Born in Padang Panjang, died in Jakarta. Between 1940-1942, Sjamsuddin worked as a photographer at the Sinar Jakarta cliché factory, then became a photographer at Balai Pustaka until early 1947. After leaving Balai Pustaka, he worked briefly at the Mayfair Photo Studio, then became a freelance photographer. In late 1949, he returned to Balai Pustaka until April 1951 when he began as a cameraman at PFN. It was between 1952-1956 at PFN that he had the opportunity to study in the Netherlands. Towards the end of 1956, Sjam left PFN to work at Persari and immediately worked on "Anakku Sayang" (1957) which won the trophy for best photography in the 1960 FFI. After Persari was closed during the film industry crisis, Sjam played with "Becha Lover", Sampan Boy "(1959) the production of Murni Film with Italian Television, then" Ratu Ratu Rumah Tangga" (1960), "Pagar Kawat Berduri" (1961). In the meantime, he also made several documentaries for PT Shell Indonesia. In 1961, Sjamsuddin began working at the newly opened Penas Studio. While in Penas, he had time to show the film "Tauhid" (1964), a joint production of Perfini-Ifdil - Persari, which took him to Mecca. Sjamsuddin left Penas in 1965 and became a freelance cameraman. In Film Appreciation Week 1967 Nasional received the award for the best cameraman for his works "Petir Sepandjang Malam" and "Menjimbing Djedjak. Bloody "(both 1967). This achievement was repeated in FFI 1977 through "Ateng Sok Tahu"(1976). Sjam, who until the end of his life had made about 50 films, died during the making of "Ateng Sok Aksi" (1977).