Unsplash Around the World: Indonesia 🇮🇩

This month, we are exploring a true paradise for photographers: Indonesia. Five incredible Unsplash contributors based in Indonesia, Eva Wahyuni, Alim, Ardian Pranomo, Resri Yuniaz, and Polina Kuzovkova, share how living in Indonesia inspires them and why it should be on your travel list.

Who are you, and where are you located?

Eva Wahyuni: Hi! I’m Eva Wahyuni, but feel free to call me Eva. I’m from the beautiful island of Madura, in the city of Pamekasan.

Alim: I’m Alim, and I currently live in Jakarta, Indonesia, but I’m originally from India.

Ardian Pranomo:  My name is Ardian, and I live in a small village in Klaten, Central Java. However, my hometown is a remote village in the mountains of Brebes, also in Central Java, Indonesia.

Resri Yuniaz: Hi, I’m Resri, an illustrator based in Jakarta, Indonesia. 

Polina Kuzovkova: Hi, my name is Polina! I am a photographer originally from Minsk, Belarus, but for the last 5 years, my life has been connected with Indonesia.

What do you love most about Indonesia?

Eva: Hands down—the food! And I have a soft spot for durian. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it fruit, but for me? Total love.

Alim: The warmth in the people and the culture stand out the most. There is a deep sense of togetherness, especially in places of worship. Mosques are not just for prayer. They are spaces where people come to learn, gather, and connect. That sense of community and shared experience is something truly special.

Resri: The food! Especially the spicy dishes like Rendang (made of slow-cooked beef in coconut milk and a blend of aromatic spices). If you love spicy food, you’ll enjoy it! But if you prefer something milder, I have other recommendations too—like Sate Ayam (grilled chicken skewers served with a creamy, sweet-savoury peanut sauce). You should try these dishes if you ever visit Indonesia.

How does living in Indonesia inspire you creatively?

Eva: There’s something special about living where your roots are. It’s not just comforting—it’s creatively energizing. Being surrounded by familiar sights, sounds, and scents gives me a deeper connection to my ideas.

Ardian: I find inspiration in the people around me and the life events they go through. I’m a big fan of storytelling, especially when it carries strong moral values.

Resri: The country is rich in diverse cultures, traditional art, and stunning natural landscapes. There’s always something visually captivating to draw from. The mix of modern and traditional influences helps shape my artistic style.

Which regions in Indonesia do you find particularly captivating for photography? 

Alim: Indonesia is so diverse that it is impossible to pick just one. Every region has something unique, from bustling cities to peaceful rural landscapes and vibrant traditions. The blend of cultures and daily life makes the country an endless source of inspiration.

Polina: Indonesia is not only Bali. With 17,000+ islands, it’s easy to find something for everyone in Indonesia. It’s impossible not to mention the active volcanoes you can observe in Java, the remote and incredibly beautiful beaches of Sumba and Sumbawa, unbelievable underwater scenery of Raja Ampat (possibly the best diving spot in the world). Toraja, Sulawesi, can offer impressive customs and strict traditions to explore. This is sacred, sometimes scary.

Are there any elements of Indonesian lifestyle and culture that you love to incorporate into your art?

Eva: Several aspects of the Indonesian lifestyle are worth embracing, such as the spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation), religious tolerance, hospitality, and maintaining good manners, all of which reflect the noble values of Indonesian culture. The tradition of silaturrahmi (visiting parents and close relatives) also remains deeply rooted in Indonesian society.

Alim: I am drawn by the way people interact with sacred spaces, how they gather, reflect, and find moments of peace. My photography is not just about architecture. It is the human presence that gives these places meaning, whether it is the quiet solitude of a dawn prayer or the energy of a Friday congregation.

Ardian: One of the most popular local snacks in my region is called “Tempe Mendoan”—a soybean tempeh coated in seasoned batter, deep-fried until soft, and served warm with sweet soy sauce mixed with spices and chili. I created an illustration of this dish as part of a vegan food illustration set. Of course, no illustration can fully capture how delicious Tempe Mendoan truly looks in real life!

What is your favorite photo you took that really captures Indonesia?

Alim: Right now, it is a photo I took at Masjid Istiqlal during Ramadan. It shows rows of women praying together, a moment of faith and unity, in colourful dresses called Mukenas. It has been my most successful photo so far, reaching more people than anything I have captured in the last ten years, and it has opened new doors for me in ways I never expected.

Polina: This photo was taken on Lombok Island. I admit right away that my husband took this photo, not me. In this photo, I’m surrounded by Indonesian students on all sides. You may notice the camera in my hands because I was making circles around the beach, looking for models among the locals. I was standing among Indonesian folks, and they started asking me incredibly cute questions, like what was my favorite movie, favorite actor, song, animal, food, etc. I think this photo represents the interconnection and mutual interest between a person from outside Indonesia, such as myself, and the locals who are just as much interested in learning something about me as I am about them. And all against the backdrop of an epic nature scene. This is real Indonesia for me.

What is the one thing you would like people to know about your country?

Eva: Indonesia is a vast archipelago with over 17,000 islands. It’s a beautiful mosaic of ethnicities, languages, and traditions—but at the heart of it all, we are one nation. That unity in diversity is something I’m deeply proud of.

Ardian: Indonesia is vast and incredibly diverse. We live among people from different islands, ethnic groups, and cultural backgrounds, each with its moral values and traditions. Interestingly, what is considered polite in one ethnic group may be seen as impolite in another. This diversity has made us more aware and sensitive to different social norms across regions.

What advice would you give to someone visiting Indonesia for the first time?

Eva: Taste everything—from Bakso (meatball soup) to Sate (skewered grilled meat). The food is unforgettable. Don’t be surprised if you end up saying, “I never want to leave.”

Alim: Go beyond the tourist spots. Talk to people, try street food, and take part in daily life. Whether it is sharing a meal at a warung or joining a local event, the real essence of Indonesia is in its people and the warmth they extend to strangers.

Resri: I highly recommend starting with Bali! It’s one of the most popular destinations, not just because of its stunning beaches and landscapes but also because it’s very tourist-friendly.

Polina: Get ready to explore! Remember that you are a guest here; be respectful. Don’t expect anything to work like you are used to.

Describe your country in one word.

Eva: Unforgettable
Alim: Harmonic
Ardian: Deep
Resri: Exotic
Polina: Indigenous

See you next time at our next around-the-world location!