A Bermudian photographer and filmmaker has been granted an America’s Cup licence to produce fine art prints for the 35th America’s Cup.

J-P Rouja shot the racing during the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Bermuda event last October and decided to produce those images in a unique method. He explained how the project came to be.

“LookBermuda has always looked for unique, often non-traditional ways to better portray Bermuda and document significant events,” Rouja said.

“For the America’s Cup this process started well before it was awarded when we pulled together a team to secure broadcast quality Bermuda sailing footage that was subsequently used in the video that we co-produced when the cup was awarded.

“For the 2015 World Series it was clear that the racing itself would be well covered by the international and local media, so we set about documenting the event from alternate angles that would better showcase Bermuda.

“Bermuda from the air is simply stunning — however, the use of drones was banned during the racing due to potential conflicts with the helicopter that was used for the ACTV filming. Therefore the only opportunity for aerial photography was at a higher altitude from a plane.

“When one became available, we booked it for the duration of the racing thus securing what ended up being the only aerial photography of the event.”

While Rouja was shooting from the air, his team included local photographers Chris Burville and Steven Flood on the race course in order to capture images from every angle. LookBermuda then embargoed the images while negotiating with the America’s Cup Event Authority for a licensee agreement.

“One of the signature images is the circular racing amphitheatre, which showcases the racecourse, the circle of spectator boats and the island in the background.

“It’s a unique view which has not been seen publicly until now.

“Another is a gigapixel panorama that was shot from 3,000 feet as the racing fleet and spectator flotilla returned to Hamilton through Two Rock Passage.

“The panoramic view extends from the Great Sound all the way into Hamilton and was shot specifically for some of the larger airport walls being of high enough resolution to printed up to 10ft x 40ft.”

Asked about the process of printing the images on aluminium, Mr Rouja said: “Our museum quality prints are printed on aluminium using the latest dye sublimation process, through which the ink is vaporised and embedded into the aluminium coating.

“They do not require framing and are impervious to the traditional Bermuda mold and mildew issues. The prints have a clean modern look and are ready to install with a special rear mounted frame that ‘floats’ them one inch off the wall.

“The prints are proving to be very popular with America’s Cup and sailing fans as memorabilia of this signature event, but also with those looking for unique Bermuda imagery for either personal or corporate display.”

LookBermuda’s prints currently can be viewed and purchased at the pop-up gallery in the Bermuda Shop, 51 Front Street. For online viewing please visit: www.lookbermuda.com/americas-cup.