Around 1948, during the Indonesian National Revolution, Tera joined the Dutch-owned production company South Pacific Film Corporation, where he studied cinematography under the Dutch cameraman AA Denninghoff-Stelling.
Sekitar tahun 1948, saat Revolusi Nasional Indonesia, Tera bergabung dengan perusahaan produksi film milik Belanda, South Pacific Film Corporation, tempat ia belajar sinematografer dari kameramen Belanda, AA Denninghoff-Stelling.