A PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION FROM SUMATRA
Available as fine art prints or instant digital downloads.
This is a small, carefully curated collection of photographs captured across Sumatra – from village life and wildlife encounters to dramatic landscapes shaped by time.
All images are taken by local photographer Agung Kacaribu and reflect a deep familiarity with place: the light, the atmosphere, and the everyday moments that define life here.
Each photograph is available as a fine art print or instant digital download, allowing you to experience Sumatra beyond the screen.
FEATURED PRINTS
Available as poster prints, canvas prints, or digital downloads
Serpent Among the Vines
Captured giving some serious side-eye, this vine snake is the queen of camouflage. Her emerald body drapes amidst the leaves so convincingly that unless you’re really paying attention, you’ll never see her.
This striking image is all about stopping to notice the details – her perfect yellow pout, the leaf-like scales, and the tiny nostril.
Images like this are Agung’s specialty: he has a gift for noticing the unseen. And because this shot was taken in our suburban backyard, it’s also a reminder that there is beauty, wildness and wonder hiding in the most ordinary places.
Dawn in the Rainforest
The rainforest is waking up in this beautiful aerial shot over the village of Tangkahan in North Sumatra.
As the mist rises and the first sunrays hits the canopy, the dawn chorus begins – not just from the birds, but from the surprisingly noisy insects, and the families of gibbons calling across the treetops.
Agung captured this moment on a perfectly still morning in our second home of Tangkahan – a place where the jungle is still wild, the mornings are still magical, and nature speaks louder than anything else.
The Emerald Village
Tucked into the jewel-green foothills of Lake Toba lies a little-known treasure: the village of Bonan Dolok.
Surrounded by rice fields and with a backdrop of rolling hills and waterfalls, this place feels untouched by time – a pocket of rural Sumatra where the rhythm of life follows the land rather than the clock.
We stumbled across this lakeside village entirely by accident, and Agung was so enchanted that he spent the afternoon capturing photo after photo.
This image captures that first moment of awe.
Where the River Flows
There’s a certain feeling that settles over you when you sit beside a river deep in the rainforest: a mix of curiosity, calm, and the quiet urge to follow the water and see what lies beyond the next bend.
In this image, the dense jungle slopes down towards the river. A swallow blurs across the frame as we gaze upriver, a reminder that the forest is always moving, always alive.
Agung feels most at home in wild places like Tangkahan. This photograph holds that sense of yearning – a pull toward wild places and the peace they bring.
Simple Life in the Valley
In the wide green valleys around Lake Toba, life often moves at a slower pace. Mornings begin with gentle routines – tending fields, guiding buffalo, and taking long coffee breaks.
This photograph captures one of those everyday moments: a farmer leading his buffalo across the fields. There is nothing hurried here – just the quiet rhythm of work and companionship.
Everyday scenes like this unfold across rural Sumatra every day, and they’re one of Agung’s favourite things to capture.
At the Crater's Edge
Perched high above the rim of the largest volcanic crater lake on earth, this image captures only a sliver of the sheer immensity of Lake Toba.
Taken from Bukit Holbung, the photograph looks out towards the distant shoreline, where the world’s largest statue of Jesus stands tiny against the scale of the land.
Even more striking is the peak rising behind it: Pusuk Buhit, the sacred mountain that Batak legend names as the birthplace of the Batak people.
Macaque Duo
This photograph captures a quiet moment of companionship between an adult and adolescent long-tailed macaque.
Taken in the jungle village of Tangkahan, these macaques are part of a much larger troop that moves easily between rainforest and village life. Here, they pause on the water pipes that cross the river – a simple crossing that marks the edge between the National Park and everyday human activity.
It’s an unguarded moment: calm, close, and fleeting — the kind you only notice if you stop and watch.
PEACEFUL COMPANIONS
This photograph captures a sweet moment of calm – a buffalo resting quietly with a bird perched gently on its head, surrounded by soft greenery.
Agung captured this image on Samosir Island in Lake Toba, at a scenic hillside known as Bukit Beta.
Every morning and afternoon, locals – often children – lead the buffalo here for angon (grazing). The animals relax among the grass through the day, being guided safely home again before sunset.
HOME OF THE BATAK
In this iconic shot, Agung has captured the best parts of Lake Toba in a singular image.
A weathered Batak house (known locally as Rumah Bolon) with its distinctive, soaring roof, stands beneath a forest-clad mountain with a waterfall cascading through the mist.
The house may look old, but it’s very much alive – with laundry hanging to dry, banana plants growing in the front, and the quiet rhythm of village life carrying on as it has for generations.
The misty clouds and lush greenery reveal the beauty of wet season, giving this image a timeless, storybook feel.
THE LONE FISHERMAN
As the sun lowers over Lake Toba, a small fishing boat rests on the shoreline while another drifts quietly across the water.
Captured at dusk, this image reflects the slower rhythm of life on the lake — where fishing is still part of everyday routine, and the landscape shapes the pace of the day. The distant hills rise gently behind the water, softening into shadow as evening settles in.
It’s a simple scene, unhurried and familiar, offering a quiet glimpse into life on the world’s largest volcanic lake.
PRINT OPTIONS
POSTER PRINT
- Museum-quality paper
- Lightweight & easy to frame yourself
- Available in 3 sizes
- Ships worldwide
CANVAS PRINT
- Premium gallery-style finish
- Ready to hang – no framing needed
- Available in 4 sizes
- A statement piece for your wall
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
- High-resolution file
- Most affordable option
- Instant delivery
- Print at home or with your local print shop
MEET THE PHOTOGRAPHER
Agung Kacaribu was born and raised in Sumatra. He’s Karonese, grew up near the jungle and the river, and his photography comes from a deep connection to this land.
His approach is calm and thoughtful. He takes his time, notices the light, the quiet rhythm of village life, and the small moments most people pass by. Sometimes that leads to dramatic landscapes; other times it’s something simple and honest, found close to home.
Every photograph is a reflection of how he experiences Sumatra – real, alive, and full of feeling – and this collection is his way of sharing that with you.
MORE FROM THE COLLECTION
The gallery below features more of Agung’s photography from Sumatra.
Every image you see here is also available as a poster print, canvas print, or digital download by request.
If something catches your eye, get in touch below, and we’ll get it ordered for you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What print formats are available?
All photographs are available as poster prints, canvas prints, or instant digital downloads. You can view the available options for each image by clicking “View print options.”
What sizes can I order?
Poster prints are available in 3 standard sizes: 8×10″- 12×18″ -20×30″
Canvas prints are available in 4 standard sizes: 8×12″ – 12×18″ – 16×24″ – 20×30″
Other sizes are available by request. Email us at exploringsumatra@gmail.com.
How are your print prices determined?
We’ve worked hard to keep our prints as affordable as possible, but taxes, shipping, and production costs are unfortunately out of our control. That’s why the prices may be higher than we’d ideally like.
If you’re on a budget, the digital print file is a great alternative – you can download it instantly for an affordable price and then take it to a local print shop or online service to create your own physical print. This way, you can enjoy Agung’s photography in your space without the extra fees.
Where are the prints made and shipped from?
Physical prints are professionally produced and shipped via trusted print partners globally. The nearest print partner nearest to your location will be used. Shipping options and delivery details are shown at checkout.
What do I receive with a digital download?
Digital downloads include a high-resolution image file suitable for printing up to 20 × 30 inches (50 × 75 cm), as well as for use in digital frames or personal displays.
If you’d like the option for a larger print, we are happy to provide an adjusted, high-quality file upon request.
Are the photographs in the gallery also available as prints or digital files?
Yes. Every photograph shown on this page is available as a poster print, canvas print, or digital download. Simply reach out to us and we’ll get it sorted for you: exploringsumatra@gmail.com
Can I request a custom size or format?
For sure! Custom sizes or formats are possible for all the photographs. Get in touch and we’ll sort you out.
Can I purchase your photos for commercial use?
The photos available in our shop are for personal use only. If you’d like to use any of Agung’s images for commercial purposes, we’d be happy to discuss it with you. Contact us at: exploringsumatra@gmail.com
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. International shipping is available for physical prints, with options and costs shown at checkout. If your region isn’t shown at checkout, reach out, and we’ll make it happen.