Segala Brunei→banar banar semua ada bah!⤴︎

BN40, a portrayal of Brunei as it appeared four decades ago, marks a significant historical milestone as the Sultanate celebrates 40 years of independence. Canadian professional photographer Chris Collacot, entrusted with capturing the commemorative collection, emphasised the display’s importance in preserving Brunei’s past through high-resolution images spanning 20 metres wide. “I believe this display will vividly showcase Brunei’s rich heritage and vibrant culture to the world,” remarked Chris during an interview with the Bulletin while in the country for the BN40 project. “It’s a colourful, beautiful place with so much happening,” he added enthusiastically. Chris was approached by Keeran Janin, entrusted with overseeing the BN40 project since October last year. His expertise in capturing extremely high-resolution photographs through a specialised digital process sets him apart. The technique involves combining between 50 to 500 individual shots to create images exceeding thousands of megapixels, far surpassing what standard digital cameras can achieve in a single shot, which typically maxes out around 150 megapixels. Creating exceptionally high-resolution images ensures that when printed at large scales, they maintain impeccable detail without pixelation issues common in single-shot photographs. ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/UyTbusY4ksp6N6phPw1vT-iKbPSPzAriY1GIIwFYYA2.jpeg) Ambassadors and high commissioners, as part of the BN40 project, with the organisers. PHOTO: HIGH COMMISSION OF CANADA IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/uZIi7KB1IY8aQlwvPIj36-Dp5U-Z5i34BVLxwMHVgZh.jpeg) Chris waving from the top of a crane. PHOTO: HIGH COMMISSION OF CANADA IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM ![](https://media.everythingbrunei.com/public/5trSpcnyJSF_m9_MIs9GH-KvRR5BNfULmi-8PHjPMaz.jpeg) Chris Collacot. PHOTO: HIGH COMMISSION OF CANADA IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM “Many clients request wall-sized prints that can be examined closely from less than a foot away to appreciate intricate details,” said Chris, reflecting on his approach. When Keeran proposed a photograph exceeding 1000 megapixels, Chris eagerly accepted, marking the start of their ambitious project. However, as often happens with such endeavours, the project scope expanded significantly beyond their initial expectations, presenting an exhilarating challenge. Specialising in large-scale photography since 2012, Chris has tackled panoramic images up to 10 gigapixels. “Typically, my panoramas are captured within an hour on stable ground or a building,” he added. “But this project was different – spanning thousands of megapixels and involving thousands of people over nearly three weeks.” The shooting location atop a crane, though unstable, was the only feasible option, requiring meticulous planning and execution to manage. The resulting image, Chris added, will feature diverse activities and groups from sectors like the police force, hospital staff, water taxi operators, and schoolchildren. Notably, ambassadors and high commissioners from over 10 countries will be prominently depicted, each recognisable even upon close inspection of the final photograph. Typically, Chris captures his photos in a single day, with no need for prior coordination of background activities. However, for this project, involving thousands of participants, meticulous planning across multiple days over a two-week period became essential. “Coordinating such a large-scale shoot over several days adds complexity,” Chris explained. “We had to consider timing, placement of individuals, and map out every detail meticulously. “The view from the crane’s top will capture a bustling scene,” Chris said. “Various activities and groups, including police, water ambulance crews, hospital staff and more, will fill the frame. Ambassadors and high commissioners will occupy a dedicated section, allowing viewers to zoom in and discern every face clearly. “This project is unprecedented, exceeding 10 gigapixels,” Chris added. “To my knowledge, nothing of this scale and organisation has ever been attempted before globally – it’s truly ground-breaking.” Chris credited Keeran for conceiving and driving the historical endeavour with a vision to create a timeless image of Brunei for future generations, Chris noted. “In 40 years, people can look back and see a comprehensive snapshot of our nation, from the Ministry of Health to the royal procession featuring the prince and princess.” “When you search online, images often fail to capture a country’s true essence and culture,” Chris reflected. “This photograph, equivalent to a thousand pictures, aims to change that narrative.” The current image under development surpasses 10,000 megapixels, highlighting the monumental scale of this unprecedented project and potentially setting a new global standard as one of the largest gigapixel images ever created. It seamlessly integrates thousands of individuals across its expansive composition. Keeran aimed to print the final image at a width of 20 feet, ensuring widespread public access to the historic and iconic depiction of Brunei. Details regarding the exact timing and location of the unveiling are yet to be finalised, while assembling and perfecting the image will take several months. “The default size of the image will be 20 metres, ensuring exceptional quality when blown up,” Chris elaborated. Set to become a historic representation of Brunei, this monumental photograph captures the essence of the nation during its BN40 anniversary. It will provide future generations of Bruneians and a global audience with a vivid and timeless snapshot of contemporary life. “This ambitious project not only aims to redefine visual storytelling but also promises to offer an immersive online experience,” Chris continued. “Viewers worldwide will be able to explore its intricacies up close. In essence, this project transcends the limitations of conventional photography, offering not just a snapshot but a comprehensive visual narrative of Brunei’s cultural richness and diversity.” – Lyna Mohammad

Segala Brunei→banar banar semua ada bah!⤴︎

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