The sad story of a unique photo agency

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Press Photo Service (Ipphos) was founded by six press photographers: Alexius Impurung Mendur, his brother Frans Sumarto Mendur, J.K. Umbas and brother Nyong F. Umbas, Alex Mamusung and Oscar Ganda.

Some of the founders were former photographers for several media. Alexius, for instance, was once a photographer for the Dutch-run De Java Bode and Domei of Japan. His brother worked for Asia Raja, another newspaper owned by the Japanese government.

Officially, Ipphos Coy Ltd. was established on Oct. 2, 1946, but the staff had started documenting and distributing photos beginning in mid-1945, following the bitter defeat of Japanese soldiers in World War II.

Ipphos photographers' favorite gadgets at that time included Rolei and Leica cameras using ASA 64 film.

One unforgettable moment experienced by Ipphos' staff took place on Aug. 17, 1945, when then president Sukarno declared the new republic's independence under the watchful eyes of the Japanese troops at Jl. Pegangsaan Timur 56 (now Jl. Proklamasi) in Jakarta.

Based on a tip they got the night before, Alexius and Frans rushed to the site and took some photos. Unfortunately, the Japanese soldiers seized Alexius' film. Knowing the unfavorable situation, Frans buried the negatives.

The prints of the negatives were later billed as the only photographs which recorded the momentous event.

Even though developing film and obtaining photographic supplies were difficult during those days, Ipphos' photographers had a way of getting things done. During the occupation of the country by British/Allied troops, for instance, Ipphos' staff purchased smuggled print papers and some chemicals for developing films from a shop owner at the Pasar Baru market in Central Jakarta. Sometimes they had to mix their own chemicals, use different papers and process them in hospitals.

Their operation began improving in the early 1950s, after British/Allied forces were expelled from Indonesia. Their photographs were used by many domestic and international media. They even expanded their business to other sectors, comprising the importation and distribution of print paper, publication of Ipphos Report magazine and running a drugstore.

Bad days

Ipphos' new "widely diversified" business was only short- lived. The founders then decided to go back to their core business in the late 1950s. It was apparently not the right time, however, because more and more local publishers had their own photographers. Besides that, Ipphos had a new rival: the government-owned Antara news agency.

The "bad days" for Ipphos became tougher as the years passed. Some of its staff quit because the agency failed to pay them enough to cover their basic needs. One by one, the founders passed away. Frans died in 1971 and his elder brother, Alexius, in 1984.

Before his death, Alexius told his daughter, Y.M. Mubagio Mendur: "Do something to save Ipphos. Never let it die!"

When Mendur -- better known as Meity, took over the management in 1988, she discovered significant transgressions being committed by the remaining staff. Some were illegally using the agency's equipment to earn money outside and others were "playing around" at the agency's expense.

According to one of its senior photographers, Piet Mendur, Ipphos had around 100 personnel nationwide during the days when it was unchallenged. "Today, we're only 12 here," said Piet, 62, who has been with Ipphos since 1953.

Today, Ipphos is still in the business, although the speed in which film is developed and the quality of the final products is below that of other photographers. They even accept personal orders for wedding reception albums. So far, Ipphos' financial earnings have come from its historical collection, with photographs sold mostly to the media for National Day celebrations.

"Sometimes, ordinary people bought prints from us just for their personal collections or to see, for example, their grandfathers in the battlefield.

"Out of around Rp 3 million of our monthly income, Rp 2 million is used to pay for 12 photographers and two administration staff," Meity said.

Prints from Ipphos' collection are available to the public at between Rp 50,000 and Rp 200,000 per 10R print, depending upon the customers' purposes.

Ipphos' first office was located at Jl. Hayam Wuruk 30 in the downtown Kota area of West Jakarta. Due to continuous financial constraints, the building was eventually sold and Ipphos moved to its current three-story office near the Kampung Melayu bus terminal in East Jakarta in 1993.

On the first floor, dozens of low-quality black and white prints illustrating the nation's early days are displayed on a wall.

Two old-fashioned desks for a secretary and receptionist are located near the stairs leading to the next floor, where Meity's office and a storage room for the negatives are located.

Only Meity's office has an air-conditioner. The tops of the filing cabinets are covered with sheets of plastic to protect the negatives from rain dripping from the broken ceilings.

In general, the level of humidity -- the invisible, deadly poison for negatives and prints -- is extremely high in a tropical country such as Indonesia. Bad air and poor circulation could also cause a considerable amount of damage to the negatives.

Because of the improper care of the negatives, due to the shortage of the proper materials in the early days and the scarcity of funds for many years, thousands of the historical photographs -- some of which were taken at battle front lines in the mountains and forests -- are ruined or partially damaged. Some of the negatives are even missing. (bsr)