Victor is one of our long-time partners working closely with our Malaysian distributors, and we are honored to have him share his craft through a photography festival, where he shared not just images, but the stories and intent behind them. In every conversation since, his passion for photography and for life has a kind of genuine drive that is contagious. Victor is known for his exceptional storytelling technique that transforms standard corporate footage into an appealing narrative.
1. Tell us about yourself:
I come from a music and DJing background, but I’ve always been a health-conscious individual. I own an F45 Training studio in Malaysia, and I've put in the hard work to systemize the business. Now, I can manage both my business with ease, connecting with the fitness community or heading upstairs for my creative production work.
▶️▶️Check out his IG account for more details: https://www.instagram.com/iamvictorchan/
2. What’s the beginning of your photography business?
My love for photography actually started when I was 18 during my early travel days. Initially, it was just a way to document my experiences and have something to look back on as I got older. However, as I shared my work, people began to see the potential in my specific style. What started as a personal travelogue gradually evolved into a professional business as I began receiving commissions for commercial work.
3.
How did you meet Brinno?
My introduction to specialized time lapse work happened when I was commissioned to capture the "work-in-progress" construction of an outdoor solar-powered car park. That project opened my eyes to the power of long-term visual storytelling and the technical demands of capturing progress over time.
The project started during the lockdown when travel was heavily restricted. The clients mentioned the whole solar car park project, and one thing led to another. I began searching for suitable equipment that could withstand harsh outdoor environments, offer massive storage capacity, and provide incredible battery life. I ended up with the Brinno TLC2000, and it’s been a staple in my kit ever since.
4. Tell us more about this solar-powered car park.
The project ran for about six months. The site was nearly 60km away from home, which meant I couldn't be there every day to monitor the equipment, so I usually left the camera running for long stretches. But since it was my first time using a standalone time lapse camera, I visited the site more often during the first two weeks just to make sure everything was stable and framed correctly.
The site changes fast, so I need to stay nimble and adjust the interval based on what’s happening on the ground, like pouring concrete or assembling large steel structures for the foundation. That’s why staying closely connected with the local engineers is one of my keys to success. After the initial setup period, the camera could mostly run on its own. Later on, a major upgrade for my workflow was using the Command Center and the extension cable. Instead of getting right up to the camera, I could bring a laptop and manage everything through a 10-meter extension cable, which made site visits much easier.
🔽Using 10 meter extension cable and the command center at the same time.
5. What are some of the most memorable projects you’ve worked on?
My work in Laos stands out the most, as it was a massive 2.5-year project capturing the construction of a hydropower plant. In that environment, the time lapse camera was an absolute lifesaver. We had to leave the equipment in fixed positions for years at a time to get the perfect angle of the build. Seeing 30 months of engineering feat compressed into a few minutes of video was incredibly rewarding.
🔽Actual image of Victor working on the site
6. Why does the Laos project leave a remarkable milestone in your opinion?
That project was far from where I live and far from anything convenient. It was truly “middle of nowhere,” and the dam construction was changing rapidly. Every time I returned, new foundations or structures were already in place. To make sure the camera stayed safe and steady, I worked with local engineers to build a steel mounting post at a carefully chosen location, so the camera could stay secure while still capturing the best angle without interruption for months.
It was also one of the most exhausting projects I’ve done because of the travel. I’d fly to Bangkok, transfer to Vientiane, capital of Laos, stay overnight, then take an early flight to the nearest airport the next morning, followed by another two-hour drive to the site. It was almost two full days of travel each way. But the scale of the dam was enormous, and the results felt even more rewarding because of how much effort it took to capture it properly.
7. What would be your advice to time lapse new users?
Give yourself time to learn the camera before using it on a real project—ideally a full month of testing and practice. A Brinno time lapse camera isn’t like a conventional camera; you’re capturing thousands of frames over long periods, and small setup mistakes can cost you weeks of work.
“Test everything before it goes on site, and don’t assume one setup fits every environment.”
Different locations, weather, and construction phases might require different intervals, angles, and mounting solutions. And if you’re working in remote areas alone, plan carefully not just for logistics, but also because extra eyes can catch framing or planning issues you might miss when you’re doing everything solo.
