On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the GINZA Imaging Academy Vol.1 seminar for photography and video creators was held at the Ginza Jujiya Dirigent Division Showroom. Sponsored by EIZO Corporation, Sekonic Corporation, Vincero Corporation, and Ginza Jujiya Dirigent Division, the event featured a lecture by our association’s representative, Shoya Kubota. The session focused on color management and was specifically designed for professional photographers.
About GINZA Imaging Academy
GINZA Imaging Academy is a seminar series that covers a different theme in each session, inviting professional photographers, videographers, and cinematographers to share practical insights and expertise.
For this inaugural session, we focused on color management, attracting a high level of interest from across Japan. The event, limited to 20 participants, reached full capacity quickly. We sincerely appreciate all those who applied and showed enthusiasm for this seminar.
Seminar Overview
This seminar combined hands-on photography practice with theoretical learning, focusing on color management and food photography. Participants engaged in practical shooting sessions, adjusting lighting conditions in real time.
Key techniques covered included:
Creating light using black reflectors
Adjusting overall color tones with LED lighting
For this session, we utilized high color rendering LED lights from Rotolight, provided by Ginza Jujiya Dirigent Division.
Practical Shooting Session
Following the lecture, the instructor conducted a live shooting demonstration, providing participants with a valuable opportunity to observe the professional workflow up close.
Stollen Photography Session
The first subject of the practical session was Stollen, a simple yet ideal subject for experimenting with lighting adjustments and color accuracy.
The instructor began by demonstrating the proper use of a color chart, emphasizing its importance in precise color management. By correctly positioning the color chart within the frame, the instructor showed how this step facilitates accurate color correction during post-processing.
Next, the light meter was introduced to measure light intensity. Many participants were unfamiliar with using a light meter, so the instructor provided a hands-on demonstration, explaining how to achieve optimal exposure settings. The participants were particularly impressed by how the light meter detects subtle changes in lighting, which are difficult to judge by eye alone.
During the shooting session, the instructor demonstrated techniques for controlling and shaping light using black reflectors, effectively enhancing the texture of the Stollen. By adjusting the light angles, the session covered how to use shadows and balance lighting to create a visually appealing image. Additionally, the instructor introduced a technique using a combination of warm-toned LED lights and strobes, showcasing how this setup can create a warmer and more inviting atmosphere in the final shot.
Chocolate Photography Session
Next, the session focused on chocolate photography, utilizing a single-light setup. The instructor demonstrated a unique technique where chocolates were casually dropped onto cocoa powder, incorporating the resulting marks as part of the composition.
This approach was inspired by cosmetic product photography, highlighting the importance of building a stock of creative photography ideas. The discussion emphasized the value of continuously studying various photographs to develop fresh and innovative concepts.
Additionally, the session covered techniques for enhancing the glossiness of chocolate through precise lighting adjustments. By modifying the angle of light, the instructor demonstrated how to control reflections on the chocolate’s surface, effectively showcasing differences in texture and maximizing visual appeal.
Macaron Photography Session
Next, the session focused on macaron photography.
Rather than treating the macarons as simple still-life subjects, the instructor demonstrated a technique where breaking the macaron reveals its cross-section, effectively conveying its texture. Additionally, spices and nuts were scattered around to enhance the overall composition and create a more appetizing, visually dynamic effect.
In terms of lighting, the session highlighted the importance of creating soft shadows, which help to bring out the delicate texture of the macarons.
Christmas Cake Photography Session
In celebration of the holiday season, the session featured Christmas cake photography. The instructor explained a technique for creating a warmer, more inviting visual by incorporating human interaction, such as holding the cake. The demonstration focused on hand positioning, angles, and lighting adjustments to enhance the overall composition.
Additionally, the session highlighted the balance between skin tones and the cake’s colors, showcasing methods to create a more natural and harmonious atmosphere.
Furthermore, the instructor demonstrated how adjusting white balance can emphasize the whiteness of the cream. By using high color-rendering lights, participants learned how to achieve true-to-life color reproduction, ensuring the cake's colors appeared as natural as possible in the final image.
Selected Image Cuts from the Seminar Photoshoot
Lecture: The Importance of Color Management
Following the hands-on photography session, the seminar continued with a theoretical lecture on color management.
The session covered key topics such as:
Understanding CRI (Color Rendering Index) measurements in multi-light setups
Adjusting light color tones for consistent results
Using real-world case studies and reference materials from past shoots, the instructor emphasized the importance of color accuracy in strobes and how it impacts the final image.
Additionally, EIZO Corporation conducted a live demonstration of PC monitor color calibration, allowing participants to gain hands-on insights into the adjustment process and its significance in professional workflows.
Live Demonstration of Monitor Color Calibration by an EIZO Representative
Free Time and Equipment Experience
During breaks and post-seminar free time, participants had the opportunity to ask questions not only about food photography but also about the equipment used in the session.
Attendees engaged with representatives and tested the following professional tools:
EIZO's calibration process for color management monitors
Sekonic’s light meters and color meters for precise exposure and color measurement
Vincero’s Capture One software for advanced image processing
Rotolight LED lights, provided by Ginza Jujiya Dirigent Division, for high-color-accuracy lighting
This hands-on experience allowed participants to explore and better understand the practical applications of each tool in a professional photography workflow.
Digital Camera Watch Conducted an Interview.
A Successful and Informative Three-Hour Seminar
The three-hour seminar maintained a warm and engaging atmosphere throughout, providing participants with in-depth knowledge of photography techniques and color management. Through practical shooting exercises, attendees gained hands-on experience in controlling light and adjusting colors, making it a highly valuable learning opportunity.
In the lecture session, participants not only deepened their theoretical understanding but also had the chance to experience professional techniques firsthand through live demonstrations using actual equipment. This approach allowed them to grasp real-world applications of the concepts discussed.
During the free time, attendees actively participated in equipment demonstrations and Q&A sessions, facilitating valuable exchanges of knowledge and experiences between organizers and participants. This interaction created an excellent opportunity to share practical insights relevant to professional workflows.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants and everyone involved in making this seminar a success.
Equipment Used
Lighting Equipment
Rotolight LED Lights (Provided by Ginza Jujiya Dirigent Division)
Color Meters & Exposure Meters
Sekonic Spectromaster C-800 Color Meter
Color Management Monitors
EIZO ColorEdge CG2700S (27-inch color management LCD monitor)
EIZO ColorEdge CS2740 (27-inch 4K UHD color management LCD monitor)
Monitor Calibration Tool
Calibrite Display 123 (by Vincero)
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