Fiji Sun

Google-Registered Photograph­er Aims To Put Fiji On Map

- FREDERICA ELBOURNE Feedback: com.fj frederica.elbourne@fijisun.

Aphotograp­her said to be registered with Google has set up shop in Nadi, with the view to putting more of Fiji on the global map.

Tiun Kian Seng, known locally as Jeff, says judging by the statistics, he was the world’s second best 360 degree Google-registered photograph­er.

He has travelled over 300 kilometres around the country and has gained over two million viewers for scenic Fiji images he posted on Google Maps.

Mr Tiun met with the Malaysian high commission­er Ilham Tuah Illias and his counseller Mohd Moor Zay Mohd Nasir yesterday to describe the nature of his business.

Mr Tiun says he is the only Google registered 360-degree photograph­er in Fiji.

While many can take pictures on the 360 degree platform, a select few can upload them to Google Maps, he said.

Asia Pacific One Consulting

His business, Asia Pacific One Consulting Pt Ltd, operates out of Martintar, Nadi, where he has generated 200 customers.

Mr Tiun arrived in Fiji in 2015 as a tour guide for visitors from China, but has since turned to photograph­y as a virtual extension of his tourism operations.

“Even with COVID-19, Fiji is still my home,” he said.

Mr Tiun displayed expensive photograph­y equipment which he believes is the first of its kind in Fiji. He said he was willing to work with the hotel sector through COVID-19. “Now is not the time to be asking for money.

“I am offering my services for free.” Mr Ilham said Mr Tiun was visiting the private sector to generate awareness on the services he provided. He said the 360 degree photograph­y service allowed viewers to virtually see places they could literally visit when the internatio­nal borders reopened.

Mr Tiun has a Facebook page titled Bula Maps, where he uploads images of places he has visited in Fiji.

“It’s promoting people’s business free on 360-degree photograph­y.”

360 degree photograph­y is where the image appears in a spherical panorama layout, with the added element of interactiv­ity.

 ?? Photo: Frederica Elbourne ?? From left: Asia Pacific One Consulting Pte Ltd owner Tiun Kian Seng, Malaysian high commission­er Ilham Tuah Illias and Malaysian High Commission counsellor Mohd Noor Zaky Mohd Nasir at the high commission on August 14, 2020.
Photo: Frederica Elbourne From left: Asia Pacific One Consulting Pte Ltd owner Tiun Kian Seng, Malaysian high commission­er Ilham Tuah Illias and Malaysian High Commission counsellor Mohd Noor Zaky Mohd Nasir at the high commission on August 14, 2020.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Fiji