M D Morgan monogramM D Morgan

In development — not yet taking bookings

Bali Photography Workshop

Five days of street and documentary photography in Bali — the places everyone knows, and the ones you would never find on your own.

KarangasemNorth BaliDenpasar

  • 5 days
  • Small group
  • Planned
A woman pours holy water for a kneeling man in a hilltop temple pavilion, meru towers and cloud behind.

The premise

What these weeks are for

These trips are built to help you explore some of the most distinctive parts of Balinese culture — ceremony, ritual, work, and ordinary street life — and to photograph them in your own way. I have been photographing here for more than ten years, and everything that decade has taught me goes into the five days.

Bali can be a tricky place, because a lot of its beauty is hidden. Helping you find it, and photograph it, is my job.

So we work from Karangasem in the east, from Munduk in the highlands — the north coast at Singaraja is an hour down the hill — and finish in the streets of Denpasar, a working Indonesian city of nearly a million people.

Three girls in translucent ponchos carry fruit offerings past a pink wall.

What we do

Street and documentary

Street work in Denpasar — crowds, markets, and the pace and nerve it takes to photograph strangers well. Documentary work in the east and north — ceremony, ritual, village life, the slower kind of seeing that needs patience and access more than it needs gear.

We shoot early and late, and go through your work with you in between. You'll edit as you go, not three months later when you've forgotten what you were thinking.

Where we work

-8.4489, 115.6094

Karangasem

The east. Water palaces, black sand, and ceremonial life that carries on largely unobserved by anyone with a camera.

-8.2647, 115.0797

North Bali

Where we stay in the north, up in the highlands. Cloud, coffee, and the kind of light that arrives for twenty minutes and asks you to be ready. Singaraja — the old colonial capital, harbour and market — is an hour down the hill, and we go at first light.

-8.6705, 115.2126

Denpasar

A working city of nearly a million people, and a genuine street photography town.

Each of the four planned weeks is built around a different ceremony. The proposed itineraries are below.

Group size

Small groups, big adventure

Everyone gets proper one-to-one time every day, on their own pictures, and there is room in the week to teach each person at the level they are actually at. That is why all levels are welcome — beginners, and people who have been photographing for thirty years.

A group that size also moves easily. We can walk into a market or arrive at a village ceremony without changing it, which matters when the whole point is photographing things as they happen.

Selected work

A child stands wrapped in a purple plastic rain poncho. A priest works beneath ceremonial umbrellas in shafts of light. Two women shelter behind yellow umbrellas, offerings balanced on their heads. A boy with a painted symbol on his chest stands against a lattice screen. A family ride a motorbike with offerings, Mount Agung rising behind them.

From Praying in the Rain.

Who runs it

M D Morgan

Michael Dean Morgan is an Australian photographer working in documentary and street photography, based in Bali.

Born in Darwin, he studied New Media Design at Charles Darwin and Curtin universities and worked as a studio designer before photography took over. His debut book, Looking for Bali, was published by Afterhours in Jakarta. Praying in the Rain, a body of work on how the Balinese encounter the divine, carries an accompanying essay by the writer Diana Darling. An ongoing series, Electric Dreams, documents the warung coffee stalls and vintage television sets of Indonesia.

See the full portfolio

The details

Practical

Length
5 daysFull tuition every day. There is no free day.
Group size
Eight photographers at mostSmall enough that everyone gets looked at properly every day.
When
Not yet scheduledFour weeks are worked out. None of them are dated.
Where
Karangasem, North Bali, DenpasarThree places to stay in five days.
Level
AnyBeginners welcome. A small group means each person is taught at the level they are actually at.
Planned to include
  • Accommodation for the five nights, private room for each person — no sharing, no single supplement
  • Comfortable, well-located guesthouses and small hotels.
  • All ground transport during the workshop
  • Daily breakfast. Lunch and dinner are at your own cost.
  • Bottled water throughout
  • All entrance fees and temple donations
  • Local guides and fixers
  • Anything customary paid to people who are photographed
  • Field tuition, every day
  • Daily one-to-one review sessions
  • Editing tuition
Not included
  • International and domestic flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Indonesian visa
  • Travel insurance, which is a condition of joining
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Alcohol
  • Nights before or after the workshop
  • Laundry, tips to workshop staff, and anything else personal

Press

On the work

“Michael Dean Morgan's compelling depictions of Bali provide a refreshing alternative to pervasive renditions of the Indonesian Isle.”

Josh Bright, The Independent Photographer, 2022

“Each photograph is able to evoke smells, mystical and aromatic sensations of Balinese reality.”

Giorgia Massari, Collater.al

“A sustained inquiry into how ritual and contemporary existence share the same space.”

Uday Khambadkone, Between, Still, 2026

Michael's first book, Looking for Bali, was published by Afterhours Books in Jakarta.

The weeks

Four weeks I would like to run

Each would be five days, built around a ceremony rather than around a convenient gap in the calendar. They are worked out in detail but not scheduled, and nothing here is for sale yet.

Melasti to Ogoh-ogoh

Melasti processions to the sea early in the week, ending on the Ogoh-ogoh parade the night before Nyepi.

Proposed itinerary

Village ceremonies in the east

Timed for the village harvest ceremonies (usaba) in Karangasem.

Proposed itinerary

Galungan

Starts on Penampahan, the day before Galungan, the biggest festival of the Balinese year. Streets lined with penjor, temples full, families home.

Proposed itinerary

The barong gathering at Pucak Padang Dawa

Includes the temple festival at Pura Luhur Pucak Padang Dawa, where barong from villages across Bali gather.

Proposed itinerary

Proposed itinerary

Melasti to Ogoh-ogoh

Highlights

  • Melasti processions carrying temple treasures to the sea
  • Villages finishing their Ogoh-ogoh effigies in the banjar halls
  • Dawn at Singaraja's old harbour and the Pasar Anyar market
  • Canoe fishermen on Lake Tamblingan
  • The Ogoh-ogoh parade in Denpasar on the night before Nyepi

  1. Day 1

    Klungkung, Kusamba, Karangasem

    • Pasar Semarapura in Klungkung, the biggest market in the east
    • Kusamba, where salt is still made by hand on the black sand beach
    • Klotok beach, one of the main Melasti beaches in the east, if a village is heading to the sea that afternoon
    • Check in to our accommodation in Karangasem, late light in Amlapura's streets

    Focus an introduction, and what you reach for when nothing is set up for you

    Overnight Karangasem

  2. Day 2

    Amed, Amlapura, then north

    • Sunrise with the jukung fishing boats landing at Jemeluk, Amed
    • Salt farmers on the Amed coast
    • Breakfast, then the first photo review of the week
    • Afternoon in the banjar halls of Amlapura, where the Ogoh-ogoh are being finished for Sunday
    • Early evening drive over the mountains to Munduk (about 2.5 hours)

    Focus light and timing, and why the first and last hour matter

    Overnight Munduk

  3. Day 3

    Singaraja and the north coast

    • 5:00am departure, down the hill to Singaraja
    • Sunrise at the old Buleleng harbour and the Ling Gwan Kiong Chinese temple
    • Pasar Anyar, Singaraja's main market, at its busiest hour
    • The old Chinese and Bugis quarters around the harbour before the heat
    • Melasti processions to the north coast beaches if a village is going that day
    • Back to Munduk for the afternoon — photo review and relax

    Focus working close, and what changes when you step nearer

    Overnight Munduk

  4. Day 4

    Tamblingan and the highlands

    • Dawn on Lake Tamblingan, with fishermen in wooden canoes in the mist
    • Coffee and clove farms around Munduk and Gobleg
    • Pedawa, one of the old Bali Aga villages, known for its palm sugar
    • Late afternoon in the Munduk banjar halls as the Ogoh-ogoh get their final paint

    Focus your week so far as a body of work, and what you're chasing for the last day

    Overnight Munduk

  5. Day 5

    Denpasar and the Ogoh-ogoh parade

    • 5:00am drive down to Denpasar
    • Pasar Badung, packed with people stocking up before Nyepi
    • Midday: Tawur Kesanga offerings at the Catus Pata crossroads by Puputan Square
    • Check in, then an afternoon of editing and sequencing your week, one to one
    • Dusk: the Ogoh-ogoh parade through the city

    Focus building a sequence, and working out what you actually made

    Overnight Denpasar

Good to know

  • Nyepi is Monday 8 March. The whole island stops for 24 hours, and the airport closes. You stay at the hotel in Denpasar and edit. Nothing is photographed on Nyepi.
  • The Nyepi night is extra and not included. Book your flight out on 9 March or later.
  • If you can stay one more day, Omed-omedan takes place in Sesetan, Denpasar, on the afternoon of 9 March.

Sample only. Ceremony days are set by the Balinese calendar and by each village, so individual days can move. The shape of the week stays the same.

Register your interest

Proposed itinerary

Village ceremonies in the east

Highlights

  • The perang ketupat (rice cake war) at Apit Yeh
  • Hand salt-making at Kusamba and Amed
  • Dawn at Singaraja's old harbour and the Pasar Anyar market
  • Canoe fishermen on Lake Tamblingan
  • Coffee country in the Munduk highlands

  1. Day 1

    Klungkung, Kusamba, Karangasem

    • Pasar Semarapura in Klungkung, the biggest market in the east
    • Kusamba, where salt is still made by hand on the black sand beach
    • Check in to our accommodation in Karangasem, late light in Amlapura's streets

    Focus an introduction, and what you reach for when nothing is set up for you

    Overnight Karangasem

  2. Day 2

    Amed, Apit Yeh, then north

    • Sunrise with the jukung fishing boats landing at Jemeluk, Amed
    • Salt farmers on the Amed coast
    • Breakfast, then the first photo review of the week
    • Afternoon (from around 2:30pm): the perang ketupat at Apit Yeh in Manggis, where two sides pelt each other with rice cakes at the village crossroads
    • Evening drive over the mountains to Munduk (about 2.5 hours)

    Focus light and timing, and how to read a crowd before it moves

    Overnight Munduk

  3. Day 3

    Singaraja and the north coast

    • 5:00am departure, down the hill to Singaraja
    • Sunrise at the old Buleleng harbour and the Ling Gwan Kiong Chinese temple
    • Pasar Anyar, Singaraja's main market, at its busiest hour
    • The old Chinese and Bugis quarters around the harbour before the heat
    • Back to Munduk for the afternoon — photo review and relax

    Focus working close, and what changes when you step nearer

    Overnight Munduk

  4. Day 4

    Tamblingan and the highlands

    • Dawn on Lake Tamblingan, with fishermen in wooden canoes in the mist
    • Coffee and clove farms around Munduk and Gobleg
    • Pedawa, one of the old Bali Aga villages, known for its palm sugar
    • Late afternoon in the rice terraces below Munduk, where many are being planted around this time of year

    Focus your week so far as a body of work, and what you're chasing for the last day

    Overnight Munduk

  5. Day 5

    Denpasar

    • 5:00am drive down to Denpasar
    • Pasar Badung and Pasar Kumbasari on either side of the river, at their busiest
    • Jalan Gajah Mada and the fabric shops of Jalan Sulawesi before the heat
    • Check in, then an afternoon of editing and sequencing your week, one to one
    • Evening: Pasar Kreneng night market, for anyone with energy left

    Focus building a sequence, and working out what you actually made

    Overnight Denpasar

Good to know

  • The perang ketupat date is set by the village. It's expected on 23 May, and confirmed well before the departure.

Sample only. Ceremony days are set by the Balinese calendar and by each village, so individual days can move. The shape of the week stays the same.

Register your interest

Proposed itinerary

Galungan

Highlights

  • Penampahan, the day of preparation before Galungan
  • Galungan morning, with families carrying offerings to temple
  • Roads lined with penjor across the whole island
  • Barong going house to house in the highland villages
  • Dawn at Singaraja's old harbour and on Lake Tamblingan

  1. Day 1

    Klungkung, Kusamba, Karangasem

    • Pasar Semarapura in Klungkung, full with Galungan shopping
    • Kusamba, where salt is still made by hand on the black sand beach
    • Penampahan in the villages around Amlapura: families cooking lawar, finishing offerings, and raising penjor along the roads

    Focus an introduction, and what you reach for when nothing is set up for you

    Overnight Karangasem

  2. Day 2

    Galungan in Karangasem, then north

    • From early morning: families in their best clothes carrying offerings to family and village temples around Amlapura and Sidemen
    • Breakfast, then the first photo review of the week
    • Afternoon in the villages, as families visit each other and the roads fill with them
    • Evening drive over the mountains to Munduk (about 2.5 hours)

    Focus light and timing, and working in crowds without stopping them

    Overnight Munduk

  3. Day 3

    Singaraja and the north coast

    • 5:00am departure, down the hill to Singaraja
    • Sunrise at the old Buleleng harbour and the Ling Gwan Kiong Chinese temple
    • Pasar Anyar, Singaraja's main market
    • The old Chinese and Bugis quarters around the harbour, penjor lining the streets
    • Back to Munduk for the afternoon — photo review and relax

    Focus working close, and what changes when you step nearer

    Overnight Munduk

  4. Day 4

    Tamblingan and the highlands

    • Dawn on Lake Tamblingan, with fishermen in wooden canoes in the mist
    • Coffee and clove farms around Munduk and Gobleg, with the harvest starting
    • Afternoon: following the village barong as they go house to house (ngelawang), which happens in the days between Galungan and Kuningan

    Focus your week so far as a body of work, and what you're chasing for the last day

    Overnight Munduk

  5. Day 5

    Denpasar

    • 5:00am drive down to Denpasar
    • Pasar Badung and Pasar Kumbasari at their busiest
    • Jalan Gajah Mada under the penjor, and barong ngelawang in the city's banjar
    • Check in, then an afternoon of editing and sequencing your week, one to one

    Focus building a sequence, and working out what you actually made

    Overnight Denpasar

Good to know

  • August is the peak travel month. The tourist south is crowded. We're not in it.

Sample only. Ceremony days are set by the Balinese calendar and by each village, so individual days can move. The shape of the week stays the same.

Register your interest

Proposed itinerary

The barong gathering at Pucak Padang Dawa

Highlights

  • Pura Luhur Pucak Padang Dawa, where villages bring their barong from across Bali
  • Bali Aga village life in Tenganan
  • Cloves drying on tarps along the highland roads
  • Dawn at Singaraja's old harbour and on Lake Tamblingan
  • Hard, clear dry season light

  1. Day 1

    Klungkung, Kusamba, Karangasem

    • Pasar Semarapura in Klungkung, the biggest market in the east
    • Kusamba, where salt is still made by hand on the black sand beach
    • Check in to our accommodation in Karangasem, late light in Amlapura's streets

    Focus an introduction, and what you reach for when nothing is set up for you

    Overnight Karangasem

  2. Day 2

    Amed, Tenganan, then north

    • Sunrise with the jukung fishing boats landing at Jemeluk, Amed
    • Salt farmers on the Amed coast
    • Breakfast, then the first photo review of the week
    • Afternoon in Tenganan Pegringsingan, a Bali Aga village known for its double ikat weaving
    • Evening drive over the mountains to Munduk (about 2.5 hours)

    Focus light and timing, and working in hard midday light

    Overnight Munduk

  3. Day 3

    Singaraja and Bedugul

    • 5:00am departure, down the hill to Singaraja
    • Sunrise at the old Buleleng harbour and the Ling Gwan Kiong Chinese temple
    • Pasar Anyar, Singaraja's main market, at its busiest hour
    • Back up to Munduk, with cloves drying along the roads
    • Late afternoon: Candikuning market in Bedugul, and the first villages arriving at Padang Dawa with their barong

    Focus working close, and what changes when you step nearer

    Overnight Munduk

  4. Day 4

    Pucak Padang Dawa

    • Early drive to Pura Luhur Pucak Padang Dawa, in the hills above Baturiti (about 1 hour)
    • All day at the temple festival: trucks arriving with barong and gamelan from across Bali, processions to the temple spring, and people in trance
    • Evening: the main ceremony, with music into the night

    Focus your week so far as a body of work, and what you're chasing for the last day

    Overnight Munduk

  5. Day 5

    Denpasar

    • 5:00am drive down to Denpasar
    • Pasar Badung and Pasar Kumbasari at their busiest
    • Jalan Gajah Mada and the fabric shops of Jalan Sulawesi before the heat
    • Check in, then an afternoon of editing and sequencing your week, one to one

    Focus building a sequence, and working out what you actually made

    Overnight Denpasar

Good to know

  • On the same day as Padang Dawa, Tegallalang holds Ngerebeg. It's too far to do both well. It would be a good reason to shape a week around Tegallalang instead.

Sample only. Ceremony days are set by the Balinese calendar and by each village, so individual days can move. The shape of the week stays the same.

Register your interest

Questions

Before you ask

What will I come away with?

A body of work from the week, edited and sequenced. And, more usefully, a clearer idea of what you are trying to say with your photography and how to go about saying it. That part isn't about Bali — it works on whatever you photograph once you are home.

What level do I need to be?

Any.

What camera do I need?

Whatever you already have and like using. Digital or film, one lens or three, a phone if that is what you photograph with. Nothing in the week depends on particular equipment and no part of it is a demonstration of anyone's kit. Bring a laptop if you have one, for the editing sessions.

Is it suitable for film shooters?

Yes. Bring plenty — and note that the editing sessions will be less useful to you.

Can my partner come if they don't shoot?

Get in touch. It depends on the group and the accommodation.

Is it physically demanding?

Some early starts and a reasonable amount of walking, often in heat. No hiking beyond the ordinary.

What's the group size?

Eight at most. Everyone's work gets looked at properly every day.

Do I have to share a room?

No. Everyone gets their own room and there is no single supplement to pay.

What happens with Nyepi on the March workshop?

It ends on the night of the Ogoh-ogoh parade, and the following day the island shuts down completely for Nyepi — including the airport. You will need one extra night and cannot fly out until the day after. It is the quietest day you will ever spend, and we use it to edit.

Five days. A small group. Four weeks worth running.

Register your interest