Introduce yourself!
Hello, my name is Nyimas Laula Li-An’Amie a hard name to be pronounced and written, who was born 23 years ago in the city I currently lived in, Jakarta and working as an intern photographer in News Agency. What intrigues me the most about travel are the people and the cultures I become exposed to; seeing the way others live has taught me things beyond any class I have attended. Travel for me is not only going to a faraway land from where I live, travel could be as simple as strolling around in the maze of alleyways behind my backyard which I have always been afraid to go to yet curious of what lies inside.
How was your interest in photography and art sparked? How does photography influence the way you see the world around you?
I’ve loved photography since I was a senior in high school. I would spend a couple of hours every day browsing through amazing photos, marveling over them, and wondering how I could be a photographer myself someday. After that I immersed myself within a Visual Art and Design community, spending time with people who have great taste in aesthetics; I have an art curator as a best friend, a painter as a former lover and most of my free time was spent attending art exhibitions. Being exposed to art and photography was the best combination of influences on me. Growing within that community also helped me develop my own sense of aesthetic. Photography allows me to see things differently and transform strong conceptual thinking by capturing the remarkably fast pace of a particular moment. What is truly important is that my visuals now speak for themselves and photography has become my best way visualize the world around me.
What is your favorite approach to photography? Do you generally strike up a conversation with your subjects or just candidly capture the moment?
It depends on the subject and situation, but my favorite approach is becoming as invisible as possible. Sometimes I don’t want my subject to realize that I was there. However, I do think it’s important to respect their space. My images show moments that we humans have in our life. I drown myself into emotion of my subjects experienced at the time, whether it’s joy, sadness, struggle or celebration. I think photography is the most powerful, yet most subtle way of telling the truth. My approach to photography is truth—as photography should be, yet wrapped in poetically emotive statements of my opinion on an event.
How would you describe the various cultures that exist within Bandung, Indonesia?
Bandung is the city of history, which has hundreds of historical buildings that are still standing strong to be remembered by predecessors and to be known by the youth. The local culture is dominated by Sundanese culture, known for their hospitality and gentleness.
You recently attended the 60th Asian African Conference Commemoration in Bandung. Could share a little about what the festival is all about?
It is not actually a festival but a real conference between listed nations between Asia and Africa. The first Asian-African Conference in 1955 marked an important milestone in the history of cooperation amongst Asian and African countries. Delegates from 29 participating countries gathered in Bandung, Indonesia to discuss peace, security, and economic development in the midst of emerging problems in many parts of the world. Ten years ago, Indonesia held a 50th year commemoration of the first conference and this year was the 60th. I was on assignment under supervision of Reuters covering the event and the festival was the closing ceremony of the commemoration. It was showing parades of cultural costumes of the nations and also dozens of tribe costumes of Indonesian cultures.
Of all the images you captured during the festival, which would you say is your favorite?
This picture (see image below) was taken when I was looking for a higher place to photograph from because the crowds were really bad. I was able to find a crossing bridge on the street and then climbed it without hesitation. After capturing several nations’ flag parades, I intended to go down when I discovered a big glass wall facing the street where a small open gap gave me a glimpse of the hell crowd below. I was using 135mm lens that time and I tried my best to capture the struggle of people below the bridge. And in a million chances, through the 3 cm wide gap, this girl was looking straight to me. I believe the Universe was conspiring to give me this shot.
What are 3 of your favorite places to photograph throughout Indonesia? Why?
This is a hard question because I haven’t explored Indonesia enough to fully answer this question. However, a few places I like are:
- West Sumbawa. Take a boat, find an empty island, set up a camp, then skinny dip! Haha those are the other things you can do after taking a stroll in the fisherman town of Pototano where an old Bajo tribe resides.
- Bandung streets! It always has surprises for those who are willing to wander.
- Jakarta “if you know what you are looking for”. People used to hate this city because of its traffic. It is bad, but the city also shows what is really happening in Indonesia. The ‘uniqueness’ of the way people survive, the various types of people, and its different ‘classes’. This city never fails to intrigue.
How would you describe the various cultures that exist within Bandung, Indonesia?
Bandung is the city of history, which has hundreds of historical buildings that are still standing strong to be remembered by predecessors and to be known by the youth. The local culture is dominated by Sundanese culture, known for their hospitality and gentleness.
What are a few recommendations of the best places for visitors to experience Bandung or Indonesia as a whole?
Places to explore
- Jogjakarta because it has beautiful cultural street pleasures, various kinds of religious ceremonies, and temples. Most important, everything in Jogjakarta is cheap, for an Indonesian. So you can only imagine how cheap that is in your currency.
- Semarang, especially the Old Town. I’ve never been there but I have always been told the tale of the city, and Prawirotaman in Jogjakarta.
Best foods to try and great local cafes/restaurants
- Sumber Hidangan Restaurant in Braga Street, Bandung
- Kopi Aroma in Banceuy Street, Bandung
What would surprise most people about Indonesia? What would you like people to know about Indonesia that the media rarely shows?
The people and the culture! Most traditional Indonesian people are very gentle and kind, we’ve been known by our hospitality. Also our never-ending landscapes and islands are incredible. If you find the right person to guide you, you will experience a place like no other.
What’s next for you? Any final words of advice?
If you are in your twenties and you find yourself with a lack of sleep, that’s very good. If you find yourself having too much sleep, that’s disaster. Because when you are in your fifties and you count your accumulation hours of sleep, you’ll be surprise that you had spent half of your life lying on your bed.
To see more of Nyimas' incredible photography, be sure to follow her @Nyimaslaula on Instagram.
Images Courtesy of Nyimas Laula Li-An'Amie
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