fields on Bali, straight from above
Huts and narrow paths between the fields.
Small rice terraces in dense forest on Bali from the air
Small terraces deep in the forest – a good reason to come back.














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