Anton Ismael. Courtesy Anton Ismael

For many, waking up in the morning is next to impossible. But for Anton Ismael, it is time to share his experience and skills with photography enthusiasts during his morning photography class, Kelas Pagi.

'€œI love doing it,'€ the photographer said during an interview at his Third Eye Space studio in Cipete, South Jakarta. '€œIt was hard to do at first, but I got used to it eventually: Waking up very early and teaching the class.'€

Anton established Kelas Pagi Jakarta in 2006. At least four times a week, he teaches photography enthusiasts for two to three hours starting at 6 a.m, for free.

He said he decided to meet in the morning because it would be easier for people to absorb things before they got too busy.

In the class, students present a proposal before hunting for pictures and present their pictures in front of the class after.

Only around 20 percent of the sessions are used to talk about technical matters, Anton says, since the nuts and bolts of how to use a digital camera can be found on the Internet.

'€œOne of the most important things in photography '€” and maybe in other things, too '€” is self-presentation,'€ said the 38-year-old. '€œSometimes the topic can be very common, but how they package and present it, that what makes their photos special.'€

Currently in its eighth year, Kelas Pagi has produced many new talents, some of who have become competition in the commercial photography business.

'€œThat'€™s been my intention. I always think that my biggest achievement is to have '€˜enemies'€™ to challenge myself. But I also turn to them when I need help, and the other way around,'€ Anton said. '€œIn the end, they'€™re in my circle, protecting me and giving me lots of new information.'€

Besides Kelas Pagi Jakarta, Anton runs Kelas Pagi Yogyakarta, established in 2009. The Yogya class is different, taught by volunteers.

Anton was introduced to the camera at the age of five, when his father asked him to take pictures at a family event. His passion about photography, however, only grew serious when he went to De Britto College High School in Yogyakarta.

'€œI took many pictures of my high school girlfriends,'€ Anton said, laughing.

Eventually, a teacher noticed Anton'€™s talent, persuading him to go to photography school. His parents, too, advised him to follow his interests. '€œI already had the UMPTN [state university enrollment test] forms with me, but my parents told me to drop it because they somehow knew I wouldn'€™t get in. I thought that maybe they were right, because if I could choose, I would prefer to go to art school.'€

Anton enrolled in the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia, earning a bachelor'€™s degree in photography studies. '€œI actually wanted to go media art school where I could learn all kinds of art forms, but my teacher told me it would be better to focus on the technique of photography, because once I mastered it, that would give me options.'€

Since college, Anton has been known as an artist who likes to mix media. '€œI draw, I paint, I take pictures and I put them all together. I also like music, so I make music videos.'€

Upon his return from Melbourne, he became involved in commercial photography, working as an assistant while running a shoe business.

Anton said field experience was even more important than school. '€œFrom the field, I learned how presentation technique played a great role for both my photography and my businesses. That'€™s why I always try to emphasize presentation in Kelas Pagi.'€

In January 2005, he set up his own studio for photo shoots and also as a place for people to share ideas.

He named it Third Eye, hoping that people would let their inner eyes to see things with their hearts, and not simply through their lenses.

Anto rented a place in Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, for the studio before moving to Cipete four years ago. In the beginning, he managed Third Eye by himself.

Now, however, Anton has a staff, allowing him to focus on photography, along with two other in-house photographers.

Although Anton is known for his creative work for product advertisements, his business is not entirely commercial. He also organizes free workshops and supports various art events.

His latest pieces are on show at the Jakarta Biennale 2013, which closes on Nov. 30. Anton'€™s contributions, however, do not include photos this time.

Anton, too, does not just look at life through a lens. He also cooks. A certified chef and baker, Anton specializes in smoked meals, and operates a small smoked catfish stall next to his studio.

Although the profits have been small '€” just enough to buy a refrigerator '€” Anton said he was keen to continue.

 '€œMy heart is always for photography, Anton says. '€œThat'€™s my way to communicate with people. Photography can get into almost every aspect in life.'€

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