Eizo Global Ambassador | ILFORD Master | Fine Art Printmaker | Commercial Retoucher | Colour Management and Lighting Specialist and Trainer | Exhibitions Director
'The most important tool but also the weakest link of the modern photographer’s workflow is the monitor. Simply because without which, there will be no way to view or edit the image that was taken. The quality of monitors directly affects the accuracy of how the digital image is rendered. To draw a parallel using more familiar terms, having an inaccurate monitor in a photography workflow is akin to trying to sing a song without the ability to hear yourself properly. The result is normally quite terrible.
And so I use Eizo because it's the absolute best monitor available, for the sake of my precious clients.'
James Tan is one of the most sought-after printmakers in the Asia Pacific region, with FMPA(UK), ILFORD Master and Soraa Master of Colour as some of his accolades.
Operating under his business outfit Lateral Imaging, James makes fine art prints for prestigious photographers, artists, MNCs, and galleries. He also produces photography exhibitions and provides consultation to architecture and lighting companies.
Starting out in early 2000 as an apprentice in a commercial photography studio, James quickly rose through the ranks to be formally promoted to a full-fledged commercial photographer.
He became an Associate in the Master Photographers Association by way of double promotion in Architectural photography in 2007 and in 2 years was awarded MPA’s Fellowship Rank as the first and only Certified Printmaker in the MPA – a special honour created for him in recognition of his contribution and mastery in the craft.
Following that, he was invited to be trained in both Qualifications and Competition judging at the MPA Headquarters in Darlington UK, and then went on to do the final judging of The MPA’s prestigious International Photography Competition, followed by the WPPI Annual Print Competition in Las Vegas.
His current role is the MPA Deputy Ambassador and Chair of Qualifications for the Asia Pacific region, as well as the Honourary Secretary of the Professional Photographers Association of Singapore, helping to maintain and improve the quality of photographers through strict and careful guidance to its members and potential candidates on image making and business practices.
Post Production and Ergonomics
- MONITOR: EIZO ColorEdge CG277, EIZO ColorEdge CG279X: The EIZO CG277 and CG279X colour harmonised to provide a consistent working environment.
- EDITING: Wacom MobileStudio pro 16: Wacom Mobilestudio pro 16 that functions as a Cintiq when plugged into my desktop but also it follows me everywhere as a colour accurate mobile workstation.
- PRINTER: Canon Pro-500: I also have a very wonderful Canon image Prograf Pro-500/1000 printer (my LFPs are at another location) for small prints.
- BACKUP: Synology DS1812+ and DX513
- COLOUR MANAGEMENT FOR DISPLAY: Xrite i1DisplayPro, i1DisplayPro Plus: Gives me quick and accurate readings for display calibration and profiling as opposed to the slower but more accurate Spectrophotometers. These colourimeters work wonderfully with the Eizo's system to give me excellent colour accuracy for my work.
- COLOUR MANAGEMENT FOR PRINT OUTPUT: Xrite i1Pro2 Spectro, Xrite i1 ISIS2 XL, Xrite i1I0 scanning robot: Xrite i1Pro2 Spectro, Xrite i1 ISIS2 XL and Xrite i1IO scanning robot for reading colour patches to create and test print profiles.
- LIGHT ANALYSIS: Asensetek Lighting Passport, Sekonic C700: Asensetek Lighting Passport and Sekonic C700 for measuring the spectral characteristics of lights, which I use to quantify lighting recommendations for my clients so they can display my prints in the best way possible. Sometimes I go on to do lighting audits for their office and homes because light is such an important part of our life and well-being.
- VIEWING: Custom print proofing light booth custom-built to ISO3664 AND iso12646 perimeters very important for matching prints to screen
- PROTOTYPING: LionsForge 40W Laser Cutter, FDM 3D Printer: LionsForge 40W Laser cutter and a FDM 3D printer for prototyping custom solutions for problems I encounter in my line of work.