Bali is an island of spiritual energy, lush landscapes, and stunning beaches – a paradise for filmmakers and travelers alike. But filming here comes with unique challenges: intense humidity, sudden tropical downpours, and crowds at the most famous temples. We sat down with Wayan Suartini, a Bali‑based videographer who has shot travel content and documentaries across the island, to get the real story on filming in this Indonesian paradise. From the rice terraces of Ubud at sunrise to the dramatic cliffs of Uluwatu at sunset, Wayan shares her favourite locations, the gear that survives the humidity, and the permits you need to know about.
🎯 What You'll Learn in This Interview
- Best cinematic spots: Ubud rice terraces, Tanah Lot, Uluwatu cliffs, and the beaches of Canggu.
- Gear for humidity & rain: Why Wayan favours weather‑sealed bodies, lens wipes, and a good rain cover.
- Permits & etiquette: Where you can film freely and where you need permission (temples).
- Golden hour in the tropics: Her go‑to settings for that warm, golden light.
- Editing style: How she grades her footage to bring out Bali's vibrant greens and blues.
🌾 Wayan's Top Filming Locations
- Ubud – Tegalalang Rice Terraces at sunrise: The iconic rice terraces are best shot at 6 AM when the morning mist hangs over the paddies and the sun lights up the verdant green. A wide‑angle lens (16–35mm) captures the scale, while a telephoto isolates the intricate patterns.
- Tanah Lot – sunset temple: The famous sea temple is a sunset classic. Arrive 2 hours before sunset to secure a good position and capture the changing light. A tripod is essential for long exposures as the light fades.
- Uluwatu – cliff views: The dramatic cliffs offer stunning ocean views. Golden hour (just before sunset) is the best time for warm light and dramatic shadows. A polarizing filter helps cut through the haze and deepen the blue of the ocean.
📸 The Kit She Actually Uses
- Primary camera: Sony ZV‑E10 II – lightweight and weather‑sealed for humid conditions.
- Go‑to lens: Sony 24‑70mm f/2.8 G Master – versatile for both landscapes and detail shots.
- Second lens: Sony 70‑200mm f/4 – for compressing the rice terraces and cliff views.
- Rain cover & lens wipes: Essential for the tropical downpours.
- ND & polarizing filters: For bright tropical light and cutting through haze.
⚡ Quick Bali Filming Tips
- Protect from humidity: Store gear with silica gel packs to prevent fungus.
- Rain protection: Always carry a rain cover – tropical downpours can appear suddenly.
- Use a polarizing filter to cut through haze and deepen colours.
- Shoot in flat profile to get the most dynamic range for grading.
- Ask permission – always ask before filming in temples and of local people.
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All recommendations are based on real‑world testing.