I am not a professional photographer, and nor did I make the journey to Jakarta specifically to make photographs.
However, I do like to record my trips on film (or, these days, digitally).
From my home in the United Kingdom, work takes me to many destinations worldwide, but my first working visit to Indonesia was for a 6 week period in 2006. Since then, I have been back many times, always for working visits in durations from 3 weeks to 2 months at a time.
I have had the privilege of travelling outside Jakarta a little, but for now I will concentrate on experiences within the city limits.
The aim is to help visitors identify photography opportunities, some which are clichés but necessary, and some which are of more interest and which distinguish Jakarta from other large, chaotic and crowded cities in Asia (and elsewhere). There are also a few “technical” tips.
General tips
At times of the year, Jakarta suffers severe air pollution. Depending on the time of day and shooting direction, this can have the positive effect of diffraction through the pollution – enhancing, enriching and softening pictures. It can also have the negative effect of making pictures fuzzy and less than perfectly sharp. To capture the positive effects, take pictures at sunset, use a UV filter at all times, and to enhance colours and atmosphere use a circular polarising filter. This combination will increase exposure time, so you may need to use a tripod to capture images if you aim for pictures with a big depth of field.
On the other hand, if your aim is to capture pin sharp detail, then make your pictures early in the morning, use a UV filter and use the strong sidelight in the early hours to enhance contrast and texture.
Don’t take pictures in the middle of the day; they will be flat and featureless, caused by both sun angle and the diffraction created by the air pollution.
At certain times of the year Jakarta is very humid, often 90%+. Protect your equipment and lenses; always carry a lint-free cloth to clean your lens, and replace the lens cap after every use.
Speaking of equipment, I have never felt that me and my equipment is vulnerable to opportunistic thieves, but like every other city in the world, there is no harm in being reasonably vigilant and cautious with expensive, visible and portable equipment within crowds. There are many shops ranging from upscale photography shops (particularly in Kemang and Blok M) through to stalls in places such as the Ambassador Mall and Mangga Dua where you can buy accessories and even branded lenses, imported from China and Japan.
General tips about photography in Jakarta
It is almost impossible to make pictures which exclude people, for two reasons. First, Jakarta is crowded 24 hours per day and so finding people-free scenes is tricky, and second in my experience, Jakartans like to be photographed, so once a camera appears, then so will people who like to be in the pictures. This is a delight most of the time, and so use the willing subjects as the focus of attention, or as people who give pictures context.
Photographing people; like anywhere else in the world, unless people volunteer to be photographed, ask their permission first. It is a minimal courtesy and will avoid misunderstandings and resentments.
There are some places where photography is forbidden (e.g. Embassies, Military establishments). Respect the prohibition.
Jakarta is a huge city, and so it is futile to try to list every possible site (or sight) of interest, but below are some initial tips to get you started, but have your camera ready at all times to capture those unplanned moments or opportunities which present themselves all day, every day.
Landmark and cliché photospots
Places which all visitors must photograph include:
The National Monument (Monas) in Freedom Square (Medan Merdeka). A striking obelisk in the midst of one of the few open spaces in the centre of the city. Take shots at sunset, into the west, with a long exposure. For the most atmospheric images, use a tripod and the HDR (High Dynamic Range) technique.
Whilst there, seek out details and statues to be found around the Square.
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah is a park in which typical architecture from around the country’s Provinces can be found. It is crowded, a little tacky, but well worth a visit. Use the cable car to capture aerial images.
The Grand Istiqlal Mosque is a huge mosque, reportedly able to accommodate 120,000 worshippers. Highly photogenic, but has low light levels, so use a tripod (flash photography is prohibited). Obviously respect the sensitivities associated with places of worship; it is not a tourist attraction.
The National Museum (also known as Museum Gajah). Enough said.
Fatahillah Square, Batavia in the north of the city is one of the most photogenic parts of the city. Lined and surrounded by extraordinary colonial buildings harking back to Dutch colonial times; much of it is now crumbling and neglected. It is also rich in opportunity for photographic detail. At weekends it is full of life, people, amblers, street vendors and interesting cafes.
Places of exceptional interest
There are many, but they include:
The Old Port of Jakarta (Sunda Kelapa) is still a bustling port, home to beautiful (and still working) teak ships plying their trade between islands, fishermen, a fascinating fish market and an interesting waterfront. Go in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat. Better, take a late lunch in somewhere like Café Batavia and amble over to the port afterwards and take some contra-jour pictures of the photogenic ships in silhouette, or early morning to get some striking shots of the same in the morning light, followed by a visit to the fish market and then breakfast at Café Batavia.
Masses of people can be found in many places (the big Malls, Plaza Indonesia, Fatahillah Square, Blok M etc. The sheer volumes can impress. Use a wide lens and shoot from low angles.
Traffic: like many other big cities, Jakarta experiences incredible traffic densities. Take pictures of traffic using slow shutter speeds, and a small aperture to get a dynamic image of the density of traffic (including blocks of motorcycles operating as single organisms). Opportunities abound from the bridges over Sudirman-Thamrin. Particularly appealing is night shots (long shutter speed, and using a tripod) to capture light trails.
Night-time presents opportunities in any lively city which includes high rise buildings, traffic and illuminated structures of all kinds. Get pictures from the Skye Bar (56th Floor of the BCA building, Plaza Indonesia) or from the top of the National Monument. Use a tripod and long exposures.
Indoors photography in public places is subject to the normal rules of courtesy – ask permission, do not take “candid” pictures of unknowing or unwilling subjects. But Jakarta is rich in restaurants, bars, cafes, and other building which offer spectacular or just simply interesting interiors. Menteng, Kemang, Batavia, Blok M and Taman Mini Indonesia Indah all offer such venues.
Detail
Be attentive to interesting details. If you are alert you will find opportunities in doors, gates, cornices, statues, the corners of buildings, even street gratings and manhole covers.
Happy shooting!
Michael Jones
Cardiff, UK