Business Seminars

This seminar is jointly presented by Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) and the GfK Group. CIPA is an association that collects statistic shipment data from manufacturers of cameras, lenses and related products, while the GfK Group collects data from actual store sales in the world’s major markets and conducts analyses on the data. The data to be presented at this seminar will draw on the basic camera industry data taken from past years that cover various aspects, such as market scale and growth rate by region, trends in functionalities that come with photographic equipment and devices. Session 1 will be presented by CIPA to discuss the results yielded by the industry in 2008, as well as examining the future market trends, by using statistic shipment data from manufacturers. Session 2 will be presented by GfK and NPD, where market trends in Japan, Europe, North America, Asia, and this year adding also South America, will be examined. This is a joint seminar where you can obtain valuable information on market trends.

 

Session 1: CIPA Seminar

Actual statistic results and market prediction by Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA)

Speaker：Taku Negami (Chair of Research & Statistics Working Group at CIPA)

Session 2: GfK & NPD Seminar

1. Global summary and European market trends

Speaker: Marion Knoche
(Global Director for Imaging/Photo, GfK Retail and Technology)

2. Asian market trends

Speaker: Siew Theng Gwee (Regional Account Manager of GfK Asia)

3. Japanese market trends

Speaker: Takuro Hiraoka
(Senior Analyst for Market Intelligence at GfK Marketing Services Japan Ltd.)

4. North American market trends

Speaker: Liz Cutting (Imaging Analyst for The NPD Group)

5. South American market trends

Speaker: Jose Guedes (Managing Director at GfK Retail and Technology Brazil)

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Changing Era! A New Generation of Digital Cameras.

Speaker: Kumio Yamada (Photographer)

14 years after the birth of QV-10, the “first stage of the digital camera era” that brought us devices with basic camera functionalities is about to end. What will be expected to come in the future is not simply the “digitization of the silver camera”, but also “true digital cameras” that come with more attractive features. From various aspects of ‘shooting’, ‘viewing’ and ‘sharing’, this seminar will consider the directions of new generation camera models that takes further advantage of digital technologies; we hope to pave way for the coming new era through this seminar.

10:30 a.m. - 0:00 p.m.  Session for Amateurs and Beginning Professionals

Why doesn’t the colors on my monitor match the printer output? Here’s an ultimate analysis!

Speaker: Akira Murakami (Advanced Technology Institute) + Gunji Hideaki（Japan Association of Graphic Arts Technology）
Cooperator : Association of Digital Analysis for Color Management  Solution (ADAMS)
You have properly calibrated but the printer output colors still look different from those on the monitor? Well, there is always a reason. Did you know that calibration alone won’t get you the perfect color matching you need? This session will provide you with information you need to obtain satisfactory color matching, including tips on choosing the right monitor and calibrator, relook at how to properly setup your printer and all the way up to data creation.

 

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.　Session for Professionals

Are you having trouble with the calibration you did according to calibration rules?

Speaker: Gunji Hideaki（Japan Association of Graphic Arts Technology）
Cooperator : Association of Digital Analysis for Color Management  Solution (ADAMS)
Different from CMS at the SOHO level, color matching between customer submission and actual printout is vital in the professional world. Often trouble can occur even after you have gained experience in calibration. There are always traps in rules and for the earnest professional not to fall into such traps and to ensure smooth tasking, it is important to understand the system of and techniques in calibration. This talk will present various ‘traps’ and discuss the causes and countermeasures.

 

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.　Session for Advanced Professionals

Photo, Proofer and Printing CMS

Speaker: Kenji Yanagisawa (Association of Digital Analysis for Color Management Solution (ADAMS)) + Gunji Hideaki（Japan Association of Graphic Arts Technology）
Cooperator : Association of Digital Analysis for Color Management Solution (ADAMS)
In an era where CMS is a must, photographers are still out of scheme and yet to cover all areas of it when dealing with the proofer and color samples when printing with CTP. To help advanced professionals better harness CMS, it is necessary to relook at the flow of photo management all the way up to the printing stage and search for pointers and tips on CMS. In addition, this talk will also provide tips on how to avoid unforeseen troubles involving ‘color failure’ in photographs after they are submitted by using actual cases to examine what went wrong.

10:30 a.m. - 0:00 p.m.

RAW Data Workflow

Speaker: Hiroshi Shikano (Lab Inc.)
Cooperator : DENJUKU
The quality offered by digital cameras have achieved leaping evolution in the last two years. In light of this, this talk will discuss the differences in the attributions of between RAW data that contains maximum image information and JPEG data used in cameras by manufacturers maximize their investments. We will also verify the different usages of the data according to photographic scenes as well as genuine RAW processing software applications. The talk will introduce several methodologies for image data management.

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The Past, Present and Future of Photo Retouching Job

Speaker: Miki Kudo (Kobitonokutsu)
Cooperator : Adobe Systems Incorporated
The permeation of the digital environment today has given the job of photo retouching an importance in advertizing, images and Web design. As an expert on advertizing photography creation, Ms. Kudo will explain what skills are required of future ‘retouchers’ as well as future prospects by using various examples of works.

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Going Half a Step Ahead—Think Ahead Your Workflow as a Professional Photographer!

Speaker: Tatsushi Yuasa (Photographer)
Lecturer dispatch cooperation：Japan Advertising Photographers’ Association
In this era where new cameras and software keep coming out, it makes your wonder what is easy for you to use. This talk proposes a practical workflow that considers both hardware and software aspects. From 35mm equivalent digital cameras to medium format digital camera backs, we will help you design a true workflow that is not effected by the manufacturer of your equipment; we will also present case studies to discuss topic from product photography to onsite report photography.

10:30 a.m. -  0:00 p.m.

Creating a Shop to Attract Users of Digital SLR Cameras

Speaker: Akihiko Matsui (Petix Japan Co., Ltd.)
With the widespread of digital SLR cameras, there is also now an increasing number of people using them to create photographic works. However, there are no doubt many users who are troubled by printing photos with the desired color matching between the monitor display and the actual printout. How has Mr. Matsui come to deal with such issue? With the key phrase “what can a photography professional do about it”, he will present a talk on how he has dealt with the issue from the viewpoint of his customers.

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Photo-making at Specialized Photo Shop “Popeye Camera”

Speaker: Yoshinobu Ishikawa (Popeye Camera)
In the midst of rapid changing environment of the photographic market, consumer trends have also greatly changed. But with the great wave of transition from silver salt cameras toward digital cameras, perhaps now is the time when customers now search for a truly specialized photo shop. So what has Popeye Camera done to this day and what will it do from now in face of such changes? With “photo” as the keyword, Popeye Camera is here to talk about the true image of a “specialized photo shop” seen from the viewpoint of customers.

3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

What Photo Shops Are Doing Now That Customer Pockets Are Tight

Speaker: Toshikazu Ishikawa (Best Service Kenkyu Center)
The extremely severe commercial environment continues to last, and while it is a tough situation for shops to try and survive this crisis to continue flourish, it is not entirely impossible. Sluggish economy does not mean demands have dropped to zero; this talk aims to provide shop owners with a positive spirit and help them think about what options are left to customers and what countermeasures should be taken.

*We would also like to talk to especially people involved in the photography/image display industry, such as those from shops, manufacturers, wholesalers and photo labs.

March 26 (Thu)

[ Session 1 ] 10:00 a.m. - 0:30 p.m. Digital Camera I

1. A new Lumix G System world with Micro Four Thirds

Speaker: Hiroshi Ueda (Panasonic Corporation)
This talk will focus on LUMIX G1, which, with its Micro Four Thirds technology, has greatly changed our common knowledge concerning cameras with interchangeable lenses. The attractive features of LUMIX G1 will be revealed with focus on the general specifications of the Micro Four Thirds base system of this model and the contrast based autofocus technology achieved through the Micro Four Thirds specifications.

2. Full HD Video Capture Function in EOS 5D Mark II

Speaker: Masami Sugimori (Canon Inc.)
The time has come when SLR digital cameras also feature video capture functionality. Through introducing Canon’s EOS 5D Mark II this talk will reveal the attractive features of video capturing in SLR digital cameras by focusing on the newly added functionality in EOS, while mentioning the characteristics, context and issues encountered during development of this new camera.

3. Geotagging Photos – The Attraction and Possibilities

Speaker: Masami Hashimoto (Nikon Corporation)
Geotagging photos to link with maps that was once the “enjoyment of some fanatics” who possess technical knowledge has now spread to the general user population, with the diffusion of GPS-ready devices and online map services. While presenting Nikon’s geotag related products, software and Internet service, this talk will discuss future possibilities.

 

[ Session 2 ] 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.　Digital Camera II

1. Live View & AF in Digital SLR Cameras

Speaker: Kenji Toyoda (Kodak Japan Ltd.)
With the appearance of Live View function in digital SLR camera or cameras with interchangeable lenses that rely on EVF Live View, new problems relating to autofocus methods have also emerged. This talk will analyze two AF methods and their characteristics, while considering their relation with Live View.

2. Verifying the True Power of the Foveon X3 Sensor

Speaker: Hiroyuki Hayakawa (Denga Inc.)
With its acquisition of Sigma, Foveon Inc. is expected to launch through Sigma Corporation of America more new models using their Foveon X3 sensor. This talk will focus on the advantages and disadvantages of the Foveon X3 sensor’s vertical color separation method by comparing it with common light-receiving sensors used in digital cameras for horizontal color separation. Explanations will be given from the viewpoint of photographers with reference to the comparison and verification results.

3. The Development of Super CCD EXR and its Features

Speaker: Kazuya Oda (Fujifilm Corporation)
By utilizing the knowledge and knowhow in high resolution picture quality acquired from our experience in silver halide photography, Fujifilm has been working on developing CCD technology that realize natural photo quality pictures true to the actual image being captured. At last, a new sensor has been developed that functions closer like the human eye than ever. In this talk we will introduce the features of the sensors and camera systems.

 

March 27 (Fri)

[ Session 3 ] 10:00-12:30　Image Quality, Color & Expression

1. Will Full-Size Digital SLR Cameras Surpass Medium Format Silver Cameras?

Speaker: Kenji Koda (Nihon University)
With the appearance of digital cameras that adopt the conventional 35mm/full-sizeimage device, digital SLR cameras are now capable of realizing image quality between 12 to 24 megapixels, putting a spur on further development of high functionalities. On the other hand, those who opt for the silver salt cameras place their focus on medium format cameras capable of making pictures over a dimension of 6 cm x 4.5 cm for much higher image quality and to differentiate from digital cameras. This talk will compare the image qualities of both types of camera and discuss the difference between film cameras and the latest digital SLR cameras.

2. Understanding Colors

Speaker: Masao Inui (Tokyo Polytechnic University)
This talk will discuss why colors are visible to our eyes, how colors are represented in numbers or codes, how colors are reproduced, as well as evaluating color differences. After this talk you will be proficient in common terminologies related to colors such as the Munsell color system, CIE color system, tristimulus values XYZ, chromaticity coordinates X and Y, uniform color space L*a*b*, color difference, additive color mixing, subtractive color mixing, sRGB, AdobeRGB, color gamut.

3. Colors and Expression from the Professional Viewpoint

Speaker: Michiharu Baba (Photographer)
As a forefront photographer active in advertising photography, Mr. Baba will present a talk about the roles of colors in the expression of his two work: one being a color work with a unique atmosphere that reminds one of his “Meverowitz”; the other is a monochrome work with craftily controlled tones.

 

[ Session 4 ] 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. All About Image Output

1. Getting to Know Inkjet Printing Further

Speaker: Kohei Iwamoto (Epson Sales Japan Corporation)
Inkjet printers are now being used for a variety of purposes and in various fields, from home printing to professional tasking. Optimal types of printer and printing method are also being adopted according to needs. As a PIE special, this talk will provide an easy-to-understand explanation on printer types and features, as well as how to take full advantage of their potentials.

2. Image Quality of LCD Monitors and Color Matching

Speaker: Shoichi Yamaguchi (Eizo Nanao Corporation)
While CRT monitors have almost disappeared at stores to make way for LCD monitors, image quality of the latter can vary greatly depending on the product level. This talk will provide information on vital factors in pictures quality and ways to improve the quality in order to correctly display digital photos and to improve work efficiency. It will also discuss soft proofing, an onscreen printing simulation.

3. Exhibitions with Image Displays as a Core Element

Speaker: Satomi Fujimura (Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography)
The Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Photography collaborated with the Mie Prefectural Art Museum and The National Museum of Art, Osaka last year to present the “Still/Motion: Liquid Crystal Painting exhibition. Given that the imaging environment has shown leaping technological developments to realize high-definition onscreen displays previously considered impossible, the exhibition introduced artists who now harness that new possibility to bring about new expressions through image displays. This talk will introduce the exhibition and examine new possibilities in expressions through image display, painting and photographs.