Tyasadi Sunarjati is a professional photographer and videographer with a long track record. He has collaborated with public figures, such as designer Anne Avantie to former Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti. At first, he delved into the world of photography when he saw his father who liked to take pictures. Tyas had considered photography just a hobby because he used to be more inclined to videography. Tanto, who also owns a music studio, asked him to photograph various activities inside the studio. When Tyas wants to return Tanto's camera, he is invited to take part in a photo competition. "I took a picture with a professional camera only that once, and I gave my photo to Tanto. And without me knowing it turned out that my photo was registered by him for the photo competition, also along with his photo. Uniquely, his photo did not win, and it was my photo that won the competition. At that time, I hadn't thought about focusing on photography. Since my clients are all more into video projects, it would be difficult for me to earn money from photography.” Tyas said.

Over time, Tyas received various project offers in photography and eventually made himself pursue this field professionally. Tyas' life journey is not easy. He was once exposed to legal problems related to a case of forex investment fund fraud managed by his own best friend. At that time, Tyas carried out marketing duties and looked for potential new investors, until unexpectedly he ended up entangled in a legal case. Tyas said, his friend is indeed proficient in playing forex, and many times earns profits. He was interested in taking the marketing job because his best friend managed to make a big profit in a short time. Tyas' decision to get involved in the forex game was questioned by his own wife. "From the beginning, my wife said, 'Dad if you want money, we work, you open a tire patching workshop, photography services, that's work'. (Wife replied) 'What kind of job is this Dad? I said trading. (Answered his wife) 'Is there any trading, is there anything for sale, this is trading or a gambling game?" said Tyas recalling his wife's message. One day, the funds managed by Tyas' best friend named Agus, and his wife who managed the forex transaction disappeared. The investors eventually held Tyas responsible for the loss of the investment funds. The matter was prolonged and taken to the police force to be resolved. Tyas tried to find a solution and did not want to seem out of responsibility. He and his family had spent Rp 1.2 billion as a bailout for investors. Because at that time the forex investment manager had promised to replace the bailout funds issued by Tyas and his family.

The police finally decided Tyas to go home because he had good intentions to bail out investors' funds so that the situation would not be chaotic. "I am innocent to entrust this case completely to the lawyer. Whereas before I could go home and there was no need for compulsory reporting. My lawyer met my mother and told her that we must be pretrial, he already felt he could win if it was pretrial. His judgment is like that, the police have already made a misstep. (Tyas' lawyer said) We have an opening to fire. But his strategy was wrong, the problem became long. When we filed a pretrial on Monday, on Wednesday I get picked up by law enforcement officials," he said. In the end, Tyas was entangled in legal problems until finally convicted by the court and required to serve 2.5 years in correctional facilities. Tyas was executed at the Class IIA Youth Penitentiary in Tangerang. The first time he was in correctional facilities, Tyas still felt innocent and was wronged. He had time to look at the people who were languishing behind bars first like the lowliest. Tyas' mind became chaotic and fought with fellow fostered citizens in the cell.

But from that incident, Tyas was known by correctional facilities officers and became one of the respected figures by friends of the fostered residents there, because he clung to the truth. The turning point Tyas began to accept the situation when he missed his children. One of them is a two-week-old baby. Many families, relatives, and neighbors also showed empathy for the incident that happened to Tyas. "There were many people who sent food, on the second day I entered it was my neighbor because I was supposed to be head of my neighborhood. It's actually a bit embarrassing, they also bring food for me. The third day my mother came from Jogja and give me bakpia," he said. Tyas' selfishness began to soften, he looked for ways to build positive feelings in himself by channeling affection to fellow fostered residents. First by sharing the food Tyas received from family, relatives and neighbors who visited.

From Ulcer Doctor to Correctional Facilities Photographer

When he was in correctional facilities, Tyas was nicknamed the Ulcer Doctor because he often helped treat ulcers experienced by friends of inmates with medical equipment sent by his wife, such as betadine, cotton, rivanol, and bandages. Tyas' ability to treat boils received a lot of attention from the fostered residents inside and had caused queues. Tyas took care of them all indiscriminately. Indirectly, what Tyas did make the inmates and officers in correctional facilities respect hir figure. Once, Tyas was introduced by the Head of Bimkemaswat Youth Correctional facilities Class II A Tangerang at that time, Gilang Rifli Anto. He is interested in Tyas' background in photography, Gilang called Tyas to photograph the Ijab Kabul and the wedding of an inmate and his future wife, which was held at the correctional facilities mosque. The marriage activity was facilitated with limited access, considering that the inmate was serving a sentence period. Tyas' educational background, which has taken the Master's level, also stole the attention of the correctional facilities management. Tyas was asked by the leader of PKBM Tangerang Youth Correctional facilities to teach other inmates. At that time PKBM was short of educators in sociology, English, and Indonesian. "It feels like I need to find the reason why I am there. I feel compelled to seek purpose because many here feel they are serving a sentence. If I actually think about I have to gain something from here".