Travel Photography in Lombok

After spending two weeks travelling through Lombok and Bali, I realized I should have visited these places many years ago. My trip to Indonesia was about building a new itinerary for a brand-new travel photography tour in Lombok, with a splash of Bali. As I publish this new photography tour on the website, I’d like to share with you my favourite locations for travel photography in Lombok.

I travelled with a friend from Australia, so every photo you see of me in this article belongs to the wonderful Allan Cummins.

What I Love About Indonesia

Indonesia has officially made it into my top three countries I want to revisit, and there are so many reasons for that.

First, the people are incredibly friendly. I know that people are super friendly in most parts of Southeast Asia, but Indonesian people are on another level! I ended up in totally random locations, getting lost while looking for good photo opportunities, and everywhere I went, I felt warmly welcomed by the locals. This friendliness makes it so much easier to photograph people.

On top of that, many Indonesians speak basic English. Even in the middle of nowhere, deep in the rice fields, I was able to communicate with the people I was photographing. This made the process of approaching subjects much easier, and I could easily explain why I wanted to take photos of them.

The soil in Indonesia is so rich that they grow rice all year round. Unlike Vietnam, where fields alternate between planting, harvesting, and being dormant, here people are often planting and harvesting rice in the same areas. This means there’s always activity to capture in the rice fields. Whether in Lombok or Bali, I could always find people working in the fields, which is fantastic for photography.

And then, of course, there’s the sheer beauty of the country. It’s like something out of a movie: terraced rice fields surrounded by coconut trees, pristine turquoise beaches, and massive volcanoes as the backdrop. I’m telling you, I should have come to explore Indonesia ages ago! It might just be the most beautiful country I’ve ever seen.

I was also amazed at the quality of the roads in Lombok. Gone are the days of travelling on tiny, bumpy roads! It was incredibly easy to drive around (even though I had to get used to driving on the left side!), and even in the mountain areas, the roads were in excellent condition.

Between the well-maintained roads and the ease of finding great accommodations, I found Lombok to be one of the best and easiest places to travel and photograph.

My Lombok Photography Guide

Even though I only spent a week in Lombok during the rainy season, here are the places I visited and loved photographing. Of course, I’ll be adding the best of these locations to my photography tour of Lombok and Bali next year!

My Favorite Beaches for Photography in Lombok

Selong Belanak Beach

The first beach I photographed was Selong Belanak Beach. I think this might be one of the best beaches for photography if the weather is on your side. In the afternoon, fishermen take their boats out to tend to lobster farms, creating lots of activity that you can shoot directly into the sunset. There are also plenty of locals around, playing football or just hanging out.

I spent an hour shooting on Kuta Beach in the morning, but due to bad weather, there wasn’t much happening. Still, I imagine that photographing the women gathering seaweed in good light would be incredible!

Ekas Beach

I arrived at Ekas Beach late in the afternoon, and once again, the weather wasn’t ideal. However, locals told me that fishermen often fix their nets at sunset, and boats return from fishing during this time. I’m excited to revisit this spot during a better season.

Senggigi Beaches

While driving along the coastline, I saw some breathtaking beaches around Senggigi. However, this area is home to many five-star resorts, which isn’t my preferred vibe. But if you’re planning a family holiday with lots of relaxation, this could be the perfect spot for you.

My Favorite Location for Rice Terraces in Lombok

Tetebatu

I heard that Tetebatu is what Ubud used to look like. Honestly, I found Tetebatu very different from Ubud, both in scenery and vibe. Of course, it’s much less visited by tourists, but the open access to beautiful rice terraces and stunning views make it incredible.

Despite heavy rain during my two days in Tetebatu, I managed to capture a few great shots. Thanks to the fertile soil near Mount Rinjani, people are always working in the rice fields, either planting or harvesting.

This area is wonderful for travel photography because it’s easy to drive around and access beautiful rice terraces, where you’ll always find people at work. And, as is the case throughout Lombok, the locals are incredibly friendly and approachable for photographs.

Senaru

Later, I drove over the volcanoes and ended up in the Senaru area. I wasn’t sure what I’d find there, but I soon came across a group of people harvesting rice along the roadside.

I got closer, used a few Bahasa Indonesia words I knew, and started communicating. It turned out that three of the workers spoke very good English, and one even knew a bit of French! They explained that during the busy season, some of them work as trekking guides for Mount Rinjani. During the low season, they help their families in the rice fields.

I spent the afternoon with them, and even though there wasn’t great light, I decided to return the next morning. That’s when I met a group of women preparing to plant rice in a stunning field with a view of Mount Rinjani. Just as I was ready to start shooting, they announced they were going for breakfast! Argh, the frustration!

So, I decided to wait. While waiting, I explored the village and met a man enjoying a massive morning cigarette. He was sitting in a perfect spot of light while his wife tended a fire to boil water for coffee. He made a fantastic subject and loved being photographed!

Eventually, the women returned, and I spent a good half-hour photographing them planting rice in the beautiful fields.

My Favorite Fishing Village in Lombok

Tanjung Luar

You know how much I love photographing fishing villages at sunrise! Even during the off-season, Tanjung Luar offered stunning photo opportunities.

This fish market is infamous for its shark trade, which can be heartbreaking to witness. However, it remains a very busy place, offering plenty of action to capture.

At sunrise, fishermen bring in their catch, and you can photograph boats landing while women wade into the water to collect fish. The market feels more organized than the chaotic fish markets I’ve photographed in Vietnam, with less shouting and drama.

The women here are incredibly fun and cheeky. They love to joke around and pose for photos, especially in groups. Once you’re done photographing the boats, you’ll find plenty of other photo opportunities along the beach and in the surrounding village.

Cultural Photography in Lombok Villages

Sembalun

The place where I had the most cultural interaction was Sembalun, nestled between volcanic peaks.

I spent an early morning photographing locals harvesting tomatoes, cabbages, and other crops. This area produces most of Lombok’s vegetables, and many farmers speak English.

It was one of the most culturally enriching experiences I had in Lombok. The locals were approachable and eager to share their way of life.

Traditional Village in Senaru

While in Senaru, I drove up toward the volcano and stumbled upon a traditional village. Although it’s becoming a tourist spot, it’s still fantastic for people photography.

The locals here strike the perfect balance: they’re used to seeing tourists, so they’re not shy, but they’re also not jaded by photographers. It’s easy to sit, chat, and take portraits here.

Mataram

I spent an afternoon photographing the coastline in Mataram. This area is popular with locals who come to swim, eat, and relax. The laid-back atmosphere makes it easy to stop and chat with people, many of whom speak great English.

There are excellent photo opportunities to capture people playing on the beach or swimming at sunset. This spot will definitely be on my photo tour itinerary!

My Photography Tour in Lombok

In 2025, I’ll be running a photography tour in Lombok. This island is so incredible for people photography that I can’t believe I didn’t visit sooner! I plan to run this tour mid-year, during the best weather when the island is bustling with activity. I can’t wait to return to Lombok for more travel photography!