Planting Trees – Planting Future

Did you know that most aspects of our lives, such as drinking a glass of water or taking medicine for a fever, are linked to some extent to forests? Today, March 21, 2023, we celebrate the International Day of Forests. Back in 2012 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests, celebrating and raising awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

In the COP27, the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the heads of countries around the globe cam together to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change. We at Fujifilm joined PLANT MY TREE, Germany’s largest tree planting tour that started on 02.11.2022, to do our part against climate change. 

PLANT MY TREE travelled across Germany to plant 100,000 trees in 10 selected cities, including ours. Looking ahead, thinking in the long term and act thoughtfully on the ground in the interests of nature and climate protection is the claim of PLANT MY TREE foundation. And also for us, sustainability is of fundamental importance, and we want to make the greatest possible contribution to preserving nature as a healthy, valuable habitat. Together with the PLANT MY TREE team, we donated and planted 1,000 trees in the Dusseldorf area, around 8 km from our headquarters. As a Christmas gift, each Fujifilm employee based in Germany was gifted their own tree. We are aiming to try to cover the CO2 emissions of each of us partially with this action.   

Geo-coordinates such as 51°20’45.9”N 6°47’48.5”E have been provided to each employee making it easy to locate the planting area where our trees were planted. Now each of our employees can visit the Fujifilm forest and their own tree whenever they want and accompany them on their way to becoming a mature forest. To ensure that the tree population can grow again in a controlled manner, PLANT MY TREE carries out their plantings specifically on their own areas. Thus, they ensure that the trees in these areas remain standing and cannot be used for industrial recycling and protect the area from unwelcome visitors. 

Obviously, we know that this is not enough to protect the climate, nature and the environment. However, it is another step forward in Fujifilm’s commitment to the environment. This commitment was already outlined in the SVP2030(1) plan which, amongst other things, aims to reduce CO2 emissions in Fujifilm’s company operations and develop as well as promote environmentally conscious products and services. 

Enabling ink technology in the digitization of industrial applications

Fujifilm Ink Solutions Group, a leading provider of printing technology and solutions, is pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming InPrint Munich 2023 event. The event, scheduled for 14-16 March 2023 in Munich, Germany, is a technical conference dedicated to showcasing inkjet printing machinery and the technology that enables it.

As a provider of cutting-edge ink technology solutions, Fujifilm is excited to be part of this premier event. The company’s participation will include a presentation by Rachel Li, Segment Marketing Manager (Industrial) at Fujifilm, titled “Enabling ink technology in the digitization of industrial applications.” This exciting talk will take place on the 15th of March from 13:00 to 13:10, and attendees can expect to learn about the latest developments in digital, inkjet, screen, and speciality printing.

Fujifilm’s participation at InPrint Munich 2023 is a testament to the company’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions and driving success in the printing and industrial manufacturing sector. Attendees are invited to join Rachel Li and the Fujifilm team to discuss their industrial printing applications and projects. With expertise in ink and printing technology, Fujifilm is poised to support attendees in achieving commercial success in inkjet.

Overall, InPrint Munich 2023 promises to be a dynamic event, bringing together an emerging community of printing and industrial manufacturing specialists. Fujifilm’s participation underscores the company’s position as a leading provider of cutting-edge printing technology and solutions. Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into the latest developments in the industry and learn about the role of ink technology in driving the digitization of industrial applications.

Pumped for INSTAX mini 12

You have probably heard and seen it already, but just in case, our INSTAX mini 12 is finally here and will be available everywhere from 16 March! Unlimited joy and your favorite colors combined in one instant film camera. Our colleagues from instax have created such an amazing post, deep diving into the newest features of mini 12. Here are all essential facts you need to know:

Instant photos & unlimited joy

It is all about living in the moment and with the instax mini 12 it is time to capture all your delicious meals, exciting events, or whatever you want to capture and turn into an unforgettable memory.

Improved auto exposure (shoot in all lights), automatic adjustable flash and a lens with some handy features (turn once to turn it on, twice for Close-up Mode, all the way back to switch it off) make the mini 12 easy to handle for everyone.

Your favorite new color

INSTAX mini 12 comes in five cute colors – Blossom Pink, Mint Green, Clay White, Lilac Purple and Pastel Blue.

Which one is your favorite? Choose one and get started.

Selfies made simple

Where are the selfie lovers?

With the new and improved Close-up Mode and the selfie mirror on the front, you can kiss goodbye guesswork.

Let’s get digital

Along with the INSTAX mini 12 we also launched the new INSTAX UP! app, allowing you to scan and drop every print into a custom background.

It is easy to share your prints with everyone online afterward, you can also get inspo on INSTAX DIY projects and all the other features the app has to offer.

Start-Up Pitch Event – Fujifilm OIH Europe and JETRO

An “Online reverse pitch event” is a type of networking event where established companies pitch their business proposals and ideas to a group of potential partners, such as startups or other companies. Unlike traditional pitch events where startups pitch their ideas to investors or established companies, in a reverse pitch event, established companies pitch their needs and requirements to potential partners who can help them solve their business challenges.

JETRO, the Japan External Trade Organization, has announced an upcoming ‘online reverse pitch event’ that aims to promote collaboration between European start-ups and Japanese companies. This three-day event, scheduled from Tuesday 7th to Thursday 9th March 2023, will provide an opportunity for Japanese companies with a technology scouting hub or branch office in Europe to do reverse pitching for finding a partnership with European startups.

During the event, participating Japanese companies from various sectors, including life science, automated driving, cloud, SaaS, blockchain, and cleantech, will present their business proposals and partnership ideas to European startups. The objective of the reverse pitch event is to create partnerships between Japanese and European companies that can lead to mutually beneficial outcomes.

European startups, on the other hand, will have the chance to learn about the Japanese companies’ operations, products, and services and identify potential collaboration opportunities. These partnerships can help startups expand their businesses into the Japanese market, access new technologies and knowledge, and benefit from the expertise and experience of established Japanese companies.

The details of the participating companies and their target fields can be found here.

This document provides an overview of the companies’ profiles and their specific areas of interest, making it easier for European startups to prepare for the event and tailor their pitches accordingly.

JETRO’s ‘online reverse pitch event’ provides an excellent opportunity for European startups to connect with established Japanese companies and explore new collaboration possibilities. By attending this event, startups can leverage the expertise, knowledge, and resources of Japanese companies and take their businesses to the next level.

Urban documentary tips with Fujifilm X-H2S by David Lambot

We have stumbled upon a remarkable tutorial on our colleague’s YouTube channel that we would like to share with you. This tutorial is an excellent resource for anyone looking to learn something new or expand their knowledge on interviewing someone for the production of a documentary.

But first one step after the other: Are you interested in creating an urban documentary using your Fujifilm X-H2S camera? Documentaries are a powerful medium that can convey important messages and spark meaningful conversations. However, producing a documentary requires careful planning, attention to detail, and the right equipment. We recently stumbled across an intriguing YouTube video by our Belgian colleagues on tips for urban documentary. In this blog post, we’ll be sharing tips from X-Creator David Lambot (also known as Monsieur Camera) on how to conduct interviews for your documentary or commercial using the Fujifilm X-H2S camera.

Tip 1: Recording Your A Footage

Your A footage is the main footage used to interview your subject, and it forms the basis of your editing. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay attention to your framing, lighting, and location. When filming your interview, consider using a wide-angle shot and a narrow-angle shot to simulate the presence of two cameras. This will allow you to capture different perspectives that you can later use to enhance the visual appeal of your documentary.

When choosing your location, ensure that it’s not too noisy or has too many disruptive elements that can interfere with your recording. You can also use your grid of thirds to frame your subject in a visually appealing way.

If you’re filming outdoors, try to schedule your interview two to three hours after sunrise or three to four hours before sunset. This is the golden hour when the lighting is soft and warm. Avoid filming when the sun is directly overhead as it can create harsh shadows and make it difficult to control your exposure.

Lastly, use the autofocus feature of your Fujifilm camera. The Fujifilm X-H2S camera allows you to configure it on eye detection, which will ensure that your subject is always in focus.

Tip 2: Audio Recording

The audio recording is arguably the most critical aspect of your documentary production. Without clear, high-quality audio, your documentary will not be successful. Therefore, invest in a quality lavalier microphone or shotgun mic that will capture your subject’s voice clearly without any background noise or interference.

If your Fujifilm camera allows it, consider using an XLR type audio module to use professional equipment. The Tascam XLR audio module is specifically designed for Fujifilm and communicates through the flash shoe. Use headphones to monitor your recording and ensure that external noise reduction is enabled to avoid any distractions.

Tip 3: B Footage

Your B footage is the illustration footage used to complement your subject’s words. To ensure that your B footage is relevant, consider recording it after the interview. This way, you can concentrate on capturing footage that relates to your subject’s speech.

When filming B footage, use classic framing techniques that can be applied to any project. For instance, the rule of thirds or the leading lines technique can be used to create visually appealing footage.

Tip 4: Prepare Your Questions

Before conducting your interview, prepare your questions carefully. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you cover all the essential points. Start with general questions and then move on to more specific ones.

When conducting your interview, remember to be patient and listen actively. Give your subject enough time to respond and avoid interrupting them. By doing so, you’ll be able to capture authentic and meaningful responses that will make your documentary more impactful.

Producing a documentary requires careful planning and attention to detail. By following these tips, you can use your Fujifilm X-H2S camera to create a powerful urban documentary that conveys your message effectively. Remember to pay attention to your framing, lighting, and audio recording, and prepare your questions carefully. Good luck with your documentary!

How to: 8 Tips for Photographing Comets

How to take stunning pictures of comets – from beginner to pro.

There are few things as fascinating and awe-inspiring as the sight of a comet in the sky. But what is the best way to capture this special moment? In this article, we will share 8 important tips for photographing comets with you. These tips are suitable for both beginners and experienced photographers and will help you capture stunning shots of comets.

Comets are a rare and fascinating phenomenon that always attract avid nature watchers and photographers. However, there are some challenges to consider when photographing comets:

  1. Choose the right time: The best time to photograph a comet is usually just before sunrise or just after sunset, when the sky is still dark and the comet is most visible.
  2. Tripod is key: A comet moves relatively fast in the sky, so it is essential to use a tripod to keep your camera stable and avoid camera shake.
  3. Use a long exposure time: To get a clear and sharp image of the comet and its tail, you should use a long exposure time. Try exposure times between 10 and 20 seconds.
  4. Apply a high ISO sensitivity: To enable a long exposure time, consider using a high ISO sensitivity. Try ISO sensitivities between 800 and 1600.
  5. Take advantage of a large aperture: A large aperture, such as f/2.8 or f/4, will help to block out the sky behind the comet and make it stand out more clearly.
  6. Use a wide-angle lens: A wide-angle lens helps to capture the sky and the comet in a single image. We recommend a focal length between 14 and 24 mm.
  7. Opt for a remote control or self-timer: To avoid camera shake, use either a remote control or a self-timer to trigger your camera.
  8. Experiment with different settings: Comets are unpredictable and difficult to capture.

They are fascinating and rare phenomena in space that are high on the list for many photographers. We wish you good luck and patience and look forward to seeing your stunning shots of these cosmic visitors!

Picture © Mark Janes