Finding Nemo at Epsite

If there is one thing about Singapore that strikes me the most, it is the country’s cleanliness. Trees and plants line the main highway from the airport to downtown – and the trees are alive, not half dead like some of the trees we see here on our major highways. Because the city is as spic and span as any place can get, walking the streets is quite a pleasant experience and does not feel like you’re running an obstacle course.

It was in 1968 when the concept of a clean and green garden city for Singapore was first introduced through parliament. Since then, the Singapore government has been on a campaign to manage the city’s environmental impact of urban growth and industrialization.

In support of this ongoing initiative Epsite, the Epson Imaging Gallery, was launched in Singapore recently to show the company’s commitment to the environment and as part of its social responsibility to the communities where it is present.

Epson is one of the world leaders in digital imaging solutions and printer manufacturing. "The Epson Group values the opportunity to work together with local communities all over the world and make social contributions," said Tomas Ng, Epson Singapore executive director, at the launch. "Our consideration for the environment is our social responsibility and the Imaging Gallery is part of it. Investment in conservation requires a long-time perspective and should never be transient or pocket oriented. Such is our investment in Epsite."

"Seasons in the Sea" by Ikuo Nakamura, leading underwater photographer, was the first exhibit at the Epsite Gallery. Through this exhibit, Epson wanted to share with Singaporeans the experiences of Nakamura as a photographer and conservationist, as well as to promote the importance of creating a balance between development and the natural environment.

Nakamura has been a photographer for the past 38 years and his special concern is to protect the environment by showcasing the beauty of the sea and what lies beneath it. "When shooting in the ocean, I feel as if I were sightseeing in an underwater garden surrounded by a vast variety of colorful corals. All the fish are in different shapes and sizes. The underwater world is absolutely fantastic and gorgeous," said the soft-spoken Nakamura at the inauguration of his exhibit.

Nakamura’s photos, which were on display at the Epsite, are so real. In one of his photos, I swear I saw Nemo (Disney’s beloved character) swimming and smiling with other clownfish among the anemone.

Nakamura shared with us that he often uses digital cameras for fun and thus often goes for the more compact and easy to use cameras. But now that the demand for digital cameras is so much higher, he opts to shoot with a Canon D1-Ds.

"I believe that digital cameras and film cameras have their pros and cons. The merit of a digital camera is that one can check the pictures on the spot and adjust the graphic later so there’s less chances for failure. However, it can be disadvantageous because it may prevent the development of one’s skills when checking pictures almost immediately," Nakamura said. "I feel that it may not be good for a photographer’s skills to develop if there is no anticipation while waiting for the films to be developed."

Nakamura prefers to do everything himself when it comes to his photos. That includes developing the pictures. "It is hard to distinguish nowadays whether paper for digital camera or film camera has been used," added Nakamura.

The exhibit "Seasons in the Sea" is a collection of photographs taken by Nakamura through many years of shooting, well, under the sea.

The first Epsite was opened in Japan in 1998. "In time with other breakthroughs in technologies for printing pictures, we decided that it was time to open another Epsite here in Singapore," said Hiromi Taba, managing director of Epson Singapore.

The site was carefully chosen to make it a hub to foster and house quality photographs using Epson technology. There are plans to open other Epsites in Europe and the US in the near future as well.

Because of the developments in technology, changes in the entire landscape of photography are taking place fast, said Taba. "Traditionally, shooting photos was done well because of a photographer’s skill and passion. In this age of the digital camera, this has not really changed. What has changed is the way that photos are shared. Photographers are allowed to control the printing of their photos through digital printing. I believe that photographers are in a better position to express themselves with this development," he added.

After all, photographs are taken because people want to be able to share the moment with as many people as possible.

We all know what it’s like to have to take a picture with a traditional camera and then wait until we get the photos developed and hope that among the 24 or 36 shots that we took there would at least five or 10 good ones.

Ain’t that way any longer. With the digital camera we can erase a bad shot and try to get a better shot right away.

What Epson has also developed is its own technologies for digital printing. The prints made by the Epson printing devices have become well accepted. "Professional photographers like Ikuo Nakamura would not have accepted to display their photos in a venue like this if not for the quality of our printing," quipped Taba.

"The mission that we impose on ourselves is to create an environment where Epson is considered the main printer of photographs. We have developed and continue to develop the laser printing devices that meet the highest degree of quality demanded by the professional photographers as well as amateur photographers."

And it is at the Epsite where one is able to see just how good the printing process of Epson is. After all, it is the very first digital imaging gallery in Singapore. Since it was launched in August 2003, Epsite has attracted 40,000 visitors.

"We wish to share the high-level contemporary digital art experiences that are trendy, modern and in artistic environment. A place for the public and artists to convene, interact and actively engage in the appreciation of good prints," said Tan Haur, manager of Epsite. "We want to continue to contribute our best efforts to the art scene. To promote visual arts and visual photography."

Epson, through its Epsite Imaging Gallery, has set its sights on making its printing technology the standard for all professional and amateur photographers.

"Our objective is to bring photographers to an awareness about the printing process and what good printers can do. The Epsite is a good showcase of just how good our products are," said Taba.

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"Seasons in the Sea" runs until May 31 at Epsite Epson Imaging Gallery at the third level Wheelock Place in Singapore.