This time I just want to share to you the story about human life who work at traditional shipyard in Jakarta City. Even though Jakarta is the most modern city in Indonesia (expect tall buildings, endless toll road, and deadly traffic jam) we still can see many traditional aspects here. For example, like what I already wrote in my previous post about traditional harbour in Jakarta (Read here).
With this post, I want to tell story about people’s activity in this traditional shipyard as I find it is such an interesting place and a lot of unique activities that I never seen in my daily life (as I live right in the middle of CBD area). Most work in this shipyard is about repair, recondition and repaint ships.
Being a traditional shipyard, they do almost everything in, well, traditional way. Do not think any hi-tech machine or international standard safety equipment. They just get the job done with “limited” sources and equipment. However, based on story that I heard, they have good reputation for their job as some of ships here are wooden ship that use to travel for long distance trip. No one will ever let their (cargo) wooden ship repaired carelessly by bad shipyard company. The risk is simply too high.
If you live in or visit Jakarta, and want to documenting a life story in form of photography, then I think this place is one of my top list. People here are (so) friendly. They also did not mind at all to be photographed, which is great!
Mind you, the area itself is a bit harsh. Expect mud, puddle, wood dust (sawdust), and wet paint everywhere. Careful with your step as one wrong move you can easily slip there. Also pay extra care to whatever you touch, probably they have wet pain!
The amount of dust and wood dust also a bit too much, I recommend to use face (dust) mask and do not forget to bring lens blower to keep your lens’ surface clean.
Here are some additional photos about people’s activities in traditional shipyard. This is how I capture their actions, and hopefully you enjoy it as much as me 🙂
Additional note: All photos here taken with Fujifilm X-E3 and Fujinon XF35mm f/1.4 lens. Straight out of camera without any post process but some crop adjustment.
Some people said that when documenting a story they love the versatility of zoom lens. However, I always a prime lens user, and I love how single focal length will “force” my creativity to capture a scene. Not to mention with small camera set up (which is the main benefit of my system) will make me easier to blend with my subjects (and definitely less intimidation).
That is all how I unfold the story about traditional shipyard in Jakarta. Definitely I will come back again some time to cover even more stories of people here who depend these activities as their primary job for living.
Keep shooting everyday,
Nico Harold