The Top 10 Pacu Jawi Photography Tips
I have had 2 opportunities to photograph this festival and both times I had fun! During the shoot, I had my Nikon D800 with a 70-200mm lens.
Pacu Jaw is a bull riding festival - © Hafiz Ismail
What is Pacu Jawi?
Pacu Jawi or often called pacuan lembu is a traditional game developed in Tanah Datar Regency, West Sumatra province. This traditional game is contested every year and is only available in 4 sub-districts in Tanah Datar Regency. Namely Rambat sub-district, Pariangan sub-district, Sungai Tarab sub-district and Lima Kaum sub-district.
According to the literature, Pacu Jawi has been around for hundreds of years. Started in the activities of farmers in the local area after the harvest season. To fill free time and entertainment for the local community, Pacu Jawi is held.
Pacu Jawi rider races through the paddy field in West Sumatra. - © Hafiz Ismail
Unlike the cattle race near the island of Madura in Java which is usually held on dry land. This event was held in the middle of the rice fields of the local community, which after harvesting the rice were waterlogged and muddy.
Pacu Jawi Bull race through a paddy field - © Hafiz Ismail
To play, a jockey rides a pair of cows flanked by plow sticks while holding or biting the tails of both cows. If the bite of the cow's tail is stronger, the faster the cow will run. What is unique about the Pacu Jawi competition is that a pair of competing cows only run alone without an opponent. This is what makes Pacu Jawi different from other competitions in general. Meanwhile, the determination of the winner is based on whether or not a pair of cows runs straight to the finish line. In addition to evaluating travel time on the track.
10 Photography Tips for Pacu Jawi
Use Zoom Lens. A 200m lens is a minimum to capture this fast moving sport.
Use Manual Mode or Shutter Priority Mode. If you are confident with adjusting everything manually, use Manual Mode. If not, use Shutter Priority (Nikon) or Tv (Canon) mode.
Use Fast Shutter Speed. For you to freeze the moments, you will need to use fast shutter speed, a minimum of 1/200th seconds if you are zooming it at 200mm. Use reciprocal rule to reduce camera shake.
Use Continuous Shooting Mode so that you can burst your shots without missing any moments.
Use Autofocus Continuous (AF-C) on Nikon or AI Servo on Canon so that your lens will not hunt for focus. If your camera has Autofocus Face Detection, it will be an advantage.
Use monopod to stabilize your shot or just to reduce fatigue on your arms while standing and carrying the heavy equipment.
The best angle is at the end of the track, where the bulls will be running towards you. But look for other angles too since everybody will be having the same angle as you do.
DO NOT RUN or MOVE when the bull are getting near you! Sudden movements on your part will startle the animal. By standing still, the bull will not hit you!
Wear suitable attire. Since you will be standing in the mud, please wear suitable attire. You camera will be covered in muds too so prepare coveralls for you camera.
Have fun! Apart from the race, there will be a lot of human interest photography opportunities around the area.
A rider and his bulls at Pacu Jawi festival - © Hafiz Ismail
Superman Bull Rider at Pacu Jawi - © Hafiz Ismail
Rider riding his bulls at Pacu Jawi - © Hafiz Ismail
Bull rider at Pacu Jawi - © Hafiz Ismail
