M. Köster

Midsommar in Sweden: create your perfect festival scrapbook

by M. Köster June 14, 2024 Comments0

Midsommar is one of the most celebrated holidays in Sweden which marks the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. It is always filled with joy, tradition, and stunning scenery. From dancing around the maypole to enjoying sumptuous feasts, every moment is worth capturing and cherishing. One of the best ways to immortalize these memories is by creating a personalized festival photo book, preserving the magic of Midsommar for years to come. You can easily transform your festival memories into a stunning photo book with MyFUJIFILM products and your X-Series camera or smartphone. And here’s how to get started.

Step 1. Select photos

Begin by reviewing your collection of Midsommar photos. Choose the ones that evoke the strongest emotions and best capture the spirit of the event. Whether it’s a panoramic view of the midsummer pole against a backdrop of clear blue skies or a candid shot of your friends adorned with flower crowns, each photo should contribute to the overall story you want to tell.

Step 2. Choose a theme

To add a sense of cohesiveness to your photo book, consider selecting a theme that aligns with Midsommar’s atmosphere. For instance, you could opt for a nature-themed layout to reflect the lush greenery and floral decorations typical of the festival.

Step 3. Lay out your book

MyFUJIFILM offers user-friendly tools for creating photo books. Arrange your selected photos in a visually appealing sequence, experimenting with different layouts and designs to find the one that best compliments your chosen theme. And there you have it – your festival photos brought to life in your very own photo scrapbook.

Step 4. Add captions and mementos

Personalize your photo book by adding captions that describe the precious moments captured in each photo. You can also include mementos such as pressed flowers, handwritten notes, or ticket stubs to make it even more personalised. This way, as you flip through the pages of your scrapbook, you’ll be transported back to the warmth and joy of the celebration.

Now, just you can share these memories with friends and family and celebrate the spirit of Midsommar all year round. For more inspiration, check out a blog post by our UK colleagues on MyFUJIFILM.

What is MyFUJIFILM?

MyFUJIFILM is your ultimate destination for all photo printing needs, offering high-quality prints on Fujifilm’s renowned photographic paper. Whether you’re looking to print photos, create photo books, or design personalised gifts, they have you covered. Their blog provides endless inspiration for your creative projects, operating in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, and the UK. Check it out and turn your cherished memories into beautiful prints and keepsakes!

Filed under Be Inspired Blog Consumer

Triple win at EDP Awards 2024

by M. Köster June 5, 2024 Comments0

We are celebrating a remarkable success at the prestigious EDP Awards 2024, getting three major awards with our products. The European Digital Press Association hosted this year’s awards ceremony on the evening of May 29, in the drupa Cube, Hall 6, in Düsseldorf, recognising excellence in the digital printing, publishing, and packaging industries.

The star of the evening was the Jet Press FP790, our innovative digital press for flexible packaging, that took home two highly coveted titles: Best Flexible Packaging Press and Best Digital Press. Offering unparalleled flexibility, superior quality, and cutting-edge technology, this machine has set a new benchmark for the flexible packaging industry. This achievement comes on the heels of the successful signing of four new European customers for the Jet Press FP790 at drupa 2024.

Michael Seidl, Treasurer EDP and Manuel Schrutt, Director Business Strategy Packaging, Global Fujifilm Corporation

Our 42K and 46kUV print bars also shined bright, taking the Best Special Printing Solutions award. These print bars were praised for their high uptime, productivity, and quality, demonstrating the unrivalled capabilities for integrated printing solutions.

Established in 2007, the EDP Awards are regarded as the most prestigious technical awards in the digital printing industry. With an audience of over half a million readers, the awards recognise the best products and technologies that have made a significant contribution to the industry.

“We are deeply honoured to receive all three awards from the EDP Association. These recognitions reflect our relentless dedication to innovation and excellence in the digital printing industry. We are committed to continuing our efforts in developing advanced solutions that empower our customers and address the evolving needs of the print and packaging markets,” – Taku Ueno, Senior Vice President of the Graphic Communication Division at Fujifilm Europe.

Visit our stand A02, hall 8b, at drupa, try all the machines in action, and discover the difference!

Filed under Awards Blog Innovation

Circular Manufacturing Center launched by FUJIFILM Business Innovation in Europe

by M. Köster June 5, 2024 Comments0

FUJIFILM Business Innovation has established a Circular Manufacturing Center with the objective of promoting resource circulation in Europe. The Center will be located at FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. in the Netherlands and will commence operations with the collection and remanufacturing of toner cartridges from June 2024.

In 1995, FUJIFILM Business Innovation established a comprehensive recycling policy, which it has adhered to ever since. This policy is based on the principle of ‘zero waste’ and is designed to promote resource circulation. It encompasses the collection, reuse, and recycling of all consumed equipment and products from customers. The company’s comprehensive circular production system encompasses the entire product lifecycle, from planning and development to manufacturing and disposal. The objective is to minimise the use of new resources and maximise resource circulation through the reuse of parts from collected products.

At the new Circular Manufacturing Center, FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. will collect used toner cartridges from printers sold throughout Europe. Following disassembly, cleaning, inspection, and remanufacturing, these cartridges will be reintroduced into the European marketplace as new toner cartridges. The company has expressed its intention to extend these remanufacturing processes in the future to other products, such as multifunction printers and production printer spare parts, in addition to toner cartridges.

A notable aspect of the Circular Manufacturing Center is its dedication to sustainability. FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. supplies all of its electricity needs from on-site wind power generation and from a purchased wind power generation company. Therefore, the newly established Circular Manufacturing Center can also achieve virtually zero CO2 emissions from the electricity it uses. Strategically located in the Netherlands, the heart of Europe, the facility benefits from an extensive manufacturing history and advantageous geographical position to enhance transportation efficiency and effectively promote resource recycling.

From its inception, FUJIFILM Business Innovation has been dedicated to environmental conservation and reducing the environmental impact of its corporate activities. The inauguration of the Circular Manufacturing Center in Europe constitutes a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing endeavours to enhance resource circulation and contribute to the circular economy.

It is important to note that the remanufactured products are derived from used items collected from customers and undergo a thorough process of disassembly, cleaning, inspection and refurbishment in order that they meet the requisite quality standards.

Filed under Be Inspired Blog

Celebrating 50 years of innovation: FUJIFILM Wako Chemicals Europe GmbH celebrates a milestone in its history

by M. Köster June 4, 2024 Comments1

FUJIFILM Wako Chemicals Europe GmbH celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special event on 29 May 2024. Founded in 1974 as Wako Chemicals GmbH in Düsseldorf and expanded to Neuss in 1983, this event marks a significant milestone for the company. Acquired by Fujifilm Corporation in 2017, FUJIFILM Wako Chemicals Europe GmbH has continued to thrive with a focus on diagnostic reagents, laboratory chemicals and speciality chemicals.

All Photos by © Offenblende / Andrej

The company generously donated €6,000 to the Neuss City Library to support STEM education initiatives in honour of its golden jubilee. The sponsorship will be used to fund a series of workshops on topics such as robotics, chemistry, biology, programming and artificial intelligence. In line with the library’s mission to provide educational opportunities for children, teenagers and families, these workshops are interactive and engaging.

Koichi Yoshida, President of FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation said:

“FUJIFILM Wako Chemicals Europe GmbH has a proud history of developing high-quality products that meet the needs of cutting-edge research. We are thrilled to celebrate our 50th anniversary by giving back to the community and supporting STEM education in collaboration with the Neuss City Library. Through this sponsorship, we hope to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators and foster a passion for discovery and learning.”

The event was attended by Dr Jörg Geerlings, Deputy Mayor, Koichi Yoshida, President of FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, and Hans-Jörg Schlumberger, Managing Director of FUJIFILM Wako Chemicals Europe GmbH. Dr Geerlings presented the cheque.

All Photos by © Offenblende / Andrej

Filed under Blog Business

How to plan your Japan Day in Düsseldorf?

by M. Köster May 27, 2024 Comments0

On June 1, Düsseldorf will once again be host to one of Europe’s largest Japanese cultural festivals, Japan-Tag. This annual event, now in its 21st year, transforms the city into a vibrant hub of Japanese culture, art, and culinary delights.

Known throughout Germany and beyond as a festival of cultural exchange, Japan Day promotes a spirit of openness and curiosity towards other cultures. With around 90 stalls and a colourful stage programme, you can immerse yourself in the rich and diverse world of Japan.

From traditional performances to modern art, culinary experiences to interactive workshops, Japan Day has something for everyone. You can try yourself at calligraphy, tea ceremonies, martial arts demonstrations, and much more.

The highlight of the day is the spectacular Japanese fireworks display over the Rhine river, a tradition that leaves visitors in awe year after year. This breathtaking finale is a symbol of the close ties between Japan and Düsseldorf, celebrating the friendship and cultural exchange between the two communities.

Places to visit

Burgplatz square

It’s the place to see the official part of the event. Enjoy performances on the main stage and a selection of Japanese cuisine.

Reuter Kaserne

Here, with all the elaborate bento boxes, detailed figurines, and handmade drawings, you can dive into the world of manga and anime.

Rhine promenade

Along the river, you can try on a real kimono, fold origami, or practice the floral art of ikebana to experience authentic Japanese culture. Take part in drawing and language courses and find out special tips about travelling to Japan. Here, you will also find stalls with Japanese accessories and art items.

Johannes Rau Platz

Explore the demonstration and sales stalls, the Japanese cuisine, and the pop culture zones. Here, you can also find the cosplay and karaoke competitions.

Untere Rheinwerft

Visit the food courts for sushi, tempura, and a sake tasting session. Apart of that, you can enjoy here Germany’s best ninjas competing in parcour, or even take part in the competition yourself.

Lawn in front of the Landtag

You can take part in a variety of activities in this special action area, including the samurai and archery camp, and the sports stage showing off the best of jūdō, jiu-jitsu, kendō, karate, and more!

Marktplatz

Here is a family area with various activities for children in the marketplace, such as mask making, puppet and picture book theater, singing, etc.

Our TOP tips for the perfect Japan Day

Plan ahead

Start by downloading or printing out the event map. This will help you identify key locations like food stalls, stages, restrooms, and activity zones. Mark the spots you absolutely don’t want to miss and plan your time accordingly. Include some buffer time for exploring and spontaneous activities. Also, consider that the number of people is going to be pretty high, so if you want to secure a good place to watch the fireworks, it’s better to plan your time the way that you’re on the spot before 22:00.

Use public transport

Driving to the Rhine on this day may be more of a hussle due to traffic and the limited parking area. So, we would advise looking up the best public transport options to get to the event. Trains, buses, and trams are usually well-connected and can drop you off close to the place. Don’t forget to check the schedules for the last train or bus back home if you’re staying until the fireworks. If public transport is too crowded, consider using bikes or scooters if available.

Try the cuisine

One of the best parts of Japan Day is the chance to try authentic Japanese food and take part in engaging cultural activities. From sushi and ramen to takoyaki and mochi, make it a point to try a little bit of everything. Japanese cuisine is diverse and delicious, and the food stalls are a great way to experience it in a whole variety.

Get there early

To make the most of Japan Day and secure a prime spot for fireworks, it’s better to arrive earlier. This will help you avoid the largest crowds and have a more relaxed experience. This also gives you a chance to experience the activities until it gets too busy. So, use these early hours to wander around and get a feel for the event.

Find out more about Japan Day 2024 here.

Filed under Be Inspired Blog

Exploring the skies with Tania Malkin: the GFX100S II x aerial photography

by M. Köster May 24, 2024 Comments0

Tania Malkin, a renowned aerial photographer based in Australia, has always had a profound love for landscapes. From the serene beauty of bushlands to the awe-inspiring vistas of Shark Bay, her passion for capturing the natural world is undeniable. Recently, Tania had an opportunity to use the new GFX100S II camera on one of her projects in Western Australia, and her experience has been nothing short of transformative.

Shark Bay, with its diverse landscapes and stunning contrasts where the desert meets the ocean, has always been her favorite spot. And the GFX100S II has proven to be an exceptional tool to capture this from the air.

“I normally take one camera and one lens. Because size is important and I don’t want to be mucking around with equipment. And I like to be able to firstly trust the equipment that I have, and secondly, it needs to be small and compact and not heavy and not impact. I’m holding it solid shooting for 2.5 to 3 hours and I don’t put it down.”

It will be the latest addition to the GFX Series of mirrorless digital cameras incorporating the large-format image sensor approximately 1.7 times larger than a 35mm full-frame sensor. The camera is equipped with the newly developed 102MP sensor, GFX 102MP CMOS II, and our cutting-edge image processor, X-Processor 5. While having these powerful elements, it is still quite compact, weighing approximately 883g. This makes it the lightest among the 102MP large-format cameras in the line-up and allows for effortless handheld shooting, with minimised camera shake.

With the 102 megapixels, there’s no more need to stitch panoramas to create large artworks and prints. The detail and clarity are mind-blowing. The camera is also equipped with a powerful image stabilizer and a high-speed AF function for enhanced user experience and unparalleled image quality.

“The 8.0 stops IBIS is fantastic because I don’t have to worry that even though I have the amazing autofocus, that the image is still potentially and not going to be sharp. But with the IBIS on the GFX 100S II, I was very confident that the images were going to be sharp, even with the wind resistance and the vibrations from the aircraft.”

“The camera captures the colours and the details of that particular area so beautifully. The sharpness, because of the IBIS, and then the 102MP with the incredible details of the sands and the ocean and the wildlife, the dynamic range that I was getting with the whitecaps on the water, and then the turquoise blue of the ocean with the rich red colours that would normally be out of gamut. It reads everything beautifully. Nothing was blown out. It was just incredible.”

Curious to know more features of the GFX100S II? Check here.

Filed under Be Inspired Blog Consumer Photography

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