Muhammad Aristianto

@badakkekar

Winner Nomadict's editing contest Vol. 3

My name is Muhammad Aristianto, although my friends call me Tian or Badakkekar quite often. I am from a small village named Bawang which is located in Central Java, Indonesia. 

Bawang is one of the most remote villages in Central Java – considered to be the heart of the Javanese culture. Borobudur, the 9th-century world’s largest Buddhist temple is located in Central Java for instance.

"We are also proud of our natural setting, having a beautiful range of mountains and densely forested areas."

I guess that the landscapes that have surrounded me since my childhood have had a significant influence in my interests. For me, climbing the mountain range and the Gunung Prau is part of my daily life. So, I guess it’s quite normal that I love nature? As a result, in 2014 I made my longest trip. I visited Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, a place I want to visit again soon and which has inspired me to keep traveling!

Yet, it was not until 2016 when I started to upload photos to social media. So, I discovered photography not that long ago. Actually, if I began to take photographs it was because of all the amazing photos that all of you guys shared on Instagram. In addition, being surrounded by such a unique landscape inspired me to grab a camera and start documenting my trips. 

When traveling, I love finding obstacles since they represent puzzles to me. If I am able to solve them, I feel energized – specially if afterwards I can capture that photo I was looking for.

"So, photography is about the journey and the struggle to capture what you envisioned."

Getting back home with that one image and being able to express what I felt at that particular moment with a broader community seems almost magical to me. I hope I can keep sharing my thoughts, ideas and emotions through my edits and photographs for many more years to come! 

"Thanks to all the people who voted for me by the way! This means the world to me!"
Congratulations @badakkekar, you won $150 in cash!
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