Gunther Deichmann's Blog

Adventure Travel Photography ASIA: The story behind the photos… carving a giant Phallus

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-05-02T14:07:02+08:00

It was during our last Adventure Photography Workshop; I strolled through the traditional Bhutan Village of Sopsokha, when a man approached and indicated that I should follow him, of course curiosity got the better of me and I went along. ...I had seen many other Phallus symbols in Bhutan, painted on Houses and for sale in all shapes and sizes in local souvenir shops, but this one was somehow special, not to mention its size. ...These explicit paintings, though embarrassing to many urbanites now, this folk culture is now informally discouraged in urban centers, but can be seen painted on the walls of houses and buildings throughout Bhutan, particularly in villages and credited as Kunley's creations. ...Rural and ordinary houses continue to display them, in particular in the traditional village of Sopsokha where I found (or he found me) this master phallus carver. ...I guess he seen our stunned looks a few minutes earlier, I am sure he was very proud of this super Phallus he was creating, otherwise he would not have invited us into his home.

Adventure Travel Photography ASIA : A very beautiful morning in Sri Lanka…now on PhotoShelter, plus a lot more

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-04-26T16:33:38+08:00

Joerg and myself had to cover some 2 hours, traveling through winding roads and catch the sunrise at this particular spot in the Mountains of Sri Lanka, also called “World's End” - Nuwara Eliya. ...So I decided to have another crack at it the next day… the painful thought of getting up real early crossed my mind, but at the same time I could visualize that this was the right location. ...We arrived at my selected spot; our timing had been perfect, it was still dark but about half an hour later we were greeted by the appearing sun and got blessed with perfect light, and clouds covering the valleys below. ...I also visit the Beach area where on December 26, 2004, the mammoth tsunami took thousands of lives; life is “almost” back to normal, and here you find the unique still fisherman of Sri Lanka trying to make a few Rupees. ...Join me on one of my next Adventure Photo Expeditions to Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia or Sri Lanka and a super special one in Nepal for April ’13. (please note: Nepal is only available upon special request, and all participants have to be reasonable fit and be able to travel on Horseback for days, there is also no luxury accommodation except in Kathmandu our start and finishing point.)

Travel Photography ASIA: In stark contrast to Sri Lanka & Bhutan, the Journey continuous through Nepal

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-04-19T11:57:07+08:00

This is only a small selection of images on todays post, there will be a lot more once I am done with my editing and have uploaded them on to my PhotoShelter site, I keep you posted when that is ll done. ...Above: I waited a long time to get this shot, standing in one corner for ages, trying to capture a Monkey just in between those Eyes, the original image is only cropped, with no other adjustments except for the basic RAW conversion and a tweak on the color temperature.( ...The full moon day of April, Lhuti Punhi, is important for both Hindus and Buddhists the full moon festival took place in the evening at the Boudhanath stupa the other festival on the same day but in the morning was the Balaju Mela or Lhuti Punhi ...The hill is held sacred because ages ago, when the Kathmandu Valley was a lake, it was from this summit the the Bipaswa Buddha had cast a lotus seed into the water which blossomed into the flaming holy lotus over which the Swoyambhu stupa now stands. ...Also as a reminder we still have a few spots available for our next Journey with the GD Photo Workshops into Myanmar starting June 29, 2012, book now this workshop is filling up very fast and final bookings have to be made by latest May 20th, 2012.

Asia Travel Photography: First impressions, the Journey continuous in Bhutan with GD Photo Workshop.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-04-14T19:27:00+08:00

My Journey started in Sri Lanka then to Nepal and from there to Bhutan where I meet most of the participants for our GD Photo Workshop who flew in from Bangkok, Thailand. ...Sri Lanka was absolutely fantastic again with some spectacular landscapes and wildlife and Nepal wow…my trip coincided with some cool festivals there and on my way back from Bhutan via Kathmandu we picked up the full moon festival in little Tibet. ...We all decided to go by Horseback and my experience from the Outback of Australia came in very handy with the exception that the track took us along the cliffs ever so close to the edge… our return Journey for more than hours had to be made on foot since it is to risky for the Horses on the way down. ...In due time I post again the Images behind the scenes and of course the participants work, you see all the fun we had, not only from the Tigers Nest but from very cold mornings “chilling out” at higher altitude. ...Image above: At the Talo Tshechu Festival, I only found out later, after showing my Guide Sonam Dendupthe photo that the old Gentleman on the right is the famous Bhutanese singer Ap Dhopay who is from Talo under Punakha district.

Travel Photography: Everyday life from India, Myanmar, Laos & Cambodia in 2011

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-03-10T21:24:48+08:00

In the past few days I had to go through my personal archives from 2011 before leaving tomorrow for Sri Lanka - Nepal and Bhutan. I like to share some images in this post that are not yet in my PhotoShelter Galleries and Archives, simply called "Daily Life" from the destinations last year, there are so many more but for now Sri Lanka Nepal and Bhutan are calling and I have to get packing. ...Images from all walks of life, places I visited in 2011 alone and during the GD Photo Workshops. I keep the text very brief and I guess my next post will be upon my return in early April, until then, cheers. ...Our June 2012 GD Photo Workshop to MYANMAR is very special indeed, we’re not only cover the know areas but venture to more remote and seldom visited places in this amazing Country.

Travel Photography ASIA: Amazing faces & places discovering Yangon, Myanmar.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-02-26T16:08:36+08:00

Photo above: This old Buddhist Monk in the market of Yangon is probably suffering from a skin condition called Vitiligo, a condition in which white patches develop on the skin, due to destruction of pigment-forming cells known as melanocytes. Yangon also known as Rangoon, is a former capital of Burma, Yangon as it is called now has a population of over four million and continues to be the country's largest city and the most important commercial center. ...During our last GD Photo Workshop we took a short but memorable trip for about an hour, passing by villages and observing the lively and colorful life of the rural Burmese people en route. ...But Yangon has so much more to offer besides the sights mention above, an amazing city, with its Buddhist monasteries, shrines and temples, I continue soon and talk about this another day. ...Our June 2012 GD Photo Workshop is very special indeed, we’re not only cover the know areas but venture to more remote and seldom visited places in this amazing Country.

Specialist Photography Workshops ASIA, 4 departures in 2012 going, with plans to launch another series for 2013

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-02-22T18:29:37+08:00

Exotissimo is Happy to announce a new relationship and subsequent series of Photography Workshop Tours with leading international Photographer Gunther Deichmann. This latest addition of niche Tours allows a maximum of 10 Guests per Tour to embark on a Photography Workshop in Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam or Cambodia. There are four set departures in 2012 going, with plans to launch another series for 2013 that will also include the mesmerizing country of Indonesia. ...For the Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia Tours you can chose either one of these or combined them. ...LAOS: http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/laos/tours/laos-through-the-lens/

Part two; Vanishing Cultures & Tradition - rare photos of ceremonial & tribal Aboriginals from Arnhem Land, Australia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-01-31T13:18:08+08:00

An alternative to Arnhem Land is to visit Kakadu National park, which is more accessible, and the Aboriginals left their mark here too, in particular at Obirri Rock, a fantastic gallery of detailed ancient rock art. ...A visit to Yellow Waters in Kakadu National Park is a must once in the area, a swamp (flood plains) with its amazing variety and abundant of wildlife, huge congregation of water fowls, white breasted sea eagles on trees, monitor lizards and saltwater crocodiles that make this area a haven for wildlife photographers. The Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory have left a great legacy of their culture in the form of art that can be found in caves and rock overhangs where it is protected from the elements. ...After my visit to the “Ruined City” a burial ceremony took place a few days later at the Roper River aboriginal settlement and after some discussions with the Elders I was permitted to take part in this ceremony…well at least for the first part of the burial, an experience that I never forget. ...This is another important time for ceremonies on the death of a person, when people paint themselves white as seen in my photos, cut their own bodies to show their remorse for the loss of their loved one, and conduct a series of rituals, songs and dances to ensure the person’s spirit leaves the area and returns to its birth place, from where it can later be reborn.

Vanishing Cultures & Tradition - part one; rare & historical photos of tribal Aboriginals from Central Australia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-01-25T19:01:30+08:00

I was fortunately enough to experience some of this amazing culture first hand during the late 70th and mid 80th taken part in tribal ceremonies, visited remote areas in Central Australia, took part of a Burial Ceremony and traveled to sacred parts in Arnhem Land, northern Australia. ...Some color images (slides) had to be turned into black and white due their color fading over the years, however they still represent this unique culture through Australia’s past. ...So lets start with part one and the most sacred site in Australia…Ayers Rock or know to the Aborigines as “ULURU” ...The word Uluru means, “the all-knowing and everlasting” this giant freestanding rock is indeed the most sacred site in Australia to the Aboriginal people and an awesome site for any visitor. ...But there are so many other mystical places in the Center that played an important role for the Aboriginal Dreamtime, places like the Olgas some 30 miles west of Ayers Rock, remote and spectacular Kings Canyon, Palm Valley an Oasis in the desert, Chambers Pillar or Rainbow Valley just south of Alice Springs.

NEWS RELEASE - Exotissimo Travel Launch Specialist Photography Workshops in ASIA led by International Photographer.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-01-23T15:16:44+08:00

(Bangkok, 19 January 2012) Exotissimo Travel, Asia’s leading DMC has unveiled a collection of niche photography workshop tours covering four top destinations in Southeast Asia. ...This novel selection of tours are open to all ages and abilities with professional photographer Gunther Deichmann teaching new techniques from basic to advanced over the course of each. ...It's a rare opportunity to explore the unique cultural practices of a country while gaining insight into the architecture and heritage of a destination that few tourists see. ...Each destination covered has its own distinctive qualities and cultural practices that we expose ourselves to, capturing the essence with our cameras while learning new techniques along the way.” ...They also encompass Exo’s philosophy of connecting with the people and culture of a place, as they take guests to many areas off the well trodden tourist path and into local areas where its possible to interact with villagers and learn about their way of life.

Travel Photography: Destination tips, Island Portraits from Chuuk - Pohnpei - Yap & Palau, Micronesia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-01-16T17:36:33+08:00

These are some of my favorite Portraits of people in Micronesia from the remote Island of Pohnpei with its mysterious ruins of Nan Madol (also called the Venice of the Pacific) or to Chuuk know better as Truk Lagoon where a whole Japanese fleet was sunk during WWII. ...Women young and old are topless not only during ceremonies and festivals but all year around, you even get greeted at the arrival at the airport by traditional dressed women, for the women being topless is a very normal and cultural part of this island. ...Pohnpei "upon (pohn) a stone altar (pei)" (formerly known as Ponape) is the name of one of the four states in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), situated among the Senyavin Islands which are part of the larger Caroline Islands group. ...The magnificent islands of the Republic of Palau, fondly called Belau by its friendly inhabitants, were named by early explorers and have been known to the outside world at one time or another as West Caroline Islands, the Palaos, the New Philippines, Panlog, and the Pelew Islands. ...If you like to visit some of these amazing places and you happen to be at the Duesseldorf Boot Show in January then you have to check out the Booth of Sam's Tours and the Palau Visitors Authority.

Travel Photography: The story behind the photos, female Elephants dress up for the occasion, kaleidoscope of colors Rajasthan, India.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-01-11T15:03:10+08:00

Fancy meeting an Elephant in a beauty parlor, now that would be something right, but this is what happen in Jaipur with the exception the parlor is outside. ...Some of these majestic animals are covered from head to toe literally, ready for the yearly parade in Jaipur that is held and coincide with the Holi Festival. (festival of colors) ...According to some legends at the time of ‘Samudra Manthan’ when demons and Gods were busy in churning the ocean Gods were fortunate to receive an elephant called “Airavata” which later became the divine vehicle (vahana) of India ...The elephants parading their decorated trunks and tusks however the most noticeable feature of this festival is that all Elephants who take part in this festival are female Elephants. ...If you like to experience this amazing kaleidoscope of colors and roam around those gorgeous female Elephants then why don’t you join us on our GD Photo Workshop in 2013.

Discover & Explore ASIA with GD Photo Workshops: Updated Calendar & site for 2012 & 2013

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-01-05T00:37:44+08:00

We are pleased to announce a complete update and revised Calendar for 2012 & 2013 on our GD Photo Workshop Site. ...All 2012 dates are confirmed, our itineraries and full details are available upon request or by our agent's Exotissimo website. We're traveling to some places rarely visited by others, hence making our workshops more unique and flexible that makes a lifetime experience for you to remember. Take for example our new and next Myanmar Journey in 2012 - this Special Trip was designed by Photographers for Photographers. ...On this journey we will explore the remote parts of the country but also some of the known places.

Published article in Asian Geographic - A Walk Through Time - Phnom Kulen, Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2012-01-03T12:18:14+08:00

Below is a very short excerpt from a seven (7) page article in the latest Asian Geographic magazine on Phnom Kulen and its hidden treasures in Cambodia. ...I am grateful to the publisher/editor/graphic designer for publishing this article from my beloved Cambodia and of-course my gratitude to Jamie Irena Rayer - Keet who wrote the excellent text for this story. ...It may only be forty-six kilometers away from the august Angkor Wat but this is one Cambodian paradise where you won’t be seeing busloads of Teva-sandaled, video-cam toting tourists anytime soon. ... A hilly terrain famed for its extensive history and natural resource of red sandstone, Phnom Kulen also boasts a national park, refreshing waterfalls, peculiar rivers and a massive 8m long Buddha reclining at its summit. ...Lately however, she has been seducing archaeologists and leaving intrigued historians trailing in her wake, gambling life and limb as they tread through her dense jungle in their quest to unearth more of the secrets embedded within her elusive rupestrian treasure…

Travel Photography: One beautiful afternoon at the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge, Myanmar

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-12-30T18:42:15+08:00

It was during our last GD Photo Workshop near Mandalay in Myanmar when we visited the U Beins Teak Wood Bridge in Amarapura at sunset. What a beautiful afternoon it turned out to be, blessed and lucky with the weather we encountered some stunning light right up to dusk. ...The 1.2 km wooden footbridge (longest teak bridge in the world) built by the mayor U Bein salvaging the unwanted teak columns from the old palace during the move to Mandalay. ...Join us for another breathtaking journey through Myanmar on our upcoming GD Photo Workshop in June 2012, visiting not only the well known places but also more remote parts of this truly amazing Country. ...For our other published destinations: Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan - Vietnam - Laos & Cambodia please CLICK this LINK our Photo Workshop Calendar in ASIA for 2012

Photography: A nice letter in response to my recent post RIP Photoshop in 2012 & beyond.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-12-28T13:46:26+08:00

If I didn’t know you and or had not been with you when you took some of the images I know of…I would have a hard time not assuming that somehow Photoshop played a role. You’re right….there is a time and place for Photoshop….but in order to protect the integrity of and respect for accomplished photographers and their images, the viewer does indeed need to know / deserve to be informed if and when images are manipulated. ...I recall the image you took one day with your point and shoot camera while we were sitting having a beer at Riptide overlooking Malakal Harbor, Palau…..the one with the tiki torch by the railing just before sunset. ...This has been an odd year for us…we’ve hardly been in touch ….not like before..but it’s also been a year in which I’ve seen the real Gunther ..the passionate photographer Gunther, re-emerge from the demands of the digital clutter that somehow seems to want to over take us and extinguish who we really are. Wish I could have been as successful in making change in 2011 as you were, and for 2012, I will look not just to your amazing images for inspiration but to how successfully you’ve managed to reshape your future by renewing your first passion…..your photography.

Photography: RIP Photoshop in 2012, the cruel story behind the photo...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-12-26T19:54:05+08:00

In a few days we’re moving into 2012 and this is my last post for 2011 with the conclusion that there is NO room for Photoshop in photographing Documentary, Nature, Journalism, Culture, Travel and in true story telling. ...It was during this exhibition that I overheard a group of people saying how wonderful and great this image was, with the exception of some comments that this could only have been done in Photoshop. Now that is cruel if you ask me… I contained my disappointment and anger, even if I had to explain it to them they would have not believed me, as the saying goes, good photos do not need an explanation. ...Some adjustment of the color temperature for images taken under difficult lighting conditions plus a few minor tweaks all amounting to less then 10%, good Photographers shoot right in the first place and do not rely on PS, we done it on film so why not now. ...As for me in 2012, I continue to create images without the use of PS like I have done for the past 30 years, so RIP Photoshop for 2012 and beyond.

Travel Photography: Bizarre, strange, utterly weird & disgusting, photos from along the road.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-12-18T18:57:01+08:00

During most of my travels I come across the nice and beautiful things our planet has to offer. The funny, bizarre and strange encounters, but sometimes I see things rather unpleasant. Like the time I discovered the unloading of massive shark fins in Indonesia, and I am talking about massive! Little explanation is needed for most of the photos below, with the exception of the disgusting ones. ...© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Photography: Nine pages published in Asian Geographic special ONE ASIA Edition.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-12-15T19:03:24+08:00

Asian Geographic Magazine just published a special edition during the ONE ASIA Event in Singapore recently. ...I am featured with some nine pages and a couple shots on the cover but this special issue of Asian Geographic includes also other amazing photographers like: Michael Yamashita - Steve McCurry - Michael Freeman - David Doubilet - Joe Quinn - Steve De Neef - John Arifin - Aaron Wong - Alexander Mustard - Michael Aw - Tri Huu Luu and William Chua This is a copy you should get your hands on, lots of cool information, references, techniques and stunning great Photos below and above the waves. I have created a pdf file with Keynote and you can check it out under publications on my main site under spreads or covers.

Photography: Singapore ONE ASIA round up & latest NEWS on the Adventure GD Photo Workshops Asia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-12-14T14:25:46+08:00

A quick round up from my recent trip to Singapore where I attended the ONE ASIA festival as a speaker and Judge for the Images without Borders together with Michael Yamashita and Steve McCurry. Besides the event I caught up also with good old friends, in particular Michael Freeman who I had not seen for a very long time. ...But I also caught up with some of my Photo Workshop Students and friends in particle Christina Feldt from Germany and Chia Loy Chuan with his charming wife from Singapore. ...My gratitude to John Thet, Publisher of Asian Geographic Magazine and Organizer of the ONE ASIA Event for inviting me again this year. ...I also found the time to get my last roll of film (Ektachrome) processed and scanned in Singapore, I post an interesting article about this exercise shortly.

Travel Adventure GD Photo Workshops now with Exotissimo, Myanmar & Indochina 2012, plus One Asia Event Singapore.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-12-09T11:19:40+08:00

I am currently in Singapore as a Guest speaker (Geographical Travel Photography) for the ONE ASIA Images of Asia Festival hosted and organized by the Asian Geographic Magazine . ...Also I am part of the Live Judging together with Steve McCurry and Michael Yamashita on December 10 for this years Images without Borders Photo competition. So, if you in Singapore please drop by the Suntec Center and join us for this years ONE ASIA Festival. ...and Myanmar is now available at the Exotissimo website, our NEW Partner for the GD Photo Workshops in Asia. ...NOTE: There are still a couple of spots available for Sri Lanka - Central India and Bhutan in 2012 (for Bhutan only 2 more spots avail.) for more info pls click this LINK.

Travel Photography: Twelve Asian faces from 2011; thoughtful, bizarre, happy and sad plus one sleepy. See you soon at the ONE ASIA Festival Singapore.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-12-05T19:05:44+08:00

In a few more days 2011 is coming to an end and I am now preparing for my last trip this year to Singapore, leaving in a couple of days. I am part again of the ONE ASIA Festival - Celebrate the Images of Asia as a Speaker and Judge for the Asia Without Borders Photo Competition. I am really looking forward to catch up again with Michael Yamashita who was there also last year, and get together with Steve McCurry, Michael Freeman and Manuel Librodo plus many others, and of course with some good old friends. Hope to see some of you there; for detailed information on the ONE ASIA FESTIVAL please click the LINKS. But before I report from Singapore (I know the connection will be fine this time) I like to share with you some images taken in 2011, people from Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar.

Travel Photography Asia: Beautiful People & true Colors from Laos, Cambodia & Myanmar.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-11-29T18:24:41+08:00

I am always in search for true colors and besides the question above, which is my favorite photograph I also get often ask about my colors. ...It is all out there, in front of us ready for the taking with what ever camera you use, let your eyes guide you, separating colors from the background. ...But have said that, we almost don't get a choice these days…in the digital age we have to use Computers and editing softwares; I am still looking for a roll of Ektachrome to be processed, that I shot recently in Cambodia. ...All my camera settings are pretty much set on default and my images are processed with Aperture 3 using only the RAW Image conversion, color temperature, slightly sharpening, a little contrast and the usual cropping/straightening tools and of course getting rid of sensor dust, that little evil thing in digital photography. During the film days we didn't have all those tools, you had to do a lot of bracketing and if you missed it then that was-it.

Adventure Travel Photography: Tourists to the rescue…& another Deja Vu at Tham Theung Caves, Laos

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-11-23T19:09:28+08:00

I had visited the lower cave called Tham Ting (lower cave) some 20 years ago and with the exception of more tourists swarming around and more Buddha statues were deposited, little had changed over the years. ...With no Tripod and only the little pop up flash on my Nikon D300s (left my D700 in the boat and was in no mood to climb the stairs again) I thought this is going to be a tough one, besides this cave was big. ...I almost gave up, when all of a sudden a large group of Italian Tourist appeared, all equipped with the for hire flashlights; and for sure a good business day for the local lady at the entrance, ha, ha. ...I got it… jammed the camera into a crack, pushed hard and holding on (you might end up with a few scratches on your Camera but other then that, it works, besides holding your breath) now I instructed my assistant Arj to shine his torch towards the temple area. ...But I still did not get enough light for a good and usable shot… then the Italian Tourists entered the cave and came to my rescue… shining their flashlights in all direction…wow and thank you.

Adventure Travel Photography: The Students Work from the GD Photo Workshops Laos-Cambodia & Myanmar.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-11-19T18:15:47+08:00

I keep this text very brief today and rather let the Images do the talking, we have ask our participants to select their personal favored Photos from the last three workshops. ...The images posted had been sent to us and we posted them unaltered the way we received them, we only resized them to make them fit for the web. Please do respect the copyright of all the persons who submitted their images and refrain from copying any images in any way. ...Enjoy the photos from the participants who at times had to work very hard to create these cool images. We have also updated the testimonials and our GD Photo Workshop site with a new announcement in the Calendar for a very special Myanmar GD Photo Workshop in 2012.

Travel Photography: Deja vu…recreating a Photo at the same location...but 12 years later.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-11-16T15:57:12+08:00

I might add that the shot I took 12 years ago was not at all a setup; it just so happens that this Monk was actually standing at the window when I spotted it and this photo was later published many times. ...I had actually planned this all along to re create the image I took some 12 years ago, but of course there was very little hope that a Monk was standing again at the window. ...I normally don’t set shots up, but in this case I found it interesting what I could come up with, shooting digital instead of Kodachrome film from the same location but 12 years later. ...I let you decide which of the two images featured is Digital or Kodachrome 200 film, I might add that the digital image was shot at the same 200 ISO and no Photoshop or other manipulation has been used. ...This amazing teakwood monastery has not changed much at all except for the surrounding areas that have now additional more modern looking buildings, other than that it was pretty much the same.

Travel Photography:The story behind the photos, “A little Girl and her simple way recycling soft drink cans.”

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-11-15T15:31:28+08:00

I was watching her and kept shooting a few frames now and then, as she playfully emptied the leftovers before she arranged the cans along the road. By now it was getting very dark and I had to push my ISO higher as she kept arranging the cans in a very playful manner and I was wondering…is she collecting them or is she just playing? Vehicles and pushbikes going by, but this little girl was paying no attention to the traffic or our group, she just kept on lining up her cans. ...Now neatly arranged, she suddenly started to jump up an down flattening the cans with her feet, picked them up and disappeared as quick as she had arrived. ...The process of a very simple recycling was complete, I am sure the only thing left to do for her was to take the flattened cans and sell them for a few Riel (Cambodian currency) at the local Village.

Aperture 3 Tip: Serial number problems & re-installing the original Aperture 3 from the box

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-11-14T16:25:10+08:00

The serial number was rejected even if the Mac was New or had a completely reformatted Drive and the serial number came from the original Aperture 3 package. So if you experience any installation issues with Aperture 3 after you have bought a new or moved over to a different Mac then try this: ...Create a new USER account (you can always delete that one later anyway) and then using your original CD for Aperture 3 and install it here, now the serial number will work. ...After you have done this you can either keep your newly created account or you can just delete it in the system preference and switch back to your account. ...Aperture 3 is now installed and the only thing left to do is, perform a software update to Aperture 3.2.1 and you're done, (the update is approx.

Adventure Travel Photography: Behind the Scene from the GD PhotoWorkshop Laos-Cambodia-Myanmar

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-11-12T17:59:02+08:00

Click on Johnny above or the LINKS but please NOTE since we done some major updates on my Blog and the GD Photo Workshop site you might have to REFRESH your Browser in order for you to see the latest images. ...Their work (The Students Work) will also be up in about a week and I keep you posted when this is done, but from what I have seen already there are some very nice images amongst them…in short, everybody did real well. But now enjoy the fun part "Behind The Scene"… and as mention above, it all started with Johnny Depp on my way to Bangkok with Arj and David entertaining myself with the iPhone and my little Leica on the way. The photos Behind the Scene are not in any particular order, taken by my self, Arj and by some of the participants using what ever camera was handy at the time, from iPhones, point and shoot and DSLR's. You might take also note that we have moved the “Behind the Scene” and “The Students Work” now to the GD Photo Workshop pages and removed it from my Blog.

Laos-Cambodia-Myanmar, the first post after a long Journey with the Travel Adventure GD Photo Workshops.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-11-07T12:59:22+08:00

But to be honest, I survived without the net nicely and had more time on the road creating images and looking after my Photo Workshop participants in Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar. ...But I also like to thank all the great people, we photographed (without them no images) and of course my gratitude to our Guides and Drivers through out the Journey who made our travel so much easier and pleasant. My special thanks also to Alexia and all the staff from Exotissimo who have done a superb job, the staff and management from the Satri House in Luang Prabang, Laos (what an amazing place) and of course to the Heritage Suites Hotel and Heritage Adventures in Siem Reap Cambodia. ...I might mention, this year was very special in many ways; for 20 years I have been traveling to Cambodia and 5 Years of the GD Photo Workshops with the Heritage Suites Hotel in Siem Reap (they surprised me with a super cool “Birthday Cake” on our last night) yummy… I can still taste it…and Mojan could not help himself and had three slices, mind you it was a real big Cake. ...You might take also note that we have moved the “Behind the Scene” and “The Students Work” now to the GD Photo Workshop pages and removed it from my Blog.

Photography: How I love this Quote by Ernst Haas & so fitting prior my Journey to Laos - Cambodia & Myanmar

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-09-14T16:53:04+08:00

Finished the last Aperture 3 advanced tutorial at the Power Mac Center last week, got some important meetings out of my way and now the TIME has come…the packing has started (mind you very light) for our Cultural - Archaeological, Travel and Adventure GD Photo Workshops to Laos - Cambodia and Myanmar. ...In todays post, definitely the last one prior my departure (next one I have no clue from where) I have chosen only images taken with my iPhone and my little Leica D-Lux 4 which are my companion most of the time and the reason for my favorite quote by Ernst Haas; read the complete story below: ...Two laddies from Nova Scotia had made a huge effort to be there and were great Leica fans, worked in a camera store, saved to have them and held Ernst on high for being a Leica user (although he used Nikons on his Marlboro shoots, when the chips were down).   ...About four days into the workshop, he finally maxxed out on the Leica adoration these kids displayed, and in the midst of a discussion, when one of them asked one more question aimed at establishing the superiority of Wetzlar; ...Yep, that is me in 1992 outside a French Cafe in Phnom Penh and my first visit to Cambodia covering a story on the Mekong River for Animan Magazine, no digital…no laptops, etc. just the good old film…and a bit younger mind you.

Travel Photography: Asian Geographic Passport just published a cool article & soon reporting from Laos, Cambodia & Myanmar

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-09-09T12:56:00+08:00

This will also be one of my last Blog posts before I am leaving for Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, not enough time while on the road and some areas have non or very poor internet connection. ... Of course and this goes without saying, I try my very best to post an update here on my Blog when ever it is possible…the endless Journey continuos. Shortly we start our last major GD Photo Workshops for 2011 to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar and for those who could not make it (we're fully booked) check out my report/Blog posts on my return with photos from behind the scenes and selected image by our participants. ...An exciting Journey just around the corner with some very cool surprises and announcements along the way, not to mention our 5th year anniversary in Cambodia which we celebrate at the Heritage Suites Hotel our base in Siem Reap. ...Laos is going to be amazing with its mountains and spectacular scenery and our base in Luang Prabang at the Satri House, in Cambodia we venture into some of the lesser know areas by 4x4 wheel drives, then in Myanmar we have a the full moon with us in Bagan and on the Inle Lake intercepting a very cool Burmese festival along the way.

Preview of three amazing destinations; Laos - Cambodia - Myanmar, with the GD Photo Workshops Asia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-08-29T14:58:20+08:00

I have included some photos from my previous trip to Northern Thailand and Laos, images I took on assignment covering the Mekong River for Animan Magazine in Switzerland, a three month Journey many years ago and taken on Kodachrome film. ...After Siem Reap we hit the road again to Battambang where we spend our remaining days in Cambodia exploring this amazing town with its french colonial buildings and the surrounding areas including a trip to Phnom Ek and the Killing Caves. ...I am also happy to announce that we're fully booked for all three workshops and for those who missed out this time please check our Calendar for 2012, exotic destinations are planned to Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan (for Bhutan only two more spots available) Tibet - Mongolia and later in the year Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia (for this one we have worked out a very special Itinerary, this one will be awesome). ...My thanks to all our partners who have been instrumental in preparing and organizing some of theses difficult destinations; Alexia from Exotissimo Travel Thailand and Laos, The Heritage Suites Hotel Relais & Chateaux and The Heritage Adventures in Cambodia and the Satri House Relais & Chateaux in Laos. ...Not to be missed are Heritage sites like Angkor Wat and The Bayon as well as the Cambodian sunrise, which all provide great photo opportunities for you to hone your photography skills and capture your tapestry of Siem Reap’s rich culture, people and heritage as seen through your Eyes.

Announcement: Important info for GD Photo Workshops in Asia, effective new dates Sri Lanka - Central India - Bhutan 2012

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-08-16T20:56:03+08:00

Join us for two amazing Adventure GD Photo Workshops to Sri Lanka and Central India. Breathtaking wildlife and awesome scenery in Sri Lanka plus amazing culture including the Dambulla Cave Temple dating to the first Century BC and a lot more will be on our itinerary. ... Our central India workshop will take you back in time; to some seldom seen Cave temples, namely the Ellora and Ajanta cave system. BHUTAN 2012 Only 3 more spots available, hurry this workshop is filling up very fast. ...The village of Talo, high on the hills above Punakha is located at an altitude 2800m.

More on Lion OS X plus Aperture 3 training, six days at Power Mac Center in cooperation with Filipinas Heritage Library Manila Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-08-16T14:11:41+08:00

Hands on…The Digital Dark Room and Aperture 3, we finished yesterday our first session for this week, (three hours per session) now another 2 more to go and a special advanced one at the Power Mac Center on the weekend. ...We show you the ultimate way of editing your photos with Apple's Aperture 3 software, creating proper back ups, how to add music to your Aperture 3 slideshow using GarageBand plus a lot more. ...Very busy for the next few weeks, plus one more advanced course on Aperture 3 in September at PMC, all this before I have to get ready for my GD Photo Workshops to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. ...There is some good news and bad news, some older Mac's don't support Airdrop so if you installed Lion and can't find the AirDrop Icon then most likely your machine does not support AirDrop. ...AirDrop is one of the great new features of Lion that provides a really easy way to share files between supported, Wi-Fi enabled Macs, without having to connect through the local Wi-Fi network.

Exciting updates on GD Travel Adventure Photo Workshops, Culture & Nature expeditions through out Asia and beyond.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-08-11T12:44:39+08:00

Adventure and fun at the same time, stress is not on our agenda, everyday has its little surprises and rewards, from culture experiences, wildlife encounters and fantastic photo opportunities and the whole search is for the unknown, so you can really expect the unexpected. ...It is Gunther’s Philosophy about Photography that exposes you to a very different kind of image… a quote by Oscar Wilde says it all; “To look at a thing is very different from seeing it." ...We take Photography very seriously but at the same time find the precious hours after the shoot to relax and talk about our daily adventures, sharing each other’s experiences and the images we created. ...Please Note: Our workshops for Laos-Cambodia 2011 is now fully booked and we have only one more spot for Myanmar but if you're still interested you have to confirm your bookings by the 20th of August. We have also announced our destinations and Calendar dates for 2012 and working very close now with one of the Top Travel Agencies in Asia (soon there will be a major announcement regarding this exciting new development)

Tips & Tricks for Aperture 3 and OS X Lion, better performance on new and older Mac's.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-08-09T14:06:08+08:00

But before all of this exciting re-installing of Lion you better have a very good back up of your whole system and files, actually Time Machine done an excellent Job when I did my Lion Installation and I did not loose anything. ...Yes, at first it seems a bit slow in response but other than that it is running very smooth, of course from past experience I switched of the Graphic Card automatic switching and now also in the System Preference the Restore Windows when quitting and re-opening apps. ...I also recommend whenever you're doing some serious hard work in Aperture 3, Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5 or other Pro softwares that uses a lot of the Graphic Cards to turn of all other applications unless you have 8 Gig of Ram installed. ...Soon I am leaving for my GD Photo Workshops to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar but prior my departure you can join me this August and the first part of September at Power Mac Center for some serious sessions on Aperture 3 and the Digital Dark Room, in cooperation with the Filipinas Heritage Library and Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3, Makati. ...You know this little Apple on the top left hand side, where you find out all these things about your Mac including your serial number, check out the new addition in Lion, I think this is very cool and slick.

One week in Bangkok; from high tech to bizarre photography & a short exclusive GD Photo Workshop.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-08-02T19:42:19+08:00

Last week in Bangkok was something out of the ordinary with a lot of different situations and images plus a short GD Photo Workshop for some exclusive clients. Unfortunately I want be able to talk or show some of the high tech images due to restrictions of the project but at least I can share some of the more strange and bizarre photos with you. ...I am back in Manila now and working on the final preparations for our GD Photo Workshop to Laos - Cambodia and Myanmar, which starts in September. BTW…We are fully booked for Laos and Cambodia now and have only one more spot available for Myanmar, so if you like to join us for Myanmar you have to confirm this to us by latest August 12th, 2011 we can’t except any more bookings after this date. ...I am also conducting some Aperture 3 and digital darkroom seminars at Power Mac Center and Filipinas Heritage Library in Manila during the month of August and early September, for more details on those please click on the LINKS.

Apple: OS X Lion installed & test driving now… so far I am impressed & doing some very good lap time.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-07-21T13:27:21+08:00

Don't know why this happen to me all the time…a coincident maybe, I mention in my last post on Sri Lanka that my next post would be from Thailand, but then came Lion OS X last night. ...You might ask why going through all this trouble and burning midnight oil, (BTW I love the Band) but I am a Certified Apple Pro Trainer for Aperture and have classroom session and workshops I need to know if there are any issues so I can trouble shoot when needed. ...Lion OS X is only available via download for the Apple App Store and it is about 3.5Gig this is a big Baby for downloading, so a very good connection is important, don't try this with a dial up, which brings me to the next issue, there are some rumors that Apple is going to supply some Memory sticks for some US$ 69.00 with Lion OS X but they want be available until August and this is not sure either. If you must get Lion now go to a friends place buy some wine and sleep on the couch over night, or ask your Boss if you can do it at work, a good connection and healthy relationship in this case with your Boss is important to. ...Mail is now very slick just like on your iPhone or iPad, love this new look, but you might have to get use to the new way of scrolling and if you don't like it then you can always set it up to your preference.

Travel Photography: Sri Lanka’s beautiful people, caves and Buddhism culture, the story behind the photos.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-07-19T20:33:51+08:00

I have selected just a few photos for this short but rewarding Journey and if you like to see more please feel free to check out all the other photos from Sri Lanka on my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries. ...After an hour drive we got to our Hotel and managed to get a few hours sleep, but it was more like 2 hours since we had to hit the road to the Dambula Cave Temple in the morning…oh my gosh it was morning already. Tiered but the adrenalin was doing a good job, it was after all my first visit to Sri Lanka, and right from the arrival I had a very good feel about it, the people seem to be very nice, actually super nice as we discovered during our entire trip. On the way to the Dambula Caves there were lots of photo opportunities along the road, from Rubber plantations, handcrafted Batik, the famous Ceylon Tea,and so many other interesting subjects including a snake charmer with a huge Python and Cobra and of course Dambula which had been on my agenda for many years. ...I almost collapsed half way up…my energy was fading fast from lack of sleep and long hours on the road, puffing… I had no choice but to hire a friend of our Guide who just happen to be there to help me and carry my backpack …or was this planned?

Photography: Seeing simply... "I have seen colors which I thought didn't exist, but they do."

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-07-16T13:30:08+08:00

A short break from my usual travel photography coloring yours and my world today, below is a selection of photos from different places, representing colors around us everyday. There is one more article coming from my recent trip to Sri Lanka and I post that one in about a week prior my departure for Bangkok, Thailand. Then in September we start our GD PhotoWorkshops to Laos - Cambodia and Myanmar and I be on the road for some four weeks. After the workshops a short break before leaving for Palau and of course in between I have some Aperture 3 Seminars and workshops - Digital Darkroom for Photographers- with the Power Mac Center and the Filipinas Heritage Library in Manila Philippines. Then I am invited again in December for the "ONE ASIA" in Singapore as a Guest Speaker and Judge for the Images of Asia Festival starting on the 9th until the 12th of December 2011.

Travel Photography: Medieval Labyrinth, Bats & a replica Taj Mahal, discover the undiscovered in India.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-07-11T19:51:09+08:00

Medieval is putting it mildly... after I paid a visit to Aurangabad and discovered the undiscovered, in particular roaming around all day at the Daulatabad Fort with its spooky labyrinth and fortifications. This was definitely going back in time… Daulatabad Fort is also very different from other Indian Forts I visited before…medieval is the right description for sure. ...I found out later that even most Indians don’t know that there is a “second Taj Mahal” in the country, a perfect replica but only about a third in size in comparison to the Taj in Agra. ...Aurangabad is a good base for visiting the Ellora and Ajanta Caves that I described in my earlier articles and one can spend easy a few days here wondering around discovering the undiscovered. ...In 2012 our GD Photo Workshop will take place in this area and if you have a sense of adventure, a love for Photography then why not join us to one of the lesser visited places in India.

Travel Photography: India Part 3 - Kailasa the unrivaled centerpiece of Ellora & the story behind the photos continuous.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-07-05T11:01:17+08:00

You’re speechless once you stand in front of this awesome architecture know as the Kailasa that is certainly the unrivaled centerpiece of Ellora, and it was only a few days ago when I stumbled up on an article on the web from the ...The other place mention under “Ancient Worlds” of course was no other than Angkor Wat in Cambodia a place that I have been visiting since 1992 and do so again this coming September.( ...So, let me introduce you to this amazing temple (Cave 16), also known as the Kailasa or the Kailasanatha, yet another place I can return to over and over again! ...Like with all the other caves, Ajanta and Ellora all photos been processed with Aperture 3 only, using in most cases only the basic RAW file adjustments, however in some of the cave images additional adjustments were required, mainly adjusting the White Balance using also Aperture 3 this was required due to the extreme mix light conditions in these caves. ...Now, if you ever get the feeling or the urge to go back in time discovering the undiscovered, then a visit to this amazing place should be on you next travel Itinerary.

News:Power Mac Center Manila Philippines, first Apple store in the country to receive an Apple Authorized Training Center (AATC)

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-06-30T10:56:43+08:00

Power Mac Center becomes the first Apple store in the country to receive an Apple Authorized Training Center (AATC) offering IT Track certification. ...Power Mac Center’s Classroom at Greenbelt 3 is now an accredited AATC and will begin to offer Apple certified courses to companies, schools, and individuals who wish to learn or expand their knowledge on Apple’s Pro applications. Moreover, the new AATC is now qualified to offer Apple certification exams for professionals looking to establish their expertise, and better market their skills in the field of digital technology. With already two accredited Apple Certified Trainers in its Greenbelt store, Power Mac Center continues to consistently train its employees to deliver quality educational services, with the end view of an AATC accreditation for its other flagship stores as well. This worldwide recognition further raises the level of commitment of all Power Mac Center employees to a truly reliable and outstanding service as demonstrated by the global Apple workforce.

Travel Photography India:Part 2 the challenge continuous at Ellora Caves, unsurpassed in Indian art & the story behind the photos.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-06-27T12:42:24+08:00

The Ellora Caves are no different in their amazing architecture, with the exception that they have fewer paintings but feature more impressive and very intricate sculptures, in particularly the rich ornamentation found through out these caves. ...Ellora is another amazing place that begs for a few more visits, actually one can spend a whole day in just one cave, wondering around dreaming of the past… thinking what it was like during the days of their occupation. ...All photos been processed with Aperture 3 only, using in most cases only the basic RAW file adjustments, however in some of the cave images additional adjustments were required, mainly adjusting the White Balance using also Aperture 3 this was required due to the extreme mix light conditions in these caves. ...It is the unrivaled centerpiece of Ellora, designed to recall Mount Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva and looks like a freestanding, multi-storied temple complex, but it was carved out of one single rock, and covers an area double the size of Parthenon in Athens. ...I was speechless when I arrived at this awesome structures for the first time, I had never seen anything like it before that was so amazing and carved out of a single rock with such details and precision as cave 16 Kailasa or Kailasanatha temple.

Underwater Photography Braking News: The World's Journal of Ocean Photo & Video

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-06-24T14:21:01+08:00

New York, USA; Munich, Germany; Singapore - June 18, 2011 - Scuba Diver AustralAsia, the premier dive magazine of the Asia-Pacific region, has teamed up with DivePhotoGuide.com, a world leader in underwater photography media, and Edition Fifty Fathoms, the prestigious fine art magazine, to create Scuba Diver Through the Lens, the first international magazine dedicated entirely to underwater photography and videography. ..."Scuba diving is a huge part of the adventure-tourism industry and underwater photography has always been an important part of promoting the sport," said John Thet, publisher of Asian Geographic Magazines Pte Ltd and one of the visionaries behind the new title. ...Among the companies' six magazines titles, Asian Geographic Magazines Pte Ltd is the publisher of both Scuba Diver AustralAsia as well as Asian Diver magazines, the two most important and well-established scuba diving magazines in the Asia-Pacific region. ...Other titles include the flagship magazine ASIAN Geographic, a vocal supporter of environmental, conservation and social issues; PASSPORT, showcasing the best of travel and adventure in Asia Pacific; JUNIOR, the only magazine about Asia that's dedicated to young ones; and THE READ, educating teenagers and young adults in a fun and informative way. ...Starting in 2008, the Edition will be published 12 times â€“ one for each letter in its name, or one for each number on a clock's face, as "Fifty Fathoms" also stands for the very first diving watch.

Motion 5, Final Cut Pro X & Compressor 4 important things to watch out for during installations

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-06-22T19:02:56+08:00

A few useful information on the newly released Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5 and new Compressor 4 before I go back to my articles, the story behind the photos, next one in line are the Ellora Caves in India scheduled for early next week. ...Apple has just released a complete new Final Cut Pro X, Motion 5 and Compressor 4, within a few hours of the release I had Motion 5 downloaded and installed, I love using Motion for my Presentations together with Aperture 3. ...But the biggest shock came when I was looking for my previous older version of Motion, I could not locate it anymore, well that was late last night (I guess it was early morning) and with a clear head the next day I did manage to find it. ...It is indeed confusing that the new FCP/Motion/Compressor are installed “on top” of the old ones, meaning into the exact same directory, the icon you have in your dock automatically points to the new version without you having to change anything, as mention fully auto and no warnings or advise prior installation or download. ...On the first glance the new Motion 5 interface looks very slick and cool from what I can tell so far (only downloaded it last night) a lot easier to use and to work with, but more on that later...and make sure you have a very a good internet connection for these huge files.

Travel Photography: The story behind the Photos: A challenge at Ajanta Caves, unsurpassed in Indian art.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-06-17T17:59:22+08:00

Sri Lanka and India, I am going to post a series of articles within the next few weeks from my recent trip to Sri Lanka and Central India, our next destination for the GD Photo Workshops in early 2012. September is only around the corner for our last trip in 2011 to Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar and in between a short trip to Thailand…Time is flying so fast and I don’t have much of this “commodity” at the moment, only a few more month left to introduce you to some stories behind the photos before reporting direct from our locations in Laos and Cambodia, unfortunately no live reports from Myanmar. ...After seeing this amazing place I came to the conclusion, that if anyone comes to me these days and said, I am sorry I can’t do this…I shake my head, smile and say…my good friend, you have no Idea what can be done! ...It maybe an obstacle for some visitors/photographers but for me it is a welcome precaution for the preservation of this unique treasure cove and in line with my Philosophy; “sometimes it is better to take home the memory instead pursuing the image.” ...All photos have been processed with Aperture 3 only, using in most cases only the basic RAW file adjustments, however in some of the cave images additional adjustments were required, mainly adjusting the White Balance using also Aperture 3 due to the extreme mix light conditions in these caves.

New Gallery with Fine Art and decor photos now on Photoshelter, perfect for interior wall displays

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-06-11T20:09:40+08:00

I have created a new Gallery in PhotoShelter with selected Fine Art and decor photos ideally suited for interior wall displays for home or offices. ...If you're looking for any other images use the search box type your keywords or go to all Galleries. The soundtrack from this small video clip was created with GarageBand, click on this LINK or the Image below to see the new gallery selection in PhotoShelter. ...This little multimedia presentation above was created to announce a new Gallery on PhotoShelter while in the background huge file transfers took place, moving Terra Bytes of photos from one Hard drive to another, a yearly maintenance but ever so important. Back-up and more back-ups, and as a reminder that I be giving a talk at Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3 on the 25th of June starting at 6:00 PM.

Environment:Palau International Airport is getting a nice facelift, thanks to the Shark Sanctuary

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-06-07T18:36:16+08:00

The Palau International Airport is getting a nice facelift, thanks to the "Worlds 1st Shark Sanctuary" in cooperation with the airport authorities in Palau: PEW, Palau Shark Sanctuary, the Palau Visitors Authorities (PVA) and many other individuals, like Dermot Keane the Founder of the Palau Shark sanctuary who made this possible. Websync International; Arnold Munz, Hermes Singson and myself (responsible for the production) are proud to be associated with this project, and of course the generosity from the contributing Photographers: Todd Essick, Mandy Etpison & Gunther Deichmann without their help and photos this could not have been achieved, besides keeping an almost impossible deadline. ...Showcasing an Environmental statement, a Government committed to the conservation of our natural resources and our precious marine life, and at the same time educating international Visitors up on arrival and departure...another first for Palau. ...Palau Shark Sanctuary Dermot Keane Founder Box 7076 Koror, PW 96940, Palau phone: +680-488-7267 e-mail sharksanctuary@gmail.com www.sharksanctuary.com About Palau Shark Sanctuary Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 in an effort to end the annihilation of Palau's sharks as a result of rampant shark-finning at the hands of foreign long-line fishing vessels licensed by Palau to fish in their waters. ...On September 25, 2009, President Johnson Toribiong from Palau declared the EEZ of Palau the world’s first shark sanctuary during a speech in front of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.

Environment - Late Breaking NEWS: Palau withdraws from agreement with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society 

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-06-04T13:32:42+08:00

Instead, according to Sea Shepherd sources, the Japanese government is supposed to support Palau by providing a patrol vessel and financial support as an alternative to Sea Shepherd’s involvement.  ...“While this decision came as a surprise to us, Palau Shark Sanctuary remains fully committed to the protection of Palau’s sharks and seeks full enforcement of the sanctuary declared by President Toribiong in 2009. ...Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 in an effort to end the annihilation of Palau's sharks as a result of rampant shark-finning at the hands of foreign long-line fishing vessels licensed by Palau to fish in their waters. ...Remengesau Jr., became a key supporter of the efforts of Palau Shark Sanctuary; in September 2003 he signed in to law some of the toughest anti-shark-finning legislation in the world. On September 25, 2009, President Johnson Toribiong from Palau declared the EEZ of Palau the world’s first shark sanctuary during a speech in front of the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York.

Photography: Basic back up solutions for your photos at Power Mac Center June 25, 2011

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-06-02T22:05:35+08:00

We spend thousands of Dollars on camera and computer equipment but trying to skip on a backup system, which is very affordable these days. Well,... until disaster strikes, but then it is to late, years of important travel images, family snap shots and even wedding photos gone for ever. Join me for simple solutions and a proper back-up of all your Photos...believe me, you sleep a lot better at night, besides it is really not that expensive. Basic Back-up Solutions for Your Photos with Gunther Deichmann @ Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3, Saturday, JUNE 25, 2011. ...For more info pls. contact Power Mac Center http://powermaccenter.com/services/training/learning_series

GD Adventure Photo Workshops Asia:Unforgettable places & faces...discover the undiscovered!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-05-28T21:58:37+08:00

For more information on all our Photo Workshops in 2011/2012 please click this LINK or the photo above. For Laos-Cambodia-Myanmar we have only two (2) more spots available, if you like to join these you have to finalize your bookings by latest June 10, 2011. ...Our exciting Photo Workshop to Bhutan is also filling up fast, we have only four (4) more spots available, this one you have to book early, by latest on or before October 15, 2011, we're taken reservation now, first come first serve basis. ...I am looking forward now to our Adventure Travel Photo Workshop into Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar, I have worked out a super exciting Itinerary, but I am also happy in catching up with some good old friends especially from our base in Siem Reap the Heritage Suites Hotel. ...In early July I have a three day workshop with the Filipinas Heritage Library in Manila and later that month a week long trip to Thailand for some interesting photography.

Travel Photography: The story behind the photos, one morning at the Varanasi Railway station.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-05-25T21:21:22+08:00

Varanasi one of India's most holiest City, is no exception on the contrary it is a colorful beehive like atmosphere, where everyday people come and go including pilgrims from all over the country visiting this Holy place called Varanasi. ...But the contrast amongst people from all walks of life is what makes this Railway station so very special not to mention the Holy Cows trying to “catch a ride... maybe.” These Cows or even Bulls wondering in and out of the station undisturbed and if by any chance one of them should stand in front of the train, well… there is for sure a delay in the departures… Holy Cow indeed. ...Amazing, crazy and utterly weird but ever so interesting is the scene which plays in front of you everyday, passengers stepping over spaced out people who had to many drinks the night before or took on just a bit to much during the Holi Festival, this is what that sums up the Varanasi Railway station. But somehow the system works and is fairly efficient, as I had experienced some years ago in Mumbai where you find not one but numerous railway stations, super crowded but it works.

Now on PhotoShelter…Nepal 2011, from Marijuana smoking Sadus to awesome colors & the bizarre.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-05-21T22:44:36+08:00

After a very busy week I managed to update and upload the latest images from my recent trip and workshop in Nepal. Last week I was really tied up with lectures on the Digital Darkroom (mind you NO Photoshop) that was organized by the Filipinas Heritage Library and the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3, Makati. Three 3 hour sessions with 15 students and all about Aperture 3 the Digital Darkroom, the workflow after the shoot and backing up your important photos on external hard drives. ...Over the weekend I am finalizing my Itinerary’s for our up coming GD Photo Workshops to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar…and believe me…they will be awesome. BTW…We have only 2 more spots available for Laos and Myanmar and only one more slot for Cambodia, if you’re interested please get in touch with me ASAP all bookings will be closed very shortly.

Photography: Incredible India - the stories behind some of the images from Delhi & Varanasi, India

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-05-15T15:02:14+08:00

The latest images from Delhi and Varanasi, India March 2011 are now uploaded in my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries to view them click on the Images or this LINK. ...Using a slow shutter speed and working my Nikon in manual mode and occasional using my popup flash on a rear curtain mode shooting many frames in the crowded streets of Varanasi. ...I spotted these two boys from the distance and before my Rickshaw pulled level with them I had my camera adjusted shooting in burst mode hoping for at least one image. The above image is the outcome...almost like a painting, NO other treatment in Photoshop or any other software, using Aperture 3 and adjusting only the exposure by about one stop. ...For this shot I picked a high vantage point using an Aperture of f:20 to get a slow shutter speed to achieve the motion blur, now I just had to wait patiently for an incoming train.

Photography: The story behind the photos; one beautiful morning on the Ganges River in Varanasi, India

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-05-11T18:25:47+08:00

Man and Nature: Man and his constructions … sometimes ugly and sometimes nice…however Nature can make them all look very beautiful, in this case it was Water the source of all life, that created these amazing reflections on the Ganges River in India. ...It was indeed a beautiful morning with blue skies and calm waters, with the exception of a slight ripple now and then creating amazing colors in front of me, little evidence of the normally polluted Ganges River. The colors of India reflecting right before my eyes… maybe it was this beautiful play of light and color that people have seen for hundreds of years, drawn them to it and worshiping -– The river Ganga Ma, "Mother Ganges." ...I just hope that man can and will control the pollution which has taken its toll on the environment, so that we can cherish this mighty river and it's amazing reflections for many more years to come. ...Let me use for todays post and images a quote from my good friend Pete Turner - "Ultimately, simplicity is the goal - in every art, and achieving simplicity is one of the hardest things to do.

Photography: Gunther Deichmann’s MAIN Web - Gallery updated with the latest Photos from Sri Lanka, India & Nepal.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-05-06T13:51:17+08:00

PLEASE NOTE: You might have to refresh your Browser or even individual pages and maybe have to empty your cache since this was a major update on the site, with new Buttons and photos however this issue will take care of its self in due time. ...However some color temperature corrections have been performed on some of the new photos from Central India (Cave images only) India 3 Gallery, due to the complexity and extremely difficult light conditions of mixed light which varied from Day light to tungsten to fluorescent plus what ever else there was… a total mix of all sorts of lights mixed together real bad. ...In this particular case I was also not allowed to use any strobes/or for that matter any other light source, to make it worse even the use of a tripod was strictly forbidden using only 250 to max. ...They are in excellent condition and to avoid any more damage no additional lights are allowed except for what is provided, which in some case is very little or almost non-existing. ...The latest and complete selection from Sri Lanka is already uploaded on my PhotoShelter site; the complete selection from Central India, Varanasi, Delhi and Nepal will follow soon.

Travel Photography: GD Photo Workshop India - Nepal March 2011... some of the Students work

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-04-29T15:20:55+08:00

by the participants from our last GD Photo Workshop to India and Nepal. ...It is done...uploaded some of the participants photos from our last workshop in India and Nepal, what I really like is that everybody got some very different images from each other. Everybody also made their own selection and I am sure once they have had more time to edit more exciting images will appear on their own Web sites, Face Book or Flickr. Thank you all for been part of the GD PhotoWorkshops and I am looking forward to see some of you again for our exciting trip to Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar. You have been an absolutely fantastic Group and it was so much fun being with you.

Travel Photography: Awesome Sri Lanka, in search for the unusual, now in my PhotoShelter Galleries

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-04-27T21:31:50+08:00

I have just uploaded the first photos from Sri Lanka onto my PhotoShelter Achieves and Gallery to view them all please click this LINK or the Photos. ...A merely 4 days coving as much as possible, a very short visit by any photography standards but my main objective on this trip was to follow the long standing Buddhism tradition which is still not yet completed. ...I must say I am very impressed and defiantly return for sure in the not so distance future, I just fell in love with this beautiful place with its warm and friendly people. As a matter of fact we have a GD Photo Workshop planed for 2012 together with another remarkable destination in Central India to follow …another awesome place but more on that later, 14 days of amazing sights. ...With a history that dates back over 2,000 years, Sri Lanka is home to some of the best preserved Asian monuments and showcases no fewer than 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites, all remarkably preserved to surpass more well-known world class attractions.

Photo Workshops: India & Nepal, the Images Behind the Scene, from giant shish kebabs to a squashed Squirrel…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-04-25T17:23:58+08:00

Rice wine and very strong Beer, Sadus, real “weed” along the road side, an almost busted knee, false beards...but most of all great people & participants traveling in chaotic streets having real good fun, ...It was a great Group and we had a lot of fun besides producing some very nice images, the selected photos from each and everyone (The Students Work) will be uploaded also very soon and I should be done with that task by end of this week. ..."David at the time was standing, taken photos… he sat down…at that very moment a very cute Squirrel run underneath his butt, Dave jumped up and to his amazement a groggy little squirrel appeared…Hubert run over to his rescue...not Dave's I might add and started to perform some basic first aid on this little bugger (but no mouth to mouth) and then let him go…off he went... a bit groggy mind you (why I am not surprised) but otherwise OK." Then our Nepalese dinner with ample rice wine (oh Boy not feeling so good the next day) and not to mention the hat trick (our fashion show at Bhaktapur) plus David winning the Golden Carrot Award for his well executed “F” assignment and so much more. ...My gratitude and thanks again to all the participants for being so nice and so much fun we were almost a United Nations assembly coming from: USA -Hong Kong - Indonesia-Singapore - Italy - Switzerland - Philippines & Australia.

Photography: Special Easter report from the Philippines…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-04-22T22:03:36+08:00

Some of the photos from this event can be very disturbing due to their graphic nature, I advise to view them at your own discretion. If you like to view the images at your own discretion please go to my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries and click this LINK or the image above. A quick change from India and Nepal… I have posted today photos, a few hours after the event from the Easter “celebration” this Friday in Pamapanga about an hours drive from Manila. ...It was an interesting trip to say the least, another Idea, which came about in our good old Cave Wine Bar a few days ago. ...But after a few hours I had some mixed feelings when I saw very young children taken part in this long traditional event, I don’t like to go into more details now, but this was one of the things I found very disturbing.

Travel Photography: Three Countries, surrounded by people & colors…Sri Lanka-India-Nepal

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-04-20T17:33:45+08:00

My recent journey started in Sri Lanka from there to Central India (a lot more on those places later) and then to Delhi for the start of our recent GD Photo Workshop. ...The photos I have selected today are from Sri Lanka-India & Nepal, taken from before the photo workshop and during, lets call it “Surrounded by people & colors” ...Images from my special trip to central India and some amazing photos from Sri Lanka deserve a special Blog post and I will post them in due time. ...I been busy these past few days in revamping my main website (Home page and some changes in the Nepal section) which is best viewed in Safari, don't know why there is always an issue with Firefox. (pls. make sure you do refresh your Browser to see the changes) see the screenshot below. ...You might find it also interesting to know, that during the whole trip my Nikon Cameras performed without a glitch, and I used 85% of the time the new Nikon 24.0 to 120.0mm f:4 and the 50mm f:1.4 G lens for the entire trip, with the 50mm lens been my favorite.

Travel Photography Asia: Sri Lanka - India - Nepal, a quest for the un-usual

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-04-05T20:24:17+08:00

In search for the un-usual from my last Journey ...I like to share with you some images from my last Journey and the never ending quest for the un-usual, a few photos from three Countries and its Buddhism, more in the coming weeks once I am done with my editing. Also stories from each and every place I visited during the past few weeks with detail description on culture & history, plus a lot more from our recent GD Photo Workshops to India and Nepal. ...All Photos above taken with the Nikon D700 & D300S using the 50mm f:1.4 G and the new 24.0 -120.0 f:4 Lens. Maximum 400 ISO and no flash or other artificial light has been used, edited and processed in Aperture 3 using only the basic editing tools and RAW conversion; no manipulation, Photoshop or any other software was used either.

GD Photo Workshop Varanasi India: From Dawn to Dusk on the Ganges River

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-04-03T13:45:42+08:00

Varanasi the most Holiest and oldest City in India, is an amazing Kaleidoscope of Color and activities along the River Bank of the Ganges...a photographers nightmare or paradise which ever you prefer. ...In the coming weeks I am going to report a lot more from this truly amazing city which was also one of our destination for this years GD Photo Workshop where we also celebrated the Holi Festival on the 20th of March. ...The story of the Ganges, from her source to the sea, from old times to new, is the story of India's civilization and culture, of the rise and fall of empires, of great and proud cities, of adventures of man… ...This is done because it is auspicious to have water of the Holy Ganges in the house, and also so that if someone is dying, that person will be able to drink its water. Many Hindus believe that the water from the Ganges can cleanse a person's soul of all past sins, and that it can also cure the ill...for more info go to Wikipedia

Thanks to all the participants from the India-Nepal GD Photo Workshop

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-04-01T15:48:30+08:00

My very special and sincere thanks to all who participated, you have been an awesome group to say the least, not only sharing your friendship but producing some of the very best images I have seen from any of my workshops. ...In due time I be showcasing some of these amazing images from India and Nepal on my Blog (The Students Work) and of course the fun photos. ...I am still on the road and have to keep this post short, prior the Workshops in India and Nepal I travelled also to Sri Lanka and to other parts of India, but this story and photos have to wait until I am back. My thanks goes also to all the drivers and guides who provided us with a safe and interesting Journey, thanks to you all and my gratitude to Sheena from Shroff international Travel for arranging at times the not so easy logistics, a BIg Thank You. ...Again my Gratitude and thanks to all the participants who made these two Photo Workshops so awesome, see you soon again for yet another Journey.

Late NEWS: Sea Shepherd to send vessel to patrol the territorial waters of Palau supporting the Shark Sanctuary

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-04-01T13:16:23+08:00

Koror/Palau, March 31, 2011 – The support of a high-tech vessel will have a significant impact on the marine law enforcement against illegal fishing practices after Palau declared its waters a marine sanctuary.  ...The well equipped conservation society taps into high-tech resources such as helicopter surveillance, drone (UAV) technology, fast interceptor boats, and radar tracking systems, putting the marine enforcement entity of Palau at par with the illegal fishing operations it is trying to fight since the implementation of the world’s first shark sanctuary in September 2009, followed by the extension to a complete marine sanctuary in November 2010.  Dermot Keane, Founder of non-profit organization Palau Shark Sanctuary, who established the contact between Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Presidential Office of Palau, and signed the Memorandum of Agreement as a witness, comments: “This is a major milestone for Palau’s conservation efforts and clearly sends the right message to the world: our nation is serious about the enforcement of our marine protection laws, and with the help of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, even small nations can make a big difference.” ...Palau Shark Sanctuary was founded in 2001 in an effort to end the annihilation of Palau's sharks as a result of rampant shark-finning at the hands of foreign long-line fishing vessels licensed by Palau to fish in their waters.

Photography: Last two Photos for February plus some interesting applications for the iPad, iPod & iPhone.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-02-28T18:40:22+08:00

Only a few words today...two images, one from Cambodia and the other one from Palau Micronesia and a little intro into some interesting Applications for your iPad, iPhone 4 or iPod. ...I am leaving for some exciting destinations plus our GD Photo Workshop in India and Nepal, so my Blog post's will be a bit thin for the next few weeks. ...I highly recommend "Definition" a very cool and useful App when you need to find the ...Perfect for the iPhone and featured as a New & Noteworthy Photography app in iTunes! Perfect for photographers of all skill levels, My Shot List for Travel by Ralph Velasco is the

Almost forgotten & unpublished photos from Laos & GD Photo Workshops in Asia 2011

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-02-23T18:57:41+08:00

We can confirm also for 2011 our combination for Laos & Cambodia starting on September 24th to the 7th of October 2011 the final Itinerary and schedules will follow shortly for the above confirmed Workshops on my GD Photo Workshop site. ...In Laos we spend time in Vientiane and Luang Prabang including traveling up the Mekong River, we have also changed our standard Itinerary in Cambodia, besides visiting Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap and Phnom Kulen, we travel this time to Battambang which is also called the real Cambodia with it's Monasteries and superb French Colonial Buildings, not to mention hidden Temples, some of which are older then Angkor and seldom visited places en route. ...Lao way of life is very much influenced by the Buddhism as can be seen through the way that Lao people live and behave. ... Buddhism was the only thing that bound people together and taught people to be good people and stay away from doing wrong things in the past when the law enforcement was not in place. Laos traces its history to the kingdom of Lan Xang (Million Elephants), founded in the 14th century, by a Lao warlord, Fa Ngum, who took over Vientiane with 10,000 Khmer troops.

GD Photo Workshops in Asia and unpublished Kodachrome images from Myanmar

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-02-19T19:40:39+08:00

We preparing at the moment a unique itinerary which will not only take you to the more known places but also to areas very rarely visited by others. ...Please Note: For those who are interested you can also join Laos - Cambodia and travel with us from our starting destination in Laos. ...According to ancient tradition, only five likenesses of the Buddha were said to have been made during his lifetime: Two were in India, two in paradise, and the fifth is the Maha Muni or "Great Sage". Archaeologists believe the image was probably cast during the reign of King Chandra Surya, who ascended the throne in AD 146, some 600 years after the Buddha actually passed away. ...The country is bordered by the People's Republic of China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, and the Bay of Bengal to the south-west, with the Andaman Sea defining its southern periphery.

World Wide Announcement Nikon 2011 COOLPIX Spring Series are released! New CoolPix P300 with a fast, f/1.8 lens

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-02-10T13:29:14+08:00

Media Press Release - Nikon Singapore - NIKON announces the release of the following 9 new digital compact cameras – COOLPIX Series that will be available in Singapore soon! ...COOLPIX P300 ...Worthwhile noting is that the Nikon CoolPix P300 has a Fast, f/1.8 lens A number of Nikon's optical technologies have been concentrated in the f/1.8 lens, resulting in the fastest* lens available with a compact digital camera. For more details/description and Photos please go to: http://www.nikon.com.sg/index.php

Photography: Media Release - Nikon Asia and Objectifs Present “Through Asian Eyes”

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-01-26T18:30:45+08:00

online visitors with the diverse perspectives of contemporary photography from over Asia ...Nikon Asia, in collaboration with Objectifs, has launched “Through Asian Eyes” - an online Asian photography exhibition initiative, tailor-made for Asian photography enthusiasts. The annual-long initiative will feature a specific theme in each quarter with different emerging photographers in Asia sharing their unique perspectives as well the styles they have employed to represent the state of the world today, the changing times, influences and beliefs in Asia. ...Objectifs is a visual arts centre for all photography and filmmaking enthusiasts and professionals. Established in 2003, Objectifs has become one of the leading visual arts centre in Southeast Asia, providing instructions in photography and filmmaking at different skill levels.

GD Photo Workshops Asia: Soon the Colors of India and Nepal... the Journey continuos.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-01-23T18:07:08+08:00

The Journey Through Color & Time continuous very soon with our first Photography Workshops to India and Nepal, starting on the 17th of March, 14 days of adventure and pure color. The two workshops are fully booked, but if you interested you can already make a reservation for our Sri Lanka and India Workshop in 2012 or choose some of the other workshops in our Calendar for 2011 and 2012. ...A unique itinerary has been work on which takes you to unusual places in India and Sri Lanka in 2012. More details and the full itinerary will be available by mid April 2011. Please Note: We only travel in small groups between 8 to 10 participants max. on all published destinations, providing you the full attention of Gunther Deichmann, making these workshops very personal and a fulfilling experience for you.

Photography: The book Journey Through Color and Time...the last copies

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-01-22T17:50:29+08:00

The book "Journey Through Color & Time" first published in 2006, a limited and signed edition with 360 pages, hardcover and full color through out. ...For more info and testimonials please CLICK THIS LINK to view some images from the Book click this LINK. Yes, time has changed for all of us over the years, and I often get ask how I have adopted to the digital age. My answer is quiet simple; I shoot the same way I always have, it is not the equipment, but your eyes, feelings and mind that creates the ultimate image. ...My approach and my soul are the same, and as is my philosophy about light and color. - GD -

Environment & Photography: Is this the last fish? A fishy tale from the Fish Port.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-01-20T17:09:56+08:00

I started to think if this was just a bad day or the fish stocks getting depleted, but that we can figure out some other time. ...I looked around and there was this squashed fish right behind me...the culprit for me loosing my balance for a moment. ...Is this the last Fish?', now you might think this is a real fishy tale but it is indeed very true and you better believe me. It was an interesting night, working only with available light and the Nikon D700 at ISO 400 plus the Nikon 50mm f:1.4 Lens. ... A few hours later I edited all the images in Aperture 3.1 and uploaded them into my PhotoShelter Archives & Gallery, check out (only 69 Photos) from the evenings take and CLICK this LINK or the Image above.

Photography: “The Wild One” the story behind the image

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-01-18T17:28:30+08:00

I had been assigned to cover Australia’s National Parks for a publisher to do a book called “Australia’s National Wonders”. ... We started a conversation and I told her that I give her a lift to the next town but had to go first to this Park with this rock formation. I ask her if she would mind posing as a model for some additional shots…sure, that’s OK!” ...Then I had this idea…we pulled up on gas station and I bought some leather chamois for cleaning the windshield. Once we arrived at my location a few hour later (remember vast distances in Australia) I sat down and started to work ripping the chamois to pieces, roughed it up with some rocks and used my trusty Swiss army knife for the final touches creating a brand new outfit for her.

Photography: One of the coolest articles I have come accross recently.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-01-13T13:24:12+08:00

© 2009 Ken Rockwell In respect for Ken Rockwell and the rightful owner of the copyright of this article I am only posting today the LINK to this fantastic article...it is some thing I firmly believe in and I totally agree with...check out the complete and cool article including quotes by Ernst Hass, Ansel Adams and many others. http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm Thank you Ken for the excellent and very open no thrills article! I totally agree.

Exciting NEW updates on GD Photo Workshops in Asia, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-01-12T17:00:24+08:00

We have just updated the Calendar for the GD Photo Workshops, new info on Vietnam for May 2011and for September/October 2011 Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, now you can join us on all three destinations with a stopover in Bangkok for two days. ...Please Note: Bookings for Laos and Cambodia are almost full we have only 2 more spots available more detailed info on the Calendar. ...Please note, we only travel in small groups between 8 to 10 participants on all published destinations, providing you the full attention of Gunther Deichmann, making these workshops very personal and a fulfilling experience for you. Once you have Registered without any obligation we get in touch with you direct via email and provide you all the details.

First week in 2011…from iWine to Nikon, iMovie for the iPhone 4 & the latest from the new Apple App Store.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2011-01-09T19:37:48+08:00

Three of them I can recommend already of which two of them are for Free, my good friend Tony Wu put me onto the first one called Alfred very slick, I have integrated Albert now in to my family…Albert does a great Job in finding things in a jiffy and uses a nice big font. ...For example if you’re running a company and a faulty product was delivered with your last shipment then you use your iPhone take a quick shot and RemoteSnap Server transfers your images direct to your Mac Desktop, nicely tucked away in a folder keeping your iPhone free with these type of images from work. ...No cables or connecting you camera it is all done via Wi-fi…of course you have to have that…I run a good test drive yesterday and it works like a charm. ...I had a good play around with this one, of course it has its limitations if you compare it with its bigger Brother but it does a real neat Job with your iPhone’s HD camera and in no time you put a slick looking Video together. ...So there you have it, catching up with some friends which iLike, the iWine at the Cave Bar or better known now as the iBar, all these things which iLike in the first week of the New Year.

Photography: Delicious Colors... A Journey Through Color & Time continues in 2011

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-12-31T11:19:44+08:00

The Journey Through Color & Time continues in 2011 and I am looking forward to some exciting workshops in India and Nepal, followed by some other interesting and colorful destinations. We have also just published the latest Calendar dates with new destinations for 2011 and 2012 and performed a major overhaul on the GD Photo Workshop site, just in time for the NEW YEAR. ...But I managed to find some time in between to see some good friends and share a glass of wine...or was it more than one... of course never leaving home without my little Leica D-Lux 4 camera; today's featured images are all from the past few days and I like to share them with you on my last post for 2010...simply "Delicious Colors." ...Now I like to wish everybody a colorful and very Happy New Year and please remember to take care of Mother Nature in 2011 and beyond...

Photography: In search for colors...wishing you a colorful & very Happy New Year

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-12-26T21:52:02+08:00

A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân ...2010 is slowly coming to an end; I have selected some images taken on my travels with my small Point and Shoot Leica D-Lux 4 using only available light, on planes, during functions, taken the kids to the Mall, in taxis, cars and airport stop overs. As mention many times before...never leave home without it...the camera that is, you never know what you might encounter and having this small "baby" with me, I get never bored or "lonely". ...During my earlier days, I never thought much about B&W...color has and always will be my true passion, we're living in an amazing colorful world from nature to modern architecture, it is all around us... I remember only to vivid the beautiful creations by nature in autumn or the stark but ever so colorful outback of Australia, the amazing colors in India or the colors of Santorini.

Travel Photography: Cambodia & 60 minutes of great light on the way to Phnom Penh

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-12-22T20:52:20+08:00

Dirk, Tony, Arj and myself had an early start on our last day in Battambang, Cambodia, visiting first Ek Phnom an 11th century Angkorian-era ruin built as a Hindu temple under Suryavarman I and then to Phnom Sampeou temple plus the killing Cave before hitting the road for Phnom Penh. ...The Idea was to get to Krakor for a full moon rise over the Tonle Sap Lake, as it turned out we did miss that one, we saw the full moon but by the time we got to Krakor it was to late. Never mind I thought, we catch the Moonrise in Phnom Penh over the Mekong River instead the next day and we certainly did…but that is yet another story. ...Now I had what I was hoping for…foreground, color, people, landscape, great cloud formations and some amazing afternoon light, forgetting completely my Moonrise…but then again, we got it the next day in Phnom Penh, but yet again another story behind the images. ...Everything fell right into place, but it lasted only a few minutes before the big tube looking cloud broke up and the light slowly lost its color except for the Rainbow, which hang around a little bit longer.

Photography: Season Greetings & a Tropical Winter... Umbrellas in Snow.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-12-15T22:17:05+08:00

It is this time of the Year again...a sincere and special ..."Some of us like the Tropics this time of the Year... & some of us like to roll around in the snow... ...© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com ...© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Travel Photography: True Colors of Santorini, Greece, the travel story behind the images.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-12-10T22:53:35+08:00

It is winter in Europe now and I thought to give everybody a little break from Asia and share with you some photos from one of my favorite places... called Santorini in Greece all images on this post are taken a few years ago during the winter month of February. ...Santorini in Greece, one of the most thought after holiday destinations for the rich and famous, also a destination for Honeymooners and a popular spot for the Gay community during the summer month, but Santorini has a lot more to offer; from incredible Landscapes, amazing colors, great wines and the super red cherry tomatoes. ...Wow I thought, I wonder how this one is going to turn out…I had decided to go to Santorini for it's amazing colors… you know how much I love colors, but going there in the middle of winter...well almost everyone said I was ga, ga. ...After a few hours on my first day I did managed and found a very cozy place, close by my Hotel, where I had my Greek Salads every night with a special order of those locally grown real red cheery tomatoes and some Santorini wine, which BTW is excellent. ...After waiting on the roadside for a few anxious minutes I managed to flag down a cab, wow that was lucky… not many cabs around that time of the year, told the driver to take me to this cliff I checked out the previous day and off we went.

Aperture 3 & Photography: Aperture 3.1.1 via software update improvements on iLife, Flickr, slideshows plus a lot more

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-12-10T14:33:19+08:00

• Fixes a issue that in rare cases, could cause image files to be deleted when dragging a folder containing both images and text files from the Finder into Aperture. • Resolves an issue that could prevent images added to a library using the "Import Folders as Projects and Albums" option from being imported correctly. • Addresses an issue that caused Aperture to quit unexpectedly if you cancelled an import when using the "Import Folders as Folders and Projects" option, and when the source folder contained one or more non-image files. ... • Addresses an issue that could prevent the Aperture First Aid from opening correctly after upgrading a library from 3.0 to 3.1. ... • Fixes an issue that could cause a MobileMe account to be removed from the Aperture source list if the account password was changed at www.me.com.

Photography: Sometimes you need a bit of luck, the story behind the photo.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-12-04T22:40:08+08:00

I was living at the time in Alice Springs and like many times before checking the weather pattern in the sky…hmmm, maybe if I am lucky and drive down to Rainbow Valley I get some nice cloud formations over the colorful rock face. But nothing prepared me for what the weather had in store for me that day, I jumped into my 4X4 wheel drive and set off on jet another visit to Rainbow Valley. A visit like so many times before to one my favorite locations south of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia, located in the Dessert where temperatures can soar into the 50°C. ...I arrived around 3:00PM waiting patiently and watching the sky, then all of a sudden about an hour or so later, all hell broke loose and this time luck was on my side, an amazing weather spectacle unfolded right in front of my eyes in the beautiful late afternoon light. The rock formation is called Rainbow Valley, but the weather condition that day added certainly a rare touch to it…there I was, the perfect rainbow (double) unfolded right in front of my eyes over this amazing rock formation.

Travel Photography: Mysterious places... Nan Madol in Pohnpei called the Venice of the Pacific.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-12-02T16:11:02+08:00

Nan Madol is a ruined city that lies off the eastern shore of the island of Pohnpei, in the Federated States of Micronesia, and was the capital of the Saudeleur dynasty until about AD 1500. ...A local story holds that when Nan Madol was being built a powerful magician living in the well inhabited region on the northwest of the island was solicited, and that his help was a major factor in completing the buildings. ...The city Nan Madol consists of a series of small artificial islands linked by a network of canals and is often called the "Venice of the Pacific” The name Nan Madol means "spaces between" and is a reference to the canals that crisscross the ruins. ...Today Nan Madol forms an archaeological district covering more than 18 km² and includes the stone architecture built up on a coral reef flat along the shore of Temwen Island, several other artificial islets, and the adjacent Pohnpei main island coastline. The site core with its stone walls encloses an area approximately 1.5 km long by 0.5 km wide and it contains nearly 100 artificial islets—stone and coral fill platforms—bordered by tidal canals.

Nature Travel Photography: Tonle Sap freshwater swamp forests, Kampong Phluk, Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-11-26T23:14:35+08:00

When traveling on the Tonle Sap in Cambodia there is always a surprise or two waiting, nature at its best and my last visit in September during my GD Photo Workshop was no exception. ...I have never seen this before and the group started to click away feverishly, I must admit this was one cool site to be hold...the contrast alone was just awesome and you know how much I love RED. I done some research since then but don't have an explanation from where all these flowers came from, except for, that the wet season had been very late this year and didn't wash the seeds and flowers from the trees away. Below are some excerpts from Wikipedia and other sources information on this amazing fresh water lake in Cambodia, and as the saying goes... nature always has a surprise or two and that is what I like so much and keep returning to this incredible place year after year. ...Water is pushed up from the Mekong into the lake, increasing its area to 16,000 square km and its depth to up to nine meters, flooding nearby fields and forests.

A day of mourning on this day, the 25th of Nov. 2010 & In support for the Cambodian people.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-11-25T13:55:56+08:00

A day of mourning on this day, the 25th of Nov. 2010 & in support for the Cambodian people who have lost their loved ones on the 22nd of November 2010. A stampede killing over 350 people and injuring hundreds more in Phnom Penh during the annual water festival . Prime minister Hun Sen lit incense and laid a wreath near the bridge where the accident happen and has described the stampede as the country's biggest tragedy since the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s, which left an estimated 1.7 million people dead. For more on this tragic event please visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11832900

Travel Photography: Photos from the car window, as long you’re not behind the wheel.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-11-20T14:22:25+08:00

I am one of those people who can’t sleep at all when traveling in cars, trains or what ever other transportation, always looking around for this shot along the road…even at night on long Journeys. ...However DON'T try and take Photos if you’re the one behind the wheel... no photo is worth crashing into a tree or causing an accident, but as a passenger go for it! ...Of course this doesn't work with the front windscreen, so you have to make sure it is nice and clean before you start your Journey, also the autofocus can be a bit of a problem shooting through the front...better switch to manual. ...You be surprised what images you can get from the car window; people are not aware you taken photos and sometime you come across the totally unexpected, things you never see or able to get when outside the car. ...So next time you’re a passenger in a car, bus or what ever transportation you’re using, have some fun and take some photos through the car or what ever window you're sitting next to it.

Environment News: After Palau, Micronesia now Raja Ampat, Indonesia declares a Shark Sanctuary.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-11-16T13:23:46+08:00

Misool Eco Resort and Shark Savers announced today that a Shark Sanctuary has been declared for the entire 17,760 square miles of Raja Ampat, Indonesia. ...We are excited to announce that the Regent of Raja Ampat, Indonesia, Bupati Drs Marcus Wanma, has declared a Shark Sanctuary for the entire 17,760 square mile area of Raja Ampat. This declaration is a direct response to the proposal presented by Shark Savers and our partner, Misool Eco Resort. ... • Forbidden to catch sharks, manta rays, mobulas, live reef fish for the aquarium trade, dugongs and turtles. ...This is an important milestone, as Raja Ampat enjoys the highest marine biodiversity level on the planet with 1397 species of fish and over 600 species of coral recorded.

First test on Aperture 3 after OS X 10.6.5 update, good News... much faster & smoother.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-11-11T17:27:46+08:00

The first test results...after the software OS X 10.6.5 update... ...These are only my initial findings after installing the OS X 10.6.5 software update using a 15 inch i7 MacBook Pro with 6 Gig of Ram and the Automatic graphics switching turned off in the energy panel. ...Toggling back and forth to full screen and at the same time editing multiple images in full screen mode is a huge improvement. ...Using the Lupe; focus on cursor in the Browser mode is now much more liquid. There you have it, I am sure I find a lot more improvements down the road, but these are my first findings as far Aperture 3 is concerned, so if you have not updated to OS X 10.6.5 yet, then you better do it asap it is in my opinion one of the best OS X software updates for Aperture.

Late News: Software Update OS X 10.6.5 improvement for Aperture 3 & iPhoto, test driving now.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-11-11T14:07:30+08:00

The 10.6.5 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard and includes general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes that: ... ▪ address a printing issue for some HP printers connected to an AirPort Extreme ▪ resolve an issue when dragging contacts from Address Book to iCal ▪ address an issue where dragging an item from a stack causes the Dock to not automatically hide ...For information on the security content of this update, please visit:

Underwater Photography: “Super Bowl” of Underwater Photography & Video Competitions  Announces $120,000 Prize Pool

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-11-11T13:29:24+08:00

NEW YORK, NY (Nov 1, 2010) -- One of the largest, most prestigious and unique series of international underwater photo & vide competitions kicks off its 6th anniversary this year with over $120,000 in world class prizes. Often referred to as the “Super Bowl” of underwater imagery events, the Our World Underwater and DEEP Indonesia competitions truly showcase the art of underwater imagery from across the globe while celebrating the beauty, mystery and delicacy of the oceans. ...Our World Underwater, one of the largest diving expos in the US, and DEEP Indonesia, the first and only scuba diving and water sports expo in Indonesia. Prizes include nearly 40 trips to some of the best dive resorts and live aboard's in the world, underwater photo and video equipment, and scuba diving gear. ...Winners for each respective competition will be announced live on stage at the Our World Underwater film festival in Chicago (February 18-20, 2011), and exhibited at DEEP Indonesia in Jakarta (March 31 – April 3, 2010,), and will be published by supporting media partners worldwide.

Travel Photography Asia: A short visit to Ayutthaya also called Venice of the East

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-11-07T18:14:47+08:00

Some 90 kilometers from Bangkok is Ayutthaya the capital of the kingdom of Thailand for many centuries between 1350 and 1767. ...I had not been to Ayutthaya for a very long time, but recently spend a short afternoon at this ancient capital during my visit to Thailand. ...We arrived in Ayutthaya in the late afternoon and had less then two hours of light left, but just enough to get some nice images. ...The city was founded in 1350 by King U Thong, who went there to escape a smallpox outbreak in Lop Buri and proclaimed it the capital of his kingdom, often referred to as the Ayutthaya kingdom or Siam. ...It is estimated that Ayutthaya by the year 1600 CE had a population of about 300,000, with the population perhaps reaching 1,000,000 around 1700 CE, making it one of the world's largest cities at that time.

Photography: New look & make up changes on my Photo Shelter & updates on my main GD Site

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-11-02T20:34:03+08:00

Portfolios will give me now the option in displaying some Galleries in a different way, this is also very useful in showcasing some new material now and then or specific projects from time to time, instead going trough thousands of Gallery Images. Plus you have the option to check on the Info and Captions as well, of course these are only selected photos if you looking for something specific just go to the Galleries or select the search options which is found on the top bar. ...The search and all other function including the main Galleries are still the same and work just like before, I have already put up three Portfolios (marked with a red square on the new looking Home page screenshot) there is the Main Portfolio of about 160 Photos a selections from all the Countries I have visited. ...Then there is a small collection of rare and historical images from Australia, some of those are in B&W, and finally another small Portfolio, show casing Images taken from the car window in Mumbai India a couple of years ago. ...See the above screenshots with the new PS Home Page look and samples of the new Portfolio options, or click on the links and check it out.

iLife 11 quick glance at the new interface of iMovie. Behind the Scene India 2010

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-11-01T15:48:42+08:00

Had a little time on my hands yesterday...very little actually, but decided to check out iMovie in iLife '11. Wow, this is so cool with an almost all new interface and so many more possibilities, Apple got it right all the way, easy to use interface and slick new effects and options including all the new share options to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo etc.,etc. In no time at all I created this short trailer with some still images from our last GD Photo Workshop in India 2010 using images from the Holi Celebration, of course the possibilities are endless once the creative juices start to flow, this is only my very first attempt using the new iMovie. ...What is also super cool....my Aperture 3 Library including the Video clips are all in the iMovie Media Browser, of course the iPhoto and iTunes Library is there too. again total integration! My next project is going to be a lot more elaborate using Stills and Video clips combined and maybe mix in a bit of Motion too, but today it is only a very small appetizer the main course has to wait until I get the time...hopefully very soon.

Photography Event: Singapore goes all the way, from TV appearance to the One Asia festival Images of Asia & a lot of fun.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-27T21:13:15+08:00

Then to the Hotel…well not really a Hotel but super cool Apartments called Fraser Place, I had to be early in Singapore due to the Judging of the "Life at the Singapore River Competition" that was sponsored by Frasers. ...Thanks to Fraser and Asian Geographic for providing such a cool accommodation, a couple of days later Manuel Librado arrived who was also a Judge for "Life at the Singapore River" including John Thet and Diego Garcia from the Asian Geographic Magazine. ...A reality TV series for amateur and semi-professional photographers where we let your photos do the talkingTHE BIG SHOT of Singapore is about the moving stories behind that photography which often at times, when taken well, can speak a thousand words. ...Saturday the first day of the show was interesting, meeting other Photographers and Celebrity Speakers like Michael Yamashita, James Whitlow Delano (James still shoots B&W film which is so cool these days) Manuel Librado and many others. ...Lunita Mendoza Editor Asian Geographic, Leslie Quek from AG, John Thet Publisher AG, Daren Tan Nikon Singapore, Rod Andrewartha and friends, Diego Garcia, Elysee Tan AG, Lester Ledesma, Annamarie Blight CNN, Discovery Channel, Philippine Airlines, Silk Air and so many others, I be here all night if I list them all... so please forgive me.

First good look at the all new iPhoto from iLife '11

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-25T22:10:51+08:00

I found a few minutes today and had a quick look at the all new iPhoto from iLife '11 and I have to admit... ...Access to the basic adjustment tools are easy, great new options for slideshows, new layouts for cards and books etc. and as mention, this is only my very first impression. I had no time to go any deeper now, but will do so very soon, in the meantime I like to share with you some screenshots at least on the new iPhoto. Had a quick look at GarageBand and iMovie too, lots of new and cool things, but again not enough time at the moment. I am also working on another post from my trip to Singapore and the "Celebrating Images of Asia" Event which finished last night with a great Party.

Just installed iLife 11 test driving now...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-25T17:39:00+08:00

Just installed iLife 11 test driving it now... more in a few days, looks very good so far.

News: Straits Times, Singapore, Celebrating Images of Asia article

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-23T10:19:42+08:00

Photography and videography enthusiasts will gather this weekend in Hall 402 at Suntec Convention Centre for Images of Asia, an event that showcases the wonders of the Asian continent. ...Today it has blossomed into AsianGeographic’s OneAisa Festival, where various programmes and events including the Images of Asia, will lead the way to the grand finale in 2011 (OneAsiaFestival.com). ...Besides photo exhibitions, video screenings and workshops, there will also be more than 70 companies showcasing the latest products such as cameras, lenses and filters, travel-related accessories, and computer software. ...This year’s prizes will include the Canon EOS 5D Mk II (EF 24-105mm) worth $5,800, Canon EOS 50D (EF-S18-55m) worth $2,099 and watches from Tissot. ...Canon Singapore, which has been the major prize sponsor since the days of Asian Geographic’s Asia Without Borders Photo Competition, has played a significant role throughout the years in the competitions.

Photography: Updated my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries with all the latest Images from Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-23T01:39:49+08:00

Just updated my PhotoShelter Archives & Galleries with all the latest images from Cambodia October 2010 Click this LINK or on the Image below. © Gunther Deichmann - The Bamboo Train, near Battambang, Cambodia Oct. 2010

News: Oct. 20, Aperture 3.1 is here! Plus ProKit Update addresses issues within Aperture 3

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-21T12:45:49+08:00

Every year, about this time we get some major upgrades and Apple announces new products...the web is buzzing again with a New MacBook Air, iLife '11 an Apps store, the list just goes on. ...This update improves overall stability and performance, and addresses compatibility with iLife '11. ...The update is recommended for all users of Aperture 3. ...Fixes a problem in Logic Pro and MainStage where numeric parameters display-incorrect information. This update is recommended for all users of Final Cut Studio, Final Cut Pro, Motion, Soundtrack Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Aperture, Final Cut Express, Soundtrack, Logic Studio, Logic Pro, MainStage, WaveBurner and Logic Express.

Travel Photography: New Cambodian Photos in support of Celebrating the Images of Asia Event Singapore

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-20T19:51:00+08:00

Greetings from Singapore, I like to thank the Organizers and sponsor for inviting me and to be part of this truly great event in Singapore. Some schedules have been moved around a bit and I be giving now also a talk on travel Photography on Saturday and the topic on Sunday will be... ...Detailed guide to using apple software to get more from your photographs, including workflow after the shoot with tips on backing ...The images on today's post are from my last Journey in Cambodia, September 2010, a complete selection will soon be available on my PhotoShelter archives. ...I be reporting back from Singapore as the days go by so please stay tuned, there is also another TV event which I am part off it, more on that later.

Travel Photography Asia: GD PHOTO WORKSHOP CALENDAR 2011, India-Nepal & Laos-Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-14T20:53:58+08:00

March 17/18th (depending on the arrival of the participants) to the 24th/25th (celebrating Holi on the 20th in Varanasi) then we have our option to leave from Delhi to Kathmandu in Nepal our extension and second Workshop from the 25th to the 31st / 01 of April, again depending on the departure of participants. You can also choose just one of the destinations either India or Nepal, or join us on both in India & Nepal and book the combination. ...I complete Itinerary is shortly avail. and I send this one to those who are interested, pls. remember this workshop is almost full, only two more spaces available for India and only 3 more for Nepal. ...We can confirm also for 2011 a combination for Laos & Cambodia starting on September 24th to the 6th/7th of October 2011 the final Itinerary and schedules will follow shortly for the above confirmed Workshops on my GD Photo Workshop site. ...Again, you can also just choose one of the destinations either Laos or Cambodia, or join us either in Laos or Cambodia, or go with the combination.

Travel Photography Cambodia 2010: Selection of Photos uploaded in my Blog Gallery

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-13T20:38:24+08:00

I have uploaded a small selection from this recent trip, more Photos from Cambodia and other Countries you find on my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries including the latest images from India and Nepal in 2010. ...A lot will happen in Singapore, from a TV appearance as a Judge on a TV show, then there is the Fraser Suites Judging "Capture Life by the Singapore River" photographic contest and of course the "Celebrating the Images of Asia" Show at Suntec from the 23rd to the 24th of October, for sure a very busy week. ...Please Note: Our GD Photo Workshop in March/April 2011 to India and Nepal is just about full, we have only two more vacancies our bookings will close by latest November 10. We are also getting a lot of inquiries for our Workshop in Laos and Cambodia by late September 2011 and have only 4 more spaces available. ...Reporting soon from Singapore, and if you happen to be in Singapore you can find me or join one of my Workshops at Suntec "Celebrating the Images of Asia" from the 23rd to the 24th of October.

GD Photo Workshop Manila: Fantastic & kind people plus10 iMacs and Aperture 3

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-10T20:09:39+08:00

To the Power Mac Center with their support team Andrew, Mark and Jeffrey, you have been outstanding and so supportive to make the work flow after the shoot very easy with Aperture 3 and taken some workload of me. ...It was real fun seeing all those cool images going through Aperture 3 without a glitch, we only did some basic processing but the organization of that many images was so easy using Aperture 3 plus it gave the participants a chance to see how efficient Aperture performs when dealing with large volumes of Photos. Thanks again to the Power Mac Center Team, their help with this volume of Images certainly made my life a lot easier, I also like to mention Maleng Raysag from the PMC Education Devision who was instrumental in setting this up for us. ...On Saturday morning we wondered around in the old part of Manila and I was on hand with advise and shooting techniques, after the morning session we went back to Makati to the facilities of the Word for the World Christian Church where a room was prepared with some 10 iMac units from the Power Mac Center. ...After some well needed lunch I gave a short talk about the morning shoot before we hit the road again for the afternoon session at the American Cemetery Memorial Park, this location proved to be a real challenge for all participants.

International Photo Event in Singapore: One Asia, Celebrating The Images of Asia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-08T11:58:45+08:00

ONE ASIA - Celebrating The Images of Asia 23 -24 OCT 2010 Hall 402 Suntec, Singapore Join me and many others in Singapore for this truly great event at Suntec, lets CELEBRATE THE IMAGES OF ASIA for more info go to the ...Hope to see you there!

Travel Photography: GD Photo Workshop Cambodia 2010, the Students work

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-06T19:10:59+08:00

Another great Photo Workshop in Cambodia is behind us and I have uploaded all the students work into the Gallery called "The Students Work". Some amazing Images have been taken and on purpose I ask the participants to choose six of their favorable ones, I didn't do any editing or enhancing. Editing is part of Photography and sometimes the hardest part in deciding which images to choose out of thousands taken on a trip, there might be others and I have seen some during the workshop which are equally good or even better then the ones represented here. ...On another note I might mention that my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach our Video Man on this trip, he took some amazing stills with his little waterproof Olympus Point and Shoot Camera, well it gets to show you it's not always in the equipment you use, however I let you be the Judge once you open the Gallery. ...I am also working on a Video from this Photo Workshop for the first time using of course Aperture 3 and mixing in the footage from Dirk's Sony Video Cam, however due to time constraints at the moment this will not be finished for a while, but I keep you posted.

GD Photo Workshop in Cambodia 2010 behind the scene, the fun part.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-02T00:58:54+08:00

It is done, after going through tons of images from everybody I uploaded a Gallery behind the Scene on my Blog. I took the image below on my way home at the Changi Airport in Singapore at 3AM in the morning and I thought it is very fitting for the announcement of the Behind the Scene. ...Selected images from the Participants will be up soon too, still waiting for some more sets to come in, so in the meantime enjoy the Behind the Scenes. I had to keep the Photos a bit smaller than usual, we just had so many to choose from, in the Gallery you find a representation of some 86 images. Hope you enjoy them as much I have enjoyed the last Cambodia Photo Workshop.

Announcement: GD Photo Workshops for 2011, India-Nepal & Laos-Cambodia the confirmed dates.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-10-01T13:31:17+08:00

Then we have our option to leave from Delhi to Kathmandu in Nepal this is our extension and second Workshop from the 25th of March to the 01 of April. You can also just choose one of the destinations either India or Nepal, or go with the combination. Other 2011 Photo Workshops I announce very soon, but India and Nepal is confirmed for 2011. ...I can also confirm for 2011 a combination for Laos & Cambodia starting on September 24th to the 6th/7th of October 2011 the final Itinerary and schedules will follow shortly for the above confirmed Workshops on my GD Photo Workshop site. http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/ ...India and Nepal 2011 is almost fully booked and we have only two more vacancies, bookings for India and Nepal will close by latest first week of November.

Travel Photography Asia, GD Photo Workshop & a long colorful Journey through Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-09-29T20:15:29+08:00

Pad Thai in Siem Reap to the bizarre Happy Chicken Soup at the Smok’n Pot in Battambang or the first Hamburger with French Fries in three weeks at the FCC (Foreign Correspondence Club) in Phnom Penh. ...It was indeed a long but very rewarding trip, starting with the annual GD Photo Workshop in Siem Reap, and this time it was also recorded on Video by my good buddy Dirk Fahrenbach. Editing the Video and mixing it later with some still images in Aperture 3 will take time, so for the meantime let’s contend ourselves with some still images. ...Instead going into long history lessons today I decided to post a mix bag of images from the whole trip, photos behind the scene and the selected images from the participants will also follow in due time. ...I just love this time of the year, seldom a boring day, the weather was absolutely perfect, got drenched by tropical rain at times and minutes later rewarded with a Rainbow on the horizon.

Travel Photography Cambodia, our last day in Siem Reap at the Heritage Suites Hotel

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-09-25T13:58:01+08:00

Arj and myself arrived back last night in Siem Reap traveling from Phnom Penh by road, the Tonle Sap has now been completely circumnavigated by road and Boat. The Heritage Suites Hotel welcomed as again with their friendly staff last night, now I have a few minutes to spare editing some images from yesterdays travel in Aperture 3, which performed just fantastic the whole trip. ...Due to time constrains I only posted two image today...but there are so many more to follow in the next few weeks weeding through some over 10th images. I like to take this opportunity again and thank all participants of this years GD PhotoWorkshop in Cambodia and of course to all the staff at the Heritage Suites Hotel for their exceptional service and over the top accommodation. ...I also report in the coming weeks on the extended travel across the Tonle Sap Lake to Battambang and Phnom Penh then back again to Siem Reap.

Reporting from the Heritage Suites Hotel and the GD Photo Workshop in Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-09-19T13:30:57+08:00

A very special thanks to the staff and Management from the Heritage Suites Hotel in Siem Reap for not only providing an outstanding service but accommodating at times our crazy requests, like super early Breakfast at 4:30 AM. ...This post has been way overdue but time was not on my side, need to get some sleep sometimes, most mornings we started at 4:30 AM and by the time we finished at our Round Table at the Heritage Suites Hotel it was already 11:00 PM. ...This workshop was extremely rewarding, all participants shooting some real amazing images, I post a selection of those again once I am back home and of course cool photos behind the scenes. ...JP Yulo who left yesterday has send me his Quote already (see below) thanks to JP for his kind words and all other participants very much for being part of our 2010 Cambodian GD Photo Workshop… you have been a fantastic Group! ...I keep today’s post very brief…not enough hours in the day and another very early start tomorrow, however a complete report will follow with lots of cool images and some nice surprises…oh no, my suspense again.

Travel Photography: On the Road again, Thailand to Cambodia via Poipet

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-09-11T18:46:05+08:00

Settled into the Heritage Suites Hotel in Siem Reap and getting ready for our GD PhotoWorkshop after a nice ride from Thailand to Cambodia, crossing at the Border Town of Poipet. Excellent road conditions from Bangkok and equally good on the Cambodian side, below are only a few photos from this first leg of our Journey. ...I also decided today to cross the Tonle Lake Sap Lake by Boat to Battambang after the workshop, not by road anymore as previously planned, some 6 hours by Boat across the lake and straight to the pier of Battambang City. But now the Photo workshop first, everybody will arrive tomorrow and we start seriously on the 13th, I try and report and pending on my time, long days ahead of us. However the internet connection is as to be expected... excellent at the Heritage Suites Hotel.

Aperture 3 Event in Asia, Bangkok Thailand, plus through the Hotel Window

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-09-09T15:14:50+08:00

Today I found the time to report quickly from Bangkok Thailand from the Aperture Event at the Art and Culture Center organized by Apple Hong Kong, Thailand and the Fotofile Group Co. ...This was just to good to miss even my meeting with the Thai Apple Team was in a few minutes...then the phone rang right in the middle while I was trying to capture that last incredible light of the day. ...The event was superbly organized by the Apple Thai Team and Fotofile Group Co. in Bangkok, special thanks to all for making me part of this event, I truly enjoyed it. ...Today I keep it very brief, instead let the photos do the talking, tomorrow we are leaving for Cambodia via the Border Town of Poipet need to be in Siem Reap for the start of my yearly Photo Workshop. ...My next post will be from the Heritage Suites Hotel in Siem Reap our base for the next 10 days where the Journey continuos...oh BTW, thanks to Arj who took all those shots with my little Leica D-Lux 4 during the event, great job buddy.

Travel Photography Asia: The Journey continues Aperture 3 event in Bangkok & GD Photo Workshop in Cambodia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-09-03T22:05:42+08:00

We spend a few more days in Phnom Penh before some of us fly out, but I continue with my buddy Arj for Siem Reap again by car on the other side of the Tonle Sap before leaving Cambodia and back to Manila. ...That's it for September; October is going to be equally busy if not more, preparing for a local Photo Workshop organized by my good friend Luis Martin Harder with support from the Power Mac Center for the 8th and 9th of the month with some 30 plus participants over two days. ...After that a visit to Singapore for the One Asia Festival – Images of Asia a fantastic event organized by Asian Geographic Magazine with guest speakers, workshops and event judges like Steve McCurry, Michael Yamashita, James Whitlow Delano, Gunther Deichmann, Tay Kay Chin & David Tay and others. ...At the end of the month (29 to the 1st of November) a 4 day Photo Workshop in Palawan organized and co sponsored by Power Mac Center and Club Paradise in Palawan exploring and photographing nature but at the same time understanding the essentials after the shoot. ...Now I have to pack my Bags and get ready for the road less traveled in Cambodia, please forgive me if my post’s will be a bit thin in the next few weeks.

Travel Photography: "The Shy One" through the Classroom Window, Chuuk Micronesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-28T21:30:17+08:00

It is not known when the islands of Chuuk were first settled, but, based on archaeological evidence, these islands had originally been settled more than 2000 years ago. ... Based on archaeological evidence, it seems that, after about 200 AD, there was no continuous settlement until about 1300 AD. ...© Gunther Deichmann - a Chuukese blowing the Shell as a welcome sign - the language of Chuuk belongs to the enormous Malayo-Polynesian family, one of the major branches of the Austronesian language phylum. ...A major shipwreck site from WWII, Truk Lagoon is unquestionably the world's best shipwreck diving destination. Here, more than 50 hulks have been transformed into ship-reefs, holding the very best of the undersea world and maritime history at one site.

Aperture 3: Tips, tricks & techniques, seldom mention controls & adjustments in Aperture 3

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-28T18:31:09+08:00

I believe it is a cool new edition for beginners in Photography, an easy way on checking your focus after the shoot. I use it a lot during my training sessions explaining where the focus was during the actual shot, a cool teaching feature. ...Hover over the Focus Points button in the Camera Info pane to see the focus points used by your camera to auto focus the image. ...This is a great one… at times we come across these ugly purple and blue fringes produced by certain lenses. ...Use Halo Reduction to remove blue and purple fringes sometimes produced with certain lenses on overexposed areas.

Photography: Join me at Celebrating the Images of Asia Event, Suntec, Singapore 23-24 October 2010

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-24T16:20:28+08:00

I like to thank the organizers of "CELEBRATING THE IMAGES OF ASIA" for their invitation and making me part of this great event in Singapore. I am one of the Guest Speakers during the event and conduct also some 90min. ...A detailed guide using Apple Aperture 3 software to get more from your photographs, plus the important essentials and workflow after the shoot including tips on backing up your files in the field using Aperture 3 software. ...Excerpts from the website: Images of Asia – 23 to 24 Oct 2010 The first event under the OneAsia Festival umbrella will be a showcase of the IMAGES of Asia, featuring a gallery to display the shortlisted entries in the Asia Without Borders (AWB) photo competition, a screening area for inspirational documentaries on Asia, plus famous professional photographers and videographers giving talks and workshops to inspire you to pick up a camera/camcorder and capture your own images of Asia.

Aperture 3 & Snow Leopard: Graphics Software update released.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-21T16:54:26+08:00

Apple released a Software update, improvements on Graphic performance on Aperture 3 and others, recommended for all Aperture 3 users. It is for download now via your software update.

Travel Photography: Simplicity, Light & True Colors of Boracay Philippines, a colorful Time Machine.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-19T18:22:37+08:00

Sometimes we repeat ourselves, like the other day when I was looking for images in my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries and I came across the ones from Borobudur and Yogyakarta in Indonesia. (previous post) ...I stumbled across the Philippines Boracay folder and out of curiosity I had a quick look, but then decided to share some of those photos with you, again a nice mix of film and digital. ...© Gunther Deichmann - Boracay 2005, when I woke up in the morning...before brushing my teeth and going to the bathroom I spotted these cloth pegs on the Balcony...the rest you can see above...color, light & simplicity! ...So, easy on Photoshop, filters etc.,...believe me, Mother Nature has the best light & colors we could ever ask for and that is a real blessing. ...Soon, very soon I stop digging in my Archives and share with you new images from Cambodia, so please stay tuned, I be reporting direct from our GD Photo Workshop base in Siem Reap at the Heritage Suites Hotel.

Travel Photography: Experience is the mysterious, Borobudur & Yogyakarta Indonesia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-16T21:24:54+08:00

During my visit to Borobudur I observed the sun and thought it be so nice if I could get the sun to break just through the openings of the stupas…so I waited. Patience paid of and I managed to squeeze in just a few frames, bracketing the exposure as much as possible and then? ...I had to wait a few weeks before I got back to Australia, send the film for processing to Melbourne since Kodak was the only Lab who could process Kodachrome at that time. After the boxes of slides arrived I looked with excitement for those images from Borobudur, once I found them amongst all those others my grin was brighter then the light table…remember no Computer…well only those super large ones which nobody could afford. ...If you interested please let me know, this one promise to be very cool and affordable, I post the dates (2011) once I finalized the details, so please stay tuned.

PHOTOiNEWS - Beta Version soon available for Photographers

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-13T22:55:47+08:00

We are proud to announce the launching of a Web Photo Gallery – PHOTOiNEWS - Beta Version exclusive for Mac users, in cooperation with Websync Intl. ...We include a forum and individual Gallery’s to all members and of course participants from the GD Photo Workshops. ...Our objective is to showcase the very best Photos from our members and expose them to a broader international market without being lost in Cyberspace plus providing interesting articles and discussions. ...In addition previous and future participants of the GD Photo Workshops have a free membership subscription automatically. You have your own account password and username of course, upload your images, change your themes and many more exciting features.

Travel Photography Workshop: Cambodia September 2010. The Road less traveled... Siem Reap & beyond.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-10T22:09:45+08:00

I just finished the Itinerary for the Journey after our Photo Workshop in Siem Reap Cambodia, and for those who would like to join, please contact me for more details as this trip is only for a very limited number of participants. Traveling by road and stops I have selected including a couple days in Batambang with it's amazing Colonial architecture, along the majestic Tonle Sap Lake traveling south to Phnom Penh. ...By Ox Cart if weather permitting to the remote temple of Bantey Ampoeu (part of our Siem Reap Workshop) ...The remote temple of Bantey Ampoeu (part of our Siem Reap Workshop)

Travel Photography: A Tribute to Kodachrome, the last roll is on the road with Steve McCurry

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-05T17:24:48+08:00

I am glad it is Steve McCurry who has taken the last roll of Kodachrome on the road for its final Journey, who else could do it better justice then him. ...Of course there where so many others who loved, treasured and created some amazing images with this extraordinary film, legends like Ernst Haas, Pete Turner and Eric Meola used it all. ...I can't remember how many rolls I have shot prior the digital age, thousands I guess and the slides which are still with me look as good then ever. I used Kodachrome exclusively in Australia and in many other parts of the world, on my Magazine assignment covering the Mekong River in 1992 I carried no less than 300 rolls with me. ...The images on this post are all shot on Kodachrome 25 ASA except for the photo of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, here I used the hard to get Kodachrome Tungsten film at 40 ASA.

The Long Road to Great Travel Photography, published in Asian Geographic Passport

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-03T18:22:58+08:00

Asian Geographic Passport has just published in their June/July Issue an article over 3 pages "The Long Road to Great Travel Photography" the Magazine is available at Newsstands & Airports, you can also check out the pdf file @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/publications.html See below some quotes; you find a lot more tips, information and other quotes in the article. ..."Sometimes it is better to take home a memory than the Photo. ...Join me on one of my Photo Workshops in Asia, for more information and dates please go to

Aperture 3 tip: More viewing space in full screen mode

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-03T15:07:00+08:00

The nice thing about Aperture 3 interface is that you have at full screen no clutter or obstruction, viewing your Photos at full screen mode made easy. All panels are floating and they can be called up any time and moved around freely. But if you need even more space and your Info/Adjustment panels gets in the way, then try this: Click with your cursor on the adjustment you like to make and hold down the shift key the adjustment panel disappears showing you only the slider you're working with at the time. This is very useful if the Adjustment panels gets in the way and you like to view your images at its fullest, it is really that simple.

Travel Photography: Killing time during Airport stop overs & during flights, using only the iPhone & Leica D-Lux 4 Camera

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-08-01T04:43:22+08:00

I am on my way home but still have a few more hours to go, my stop over in Singapore is quiet long so I decided to do an edit in Aperture 3 using Photos from my quick trip to the USA. All Photos are taken at various airports and inside the aircraft from Manila to Hong Kong, San Francisco, Korea and back to Singapore where I am posting this blog at 4:54 AM, my next flight to Manila is not until 9:00 AM. ...Within the next few days and after I catch up with a good sleep I post some cool new Aperture 3 tips but please give me a few days rest first. See below a Photo Kaleidoscope from all my stops and from inside the aircraft... killing time and taken photos what ever took my fancy, wondering around between Gates, waiting for the next connection using only the iPhone and my little Leica D-Lux 4. Now I am going to have some early breakfast and wait for my final connection back home.

Mystical Asia: Multimedia presentation created with Aperture 3 slideshow, Motion & Garageband

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-07-25T19:41:40+08:00

I have been flood out the past few days with Photography and Aperture 3 workshops at the Power Mac Center at Greenbelt 3 Makati. Tomorrow I have another session the whole day at the University of the Philippines Diliman sponsored by Power Mac Center Educational Division, all this prior my departure for the US on Tuesday. But I promised on my last post that I share with you yet another cool Multimedia Demo/Presentation and here it is, "Mystical Asia" a 2.56 min. ...I finished this demo only a few days ago, amazing stuff you can create using a MacBook Pro and of course the cool Aperture 3 slideshow with GarageBand and my new "Girlfriend called Motion" from Final Cut Studio. ...Please note the video is best viewed using your Safari Browser we experienced recently that in Firefox some script codes appear underneath the QT window, the video will still play correctly but it looks a bit strange.

News: Late evening makeup session for my Photography Blog...plus very soon a cool Multimedia presentation

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-07-22T23:06:49+08:00

Overall new look, changed the images and moved things from the right to the left, etc. and more uniform with my GD Photo Workshop site. http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/ ...Early this evening I sat down with my Partner and Webmaster Arj to discuss some other issues when I had this crazy idea... ...That how it all started... a few hours later it was done, we did encounter some glitches but otherwise it went smooth, if you find something not working properly please let me know so we can fix it. ...This one is promising to be very cool and slick, I have it uploaded by latest on Monday...need to get it done prior my departure for San Francisco on Tuesday. I hope you like the new look of the Blog, if you don't see any changes right away please refresh your Browser.

Photo Workshop: Cambodia and beyond...last call for reservations

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-07-13T21:00:44+08:00

We are getting very close to our final bookings for our GD PhotoWorkshop in Cambodia from the 12 to 18th of September 2010, we have only 3 more spaces available and our bookings will close by July 25th. For more info please go to: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html A complete Course outline is available up on request, please email me and I send you the PDF file, thank you. http://www.deichmann-photo.com/contact/contact.php

Exploring Mystical Cambodia, Multimedia presentation using Aperture 3, Motion & GarageBand

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-07-09T23:17:37+08:00

Mystical Cambodia is a Journey into the past...created for my GD Photo Workshops and my love for Cambodia. ...The short Video clip at the end was taken with a Nikon D300s long after sunset with very little light left. I created the soundtrack for this project entirely in GarageBand which took about 20 min. You might noticed that I am using Aperture 3 slideshows with Motion lately, it is just an awesome combination for Multimedia presentations, tutorials or just for fun. For info on my GD Photo Workshops please click this LINK

Aperture 3, iPhoto & Snow Leopard: Tips, tricks & techniques... getting more out of your Mac

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-07-04T17:00:16+08:00

Did you know when you're browsing the web in Safari and found an article you like to share with friends or business partners that with a simple click you can send the page without copy and paste via e-mail? ...Just highlight the document or what ever you like to look at and press "Spacebar" Wow... so much faster and efficient, I use it a lot for a Quick Look at photos, pdf files with multiple pages or other documents. ...Very useful for screenshots, finding the right one quick, also great for locating Videos or photos you might have uploaded on your desk top and of course reading documents in full screen without open the software is just so much more fun. ...Don't be shy give it a test drive and play around a bit... you find endless possibilities and remember next time you’re looking for this elusive photo, video, document or like to read your pdf pages in full screen, just highlight the Icon press "SPACEBAR" without open the software. ...Of course you can also import your whole iPhoto Library if you chose to do so, in my workflow I use iPhoto for private photographs and my low res. images for the Web, using Aperture 3 for my pro and heavy workload.

Adventure Photo Workshops in Asia: Cambodia-Nepal & Philippines... discover the undiscovered with your digital camera

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-30T12:46:50+08:00

At the same time master the after the shoot workflow, critique, tips, tricks and techniques, plus securing your Photos with the implementation of a complete back up system during our classroom sessions at the Hotel. ...Students will work in digital formats and for those with experience on Mac Computers Gunther will guide you through the understanding of Aperture. (including the latest version 3.0.3) He will also teach basic editing skills in Photoshop. Gunther is a certified Apple Pro Trainer for Aperture and has years of hands on knowledge using Photoshop as a photography tool. ...Please Note: If you like to take part of the Phnom Penh extension additional fees are applicable, this is in addition to our Siem Reap 7 day Workshop and a great opportunity for those who like to add some extra days and explore/discover Phnom Penh and surrounding areas. ...7 days Angkor Wat and beyond...explore and discover the hidden Khmer treasures, please book this workshop early it is our most popular one.

Aperture 3 Essentials & basic Photography course at Power Mac Center, Makati Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-29T14:35:32+08:00

Doing it right from the start and avoiding problems later, using your camera and Aperture 3 is really not that complicated. Switching from iPhoto to Aperture 3 the easy way, organizing all your photos the correct way, create Aperture 3 slideshows, import and edit video (movies) in Aperture 3. Correct your photos the professional way without the use of Photoshop, export your photos to Facebook with a click of the button...plus tips, tricks and techniques on photography. ...E.g. basic operation of your camera the a-b-c. tips and tricks. ...Final lessons learned and discussion, plus more tips, tricks and techniques from GD on Photography.

Photography: Soccer fever in Manila Philippines? From the car window...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-27T12:49:07+08:00

Soccer fever in Manila, Philippines? © Gunther Deichmann - from the car window, street vendor selling soccer balls near Makati. ...Today on my way to Makati this happy street vendor came up to my Taxi window trying to sell me a soccer ball, I can't recall seen a street vendor selling soccer balls. Must be connected to all the action in South Africa at the World Cup.

Photography & Environment: WATER...no life with out it, 40 sec. clip using Aperture 3, Motion & GarageBand

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-25T20:41:30+08:00

The Idea about this short environmental clip came from my last trip to Palawan, when the first rain and the Monsoon arrived for this season. Running around in the rain at El Rio y Mar capturing the freshness of the vegetation around me, I decided later to put a few images together to create this clip called "WATER" using the Aperture 3 slideshow, Motion & GarageBand. The actual rain sound was recorded on location with my Nikon D300s and mixed together with another soundtrack in GarageBand. Motion and final assembly: In this case I used a template from Motion modified it and added the rain drop images. ...After this was done I imported the Motion Clip and soundtrack into Aperture 3, added text plus photos... export and it was done.

Photography: Fireworks over Manila Bay Philippines & party time... it is Manila Day today!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-24T21:06:08+08:00

Manila Day... & Fireworks over Manila Bay.. A quick shot with my small Leica D-Lux 4 from my window, then into Aperture 3 and it was done, about 5 min. ago.

Photography & Environment: Life & death of a Turtle, Aperture 3 slide show with Motion & GarageBand

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-24T18:10:13+08:00

During my recent trip to Palawan in the Philippines I saw young Turtles released by the Dugong Dive Center's & Club Paradise ...A sad sight...and you might say... it's the cycle of life, but in many cases Turtles die from eating Plastic Bags. ... Only recently another dead Turtle in the area had been examined and cause of dead was due to plastic, found in the stomach content. A stark reminder that we should not trow any plastic bags or other plastic items into our precious ocean, we should stop all together using plastic bags, hence the reason for this short message and video clip today. ...(Video footage from the Nikon D300s) Except for the Jellyfish and the large Turtle underwater all other video footage and the floating dead turtle were taken in Palawan during my trip... a sad but true story.

A blast from the past...an Australian Calendar. Using Aperture 3 slide show, Motion & GarageBand an awesome combination…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-22T18:42:43+08:00

Securely tucked away I spotted this old Calendar, which I produced many moons ago for the Northern Territory Tourist Commission in Australia. (the Calendar was a bit creased and crinkled but ok otherwise) ...In the good old days we had no computers, everything was shot on Kodachrome 25 ASA with the exception of the moon, and in two other layouts I added the clouds manually via duplicating the film, adding the elements. ...Devils Marbles…setting up a Hang Glider on these two Rocks proved to be dangerous and a real challenge, crossing our fingers that no wind gust blowing the hang glider of the rocks including our model. To top it off, the ladders we used to get everything on top of these two balancing rocks where about 2 feet to short; solving these problems on location can be quiet a challenge in the outback miles from nowhere. ...More or less that was it…of course I had a small but very efficient crew; all the Girls locals from the Northern Territory were absolutely great and comfortable in the Australian Outback.

Photography: Guess who came for dinner…a fish tale from Palawan, Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-20T23:31:02+08:00

As promised here is the photo from my last day at El Rio y Mar…amazing this Lion fish arrived just in time for dinner. If you read Part 3 from my recent Palawan trip then you might remember I was talking about my last night and dinner at the pier at El Rio y Mar. ...He was pointing at the steps at the end of the pier, so I walked over to him and to my amaze there was this Lion fish cruising around. ...To get more light onto this fellow I used the build in flash on my Nikon D700 this time…wow the light and the texture of the steps created this cool abstract image of a Lion fish. ...However in my case there was no need to take the plunge…the fish came “right to me,” or did he came for dinner?

Nature & Travel Photography: Part 3 Jurassic Park? The Monsoon has arrived...nature & the weather, Palawan Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-18T21:47:30+08:00

You might think oh no…this bad weather is going to ruin everything…actually not, it is the other way around, well at least for me I just love this time of the year. ...I said goodbye to Club Paradise and all those great people who made my stay so awesome, Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center and Juergen Warnke joined me for a short 20 min. boat ride to El Rio y Mar…which is just “around the corner.” ...I went around the place and took some Photos of the Resort and at sunset I spotted this amazing dark cloud on the horizon in the bay. (see first photo above) Another wow left my lips before it went to dark and I got ready for our dinner at the pier. ...By now it was 7:00 PM and I thought…well that is it for today but then the big surprise…sorry folks you have to wait for this one…I promises in a couple of days you get to see it. ...One thing is for sure if you travel to Palawan in the Philippines nature is all around you…as they say, it is the Philippines last frontier, but for me it is the lost Paradise or plain and simple Jurassic Park.

Aperture 3 in full screen view: Software update, resolved an issue editing photos in the latest OS X 10.6.4 update

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-17T23:05:08+08:00

The latest Software update 10.6.4 includes a fix and resolve an issue editing ...Make sure you have a good connection this one is very big some 641.1 MB The 10.6.4 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard. It includes Safari 5 and general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes that: ... • resolve an issue editing photos with iPhoto or Aperture in full screen view

News: Switching from PC to Mac had been long overdue for these two...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-17T11:45:21+08:00

During my recent visit in Palawan I had a lot of chats with Juergen about the efficiency on the Mac and a week later we went together to the Power Mac Center to check out the units. ...Being a Business man who travels a lot Juergen decided on the new Mac Book Pro 13 inch, I certainly going to help him with the initial setup and get him up and running in no time. ...After we left the Power Mac Center we switched for a Glass of Wine at my favorite Wine Bar the "Cave" and just in time for the World Cup Soccer game between Switzerland and Spain. ...Othmar Frei the GM of Werdenberg Corp. a good friend who switched also just recently to a Mac greeted us, it was only a couple of weeks ago that we both went to the Power Mac Center to get his Mac Book Pro i7. ...Tomorrow I continue with my adventures from Palawan... "and then came the rain"...but that should never stop you from taken photos...almost like making the switch from a Pc to a Mac...it is never to late.

Nature & Travel Photography: Part 2 Jurassic Park? No...endemic wildlife in Palawan Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-13T18:57:06+08:00

The endemic wildlife of Palawan is just so amazing…and you don’t have to venture very far to encounter Birds, Anteaters, Porcupines, Deer, Lizards and Turtles you just need a little patience “walk and talk” quietly and you find them on Dimakya Island ...My second and third day on the island was blessed with encounters of Herons, Pigeons, Calamine Deer and of course the ever presence of Flying foxes — or Fruit Bats, but this time from a different colony at the other end of the island. (see the photo above) ...Of course my stay was way to short to capture all the endemic species like the Scaly Anteater or Pangolin, some of the Owls (I certainly heard them at night) and many other Bird species. ...I also traveled to Calauit the famous Island with its African introduced species, but my report from this part of Palawan has to wait a bit, lets just concentrate on some of the Philippine endemic wildlife first. ...For the 3rd part I share with you some of the cool cloud formations, sunrise & sunsets that occur this time of the year…the onset of the monsoon and my favorite travel time, so please stay tuned for Part 3.

Photography & Aperture 3 Workshops plus a lot more at Power Mac Center Makati, Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-11T16:23:24+08:00

Photography tips, tricks & techniques, plus Aperture 3 tutorials @ Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3, Makati Before I continue with my "Jurassic Park" in Club Paradise Palawan, Philippines Part 2 just a quick announcement on upcoming additional Workshops and Seminars at the Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3 Makati, please see the dates below: ...Plus tips and tricks on Photography, learning how to use the camera. ...We also offer personalized 1on 1 tutorial and consultancy on Aperture 3, please contact the Power Mac Center for details and schedules. Understanding the workflow after the shoot and complete back up solutions for your Photos using Aperture 3.

Nature & Travel Photography: Jurassic Park? Well, almost at Club Paradise in Palawan Philippines - Part 1

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-06-08T16:41:21+08:00

Watch out for part 2 & 3 more nature and interesting animals soon to follow on my Blog...plus a cool marine creature taken during our dinner at the Pier of El Rio y Mar...ha, ha my suspense again. ...I knew if I had brought my Laptop the nights would have been very long, spending hours sorting the photos on Aperture 3 and having non or very little time for my good buddy Dirk Fahrenbach, plus Juergen Warnke was on the Island too this time. ...The islands house reef is world famous for its marine life and is frequently visited by Dugongs, as a matter of fact this season has seen a record number of these amazing animals right in front of the Resort... a divers paradise without a doubt. ...I checked into my cottage located right on the beach, changed into something more comfortable before setting off for a little exploratory walk with Dirk to the other side of the Island...but first we had a nice cup of coffee and a good chat... ...Before I am signing off today, (only today, plenty to come yet) a special thanks to all the staff and Management at Club Paradise & El Rio y Mar and of course to Dirk Fahrenbach and his staff from Dugong Dive Center.

Apple Mac: Power Mac Center Redefined Greenbelt 3 Makati, Philippines, it was Party Time...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-05-29T15:49:09+08:00

It all started on Thursday the 27th of May 2010, after undergoing some major renovation the past few months PMC open its doors again with a big Bang, attended by celebrities, personalities and Press it was certainly a party to remember not to mention the great food and drinks. ...If you need a new Mac, iPod Touch or what ever your heart desires drop in to this truly amazing...awesome new PMC and avail of up to 15% discount which is still available until Sunday. ...A cool new Classroom... and the nice redefined 1 on 1 tutorial room are now open...as a matter of fact we have an Aperture 3 Introduction on Sunday the 30th from 6 to...? Lets see, we might just make this one a bit longer, please drop by and join me and find out what Aperture 3 is all about. http://powermaccenter.com/services/training/learning_series Todays Photos are from the last few days...however I am working on a nice fast slideshow from the event as well and we post this one later, of course it will be created using Aperture 3 and GarageBand, so please stay tuned.

Nature Photography: Wetlands & wildlife of Kakadu National Park Northern Territory, Australia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-05-26T20:05:54+08:00

Keep an eye out also for the Frill-necked Lizard and if you lucky enough he might just run like you have never seen a Lizard run before... on his hind legs upright almost like a human posture, comical and amusing. (see him in action below) Then of course the ever so impressive Saltwater crocodile who makes his home just about anywhere in the Top End of Australia...so beware where you go for a swim... you never know where one of these guys is waiting. I am leaving next week for Palawan in the Philippines, another Natures Paradise getting a break from Manila it be interesting to see what awaits me on Dimakya Island also the Home of my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center. ...These forests contain several impressive trees, among them the banyan fig, which can be recognized by its large, spreading aerial roots, and the kapok tree, which has a spiny trunk, large, waxy red flowers and pods full of cotton-like material. ...The White-bellied Sea-eagle is one of the largest raptors in Southeast Asia, and the second largest bird of prey in Australia after the Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) which stands up to 1 m.

Aperture 3 Slide show demo including Motion from Final Cut Studio & GarageBand...endless possibilities

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-05-23T21:27:40+08:00

Incorporating Motion from Final Cut Studio into an Aperture 3 Slide Show is giving us some cool possibilities. I created the Motion Clips with Motion which is part of Final Cut Studio, very nice as an intro and finish for your Aperture Slide shows. The sound (2 separate tracks) I previously created in GarageBand and had them in my iTunes Library. Like with everything else on a Mac a perfect integration, when open Motion I had access to all my Photos in my Aperture 3.0.3 Library and could have also used my soundtracks, but in this exercise I added the sound later in Aperture 3.0.3 It was real fun messing around with Motion and creating this short demo, with endless possibilities at your fingertips you can produce a nice and cool looking Multi Media show using Aperture 3, Motion and GarageBand.

Travel Photography: PhotoShelter update…latest images from Nepal uploaded…now available in the Archives & Gallery.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-05-20T14:10:20+08:00

Wow it is done…just finished uploading the latest images (high resolution) from Nepal from my recent trip in Feb/March 2010. Due to other commitments Nepal got a bit delayed, the latest Photos from India have been on my PhotoShelter Archives for some time. ...Check out the selected Images in my PhotoShelter Gallery, of course there are a many more in the archives if you can’t find what you’re looking for in the Gallery just type in the Search box. ...Animal Sacrifice – Fossils – People - Buddhist Temples & Monasteries – Monks – Cremations - Hindu Ceremonies & the ever so strange Sadhus from Kathmandu in Nepal “A true Journey through Color, Culture & Time.” ...The Photos on this Blog post are only a small taste what is stored in my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries.

Aperture 3 & the Battery life of the 15 inch MacBook Pro i7, simulated field test… plus a cool tip on Previews.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-05-16T19:40:42+08:00

I run a simulation field test on the Battery life of my New 15 inch Macbook Pro i7 yesterday pushing it to the limit trying to find out how long the Battery would last when fully charged. ...My external 360 Gig Lacie Rugged Hard drive was also connected, as a matter of fact that is where all my reference file are located for this project. ...Extreme circumstances…and most of the time we’re not going to push it so hard, but at least I know how long I can work before looking for a power outlet when I am in a tricky situation. ...If you don’t see some of your Previews in the Aperture Browser (black frame) or you have the feeling they playing up…don’t panic just perform this simple exercise: ...However if the next menu tells you (screenshot) that the previews are already up-to-date just perform the next step and all your missing previews will be back on the screen.

Aperture 3 & the New MacBook Pro Core i7 is it faster & more efficient? My first test & impression.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-05-09T17:50:36+08:00

I didn't use any speed test tools but my first impression running Aperture 3 on the new 15 inch MacBook Pro i7 are very good. ...I really pushed it a bit the other day as I kept on toggling back and forth bringing in new Raw Photos on the screen…instantly they kept flashing in front of me. ...The other cool thing I have a lot more space on my hard drive now (comes with a 500Gig drive) great when you don’t like to carry all your external drives with you. 90% of the time I store all my Photos as reference files on external hard drives, but it is nice to know you have this extra space in times when you need it most. As a matter of fact, a good friend of mine was so impressed that he went out yesterday to buy the new MacBook Pro i7…a hard-core PC user until now, he made the switch from his old PC to a Mac. Please Note: If you migrating your system from your old Mac to the New one, have your Aperture 3 license handy you will be asked to enter it upon launching the software.

Aperture 3 Slide show including Movie clip using GarageBand for sound, Journey Through Culture & Time

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-05-01T19:16:03+08:00

I had a little time on my hands today plus I was in the right mood...so I created this short Slide show presentation in Aperture 3.0.3 using a Video Clip which I had prepared previously and using three different soundtracks. ...I like the Share or Export options in Aperture 3, you can send it almost anywhere never leaving Aperture 3, this is only a short clip but the possibilities are there. ...The Globe at the beginning of the slide show (Movie .mov) I made last week, the original lengths had been some 2.5 minutes. I just dragged the .mov file into my slideshow trimmed it down with the Movie setting in Aperture 3 to approx. 37 sec.added text, images and the three soundtracks...then hit Export and I was done. This coming week (on Friday the 7th) we have an Aperture 3 launch at the Power Mac Center in TriNoma where you can see the same presentation in high resolution on a large screen.

Aperture 3 Users:Release notes & Library info, latest update for Aperture 3 to 3.0.3

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-30T20:07:15+08:00

Apple Aperture 3 Users... This is the 3rd update since its release. Aperture 3.0.3: Release notes & also interesting guidelines for upgrading your Aperture library read more and get all the details @ http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2518

Travel Photography: Updated PhotoShelter…amazing, awesome, colorful and very chaotic Varanasi…India’s oldest city.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-24T20:03:39+08:00

The last Photos from my recent trip to India are now residing in my PhotoShelter Archives, well… almost all, I am still working my way through the Nepal Photographs. Hopefully I am done with them shortly too, but India is done, thanks to Aperture 3 and a patient wife who let me work without interruption these past few weeks so I can finish my editing. ...Varanasi also commonly known as Benares or Banaras is a city situated on the banks of the River Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, regarded as holy by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. ...Varanasi is one of the holiest places in Buddhism too, being one of the four pilgrimage sites said to have been designated by Gautama Buddha himself (the others being Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Lumbini). ...Watching the sunrise over the mighty Ganges River and observing the numerous rituals along the riverbank is mesmerizing, where hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in the sacred waters.

Late News: Updated Home Page with new photo selection from Nepal

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-22T19:37:10+08:00

Home Page updated with Nepal... Go to the Home Page...click the Image above Only minutes ago we updated my Main Home Page Gallery with Nepal, if you can spare a moment why don't you have a look. You might have to refresh your Browser to update the Photos, by next week the complete collection (only a few at the moment) on Nepal and Kathmandu will be uploaded on my Photoshelter Archive & viewable in the Gallery. http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

Dive Travel: Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort in the Philippines, is very connected for Underwater Photographers.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-22T16:57:05+08:00

I decided to take a short break from the Himalayas (still editing Nepal) and go down to the Sea Level… let me introduce you to a very cool Dive destination in the Philippines. ...I stayed in many Resorts and Hotels and encountered the same problem over and over again, with the exception of Pura Vida Beach and Dive Resort, they are very much connected in more ways then one. ...So if you’re an Underwater Photographer check out Sea Explorers and the Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort in Dumaguette Philippines, besides great accommodation including a Spa it is also an Underwater Photographers Paradise. ...Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort plus Sea Explorers are very well connected, not only from an electrical point of view, but also through out the many Islands and Dive sites in their area. So, on your next visit to the Philippines check out Pura Vida and go Island Hopping with Sea Explorers and this time you can leave your extension cords at home.

PhotoShelter update...just uploaded additional Photos from India 2010

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-20T23:57:48+08:00

© Gunther Deichmann - a very cool & colorful look, Elephant during the Elephant Festival in Jaipur Rajasthan Feb.2010 ...I have just updated again my PhotoShelter Archives with some additional Photographs from India 2010, more images from Varanasi in India and Nepal by latest next week. ...© Gunther Deichmann - the night before the Holi Festival, spectacular Bon fires are lit all over the city, Jaipur Rajasthan Feb.

The first Photos from Nepal & India 2010 have been uploaded to my PhotoShelter Archives and Gallery

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-18T01:05:22+08:00

The very first Images from Nepal and India have been uploaded to my PhotoShelter Archives and can viewed in the Gallery. We also did a bit of a clean up including changed the main Image on my PhotoShelter Home Page, more new Photos from India and Nepal will be uploaded shortly. Check out the first Images @ http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann GD

Photography & Aperture 3: People...Colors & Expressions from India & Nepal - "Small Taste of the Latest"

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-16T20:10:54+08:00

I have uploaded today only a small selection of Photos (50) under the category "Small Taste of the Latest" from India and Nepal. ...Colors & Expression" for this Gallery, other images from Monasteries, People, Religion, Landscapes and way of life, etc., will follow in my PhotoShelter Gallery soon. ...This has been a great trip all around from our Photo Workshop experience in India and then to the edge of the Himalayas in Nepal. ...If you're interested to join me on one of my Photo Workshops Adventure Travel with your Digital Camera, please contact me or check out the Calendar dates for 2010 on my GD PhotoWorkshop site by clicking this LINK. I hope you enjoy this small selection of Photographs from India and Nepal as I have enjoyed these two very special and amazing places.

Photography:The Students Work... Photographs from our India 2010 GD Photo Workshop

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-10T21:40:38+08:00

It is done, I have uploaded the work from the students in the Gallery 'The Students Work" a selection of six images each from their recent GD PhotoWorkshop in India Feb. ...Note: If you don't see the new images right away you might have to refresh your Browser, please enjoy the Photos and refrain from copying them, they are all protected by © copyright to each individual Photographer. ...Shooting from early morning until dusk then back to our Hotels for a quick meal and shower, then we started our work on our Computers, uploading the images and working with Aperture 3 (except for two who used Lightroom). ...Interesting everybody jumped into the cold water and worked with Aperture 3 (installed on our first night at the Hotel in Delhi)which was only released a few days prior our departure for India. ...Please note: I have also updated my Home Page on my Main Website and changed some Photos from India in the Gallery section.

Aperture 3 exporting Smart Albums as new Library an excellent photo management solution.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-05T15:25:16+08:00

But did you know Aperture 3.0.2 has also the capability to export your Smart Albums as a new Library, one of the slickest new additions in Aperture 3 but it is seldom mention. ...You can export this Smart Album including your Masters (consolidate Masters) as a New Library to any destination you might see fit which is super cool. ...In my case the benefits are very simple, I can store my edited photos in a different location and whenever I need them just switch Libraries later, easy access plus I keep all my edited photographs together. ...Almost done...the only thing left to do...choose a folder or not, consolidate or not consolidate, previews (small screenshot below )etc. everything is so flexible, it is all up to you and your workflow. ...I suggest you create a small Smart Album first, like a "Test Smart Album"and feel your way around, but you better watch out...you might fall in love with it, like I have.

Aperture 3 customization and flexibility, Aperture has come a long way…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-04T17:45:14+08:00

Believe me I get my fare share of it, just like the other day during one of my Seminars when someone ask me why his new Camera does not import the RAW Images into Aperture. ...As an Aperture user (since day one) and Certified Trainer my advice is get used to the software, study it well just like you would your new Camera Manual. (both are of equal importance) ...As time goes by Apple is for sure going to release upgrades that improves Aperture 3 even further, they are listening and have in my Opinion done a fantastic Job so far. ...Apple is thinking ahead, the build in Video function is already a huge leap forward if you like to use it or not… but it is there, the same goes for Faces and Places. Lightroom just announced a Video function for their latest version but no editing capabilities, I like the simple video editing in Aperture 3, of-course it is not Final Cut editing but you can produce some pretty good slideshows/presentation on the fly.

Adventure Travel Photography: Behind the Scenes...GD PhotoWorkshop in India, the fun images

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-04-01T21:17:06+08:00

I just uploaded the images from "Behind the Scene India" into the Gallery all taken during our last GD Photo Workshop February/March 2010. ...The current Gallery "The Students Work" is still active with Cambodia but will be replaced very soon with nice Photos from the participants during our last GD Photo Workshop in India. ...Please Note: If you click the LINK and you see Photos from Cambodia you might have to refresh your Browser to view this new and entertaining set of images from India. As soon I have the students work uploaded I let everybody know, I am very proud of them, they did a great Job and you get to see some excellent images very soon. Shortly I am going to share with you also some of my images from India and Nepal, in my Gallery "Small Taste of the Latest" and of course a much broader selection will be available on my PhotoShelter Gallery soon too.

Travel Photography & Aperture: 15000 images later…Test drive & road tested Aperture 3 in Nepal & India

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-03-28T16:15:47+08:00

Let me describe some of the new features I used for most of the time during my recent trip, they not only impressed me but made my editing on the road so easy… just awesome, sometimes pushing my MacBook Pro and Aperture 3 to the limit. ...It was good timing with the new release of Aperture 3, I created a brand new Library for my recent trip (actually two, one for India and one for Nepal) but can always go back to my previous ones at a mouse click. ...During my Photo workshop in India all participants installed Aperture 3 and after a short intro they where all up and running without any major problems…in other words the learning curve or upgrading from Aperture 2 to 3 is relatively easy. ...Now, if your SLR has a Video function look no further, Aperture 3 will import all your Videos, with or without sound and you can edit all of that right in Aperture 3 creating awesome slide shows/presentations on the fly without ever leaving Aperture 3. ...Very easy…go to the top left hand side click Aperture and after that you see the drop down menu, click on Customize, a keyboard will show. (see screenshot) now you can customize your shortcuts like I have done with the Highlight Hot & Cold Areas.

Adventure Travel Photography: Déjà vu in Nepal...Fossils, Gurkha Knifes, Masks & Monkey skulls...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-03-24T16:29:21+08:00

Whenever I travel to different destinations in the world I always keep an eye out for those creatures long gone but been part of our evolution and my earlier life. ...Mixed with other religious and bizarre souvenir items; ugly ashtrays…cool looking masks, Gurkha Knifes (that be a challenge to get them on the plane) false and real gemstones, Buddha Statues, Prayer Wheels and lots of items made from Pashmina Wool…plus so many other obscure items, the list goes on and on. ...What was new to me after some research; I discovered that these fossils are for sale mainly to the locals, their Believe in those fossilized creatures was something very different I found out. ...Word got out fairly quick that there was this strange foreigner with a camera who had a keen interest in Fossils…and soon I had just about every Vendor on Durban Square chasing me, showcasing their very best Ammonites. Sure I would have loved to buy a whole bunch of them…but these Rocks are very heavy and Excess baggage is expensive, so I contended myself with a couple good specimen.

Adventure Travel with your Digital Camera...thank's for being part of the GD Photo Workshop in India

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-03-21T18:43:11+08:00

I only got back a few days ago, but today I like to take the opportunity to thank all participants who joined my recent Photo Workshop in India, at the same time I like to thank also our fantastic Driver who took care of us where ever we ventured, he made certain that our Journey was a safe one. ...In the coming weeks when I have received some images from the students I post some of their photos on my GD PhotoWorkshop site but also an Album again from behind the scenes...there are some real funny ones. Furthermore once I am done with my editing I create another Album from my recent trip to India and Nepal, which you're going to find soon under a "Small Taste of the Latest"... currently featured Cambodia. My gratitude to Shroff International Travel for a superb Job, organizing this difficult but rewarding Journey, thank you so very much. ...Please stay tuned for much more in the next few weeks...for other Aperture 3 Seminars & Photo Workshops in 2010 please click this LINK.

Aperture 3 & Travel Photography in Asia: Monastery colors in Nepal

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-03-14T17:34:59+08:00

And don't forget to check out the Calendar dates on my GD Photo Workshop site, Introduction into Aperture 3 plus some cool Aperture & iLife '09 Seminars at the Power Mac Center Manila. ...Also our GD Photo Workshop in Nepal during October 2010 is filling up fast, only four (4) spots available, please go to the GD PhotoWorkshop site for more info @ October 15 - 22, 2010 (DATES CONFIRMED) ...Monastery Colors in Nepal,one of my last visits in Kathmandu was at the Kopan Monastery a Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Boudhanath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal. ...I have always been fascinated by Tibetan Buddhism and the Kopan Monastery was high on my list, today I like to share with you a few images...colorful and graphic & no manipulation has been applied in any way using only at times the Quick Fix in Aperture 3. ...The fiber is also known as pashm (Persian word for Wool) or pashmina (Persian / Hindi word driven from Pashm) for its use in the handmade shawls of Kashmir, India.

Aperture 3 & Travel Photography: One afternoon at the Bouddhanath Stupa, Kathmandu Nepal

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-03-10T22:48:25+08:00

The Journey is coming slowly to an end, 6 more days before I am hitting back home, I have not written many Blogs during this Journey one of the major factors been... ...I make up for it once I get back... over 15,000 images by now, Aperture 3 loaded straight out of the Box before my trip performed absolutely flawless all RAW images have been stored on my external Lacie Drives as reference files. ...We arrived in Kathmandu a couple of days ago and went out this afternoon to visit one of the biggest Stupas called Bouddhanath located in Little Tibet, when refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath. A very special mention I have to give to our our Guide Lil Tapa who has been a book of knowledge together with a great personality and sense of humor, thank you so much Lil! ...The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner, passes by Boudnath Stupa to the ancient and smaller stupa of Cā-bahī (often called 'Little Boudnath').

Travel Photography India: A brief encounter with Steve McCurry & cruising the Ganges

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-03-06T23:07:56+08:00

Tomorrow we 're leaving via land to our next destination Nepal with a stop over at Lumbini, located in Nepal and is considered the birthplace of Gautam Buddha., after Lumbini we continue on to Kathmandu where we spend another 5 days or so. ...Like many places of worship, Varanasi has given me great insight, but short of turning GD’s photography blog into a book on metaphysical musings, he has kindly asked me only to write of the essence of our experience here so far. (and not with-holding the fact that the tailor is also waiting for me to try on my superbly handmade silk Indian Alibabá pants: in all 10 colors!) ...The driver was not a bit surprised to be battling giant busloads of tourists on the narrow dust-lined streets: We had passed the harmonious phase of the lull before the storm, which we were told was meant to crack at daybreak, when the frenzy of yesterday takes place all over again. There was already a flurry of activity as we edged towards the bank of the Ganga: sadhus painting their weathered faces into cracked mirrors, flower sellers mulling about while mendicants braced themselves for another day, and shop keepers literally shifting the dust from one place to another with feather-dusters. ...Most of the out-of-towners like us were here to go boating on the river at sunrise; with the only difference being that GD had specifically requested a motorized vessel instead of the usual row-boat, not that there was any speed to the finish but riding against the current was not going to be easy without technology, even on holy waters.

Travel Photography & GD PhotoWorkshop, the Incredible Colors of India

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-03-04T03:01:12+08:00

© Gunther Deichmann - Jaipur Rajasthan, India Feb. ...We just arrived back in Delhi from Rajasthan and Agra...now I am fighting with the connection and I am very tiered, some of the Photo Workshop participants have to catch the plane back home about right now, they just had enough time for a quick shower in our Hotel. ...I am leaving with Jamie and Bebet tomorrow afternoon for Varanasi and then overland back to Nepal, another 12 or so days to go before hitting back home. ...The colors of Incredible India; only a few images today need to do a lot more editing when time permits, but many more to come in due time, plus I put up a nice Gallery when I am back home. ...In the next few days I have no internet connection but try my best to stay in touch once I get to Kathmandu in Nepal, until then enjoy the images.

GD Photo Workshop & Aperture 3, Happy Holi from Jaipur Rajasthan India

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-03-02T01:11:43+08:00

Jaipur was vibrating with wild celebrations, drum beats of Indian rock and roll ala Shankar and its stimulating sisterly companions, raving bashes not only of the carnivalesque kind but apparently even veiled beatings and the none too unusual vengeance murders that ‘happen’, but as we were reassured, those only ‘happened in other cities and very rarely in Jaipur so not to worry Ma’am and Sir’. ...Ok, ok I confess I was the only one with the excessive concern for hair oils, cream based moisturizers, shower caps, disposable cotton underclothes, emergency eye drops, SPF 50 lip balm and goodness knows what else I had stashed in my sling bag. ... Newspapers (and Tony) had been playing up the dehydrating effects of the dyes on skin and hair, and GI Jane as I may be, I’d certainly had no wish to walk around Incredible India with post-Holi skin lesions or a kerosene scrubbed frizz. ...We’d gotten so used to the mendicants following us around for the past 2 hours, pushcarts, trolleys, gypsy children and all across town that literally the replies (as polite as we attempted to remain) just came out of us naturally. ...Thousands of dollars of equipment strapped to our necks, I found it oxymoronic that for 150 rupees ($3 USD), each of us were as excited as kids on Christmas morn and happy as pie with our old fashioned black and white photos that were washed and developed in a pail of water on the street, ready in less than 10 minutes, and hey, it came with a negative too.

Travel Photography & Photo Work Shop in India, celebrating the Holi festival

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-03-01T15:38:58+08:00

I am in a bit of a rush today...need to get out in the street again with my students to celebrate the Holi Festival the most colorful of all Indian Festivals in Jaipur Rajasthan India. ...So please forgive me if this will be a very short Blog today, we're having a great time and the highlight will be later tonight, yesterday we went crazy at the Elephant festival which was so fantastic. Today we're going to get covered in color from top to bottom and last night we participated at a Temple the pre Holi event, with huge fires lit up all over town. ...Sorry have to run now...but so much more later, thanks also to Aperture 3 uploading has been easy and fast, I am already at some 4000 images. © Gunther Deichmann - it is going to get a lot worst today...

Travel Photography & Aperture 3: The first images from Nepal, Kathmandu Colors...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-24T22:45:14+08:00

Arrived in New Delhi this afternoon after 4 days in Kathmandu Nepal...a little sad that I had to leave but I am going to be back there in about two weeks after my PhotoWorkshop in India. ...Internet connection is Ok now, and I am using the spare time to write this long overdue post before all my students arrive later tonight, tomorrow we're busy exploring the old part of Delhi, the first part of our Indian Journey. ...A lot more soon from this amazing place in the Himalayas called Nepal, with old tradition of Hindu & Buddhism, as a matter of fact I be visiting the Birth place of Buddha in about 10 days which is just across the border from India in Nepal..." ...Now a little about Aperture 3 from the road and straight out of the Box pushing it in the past few days, no complains... ...Once I am back in Manila, I upload a new Photo Gallery with some of the latest images from Nepal & India...please have patience as this could take some time, I have a few more weeks to shoot yet.

Adventure Travel Photography with Aperture 3: India & Nepal plus the GD Photo Workshop in Rajasthan

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-17T21:19:04+08:00

In a few hours another Journey begins...leaving first for Thailand and Nepal then to India for the start of my GD PhotoWorkshop. ... After the Workshop back to Delhi, I then continue my Journey to Varanasi one of the holiest places in India and travel over land back to Nepal. I try to update my Blogs as much as possible but that depends on the internet connection and if I am not to tired in the evenings. I am all packed now, Aperture 3 is prepared and ready for the Road show, I am really looking forward to see my students in Delhi very soon for an exciting Photo Workshop in Incredible India. ...I guess that is it for the time being, I try to report along the way, but that depends on the connection.

Aperture 3 & Travel Photography: Switching Library made easy now, perfect for shooting thousands of Photos

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-15T17:01:55+08:00

Switching the Library made easy now in Aperture 3 and this is so very useful as a Travel Photographer like myself who end up shooting thousands of Photos on any given trip. Now I can split my Library into Regions or even Countries have easy access and manage all my files very quick without over loading one Library. This was possible before, but it was a lot more complicated, now it is almost to easy... another super improvement from the previous Aperture 2. ...Most of the plug-in if not all at the moment work only in 32 Bit and if you like to use them you have to restart Aperture 3, click on the image you like to edit (in my case I use the Noise Ninja Plug-in) click on the right mouse button, a small drop down menu appears and you see edit with Plug-in (32 bit) this will restart you Aperture 3 in 32 bit mode and stays like that until you close Aperture 3. ...In a few days I am leaving for my main trip this year, plus my GD Photo Workshop in India where my lucky students have the opportunity to study and work with Aperture 3 in the field.

Aperture 3 & Video: Soon at Power Mac Center Philippines, combining Photos & Video from your DSLR in Aperture 3

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-13T13:35:32+08:00

A few questions came up these past few days; can you edit, combine Video and still images in Aperture 3? ... With Aperture 3 you can edit and combine your Video footage and still images, plus sound all within Aperture 3. We have some interesting Seminars and demos coming up very soon at the Power Mac Center how create stunning presentations combining Photos with your video footage shoot on your DSLR only using one software, Aperture 3. ...During the next few weeks I try my best to produce some simple presentations form my travels in India and Nepal ...Please stay tuned for more or check out the Calendar dates for our Seminars and Tutorials at the PMC @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/

Aperture 3: Fantastic New Import Settings, backing up your Photos made easy now, plus the new Zoom

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-13T11:57:54+08:00

Making a back up of your files during Import is a breeze now with the all new import Panel in Aperture 3, but there are many other settings in the new Import Panel but I love the Backup Location option. ...Then you scroll down at the Import panel and at the bottom you see this new back up Location window, point to you location where you like to store your back ups and you're done. When you import images now you have an instant back up but still working with reference files of your other drive, this is one of the coolest new addition in Aperture 3. I recommend you have a close look at the new import panel, study it and see what suits your work flow, but having the ability now to make an instant back up of your Photos in a separate location during Import I think is brilliant and a real time saver. Another very new cool addition is the Zoom option (Z key) if you press this now say on full screen you have a new small thumbnail window, but now you can zoom in more, not just 100% very cool and so handy.

Aperture 3:New Presets with a nice Thumbnail view, so cool for very quick adjustments.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-12T13:06:26+08:00

Another very cool new feature in Aperture 3 is Presets found when you open the Adjustment panel, not only easy accessible but with a nice preview. ... Great for quick adjustments, just click on Presets and a menu appears, the only thing left to do move your cursor over the various adjustments options, and every time you move your cursor over a different effect/adjustment a nice size thumbnail appears along side of it, showing you the changes. There is plenty to choose from; all your Black &White and color adjustments are at your fingertips now. A superb new addition and something I am going to use a lot from now on. Try it out and I am sure you’re going to be impressed just like me.

Aperture 3:Travel Photography...Tip for Places, use your iPhone or your Digital Camera with a GPS

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-11T20:58:00+08:00

I am looking forward to use this all new function when I hit the road next week for India, especially when leaving New Delhi for Varanasi and then by road to Kathmandu in Nepal. ...If you're not using a Digital Camera with a GPS function that is Ok. just use your iPhone and whenever you stop or from the Car window take a quick shot. ...10 days ago I went to the Island of Mindoro/Puerto Galera and I took some happy snaps with the iPhone, then on the way back I also stopped in Batangas and then back to Manila. ...Ok the only "drawback" is that my wife from now on always knows where I am or I have been, ha, ha. but that is fine with me too, nothing to hide. ...To activate your Places before they work you have to go first to the Aperture 3 Preferences settings and activate it, then click on the Advanced setting a small drop down menu appears and you see Look up Places, the default setting is on Never just click on the Automatically and you're done.

Aperture 3: Trail Version Tip...Important notice plus Infrared filter and Polarizing via Quick Brushes

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-11T18:33:45+08:00

I am going to be in big trouble again spending my Valentine's Day messing around with Aperture 3 but thanks to my very understanding Wife I think I get away with it. ...If you click on the Adjustments a drop down menu appears and right at the top you see the Quick Brushes and in the drop down menu you find the Polarizing. ...For those of you who have already Aperture 2 installed please take note of the important info below, that is if you can't wait for your upgrade to become available and dying to try out the all new Aperture 3 Trail version. ...If you already have a licensed copy of Aperture in your Applications folder, you need to move or rename it before installing the Aperture 3 trial. ...To open an Aperture library with an older version of Aperture (1.x or 2) after you use the Aperture 3 trial, drag the library onto the application icon of the older version.

Aperture 3: Travel Photography and Multi Media presentations direct from locations

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-10T12:26:47+08:00

So here we are back into Photography, Aperture 3 is certainly going to make our workflow more easy and more fun, GPS and Places, the new Curves, put back from the Trash, Chromatic Aberrations the list goes on and on. We have also color coding which some of us find very useful for on the road editing, however I have a slight grin on my face and you might ask why. ...My advise as an Aperture user from day one and as a Certified Trainer, get to know one software real well and stick with it, in due time and it is happening right now changes will happen, remember “Rome was also not build in one day” have patience, good things take time. ...You all know I am leaving very soon and if all goes well I have Aperture 3 running and give it a real good and realistic Road test for some 4 weeks in the field trying to post images with the new Facebook function , Locations via Places, the new video function and for sure I am going to work with the new Curves. ...The web is totally saturated at the moment, the talk of the Town is Aperture 3, but now I am looking forward to some cool Photography and only then I write more in details about all those new features which certainly sound all very exciting.

Travel Photography with Aperture 3 mapping your destinations is easy now

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-10T01:16:29+08:00

Another cool addition in Aperture 3 is Places, time permitting I try to map on my next trip the locations in Nepal and India...the Journey starts next week. Further more in late March we also start our Aperture 3 Seminars/Introductions at the Power Mac Center pls. stay tuned or check the dates @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html ...If you’re shooting with a GPS-enabled camera, Aperture 3 uses reverse geocoding to convert location coordinates into familiar location names, then displays those locations on the Places map. If you’re using a separate GPS tracking device, the path of your photo journey appears on the map when you import a track log. ...If you need to change the location of your shot, drag the pin on the map across the street or across the country.

More Raw support in Aperture 3 including Leica D-Lux 4 and Panasonic Lumix Cameras

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-10T00:56:34+08:00

More RAW support in Aperture 3 now, for a full list of Cameras go to: http://www.apple.com/aperture/specs/raw.html ...You’ve done some great things with iPhoto, and now you’re ready to do more. Aperture 3 is designed to make the move from iPhoto easy and seamless. See how easy it is...http://www.apple.com/aperture/iphoto-to-aperture/

Photography & Aperture 3 with Curves and Chromatic Aberration Filters, perfect for Underwater Photography

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-09T23:55:20+08:00

I can’t help myself I am so excited with all those New features in Aperture 3... this includes the long missing but now included Curves and Chromatic Aberration Filters. ...I am itching to give Aperture 3 a real test drive in the field throwing around thousands of images, add some Video from my Nikon D300s, utilizing the 64 Bit from Snow Leopard and all those other new editing features, well what more can I ask for. ...BTW...now our Underwater Photographer going to love the new Curves Tool and Chromatic Aberration Filters, (and not only our Underwater Photographers) I just hope they had the patience and waited for the all NEW Aperture 3 and if not they might have to switch back to Aperture now. ...Linear mode is best when dealing with extended range data and highlights, while Gamma-Corrected mode can be especially helpful when working with shadows. ...Because the Curves tool supports the “extended range” data sometimes available in RAW images, you can set the Range control in Curves to Extended in order to see the “out of range” highlight data that you may be able to recover.

Aperture 3 Let the multi media show begin... plus all the other NEW features

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-09T23:26:06+08:00

Let the multi- media show begin...with Aperture 3 amazing new features including incorporating your video from your DSLR for more details check out the new and updated Aperture 3 website. ...If you’re moving from iPhoto ’09, the slideshows you created with themes such as Snapshot and Shatter are preserved in all their brilliance. ...If your camera records video, you can import it into your library along with your stills and include it in your slideshow. ...If you’re including video in your slideshow, you can add the audio from the video, too. ...When using the Classic and Ken Burns themes, you can add titles anywhere in the slideshow in your choice of font, size, and style.

Breaking News! Aperture & Photography, Apple just announced Aperture 3 the first details...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-09T21:48:48+08:00

It is finally here Aperture 3, Apple has just announced today Aperture 3, now I am going to be in for some serious test driving shortly, stay tuned for more info as they become available. ...But there is so much more...just incredible and if you’re a Mac user then this is it...if you’re not, then you might think about switching now. ...As I have said many time before, all good things take time and when Apple comes up with something they do it real well…like in Photography patience! In the next few weeks I am going to be busy running around in India and Kathmandu but at the same time I have to do some real test driving with Aperture 3. ...Videos can be imported, edited (using trimming features like found on the iPhone) and exported, and they can be used in the newly updated Slideshow tool (which we’ll talk about below).

Photography & Mac, iPhoto Slideshow & Aperture at Power Mac Center TriNoma, Manila Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-08T15:20:21+08:00

Please join me at Power Mac Center TriNoma on February 15, 2010 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm “Tell Your Story through Photos” - iPhoto Slideshow & Aperture plus a lot more...basic photo management and photo slideshow tools on your Mac. ...REGISTER NOW AND DISCOVER THE MACINTOSH ADVANTAGE! Contact training@ powermaccenter.com • tutorial@powermaccenter.com • 0918-2680603 • 0922 8481577 ...Please check out also the latest updates on the

NEWS PRESS RELEASE: IMAGES WITHOUT BORDERS, international Photographers helping Doctors Without Borders in Haiti

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-04T13:21:50+08:00

I have just received this Press Release, I am proud to be part of Images without Borders, extending our help for the people in Haiti. ...One hundred and twenty five professional photographers from seven countries have sent their finest images for sale to Images Without Borders, including Peter Carey, Tomas Van Houtryve, Martin Vargas, Jeffrey Lynch, Scott Wood, Julie Dermansky, George Long, Kit Wohl, Gunther Deichmann, and Ian Talbot. ...“While Images Without Borders was born from the recent earthquake in Haiti, it offers a new and channel for artists and art lovers to make contributions over the long term.” ...Images Without Borders sells gallery-quality prints from images donated by world-class photographers, with all sales proceeds (minus the printing costs) going directly to Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in support of their work. ...Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. www.doctorswithoutborders.net

Photography & Aperture 2: Tips,Tricks & techniques, "pushing" your Monochrome Mixer & Color sliders.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-02-03T15:08:20+08:00

I shoot color, seldom B&W with the odd exception or when it is requested by a client, I am also not a friend of any type of manipulation but for commercial and advertising work I sometimes have to follow the clients need. ...Making simple adjustments using the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2, but this time we take it a step further; I just love the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2 creating on the fly some nice Black and White images and reducing the color in others using the color slider. ...Large red square; here you find all your adjustments you need for creating nice B&W images, you can make some basic adjustments with another drop down menu that gives you a good selection of traditional B&W filters. ...Since this was a commercial shoot and the client requested some B&W’s I edited them all in Aperture 2 and tweaked them a little more then I normally would do. ...Removing saturation: The image with the glass and lemon I did not convert using the Monochrome Mixer, I used the Color slider in the Adjustment panel and moved all of them to the left (minus -) in the saturation, except for the yellow one, this one I increased to approx. 50 (plus +) in the saturation.

Light is photography... photography is light, interesting & unusual Photos from my last trip.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-31T18:12:41+08:00

When the light is just right... ...Before leaving for India and Nepal in February I like to share with you some simple but unusual Photos from my last Journey, no other explanation is needed judge for yourself...is it a setup or have they been manipulated later? For those of you who are interested I am happy to post an explanation on my Blog prior my departure to India. © Gunther Deichmann - The Palm Leaf - Jan. ...Check out also the latest GD PhotoWorkshop Calendar updates, only posted yesterday with the latest dates, Workshops/Seminars at the Power Mac Center in Manila & some new international destinations for 2010 & 2011.

Photography & Environment: Hot & Sour Coca Cola with a touch of Petrol. Recycling Plastic?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-30T15:04:22+08:00

I guess it is recycling...sort off... our plastic by-products at least for the Bottles, but when it comes to the sheer number of plastic bags then we are way behind the disposal. During my Travel I come across a lot of weird and crazy things, like in Cambodia where they use Plastic Bottles for Gasoline along the country road (see the photo below) a favorite image from my Facebook Friend Steve Galano, it was actually Steve who requested some more of these type of images. ...Here you go Steve as promised; on my way home the other day from Batangas in the Philippines I spotted these Coca Cola Bottles along the road containing some with Vinegar others with Vinegar and Chili, what amazed me the Coca Cola labels where in perfect condition and made me think... I am sure after all the Coca Cola had gone they must have cleaned these Bottles before re-using them for what ever concoction they had in mind. ...Or lets take all those plastic bags which get thrown overboard by ships only to be found later in stomachs of dead Turtles which they mistakenly took for their natural food, the jelly fish...and not only Turtles!

Photography: "Blues Night" messing up the Bar on our first evening...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-27T22:08:32+08:00

It was on our first night at Buri Resort in Puerto Galera, everybody had gone to sleep with the exception of the Bartender... it was way to early for me to do the same so I decided to have a couple of Beers with my buddy Arj and listening to some cool Blues from my MacBook Pro. A few moments later while looking at the ceiling I jumped up and started to unpack my cameras, the rest of the evening...well, you see on this Blog. ...No image manipulation of any kind, using only the Nikon D700 with a 24 to120 mm VR lens at ISO 400 straight shots with only a little adjustments in Aperture 2. ...In the coming days I post some more very interesting and unusual Photos from my last Journey. So, if you into Blues then turn up the volume, sit back, have a drink and check out the images.

Photography: Three days on the Beach with Aperture 2 & great Light in the sky.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-26T21:25:28+08:00

Direct from the Beach... thanks to a good internet connection at Buri Resort and Spa; the weather has been great particular very early in the morning and in the afternoon. ...More interesting images will follow shortly but today I like to share with you some scenes in the afternoon taken over the past three days all taken from the same location but with amazing color changes everyday. Edited a few minutes ago with Aperture 2 on my MacBook Pro applying only minor adjustments, very quick and easy right in front of the beach. ...The cool part is, by the time I get back home I am almost done with all my editing (2000 images in three days) and concentrate on my next Journey. ...Now I am going to have a couple of beers under the stars with my buddy Arnold before going to bed.

Support Images without Borders, Photographers helping Haiti with contributions of their Images

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-23T18:22:49+08:00

I am happy to announce to be part of the Images without Borders making photos available for sale and raising money for the Earth Quake victims in Haiti, for the substantial and ongoing donation to Doctors without Borders. Soon you find some of my Images on their site which is sponsored by PhotoShelter and others. Thanks for the opportunity to be part of Images without Borders. ...Excerpts from the Blog Post Images without Borders below. Thanks to the contributions of nearly 100 fine photographers from around the world and the donations from Photoshelter, Bay Photo Lab, and Adorama Pix, we are able to make these fine art prints available to the public for a very low cost...read more @ http://imageswithoutborders.blogspot.com/

Photography: Painted skies & oceans the Colors of Micronesia, adventure travel with your Digital Camera.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-20T13:07:20+08:00

A dramatic sunset in the Pacific, the Image above taken between Chuuk (Truk Lagoon) and Pohnpei in Micronesia. ...Together, the FSM comprises approximately 607 small islands in the Western Pacific spread over almost 1,700 miles (2,700 km) from east to west just above the equator some 2,500 miles (4,000 km) southwest of Hawaii and about 1,800 miles (2,900 km) north of eastern Australia, above Papua New Guinea. ...Chuuk or better known amongst the Scuba Diving community as Truk Lagoon is a must for Divers who like to explore the amazing WWII wrecks in this Lagoon. ...Palau is also know as one of the best Dive destinations in the world, diving highlights include Blue Corner and the Blue Hole, plus so many others. In 2009 Palau became also the first Shark Sanctuary in the World, one of Natures best kept secret with its amazing bio diversity below and above the waves.

Combining Photos & Video using the Leica D-Lux 4 with “A little Help from my Little Friends”

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-19T15:10:23+08:00

If you ever pass through Manila then you should check out the Hobbit House (Lord of the Rings) in Malate, founded in 1973 by Expat Jim Turner, a fun and very entertaining place with good music, food and cold beers. ...Some very special, fun loving people run this establishment, the “Little People” with their big hearts, great smiles and cool sense of humor. ...I thought… lets try out the video function on the Leica, and see what I can come up with… no tripod using only available light…oh boy it was dark. ...Nothing special, just a fun video with the help of my little friends. ...So, there you have it, never leave home without a camera, try to shoot and experiment just for fun sometimes.

Messing around with new software, GarageBand & the Nikon D300s mixing Images & Video for presentations.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-14T19:26:58+08:00

During my last trip in Cambodia I used the new Nikon D300s a lot (I might add for the first time) but had very little time to test the Video function on the D300s (a lot more when I get back from Nepal/India in March) All image editing was done with Aperture 2.1.4 and the video was very quickly edited using the new Quick Time on Snow Leopard which is fast and so easy to use. I managed to get a bit of Video footage, nothing special but easily applied in a presentation like this. ...In due time and when I get back from India I put up a nice mix with stills and Video. Having the ability now to create presentations where we can use stills and video combined is just so nice and cool.

Photography: A Never Ending Story & Times have changed, updates & PhotoShelter plus a letter from a publisher

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-11T22:35:31+08:00

I received the news from Tony while working on my new GD Photo Workshop site, uploaded yesterday new images into my Agency archives and today finished with more make up on the GD Photo Workshop site (it never stops) plus uploaded some 200 new Photos to my PhotoShelter Archives. ...A lot of work done in a relative short time, but it needs to be done, how good are your images if you only have them parked on your Hard drives. ...But sometimes I sit back and think about the old days; the horror of labeling slides, storing and editing, and sending them via FedEx or DHL to Agencies was a real pain and expensive! ...Now back to Tony, my inspiration for this article; Tony just received his new jazzed up MacBook Pro and was beaming with sheer joy, I wont go into tech details now but we both came to the same conclusion…”It is a Never Ending Story” Yes there is a need to upgrade your Computer otherwise you can’t keep up with the huge file size and Videos, but a very good MacBook Pro is a lot cheaper than some of those Cameras, Tony made the right decision and upgraded his system after many years, it was time.

Travel Photography: Sneak Preview Cambodia, December 2009 Photo Gallery updated on my Blog

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-10T22:19:22+08:00

In September 2009 we had our very cool and humoring GD Photo Workshop in Siem Reap and then in December I had to return to finish a few projects on my own, namely the very soon to be launched Heritage Suites Hotel and Heritage Adventures websites. ...During my last trip in December 2009 I did spend more time at the Hotel then shooting but I guess that’s life and work, however I had to show my good friend and webmaster Arnold around a bit since it was his very first trip to Cambodia, plus I had to finish a couple other things deep in the Jungle. ...What I like about Cambodia so much, no matter how often I go back, say for example Angkor Wat I always find and discover new things or the light is just in my favor like on the day I took Arnold for the first time to Angkor in the afternoon. ...Due to unavailability of flights from Siem Reap (sort off lucky for us) we chose to drive from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, a town I know only to well, again we only had two days but since I know my way around it was easy to get to the right places at the right time. ...Thanks to Aperture 2, editing was fast and smooth, plus I have finished all my tagging, key wording etc., uploaded all the latest images into Archives from my Agencies and in a few days everything will also be on my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries.

Announcement: Travel Adventure with your Digital Camera...New look for GD Photo Workshop site,

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-06T17:59:14+08:00

Thanks to my good friend and web guru Arnold for hanging in there with me until the early hours in the morning. ...Now directly wired to my Blog (press the button GD Photo Workshops) plus on my main site, nicely integrated, ha, ha how I love this word and YES it was all done on a MacBook Pro. ...This one is easier to update and has already all the PhotoWorkshop dates for 2010, India being the first, starting in February and the participants getting very excited already. A lot of rambling the other day on tech issues, so I keep this one brief plus I have to catch up with some more sleep, so I am not sure on that one either since my good Buddy Dirk from the Dugong Dive Center in Palawan is on the way to me. Take a moment and check out the NEW site and if you feel up to it join me on one of my Photo Workshops in 2010 or 2011.

Aperture 2.1.4 Tip: Sluggish? Perform a Consistency & Rebuild, plus using Nikon D300s & Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-04T18:10:41+08:00

As a matter of fact I was in Cambodia at the time when the update arrived...installed it and imported all my RAW photos from the Nikon D300s without any problems, about 2000 plus of them, including some Video files and Aperture 2.1.4 ask me where to store them too. ...I have mention the word Patience in my post from the 24th of December...see below some excerpts from the article, we see more new Camera models in 2010 and if we like it or not they will require some more powerful computers to cope with the ever increase in MB per image. ...As a serious Photographer I don’t like to test things, I like them to work…don’t forget who came out first with the almost perfect Digital Photography workflow…Aperture was way ahead and made things possible which had been very difficult before and could only achieved with Photoshop then. Patience…all real GOOD things take Time and I am sure Apple will come up with something soon enough…they have always done so in the past, maybe a bit slower but for sure it will be awesome and no need for Beta testing. ...This works well if you have a lot of projects and images, however you have to have a bit of patience running the Rebuilding or Consistency Check as this could take some time, it all depends on the size of your Library.

GD Photo Workshops 2010 adventure travel with your Camera... Journey Through Color & Time.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2010-01-03T16:54:59+08:00

For those of you who live in Manila I am also conducting regular Seminars and Photography related Workshops on Aperture 2, iLife and Pages at Power Mac Center in TriNoma and Greenbelt 3 Makati. (please contact the Power Mac Center for schedules and details) ...Other Photo Workshops been finalized for Palau in Micronesia (Natures best kept secret) an amazing Journey into Myanmar/Burma, Laos and of course once again one of our favorite destination Cambodia later in the year. ...On most days, we will be learning exposure and capture techniques with our digital cameras in the morning & afternoons then using Adobe Photoshop and Aperture for exploring the digital imaging workflow at lunchtimes and in the evenings. ...Students will be pushed to photograph not only scenes and environments, but also the people and life for example in Siam Reap and Angkor Wat, Cambodia or India. ...He will review and critique your portfolio, and works-in-process, discuss careers, getting published and give you an idea of where you are, and what to do next to become better, but most important you will learn how to see things in a different light.

Photography: Toothless Smiles & Color … young & old happy faces from my Journeys, what ever happen to the Tooth Fairy?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-12-28T22:32:41+08:00

Happy without or only a few teeth…people I have encountered from the high Plateau in Tibet, to the markets and temples of Bali and to the Banks of the Mekong River in Cambodia. ...No Camera and Tech talk today…2009 was packed already and I am sure we see a lot more of it in 2010...besides Christmas shopping is over, well at least for most of us. ...Today I like to take the opportunity and express my gratitude and sincere thanks to all those people who made my Journeys save and filled my heart with laughter and even sadness at times. ...Have a great and fantastic 2010… take care of our precious environment and if you get the chance…even the slightest… don’t forget to laugh with or without teeth! ...A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân

iLife - Aperture 2 - Tips, Tricks and Techniques... be a Professional Photographer this Holiday Season.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-12-26T13:23:32+08:00

Power Mac Center TriNoma presents... ...Be a Professional Photographer this Holiday Season... presented by Power Mac Center TriNoma ...A one hour special on iLife - Aperture 2 - Tips, Tricks and Techniques by Gunther Deichmann. Power Mac Center TriNoma, 30th of December from 5:00 to 6:00 PM For questions and special requests, you can call 729-7087 or 88, or email us at training@powermaccenter.com

Photography: Cambodia round up…one day in Phnom Penh… Aperture 2 comments & where to next…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-12-24T20:49:19+08:00

A lot of changes have taken place in Phnom Penh since my first visit in 1992 and again in 2005, I have been spending more time these past few years in the Siem Reap area. ...A must on any ones list if you visit Phnom Penh, great food, cold Beer and a cool atmosphere, this time around they had a great Gallery of Photos from my famous Rock stars on the walls; Garry Moore, Chrissie Hynde's from the Pretenders, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Pat Garrett from Midnight Oil, Rolling Stones and just about everybody else from the good old days… plus a cool Blues/Jazz Band was playing on our first evening in Phnom Penh. But you also find walls covered with Photos from the Vietnam War and the horrific reign of the Pol Pot Regime, some disturbing images but it is the reality from the past or even now in the streets of Phnom Penh where you see people with out their limbs. ...As a serious Photographer I don’t like to test things, I like them to work…don’t forget who came out first with the almost perfect Digital Photography workflow…Aperture was way ahead and made things possible which had been very difficult before and could only achieved with Photoshop. ...Patience…all real GOOD things take Time and I am sure Apple will come up with something soon enough…they have always done so in the past, maybe a bit slower but for sure it will be awesome and no need for Beta testing.

Season Greetings... a sincere THANK YOU to all my friends & supporters

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-12-24T16:09:51+08:00

Season Greetings! It is this time of the Year again...a sincere and special THANK YOU To all my friends and supporters, have a great time and take good care.

Travel Photography: Another amazing Cambodian Journey is coming to an End & Aperture 2 Software update just in time for my Nikon D300s RAW files.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-12-19T00:12:46+08:00

As for me, I am leaving tomorrow Siem Reap for Phnom Penh and after a few days back to Manila just in time to spend Christmas with my family. ...PS. according to him my Eye sight is still Ok... hmmm and since his wife is also a Medical Doctor my Blood Pressure is fine too...must be the good wine at the Heritage Suite Hotel. ...Our stay at the Heritage Suite Hotel (Arnold my Web Guru and myself) was as great than ever, with the superb company of the Management and staff, in particular the GM Varona and Jam from Marketing, not to mention the ever so entertaining Didier from the Heritage Adventures. ...Can you imaging how happy I was when Apple announced a few Days ago the RAW file update for Aperture 2, which of course included the Nikon D300s just in time for my test drive in Cambodia. ...Sorry I have to keep this Blog post brief today, need to pack my things yet and I rather let the images speak…a lot more photos will follow but due to some pending publications I can’t share them at this time.

Travel Photography: Straight out of the Box & into the Jungle the Nikon D300s plus the new 50mm f:1.4 G Lens…test-drive in Cambodia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-12-15T23:31:58+08:00

The D300s is the replacement unit for my water damaged D2x…remember the Rice Paddy incident in September…thanks to Nikon Singapore for providing me an excellent deal and rescuing my totally water drenched 180 2.8 mm lens. ...The first time I used the Camera was at Phnom Kulen shooting some rare red Bananas, yes you have heard right, RED Bananas, supposedly only found in the Jungles of Phnom Kulen. It was here that I used also the new 50mm f:1.4 G lens for the first time, I am truly impressed with excellent image quality even at f:1.4 wide open with superb color rendition. ...After the red Bananas I shot some Butterflies at the Phnom Kulen Waterfall and then we went deeper into Jungle to a very special Cave only using the D300s with a mix of Lenses... fighting darkness, water dripping from the ceiling and Bat shit. ...I have another super early start tomorrow, so I finish now with my first verdict that the D300s is an outstanding Camera and with the 50mm f: 1.4 G Lens just awesome.

Travel Photography: Hidden places…Adventure in Cambodia with a touch of Class…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-12-10T08:50:18+08:00

Crazy me got up this morning at 4AM don’t ask me why since I had no Photography planned for the day but that is going to change very soon. ...I keep today’s Blog brief, as a matter of fact it is just to say hi from the Heritage Suite Hotel in Siem Reap my quarters for the next ten days. ...Finishing what I missed on my last trip plus there is some additional work to be done for the Heritage Adventures and Heritage Suite Hotel. ...Oh before I forget, the Wi-Fi connections is just out of this world at the Heritage, excellent reception in all rooms now or you can relax at the poolside for some early morning surfing and listening to the native birds tweeting. OK., that’s it for this morning, a lot more in the coming days, you just have to stay tuned or subscribe to my RSS feed.

Travel Photography & a lot more; next week from the Heritage Suite Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia, plus testing the new Nikon D300s in the field.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-12-02T22:20:59+08:00

Thanks again to Arjun Shroff from Shroff International Travel who has taken care of all my last minute travel arrangements, he really performed some magic to get me onto some of the flights. ...However I do give the Ox Cart a miss this time, don’t like to loose another Camera, you might remember from one of my previous Blog post when I lost my Nikon D2x in the rice paddy. ...After our Photo Workshop in India I have another very big and exciting surprise but that one has to wait too… yes I know, my suspense again, sorry about that. ...Going through the equipment check now and have to pack my bags by Friday, from the 8th of December I try to update my Blog at least every two days from the Heritage Suite Hotel direct from Siem Reap, and of course the latest news from the Heritage Adventures as well. In between all of this I have some Aperture 2, iLife and iWork Seminars and Workshops at the Power Mac Center in Manila, for sure a very busy but exciting start for 2010.

Busy time ahead for Sam’s Tours Digital Photo Center... the Kids have arrived!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-11-27T00:06:23+08:00

It is buzzing with Kids and adults at Sam’s Tours in Palau THE PALAU KIDS SEA CAMP has started...fun and education for Children another first for Palau and Sam’s Tours. ...Sam's Tours Digital Photography Center is fully equipped to cater to digital photographers of all interest levels from those with handy “point-and-shoot” cameras to the most demanding digital photographers shooting in RAW format. Our six top of the line Apple iMac workstations are loaded with terabytes and terabytes of storage, archiving and secure data back up systems, lots of RAM, and completely optimized for digital imaging with Apple Aperture image management software, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Bridge, Toast, and topped off with DSL Wi-Fi internet access. ...Our rental equipment includes the latest Canon Powershot SD850 digital cameras and Canon ZR830 mini digital video cameras complete with underwater housings, large storage media, plenty of additional batteries, and full service support from our professionally trained Photo Center staff. ...Other Photo Center amenities include a padded and dry camera prep table, battery charging stations, 110V and 220V electrical supply, separate camera rinse tanks, camera drying station equipped with towels and compressed air, and secure storage for your housings, equipment cases and other accessories.

Travel Photography: Going back in Time prior Digital & Photoshop, plus updated PhotoShelter Galleries with Cambodia & India.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-11-23T20:55:56+08:00

It is nice sometimes when you go back in Time, looking at images you created without a Digital Camera and the use of Photoshop, remembering the good old days... ...The other day I went through my archives and came across one of those images, taken in Phnom Penh in 1992, Pol Pot was still hiding somewhere in the Jungle near Phnom Kulen near Siem Reap. Memories starting to flash in front of my eyes...the "Wild West" days of Cambodia...bad memories carved into the faces of Cambodians... the Killing Fields still fresh in their mind... a time I will never forget. ...I have also updated my PhotoShelter Gallery on India with some new edits and have added a NEW Gallery from my recent trip to Cambodia. ...There is also one more Gallery from Cambodia but this one is password protect due to a pending article, don’t worry I open this one in due time, I guess it is my suspense again.

Cool companion for your iPhone, iPod or your Mac, the X-mini a speaker system for your travel.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-11-18T21:14:53+08:00

This one fits in your pocket and I use it on my iPhone to show clients and friends presentations or videos, lets be honest a presentation with good sound/music is so much nicer and you don't have to pass the earphone around anymore. Don’t know yet its availability outside Asia, but you can get it for about US$ 34.00 at Power Mac Center in Manila and of course in Singapore where it is manufactured. I was amazed by the output, a perfect companion when you travel or like to listen to your favorite music in your Hotel Room. Another cool feature…you can hook up more than one unit and fill the room with your favorite music from your iPhone or iPod I am thinking to try out the X-mini on my next flight inside the aircraft… but on second thoughts I better not, they might throw me off the plane for playing my music to loud.

GD Photo Workshop: Journey through Incredible India in 2010 final dates and information

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-11-15T21:17:33+08:00

We are currently working on the final Itinerary however our PhotoWorkshop will coincide with one of the most important Festivals in India...lets celebrate "Holi" and the Elephant festival in Jaipur Rajasthan at the same time. New Delhi and Agra with its magnificent Taj Mahal is also part of our itinerary, more information will be available very soon. ...The Workshop is filling up fast, as of today we only have three (3) vacancies left, bookings are only on a first come basis and have to be confirmed by no later than January 10, 2010. I hope you understand that due to the complexity and logistics of this workshop we can't except anymore bookings after January 10. ...Please stay tuned for more details and info soon on this Blog or you can contact me direct.

Journey Through Color & Sounds…India ”cooking” with Aperture 2, GarageBand, iPhone & FotoMagico 3 Pro

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-11-13T19:45:10+08:00

Just follow these simple steps…after editing the images in Aperture 2 make sure you filed them in their Albums or Smart Albums for easy access in FotoMagico later via the nice build in Media Browser. ...Of course you have also access the same way to your iTunes Libraries, GarageBand and Videos, yes videos… with FotoMagico 3 Pro you can also include your film clips and mix them up with your still images. ...Once you happy with the flow of your images open the Media Browser again and pick your Music, select the track you like and drag it on the audio time line. ...Options for voice over and additional audio tracks are available, but we keep it simple today…I created the basic Journey Through Colors & Sound slideshow in about an hour of course not including the editing in Aperture 2 and mixing the audio in GarageBand. ...If you export direct to YouTube like in my case, make sure you have an account or create one before, the rest is fully automatic but could take some time depending on the lengths of your show and of course your connection speed.

Travel Photography: Rare visit to Bantey Ampoeu, Cambodia during the Monsoon season, Website changes & a little Aperture 2.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-11-09T15:40:19+08:00

I decided the other day to change the intro page on my main web gallery…for how long I don’t know, lets see. ...Now to Bantey Ampoeu, a remote Khmer temple hidden in the Jungle and a great example of natures power if left alone. ...Bantey Ampoeu is certainly off the tourist track and during the Monsoon can be reached only by Ox Cart… a one and half hour journey through Rice Fields and Jungle. ...Difficult to get there in the rainy season but the colors and vegetation in the late afternoon make it a very rewarding journey, as long you don’t mind the Leeches and getting into "Muddy Waters". Thanks to Didier from the Heritage Adventures who took me to Bantey Ampoeu during the worst…but for me the best time of the year.

Behind the scene...Giggles, a little fun from Cambodia using Aperture 2, GarageBand & FotoMagico.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-11-04T21:15:35+08:00

Wake up early in the Morning... came about that all our excursions started around 4 to 5 AM everyday and the Giggles where part of our daily routine... just a fun and great group. The Soundtrack was entirely produced in GarageBand and since we had so much fun I just couldn't help myself in getting this one out...of course I had to add some Giggles... ...I have mention FotoMagico a few times in my previous Blog post's, but the latest FotoMagico 3 Version 3.0.8 is so cool and for those of you who are not familiar with it I can highly recommend it. ...An excellent software easy to use with superb quality, you have all the settings you ever going to need for producing high end slide shows/presentations (including HDTV) or export it to the web. You can add sound, text plus some cool transitions at your finger tips, great integration on the Mac with access to your

Photography: "Eyes - like light, without it we can't see." a magic moment in Cambodia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-30T21:18:52+08:00

© Gunther Deichmann - the magic of natural light, ...To finish the month of October, I decided today to share this Photograph with you . The Image above is from my last trip to Cambodia...remember I mention in one of my previous posts that I keep you in suspense, well here is one of them, others will follow... and more suspense again. No more words needed now...enjoy natures gift to us... called light! "Eyes-like light, without it we can't see."

Photography & iPhone…Tips on cool applications, not only for Travel, Underwater & general Photography.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-28T21:39:20+08:00

If you’re an iPhone 3G or 3Gs user and you’re a Photographer, Diver, Underwater Photographer or you just like to watch the Sunset with your girlfriend in your arms then these cool applications could come in very handy, provided you have your "hand’s free..." ...Lets use Cambodia and India as an example; upon arrival how many times have you asked at your Hotel or the locals what time is sunset or sunrise, only to be told…oh about 5:00 AM is sunrise and sunset is around about… 5:30PM, hmmm… it is always about or something like that… Very seldom you get an accurate answer, I like to know the exact time… if not you could miss a great shot, even more so if you have to travel to your final destination where you like to be for those early morning or late afternoon shots. ...In other words you can plan your trip in such a way that you can be certain that you will be on a specific location in time for this magic Moonrise with your girlfriend, Camera or just waiting for the Werewolf…check out the website for a full explanation and info at: ...The one which really stands out is fairly new and called Dimensions from pocketDEMO fantastic and super cool…I could describe this one for ever but instead have posted the LINK so you can check it out, I have tested it and fell in love with it, a must for US$ 1.99 some useful devices for Photography and many other uses in this amazing iPhone application toolbox.

Tips, tricks & techniques: Few seldom mentioned features on Snow Leopard.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-26T22:47:04+08:00

Say for example you done your cleanup and deleted hundreds of documents, all of them in the Trash, just to make sure you open the Trash and check for a last time before you empty it, just in case, we don’t want to delete anything we might need or we dumped by mistake. In Snow Leopard you open the Trash located at the Dock, ones the folder is open check your files and the ones you like to keep or have thrown out by mistake you just highlight those, then you go to File scroll down and you see Put Back click on it and your files go back where they came from in the first place. ...For those new to Leopard and now Snow Leopard: Quick Look is a super cool feature but did you know once you clicked on it, (you can use the right mouse button to get to it or go to File) it not only shows you the document but you can do a lot more without open the actually software, Acrobat Reader in this case since I used a pdf file. ...ok nothing new…but it is to big, you like to see a few more pages then just hit – (minus button on the keyboard) and it gets smaller every time you hit it to the size you comfortable with, nice if you use another keyboard. ...Another cool addition on all new Mac’s is the Expose button also called Show all Windows, this one is located on your keyboard (F3) have a go at it open multiple windows and click on F3 real nice and so convenient.

Palawan & beyond...Power Mac Center presents GD Photo Workshop at Club Paradise

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-24T15:51:50+08:00

You are cordially invited to a 4 nights 5 days exclusive Photo Workshop at Club Paradise Palawan with Gunther Deichmann, international multi-awarded travel photographer and Apple Pro Certified Aperture Trainer. Registration fees includes airfare and accommodation from Manila to Club Paradise Palawan, all meals (full Board) and full hands on with Aperture 2. ...Please book early this Workshop is for a limited number of participants only! ...For more information and a recent Video on Club Paradise check out the links below: The Underwater Channel filmed at Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center. a very cool Video from this dream destination in Palawan, Philippines. http://www.theunderwaterchannel.tv/clipinfo/4003142

Photography: Rumors & Suspense new products…last week has been very hectic on the Net with new DSLR's, Software & Apple products.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-24T00:23:28+08:00

Technology is progressing at blazing speed… and there is nothing wrong with that, but we should also spend some quality time and money on education, or we forget the real art of Photography soon, becoming a slave of “Photoshopmania”… etc. ...I have to admit Aperture 1 was a bit tough to work with, but since Aperture 2 everything is just perfect and lets not forget that Aperture 1 was the Pioneer in the new workflow for Photographers and not only in digital…I have mixed both digital and scanned images to produce my Book in Aperture 1 Plus you can’t beat the integration on the Mac with Aperture 2… it is just awesome. OK maybe I am also a bit biased like David Schloss from Mac Create and the Aperture User Network who has just written this very cool and interesting article; see below excerpts and the Link to the complete article. ...For me patience is one of the most important aspects in good photography… lets see and wait when Apple announces a new upgrade to Aperture 2, I am happy with anything they come up with. I have the patience… I can wait, no problems, but now I have to do some more work in Aperture 2... just like David.

Photography Workflow: Tips, Tricks & Techniques cool plug in for Aperture 2, plus a nice feedback from our recent Photo Workshop.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-16T12:54:02+08:00

And for those who have missed it from one of my earlier Blogs I like to re-introduce a very cool Aperture 2 plug in BurnToDisc 2 by Blue Room Software, one of the most useful plug-ins for Aperture 2., for me that is. ...I been using BurnToDisc for a long time and can highly recommended this plug in for Aperture 2.1.4 just fantastic when you're on the road or your Agencies screaming for images! ...I had already created a Smart folder with a selection of Photos, now I narrowed it down even further and selected the ones which had been requested, selecting them one by one by holding down the Apple (Command key), after my selection I open BurnToDisc. ...Again, no need to open another software this is direct from within Aperture 2, BurnToDisc has many different options to choose from, even burning multiple Discs, it will show you also how much space you have or is available on your Disc once you have selected your images and open the plug-in. The nice part is when burning versions to a Disc you can chose within the program which file format you would like to use, in my case I needed them in tiff at 8 bits.

Travel Photography: Small Taste of the Latest from Cambodia... a Gallery with few NEW Photographs.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-12T19:41:53+08:00

First of all…my apologies if you experienced some problems with the latest Blog post, we had some major interruption and technical glitches on the Internet during uploading of the most recent post and images. ...Today I like to share with you some images from these few days before and the ones I managed to sneak in during our Workshop...when I had the chance. Thanks to Aperture 2 my editing (the only software) is just about done but now I have to start the painful job in uploading high res. files to my agency archives in Europe. I also stayed a few extra days after the workshop to work on a particular project, but those Images I can’t post yet due to a variety of reasons... ...Once we have everything in place I defiantly share with you some rare and amazing images, but for now…the ones from today have to do.

Late NEWS: We have encountered some major Internet problems, sorry for the inconvinience

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-12T11:54:53+08:00

My apologies if you experienced some problems with the latest Blog post, we had some major interruption on the Internet during uploading Sorry for the inconvenience. Back to normal shortly!!! We re-post asap. GD

Photographs in between during the GD Photo Workshop in Cambodia... just a leaf & the window plus another testimonial.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-09T23:22:53+08:00

The past few days I have been busy with editing and compiling an article, hence the reason for being so quiet, plus I have to admit that I have a slight hangover from last night. ...Of course good old Luis had prepared a great meal, fantastic food and some good red wine, actually the wine was so good that I ended up indulging myself more then it was good for me today, anyway we had a great evening talking shop. ...A few days ago our "Cowgirl" Jamie send me this fantastic testimonial from our Photo Workshop, after reading it I had watery eyes, thank you so much Jamie not only for what you wrote but also for your kindness and great friendship. ...Now a GD Photo Workshop announcement; the bookings for our Indian Photo Workshop are open, this one we have to start early with our bookings the exact dates and Itinerary will be finalized shortly but it is in early March 2010. ...If you have not done so, check out the photos The Students work just click this LINK and the fun images Behind the Scene or go above to the Menu bar.

Photographs by the Students from the GD Photo Workshop, Angkor Wat & beyond... plus the first testimonials.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-05T14:12:49+08:00

Check out these cool images & click this LINK or go to The Students work on the top bar, you can also click on the image above. ...Plus the Journey to some of the amazing places in Cambodia during our GD Photo Workshop "Angkor Wat & beyond... thank you all for being such a warm and happy group, you have been fantastic! ...Thank’s to Jamie from Jakarta, Indonesia, Joerg from Shanghai, China, Luis from Manila, Philippines, Richard from HongKong and Hubert also from Manila, Philippines for their participation in my PhotoWorkshop, Angkor Wat & beyond…you have been a fantastic Group, thank you very much for your kind words and friendship, miss you all. ...I am also grateful to the Management and staff from the Heritage Suite Hotel who made all of this possible with their smile and hard work, you made our stay just so fantastic, thank you from the bottom of my heart. A very, special mention goes to my good friend and long time Guide Savuth who was beside us all the time not only carrying some equipment but digging out the bogged 4X4 wheel drive at Mt.

Travel Photography: Muddy Waters with Aperture 2 & the Monochrome Mixer from our Photo Workshop in Cambodia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-10-03T19:24:35+08:00

I choose today’s Images because of what is happen in Asia & the Pacific; Quake in Indonesia, the Tsunami in Samoa, the floods in the Philippines, Vietnam and now also in Cambodia…I just got word that Siem Reap also got affected badly by Typhhon KETSANA...mud and rain... flooded Countries. ...My thoughts go out to all those people who have suffered greatly during this trying times, this is NATURE and a stark reminder that we are at the mercy off it at times…no technology can prevent the fury of Nature. The Images on today’s Blog have been taken just outside the Ta Prohm Temple on a rainy and very wet morning during our recent Photo Workshop in Siem Reap Cambodia '09, I call it "Muddy Waters" I hope a welcome change from all those disturbing images from the past few days and days to come. ...Visiting Cambodia in the off season can be a challenge but it is also very rewarding, amazing shades of greens are found all over the temples and in the country side. ...In my next Blog post when the Internet connections have improved... remember we still have Typhoon PARMA hanging around, I post a New Gallery with six images from each participant from the Photo Workshop in Cambodia, it is there preferred choice from the trip, so please stay tuned.

Travel Photography: Photos from behind the scene in Cambodia, the incredible and very funny group

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-29T19:21:23+08:00

It has been an incredible week, just back from Cambodia and right into the floods and sadness of Manila, not to mention the World News from Palau on the Worlds first Shark Sanctuary. I have uploaded the behind the scene Photos from our recent Journey and Cambodian PhotoWorkshop adventure on this Blog. The best of six images from the participants will be uploaded also shortly but today it is behind the scenes, the funny part of our Photo Workshop. ...Many thanks to all my students, you have been an incredible Group, listening, learning but you also made me laugh non stop. ... It has been a great trip and hopefully I see some of you in India next year, details be announce soon on this Blog.

Hard Work does pay off; it was one man's dream, believing in one Goal that one day our Sharks can be protected & not only in Palau.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-28T22:59:29+08:00

Yes, President Johnson Toribiong from Palau made it now possible and it is a World first but there are so many others who deserve some credit too, hard at work and believing to make our planet a better one. ...Believing in something and taken it to the finishing line is not always easy, of course President Toribiong did the last sprint and announced the first Shark Sanctuary in the World at the United Nations in New York on the 25th of September 2009. ...My involvement with the Shark Sanctuary goes way back, as a matter of fact many moons ago, but that is not important now, what is important that this tiny Nation in the Pacific set an example for the rest of the World and I sincerely hope that others will follow. ...Congratulations again to the President of Palau and all those others who have worked so hard behind the scene in achieving this amazing Goal, I am proud of you all. ...The founder of Palau Shark Sanctuary, Dermot Keane, Managing Director of Palau dive shop Sam’s Tours, was on hand to greet the President and thanked him for declaring Palau a Shark Sanctuary.

Kaleidoscope of recent events…flooded streets, Palau World News & Snow Leopard with Aperture 2 from our Photo Workshop in Cambodia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-26T15:42:48+08:00

It is raining Cat and Dogs in Manila, the worst I have seen in a very long time, then yesterday Palau in the Limelight with an extraordinary achievement declaring at the UN in New York the Worlds first Shark Sanctuary, a little update on Snow Leopard, Aperture 2.1.4 & slowly drifting back to my recent Photo Workshop in Cambodia. ...I just made it home last night…& now we lost power too...nice to have a Mac BookPro with a fully charged Battery and what better way to recap the past few days in a few sentences on today’s Blog, the only question is when do I get this post uploaded, your guess is as good then mine... ...I also notice that there is no more Software update via the Desktop, (Download Only) now you have to go direct into the system, which is fine, but if you have a slow connection or get interrupted that could cause a problem. ...Now back to Cambodia, my sincere thanks to all participants from my last Photo Workshop “Angkor Wat & beyond…” you have been a great group and made my job so much easier, thanks again to you all, I will remember the friendship we shared and for sure the non-stop giggles, thanks to you all I had a great time too. ...But one thing for sure, I was impressed with their images and dedication to Photography, they did an outstanding job not only in the field but after the shoot too using Aperture 2 for the workflow.

Palau says NO to Shark fins! World first in the protection of Sharks...Poachers watch out!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-25T13:41:09+08:00

Palau President Johnson Toribiong has announced only a few hours ago at the UN in New York that Palau is the first WORLD SHARK SANCTUARY ! ...The tiny Nation of Palau has taken the first step... ...© Gunther Deichmann - Archive Image published as the Photo of the week in Stern Magazine and other world wide publication last year. ...My respect and congratulation to President Johnson Toribiong and the Government of Palau for taken this unprecedented step in the conservation of our endangered sharks. I sincerely hope that other Nation will follow and stop this cruel and inhumane killing of our Sharks, I am very proud to be associated with Palau and its conservation policies.

BREAKING NEWS! Palau President Toribiong has announced at the U.N. in New York that Palau is the first WORLD SHARK SANCTUARY !

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-25T11:34:51+08:00

We have to take a short break from Cambodia due to this fantastic Environmental NEWS from Palau, a world first towards the conservation and protection of Sharks. ...Palau President Toribiong has announced only a few hours ago at the UN in New York that Palau is the first WORLD SHARK SANCTUARY ! This is a milestone in the conservation and preservation of Sharks in Palau, setting an example for the rest of the World. ...Just been advised that Palau President Johnson Toribiong will announce in 30 minutes at the UN Conference in New York that Palau is the first WORLD SHARK SANCTUARY !!!!!!!!!!! ...These creatures are being slaughtered and are perhaps at the brink of extinction unless we take positive action to protect them," said President Toribiong.

The hazards of Travel Photography...the Camera bag in the Rice Paddy and bogged down in black mud... the last two days in Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-22T23:52:26+08:00

My last day in Cambodia was less eventful than the day before when my Camera bag dropped into the Rice Paddy from the Ox Cart, one Camera body and one lens has to go for a major repair Job to Nikon in Singapore. (I am glad I always bring a back up... second Camera boddy and lens)Today my last day...a little less exciting, we only got bogged with our 4X4 Wheel drive in black mud....ha, ha a slight reminder of my good old Australian Days in the outback. ...A very special thank you again to Didier Faraud from the Heritage Adventure who really went out of his way to show us some places where "almost" no man had gone before. As a matter of fact the minefields in this area had only been cleared last year, some very special images will follow once I am back in Manila. ...A robed monk was sitting at the computer screen in the shop, and GD was trying to get a shot of him sat paradoxically under a flat screen TV with a Jackie Chan movie flashing above him.

Words of Wisdom from one of my students from our Cambodia Photo Workshop Angkor Wat & beyond…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-20T23:25:40+08:00

Today’s Blog Post… for a change not written by me but by one of my cool Students Jamie; I only did the uploading … read below what she has to complain about … ...“Well I think I’m perfectly unsanitary enough, thank you very much,” I threw back bemusedly at him before laying down upon the 14th Century laterite stones of the incredible Preah Khan temple in Siem Reap. I was trying for yet another shot at my elusive subject, which happened to be an enormous silk cotton tree growing on the top of a 900 yr old temple in serious disrepair, and dirt was the last thing on my mind. ...Indeed GD had promised an intense 6 day, 5 night photography course in Cambodia, but he sure hadn’t warned us that learning was going to be so much fun. Our outdoor photography classroom included stunning ancient temple ruins, polychromatic floating villages, lush tropical jungles, waterfalls, caves, local food huts, bar counters, and last but not least the infamous ‘round table’ where all of us eagerly gathered for our highly animated photo editing sessions on Aperture 2.

Photo Workshop in the Cambodian Jungle…seldom visited places.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-19T21:45:01+08:00

We left the Heritage Suite Hotel at 4:30 AM yesterday…the last day of our Photo Workshop for Kulen to the river of a thousand Lingas and the Kulen Waterfall. ...But the highlight of the day was a very special trip in the afternoon deep into the Jungle to a seldom visited place that can only be reached by 4X4 wheel drive and then another hour on foot. A lot more images from this destination will follow in the coming weeks…believe me this place is absolutely amazing. I am still catching up with some sleep, long hours everyday the past week, but fun and very rewarding for all in the Group. ...As mentioned above some amazing images will follow later, but today I like to share with you Photos from the Participants in action during this trip in the Jungle.

Travel Photography the Tonle Sap, Cambodia, supported by Heritage Adventures & Hotel, the GD Photo Workshop

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-17T22:08:16+08:00

Due to some difficulties the past few days with our internet connection and early morning hour Photography trips I keep this Blog brief and rather let the images do the talking... ...We are into our fourth day and I am extremely impressed with the Images from my students, as a matter of fact they have really outdone themselves, not only in the field but everybody has reached a very good level and expertise on Aperture 2...the workflow after the shoot. Special thanks to Didier Faraud from the Heritage Adventure who is organizing some very special trips for us and of course the Management from the Heritage Suite Hotel in Siem Reap, who has provided us with and excellent service throughout the week. ...I the next couple of weeks I be reporting in more details from the whole trip and put up a special Gallery with images from all the Participants...today is only a small appetizer from this morning. ...Tomorrow is another 4:30 AM start, so I sign off now, but a lot more from Cambodia and our Photo Workshop soon.

Photo Workshop in Cambodia, the first report...direct from the Heritage Suite Hotel in Siem Reap

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-15T22:26:27+08:00

Sorry for the long silence but I did have some problems with the connection the past few days. ...My students took some amazing Photographs since the start of the workshop two days ago, a very cool selection will follow shortly. ...A great bunch and amazingly all using MacBooks Pro's with Aperture 2 loaded except for on using Lightroom on his Mac. Tomorrow we start at 4:45 for our sunrise session, but this time not at Angkor Wat, I keep you in suspense again, the Heritage Suite Hotel Management has organized are real cool trip. Hence the reason I have to keep it very brief now, need some sleep and a good rest.

Photography: Never leave home with out a Camera…small or big, you never know.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-06T21:13:58+08:00

This is my last Blog post from Manila for a while; I am leaving in a few days for Siem Reap in Cambodia. ...But now I like to share with you two more interesting Photographs that I took one evening a few days ago…to and from a meeting. ...On the way this cool sunset happen right in front of me, of course I had my little companion the Leica D-Lux 4 with me and took some Photographs before I continued. Later that evening on the way home, after some wine with my good friends Luis Harder & Ross Capilli I spotted this interesting lamp outside a Restaurant with a cool reflection behind it. ...Reporting soon from Siem Reap & Angkor Wat in Cambodia, interesting articles from the River with a thousand Lingas and the Tonle Sap Lake plus a lot more…

Test driving Aperture 2.1.4 on Snow Leopard. Is Aperture 2 running smoother & more efficient now?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-05T18:40:51+08:00

As a serious Aperture user and Trainer I couldn’t wait to take Aperture 2.1.4 for an extensive test-drive, finding out if things have improved or not using Snow Leopard. ...Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6) installed on a MacBook Pro 2.66 GHz, Intel Core 2 Duo, Memory 4 GB and the Graphics Card set to higher performance in the System preference (you find the Graphics settings in the Energy Saver) ...I exported some 28 high res Raw images in one go as Versions to full jpg size, wow, that went real fast, again a huge improvement. ...Hitting the Z key (zoom) wow again, it is instant; the bit sluggish Navigation before is now very smooth, the same applies for the Loupe much faster and so much more responsive on all settings. ...So, if you’re using Aperture 2.1.4 go ahead and install Snow Leopard, find out why I love Aperture even more now, feel and experience the difference.

Test driving Snow Leopard...on Aperture 2, Rapid Weaver, FotoMagico and the awesome new Quick Time, my first assessment.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-09-03T22:19:08+08:00

I keep this very brief today but my first assessment and compatibility using Aperture 2, Rapid Weaver 4.3 (I am using it now) plus a quick test on FotoMagico and the new Quick Time in Snow Leopard. ...I learned the hard way on Rapid Weaver, but not a big issue, for those who use RW make sure you install Rapid Weaver 4.3 prior installing Snow Leopard you can get the upgrade for free if you have a licensed copy, just click the LINK below. ...It goes without saying Safari is humming very fast and nice, even Firefox is running a lot faster now, not to mention Mail and all those other cool things under the Hood. ...Installation was a breeze and I encountered no problems at all, this is a new Super Cat with a lot more under the hood, more info in due time...have to run a few more laps. ...Don't panic if opening of your software takes bit of time, this is only for the first time around, Snow Leopard has to update all your existing files like Mail, Aperture etc.,etc. but after that you fly & there is so much more!

Travel Photography: Spectacular Down Under, exploring the Outback of Central Australia with your Camera.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-31T17:32:27+08:00

September is around the corner and so is our Photo Workshop in Cambodia, but before I start reporting direct from Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, let me introduce you to one more seldom featured “remote” place from the Land Down Under, Australia. When you explore the Outback of Australia you have to be ready for almost anything; not only for the spectacular Rock formations you pass, but the unexpected Wildlife crossing your path, make sure your Camera is ready for any encounter. ...Definitely worth the visit, and if you like to catch the best light then you have to pack your camping gear and spend a night under the stars which is another awesome experience at this amazing Rock formation. ...You should always take precaution when traveling alone in the Outback, make sure you bring enough water with you, also two spare tires are better than one, remember you are far from any civilization. ...My first Dog in Australia was actually a Blue Heeler called “Tina”, my constant companion during my outback travel over many years, a fantastic Dog and loyal companion which I will never forget.

Late NEWS: Environment & Photography…Extinction threat to flying fox!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-26T21:03:06+08:00

Is this the last image of thousands of Flying Foxes, known also as Fruit Bats? ...I took this Photograph many years ago while flying back in a Helicopter from Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory Australia. ...Scientists are urging the government of Malaysia to ban the hunting of the world's largest fruit bat. Researchers say the large flying fox will be wiped out on the Malaysian peninsula if the current unsustainable level of hunting continues. Writing in the Journal of Applied Ecology they say around 22,000 of the animals are legally hunted each year and more killed illegally.

Travel Photography: Angkor Wat & beyond… the Photo Workshop is approaching soon.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-26T18:49:28+08:00

In a few days I switch gears and getting ready for another exciting trip with students discovering the beauty in this remarkable place with its ancient history and culture. Once in Cambodia I try my very best to update my Blog and Twitter every 48 hours from our Base at The Heritage Suite Hotel with stories and images from the day’s events, including the best Photograph from each day taken by one of the students. Packing the gear and final preparation are on my agenda in the next few days, I know my Students getting excited, as for me no explanation is needed… I just love Cambodia where you can always discover something new and exciting. ... Ice on a small Motorbike, from the provicial Town to the Village. ...I have lined up a few more interesting posts for the next few days before I start my articles on Cambodia in earnest.

Photography & Aperture 2 at Lyceum University Cavite Philippines, a Mac Campus Roadshow sponsored by Power Mac Center.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-25T15:55:06+08:00

The Power Mac Center Training Devision had set up an array of iMac’s manned by their staff explaining to Students and Teachers the possibilities on a Mac. ...The program of the day included lectures on Integration on the Mac, Photography, Digital workflow using Aperture2 and a basic Photo Competition using what ever Camera was available; Cell phones, Compact Digital Cameras to SLR’s. , etc. Part of the presentations included how the Mac can help you and how to speed things up using Aperture 2, (Aperture 2 & beyond…) iWork ’09 and iLife ’09 explaining the cool integration. ...After the assignment, with the help of Andrew & Mark-Lee from Power Mac Center we uploaded the images into folders and imported them into Aperture 2 for fast processing and judging using the star rating system in Aperture. ...Another fun Day minus the rain today, being with a cool group of Students, Teachers and Faculty members using only simple Cameras but creating some nice images.

Travel & Landscape Photography, an ancient & prehistoric Reef comes to life again with colors in northwestern Australia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-23T18:34:52+08:00

Geiki Gorge; this is part two (2) of places in Australia that seldom get a mention in Books or Magazines but should be on any Photographers itinerary when visiting Australia…of course that is if you have the time. ...But now lets travel back in time and visit Geiki Gorge, an ancient reef formed during the Devonian period, comparing modern reefs like the Great Barrier Reef to those in prehistoric times. ...Geiki Gorge is an ancient reef but unlike modern reefs, which are built by corals, algae and a group of now extinct lime-secreting organisms built the bulk of this reef. ...As the ocean floor slowly subsided over the 50 million years of the Devonian period, the reef-building organisms were able to keep pace, building up and up until, in places, the reef became more than two kilometers thick. The limestone ranges, formed from the ancient barrier reef, wind across the country between 50 and 100 meters above the surrounding plains, in much the same way that the reef would have reared above the Devonian sea floor.

Travel & Landscape Photography; colors of the Rainbow in Central Australia, seldom visited places in the Outback.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-21T13:52:48+08:00

Part one of two places in Australia that seldom get a mention in Books or Magazines but should be on any Photographers itinerary when visiting Australia…of course that is if you have the time. ...Today I like to introduce you to Rainbow Valley, one of the most amazing places I have photographed a “short distance” (100KM) south of Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Central Australia. ...But when the weather is on your side and it starts to rain, a rare occasion in this part of Australia the clay pan fills up with water producing some spectacular natural reflections. ...I always kept an eye on the weather during my stay in Alice Springs, as soon I saw some clouds building up I took the chance to take the 100KM drive to Rainbow Valley, not always lucky but on two occasion I managed to get a Rainbow. ...The best time to visit this remarkable place is in the late afternoon; you might not catch a Rainbow, but the colors during and after sunset are just out of this world.

Photography Tips, Tricks & Techniques; Frequent Asked Questions from students & amateur photographers.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-16T16:55:51+08:00

A: The Nikon D40 is fine, you be amazed the images you can create with just one Camera and a standard lens, think before you shoot. ...A: I am recommending a Digital SLR with one or two lenses, no need for high power telephoto lenses and a small tri-pod (equipment also depends on the type of workshop) Of course you should bring along a laptop for up-loading your images, with software installed for editing. ...A: Basically the same what I have described above, but I always carry two cameras bodies and additional lenses, but when we go into the field I only bring one camera with one lens to show the students what can be done with little equipment. ...A: It all depends entirely on the given assignment, but I usually have a Theme/Story or a subject planned out, but then you never know what is around the next corner, you have to be ready all the time and make quick decisions. ...A: I use the Computer just for up-loading and basic editing, however part of the learning curve is to understand the software and the workflow after the shoot, caption your images, using only minor adjustments for the RAW files.

Photography & the Environment; Déjà vu… culling Camels in Central Australia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-15T16:27:16+08:00

Yes, there are lots of Camels Down Under roaming the Desert, they had been introduced in the mid 19th Century to help the early Explorers to traverse the vast outback. ...But if a new culling of Camels is to be done, it should be in a human way and not like before leaving wounded animals to a slow and horrific death. Culling had been carried out before shooting Camels, Buffalos and Horses from Helicopters, these are difficult and moving targets, leaving the animals wounded for days, suffering a slow and painful death. ...Or as Animal welfare groups suggesting; birth control, giving animals a drug to render them infertile, another more humane alternative. ...So the Australian government has set aside $16m (£9.7m) to contain the problem and one proposal is to shoot the camels from helicopters or on foot.

Travel Photography & the Environment: Ayers Rock Australia, is the Climb coming to an end?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-14T18:02:29+08:00

In my opinion I don’t think so, I can’t remember how many times I visited this remarkable place in the Australian Outback and never had the urge to climb it. ...I have also noticed similar climbing attempts at Angkor Wat in Cambodia too, watching tourist climbing the ancient ruins makes my hair stand up, soon very soon there be a major accident, not to mention the environmental impact it is having on this ancient and fragile architectural Wonder. ...For me Ayers Rock is very much a spiritual place where I can sit back and let the colors play in front of me, thinking about the Aboriginal Dream Time and how it must have been thousands of years ago, a place we should all respect and treasure. ...The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park has called for an end to people climbing the 348m-high rock, sacred to indigenous people, as part of a 10-year draft plan. ...Uluru is 348 meters (1141 feet) high, 3.6 km long (2.2 miles), 1.9 km wide (1.2 miles),9.4 km or 5.8 miles around the base (that's walking),covers 3.33 km2 (1.29 miles2),extends about several km/miles into the ground, it is not exactly known how far (despite the numbers you might have read).

Underwater & Aerial Photography:The passion of one man from a Boeing 747-400 at 31,000 feet to 120 feet below the waves.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-11T17:54:51+08:00

So, why don’t you book your next Dive Vacation with La Laguna Beach Club & Dive Center, say hi to Frank & Donno, if you lucky you might run into Rod, but if he is not around you can always purchase a nice Print of this great aerial shot at LLBC. ...Take my word for it, I have been using these dive guides from LLBC for many years and some of the images I took would not have been possible without their help and eagle eyes. .......yes you’re on the right website… we have changed the front/intro page on my main website, http://www.deichmann-photo.com/ I hope you like it. ...The new front page of my website is a small token of how we perceive and interpret light as we see it through our eyes, a simple concrete wall in the backyard of our building with a light shaft from the adjourning building lasting for only 30 minutes demonstrates this well. ...Using the D700 Nikon at f: 5.6 exposing between the light and shadow part of the wall, then imported into Aperture 2 adjusted the shadow and highlights a bit, applied a little sharpening and a new background/intro page for my main website was created.

Travel Photography: Exclusive travel report from Palau Micronesia, some call it the last Paradise on Earth.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-09T21:17:02+08:00

For all our Camera enthusiast we highly recommend Sam’s Tour’s Digital Photo Center which is fully equipped with iMac Computers and state of the art Software like Aperture, plus an in-house Video facility operated by award-winning High Definition Underwater Filmmaker and Digital Video Producer, Dr. ...Many guests that fly in from the states catch a flight out of L.A. or San Francisco to Japan and then catch a flight from Japan to Guam (there are multiple flights a day from Japan flying into Guam) and then Guam to Palau. ...With magnificent reefs that contain over 1300 species of fish and 400 species of coral, it is no surprise that it is recognized as one of the best and most consistent places to see a huge diversity and abundance of both small tropical fish and large pelagic predators. ...Between the coastal mangroves of Babeldaob and the outer reef walls of the Ngemelis and Pelelui, exists an extensive shallow and deep water lagoon containing limestone islands, sheltered marine lakes, and narrow passages that provide a mixture of different habitats that support a variety of fish and coral. ...Terrestrially, Palau has one of the most diverse assemblages of flora and fauna in Micronesia The different geology, predominantly the limestone Rock Islands and the large volcanic main island of Babeldaob provide excellent substrate for a diverse number of trees, plants, birds, and reptiles.

Photography & Aperture 2, Friday afternoon at Café Havana, Tips, Tricks & Techniques plus applications you might find interesting for the iPhone 3G

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-08T18:18:50+08:00

A nice start for the weekend had a great time with my friend Juergen Warnke from Club Paradise in Palawan at the Cuban “Café Havana” in Greenbelt 3 in Makati. ...First of all the smooth integration on a Mac, it is flawless and very smooth, plus in Aperture you can make adjustments at any stage. E.g. if you have an image selected you can pull up the adjustment-HUD right there in the Browser, Full screen in book layouts etc., no need to go back and forth. ...From what I know and heard of LR this cant be done, LR puts way too much emphasis on the software while Aperture lets you focus on what you want to do with your image. ...In one of my recent Blogs I recommended the GPS from MotionX, another interesting one is AudioBoo you record your voice or a conversation with friend then post it on Twitter or Facebook.

Photography: Photo Workshop News for Cambodia, Laos and India plus New Images in my PhotoShelter Archives.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-06T22:15:34+08:00

It’s raining cat and dogs for the past few days, there is still Color around us, but you have to bring your Camera along. ...The image above and other NEW images from the past few days already residing in my PhotoShelter Gallery/Archives. ...Now from the Philippines to Cambodia; my GDPhotoWorkshop in September ’09 “Angkor Wat & Beyond” Siem Reap, Cambodia is fast approaching, we’re ready to go in September and bookings are closed now. Just a few images below from one of my earlier trips to Angkor Wat Siem Reap, Cambodia. ...However, I make a major announcement very shortly regarding all my future PhotoWorkshops including more to Cambodia, (this year) but also into Laos and other Exotic destinations in Asia, plus preparations are made for India in 2010.

Photography, an image can speak a thousand words...Respect & Prayers for Corazon Aquino...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-05T13:31:18+08:00

former President of the Philippines. © Gunther Deichmann - Prayers for Former President Corazon Aquino, a child holding a Candle inside a church in Manila, on the 4th of August 2009, the colorful reflections are from the Church windows’ for Filipinos there is always hope, may the future be prosperous & democracy will prevail. ...Aquino's presidency saw the restoration of democratic institutions in the Philippines, through the enactment of a new Constitution which limited the powers of the presidency, restored the bicameral Congress, and renewed emphasis on civil liberties. Her administration was likewise hampered by several military coup attempts by disaffected members of the Philippine military which derailed a return to full political stability and economic development. All images © Gunther Deichmann - Manila August 4th 2009

Photography Seminar & Mac Product Training Adamson University Manila, plus using Aperture 2 for something different.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-08-01T20:19:19+08:00

The past two days have been very busy, yesterday the Power Mac Centers 15th Anniversary at their new SM North Edsa store, and today Photography Seminars with Mac Product Training at the Adamson University. ...The program of the day included lectures on Photography, Digital workflow and a basic Photo Competition using what ever Camera was available; Cell phones, Compact Cameras to SLR’s. etc. ...After the assignment, with the help of Andrew & Mark-Lee from Power Mac Center we uploaded the images into folders and imported them into Aperture 2 for fast processing and judging using the star rating system in Aperture 2. It proved again how easy it is to work with Aperture 2 making selections and using it for something very different today, after all we had to go through some 200 images fast. Most of the students came from the Computer Science Dept. but had a high interest in Photography and the three lucky winners received prizes sponsored by Power Mac Center.

Underwater Photography: After running out of film it was difficult finding this tiny & elusive critter again.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-31T14:37:14+08:00

I wrote this article some time ago for my good friends at FINS Online, FINS is one of the best sources for all your underwater Images,Videos and cool stories, check out their website @ http://www.finsonline.com/ ...The original Image had been scanned & stored as digital file in tiff format on my external hard drive, I just imported the file into Aperture 2 made minor correction & a long forgotten image became a life again. ...It was during a night dive in Anilao in the Philippines that I spotted this amazing miniature frogfish, around one centimeter in length. ...Since it was a shallow dive, my guide and I still had plenty of air, so I signaled to him, then went back up to the boat to change film. ...After I changed film and went back down to where my trusted dive guide was waiting for me, it took a while, but we found the little frogfish again.

Power Mac Center celebrates their 15th Anniversary, plus be part of Photography & Mac Learning Sessions.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-30T16:10:46+08:00

Congratulation & Best wishes to the Power Mac Center ...GUNTHER DEICHMANN, international acclaimed travel photographer as he shares his exciting works and experience on travel photography. See the latest techniques in making the most out of your pictures...... Join the photo competition at the end of the seminar. Interested participants may bring their digital cameras or cell phone cameras to join... and lastly, learn why Mac is the best computer for schools.

Breaking NEWS! Puerto Galera Diver part of new discovered Ship Wreck of Borneo, treasures worth over 10 million US Dollars.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-30T15:06:41+08:00

Diver from Puerto Galera, Philippines, is an old friend whom I have dived with many times, he is also is one of the crewmembers that recently discovered the “Forbes” Wreck that sank in 1806 of Borneo, Nick is all smiles now. ...We picked up this report from the German newspaper Bild.de Unfortunately the text is only in German but have a look at some of the Photos. 1.5 tons of Silver Coins, Gold jewelry, Canons, Crystal and Ming Porcelain valued at over 10 million US Dollars. ...Martin Wenzels (42) Augen leuchten, wenn er in seinem Dresdner Büro der Immobilienfirma WIP von seinem kostspieligen Hobby erzählt. ...Und hat jetzt mit seinem Partner Klaus Keppler (71, gebürtig aus Freiburg) den ganz großen Fang gemacht: Sie fanden das Wrack des Piratenschiffes „Forbes“, das 1806 vor Borneo sank.

Wildlife Photography: Is Kakadu National Park in Australia under threat? Cane Toads invaded the far north.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-28T17:29:23+08:00

A very recent (July 09) documentary and study on the ANIMAL PLANET TV Channel showed clearly the interference in Nature by man…NOW a real problem in Kakadu National Park & other parts of Northern Australia. ...The idea was to eradicate the grey back cane beetle pests, now the cane toad is considered a pest and invasive species in many of its introduced regions because its toxic skin kills many native predators when ingested. ...Because of its voracious appetite, the cane toad has been introduced to many regions of the Pacific and the Caribbean islands as a method of agricultural pest control, notably failing in the case of Australia in 1935, and derives its common name from its use against the grey back cane beetle pests. ...They have reached the western part of the Northern Territory, and without intervention, are expected to reach the east Kimberley region of Western Australia in one to three years time. ...With only a relatively narrow band of non-arid country between the eastern Kimberley and the Top End of the Northern Territory, suitable cane toad habitat funnels down to such a relatively small ‘land bridge’ that there is a unique opportunity to slow and hopefully halt their march westwards across Northern Australia.

Photography: Leichardt Grasshopper, a rare & bizarre Insect from a remote part in Arnhem Land, N. T. Australia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-26T17:13:56+08:00

I squatted behind some rocks and as I looked up I spotted this bizarre Insect, but not just one, a dozen or so brightly colored orange Grasshoppers covering the small plant right in front of me. ...Once I had my shots, I started to realize that this maybe something very special, sure enough, after my return to Darwin I showed the one specimen, I had collected to the Curator of the Northern Territory Museum. Gunther - this is the very rare Leichardt Grasshopper he said with excitement, they are only found in remote parts of the Northern Territory there have been no sightings for hundred years. ...Its strong colors are a defense against predators which works so well that this little grasshopper has Attitude - often it doesn't even bother to fly away when predators approach, exactly what happen when I took the Photos that morning. ...Normally I leave animals where I find them and don’t interfere with nature, but in this case the Curator thanked me for bringing in just one specimen for research, it was after all about 100 years later.

GPS MotionX for the iPhone, it really works! The perfect travel companion.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-25T15:56:34+08:00

Read below an article from a very happy Dive Instructor in Palawan Philippines, finding those dive sites again is a breeze now. A few months ago I introduced my good buddy Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center & Club Paradise to the iPhone and recommended at the same time some cool applications including the GPS from MotionX, with Facebook and Twitter integration. ...I am totally amazed how great this software is, the Dugong Dive Center has 3 big dive boats and I have one GPS for each boat from well-known companies. ...No need for an expensive and complicated GPS, the one from MotionX is doing just fine, the only problem is… I have 3 boats but only one iPhone…at the moment that is, ha, ha. ...If you have a Facebook account, enter your login information in the “Connect to Facebook” window that opens.

New Home Page layout & modification for deichmann-photo.com

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-24T16:13:11+08:00

Screenshot of the NEW Home Page You know we recently improved, updated & created a new look for my Blog pages http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html. Long overdue, today we uploaded a NEW Home Page look on my main Web Site/Gallery http://www.deichmann-photo.com/home.html Of course we change the images from time to time and the small flash slide show on the right hand side shows always a few of the latest images, running India at the moment. We made the flash slide show simple and small, keeping the fast loading time of the site plus having all the SEO benefits too.

Photography & unexpected elements you sometimes discover during editing, how a fisherman lost his Sunglasses.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-21T17:51:49+08:00

The things you discover when you do your editing…sometimes strange or bizarre or just…Wow, I didn’t see that when I took that shot. The image below is just one of those weird occasions; a couple of years ago I was in Chuuk Micronesia and one morning during breakfast on the Veranda of the Hotel I spotted this Fisherman casting his net. It was pouring rain at the time so I thought this was a nice shot just from the breakfast table without getting wet, an easy one. Later during my editing in Aperture I noticed the Fisherman’s Sunglasses in mid air, if I had realized this during the actual shot I would have told him…hey you just dropped your Sunshades. ...I guess he is still looking for them “today”, he was fishing at an incoming tide and I am sure his Glasses are gone.

Photography & amazing architecture, Sikandra Akbar Mausoleum & my first morning at the Taj Mahal, India

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-20T21:11:59+08:00

A little History and impressive architecture from India...before arriving at the Taj Mahal I stopped at the Sikandra Akbar Mausoleum, Sikandra the last resting place of the Mughal Emperor Akbar Sikandra Akbar. ...So, if you take a trip from Delhi to Agra you should stop and spend a couple of hours at this architecture marvel, a stop you want regret. ...The Tomb of Akbar the Great is an important architectural masterpiece set in 48 Ha (119 acres) of grounds in Sikandra a suburb of Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. The third Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great (1542 – 1605), himself commenced its construction in around 1600, according to Tartary tradition to commence the construction of one's tomb during one's lifetime. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it, after his death, Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction in 1605-1613.

Photo News: Some minor fine-tuning & improvements on my Photography Blog page, plus stormy weather in Manila

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-18T13:34:29+08:00

We made a few more changes on my Photography Blog pages, added a Twitter Widget and did a little clean up. Plus the weather has been real bad in Manila, almost like the Image below, well not quiet as bad but we have a lot of gusty winds and lots of rain. It is the Monsoon season after all, the only problem is I have to run out to Makati now for my scheduled Aperture 2 and Photography Workshop at the Power Mac Center. ...© Gunther Deichmann - Typhoon Huaning in 1997, shot with my X700 Minolta in an old Hugyfot Underwater Housing right on Roxas Boulevard,

Photo Tips, Tricks & Techniques…messing around with the Nikon D700 using a high ISO setting, results from a rainy day.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-16T16:48:35+08:00

I decided to grab a cup of Coffee and had a look at the back of our Building, that’s when I spotted the Philippines Flag in my neighbors window, ok lets try out the Nikon D700 at high ISO speed and see what I can come up with. (see the shot above) ...Using the Nikon D700 with a f/2.8 180 mm lens (one of my favorites and perfect for the D700) I set the ISO on 1600 and for some shots on 800 ISO. ...A few minutes later I had imported the RAW files from my CF Card into Aperture 2 and made only these adjustments; Cropping, Auto level, some sharpening (which I do for all digital Images) well, believe it or not, that was it folks… no other twists, turns, pushing and pulling! ...It is now an hour later and concluded this rainy day coffee break…the Nikon D700 performed just great at high ISO plus the color was perfect, well for me anyway. ...1600 ISO) As you know I have tested it up to 12000 ISO (you can go to 25000) in the past, but using such a high ISO setting I can only recommend it under extreme circumstances, but it is nice to know you can do it.

Burned some Midnight Oil & uploaded additional Images on India from Aperture 2 into my PhotoShelter Gallery

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-16T01:07:40+08:00

Burned some Midnight Oil and finished some more editing on India, have uploaded some 39 additional NEW images onto my PhotoShelter Archive. Using the PhotoShelter export plug in for Aperture...life made easy. Check out the Gallery @ ...My special selection from the Taj Mahal & Rajasthan India April 09” © Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan India April ‘09

Photography: Australian Saltwater Crocodiles from Hatchlings to 22 feet & the Giant Crocodile “Sweetheart”

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-15T21:12:43+08:00

Once imported and you made some adjustment you can always revert back to your original file just like you would do with Raw images, this makes Aperture 2 perfect for archiving, cataloging even for your older images, using just one system instead of many. ...Some old historical records from 1930 or there about claim they had been caught up to 33 feet in length, however no photographic records has surfaced to prove this, but I do believe it. I myself encountered Crocs bigger then the Boat I was sitting in and the boat was 22 feet, it is no joke sitting in an Aluminum Dingy and this massive Croc slides in from the muddy banks hitting in your direction. ...I could fill up a book with the many encounters I had with these amazing animals, feeling scared at times and vulnerable, but I am also happy that in my life time I experience the only true survivor of our prehistoric past. ...Then there was “Sweetheart” a 5.5 meter saltwater crocodile that lived in the Finnis River in the Northern Territory of Australia, some 55 kilometers south west of Darwin city.

Photography & Australian galloping Crocodiles, rare & long forgotten photos imported into Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-12T18:31:16+08:00

Images from the past can have a good market value even today, shooting for so many years and we’re all getting older (and wiser I hope) we sometimes forget these cool images from the past, some of them will never outdate. ...So, if you have images from way back have a good look at them you never know what you might come across and if you end up using them or not makes no difference it is worth the memory from times long gone. ...There has only been one recorded attack by a freshwater crocodile on a human; this attack took place at Barramundi Gorge (also known as Maguk) in Kakadu National Park and resulted in very minor injuries to the victim, who managed to swim and walk away from the attack. ...This species can be found in areas where Saltwater Crocodiles cannot and are known to inhabit areas above the escarpment in Kakadu National Park and in very arid & rocky conditions (such as Katherine Gorge, where they are very common and relatively safe from saltwater crocodiles during the dry season.) ...This species, until recently, was common throughout much of northern Australia, especially where the much larger and far more dangerous Saltwater Crocodile is not found (such as more arid inland areas and higher elevations) but in recent years the population has dropped dramatically due to the ingestion of local populations of the invasive Cane Toad.

Underwater Photography & Marine Education without getting wet, an afternoon with the Kids & the Nikon D700 at 1600 ISO.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-05T20:22:48+08:00

A long overdue excursion with my Boys and my Nikon D700 on the “leash” to the Manila Ocean Park, a fairly new and large Ocean Park – the Philippines’ first state-of-the-art Oceanarium and open water marine habitat. ...So off we went today to check it out; my verdict not bad for Manila and certainly an education on Marine life for children and adults alike. ...I guess it is still fairly new so you can expect a lot of visitors for the time being, getting some clean shots with my camera was almost imposable, but then I had the boys with me, defiantly a priority today. ...The Nikon D700 was set on 1600 ISO, another great test drive, the shots came out OK with except able noise at this high ISO setting, the most difficult part was to get clean shots due to the large crowd. ...Also the boot ride to view some of the larger animals from the top was way to expensive for the given 10 min. this is actually a waste of money and time, you’re better off to spend more time below in the Aquarium area.

Travel Photography on the ground & from the International Space Station, an interesting view at Lake Sambhar in India.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-04T19:15:57+08:00

During my visit to Rajasthan I visit the largest Salt Lake in India, well not much to shoot except for the vastness of this lake and of course in the small town ship of Sambhar. ... The red part of the Lake is algae which the Flamingos feed on, however the small township of Sambhar is defently worth a visit with it’s Hindi Temple and white washed buildings, I had the feeling of being back in Santorini,Greece again. ...East of the dam is a railroad, built by the British (before India’s independence) that provides access from Sambhar Lake City to the salt works. More importantly, Sambhar has been designated as a Ramsar site (recognized wetland of international importance) because the wetland is a key wintering area for tens of thousands of flamingos and other birds that migrate from northern Asia. The lake is actually an extensive saline wetland, with water depths fluctuating from just a few centimeters (1 inch) during the dry season to about 3 meters (10 feet) after monsoon season.

About Time... a New Look & Style for my GD Photography Blog.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-07-02T21:58:29+08:00

It was about Time...just like the Rock Band “Ten Years After” well not quiet ten years, but I have been thinking about it for some time. We added a few new features to the blog to make reading and finding things more easier, the new look with the swoosh represents my color RED and movement in my images. We have also added a new button for the GD Photo Workshops where I am going to update the latest info on our current Workshops. Of course there is a link to my GD PhotoWorkshop site for more information, this is where we feature some of the participants work after the event. © Gunther Deichmann - movement in the Thar Desert India, April 09

Travel Photography: Do your research prior your departure it can help you later. The colorful Sari from India

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-28T18:27:31+08:00

It is very important that you do your research well in advance prior you departure to any destination, don’t relay on your travel companion or your Travel Agency. They can help but knowing it yourself can be a tremendous help in understanding the Culture, Tradition and the do’s and don’ts for any new Country you might plan to visit. ...Google has made our life fairly easy these days, you can find just about anything, so do spend some time and do your research well, you will not regret it later. ...The history of Indian clothing trace the sari back to the Indus Valley Civilization, which flourished during 2800-1800 BCE around the western part of the Indian Subcontinent. ...Patterns of dress change throughout the world now and then but, the Sari has survived because it is the main wear of rural India. 75% of the population (now a billion as per official estimate) wear versatile sari.

Photography:The art of Fine Art Printing, reproducing your Digital Photos in high quality.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-25T14:46:38+08:00

A big enlargement graces the wall at the PMC, Photo Exhibit at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3, Makati, Philippines some of the images from Rajasthan will be on display from June until the end of July. ...More Photos on display at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3, if you in the area check out also the Multi Media presentation on the Apple TV set-up. ...We invite you to learn more about these opportunities, so we can show you how you can maximize the value of your art by making reproductions using the most cost-effective means. We use only top quality 7 & 8 color-Archival Inks on a wide selection of Archival Fine Art Papers or Canvas that you may choose from in our studios. ...Another tremendous advantage of giclee printing is that digital images can be reproduced to almost any size and onto various media, giving the artist the ability to customize prints for a specific client.

Photography... a sad day! My Tribute to Kodachrome Film...one of best films ever produced. Kodak Retires KODACHROME Film!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-23T13:18:42+08:00

As part of a tribute to KODACHROME Film, Kodak will donate the last rolls of the film to George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film in Rochester, which houses the world’s largest collection of cameras and related artifacts. ...ROCHESTER, N.Y.--Eastman Kodak Company announced today that it will retire KODACHROME Color Film this year, concluding its 74-year run as a photography icon. Sales of KODACHROME Film, which became the world’s first commercially successful color film in 1935, have declined dramatically in recent years as photographers turned to newer KODAK Films or to the digital imaging technologies that Kodak pioneered. ...Kodak has continued to bring innovative new film products to market, including seven new professional still films and several new VISION2 and VISION3 motion picture films in the past three years. These new still film products are among those that have become the dominant choice for those professional and advanced amateur photographers who use KODAK Films...for the complete Press release go to: http://www.pdngearguide.com/gearguide/content_

Twitter plug-in & Aperture 2…useful in Travel Photography, or is it just another gimmick?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-22T15:53:37+08:00

The world is twitting like crazy now…some very good stuff but there is also some real rubbish out there, I guess that applies to just about everything with today’s technology. ...For example; you traveling and get this great image a real scoop, you easily upload this image and have it on Twitter in no time direct from within your Aperture 2 Project and let the world know. ...You can also use the Twitter plug-in to share images with your friends & family, keep them informed, letting them know where you are and this can be fun. ...You can’t Export your image using the Previews, of course you can work around this, but then why use Aperture in the first place if this is the software you’re using while on the road. ...Try it out and install it, definitely fun to use and you never know when you have this scoop of a photo you like to share with the rest of the world on Twitter.

Photography, Aperture 2 & GarageBand equals a nice Keynote presentation plus a lot more.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-17T14:59:51+08:00

7MB, best viewed using a ...Leading up to the Power Mac Center Event... 7000 images later, Aperture 2 & beyond I have produced a Presentation in Keynote using GarageBand for the soundtrack. I converted the Keynote presentation into a small Quick Time file to give you a small Preview on the Net, join us at the Power Mac Center for more on Aperture 2 & beyond. Watch the high resolution Keynote presentation & all the other things you can do on a Mac using your images from Aperture 2. ...Also on YouTube NOW in higher resolution,

Photography & Aperture 2 Training/ Free Seminars & WORKSHOPS at the Power Mac Center, the things you can do after the shoot.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-16T18:35:58+08:00

June & July ’09 Aperture 2, a Power Mac Center special, Images from India on display through out the Store plus get the chance to win a limited edition Book (available in August ’09) with the images from Rajasthan, India... entirely produced using Aperture 2 plus a lot more. Photography & Aperture 2 Training/ Free Seminars & WORKSHOPS at the Power Mac Center incorporating Keynote & Pages from iWork 09 ...plus a little GarageBand using the iPhone as a Recorder. The Seminars: An introduction to Aperture 2 the workflow after the shoot and the things you can do with your selected images using iLife ’09 GarageBand and iWork ’09 working with Pages and Keynote plus a lot more. ...The Workshops: Travel Photography and Aperture 2, tips and tricks while on the road plus the integration on the Mac using Pages and Keynote from iWork ’09 the possibilities after the shoot. ...Consultation on Aperture 2: Trouble shooting, performance improvement, ideal set-up & storage solutions, choice of Hard Drives, how to back up your images and any other Questions you might have to make your workflow easy using Aperture 2 after the shoot.

Take Control...coincident? When your pictures don’t turn out the way you want (underwater or on land), it’s tempting to blame your camera

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-15T10:12:44+08:00

Tony Wu, remember the guy who made me green with envy when he send me these Dinosaurs images (one of my previous Blogs) posted an interesting article today, ...What ever it is, a story worthwhile reading It just occurred to me that the dinosaur exhibit I went to recently provides a convenient backdrop for making a photographic point…specifically, that if you want to take nice pictures, you should really learn how to control exposure manually. For the sake of illustration, let’s compare a couple of images. First, here’s a photo of the trio of Mapusauruses on display (with a veggiesaurus of some sort in the background), taken with a Sony DSC-W300 compact digital camera set on P mode (automatic everything): read the complete article @ http://www.tonywublog.com/

Photography: The Battle between Camera Models…Canon v. Nikon plus Sony, Pentax, Olympus and so many others. Aren’t we forgetting something?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-14T22:20:39+08:00

From a Pro point of view I really don’t give a damn…I use a Nikon, I got used to it, if I loose it tomorrow I get another Nikon, because I am used to it! ...Many years ago I was shooting with X700 Minoltas, I pushed them to the limit in the Outback of Australia under extreme conditions, shot pages after pages for Stern Magazine, GEO published my Images including for their calendars and I shot the cover of Time. ...You might asked why I don’t use Minolta anymore, very simple they stopped producing Pro cameras and the company as such is no longer, otherwise I be still using them now. ...There are some great photographers out there who use neither Nikon or Canon, the problem in today’s Photography is very simple…we go and look at the web, checking reports etc. get too involved with lines, numbers and what gadgets are build in. (not to mention Photoshop, see one of my earlier blogs) ...Today’s Pro Cameras are very good, but you have to learn how to use them and read the manual, once you understand the basics concentrate on your subjects.

News: Two Interesting stories...Delete, Delete & Undelete from the New York Times plus Dinosaurs from Tony Wu

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-13T18:43:07+08:00

Tony made me green with envy, he had the opportunity in Japan to Visit my “past” yes, you all know I still love my fossils. As a good friend would do... he send me some Images in the past few days...to get me going...grrrrrrr, but thanks anyway Tony, much appreciated. ...Dinosaur, It seems like this was my week to see old stuff…expensive fossils on Monday, and yesterday, a dinosaur exhibit at the National Museum of Nature and Science Tokyo. ...I devoured every dinosaur book in every library and bookstore that I came across, and I probably spent hundreds of hours digging through gravel, mountain rocks, river beds, construction sites, etc. for fossils. ...I drew dinosaurs at school (usually during reading and grammar classes), and dreamed up all sorts of little projects to pursue in lieu of doing homework.

Breaking NEWS!!! MacFixIt has announced New Mac Trojan targeting Mac OS

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-13T17:01:34+08:00

Mac has again been targeted by malicious software according to a report only 12 hours ago from ...2009 has seen quite an onslaught of malicious software targeting the Mac OS. ...While malware remains uncommon on the Mac, Apple has had to stray from assertions that the platform is effectively immune to problems experienced by Windows users. A high-profile Trojan released this year has been tied to pirated copies of iWork and Photoshop, and it is believed that more malware will debut as Macs gain popularity. ...Read the complete article @ http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/06/11/new.mac.malware.circulates/

Aperture 2 & Travel Photography how to deal with 7000 images after the shoot, Seminars & Workshops at the Power Mac Center

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-12T16:54:36+08:00

How I work with Aperture 2 & deal with 7000 images after the shoot, visit my Seminars and Workshops at the Power Mac Center in Makati, Greenbelt 3, see the dates below. ...For questions and special requests, you can call 729-7087 or 88, or email us at training@powermaccenter.com ...The Seminars: An introduction to Aperture 2 the workflow after the shoot and the things you can do with your selected images using iLife ’09 GarageBand and iWork ’09 working with Pages and Keynote plus a lot more. ...The Workshops: Travel Photography and Aperture 2, tips and tricks while on the road plus the integration on the Mac using Pages and Keynote from iWork ’09 the possibilities after the shoot. How to record on the road by just using your iPhone and creating real sound tracks later in GarageBand for your slide shows and Keynote presentations.

Late Breaking NEWS...Palau cites human rights in resettling detainees

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-11T19:05:35+08:00

Palau cites human rights in resettling detainees Associated Press, 06.11.09, 12:44 AM EDT WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Palau's president says his tiny Pacific island state considered human rights - and not China's reaction - when it agreed to take in 17 Chinese Muslim separatists detained at Guantanamo Bay. Palau President Johnson Toribiong says his country has agreed to a U.S. request to resettle the detainees out of humanitarian concerns and because their imprisonment is unlawful... read the complete article and more NEWS LINKS at:

Travel Photography: Colors… if you travel through Rajasthan in India then you’re surrounded by it, color is everywhere!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-11T16:09:17+08:00

© Gunther Deichmann - Bangles are part of traditional Indian jewelry and its origin is from the late 18th Century, from hindi bangli “glass bracelet”. ... Inexpensive Bangles made from plastic are slowly replacing those made by glass, but the ones made of glass are still preferred at traditional occasions such as marriages and on festivals. ...Hindus believe that the gods released a swan with a lotus in its beak and let it fall on earth where Brahma would perform a grand yagna. ...The Bikaner Fort also known as Junagarh Fort is an impregnable fortress that has withstood the ravages of time and has remained unconquered since elapsed times. ... One could spend a whole day here wandering through the corridors of this tryly amazing place, a treasure cove for Photographers, Art lovers and Historians.

Photography & gadgets...the Net is full of them, do we really need them? Have we forgotten how to create real images without resorting to Photoshop or other toys.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-09T22:27:17+08:00

There is a place for PS no question about it and I have been using PS also but in the right context in commercial and advertising Photography, but not for my documentary and nature work. ...Since we are in a new age now, of course we need software like Aperture 2 or Lightroom to process our digital images, but lets think for a moment…are we manipulating to much? We do need to process the digital images converting from Raw or creating B/W images, some sharpening and at times adjusting the white balance all of that is acceptable today, but not changing the overall look and color. ...Hence the reason that many good images have been judged and misunderstood today, oh this is a great shot but I am sure he/she done this in the computer. I stop rambling on now, trying to explain, I don’t have the answers and properly want change a thing but it is somewhat very sad in particular for our next generation and only the proper education can make a difference.

Photography & Aperture 2: Black and White in India, conversion made easy provided the subject is right.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-07T21:00:52+08:00

I am known for my strong colors and contrast, but occasional I convert images to Black and White due to their nature and subjects. ...Aperture 2 makes it very easy and I have explained the process on numerous occasion in my Blogs. I thought I share with you today some images which I felt where perfect for the conversion, again these shots have been taken from The Car Window one of my favorite shooting techniques when traveling. ...How I work with Aperture 2 and deal with some 7000 images after the shoot check out my Seminars and Workshops at the Power Mac Center in Makati, Greenbelt 3, see the dates below. ...Join me on a Journey through Rajasthan using Aperture and the Mac, how to create slideshows, Keynote presentations with sound from GarageBand recorded on an iPhone, prepare and produce Flyers and Posters using Pages

Late News: Images, great food and super company at the Hyatt Hotel Manila, Philippines. “ A Taste of India”

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-04T23:20:22+08:00

I also had the pleasure to be in the company of Lawrence Siason from the Power Mac Center and his wife, my good friend Luis Harder and Company and my better half Grace the sometime driving force behind me. Overall a fantastic evening, a very special thanks goes to Arjun Shroff and his charming family from Shroff International Travel, without their help and India Tourism my Images on display tonight would not have been there. ...Later in the evening I had a surprise visit by my very good friend Dirk Fahrenbach from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center, he just snowed in at the spare of the moment. ...We have also some seminars and workshops at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3 shortly, and if you have the time please drop by, I am only to happy to guide you through my Light. ...A very special thanks to the Engineering Dept, PR and Marketing Dept. at the Hyatt Hotel Manila for a very professional service, they did such a great Job, and of course it goes without saying, thanks to the Chefs for a real ”Taste of India”.

Travel Photography: Never leave home without it…the Camera that is. Monsoon rain… & how to fight boredom in traffic jams…with the Leica D-Lux 4

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-04T15:23:00+08:00

I had no choice but things had to be done, I rather have stayed at home in this weather, a 2 hour affair become a whole day madness in flooded streets and traffic jams. ...Of course I always have my travel companion with me, the Leica D-Lux 4 just in case or when I get too bored sitting around waiting for the cars to move. Rain was pounding the vehicle and the light from the traffic was painting colors on the windshield creating some abstract colors right in front of me, so I started to shoot what was right in front of me. ...The weather this time of the year is nothing new…the wet season has arrived and is here to stay for a few month and if I have to venture out again, maybe I see some more interesting subjects to shoot, at least I am not getting bored sitting in traffic jams. The way it looks, it is going to be another very wet and traffic clogged affair today, lucky I am not too far from the Hyatt Hotel where I have to be at 6:30 PM tonight, enjoying “A Taste of India”.

Travel Photography: Compact Flash Cards and a fully-grown Beard for sale... where else can you find that... but in Incredible India

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-06-02T21:42:52+08:00

It is truly amazing what you come across in India; take New Delhi for example, visiting the Red Fort one afternoon I saw this vendor selling “fully grown beards”. ...Then in Jaipur at the entrance of the astronomy and observatory area, a vendor approached me; I guess he had spotted my Nikons, he was trying to sell me CF Cards up to 4 gigs. ...I am not sure who is going to buy them, but I am sure some tourist might get them after their Card is full; this guy was selling them in all shapes and sizes up to 4 Gigs. ...In other words, if you run out of supplies on your trip in India I am sure there is always someone around the corner who carries what you looking for. ... You just have to watch out how genuine these things are, carry your own CF Cards makes a lot more sense and it is a lot safer for your valuable images, as for the beard; who needs one in this heat anyway.

Travel Photography in Rajasthan India continuous…vibrant colors, amazing architecture in Bikaner and Mandawa.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-31T19:56:02+08:00

You find Havallis throughout Rajasthan but in Mandawa they are very special, here you see Havallis with amazing paintings in great details on the outer walls. © Gunther Deichmann - the back of the BHANWAR NIWAS a Heritage Hotel in Bikaner, it goes without saying... if you in Bikaner you have to spend the night at this truly amazing place. www.bhanwarniwas.com In some of my future blogs I introduce you to the interior of this Hotel. Today, the world comes to this storybook town to see its colorful frescoes on every subject under the sun, that is, ranging from the religious to the erotic; from copies of popular English prints to witty social satire, rendered in the inimitable style of the local artist. ...I forgot who told me during my visit to this amazing town, apparently Mandawa and Venice in Italy are the only two places in the world showcasing this type of paintings on the outside walls... a real outdoor Art Gallery. ...For the latest images on Rajasthan in India please go to my selection upper right hand side on this Blog or click this LINK http://www.deichmann-photo.com/page2/page2.html

Photography & Aperture 2... plus a Taste of India at the Hyatt Hotel Manila, Philippines with two chefs from The Leela Kempinski Hotel and Residences in New Delhi

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-29T17:56:07+08:00

At the same time some of my Images from India will also be on display at the Hyatt Hotel during the flavors of authentic Indian cuisine at the Market Café. ...I talk about my experience on the road, the workflow and how to deal with large number of images after the shoot, but most important the things you can do with your images using the integration on the Mac, you be amazed by the possibilities. ...In the meantime you can check out some authentic Indian cuisine at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila, for more info see the Press release from the Hyatt Hotel below: ...From 4th to 21st of June, “A Taste of India” brings the diverse and varied flavours of authentic Indian cuisine to Market Café at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila in the form of popular dishes from north India that will spice up the sumptuous buffet. The hotel has invited Chef Ashwani Kumar and Chef Chandramani Geeband, two chefs from The Leela Kempinski Hotel and Residences in New Delhi to create an explosion of Indian spices for a truly splendid culinary feast.

Back to India & the final details on the GD PhotoWorkshop in Cambodia “Angkor Wat and beyond” in September 2009 will be announced shortly.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-24T20:57:20+08:00

Since my return from Bangkok and the TDEX show I have been working on my project from India, but a lot more work has to be done, I post some more details during the month of June. ...By end of next week you find also the final details on our upcoming GD Photo-Workshop on my GD Photo-Workshop Site, already booked participants however will receive an email within the next few days with all the information. We are almost fully booked, so if you’re interested please contact me ASAP, final closing date for bookings will be June 22, 2009. As mention previously in my Blog, this GD PhotoWorkshop will go beyond Angkor Wat and for the first time we have included the Tonle Sap Lake and some other interesting places seldom visit by Tourists.

Where have all the Tourists…People gone? The new International Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok looked deserted. Who is to blame? A coincident?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-23T21:24:02+08:00

When I arrived at the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport a couple of days ago, I could not help noticing how empty it appeared. A coincident or was it due to the Red and Yellow shirts, the Swine Flu, the current Economic crisis or the simple off season? I passed through this Airport many times on my way to Cambodia or other destinations, but for the first time I have seen it that deserted. ...When checked in at airline counter I looked around and jokingly asked the attendant if I was the only one on the flight to Manila? ...Normally I have to cue up during my check in but this time I was done in seconds and had plenty of time to wonder around taken photos of empty shops and hallways.

Nikon D700 at 6400 ISO in Bangkok Thailand...the final frame after the Thailand Dive & Travel Expo

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-22T16:31:55+08:00

Goodbye to Bangkok and my friends Tony, Mean & Aye from Fins...but I am sure we see each other again soon, Tony Wu is still in Bangkok for a couple of weeks before hitting back to Japan. However Tony and myself dreamed up an interesting new project but more on that later, sounds familiar... my suspense again. ...On my last day in Bangkok I took the opportunity and shot some frames across the Chao Phraya River which runs through the heart of Bangkok using my Nikon D700 at ISO 6400, lets call it “The last frame”. Amazing how the Nikon D700 can handle this type of situation, even at the high ISO the noise is acceptable. Of course not for huge blowups, but good enough for the web or smaller reproductions in print, and if it gets too noisy at even higher ISO (24000) then we can always resort to Noise Ninja a separate Plug-in for Aperture 2.

Underwater Photography & Aperture 2 during and after the Thailand Dive and Travel Expo, part 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-20T23:04:34+08:00

The Thailand Dive and Travel Expo finished last Sunday but I kept busy and giving Tony Wu and the FINS Team some more pointers and shortcuts on Aperture 2. Sunday the 17 of May, the last Aperture 2 seminar in the open area at the Thailand Dive and Travel Expo, a very interesting crowd and some photographer even brought their MacBook Pro’s with them. ...Later in the week I also caught up with my long time friends, well known Photo-Journalist John Everingham and Chris Ryan in Bangkok, talked about the good old days and chatting way over a few beers overlooking the Chao Phraya River which flows through the heart of Bangkok. ...This is the nice part about Travel Photography catching up with old friends and making new ones, tomorrow it is back to Manila where I have a lot more work to do on my India Project...but more on that later. Special thanks again to the organizers from the TDEX and of course to Mean and Aye from Fins for making my stay in Bangkok so enjoyable.

Underwater Photography & Aperture 2 at the Thailand Dive and Travel Expo TDEX in Bangkok

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-17T13:32:46+08:00

As you might know I am currently in Bangkok attending the TDEX show with my good friends from FINS, I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised at the show and the attendance, it is quiet a crowd. ...The Fins Team is working non stop conducting live interviews which will be featured on their website, I keep myself busy with some Aperture 2 Seminars on Saturday and Sunday explaining the basics on Aperture. ...Tony Wu a world class underwater Photographer is having his own Seminars on basic Underwater Photography and how to light your subjects below the waves. ...I keep this blog short today, have to run for my Sunday session on Aperture, but before I do I like to take this opportunity and thank Fins and the TDEX organizers for inviting me to this truly great show in Thailand. ...Once I have returned I post some more images and stories from this years TDEX show in Bangkok.

Photography, Animals & Fossils from the Thar Desert in Rajasthan India... a large & arid region in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-12T22:51:15+08:00

My fascination with fossils and my earlier Job in Paleontology goes way back to my younger days; so it came as no surprise that prior my departure to India I did some research to find out if there are any fossils on my route. Sure enough, fossils have been found in the Thar Desert, from plant life, whole fossilized tree trunks and one of my favorite the Ammonites. ...My Guide took me one afternoon into a very small side street to a small shop, which was selling gemstones, and other precious stones, quiet a treasure cove as I discovered. ...Not in perfect condition but never the less I found my Fossils, I only wish I would have had more time and look for them myself, but then there is always next time. ...The sea withdrew after twenty five million years and the sediments were uplifted animal fossils of that period are found in the rocks in many areas.

NEW India images residing now in my PhotoShelter Archives...including Pink Floyd “Wish You Where Here”

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-11T14:36:26+08:00

If you’re searching for particular images, use the search field option implemented on all pages on my Web site or at this Blog (Stock Photos Search Archives, upper left hand side). ...I have to admit burning a bit of Midnight Oil the past few days going through thousands of images, but now it is out of my system. ...The only thing missing now is to update my main website with the new category “India” this will be implemented by late Tuesday this week. ...Now I have to get ready for my trip to Thailand to the TDEX (Thailand Dive & Travel Expo) only a short trip, I am back in a week. ...I have also prepared some articles on the Hotels, Food and other special things from my Journey trough Rajasthan, they will be available soon on this blog.

A Journey through awesome colors, from Elephants to Camels in the Thar Desert, to Venice like paintings, its People, food and culture…that is Rajasthan in India.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-08T22:09:27+08:00

I managed to do it… thanks to Aperture 2 the main editing has been done and I am uploading most of the images in high resolution from my recent trip to India as we speak into my PhotoShelter Archives. Very soon a Gallery is available with some of the best images from this truly amazing Journey through Rajasthan in India and of course the fantastic Taj Mahal. The pressure has been on because I am leaving again next week for Thailand, I have been invited by the Organizers and Fins Magazine to give some lectures on Aperture 2 during the TDEX Show, (Thailand Dive & Travel Expo) for the dates on the Aperture 2 seminars click this LINK. I am looking forward to catch up with old friends again, like Tony Wu, Aye and Mean from Fins, plus I have the opportunity to shoot some more images in Thailand, which I need for my seminars a couple days later. I know some of you have been waiting to see some more Images from India including the Taj Mahal, so I have prepared prior my next departure “Rajasthan & the Taj Mahal India” Gallery on this Blog.

Amazing Colors and sacred Rats, the Journey through Rajasthan continuous, it is truly Incredible India.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-05-03T20:51:21+08:00

I have to admit it was a strange feeling once I entered the temple barefoot and saw the Rats running all over the place, every corner and niche was crawling with them. ...This area is totally overrun with countless rats, someone even told me that these Rats die all young due to Diabetics, been constantly feed with sweets, however I have heard no scientific proof to support this claim. ...Karni Mata made an agreement with Yama that from now on all of her tribes people would be reborn as rats until they could be born back into the clan. So, there you have it from grey-brown rats to multi color on the way a kaleidoscope of colors and strange things, now I know why they call it Incredible India. A selection of my favorite images from the trip will be up soon on my Main website and a lot more in my PhotoShelter Archives, but first I have to do some more editing, you just have to stay tuned and watch out for the announcement.

Travel Photography: Rajasthan India… 3000 km & 7000 images later... amazing colors, fantastic food, incredible people & Aperture 2 performed flawless.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-04-29T14:59:22+08:00

Sad to say but I am back… wish I could have stayed longer but my Journey through Rajasthan in India has come to an end, however I have promised myself to return. ...In the next few weeks I share with you some of the amazing sites and colors, but today I like to take the opportunity and thank all my Guides and Drivers for an excellent service and providing me with a save journey through out. My special thanks to India Tourism and Rajasthan Tours in Jaipur for providing me with an incredible inside into Rajasthan, with out their help and assistance this Journey would not have been possible. ...The MacBook Pro with Aperture 2 performed equally great, Aperture 2 never let me down and managed the 7000 plus images like a breeze, I honestly don’t know what I would have done without. ...I guess that is it for today; need a few days rest, but soon a lot more, including some incredible images from India including the Taj Mahal.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: A Photographers Paradise...but also a Photographers nightmare...you need a lot of discipline.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-04-16T02:22:52+08:00

I have arrived in Jaipur - Rajasthan very sleepy from the long journey and the incredible heat this time of the year but I could not resist to share this image with you. ...It is very easy to fall into the trap and shoot blindly where ever you go, a sheer paradise but you need a lot of discipline to get the right subjects...not an easy task in Rajasthan. I took the image above on my way into the town of Jaipur, but there are so many others and I do have some very cool surprises or too waiting... you know I love my suspense. Tomorrow another early start to some more remote places in the area, now I get a few hours rest and if all goes well I be in touch again soon. A big thanks to Aperture 2 which enables me to do all my editing fairly fast everyday, don’t know what I would have done without it.

Incredible India... just amazing Agra and the Taj Mahal

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-04-15T01:56:57+08:00

Tonight is the first time I had some time...plus a reasonable internet connection, after 36 hours in Delhi we traveled to Agra where the amazing Taj Mahal is located. Luck was on my side on the first day at the Taj, a group of traditional women from Jodhpur in Rajasthan visited the Taj at the same time. I was surrounded by colors at this truly amazing Building the Taj Mahal...it goes without saying, the Taj is one of the most amazing and beautiful structures I have ever encountered. I keep it short tonight, tomorrow we are leaving early again for Jaipur and then on to Jodhpur the heart of Rajasthan. Sorry I can’t upload any more images...so many of them, but in due time I share many more with you.

Travel Photography: Next Blog post will be from Rajasthan in India...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-04-08T22:30:22+08:00

Well, that’s it for a while... next time you hear from me is in India. As mention my Blog post will be a bit thin from tomorrow onwards, but please stay tuned you never know where I get the chance to update it from. ... I have to do it all when I get back at the end of April. I have chosen an amazing route through Rajasthan and some of the places I am going to visit for my assignment will be a bit remote, but I try very hard to post some short info and Images whenever I can.

Travel Photography: The final preparations are done, I be reporting soon from Incredible India but that depends on my Internet connection.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-04-05T17:26:23+08:00

Oh no, these are definitely not my legs…I just thought this image is appropriate since I am leaving in a few days, as you can see... stock images do come in very handy. ...I try and travel as light as possible, the Cameras being the most heavy but also the most important part, no need to bring a suitcase full of gear which you’re not going to use anyway. ...However I do carry a few white t-shirts, they came in very handy as a natural reflector when shooting people… the only thing you have to do, wear and wash them. Strong and good Rubber shoes, a hat or baseball cap for sun protection plus some of those other items I have pointed out in one of my recent Blogs from the 17th of March 2009, check the Archive: Traveler’s Essentials…tips and advise prior your Departure to your next exotic destination... traveling in South East Asia Now I am almost ready for my iPod listening to Canned Heat “On the Road again”, I stay in touch from India provided time and internet connections work out, but I can hear the sound of the Sitars already.

Summer Kiddies Workshop... iMac's loaded with Drawing and simple Animation Software for the Kids, face painting and a lot more…a week full of fun.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-04-03T22:20:32+08:00

Playing the Blues... about week ago I spend an afternoon with my children at a Shopping Mall…Fun for the Kids…”Summer Kiddies Workshop” at the Rockwell Shopping Mall, Manila, Philippines. A weeklong fun event organized by the Power Mac Center Educational Division, plus I came across this Piano player who just happen to be there. ...Laughter and giggles came from the Kids once they discovered and had a go at Photo Booth…just watching them was real good entertainment. ...There was also an artist on hand who painted some cartoons on the Kid's faces, nice to see that a company like the PMC organized this week long fun and educational event for children. All images on this post are taken with the Leica D-Lux 4 my constant travel companion,back home a few hours later, I created the layout with the new Pages from iWork '09

Web Site updated implementation of the Search Archive Field on all Web pages

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-04-01T20:40:25+08:00

I am getting very close to my departure and I couldn’t leave it alone …had to make some changes prior me leaving for India on my main Web Site. ...If your search fails or only very few images show up (could be many reason e.g. like misspelling or the English verses the American spelling “Color or Colour” go to all Galleries once the page is open. ...We have deleted the “Journey Through Color & Time” Book page, almost out of Print, hence the decision to remove the page, but if you’re still interested in purchasing a copy just send me an email. (http://www.deichmann-photo.com/contact/contact.php) ...Both Sites will have some more modification soon, but they have to wait now until I get back, plus some other exciting NEWS up on my return from India, but more on that later, as you know I love suspense... In the meantime just stay tuned or subscribe to my Blog that I try to update now and then while I am on the road…I guess it all depends on my connection and time.

Photo Workshop in Cambodia…Angkor Wat and beyond, the final dates have been announced

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-30T14:34:19+08:00

We have finalized and can confirm the Dates for our GD PhotoWorkshop in Cambodia… Siem Reap…”Angkor Wat and beyond...” besides Angkor Wat and the other nearby Temples which we are going to visit anyway, this time we travel also beyond; to the amazing Phnum Kulen area north of Siem Reap, the Tonle Sap Lake plus other seldom visited Temples and places. 6 nights and 7 days from the 13th until the 19th of September, please make sure and reserve your space now, final bookings have to be made by latest June 15, 2009. This Workshop is filling up fast already; you can make a non-committed reservation now and reserve your space prior June 2009. ...We have also made some changes on the GD PhotoWorkshop site, there you find some very use full and additional information.

Aperture 2 & Travel Photography preparations prior your Departure “Triple T” Tips, Tricks and Techniques.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-29T18:18:32+08:00

I use to do this a long time ago leaving things for later…but since the arrival of Aperture I don’t leave things for later anymore…if I do, it wont get done anyway… ...A few days before my departure I sit down and clean my MacBook Pro of all those things which I don’t need to bring, in other words cleaning out my Libraries including the iPhoto one and store all this other stuff on my external hard drive I keep at home. ...Cities, People, Culture, Animals etc., plus I always create one for Generic this is for all those images that you don’t have time for or they are difficult to integrate at the time. ...Which brings me to another point; don’t put things off, add as much information during Import as possible it is only a few extra minutes, everything is still fresh in your mind, plus you have some locals around you who could assist in the right spelling of local names etc. ...I work in the field with two identical Lacie 360 Gig Rugged Hard Drives and import all my images as reference files, the second 360 Gig Drive is a back up for the first one lets call them A & B.

Travel Photography…Tips, Tricks and Techniques “Triple T” connecting your Card Reader & Hard Drives to your MacBook Pro, LACIE'S flat Fire Wire Cables…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-27T16:15:46+08:00

Just prior my departure for India I got blessed with these flat Cables by LACIE, saving space and no more stiff cables… ...I am sure some of you get annoyed just like me with those old and stiff Fire wire Cables for your Card Reader or connecting your Computer to your external Hard Drives, this is especially true when on the road. Now LACIE has come up with a cool solution with their Flat Fire Wire 400 and 800 cables, perfect for traveling daisy chaining your external Hard Drives and connecting your CF Card Readers all at once to your Mac. ...No more stiff and annoying cables, welcome travel companions with the 360 or 500 Gig LACIE Rugged Hard Drives, the perfect back up solution when on the road. Available locally at the Power Mac Center in the Philippines, they also stock the 360 and 500 Gig LACIE Rugged Hard Drives.

Photo Workshop in Cambodia...due to popular demand I have posted some more details prior my departure to India.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-24T22:32:06+08:00

Due to popular demand I have posted some more details on the GD Photo Workshop for this coming September in Siem Reap Cambodia, see below the details: This workshop will include the Tonle Sap Lake and the Water Village, furthermore we be exploring some ancient Temples/Ruins seldom visited by others except you. Of course we still visit and shoot at Angkor Wat during Sunrise and Sunset, plus a lot more during this trip. ...Total lengths of the Workshop is from Sunday (exact date to be announced in May) to Saturday (7 nights in a luxury Boutique Hotel) Photography in the field, the workflow and critic after the shoot - class room sessions at the Hotel...but don’t worry we spend more time in the field and get the shot right in the first place. More details; what to bring, cost per per person, etc., will be available in May, but participants can travel from their Home destination to Siem Reap in Cambodia direct, upon arrival we have made all the necessary arrangements for your transport to the Hotel.

Cambodia GDPhotoWorkShop...September 2009 Siem Reap, Angkor Wat and beyond...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-23T16:13:06+08:00

I am happy to announce our GDPhotoWorkShop for the month of September ’09 ...with the title “Siem Reap, Angkor Wat & beyond.” This is only the initial announcement, all other details will be posted upon my return from India towards the end of May. If you’re interested you can contact me and reserve your space without any obligation for the time being, final bookings have to be made by latest August 15, 2009. With only 8 to 12 max participants I recommend you make your bookings early, just click this LINK: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/contact/contact.php

Underwater Photography: Spectacular Underwater Video from the House Reef at Club Paradise & other locations in Palawan, Philippines…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-19T14:27:52+08:00

This Video has been around for sometime but the full length has never reached the Web, now we have decided to share this truly amazing Underwater Video by my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach with you in YouTube. ...Edited and sound by Gunther Deichmann using GarageBand, Soundtrack Pro and Royalty released tracks from Sounddogs created on a MacPro using iMovie ’06 (yes the good old iMovie 06) with some additional Plug-ins. ...The full Video (DVD) has 20:18 minutes of great Marine Life; “Dancing Cuttle Fish”, Turtles, Dugongs and all the Critters you can imagine captured on this truly great Video by Dirk. Unfortunately YouTube only allows us to run 10 min., the full version 20:18 min. will be uploaded in a few days into the Video Gallery of Dirk’s Website @ http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/ I am sure once you have seen the Underwater World from this exotic destination you pack your Dive gear and book your next trip to Club Paradise and Dive with Dirk at Dugong Dive Center.

Traveler’s Essentials…tips and advise prior your Departure to your next exotic destination... traveling in South East Asia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-17T20:38:09+08:00

Visit your doctor and get extra quantities of any medications you are on and make sure you’re vaccinated against endemic diseases (there is a list for every country). ...Get hold of a number of small bills of local currency for tipping purposes, (change some US$ at the airport upon arrival into small bills, it is a lot safer and you have some small change for your Taxi or Tri-Cycle ride) very important in Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar/Burma, Laos and Vietnam (a stack of US$ 1.00 notes are fine) Cambodia is famous for the “One Dollar” everything is “One Dollar.” ...This will give relief from diarrhea but doesn’t treat the underlying infection so use it only if you can’t access a toilet and get help immediately if there’s any blood or anything unusual in the movement or you have a fever. ...These are only the very basics and of course you need to decide what else you like to bring along, for our Photographer friends I highly recommend a small Umbrella, some plastic bags, Raincoat, a small flashlight and spare batteries. The good old Swiss Army Knife is also a great companion, but make sure you DON’T carry that one in your hand carry, they will take it off you, store it in your check in luggage.

Photography & Aperture 2: Tips, Tricks & Techniques…“Triple T”, Editing and Rating your images in Aperture 2 while on the Road, it doesn’t get any faster.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-16T16:09:44+08:00

Below an introduction and Overview of the Aperture Rating System, but first I like to explain how I do my Rating and Editing in Aperture 2 on the road, the very fast and simple way. ...Usually I use the Project name and add the word “selected”, I set the parameter to 5 stars and now all my 5 star images are contained within this Smart Album, all 200 of them. Now I go through them again and the ones I don’t like I demote by hitting the Keys from 1 to 4 leaving me with only the 5 star ones, now I have for example. 85 images left in this Smart Album. ...Again this is entirely up to you, but for me it is the first impression of any image that counts, something that turns me on from the first time I see it, besides everything is still fresh in my mind. ...While a “yes or no” judgment of an image can work for a small selection of photos, with a larger collection of similar images that show small variations, photographers need an organized method of noting which images are superior shots, which deserve further review, and which are poor quality or rejects.

Aperture 2: “Triple T” Tips, Tricks & Techniques… how come I cant use some of my Adjustment tools? Quick Preview mode is activated…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-15T18:13:07+08:00

The adjustment Panel is NOT active; I guess this happen to the best of us from time to time, we might accidentally activated the Quick Preview Button, or forgot to switch it off. ...But to provide accurate feedback, image- processing function requires a view of the original pixel data, which you don’t get with Quick Preview. This is the reason why a lot of the adjustments tools are not available to you when Quick Preview is activated. Experiment with the Quick Preview button, find out how it improves your speed in editing thousands of images without time delay and if you wonder why you cant make certain adjustments then just click and deactivate the Quick Preview button. As for me, one of the best new additions in Aperture 2, much faster editing and not only during import.

Travel Photography: Tips, Tricks & Techniques “Triple T” continues, preparing for the next trip…don’t leave home without DATA RESCUE II

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-12T17:26:37+08:00

Checking and cleaning my MacBookPro; backing up on Time Machine & moving older files over to another hard drive, keeping it nice and clean with lots of spare hard drive space. ...It is not an issue how often and when I use it, I hope never just the peace of mind having it around is worth the price. I did recover some images for a friend who had deleted all his images from his CF Card plus I fixed an old external hard drive. ...Data Rescue II is the best digital data recovery software on the market for recovering files from a problem hard drive or that have been previously deleted. ...Stay tuned, in the next few days I post an article on: Health and Travel related matters, which is the right medication to bring along besides your Aspirin.

Aperture 2 the perfect companion in the field and at home, introduction and solution for todays DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHER above and below the waves.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-11T16:22:18+08:00

Aperture 2 is a powerful and easy-to-use digital image management system that can track thousands of digital images and provides the advanced photographer with high-quality image management and adjustment tools. ...Not only that, Aperture is the perfect companion in the field providing you with all the editing tools you need and by the time you get back home from a trip your work is almost done. ...Advanced RAW workflow: From capture to output, you can work with your images captured as RAW files, without having to first convert them to another format before viewing, adjusting, organizing, or printing them. ...Nondestructive image processing: Designed to protect your images from the moment they’re imported, Aperture identifies your original images as digital “masters” and has built-in safeguards to help ensure that you don’t accidentally overwrite or modify them. ...Download the Aperture 2 trail version and check it out, you want regret it, however if you get stuck Apple provides you with some cool videos (http://www.apple.com/aperture/tutorials/) plus some other useful links below.

Photography & the Integration of Aperture 2 on a Mac plus iLife '09 Workshop

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-07T21:20:08+08:00

iLife + an introduction to iWork ’09 ...Join me on March 20 - Photography & the Integration of Aperture 2 on a Mac & on March 21- iLife 09 Workshop with iWork ’09. All sessions will have computer set-ups for your hands-on guided sessions and training starts at 1pm-3pm Please make your reservations at the Power Mac Center, limited Computer set-ups available, these are additional and special workshops and not necessary listed on the Training Center announcements. Go to the registration page @ http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php

Aperture 2: BurnToDisc 2... this Plug-in for Aperture is the ideal travel companion, a solution for your clients plus a great additional back.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-05T12:06:29+08:00

In the first week of March 2009 we saw a lot of new Software and updates; Pixelmator from my previous blog, BurnTo Disc (my Blog today), Apple announced a few days ago a new Digital RAW Compatibility Update and yesterday we received an iLife Support update, iPhoto, Airport Client and Airport Utility. ...You could also export your Version or Masters on to your Desk top, then use Toast or your Burn folder to burn CD’s or DVD’s but that is more complicated, why not go direct to BurnToDisc within Aperture 2. ...Just before you leave for the airport you present him with a CD or DVD of the selected images from the shoot and you both have a big smile on your face. ...BurnToDisc is an Aperture Plug-In that simplifies the process of exporting your images and burning them to DVDs and CDs for sharing, archiving or off-site storage. ...When you select a collection of images from within Aperture and invoke BurnToDisc via the Burn Masters To Disc... or Burn Versions To Disc... menu item, a new Export Session is initiated.

Pixelmator the answer to Photoshop? Is it less intimidating for the novice and easier to use for editing after we export the Images from Aperture 2 or iPhoto?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-04T12:39:42+08:00

I started many Moons ago in Photoshop, but then there was nothing else around at the time, now we have Aperture 2 and Lightroom to do all our hard editing work. Pixemator…No, I have not downloaded it yet, however it is very tempting for a prize of US$ 59.00 I have checked some reports and reviews to give me an inside to find out what is going on… ...I guess the best thing to do, open the Pixelmator Website and check it out for yourself, but from what I have read, it is not as intimidating as Photoshop and apparently works super fast on Leopard. ...If all of those things are true then we might have a real nice go between Aperture 2 and Pixelmator without the heavy use of Photoshop, not to mention the intimidation and heavy prize tag of the later one. Aperture 2 will do most of your editing and take care of your RAW files and when you do need that little extra for advertising or commercial work maybe then Pixelmator is the answer now.

Aperture 2 Tip: Don’t panic when you see the Consistency and Rebuild window but make sure you have everything backed up on an external drive.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-03T13:20:18+08:00

This works well if you have a lot of projects and images, however you have to have a bit of patience running the Rebuilding or Consistency Check as this could take some time, it all depends on the size of your Library. Don’t Panic again if after the Consistency Check some of your Projects and files have disappeared, no worries just repeat the step and this time run Rebuild and you find all your Projects are there. If you’re not comfortable activating the Rebuild or Consistency Check window then just wait until the window appears one day, but then you have almost no choice but to go through this exercise keeping Aperture 2 running nice smoothly. ...Now a final word of advise, make sure you made a back up of all your Images on an external drive, regardless how good your Mac or how big your drive is and how well Aperture 2 performs, back up is rule number one… disaster can strike anytime. ...Back home I then transfer all my files and Projects to my Mac Pro storing everything again on my Raid system for back ups, only then I delete the Images on my portable Hard drives.

Aperture 2 release... Raw Support for the Nikon D3X and the Epson R-D1x

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-03T13:08:31+08:00

Apple announced today the RAW Support for the New Nikon D3X Apple today released the latest Digital RAW Compatibility Update, adding the Epson R-D1x and the Nikon D3X to the extensive list of digital camera bodies and backs supported by Aperture 2, iPhoto ’08, and iPhoto ’09. You can obtain the Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.5 by selecting Software Update in the Apple menu or from the Apple support site. http://support.apple.com/downloads/Digital_Camera_ RAW_Compatibility_Update_2_5?

iLife '09 and GarageBand: Lets play some Blues... cool Music made easy for your Presentations and Podcast

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-03-01T17:52:10+08:00

The new and improved interface of GarageBand is just so very cool with endless possibilities, and once you have added some Jam Packs to it you be amazed what you can create if you’re a musician or not...but it helps if you like or like me love music. ...Start with Magic GarageBand first, familiarize yourself and later get more adventures and explore all the other possibilities, the trick is to work in the beginning with Magic GarageBand, from the menu choose Magic GarageBand and move the various instruments around until you’re happy with the overall sound. ...Add some Voices, Guitars, Effects (there is so much to choose from) or what ever you feel like, split and separate the tracks and move them around until you have a nice and now very different sound track. Send it to iTunes and you’re done, well almost... dont be shy,you do have to spend some time and experiment with GarageBand and if you love Music it is a lot of fun too. ...Please note: I recommend when running Garageband to turn off all other Applications, Garageband does require a bit of processing power, but on a MacBook Pro you should have no problems at all.

iWork fast…Designing Letterheads, Stationary, Brochures & a lot more on the fly with iWork ’09 using Pages.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-27T18:18:37+08:00

Working fast…if you’re on the road or at home, as Photographers we don’t like spending to much time in dealing with all those other things…but we have too, a necessary evil. ...Here are some samples of a stationary set and a simple brochure created in just one hour with the new iWork’09 using Pages. Apple has made it very easy for us, providing some cool Templates (a lot of them) in iWork ‘09 using Pages to create some slick looking Brochures, Stationary, Posters and so much more on the fly. The integrations on the Mac making the production so very easy and you don’t have to be a Rocket Scientist to work it all out. ...The templates make it easy, but you can always modify and add your own personal touch to it like changing the font, colors, graphics or adding shapes, tables or charts.

Aperture 2 Tip: Missing icon in the Toolbar…tips, tricks & techniques, triple “T” continues, customizing your toolbar and finding the Activity Icon.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-25T17:54:53+08:00

One of the participants ask me how come he does not have the Activity Icon like I do…is there something wrong with my software? ...Once you have installed Aperture 2 all the settings are in Default, he been using Aperture but had not seen or found this Icon and missing out on this very nice feature in ...So, if you a newcomer to Aperture 2 then this little tip might come in very handy, see below the screenshot of the Customization Panel for the Toolbar. Put your Mouse Cursor on the Toolbar hold down the control key (ctr) and click on the Toolbar a small dropdown menu appears, now select Customize Toolbar and a large window appears with all your tools. ...I recommend for newcomers to Aperture 2 to select Icons with text, easy to remember in the beginning and once you get up to speed with Aperture 2 you can use the ones only with the Icon or text giving you more space in your Toolbar.

Aperture 2:Tips, tricks and techniques… Triple “T” continues, recovering an overexposed image from the Nikon D700

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-23T18:26:51+08:00

It is not easy sometimes as a Pro to make things go wrong on purpose especially when using the new Nikon D700. ...I thought, hey this is a good exercise for bringing back the highlights in Aperture 2, so I shot some correct exposed images but also on purpose overexposed some for today’s session on how to bring back the highlights using Aperture 2. Highlight Hot & Cold Areas came in very handy in this exercise, (you find this in theView panel ) for the applied adjustment details go to the GD Photo Tutorial Panel upper left hand side or click this LINK. ...After all my corrections I converted the image also into a nice Black and White using the Green Filter this time. ...Before we go into all the details I like to give some praise to the Nikon D700, excellent performance in any light condition, yes I have done some test shots already at 6400 ISO and that just blew me away, but more on that later.

Where was Eric Clapton...a Guitar line up at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manila "Elevator Blues" plus the new GarageBand'09

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-21T12:49:19+08:00

Most of you know my passion for music in particular Blues, a few days ago while attending a meeting at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manila I spotted these Guitars lined up next to the Elevator. ...“Arnold...the only thing missing is Eric Clapton,” as it turned out there was a major rock secession in progress in one of the Ballrooms, sorry folks no Clapton, John Mayall or even Bob Marley otherwise I would have not gone back to my meeting. ...I could not resist and pulled out my constant companion the little Leica D-Lux4 and shot some frames, remember in one of my earlier Blogs never leave Home without it, (the camera that is) even when you have to attend a meeting you never know what is around the next corner or outside an Elevator in this case. ...I like the revised and new interface a lot, simple and clean and for those who like to learn an instrument GarageBand’09 has now some very cool tutorials guiding you step by step through the learning process for Piano or Guitar. ...Check out the new GarageBand ’09 play some Guitar tunes and create your very own music for all your presentations, GarageBand’09 is super cool and a big improvement from its previous versions.

Travel Photography: South East Asia Exposed, images from the “The Underexposed” featuring our first selection from Vietnam…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-14T13:12:26+08:00

Some of them I know personally, others only from emails, this is the first Blog in a NEW series called “The Underexposed” bringing together talented and passionate semi pro and amateur Photographer from all over South East Asia, I might add, we might venture also more East later, but for now it is S.E.A Every month we show you in a NEW GALLERY 12 selected images from these S.E.A Countries sharing with you the magic of this part of the world, which I call home. ...The answer is quiet simple…sharing images from this region and given these Photographers some “Exposure” they deserve, besides they are a real nice bunch plus given you the “right exposure” before venturing into S.E. ...Today we start with Massimo Casal from Hanoi in Vietnam, I have known Massimo only from emails and my Blogs on Aperture 2 Tutorials & you might remember some images from him in my previous Blogs. To check the 12 images in the Gallery please click this LINK or go to “The Underexposed” lower left hand side bar on this Blog page, but now enjoy the first images “The Underexposed” by Massimo.

iPhoto ’09 acceleration into the future… jazzed up that even the Pro is going to like it, integration at its finest. “Triple T” tips, tricks and techniques

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-13T18:01:16+08:00

As an Aperture 2 user and Trainer this is quiet a statement on my headline, but after spending some time with the new iPhoto ’09 I have to admit this version is awesome. ...The small presentation below shows you what can be done, created again in only a few minutes using the Media Browser to add Music (created previously in GarageBand) I then exported it to QT and this little piece was done. ...You have a Book and a simple presentation to go with, its easy to create and you don’t have to be a Rocket scientist to work it out, use common sense and you find you master iPhoto ’09 in no time. ...Select a folder with the images or create a new one with the images you like to use for the Book, then click on the Book icon, you can choose between auto flow or manual adding the images, you still have the option to move them around after they have been placed. ...Add a smart Album just like in Aperture 2 or create your Mobile Me Web Gallery all of this and the improved interface makes the new iPhoto ’09 a ripper… my only “worry” …what is going to come for Aperture 2 down the road, this could be very interesting.

iWork ’09 & Aperture 2 creating a Poster in Pages on the fly, thanks to the integration, having access to my Aperture 2 Library via the Media Browser

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-12T23:35:31+08:00

After my Workshop today on Travel Photography and Aperture 2 at the Power Mac Center, Makati Manila, I picked up a copy of the new iWork ’09. ...I always loved iWork in particular Keynote, I do just about all my presentations with this cool software with endless possibilities to choose from and using Pages when I am in a hurry and need to create something with…Pages. What is the difference between ’08 and ’09 iWork…well unless I don’t go to sleep tonight I can explain all the new things to you, but I must rest sometimes too. Don’t worry in due time I give iWork ‘09 a very good test drive, however I can tell you this much; major improvements, awesome new Templates for Pages and super cool ones for Keynote... a lot of new ones. ...It is the perfect integration on the Mac which makes all of this possible, no matter where you go the Media Browser is always around, hence the reason why I am as a Photographer love iWork and iLife, I have access to my Aperture 2 and iPhoto Libraries get into my GarageBand, iTunes and Videos without ever leaving the software.

Environment: The Beds and Trees are burning in Australia…Why?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-11T23:47:06+08:00

WHY??? © Gunther Deichmann - Composite Image As a fellow Australian I like to express my sympathy to those relatives who have lost loved ones and properties during these raging Bushfires. What amazes me, these fires have been deliberately lit…I have no words for such a crime, I am speechless… GD

Internet connection down…iPhone to the rescue… iWeb ’09 and a new website from Fins Magazine plus the first “Underexposed” on the 15th of this month…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-11T22:34:22+08:00

Totally frustrated by not having an Internet connection these past few days almost drove me in insane…but then came the iPhone to the rescue, oh boy did it ever. ...Now we are back, up and running, not only me but my good friends at Fins Magazine too with their brand NEW Website…I like it and think it is super cool or is it the Music? ...I have also fixed a few things on my Commercial Photography site…we had a few problems but now I am running iWeb ’09,which is super slick by the way, the new WIDGETS are just awesome; HTML Snipet,Google Maps, RSS Feed, YouTube, Google AdSense, iSight Movie, iSight Photo, Countdown, All is Ok now, so why dont you check it out...best viewed on Safari. ...The NEW iLife ‘09 is so cool from what I have tried out and seen, super improvements, but more on that later need to do some more test driving. ...On or about the 15th of this month I am going to introduce you to our very first “UNDEREXPOSED” guy, Massimo Casal from Hanoi in Vietnam.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY & APERTURE 2 plus iPhoto and APERTURE 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-05T15:57:00+08:00

February 2009, Seminars at the Power Mac Center, ...plus iPhoto and APERTURE 2 For bookings and more information click this LINK or the screenshot above. For questions and special requests, you can call 729-7087 or 88,

Photography: Shadows & Colors …images from a commercial shoot, behind the Scene plus the first verdict on the Nikon D700 & soon “The Underexposed”

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-02-03T22:18:06+08:00

A few hours I returned from a commercial Photo shoot and I thought why not share these images with you…sorry cant show you yet the commercial Images but certainly these ones. Non of the images have been a setup or been manipulated in Photoshop, they just happen to be there. This was also the first time the Nikon D700 got a very good workout, I am very pleased and extremely satisfied with the D700…she just performed awesome. ...In my next Blog I am introducing a new series called “The Underexposed” images from semi pro and amateur Photographers but with great talent from all over South East Asia. ...Photographers I have met during my travel while others I have only known from Emails my Aperture 2 Workshops and Blogs they like to share their love and passion for Photography with you very soon.

Photography: Copyright all Rights Reserved... who owns the images?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-29T14:14:17+08:00

A lot of Legal mumble jumble...we are photographers in the first place and YES we have and need to protect our work, it is our right to do so, but how far do we go in doing so? ...On the other hand the web is not so forgiving, copy and paste is so easy...and here I do agree with Jason, place a watermark on the image will help, but it is never perfect. Cloning with Photoshop makes it easy, if you do place a watermark on your image set the opacity to very weak (say 10% or less) and cover the whole image, this way it does not disturb the image to much and it is difficult to clone. ...The web is full of images like in Flickr, Multiply etc., and most of them dont have a Copyright Watermark, very inviting... it is just like leaving the key in your car engine, or leaving your camera bag in the Taxi and ask the driver to wait until you come back from the Toilet. I dont have the perfect solution and I dont believe the registration is either, unless you’re a Richard Avedon or some other very famous Photographer, for the time being a good and well placed watermark is a very good choice and if you can proof without any reasonable doubt it is your image you have a very good chance in any court.

Travel Photography & Aperture 2: iTalk with iTalk Sync a handy Application for the iPhone, applying Metadata via copy and paste into Aperture 2 plus a lot more.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-28T00:09:36+08:00

Ok.enough sweet talk…say you walking around those amazing Temples in Cambodia with their strange names or you just hanging around a side walk Café, now you use your iPhone and start recording, OK that is nothing new. ...Easy, you synchronize your iPhone with your Lap Top and start up iTalk Sync, the recordings from the day are now on your Desk Top or place them in iTunes, it is that easy. But It gets much better, since you gave every recording a name or added additional text to it, a small text file is also attached and parked right next to your sound file on your Desk Top. ...The transfer from the iPhone to Computer is wireless, OK. if no Wi-Fi is available you can always play back the recording and work on your caption manual and transfer everything later when a connection is available, but at least you have a nice recording with all the information. ...Your recordings will be transferred as high-quality AIFF files, which you can play in iTunes or in most other media players. iTunes will give you the option of burning your recordings onto audio CDs, or converting them to a different format such as AAC/MP3, for use with portable music players.

Environment: Living fossil... a true love story at age 111...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-27T12:42:41+08:00

Most of my readers know my fascination for Fossils and the Environment not to mention my interest in Archeological subjects. I thought I share this little amusing but true story about Henry with you, thanks to Walter Ty for bringing this to my attention. The image I feature today is NOT Henry but of a Frillneck Lizard another amazing reptile from the Top End, the Northern Territory of Australia. ...Tuatara are the last surviving reptiles of their kind, a rare New Zealand reptile has become a father, possibly for the first time, at the age of 111. The keepers of Henry, a tuatara, had thought he was past his prime - especially after showing no interest in females during 40 years in captivity.

PHOTOGRAPHY & APERTURE 2 using the Sharpening tools, plus a cool TIP for your iPhone “TRIPLE T” continues…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-26T17:38:21+08:00

My Camera settings are all set to normal, because it is very difficult to judge from the LCD screen how much or how little sharpening to apply. I have set all my sharpening parameters in Aperture 2 and since I know my Cameras I perform all the Edge or Sharpening in the Computer using my standard settings. ...My recommendation experiment with some of your images and don’t worry you can always go back to your untouched Original, that is the beauty about Aperture’s non-destructive editing. ...In Aperture select IMAGES and on the drop down menu choose Dodge & Burn then on the small drop down window (red square) select Sharpening, choose your brush size and strengths and apply your Sharpening on selected areas only. This iPhone application is truly one of the better ones, very practical and useful, now I have arranged all my most frequent and important Phone Numbers, no more scrolling and searching just touch and go or should I say call…

Photography...never leave home with out it, the CAMERA that is, rediscovering Herb Ritts & Richard Avedon

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-21T20:08:00+08:00

Take your Camera for a walk...where ever you go; with the family, to meetings, functions or just for a stroll in the Park with your Dog, a Compact one is sometimes good enough, because you never know what crosses your path. The other day, I walked out of my Apartment and my Son Brandon was jumping up the stairs, beautiful late afternoon light streaming through the window lighting the staircase. ...I used a slow shutter-speed to emphasize on movement, taken with my little Leica D-Lux 4, processed in Aperture 2 without enhancements, this was natural light at its best. The following day I attended a function and during my visit to the Toilet “I spotted two famous Photographers inside”, Herb Ritts and Richard Avedon with two famous and classic images. ...Herb Ritts began his photographic career in the late 70's and gained a reputation as a master of art and commercial photography...

Aperture 2 and the iPhone3G some use full tips, tricks & techniques for your travel Photography. Is the iPhone3G our Digital Swiss Army Knife?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-20T13:25:49+08:00

In many ways it has become almost that, with the exception of “chopping up firewood, repairing the toilet seat or fixing the car”, but at least you have a Phone to call, text or email the repairman. ...Yes, I did download some games, he, he…and when I am traveling in a Taxi and get stuck in one of those real Traffic Jam’s I get the iPhone out check my email and afterwards play some games or listen to my favorite Blues music. ...Most of the Applications the iPhone comes with I like, but I am not going into great details with those today, I rather look at some of the other Applications I found useful and having them all in my pocket now is just great. ...If your preference setting is set to open Aperture when a Camera is connected watch out… Aperture 2 opens up and tries to import all photos you have taken with your iPhone, as a Pro I found this a bit irritating. ...But what I do like is having the ability to import my images all or selected Albums from my Aperture Library just like you would do with your images in iPhoto.

Tips, tricks & techniques on Travel Photography & future tutorials Aperture 2...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-17T19:27:00+08:00

The first out of my new series Triple “T”… at least twice a month I share with you tips, tricks & techniques on Travel Photography and bring you more tutorials on Aperture 2 easy to follow with images and screenshots. ...Well first of all, it is my job and expertise, I have been doing it for 30 years now: second I like to explore and discover different Cultures and Countries, meeting with people from all nationalities, getting involved in their culture and tradition searching for the unusual within. ...This is extremely important; research the places you intend of visiting, relax upon arrival and don’t start shooting on your first day unless an opportunity arises, check out the place first and talk to the locals. ...I try to get to know them, but I guess most important is to hire a local Guide who can get you into places Tourist seldom venture, besides he or she breaks down the language barrier and has a good knowledge of the local customs. ...I treat all my destinations the same there is always something interesting to shoot, but Tibet, Cambodia, Myanmar and the small island of Santorini in Greece have been my favorite places so far, but I guess my heart is in Australia because that is where it all started.

Environment: Muy Magazine in Spain & Portugal good timing for the International Year of the Shark 2009...and more Photography Aperture Tutorials soon

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-16T15:15:05+08:00

“Muy Interesante Magazine” in Spain and Portugal have published in their January 2009 issues the image on the shark fins, the same Photo appeared in November 2008 as the Photo of the Week in the German Stern Magazine. Now I like to take the opportunity and announce our support for the new released website; the Palau Shark Sanctuary and our support for the International Year of the Sharks in 2009. Sam’s Tours in Palau Micronesia also launched today the 16 of January 2009 their NEW Sharkweeks.com website, introducing special educational shark dives every week in Palau. ...So, if you venture to Palau for your next Dive Trip, dive with Sam’s Tours and shoot these great shark images and afterwards process them in their modern Digital Photo Center. The DPC is fully equipped with six iMac’s and has a complete back up system, software like iLife, Aperture and Photoshop Elements are installed on all machines.

Travel Photography:“Made to Order from Papua New Guinea” Bali has it all…from Fossils to bizarre looking artifacts.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-14T21:34:56+08:00

During my recent trip to Bali Indonesia I came across many interesting things, from giant Bath tubs made out of a single solid rock boulder to the complimentary wash basins for the bathroom. ...No matter what you looking for, most likely you find it in Bali and not only in Ubud, art and crafts are all over the place. From imitations to the real thing, you find it all in Bali. ...I took these images during my last trip to Bali when I visited one of the enormous Artifacts shops along the road. From fossils to just about anything from Papua New Guinea they had in store, and since I am always looking for the unusual we stopped the car and I shot these bizarre carving from Papua with the colorful wall behind just being perfect.

Nikon D700 v. Nikon F5 film Camera, a test between digital and film photography, check out this cool video.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-13T23:05:37+08:00

I have picked up this interesting article and Video clip the other day on the web, an amazing and very cool video of Nikon D700 v. the Nikon F5 Film Camera. The show was produced on the Gadget Show with a good English humor using a Pro Photographers Studio. ...Digital cameras have improved in leaps and bounds over the last few years but does film still produce the best results? I am not going to give you the results, that would be to easy but you can find out on ...Both Cameras had the same ISO setting at 400 & the blow up size of the images measured from top to bottom 17 meters and took two days to print.

Photography: Seldom seen Images from my Archives in PHOTOSHELTER... from Europe to Australia to Tahiti in the Pacific, South East Asia, Tibet & India.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-11T19:53:38+08:00

I prepared a PhotoShelter Widget for easy viewing, a quick look into my Archives, I have selected some 148 images from 25 different Countries to give you a glimpse into my travel photography over the years. ... The widget provides you also with different view options, including Full Screen, see screenshot below, this is very cool just click on the toolbar below the widget if you wish to view the Images larger plus some other options.

TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY: Interesting response to my last blog article, plus the SANTORINI, GREECE Widget.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-09T12:22:15+08:00

feedSRC=http%3A//pa.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann/gallery-show/G0000EA6VlZLp7dI%3Ffeed%3Drss%26ppg%3D200" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="319"> ...Oh boy, not an easy answer...but let me explain a bit about my Photography, as for being very good... this is up for the audience and readers to judge I am merely creating images and I love doing so. ...I think one of the most important aspects of good Photography is critique...critique and more critique, if you can handle critique then you’re on the right road, but if you dont or get offended then do something else. ...As I have pointed out in my previous blog, keep your equipment simple you be amazed what you can do with just one Camera and one lens, discipline yourself working like this for a while, a challenge you might say...but very rewarding in the end. ...Next week on the 15th of January you find an interesting article of mine in the Manila Bulletin, they might help to answer some of your other questions, dont worry if you dont reside in Manila I am posting those same questions and answers a few days later on my blog.

Travel Photography the Journey continues...plus an interesting Flash presentation

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-08T22:47:28+08:00

I treat all my destinations the same there is always something interesting to shoot, but Tibet, Cambodia, Myanmar and the small island of Santorini in Greece have been my favorite places so far, but I guess my heart is in Australia because that is where it all started. This year I am planning to go back to Cambodia and India, but if everything works out Ok I might be visiting Africa which has been long on my list. In other words the Journey continues...see below a little flash presentation Color is all around us, we just have to separate the different shades and forms then everything will come together, you just have to stay tuned. ...No Photoshop straight from the Camera into Aperture 2 and to this Blog

Photography Masters from the past and present…an inspiration and a short Journey through History including Links.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-04T20:54:28+08:00

The true Pioneers in Black &White and Color Photography…of course I can mention many more but I deliberately have chosen the ones below, some of them have left us but others are still with us and up to this day creating stunning images. ...I am lucky and thankful for working and meeting with Pete during the mid ’80 we traveled together in the Northern Territory of Australia shooting Ayers Rock and a few years later ventured out to Western Australia shooting the Pinnacle Desert, we became good friends and communicate up to this day. For pure inspiration you should take a few minutes and check out the amazing images on his website, a true master of color if not the ultimate in color photography. ...Of course prior to color we had the breathtaking work in Black and White by Ansel Adams or the legendary Henri Cartier Bresson with his photo book “The Decisive Moment”. Then there is the controversial Bert Stern and not to be missed Rebecca Blake with her unique fashion photography at the time, she was also the Photography consultant for the Film “The eyes of Laura Mars” starring Faye Dunaway.

Aperture 2 tutorial and tips… Photography, converting Color to Black & White using the build in filters from Aperture.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-03T22:25:22+08:00

I have discussed the conversion from Color to B&W using Aperture 2 in some of my previous Blogs, but today I show you some comparison with actual images using the different filters in Aperture 2. ...I have noticed recently more people experiment with Black and White images, I guess it has become a lot easier these days with all those different software’s available to us. ...In the old days it was a lot more time consuming and required a lot of skills in the Darkroom messing around with Chemicals…Developer…Fixer and the Stop bath words and terms seldom used today. ...I am very much of a Color person and seldom shot Black and White in the past but appreciate the techniques and art form, creating good black and white Prints is not easy even with today’s software and technology. Are we ever get the magic of Masters like Ansel Adams with the software of today…I am not sure but I know we can create some pretty good images and prints.

Photography above and below the waves...thoughts for the New Year by Tony Wu

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-02T15:50:01+08:00

A well written and well thought through article not only for our Underwater Photographers but for all of us below and above the waves. ...It’s a brand new year, albeit one that looks like it’s not going to be the most pleasant one in recent memory, but an opportunity nonetheless to reflect upon recent events and think about what the coming months hold in store. Over the past week or so, I’ve been contemplating (among other things) the direction that the world of underwater photography is taking, specifically the trends affecting the photography world in general, and what those trends mean for marine photographers, both professionals and enthusiasts. I thought it worth sharing some thoughts on this topic for my first blog post of the year. ...If you don’t fall into this (limited) universe of people, feel free to read on, but if you get bored, don’t say I didn’t warn you!

About 16 hours later…sticky rice and San Miguel Beer, a New years tradition in the Philippines…left over at the front desk.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-01T20:14:10+08:00

Some of us are still celebrating the New Year and others are almost back to normal wishing and hoping for a better year. I chanced upon this image a while ago, left over from the early morning. A Philippine tradition…San Miguel Beer and a plate with some sticky Rice. GD © Gunther Deichmann - Leica D-Lux 4

Live…almost, the View from my Apartment…Happy New Year from Manila and the first shot in 2009 at 00:02AM

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2009-01-01T00:38:00+08:00

Since Manila becomes a “War Zone” around Midnight I decided to stay put and take the first shot of the year not from my usual car window but from the Apartment Entrance... and I just love red... ...After this Blog I go back to my Drink sit back and turn up the sound system, my favorite for the first minutes of 2009 is the new Nickelback Album Dark Horse, very cool. Later I will settle in with one of my favorite Blues artists a new Album by the legendary John Mayall In the Place of the King. Good old John still plays some very cool tunes,and in the next few days I take it easy a bit, otherwise I have a divorce on my hands, only kidding… Until soon, Cheeeeeers and a Happy New Year.

Aperture 2: finishing the year with the last training session at the Power Mac Center, Makati, Manila…stay tuned for all the new training schedules in 2009…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-31T14:01:58+08:00

I have just completed my last training session in 2008, this time for the staff at the Power Mac Center on December 29, 2008 Makati, Greenbelt 3, Manila. Please stay tuned for more exciting training schedules in 2009 like: Fundamentals of Mac OS X Leopard, iLife: iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto, iWeb and GarageBand. ...Of course I am going to be around for some more on Aperture 2 and Photography in 2009. Check this Blog for information or go to http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php for all the details in 2009. Now I like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and a real fantastic 2009, take good care of YOU and our ENVIRONMENT.

Black and white Photography with a touch of Color for a New Year...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-29T18:25:15+08:00

© Gunther Deichmann - Composite A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR AND FANTASTIC 2009 TO ALL MY READERS AND SUPPORTERS! I HOPE THE NEW YEAR IS MORE PEACEFUL AND PLEASE REMEMBER TAKE GOOD CARE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT, WE ONLY HAVE ONE PLANET.

Photography: Bubbles from the car window...the Leica came in very handy again.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-23T16:13:42+08:00

Seasons Greetings and 2009 is around the corner I thought I share one of the last shots of 2008 with you… but you never know, we still have a few more days to go. A few days ago on my way home from a meeting my Taxi had to stop at an intersection and these children came running up and sprayed the windows with foam to wash the windows. ...This is a straight shot no messing around and NO Photoshop, taken with the Leica D-Lux 4 on a high JPG setting and processed in Aperture 2. My promised first report on the Nikon D700 will follow, I have been delayed a bit due some poor internet connection these past few days, I believe caused due to the cable problem which has effected the Middle East and some parts of Asia. I am planning also some more detailed tutorials on Aperture 2.1.2 in my GD Photo Tutorials on this Blog I try and have the first one out by early January 2009 please stay tuned for updates and the announcement.

It is this time of the Year again... Season's Greetings plus an almost forgotten image.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-19T12:43:10+08:00

It is this time of the Year again...a sincere and special ...This shot was taken many Moons ago, literally...for a Calendar production. It also became the month of December in the Calendar. ...Fog Dam near Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia Oh, by the way this was during my Kodachrome days.

Photography: An afternoon delight...my Son and the Leica D-Lux 4

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-18T22:12:58+08:00

You remember my recent article about the new Leica D-Lux 4 being a perfect little companion in the field or for the weekend snapshots of the Family, a camera you can carry around with you all the time. Well, the other day I returned home and as I walked in the Corridor towards my apartment I saw this great light streaming from the windows and my youngest son Brandon was sitting there reading his comic book. I took a quick light reading and pressed the shutter, the original was in color (no time for changing the setting to B&W) imported this time a JPG file into Aperture and used the Monochrome mixer to change the image to B&W. Today I open Pages picked a theme and had this real nice image framed and ready for todays Blog. Since then I have taken quiet a few images with the Leica and I share them with you later.

Environment: Save our Sharks from Extinction...support the International Year of the Shark in 2009

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-18T14:08:04+08:00

… was inspired by the finding that at the current rate of decline, certain shark species will be extinct in 10 to 15 years. In large regions, species that were once numerous have fallen to 1% of their original numbers. Studies of open ocean sharks estimate 80 to 90% of heavily fished ...Yet these intelligent animals, also called the “Wolves of the Sea” are still fished intensively, and finned for “shark fin soup.” The oceans have evolved over hundreds of millions of years with sharks as apex predators, so their loss will destroy oceanic health.

A minor correction from my previous Blog...Kodachrome film is still available but...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-14T18:01:48+08:00

“Before Digital Photography my “CANVAS” was Kodachrome 25 ASA a superb film if not the very best in the good old days, a film so good that Masters like Pete Turner…” Sorry if I have jumped the gun a bit... after some more research I have found out that there is still a little bit left of Kodachrome and if you really interested you have to check out this real cool, informative and must read article. ...ROCHESTER, New York (AP) -- It is an elaborately crafted photographic film, extolled for its sharpness, vivid colors and archival durability. Yet die-hard fan Alex Webb is convinced the digital age soon will take his Kodachrome away...read the complete article @ http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/biztech/09/22/kodakchrome.fading.ap/index.html © Gunther Deichmann - both images are shot on Kodachrome 25 from the early 80’s in Central Australia many, many moons ago, and residing now digitized in my Archive.

Before Digital Photography my “CANVAS” was Kodachrome 25 ASA a superb film if not the very best in the good old days, a film so good that Masters like Pete Turner…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-13T16:11:25+08:00

This article is in response to some feedback I have received (see below) Re. the End of Polaroid film and how much longer is film like Fuji and Kodak going to be around…I m sure for a few more years, I hope so. ...For this reason alone I like to see film around for many more years to come, given our younger generation the experience (at least in schools) to get it right in the first place without using Photoshop. Of course you can also learn with Digital cameras and the ability to view the image on the LCD screen is certainly a plus for the learning curve as long you refrain from using Photoshop and start all this manipulation removing wires and so on. ...Photoshop has his place for sure and I am using it for my FX images and commercial work, (I used to do all my FX manually in the darkroom working with multiple exposures on one frame at the time) but real Photography starts with your vision first, learning how to see things before you press the shutter on your camera. ...I still get immense satisfaction from looking at a well exposed Kodak Elite Chrome or Fuji Velvia on a lightbox or better still the close involvement with an image that one gets when sitting in a darkened room viewing beautiful images projected onto a pro - grade projection screen.

The ultimate Digital Photo Center in Micronesia and now TOUR OPERATOR OF THE YEAR 2008.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-12T15:12:53+08:00

Awarding winning is not new to Sam’s Tours which has been consistently recognized over the years not only by government and industry bodies for their commitment to development of sustainable tourism in Palau but also by their customers for consistent service excellence.  In 2007 Sam's Tours received a Top 10 Sponsor Award from PVA for "their continual support and sponsorship" and in 2006 the private sector Belau Tourism Association recognized Sam's Tours with their Outstanding Member Award for their "dedication, support and commitment over the years to Belau Tourism Association and its objectives.” The readers of a leading international dive magazine have recognized Sam’s Tours more than any other dive center in Palau or Micronesia with seven “Readers Choice Awards” since 1997 including a Gold List Award for top dive center, top staff, and top value. Sam’s Tours is the first and only dive center in Palau to receive the Palau Conservation Society “Ten Year Partner in Conservation Award” and is a Corporate Sponsor of the Palau Shark Sanctuary, a shark conservation organization founded in 2001 by Sam’s Tours General Manager, Dermot Keane, to help bring an end to the destructive practice of shark-finning by foreign fishing fleets operating in Palau’s waters. ...“Sam’s Tours has consistently demonstrated their long standing commitment to responsible tourism development, environmental preservation, and excellence in customer service and while recognition is not what drives us to excel, we sincerely appreciate the acknowledgment of our efforts by our industry peers and our valued customers alike” said Dermot Keane, General Manager, Sam’s Tours.

An evening with the System Engineers from Apple in Singapore…plus the Nikon D700 soon on a test drive.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-12T15:08:59+08:00

Posted from Singapore…I spend the past few days in Singapore to have my Nikon Cameras serviced at the Nikon Service Center. ...Shortly I bring you also a first hand test report on the Nikon D700 and the just released Leica D Lux 4 plus some cool info how to deal with some storage problems. ...Last night I got invited to join the Asia Apple System Engineers for dinner and afterwards for a few drinks at the Lunar Club. Surrounded by these guys the iPhones where buzzing all around me, but they also gave me some cool and useful tips, in other words it was very educational besides having a real good time with this totally great bunch. Super cool and real fun Guys… thanks a lot to Ching Ping (SE Manager) Benjamin, Jeffrey, Junior and of course Choon for a great evening and sharing some of their knowledge with me.

Photo of the Week in Stern Magazine Germany, "Bilder der Woche"

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-12T15:06:48+08:00

I just happen to come across a vessel unloading not only Fish but massive amounts of Shark fins. Each time a pile of shark fins had been cleared of the deck and trucked away by small trucks more Shark Fins appeared from the Hull of the vessel. I left the scene after about 45 minutes but the unloading continued, thousands of Shark fins of all species. ...I believe the reason for the worker wearing the hood is due to the cold temperature in the hull, (or is he hiding his face)? ... I could not get into the area where the fins where transported to by the trucks, which could have revealed most likely the real scope of this “catch”.

The End of Polaroid... & how much longer for Film?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-10T22:34:16+08:00

But more of a concern; are we loosing our real Photography skills and rely upon Photoshop more and more? A topic which I have written about it many times; is our younger generation loosing the real Photography skills and adopting an attitude...well I can always fix it in the Computer using Photoshop. ...I bring this issue up again within the next few month and go into more details how things have changed in the last few years. ...CNN today reported a bit of photo news that should come as little surprise to most in the industry, Polaroid is officially ending production of instant film at the end of this month. We all know that video killed the radio star, CD’s killed vinyl, iTunes killed the CD, and digital killed film, but it is still sad when you experience an icon of innovation in the industry finally disappear for good...

New Digital Cameras:Leica D-Lux 4… my first impression & exposures shooting Raw.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-09T16:01:20+08:00

Why I decided on the Leica D-Lux 4 is very simple; only a few Compact Cameras have Raw format and at the same time a perfect lens range suited for me. ...The Leica D-LUX 4 sports a high-speed Leica DC VARIO-SUMMICRON 5.1-12.8 mm f/2.0-2.8 ASPH lens with a focal length range of 24 to 60 mm in 35 mm format. ...The only draw back at present is the Raw format it is not supported yet by Aperture 2, but I am sure Apple has this fixed very soon with a new software update. ...A cool Marco Mode of subjects as close as 5cm, manual focus and so much more, in other words this little marvel has a lot of power and possibilities maybe that’s why it is called the “Son of the Leica M 8” a perfect little companion in the field or for the weekend snapshots of the Family. ...But I can tell you that much already…a great Camera and I can imaging what the new Nikon D3X is going to be like after I had my first gentle drive with the D700, more on that in a few days.

ET or Big Eyes…the Philippine Tarsier…another Alien looking creature the Tarsier is actually not a Monkey...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-12-01T21:23:38+08:00

Let me introduce you to ET or Big Eyes…the Philippine Tarsier…another Alien looking creature, the Tarsier is actually not a Monkey but one of the smallest primate in the world from the Island of Bohol… fighting for its survival. ...Known locally as “the smallest monkey in the world” It is actually not a monkey, nor the smallest primate in the world, but certainly is one of the smallest, growing to about 15cm in length. ...On the ground it hops like a kangaroo aided by it’s long tail and can leap as far as 10’ (20 times it’s body length), when escaping predators such as snakes and owls. ...Up until the late 1960’s the Philippine Tarsier was quite common, but due to it’s adorable and benign appearance was widely hunted to be sold as traumatized short lived pets, or even killed and stuffed to make the ideal cuddly toy for children. ...A 7.4 hectare sanctuary was established at Corella, where some 100 tarsiers are kept in a spacious netted natural habitat enclosure, for feeding, captive breeding and display.

Introducing the Saffron Robes from Siem Reap, Cambodia…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-25T21:14:05+08:00

During its 12th- to 13th-century golden age, this was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Southeast Asia, holding sway from southwest China to the southern tip of Indochina and from Vietnam to the Bay of Bengal. But, following the Empire's collapse, the whole of the Angkor temple complex, nearly reclaimed by the jungle, was lost for long periods to most of the world. ...But they're all the more impressive for what they suggest — for the sights that are no longer there, a way of life that vanished, in large part, withthe wood, woven bamboo and thatch secular buildings that have long since decayed, leaving only the stone-and-brick skeleton of the imperial centre. ...Buddhist monks continued to maintain Angkor as an important pilgrimage site from the 15th till the late 19th century, when Western scholars first began to explore this jungle-shrouded, lost city of fable. And Bayon, for example — a temple mound at the heart of Angkor Thom, a former capital of the Khmer Empire and one of the most important sites — still attracts monks and nuns from all parts of Cambodia.

A smile from Cambodia...an image which makes you smile and forget the days headaches.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-24T22:07:43+08:00

I just received this real nice image from one of my avid Blog Readers a Photographer friend from Vietnam and an Aperture 2 user. Massimo Casal and myself have been in touch with each other over the past 12 month and he only told me last week that he was going to Cambodia for a few days. (we never actually meet in Person only from my Blogs and email exchange) I was just about to close the day when I received this image from him, there was no way I could say NO and had to post it to share with you all. He made my day, thanks Massimo for sharing this with me and many others. I just love this shot of this cheeky but ever so beautiful little girl smiling, and Massimo is right by saying my beloved Cambodia, which it truly is.

When Disaster strikes…hard drive failure, it can happen to all of us including myself

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-22T18:53:47+08:00

As a matter of fact this just happens to me and while I am typing this Blog my back-up has been activated on my MacPro external drives. ...But since I am notorious for making back ups I am not to too upset, except for a bit of maintenance work and moving files around, all my images are still save. ...I make three back ups of just about every thing in particular of my images, two full back ups are with me and one with PhotoShelter containing high res. selected images. ...We are all to eager and quickly blame the manufactures but this can happen with any drive, you better believe it, however the purchase of a good brand is important. ...Of course you can also invest in some very elaborate Raid systems but they are expensive, important you do some type of back up and don’t rely on a single drive.

PhotoShelter Discount Code available now…the storage solution not only for the Pro Photographer... plus some cool NEW features.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-21T15:18:41+08:00

Well, that is true but one hard drive is not enough, say you use a 500 Gig Hard drive to store your images, great but what about your back up, so you end up buying two. ...Plus the storage on DVD’s is at present only some 4.5 GIG (single sided) and Blue Ray is still not so accepted in the industry not to mention the time and cost factor. ...PhotoShelter is a better solution and they claim their system is “Bullet Proof” check their website for all the information and if you decide to go with PhotoShelter make sure you use the Special Code above. Plus you have all these other options at your fingertips from Web Themes, Widgets, Slides shows, Marketing tools, RSS and so much more including sleeping well at night knowing that your images are safe. ...Trusted Client Download allows you to tag anyone in your address book and assign them with permission to download the hi-res of anything they can view (up to a certain size you indicate).

Announcement... PhotoShelter Site Maintenance & Upgrade Notice for a better performance online...plus Boracay Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-19T22:08:54+08:00

Site Maintenance and Upgrade Notice: To improve overall site performance, PhotoShelter has planned a site hardware upgrade on Saturday, November 22 from 6pm to midnight EST. If you experience some interruption during this time dont worry it is due to Maintenance. The images below are from a recent trip to Boracay, a Typhoon was just around the corner, hence the Drama in the sky. ...No Photoshop has been used, this is direct from Aperture 2. © Gunther Deichmann - Boracay, Philippines November 2008

Aperture 2 & Photography at the Power Mac Center Makati...get to know your tools

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-18T22:34:52+08:00

Book now for this special 5 hour intensive training, get to ...Aperture 2 and Photography Workshop at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt Makati November 29 & 30, 1pm to 6pm at GB3 Training Center. Only a limited number of seats are available for this Workshop, please make your reservations early, thank you. This workshop is for serious amateur and advance Photographers, for details and early bookings please contact the Power Mac Center. ...or go to our website at: http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php

Underwater Photography: Underwater image of an Octopus makes the science paper…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-18T14:49:00+08:00

An Octopus from Puerto Galera makes it into a 105 page science Paper. I supplied this image for research purpose some time ago and now it is published in a study on Octopuses. If you interested in Octopuses or if you are a Marine Biologist and like to read the complete article you find the address below. ...Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 2008, 46, 105-202 ...Colour Figure 16 (Villanueva & Norman) Adult Octopus cyanea in camouflage display amongst soft corals,Puerto Galera, Philippine Islands.

The PhotoShelter Slideshow has arrived...more cool updates from my Photo Archives

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-17T19:02:01+08:00

As mention in my previous Blog the PhotoShelter Team has been working very hard to improve everything so we can make some good sales with our Stock Images. From the FTP connection, to Search Archives, slick looking Themes for your own customized Website, Widgets, Slideshow plus a lot more, check out their website and view some of the cool video tutorials. But that is enough talk for today, check out the NEW additional button on the left hand side called “The Classics” running as a slideshow direct from PhotoShelter. There is also a direct link to all the other Gallery Collections containing some 5000 plus high res. images. ...Lower left circle; click here and you get the whole row of thumbnails from that particular Gallery.

Implementation of PhotoShelter's cool new features...using the Plug-in for Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-14T13:09:00+08:00

But here is the cool part; now you can search my entire archives direct from my site with Keywords, just type in what you looking for and the images show up. ... Ayers rock Australia - plus we added a new button on this Blog left hand side just above FEEDBACK & CONTACT Stock Photos Search Archive we also changed the look and added some helpful info how to find images. ...If you misspelled a word, no images or only some will appear for e.g. you entered more than one Keyword like: milky way, Palau, Micronesia but you spelled it “milky wey” then only some images or non will appear. ...So be careful with you’re spelling, but if you not sure and I know there are some exotic names out there you can always type in the Country or go to the Gallery which contains all the images and subjects. ...PhotoShelter has added so many new cool features like an Embed your Gallery, it is like a YouTube look very nicet if you need to show your latest images to your agency or Client.

Photography with out Photoshop...Nature provides all the ingredients and most important the light...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-11T16:29:41+08:00

We had a great response to the image with the Shark Fins...all very positive and I hope someone get the message out there...if the buying STOPS the KILLING will too. ...The month of October/November has been very hectic, as you know we have just returned from Bali and only last weekend had to go out for another commercial shoot, which brings me to my topic of today. I am working almost exclusive with Aperture 2 now and to be honest what else do I need, the days of Photoshop have become rare, well for me anyway. I like to shoot the way I see it and I have written some articles on the subject, my reason for chosen the abstract Turtle is to demonstrate that Nature provides us with all the effects. Take my recent reflection shots from Bali for example, my advise to upcoming Photographers is; Dont relay on Photoshop unless it is for some commercial work but even then try and get it right in the first place, you be amazed how rewarding nature can be.

Breaking News: Photo of the Week in Stern Magazine Germany, "Bilder der Woche"

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-07T10:33:33+08:00

Photography: Bali Indonesia, the latest images uploaded on my PhotoShelter Archive…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-07T00:02:34+08:00

“Peeling Paint” even an ugly wall can look cool! A selection of the latest images from my recent Journey to Bali have now been uploaded in my PhotoShelter Archives, more to follow in the next few weeks. Click this LINK and view the images in the Gallery section New Bali Oct. 2008 GD

Aperture 2 & Photography Workshops at the Power Mac Center Manila...November 2008

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-06T21:10:44+08:00

There will be an intense Aperture 2 and Photography Workshop at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt Makati for November 29 & 30, 1pm to 6pm at GB3 Training Center. Only a limited number of seats are available for this Workshop, please make your reservations early, thank you. This workshop is for serious amateur and advance Photographers, for details and early bookings please contact the Power Mac Center. ...you can call 729-7087 or 88, ...or go to our website at: http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php

What a blessing for Nikon users who like to use or buy the Nikon Coolpix P6000, NOW we can use the Raw images on a Mac with Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-05T15:01:40+08:00

The biggest problem with the recent release of the Nikon Coolpix was the Raw compatibility with a Mac, the Raw files where only available for Windows. ...Why I never understand, but that is all over now just like the election in the US. Aperture 2 has as of today an upgrade to tackle this exact issue. (see info below) The Nikon Coolpix P6000 is from what I have read and heard a real nice point and shoot Camera, great range on their lens, but was useless for anyone using a Mac... ...This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2 and iPhoto ’08 for the following cameras:

Tip: serching for stock images with the NEW Search Archive option...finding Photos quick

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-05T14:38:13+08:00

Here is a quick tip how to find Images fast and easy if you using our new Search Archive option now on this Blog (left hand side bar,Stock Photos Search Archives) or on my main website under Stock. If you misspelled a word, of course no images or only some will appear for e.g. you entered more than one Keyword, like: milky way, palau, Micronesia and “milky wey” is spelled wrong, then only some images or non will appear. So be careful with your spelling, however if you not sure and I know there are some exotic names out there you can always just type in the Country or go to the Gallery which contains all the images and subjects. GD

Major PhotoShelter update & maintenance...now easier to navigate with a build in search option for my Stock Images

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-04T21:44:27+08:00

We have just performed a major maintenance on my PhotoShelter Archive...now with a custom HOME Page easier navigation and some other alterations. But here is the cool part; now you can search my archives direct from my site with Keywords, see the search box below the screenshot, just type in what you looking for and the images show up. eg. Palau Milky Way - check also on the left hand side Stock Photos Search Archive which is now part of my Blog. The customized site is looking a lot slicker now, please use this NEW LINK (http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann) from now on, however the old link is still working. We are still working on a few other things and let you know once they have been implemented, by the way all the new images from Bali will be uploaded shortly on the PhotoShelter Archives with in a day or so you have the same search options on my Main Website implemented.

Photography: Behind the Scene images from a Photography Assistant and getting the grip on Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-03T15:14:54+08:00

It is extremely valuable to have an Assistant around during commercial Photography; I have been blessed by one of the better ones who has been with me for a long time. ...During our recent trip to Bali he found a little spare time to create some images for himself and these I like to share with you today. ...See below some Images by Hermes Singson, shot in Bali behind the scene or when he found the time. ...It was also the first time that he really got into Aperture 2 using my MacBook Pro for some pre editing and by the time we got back home a lot of our work had been done. He prepared some smart Folders with different subjects and edited the images according to star ratings, he marked what he thought was good with 5 stars, I checked later again reducing the images further by hitting

Creating a TV slide show for 8 x 40 inch high-end TV screens on site with a MacBook Pro using Aperture 2, Keynote and Quick Time.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-11-02T18:28:43+08:00

Back in Bali; we have been shooting all day when the request came up to produce a Slide show for the outside installed TV Screens which where running an old slide presentation from a DVD Player inside the Hotel Premises. ...Using Aperture 2 for the editing, Keynote for the Presentation and Quick Time for the conversion to a high end DVD then burning it with Toast Titanium. I exported my edited images (Versions) from Aperture 2 using JPEG – 50% of the Original Size, which in this case was more than good enough. Now I open Keynote picked a Theme added the selected images and some transitions, and send the complete presentation to Quick Time at the highest settings. Once the conversion was done I burned the DVD in Toast Titanium activating the Loop option since the DVD had to run non-stop.

Travel Photography: Bali Exposed…Colors, Reflections and Shadows, Culture & its beautiful People plus the unexpected from my last Journey…some of the images.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-30T19:08:11+08:00

The Gods have been kind and the weather was 99.0% perfect but then what else to expect in Bali where the population is some 97% Hindu, festivities and worshipping can happen on any day of the week. Color is all around you, finding the right approach is not easy, however on this trip I fell in love with reflections that seemed to “follow me around” or they just presented themselves for a great image. My Assistant Hermes and myself spend most of our time on a commercial project and I spend little time shooting for myself, but in Bali you don’t need much time...well it depends. ...for more recent images on Bali click the Image above or this LINK ...Color is all around you, isolate your subjects and try to be different with your approach, Bali is well photographed and coming up with something different is a challenge but can be a lot of fun.

No more Fire Wire,well almost...and now super glossy screens, a nightmare or a blessing for Photographers?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-27T17:49:15+08:00

I have received some concerns from some readers regarding the new MacBook and MacBook Pro Screens, David Schloss from the Aperture User Network (AUN) has just posted an interesting article on this issue. ...( posted by David Schloss on 10-24-2008, 12:15 PM ) Last week I posted an editorial about the lack of FireWire on the new MacBook, the upshot of which can be summed up as "I wish it had FireWire, oh well." Having had a week's experience with the machine, I've turned my time to the glossy screen on the unit, and how it affects the pro photographer... click this LINK for the complete story. I thought I just add the image below “Fashion at Tanah Lot Temple” Japanese Girls with their Guide in Bali wearing the popular

Aperture Tip: fast and responsive after the shoot, having time for Donuts and Coffee at Starbucks…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-26T23:07:12+08:00

Now I am having a well-deserved cup of Coffee and a Donut at Starbucks at the other end of Town and I thought to check on my ...(Starbucks usually has a good inter-net connection plus the coffee is not bad either, but you can do this from just about anywhere as long you have a connection and bring your laptop along) ...I selected the requested images and send them a few seconds later via Mail direct from within Aperture 2, here you have additional option for the images size; small, medium or large. ...Note: Try to avoid using 1/2 size or don’t limit Previews unless you have a lot of Hard Disk Space and a fast MacBook Pro. ...As for me, I am going to have another cup of Coffee now, Dream about Bali and I guess one more Donut won’t hurt.

Nikon D700 exposed in Aperture Users Network

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-24T13:00:34+08:00

I have picked up this Blog post from the Aperture Users Network, if you a Nikon user or not check it out, a very interesting article. Appropriate and a coincident with my recent Blog from the 10/21/08 Bali and the Festival of Lights in Berlin. For a hands-on impression on the D700 and some cool images read the complete article and click this LINK ...Our own (and National Geographic's own) Jim Richardson gives a hands-on impression from working with the D700 in Provence in our articles section. It's a nice read for those looking for information on this low-light wundercamera.

Aperture 2 &Travel Photography Workflow… exporting your Projects from the MacBook Pro to your MacPro and how much editing is advisable when traveling. Is the quality of the MacBook Pro Screens good enough today?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-23T17:30:59+08:00

Once you have imported your Project into the MacPro I advise to make an additional back up (on another external Hard drive) after that you can start working on your MacPro using bigger and more accurate screens. ...The screens on the MacBook Pro and MacBooks are very good no question about it, however for fine-tuning and more precise color correction I use the Apple Cinema Screens which I do calibrate from time to time. ...Now is also the time to get rid off some rejects you don’t need to import, e.g., the Camera went off by accident, you select all for import and deselect the ones you don’t need by holding down the Apple Key and click on the rejects. Here is my daily routine whenever possible… I apply caption, copyright, and major keywords on import that is when your import panel is available straight after you insert your CF Card. (you can set the opening behavior for Aperture 2 in the preference setting so that Aperture opens as soon you insert the Cards). ...The cool part about Aperture 2, once you have transferred all your images over to your MacPro all the adjustments and Meta Data and what ever else you have done on the road is still there, a very big time saver.

Photography is light…light is Photography one of my favorite quotes...images from Bali and Berlin in Germany… a coincident? Maybe? But very interesting for sure, the Festival of Lights...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-21T21:43:27+08:00

During the month of October Berlin is hosting the Festival of Lights I actually reported about this Event last year in one of my Blogs. I thought this is an interesting combination of color and light from Bali and Berlin, so if you in Berlin during the month of October check it out and have a go at some night Photography. ...The German capital city is holding its annual Festival of Lights where its landmark buildings like the Brandenburg Gate and the radio tower become ablaze with color. According to the organizers, during the two week festival, light shows, projections and firework displays take place as well as, "numerous cultural events dealing with the subject 'light'". ...Thanks to my Brother Bernd for sending these images I think he has done a cool job with his night Photography, thanks Bro. for sharing.

Photography: The Colors of Bali Indonesia…amazing Colors, great and gentle People amazing and peaceful…we are sad to leave this beautiful place.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-20T18:16:03+08:00

Yes, time has come and we have started to pack our things, tomorrow morning we are leaving the Island of the Gods but we will return soon. ...Due to a much better connection I have decided to share some more images from this nice and peaceful place. Aperture 2.1.1 certainly made our job so much more fun, with fast and easy editing, no way I could have done most of the editing of the 6000 plus images in between our assignments with out Aperture 2. ...A very special thanks to my good friend Thomas Schubert and many others for all their help in Bali & of course to Hermes Singson my trusted Assistant. A very special mention and thanks to the management of the O-CE-N Bali which is managed by the Outrigger Hotel.

Tip: Travel Photography… check the electrical connections before traveling to a different Country it can save you a lot of headaches later.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-20T11:13:01+08:00

Here is a very simple but important tip when traveling to a different Country, it helps if you can check the electrical connections and plug requirements prior your departure just send an Email to your Hotel where you going to stay and ask what connection is needed. ...During our recent trip to Bali we made sure we had all the right connection, the Hotel provide us with two adaptors and a very useful extension cord. Remember it is not only your Computer which needs power but you need additional outlets for your Camera Battery Charger too. ...I have my Mac plugged in the outlet hence the reason for another outlet for the Camera Battery Charger plus your Cell Phone and what ever else you might bring along. ...An extension cord with say three outlets comes in very handy, there are usually outlets in the Rooms but these are scattered all over the place, I like to keep things together less chance you forget them later.

Travel Photography and Aperture 2: The Journey Continues…Shadows and Culture from Bali Indonesia, a preview after our Commercial Photography…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-19T21:57:35+08:00

My Assistant Hermes and myself did find some time between our commercial Photography and explored some other areas of Bali. 6000 plus images later and our Journey in Bali is slowly coming to an end, today I like to share with you just a few images from this truly amazing and colorful place. In the coming weeks I prepare a MobileMe Web Gallery created in Aperture 2 with some more images from Bali, today is only a preview. ...© Gunther Deichmann - Hindu cleansing Ceremony at the Lembeng Beach, ...© Gunther Deichmann - roasting Pigs at the roadside in

Tip: Photography and Aperture 2… on the Road in Bali, the setup in our Hotel room after the shoot making sure everything is save

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-14T22:32:44+08:00

I thought I better get another Blog post out today, who knows if I have a connection in the next few days since we are moving Camp and to get these recent Blogs out took some 3 hours already. ...You can use a variety of software’s for your back ups, I have been using in the past the SilverKeeper which comes with the Lacie Drives when you buy them, but I have switched recently to Personal Backup X4 from Intego, a very simple and reliable software. ...This set up has saved me so much time over and over again, I can do some editing in Aperture right from the Hotel room and once back home a lot of my work is done already. A word of caution the Lacie Drive uses the power from the MacBook Pro so you better make sure your Machine is fully charged and I advise that you carry a spare battery. My Battery is fairly old now and I can only keep the charge for about one hour, previous test have shown me that on a new fully charged Battery you can work for about two hours plus.

Photography: Modern Architecture and Design at the O-CE-N Bali, a touch of prehistoric times using Ammonite Fossils & modern iPods in a Hotel Property.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-14T14:06:07+08:00

Ammonite Fossils are on display in most rooms but at the Long Bar you see them in their full glory set into backlit Onyx which has been added on as an extension of this fossil. ...However there is one piece of fossilized seabed which measures some 2 x 1.2 meters that really took my attention, a fantastic showcase of Ammonites in their evolution stage, in all my years I have never seen such a beautiful piece. ...In contrast to all these stones and fossils each room has a sound system (iHome) with an iPod (Nano) which you can get from the reception or bring your own, like I did. ...I helped in organizing these iPods and mention this in one of my earlier Blogs they where bought and engraved from the Apple Center in Jakarta, plus I gave Thomas a little “crash course” on Fossils hence my background in Paleontology. ...So if you in Bali next time, go down to Kuta-Legian Beach and check it out or even better have a drink at sunset while the Ammonites looking over your shoulder.

Photography: Bali Indonesia the first Images… Abstract Colors and Reflections from Kuta Beach…the first day.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-09T14:01:54+08:00

I know the Blog has been a bit thin these past few days but when the weather is great I am shooting all day having little spare time for blogs and other Computer work. ...Aperture 2 has proven itself again with the speed and efficiency I even get some sleep these days. The images on todays Blog have been taken on our first day in Bali at Kuta Beach right across from the OUTRIGGER and O-CE-N Bali (outrigger.com) you might think that the reflections have been created in the computer…definitely not! ...© Gunther Deichmann - “Reflections” Bali Indonesia October 2008 In the coming days I share with you some interesting images…from Fossils to iPod uses and some more abstract images from Bali.

Travel Photography: packing the bags and getting ready...the next Blog update is from Bali Indonesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-10-01T19:16:14+08:00

I am leaving in a few days for Bali my long overdue shoot, I try to keep the Blogs up during my travel, however they might be a bit thin in the next few weeks. Hopefully I get a good connection and can report from Bali, but now I am very busy with packing all the camera gear and other equipment, the last minute Gear check. The image below is from my last trip to Cambodia and I thought I share this one with you it is also a reminder of the... ...© Gunther Deichmann - Siem Reap Angkor Wat, Cambodia 2007 For some of the latest images on Cambodia click the image above or this

Underwater Photography: Diving the Wrecks of Truk Lagoon, Micronesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-29T22:30:37+08:00

© Gunther Deichmann - Truk Lagoon Micronesia 2007 Hanging like a “Chandelier” with amazing colors are the remnants of the WWII Ship wrecks in the Truk Lagoon, Micronesia, also know by its local name Chuuk. A paradise for Wreck Divers and Underwater Photographers. The Diver below the “Chandelier” is my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center in the Philippines.

Events: The 4th Angkor Photography Festival in Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-29T12:53:49+08:00

for some recent images on Cambodia click the image or this LINK ...This festival was created in 2005 and this year, for the fourth time, the temples of Angkor will become a hub that will draw both famous and passionate photographers from around the world. The Angkor Photography Festival showcases this year outdoor projections by celebrating regional and international photographers in different locations in Siem Reap. The strong educational goals of the Angkor Photography Festival set it apart from other photography events. During their stay, famous photographers will tutor free workshops for emerging Asian photographers and the festival will also present its outreach programs for vulnerable people...more info @ http://www.photographyforchange.net/

Travel Photography: Aperture 2 is my Travel Companion in Bali Indonesia and the World first Asian Beach Games 18 – 29 October 2008 coincide with my trip to this magical Island in Indonesia.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-28T19:53:29+08:00

My long planned trip to Bali Indonesia is just around the corner, I am leaving on Friday the 3rd of October and be away for some three weeks shooting a variety of things. More on that later, please forgive me if my blogs getting a bit thin during the month of October but I do like to spend as much time as possible behind the camera. Lucky for me, my travel companion is Aperture 2 on my MacBook Pro hooked up to my triple interface 160 Gig Lacie Drives which is going to make my job a lot easier and faster plus a lot of extra storage. I guess I be shooting a lot more since I found out that the Asian Beach Games are held during the later part of my visit. ...Bali will become the venue of this international event which will see 45 countries participating with over 10,000 athletes, officials, media and volunteers all flocking to the Island of the Gods for this world class event.

Olympic Cliffhangers from Coron Island, Palawan Philippines, collecting the White Gold or Bird Nest…a rare glimpse into a cave and the Swiftlet on the Nest…Natures guide to modern construction hence the Olympic Stadium in Beijing.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-26T17:58:11+08:00

Now that is done I can easy find them again on my external drive since I referenced them with Aperture 2.1.1 and of course the Black and White Monochrome Mixer came in very handy also for the more personal images in the Tagbanua Village. ...I almost broke my neck getting this shot with the local swiftlet sitting on the nest, climbing high and crawling into a small cave to view these Birds actually on the nest. ...For me it was an honor to go with the Tagbanuas, it is impossible to climb with them to these hidden caves, normally they never reveal the location of the birds nests. ...I have tried this soup and must say it taste like nothing special it is very blunt and I am not sure on the reputation of being an aphrodisiac, they say that about so many other things too. ...During the Harvest Season some the Tagbanuas move the whole family from the main Village to the Bird Nest area, from this makeshift camp they guard the Bird nesting area.24 hours a day from thieves.

Customizing Apertures Web Journal Themes, font, colors, headings etc., without going into the html code. Maybe Jumsoft with their custom Themes is the answer. They have a great collection for iWeb, Keynote, Pages and many more including for Rapid Weaver

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-22T22:37:16+08:00

I just recently ran across your blog and was wondering if you knew of an easy way to customize Apertures web journal themes (i.e. font, colors, headings, etc.). ...But you are correct there is actually no way that we can make some changes to the Themes in the Aperture Web Journal and Pages, however I have heard that you can import your own design but let me check on this a bit more. I am not using the Web Journal and Web Pages in Aperture very often, I am using the MobileMe Web Gallery for my work and have my own site created outside Aperture 2. I guess Aperture was never really intended to do major web work which is understandable but then we never know what comes next, hopefully in the near future we get to see more in Apertures Web Pages and Journal. ...I am using Rapid Weaver for some web work and Blogs, very cool software and no need to know html and RW has full html capabilities if needed.

Late News: Announcement...Photography & Aperture 2 at the Power Mac Center Makati, Manila Philippines...the ONE SOFTWARE SOLUTION for Photographers.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-20T23:02:19+08:00

Photography & Aperture 2 at the Power Mac Center, Makati, Greenbelt 2, Sept. ...

“The ONE SOFTWARE SOLUTION for Photographers” click on the Banner for more info at the Power Mac Training Center ...2nd Level, Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center, Makati ...or email us at training@powermaccenter.com

Tip:Discover Aperture 2 & find the hidden Treasures a quick way in producing a simple layout for the client or very useful for the web…Aperture’s Book option come in very handy for other things besides creating stunning looking books.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-20T19:53:15+08:00

Send a simple looking postcard design to your client letting him know that you are on location, or show him a sample of your latest images, “Postcards style” or use it for a blog post like I have done today. The possibilities are endless thanks to the Book option in Aperture…I am not going into great details today but rather point out the endless possibilities in Aperture 2 without ever leaving the application. ...Marked with red the drop down menus for Themes, Set Master Page and Book Action (there you find the Auto flow unplaced images) and the Print option where you find the Preview (use this for the Screenshot) and all the other pdf formats you ever going to need. Play around with the Book option, even if you don’t produce a complete Book right now and you find there are a lot of things you can do, use a small number of images first and experiment. ...Open Aperture and select the images you like for your “Book” then click the Book Icon pick a Theme (the screenshot shows the Stock Book Black) and if you in a hurry choose Auto flow unplaced images and you are almost done, click Print “Book” and select Preview.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Palau Micronesia... Readers Choice Award 2008...a Paradise for Photographers above and below the waves...plus a complete Digital Photo Center with the latest imaging software including Aperture

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-18T20:39:31+08:00

While the Readers’ Choice Award category for individual dive operators has been discontinued in favor of destination awards, Sam’s Tours garnered a total of 8 Scuba Diving Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards beginning in 1997, including Gold List Award, Top Dive Center, Top Staff and Top Value, making Sam’s Tours the “Divers Choice” in Micronesia. ...Sam's Tours Digital Photography Center is fully equipped to cater to digital photographers of all interest levels from those with handy “point-and-shoot” cameras to the most demanding digital photographers shooting in RAW format. Our six top of the line Apple iMac workstations are loaded with terabytes and terabytes of storage, archiving and secure data back up systems, lots of RAM, and completely optimized for digital imaging with Apple Aperture image management software, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Bridge, Toast, and topped off with DSL Wi-Fi internet access. ...Our rental equipment includes the latest Canon Powershot SD850 digital cameras and Canon ZR830 mini digital video cameras complete with underwater housings, large storage media, plenty of additional batteries, and full service support from our professionally trained Photo Center staff. Other Photo Center amenities include a padded and dry camera prep table, battery charging stations, 110V and 220V electrical supply, separate camera rinse tanks, camera drying station equipped with towels and compressed air, and secure storage for your housings, equipment cases and other accessories.

Digital Camera RAW compatibility...Software update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2 and iPhoto '08, including for the NEW Nikon D700

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-17T18:55:11+08:00

Latest Software up date for Aperture 2 including for the NEW Nikon D700 This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2 and iPhoto ’08 for the following cameras: ... • Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS/Kiss Digital F/1000D ... • Olympus EVOLT E-420 • Olympus EVOLT E-520

Stock Photos: PhotoShelter Archives now with over 4500 selected high resolution images from over 25 Countries, including the Images from the Book Journey Trough Color & Time

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-17T13:39:37+08:00

Another reminder that the PhotoShelter Collection is not available any longer, but I will continue with my PhotoShelter Archives, there you find over 4500 selected high resolution images from over 25 Countries, including the images from the book “Journey Through Color & Time”, plus Aerials, Culture, Nature, Geographical,Tribal, Wildlife, Underwater and Marine, Animals, Vegetation, Weather, People, Historical, Environment, Travel, Resort, Spas, Commercial, Food, Backgrounds, FX/Abstract and Texture. Click on the image or the banner below and go direct to the PhotoShelter Archives. © Concept/Photography Gunther Deichmann

A glimpse at the very rare Leichhardt Grasshopper from Arnhem Land, Northern Territory Australia, plus PhotoShelter update...more than 4500 images are now available in high resolution in my PhotoShelter Archive...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-15T20:33:16+08:00

During my frequent travel in the Northern Territory between 1974 and 1986 I came across this amazing Grasshoppers one morning sitting on a small bush, only a few feet away from my camping ground. ...I was very deep inside Arnhem Land and in Aboriginal Territory, I had heard about this amazing Grasshopper before and had seen a specimen at the Darwin Museum (the only one) and now I was confronted with these rare creatures sitting sluggish on a bush right in front of me. ...I was told by the Curator of the Darwin Museum that this Grasshopper had not been seen for some 100 years, I did collect a specimen for the Darwin Museum for Research purpose. ...The PhotoShelter Collection is not available anymore, however I have “JUICED” up my PhotoShelter Archives, now with over 4500 high res. images from more than 25 Countries and many other commercial subjects.

Photography: Just one more...a friend, a new Aperture and Mac User...creating some cool images...fell in Love with Aperture 2 and he decided to make the switch.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-14T22:28:52+08:00

You might remember when I mention Aperture and our non professionals, check this out, recently a good friend of mine purchased a MacBook Pro, he made the switch from one day to the next...”yesterday it was a PC and today it is a Mac.” He always liked Photography, has taken some cool images and it was Aperture in the end which persuaded him to go all the way, I guess I helped a bit with his decision, ha,ha.... ...The other day we had a couple of Drinks and talked shop and Hubert went on and on how happy he has been with the Mac Book and Aperture 2, but I was even more surprised how much he did know about Aperture in such a short time. Burj al Arab. using the MONOCHROME MIXER for Black and White in Aperture, note the copyright on the image was created using the BorderFX 1.1 plug-in for Aperture, check my previous Blog for all the details. This gets to show you, you dont have to be a Rocket scientist to learn and understand Aperture, Hubert started first with iPhoto but has now moved over to Aperture 2, of course I am going to give him some more tips down the road over a glass of wine or two.

Aperture 2 Tip: Feedback on the Watermark and MobileMe Web Gallery in Aperture 2, David Schloss from Aperture User Network AUP has pointed out it is not an engineering issue but…plus Thumbs up for the plug-in called BorderFX 1.1…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-14T20:20:20+08:00

09-05-2008) I don't think this one is an engineering issue as Gunther suggests, so much as interoperability between Aperture and MobileMe, a technology that was not really developed for the commercial photographer but was intended more ...See below the link to the Aperture User Network (AUN) an interesting post by John Omvik, a very handy plug in for solving these watermark issues, but it is still a workaround if you going to use MobileMe Web Gallery no matter which way…I have tried this plug-in and I have to admit it is pretty cool and works fine even with multi images plus it does a lot more. Screenshot of BorderFX 1.1 great for watermarks but also for additional text, info, shadows, borders, plus a lot more a very cool plug-in and thanks to John Omvik for posting this on the AUN. You all know I am note the greatest fan for plug-ins, but this one I can recommend and not because it is free... because this one makes a lot of sense, however I still like to see Aperture 2 with direct watermarking by-passing all those plug-ins for use in the MobileMe Gallery, I guess we have to wait for a while, in the meantime this plug-in does a great job, thanks to John Omvik for pointing it out. Now you have two options for watermarking, the one I have explained in my previous Blog or use BorderFX 1.1 with my Thumbs up and a very successful test drive behind me.

Photography: Getting ready very soon for Bali Indonesia…an interesting surprise from this beautiful Island… a real TIME TRAVEL is waiting for us…from luxury Hotels & Spas to amazing Culture, fantastic colors and some real Fossils plus iPod related.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-08T21:32:56+08:00

Shortly we are leaving for Bali and this time it is going to be different and an unusual Journey, at least for the Photography part. This trip which had been postponed many times is now a reality, “Time Travel” is waiting for us. Yes, I am doing it again keeping all of you in suspense…but that is the general Idea, sorry you have to wait. You might asked, what has all of this to do with iPods and Fossils, sorry you just have to wait and see... ...The image below I took a few years ago in Bali, this time will be a bit different and really up my ally, but dont worry the colors will be there.

Hey Dad have a look… this is what the iPod hard drive looks like…I turned around and had a quick look but my good old iPod was still in one piece, Mark Lee don’t scare the daylights out of me…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-08T17:37:23+08:00

Since Mark –Lee started to work at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt, Makati, he got into this habit of scaring the old man now and then. Like today when friends gave him an old iPod that was beyond repair, he took it apart and just walked up to me and said, hi Dad have a look what an iPod hard drive looks like, then he got me going I thought he had just dismantled my trusted 80 Gig iPod with my cool Blues Collection. ...But my iPod was safe, and when I saw the small hard drive it reminded me of an old Gramophone or Record Player so I guess old ideas die-hard. Having a Son who loves Mac and works at an Authorized Apple Center can have its benefits but be ready for the odd scare or two. ...Don’t try this at Home, if you ever have a problem with your iPod I highly recommend to take it to the next Apple Service Center.

Aperture 2 and the problem with the watermark in the Mobile Me Web Gallery. Unfortunately there is still a little problem within Aperture and the watermark, but here is an easy workaround.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-05T22:35:45+08:00

I received this email from Ian Watts in the UK. and like to share his question with you, a common problem within Aperture but an easy workaround until the Engineers have found a solution. ...In the Preference panel you choose and set your setting for the Watermark, experiment a bit and find what you like best, the opacity slider, left or right this is all up to you. ...Now you simply export them all in one go to your desk top in to a folder using jpg low resolution, I usually choose the Email medium setting, plenty good enough for viewing and the web, but to small for serious reproduction. ...Easy since we are only dealing with low res files anyway, I hope I was of some help to you and please do not hesitate in contacting me if you have any other problems, good luck and all the best, and let me know if it worked out. ...I would have thought that the most common need for watermarking is for web galleries, so it is a shame that this feature wasn't included in Aperture 2.1... perhaps it will be upgraded at some stage to include this?

Digital Cameras: Nikon D90…is this new Nikon Camera going to be more popular with Underwater Photographers? The ability to shoot still images plus Video is a very interesting concept or is it another risk factor for Divers? Running out of air is a lot more likely now than running out of frames.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-05T15:49:20+08:00

There is also a very nice comparison between the Nikon D80 and the New D90 plus some pre Photokina test reports check it out at: Digital Photography Preview - http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond90/ ...B ut the downside is... running out of air during the dive…we have plenty storage available with the latest CF cards, they getting bigger and bigger and now with the new video option never a dull moment underwater. ...© Gunther Deichmann - a Turtle cruising near Blue Corner, Dive Palau Micronesia with Sam’s Tours who has the only Pro Digital Photo Center in Micronesia with the latest Software, Camera and Video rentals plus is Wi-Fi connected. I am sure Canon will follow shortly and the manufactures of Underwater Housings must be going mad by now, it is a very competitive business with all those new Camera Models rolling of the assembly line year after year. As soon I get any news on the latest Underwater Housings I let you know, or check with DivePhotoGuide.com my good buddy Jason Heller is usually very quick with the latest in Underwater Photography.

Water and our Environment: Natures Texture alive and dead…without water there is no life…in response to Australia’s Great Dry…have no illusion Global warming is real.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-03T16:07:56+08:00

Environment awareness: my previous blog on the Australia’s Great Dry was another reminder how serious Global warming is and that we need to do something about it. Beautiful images of Flowers and Water, raindrops on leaves will disappear forever and soon only texture of cracked earth is left with animal skeletons. All the images below are taken in Australia; the Water drops on a leave from the lush rainforest in North Queensland, the Water Lily in a Billabong in Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, and the cracked earth from the Desert in Western Australia is a reminder of what could happen if we dont act now. ...© Gunther Deichmann - last light on a Water Lily, a Billabong in Kakadu National Park, N.T.

Dejavou…its happen again? Australia’s Great Dry… Australia is experiencing similar drought condition they had in 1983. You might remember the Cover Photo of Time Magazine in March 1983…is it Global warming or Environmental collapse…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-09-01T20:20:47+08:00

For me It was not 100 years ago, but only in 1983, don’t know if we Humans forget to quick I certainly remember it only to well. ...In 1983 I experienced first hand the slaughter of thousands of cattle and sheep, destroyed due to lack of food and water. ...See below some excerpts from a recent story on the TIme.com website; for more and the complete article please go to: ...The entire eastern half of Australia is thirsting through a wasting drought that is in many regions the worst in the history of the world's most arid continent. Already, the "Great Dry" has devastated 90% of New South Wales, which is now in its 45th month of drought, and 95% of the state of South Australia, Dubbo, a typical rural town, averages 25.5 in. of annual rainfall.

Nikon Press release: Photokina Germany 2008. The New Nikon D90 Camera has just been announced which includes an innovative Movie function…a world first for a D-SLR Camera…Pod casting from the Jungles and Temples in Cambodia now?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-31T21:24:17+08:00

Where is this all going, but it is an interesting New Camera from Nikon and a very first with the new Movie function. ...Stunning 12.3-megapixel image quality, broad control and an innovative movie function combine to deliver unsurpassed creative freedom in a D-SLR. for more details and the specs go to Nikon Singapore @ ...As the world’s first D-SLR with movie function, this remarkable camera offers truly cinematic results, stunning image quality and innovative high-performance features inherited from Nikon’s new-generation DX-format flagship D300. ...Advanced features such as Live View, Scene Recognition, Active D-Lighting, Picture Control and an ISO sensitivity range of 200-3200 (ISO 6400 equivalent on Hi1 and ISO 100 equivalent on Lo1), allows creativity in almost any setting. And to ensure all these features are easy to use, they are packed in an ergonomic body with an intuitive operational layout…read a lot more and the very first report @ Digital Photography Review - dpreview.com

Underwater Photography: The most beautiful texture is created by Nature…below and above the waves, an interesting Alien looking Coral.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-30T18:11:28+08:00

The other day I went through some of my underwater images when I came across this shot I had taken some time ago in the Philippines. As you know I always have this thing with Alien type images, remember the Cuttle Fish (Sepia sp) which I called Alien afternoon… This shot reminded me again, how Alien our underwater world can be…special thanks to Lee Goldman my Marine Biologist friend who identified and wrote a short explanation for this amazing colorful coral. © Gunther Deichmann - Pictured in this photo of a coral in the family Favites is a pair of coral gobies (Pleurosicya micheli). Symbiotic algae, zooxanthellae, and specialized pigments that protect them from harmful U/V light combine to produce amazing colors in many species of Corals.

National Geographic: Amazing Photos of Sailfish a great article not only for Underwater Photographers.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-26T13:58:08+08:00

I have just received this info from the National Geographic super cool images not only for Underwater Photographers but for everyone...you have to see these amazing images of sailfish...all the links are below. ...Hi Gunther, I thought you might like these photos of a large group of sailfish off Isla Mujeres in the Gulf of Mexico, attacking a huge bait ball of sardines. The sailfish work together to reduce the size of the baitball, and Nicklen shows them sticking their long noses into the swirling mass of sardines, then suddenly shooting up their sails and flashing wild colors to scare the bait fish: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/09/sailfish/nicklen-photography The video shows the sailfish in action:

Digital Cameras: Nikon announces Coolpix P6000 with GPS, a new point and shoot with 13.5 Megapixels, at first glance it looks like a great Digital Camera if you on the go. But what about Aperture 2 and the Raw conversion?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-25T16:50:22+08:00

I have included a few links today which can help and lead you to the Aperture 2 specifications plus info on all the Aperture 2 support for the RAW formats from more than 100 digital cameras and camera backs. ...It also records RAW files in a new NRW format that can be converted in-camera or with the forthcoming Windows version of View NX or Windows Imaging Component compatible applications. ...is pleased to announce its new top-of-the-line Performance series COOLPIX model, the P6000, Nikon’s first camera with built-in GPS. ...Its 13.5 effective megapixels, the use of Nikon’s exclusive image-processing system EXPEED (originally designed for its professional D-SLRs) and a wide-angle 4x Zoom-NIKKOR lens with two ED glass elements (28-112 mm) leave nothing to be desired. The camera’s image quality is further reinforced by its ability to shoot images in RAW format, and Picture Control capabilities, taken from D-SLR products.

Photography: The Commercial Work...from South East Asia, Australia and Micronesia...the things we do, from Fashion, Resort, Spa, Hotel, Product and specializing in Aerial Photography... go to our Commercial Website and see for yourself.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-24T18:01:52+08:00

In case you have not seen it...let me take this opportunity and introduce you to our Commercial Photography web site and to Websync International Corp. ready for any web assignment specializing in Concept,Design, Marketing and Search Engine optimization (SEO) We have uploaded also today some more cool Videos which had been produced as DVD’s some time ago. Video by Dirk Fahrenbach and Gunther Deichmann, edited on a Mac using iLife and some Soundtracks from Sounddogs which are royalty/copyright released. The soundtracks have been re-mixed in GarageBand and SoundTrack Pro. ...Video © 2008 Gunther \Deichmann and Dirk Fahrenbach, Edit: Gunther Deichmann

iMovie: Production for a Dive Center...super cool Video footage edited using iLife with some royalty/copyright released Music from Sounddogs and mixed in GarageBand

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-24T00:13:39+08:00

Just added two very cool Underwater Videos from my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach, he gave me the raw footage and I did the edit in iMovie, then I used some Music from Sounddogs and mixed it all in GarageBand. If you click on the small banner Ad on the left go and visit the Dugong Dive Center in Palawan , the only place in the Philippines where you can watch Dugongs in the wild... and dont forget to bring your Camera...remember those cool shots from our Dive Master Omar a few weeks ago... this is same place, perfect for nature Photography. ...Click on the images above and go direct to the Music Video/Podcast section. Please have some patience some of the Clips could take several minutes to download, of course this depends on your connection. The video has been compressed to fit within the web standards, but Broadband/DSL connection is recommended.

Late NEWS: Underwater Photographers and Adventure Travelers...The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance has just announced its NEW and updated website alliancediving.com

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-23T14:40:51+08:00

The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance (alliancediving.com) has just announced its new updated website, see below the blog post I have just picked up. I highly recommend any of the destinations from the PMA for your next Adventure or Underwater Photography trip, see blow some images, Courtesy of the PMA’s New Photo Gallery. This site is also in nine (9) different languages and has real time weather from all the destinations in the Philippines and Micronesia. ...Late Breaking NEWS...finally our updated and improved website is up and running at alliancediving.com the Divers Choice ...Finally our NEW and improved website is up and running...more info, a cool Photo Gallery,easier direct bookings with all our Partners, easy to book and choose our dive,travel and adventure packages plus a lot more and all of this in nine languages.

Why Aperture 2 works for me…very often I get asked why I am using Aperture and not Lightroom…very simple, it started with my Book: Journey Through Color & Time in 2006 and my affair with Aperture 1.0 begun.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-22T11:30:19+08:00

Adobe (Photoshop,Lightroom, In-Design plus many others) produces some awesome and great software but remember we need to create these images first before we use them…but now you might asked why I am always full of praise when it comes to Aperture…? Well I have some very simple answers and after that no more comparison, in the end it is your choice; I can only speak for myself and share my experience with you. ...But here is the real reason why I am using and fell in Love with Aperture… when I produced my Book Journey Through Color and Time ...Aperture 1.0 filled the gap in today’s digital Photography and if you ask me about all those Plug Ins… Well, I commented on that already and I have to admit I cant comment on Lightroom anyway… but why should I… I fell in LOVE with Aperture since day one for all the reason explained above, but most of all I am happy with one software, got to know it well, so why should I waste my time and mess around with something else…

Aperture 2…the difference between the Web Gallery, Webpage and Web Journal... plus another option is iWeb… sharing and showing your Photos with YOUR clients and the rest of the world. My choice & workflow at the Beijing Olympics would have been the MobileMe Gallery, the one I LOVE so much.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-20T19:58:42+08:00

The Webpage template offers less customization than the Web Journal; the Webpage translates an Album into a page, and then allows you to specify a number of columns and rows for each page. ...I guess you know this one, the now called MobileMe Gallery, my absolute favorite, but then it depends what type of work you producing or like to show. ...Mac) in great details before and how much I love it for the storage and distribution of my images, and since the arrival of MobileMe it has only gotten better. If I where in Beijing right now and had to cover some of the events I would certainly choose the MobileMe Gallery to get my images out to the Editors and Publishers, the MobileMe Gallery is very cool and smooth as Silk… ...However Aperture does not stop here, if Aperture’s three webpage options aren’t enough for you then you can turn to iWeb, which is part of the iLife suite that is a standard on all Macs.

Tip: Aperture 2…Did you know some of these abbreviations, like ICC profile, IPTC, plus many others…? Difficult to know if you just started to use Aperture or NEW to those Photography terms on the Computer plus more info from the AUN at the Beijing Olympics.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-19T21:31:02+08:00

The Image below is not from the Beijing Olympics but it made me smile and reminded me of this very cool sentence by David Schloss (AUN) from the other day...oh boy it is so true... ...But believe me to get of your normal path and try some thing New can be very rewarding, or even more profitable for your business. Recent articles from the Beijing Olympics seem to prove just that, check them out at AUN or at O’Reilys interesting observations from the Pros at the worlds biggest sporting event. ...The standard format for storing information about how an image was shot, such as shutter speed, aperture, white balance, exposure compensation, metering setting, ISO setting, date, and time. ...Aperture automatically extracts all industry-standard EXIF and ITPC metadata when importing images and also allows metadata such as copyright, captions, and keywords to be added.

NEWS: Aperture 2 or now Aperture 2.1.1 at the Beijing Olympics, an interesting article by David Schloss from the AUN...Photoshop, Bridge, Aperture...the race is on…or is it won already?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-17T19:03:44+08:00

Websites like AUN (http://www.apertureprofessional.com/) and O’Reily (http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/aperture/certainly) can help you a lot, or the Tutorials from the Apple Aperture site, (http://www.apple.com/aperture/tutorials/) events like the Olympic Games in Beijing are certainly a great help for all our News/Sports Photographers, and gauging from the sheer scale Apple has put up at the Beijing Olympics there is no doubt in my mind on the SOLID COMMITMENT for the Pro and Amateur Photographer by Apple. ...Local and regional Retail Apple/Mac shops can contribute in hosting some Aperture events, introducing Aperture 2 at least to a basic level, I know some of these event have been organized in the US and we have done quiet a few in the Philippines with the support of the Power Mac Center in Manila, for Training schedules go to: http://www.powermaccenter.com/ ...The AUN's been on the scene at the Olympics for nearly two weeks, working with Apple in the Main Press Center helping to provide support for the one-thousand-plus journalists who have descended on Beijing to cover the world's largest sporting event. While I've just arrived in country to replace someone who has been here for weeks, I've already noticed examples of what I like to call the Photoshop Paradox or "How to shoot at 10-frames-per-second and edit at 12-frames-per-hour." ...I'm not talking about Bridge, I've seen a few photographers who are using various iterations of that image preview and editing tool, but for some reason many of the shooters—at least many of those who bring their own laptops in to work on their images—still have a workflow whereby they open up dozens of images at a time in Photoshop, and use that interface as the way to make their image selection...

Late NEWS...RAINFOREST Reveals NEW Species in Guyana, a bit different from the usual Photography and Aperture stories, a Scince & Environment article from the BBC

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-16T21:02:25+08:00

Rainforest…NEW species revealed, an amazing article and part of a BBC documentary…lets take care of our planet and environment. Lets not destroy our rainforest before we discover and get to know all its inhabitants…OUR RAINFOREST Must Be Protected! ...I thought I share this interesting science article with you, yes a bit different from the usual Photography and Aperture stories. ...The group believes it has revealed two fish species, one frog species and a number of bat flies that have not been described previously. ..."In a short time, we caught hundreds of species, 10% of which may be new to science.

INFINITY...a short 45 second web commercial for websyncintl.com, created using a MacBook Pro...iLife (the old iMovie but new iDVD) Photoshop and Snapz Pro X...mixing the old with the new software does work.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-15T21:04:12+08:00

Remember my recent TIP on iLife including Aperture 2 using the Themes from iDVD plus a little help from Snapz Pro X…and of course the ever so cool GarageBand creating simple 15 and 30 second Video clips on the fly…posted on the 04-08-2008 | 14:19 ...Today I bring you “INFINITY” another cool effect from this combination Aperture 2.1.1 - iDVD - iMovie - Snapz Pro X and of course GarageBand but with a little twist. , I added Photoshop to the list. This cool clip runs for about 45 seconds and is a bit more complicated then the previous ones...but so cool, using the old iMovie with some 3rd party plugins, adding some voice over and flying balls...of course the Mac integration played a big role here. However the technique is the same using Snapz Pro X for the iDVD recording, once that is done the possibilities are endless and as mention before you can create some high cool looking files for the TV too. Click here or on the image and travel to the Music Video/Podcast section to play the clip, you might have to refresh your Browser for the new clip to show, enjoy.

TIPS: Travel PHOTOGRAPHY…Part one (1) Protecting YOUR Camera Equipment from the extreme environment…Raincoats & Waterproof Camera Bags…plus PopPhoto.com presents 20 plus Simple, Useful, Clever, Fun Ways to Get Better Photos

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-13T19:36:12+08:00

Below are 2 tips which I had published in the PopPhoto.com last year, the article is still very popular and I decided to add a few extra tips for our travel Photographers on today’s blog. ...This is a great OUTDOOR Fill and so much better than all these gadgets on your Strobe…plus you look smart in white, reflecting the heat during the day… feeling cool…until later when you crawled around some ruins got sweaty and dirty, I guess you just have to bring a few extra white T-shirts, they are small enough and take up very little space in your suitcase. ...Creating images in the rain can be easy but risky for your equipment… I always carry 2 simple inexpensive (no more than US$5.00 each) Poncho type Raincoats, one for myself and one for the camera bag. ...This is perfect for your portraits in the field if you have to use flash or you can use them as a small soft box for the odd macro shot, great for some artefact you might come across. ...This is not the cheapest one…but your Cameras and lenses, etc., etc. need to be protected they are worth a lot more than your bag.

MobileMe and Aperture 2...the new Mobile Me Gallery and Albums in Aperture 2, big changes on YOUR storage Capacity for all your PHOTOS

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-11T16:31:19+08:00

Yes, I did end up in the Hospital last week for a few Days, but I getting much better now and by next week should be back to my normal combat mode. Just to fill in the blank spaces I thought I remind everybody on the MobileMe, the new icons popped up in Aperture 2.1.1 after MobileMe was activated, pretty clever by Mac. ...MobileMe together with Aperture 2 is a great way to show your Portfolio to clients and frinds and impress everyone with a cool looking Web Album. In one of my up coming blogs I will describe the difference between all these Web related things within Aperture 2.1.1 We have also the Aperture 2 Web Journal and the Aperture 2 Web Page options, but more on that later, now I have to follow Doctors orders and get some more rest.

Apple Training and Certification introduces a NEW GREEN Certificate fulfillment process...contributing to a GREENER and better Environment

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-05T13:16:10+08:00

Apple Training and Certification goes GREEN....just received this info, I am very happy and supportive of this GREEN move, well done Apple for caring about our Environment. ...Since environmental considerations are an integral part of Apple's business practices, Apple Training and Certification is pleased to introduce a new Green certificate fulfillment process. Beginning August 1, paper certificates will no longer be sent to Mac OS X and Pro Apps students who pass certification exams. Instead, students will receive an email with a link to download a PDF version of their certificate at no charge. Students will be able to print these certificates, but we hope that most will choose to simply post the PDF certificates on their websites.

Tip: iLife including Aperture 2 using the Themes from iDVD plus a little help from Snapz Pro X…of course the ever so cool GarageBand with iMovie, creating simple 15 and 30 second Video clips on the fly…or just having fun on the Mac

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-04T14:19:19+08:00

Taken advantage of the iDVD Themes in a different way, this is a simple work-around very basic but fun and if you use Snapz Pro X for your screenshots then why don’t you try the Movie capture option, this option can give you some very cool results, it is fast and easy to use. I only used a couple of Themes but in iDVD you have so many to choose from…try experimenting and you find there are a lot of cool things you can do. ...Pick a couple of images drop them into your iDVD Theme and you almost there, if you using Snapz Pro X choose the Movie option and record your iDVD theme. ...The rest is pretty much automatic, once Snapz Pro X has finished the recording (depends on the lengths of the clip) it prepared also a QT file for you, I usually save them on my desktop easy to find later. ...How long does this take…not very long at all, I guess the hardest part is the Music, which I created from scratch in GarageBand, but since I had already a good selection of soundtracks the whole operation took only one hour for all three clips.

From Mumbai in India to Spanish…fotoaldia.com has just posted a photo selection from my Mumbai trip… View from my Car Window on their Website Gallery…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-02T17:44:02+08:00

If you can read or speak Spanish you might find this article and the images interesting, fotoaldia.com is a very cool website with a lot of information and great Galleries…however it is in Spanish. ...Es miembro del Instituto de Fotografía Profesional de Australia (IAPP) y ha sido merecedor de 14 reconocimientos al mérito en sólo 3 años. ...Sus imágenes han visto la luz en muchas publicaciones internacionales como: Airone, en Italia, Geo, en Alemania y Francia, la Revista Stern, el New York Times, Grand Reportage, Figaro y también en VSD, en Francia. En la actualidad Deichmann reside con su familia en Manila, Filipinas, desde donde cubre como fotógrafo todo el Sudeste de Asia y el Pacífico. ...Para más información sobre este fotógrafo visite esta página: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

HANOI VIETNAM... View from the Car Window… a nice example of Vietnamese daily life…a reader contribution. A cool shot, edited in Aperture 2.1.1 interesting TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY and the shooting from the car window continuous…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-08-01T16:23:16+08:00

Today I like to share with you an image I have received from Massimo Casal in Vietnam, I have known Massimo for quiet some time from email exchange and Aperture discussions. After seeing my previous article on “View from my Car Window” he send me this very cool image from Hanoi, Vietnam. Thank you Massimo for letting me use your image on my blog, a nice one to share with all our other readers. ...Anyway as you know very well it is very easy to copy a pictures using tools like "Grab" for the Mac, even if still in low resolution. ...RAW file processed with Aperture 2.1.1, using also the Dodge and Burn plug-in to lighten and sharpen the bride face.

Are YOU the next GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER? Magazine teams up with Apple’s new Aperture software

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-31T19:39:42+08:00

Cool tips, trouble shooting, workflow etc.,etc. just about everything you need to know about Aperture (Aperture 2, & Aperture 2.1.1) plus a lot more. ...See below the post I have picked up from the AUN (posted by David Schloss AUN on 07-28-2008, 05:37 PM ) ...Winners featured in November/December 2008 issue - Magazine teams up with Apple’s new Aperture software New York, June 25, 2008 (Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., www.hfmus.com) -- American PHOTO announces the call for submissions for its third-annual Emerging Photographers’ portfolio review competition. The winners will be given the opportunity to have their work published in the November/December 2008 is... read more @ http://www.apertureprofessional.com/

The View from my Car Window continuous…a very different perspective, frustrating but rewarding Photography…edited in Aperture 2 and exported to PhotoShelter never leaving Aperture, sounds familiar…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-30T14:17:39+08:00

I had to discipline myself not to jump out of the car at times, but then that was the whole Idea in the first place, and I am not finish yet by all means…a lot more to come. Not easy… moving, your view been blocked by other vehicles when you just about to press the shutter, trucks pull along side of you, or you have to stop at a red traffic light… see something and then of course comes Green, oh no… missed that one too. ...But as a passenger or with a driver you can create some amazing images, of course you have to bring your Camera along to the Board meeting… “A word of advice don’t try this, if you driving the car this could lead to major traffic jams and crashes…” ...All images have been taken with out ever leaving the car, edited in Aperture 2.1 then exported direct to PhotoShelter using the Plug-in from PhotoShelter never leaving Aperture. In other words I was “glued” to my car seat and also to my seat in front of my Mac BookPro using Aperture 2.1.1 now if that is not a coincident, then I don’t know.

How to protect your Photos on the Web? A common question by Photographers…there are many different ways but Aperture 2 provides you with a simple and quick solution to place a Copyright watermark on all Your images.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-28T13:37:20+08:00

I always get ask how do I protect my images on the world wide web…it used to be a bit complicated and tiresome but with Aperture 2 it is easy and straight forward. Some thief’s go through great length and spend time removing even opaque watermarks in Photoshop, there is never a 100% guarantee even with Aperture and its automatic watermarking. The perfect solution is don’t display your Images on the web…but I think these days are over and we all like our images out there…so how do we protect our images? ...(Opacity settings eg.0.1 to 1.0 all depends a bit on the image, light or dark) With different options available the opaque slider in Aperture 2 is a good start how the watermark is going to look, just try different settings until you satisfied. ...I provided you a link to “How do I protect my images online” a great article I found recently with some additional options and tutorials to save guard your images from those thief’s.

A nice letter from the National Geographic Traveler and the closing chapter on our Nudibranch Photography discussion as seen in the recent National Geographic Magazine...plus a short intro... the Olive ridley Turtles, an endangerd species.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-26T18:19:09+08:00

Coastal development, beachfront lighting, pollution and hunting are contributing to the demise of the sea turtles, which come ashore periodically to lay their eggs in "nests" dug in the sand, according to the study. ...See below the letter from Marilyn Terrell; thanks Marilyn for your kind words, lets do this again one of these days with topics concerning our Environment or related issues. ...I like it that people with differing points of view are given a chance to express their concerns and opinions on your blog in a civilized way. ...Marilys letter came in response of our last discussion and the letter written by Lee Goldman, if you have missed it just click on the link below. ...A letter from a Marine Biologist…Education, awareness, an article in the recent Fins Magazine fits in nicely with the Nudibranch images in National Geographic Magazine…

Australian Images coming to life again in Aperture 2…long forgotten but now restored in Aperture. Photography from some 25 years ago…the Galloping Freshwater Crocodiles from the remote Northern Territory...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-24T18:57:40+08:00

The images…these must have been the very first image taken of Freshwater Crocodiles showing a true Gallop…yes Crocs do Gallop just like a horse, I bet you didn’t know that, well me neither until I went out with Dr. ... They studied Crocodiles in various parts of the Northern Territory in Australia…catching and tagging these amazing “prehistoric” animals for a major research project...it was during this research that they discoverd the gallop of the Crocodiles. I spend month’s with the research team in remote parts of the NT and managed to get these shots with my old X700 Minolta, yes long before my Nikon days. ...Not only did I managed to bring them back to life again in Aperture 2.1 but I thought I share a rare moment of the past with you. ...After the rainy season they move to more permanent areas of water that will not dry up in the dry season, and will rarely eat and hardly grow until they return at the start of the next rainy season.

Underwater Photography…are you a responsible Photographer? A letter from a Marine Biologist…Education, awareness, an article in the recent Fins Magazine fits in nicely with the Nudibranch images in National Geographic Magazine…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-23T13:14:05+08:00

Thanks again to all who have responded to this discussion…if nothing else comes out of it at least we have tried to guide new and not so experience Underwater Photographers in the right direction explaining about our precious Marine Life and to follow the rules of engagement, Don’t Touch. ...Maybe National Geographic Magazine should publish an article, but this time not with pretty images but explaining the Do and Don’t which could be very educational to the million of readers they have. ...Perhaps they won’t make more money at work or solve the reasons for why the kids get tattoos early in life, but to see the nudibranch may provoke a direction in their lives that lead towards responsibility to the environment even if on a personal level. ... I don’t know, but then again, if none of them were harmed, nor their lives dramatically changed (or changed at all for that matter) then it boils down to other areas of concern…not at all whether it had an affect (or not) on the viewer of the photograph. ...As a marine biologist, professional aquarist, and professional dive guide I have had my share of folks who needed a lesson in the most basics of the ocean and marine-life, but never have I encountered someone who would believe such a thing as this author is suggesting.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE: The notion of it's for the greater good ".. the results are worth it. People who has never heard of Nudibranchs before have..." , does not apply here... a quote from one of our readers on our Nudibranch Photography topic as featured in the recent MAGAZINE...read the latest letters...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-22T14:53:00+08:00

I have received more feedback on our Nudibranch Photography Topic...see below a very interesting letter again fom Jaya, at this point I like to express my sincere thanks to all who have replied and voiced their opinon, thank you all. ...Secondly, if it was intention to show the world, these beautiful creatures, wouldn't it make sense to show them in their natural environment and habitat? ... There are a number of great shots of the nudibranchs, taken as they were by everyday folks, that you have shown with your blog. ...The end does not justify the means, if it means, moving something from it's natural habitat, its natural environment so that a beautiful picture can be taken. ...Who defines if that diver photographer has the expertise or experience to move marine life around to get a great shot so that he can post it on his blog for the world to see ?

Now we know…feedback from an employee at the National Geographic Magazine regarding the Photography by David Doubilet on Nudibranchs …how did he do it? Explanation and some cool links…now you can decide for yourself, plus more comments from other readers…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-19T16:44:52+08:00

I would have loved to use one or two of David Doubilet images but I respect the copyright…just incase you don’t know what a Nudibranch is, see below the image taken in Puerto Galera Philippines. ...Wow what a budget given to him by National Geographic, however there is no way that this could have been executed without moving the Nudibranchs from their original location… ...…read the feedback from Marilyn an employee of the National Geographic Magazine who has shed some light on the subject… certainly an interesting topic, worth while talking about it... how far we can or cant go in today’s Photography. ...Message: I read your blog about the Doubilet photos of nudibranchs in National Geographic and how he did it, which is a question many people had. ...I work at Nat Geo and I had lunch the other day with someone who\'s been diving with Doubilet and he has lots of cameras set up and several assistants and he can go from camera to camera taking photos.

Interesting NEWS...not my usual Photography and Aperture topic but it made me laugh...GarageBand 400 Million years ago?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-18T13:46:36+08:00

I picked up this article from the BBC...not my usual Photography and Aperture topic but it made me laugh... ...Not quiet... but very interesting reading and I thought I share this with you... oh boy what they discover these days... ...Toadfish and midshipman fish use a variety of different sounds to attract mates and scare off rivals. Now US researchers have found that the area of a fish's brain that drives vocalization is extremely primitive. Writing in the journal Science, they say it suggests that the ability to communicate through sound emerged very early in the evolution of vertebrates...read the complete article and watch the Video...

Is this the smallest Nikon D2X in the world? An amazing little wonder crafted by hand… plus more Aperture 2 workshops at the planning stage at the Power Mac Center.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-17T18:44:36+08:00

The smallest Nikon D2X... on my MacBook Pro during the recent Photography and Aperture 2 Workshop... ...During my recent Photography and Aperture 2 Workshop at the Power Mac Center, Honey Machuca from THINK BIG Events Management www.thinkbigevents.ph presented me with this soooooo cute Nikon D2X Camera made by Hand just for this occasion. What else can I say…but thank you so much Honey, you are very talented indeed producing such a small Camera with all the details, even the lens has glass…very cool and thanks again. Now back to Aperture 2…more Photography and Aperture Workshops are planned from Basic to Pro level…I keep you updated or you can check with the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt Makati. http://www.powermaccenter.com/

Time to Remember…a simple but cool Video... created using iLife…GarageBand and iMovie this was a real father and son effort having a lot of fun doing it…plus in YouTube Now...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-16T16:10:42+08:00

You might remember my son Mark-Lee from one of my earlier Blogs… how he uses GarageBand for creating and mixing his DJ stuff… ...The other day Mark-Lee borrowed my small Sony Video Cam and took some cool footage at this Disco… and I was trying to relax that day after some editing in Aperture making up some more soundtracks for future presentations. But honestly… I was just messing around relaxing with GarageBand when I looked over to the Mac my Son was working on…hey cool footage son, please let me have some of this stuff…OK Dad... ...It just gets to show you how easy it is sometimes…of course you need to have a Mac where everything just works so well together, including the transfer of the Video file from his G5 to my PowerBook Pro via Wi-Fi network, super fast... ...By the way the still shot at the start of the Video came straight from the Aperture 2 Library using the Media Browser in iMovie, the same with the Soundtrack created only hours before in GarageBand.

Underwater Photography…a controversial subject… moving Marine Life around for a better shot. Aren’t we supposed to leave them where they are? What ever happen to the good old saying…LOOK…APPRECIATE…But Don’t Touch?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-14T18:57:38+08:00

Wow what a budget given to him by National Geographic, however there is no way that this could have been executed without moving the Nudibranchs from their original location,even Photoshop could have been excepted in this case but moving animals around? ...I have seen David’s other images and one can only admire him, absolutely fantastic there is no question about it…but this Nudibranch shoot, I honestly don’t get it. ...Here we are talking about the environment and now we start moving our precious Marine life around declaring with these images an open season for other underwater Photographers…well, if he does it, then why cant I…what is next…tied up Dugongs and Turtles? They doing it already in Palau with Crocodiles just for the thrill, some operators offering to dive with Crocodiles for a fee of course and as the saying goes “no strings attached” but in this case there are. ...If this was done for some scientific research then I can understand it, great images for sure, but I am disappointed at David Doubilet and National Geographic meddling with our marine life in the not so natural way.

PhotoShelter update…restored historical and rare images from Australia are now on my PhotoShelter Archive…Black and White with the help of the Monochrome mixer in Aperture 2.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-09T21:15:06+08:00

I have just updated my PhotoShelter Archive the NEW Gallery is called Historical Images from Australia. Some of these images had to be restored but not been altered with the help of Aperture 2 tools and techniques. For restoring old images with Aperture 2 (one of my previous blogs) go to: ...We have also added a FEEDBACK & CONTACT FORM on the Blog page (upper left) due to popular demand. Below are just a few of the images which are now available via the PhotoShelter Archive, Images which cant be taken anymore since some of the traditional ceremonies and culture practices of the Aborigines in Australia have unfortunately disappeared.

From about 40 thousand years ago to 2008…we still share our thoughts and ART… except in a different way but very much related to India and Aperture 2…a real Time Machine in Photography.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-08T18:33:49+08:00

Santosh is a real nice and cool Photographer from Mumbai…well Santosh is not just anyone, he is an excellent and very creative Photographer plus a super nice guy. ...Now we are in 2008 and seeing images like this…very colorful and creative…so I decided to bring you Images which I took some 30 years ago…no Aperture and Photoshop then. The images are related somehow, showing art in its oldest and most recent form, the Australian Aboriginals used to use earth color (Ochre) and paint on Tree bark or retouch 40 thousand year old paintings in caves…now it is Inkjet Printers that translate our artwork on to paper, an amazing contrast. ...When I received the email from Santosh I was working on some old Australian Aboriginal images and that gave me the Idea to show the ancient and new way of reproducing our thoughts and Ideas…now that is contrast! ... Enjoy the images and thanks to Santosh for letting me use his Image… see below his recent letter to me…I guess he is just about to move over to Aperture 2.

Nice feedback from our last Aperture 2 Photography Workshop at the Power Mac Center Manila, Philippines…using already the .Mac Web Gallery, Dodge and Burn and switching from PC to Mac…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-05T20:10:11+08:00

It is nice to hear back from people who have been sitting through the sessions on Aperture 2…and now using some techniques that had been discussed during these three hours. (see below) ...Read below some of the comments I have received from a few participants,many thanks again to all participants who attended the recent Aperture 2 & Photography sessions at the Power Mac Center at Greenbelt 3, Makati,Manila. ...Tks again for the time you spend with rookies like us, it's a great experience to learn from a pro like you !!! ... _Looking forward to see you again,_Cheers,_Vincent_(tks also for your kind comment to my attention on the blog ! ...Tks for your kind comment on my photos, first time I received a recognition like that from a photographer (I know my family and friends love my pictures, but....

Smart Photography Magazine in Mumbai, India published an article on Travel Photography “Chronicles of a Globe Trotter” & Aperture 2 was instrumental getting it out in time via the .Mac Web Gallery for the high-resolution images...plus a lot more.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-04T16:53:22+08:00

Strange… it seems we are going back in time a lot these days…restoring images from Australia (my previous blog) and now back to Mumbai India… but all of this is related to Aperture 2 including the uploading of low (for selection at first) and high resolution images using the . ...The article “Chronicles of a Globe Trotter” in the Smart Photography Magazine is a good example how digital Images and scanned tiff files have been used for a story working only with Aperture 2 for the selection, adjustments and the final delivery. ...The complete article is available on my website as a PDF file for downloading under Publications, or use this link. ...Smart Photography, the premier magazine launched by Next Gen Publishing Ltd. has become India 's No.1 imaging magazine within just nine months of its launch. Moving ahead of several other photo magazines, not only is Smart Photography the largest in terms of circulation and readership, but also the largest in terms of the number of pages per issue and advertisers patronizing the magazine.

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY…cool Marine Images from a Dive Master at the Dugong Dive Center in Palawan, Philippines…processed in Aperture 2 & another example of Aperture and its flexibility.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-07-02T15:35:59+08:00

The other day my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center dropped by and gave me this CD…hey Dirk what I am going to do with that? ...After importing the images I only applied a few adjustments, mainly…cropping, Auto levels and a bit of contrast…since all the images had been in JPG I had some limitations, but Omar’s shots where that good anyway that little was needed for improvements. Again, Aperture came in very handy in editing the shots very fast and applying some basic adjustments, I created a new project and after I am done can store this one on my external drive in case we need Omar’s shots for some future publications. ...Great shots with a small Camera and it gets to show you again what can be done with limited equipment, I guess in Underwater Photography you have to be a good Diver first, and Omar has that mastered for sure. ...For a selection of Omar’s Images (LOW RESOLUTION ONLY)click on the Photo Gallery above (upper left) I have created another Photo Gallery for Guys like Omar, otherwise we never get to see their nice images.

Photography and APERTURE 2... Action and fun at the Power Mac Center in Makati Manila, Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-30T18:00:10+08:00

Besides the Workshop a lot of other things happen at the same time around the Power Mac Center, customers receiving a cool Tattoo I LOVE Mac, T. -shirts and Camera Straps give away, plus participants from the workshop received their certificate for being part off it. To my surprise some very familiar faces showed up during our first session, John Chua from Ad Photo, Photographer Kevin Hamdorf who drove all the way from Subic Bay with his Daughter and Rose his Graphic Designer, good old Bebet Gaudinez a Lightroom user who attended my Photo Workshop in Cambodia last year and Vincent Leterrier who participated in one of my earlier workshops made his presence felt with some very cool images he shot recently. ...All participants had to go out and shoot a number of images which we later imported into Aperture 2, then we did some adjustments, cropping and changing a few into Black & White using the Monochrome Mixer. ...Thanks to Honey Machuca from Think Big, of course to the Management and technical staff at the Power Mac Center for providing me with a non stop supply of Coffee and made sure everything went smooth, they did a great job. ...The Work Shop was a basic introduction into Aperture 2 with all the possibilities after the shoot, demonstrating the total integration on the Mac with short demos on iLife and iWorks...plus a lot more including a short critique session on the images.

APERTURE 2 & AUSTRALIA… reviving and restoring these old and very precious scanned images with Aperture 2.1 it is a lot easier then you think…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-27T20:58:36+08:00

I used to use Photoshop but now with Aperture 2 there is seldom the need for it and at the same time I can re-catalog them into my system with the Metadata. ... I apply a variety of tools and techniques to retouch the images covered in fungus, scratches etc. with the clone or repair tool, plus the Adjustment Panel gives me a ton of other adjustments to bring the images back to life. You be amazed what Aperture 2 is capable off, including one of my favorites the Monochrome mixer, given you all the options for some cool looking Black & White images, some of these old images actually look better in Black & White. I have incorporated a NEW GD PHOTO GALLERY on my blog page now, (upper left side) there you find a selection of images that have been treated in Aperture 2 comparing the original with the restored or converted image next to it. ...However some of the adjustment tools in Aperture 2.1 cant be used since they have been designed to work only with the RAW image format, but this has not stopped me for doing most of my restorations in Aperture 2 now, archiving and bringing them back to life again.

Aperture 2 and GarageBand check out the Mac integration and have fun with the Podcast… assemble your Soundtracks in GarageBand...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-25T13:00:48+08:00

Whenever I get the chance I open GarageBand and create my own music tracks they come in very handy when putting together slide shows or presentations later. ...The integration on the Mac makes all of this very straightforward and you don’t have to be a musician, as long you have a good feel for music and a little patience. ...Creativity is un-limited, it is all up to you, use the existing Jingles and sound tracks or create an entire music track from scratch, there are so many possibilities. ...I have a whole collection of sound tracks tucked away in my iTunes Library just for the occasion when I need to put together a presentation in a hurry, creating your own sound is not only fun but you have something you made and this will set you apart from all the others. ...Drag your images direct from the Media Browser, you have also access to your iMovie, choose a Jingle small red square this will open all the Jingles, now you can choose which one you like, right large red square.

The NEW Date for Aperture 2 & Photography at the Power Mac Center, now on Sunday the 29th of June...plus Editor's Choice 2008 Aperture 2.1

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-23T18:46:49+08:00

NEW Date for our Photo Workshop with Aperture 2 at the Power Mac Center, Sunday the 29th of June from: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. You all know we had to cancel our last Workshop/Seminar due to Typhoon Frank which hit the Philippines very hard last Sunday, our thoughts go out to those who have suffered during this severe storm. ...Workflow and image editing are equal partners in this year's applications, led by Apple's powerful Aperture 2.1. ...This year saw the advent of specialized plug-ins for Apple's Aperture 2.1 and nondestructive localized editing in Adobe's upcoming Lightroom 2.0 -- bringing Photoshop-style control of specific image areas to these picture-management powerhouses.

Typhoon "Frank" The Aperture 2 and Photography event at the Power Mac Center for Sunday had to be canceled due to severe weather condition...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-22T16:52:46+08:00

Due to severe stormy weather condition this morning we had to cancel the Aperture 2 event and Photography Workshop/seminar at the Power Mac Center today. The Sunday event and class will be re-scheduled...please stay tuned or contact the Power Mac Center in Makati for new dates at Phone 7297087-88 ...Typhoon "FRANK" has passed east of Metro Manila early this morning and is now crossing Central Luzon. At 2:00 a.m. today, the eye of Typhoon "FRANK" was located by radar, satellite and surface data at 30 kms South of Tayabas, Quezon or 90 kms Southeast of Metro Manila (13.9°N 121.5°E) with maximum winds of 120 kph and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is forecast to move north northwest at 15 kph.

Now We Know...what is Aperture 2...the first day and 12 hours later, two sessions of Photography and Aperture 2 at the Power Mac Center in Makati, Manila

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-21T23:55:02+08:00

A short briefing for the participants before the actual photography, importing the images after the shoot into Aperture 2 using MacBooks, introduction into the basics of Aperture 2 including the versatile interface, tools, tips, how to produce a short slide show with Aperture 2, the integration on a Mac using iLife & iWorks including a demo how to produce a short presentation with Keynote, brief description on Pages and a live/real time demo using the . ...Shooting around Greenbelt and later processing the images in Aperture 2 an introduction into Aperture at the Power Mac Center, the first group from 1pm until 5 pm was lucky with the weather. However the second Group from 5 p.m. until 8 pm had to deal with tropical rain and darkness, a challenge which in my opinion was well executed. ...I like to thank all participants from today, for a job, well done, special thanks to Melvin Tosino, Andrew and E.J. from the Power Mac Centers technical staff who assisted me during these long hours. ...Next week we show you some more images (including who took them) from these two days with Aperture 2 and Photography at the Power Mac Center.

Aperture 2... setting up for the event at the Power Mac Center...Photography & Aperture Workshop

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-20T22:07:27+08:00

Photo: Hermes Singson - GD synchronizing the Mac Book Demo units with Aperture 2 for Saturday and Sunday's workshops. We try and report in almost real time from the event over the next few days, so please stay tuned. Thanks to the technical staff Mark and Melvin from the Power Mac Center in Makati, Manila for their assistance in setting up the the Mac Books for tomorrows Aperture workshop. Special thanks also to Honey Machuca from THINK BIG for doing a great job in marketing the Event. There are still some seats available for tomorrow night and a few for Sunday, call the Power Mac Center for more details and reservations.

Aperture 2 Your best shots. Made even better. Photography Workshop with Aperture 2 and Mac...at The Power Mac Center in Makati, Manila...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-20T14:01:55+08:00

Aperture 2 features incredible tools for managing massive libraries,speed through photo edits,making essential image adjustments and delivering photos online and in print using one simple, integrated workflow. ...learn more about Aperture with Apple-certified trainer ...Dates: June 21 and 22, 2008 Time 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm ...http://www.powermaccenter.com/

Aperture 2 in June... in New York with AUPN...in Manila with the Power Mac Center...plus PhotoShelter Shoot the day.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-17T20:01:28+08:00

The last week in June promises to be very exciting with Aperture 2 all over the planet, well at least in New York and Manila see below some dates and venues starting from the 20th of June with a PhotoShelter special. ...You find me at the Power Mac Center in Makati, Manila from June 21st to the 22nd. two days of Photography & Aperture 2, for reservations and more info I have provided a direct link to the Power Mac Center below. ...Join AUPN at B&H for Aperture Day - June 23rd ...The AUPN will be presenting a day of seminars and instruction at B&H Photo in New York City, on June 23rd. ... Especially aimed at the iPhoto user and the photographer thinking of upgrading to Aperture 2, this session will tackle some of the hottest topics in digital photography, and answer your Aperture questions.

Mac Technology and fossils…they do have something in common... a very cool science article…if you interested in Fossils and Dinosaur you need to check this out.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-13T11:36:59+08:00

The image below is of a fossilized Ammonite (an ancient relative of today’s Nautilus) from the Jurassic period, one of a few left in my collection, going back in time just like Time Machine… ...left: Ammonite from 160 million years ago - right: Nautilus a close ...Some of you know my background with fossils or Paleontology…but what has a Mac in common with all of this? ...Mac Technology Helps Put the Spring in a Hadrosaur’s Step Read more about this amazing story with cool images @

Great NEWS for Photographers & Aperture 2 users...MobileMe, if you are a current .Mac member, your account will be automatically upgraded to MobileMe in July… more integration than ever.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-12T19:56:26+08:00

Very recently I talked about Aperture 2 iLife and iWorks and the integration on the Mac... more good news for the traveling Photographer has just been announced... ...Now is the time to sign up for the latest Mobile technology with MobileMe…. if you a current Mac account holder don’t worry your account will be upgraded automatically. But here is the very cool part, if you are a Photographer and Aperture 2 user then you going to love this…double the online storage. To give you plenty of space for your email, photos, and other files, MobileMe doubles your storage from 10GB to 20GB for an individual subscription. ...With MobileMe, you'll continue to enjoy features that take advantage of seamless integration with Mac OS X and iLife - Back to My Mac; access to your iDisk in the Finder; Mac-to-Mac syncing of Dock items, preferences, and more; iWeb site publishing; and photo and movie sharing directly from iPhoto '08 and iMovie '08.

Aperture 2 in the field…how do I store and back up all my RAW images with out overloading & clogging up my MacBook Pro

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-12T13:14:31+08:00

The image below shows my typical Hotel or on the road setup, MacBook Pro with two Lacie 160-Gig Rugged Hard drives, if you buy these drives make sure they have a triple interface, they also come with USB only. ... (A, B) The drive marked with A is where all my reference Aperture files go, the B is only for backing up drive A via the simple SilverKeeper software from Lacie, (if you purchase the drives the software comes with it) C is my high speed fire wire 800 Card reader, this one goes direct to the fire wire 800 outlet on the Mac Book Pro. You can also do it the other way around, daisy chain with 400-fire wire and use the 800 fire wire out let on your Mac Book Pro. ...This way you can upload all your CF Cards with out running short of storage space, it is advisable to connect your computer to the outlet since both fire wire Lacie drives take the power of your machine, however I have used this system in the field without the luxury of a hotel and this works fine for just under two hours. (tested with a 1 year old battery at 100% charge) ...You still have the thumbnails and previews in your Aperture 2 Library in jpg at a resolution you have decided on, I use a resolution of 1024 for my Previews in Aperture 2, good enough for my Keynote presentations and the .

More NEWS just arrived from the Smart Photography Magazine in Mumbai India...the best exhibited images this year...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-11T13:00:32+08:00

A small world it is… Smart Photography Magazine India’s leading Photography Magazine based in Mumbai has send me this published article from the Environmental Exhibition which was held in Armenia recently. Remember from my earlier blog I contributed some images for this Exhibition, but had no idea about the best exhibited images of this year, Kavita Dadhe from Smart Photography told me about it and send me a PDF file, (thanks Kavita) read the article below. Smart Photography is also publishing a nice spread of my images in the next issue on Travel photography…stay tuned and once it is published I share it with you. ...It was curated by Ovsanna Hovsepyan, and co-organized by film director and working partner of DAVOS studio, David Sarkissian. ... Fourty two photographers from all over the world participated in the exhibition and their images were showcased in Yerevan in Armenia from 28th March to 14th April.

AUPN changes the Name to Aperture Users Network

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-10T17:34:20+08:00

We took advantage of today's big Worldwide Developer Conference to make the first part of a change we've been waiting to do here. We're changing our name from the Aperture Users Professional Network to the Aperture Users Network. ...But since Aperture 2.0 shipped we've noticed that more and more non-professional shooters have been using the program. We're seeing this in our classes, at photographic events and at in our forums. And we've gotten a lot of emails from people who are asking about joining our group, but start off with "I'm not a

Apple talk until 3:30 AM...two Mac addicts chatting away all night...a marine biologist, photographer & writer from DivePhotoGuide

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-10T13:27:32+08:00

Matt and myself chatted all night long and I thought at one point doing a Pod Cast but that would have been way to long… he walked out of here at around 3:30 AM just in time for his flight to Club Paradise in Palawan at 11:30 this morning. ...Matt is studying marine biology and is working for DivePhotoGuide as a writer photographer, he just arrived from Bali and is covering now some of the dive destinations in the Philippines, Jason Heller the founder of DivePhotoGuide and a good friend ask me some weeks ago if I could assist Matt during his visit over here. So here we are Matt and myself talking all night until the early morning, chatting away about our experience with Mac and Aperture 2, Photoshop, Photography and so on, a very interesting and productive evening. ...Interesting, Matt is using the New MacBook Air, he decided to work on this trip with it since there are so many weight restriction on small aircrafts and he has to carry a lot already, a ton of cameras and underwater housing making the MacBook Air the ideal choice. We try to catch up with each other again when he is returning from Dugong Dive Center in Palawan next week...for another session and Apple talk.

Latest Press Info... Formula BMW & Marlon Stockinger...his new Blog and the TV coverage on You Tube...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-08T01:14:01+08:00

Stockinger Top Formula BMW Rookie Finisher in Action Packed Races, you can also find him now on You Tube... the TV coverage from last week, clips from his early days in Karting... ...http://www.youtube.com/ Remember the Fast & Furious from my earlier blogs...he is getting very fast now. Marlon Stockinger, sponsored by BMW and Swiss Private Bank Sarasin, put in a stellar performance last weekend at the Sepang International Grand Prix Circuit in Malaysia, where Asia Pacific’s Finest young racers gathered for a four-day race meeting. After struggling in the opening rounds of this year’s Formula BMW Pacific Championship during the recent F1 Grand Prix in Sepang, he is gaining confidence with each outing... read more on his brand NEW blog @ http://www.marlonstockinger.com/blog.html

APERTURE 2 & the .Mac Web Gallery a fantastic time and money saver for Photographers who spend time on the road…keeping those deadlines and making a sale from almost anywhere.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-06T11:05:41+08:00

You might not have your Master Images with you since you store them as reference files back home on your external hard drive, but you have the previews in your Aperture Library in JPG . ...Don’t worry about this little site folder warning which pops up when you try and publish your images it only tells you that your Masters are not available but your Previews in 1024 size are, good enough for a selection and layout. ...You finished your assignment in Australia and hit back home, wait for the editor’s choice, once you have his decision you just hook up your external drive where you store your masters and upload the chosen ones in high resolution. ...Years ago we burned CD’s with images and even had to make all the image corrections knowing that they might not be used…not only that but we had to send them via DHL or Fed Ex to magazines and Stock Agencies, this took days and was very expansive. ... Mac account. (of course you have the options to increase your storage capacity for an additional fee) I think it makes a lot of sense, plus I am connected and can make a sale no matter where I am.

iWorks’08 and APERTURE 2… Keynote, Pages & Numbers how useful are they for Professional Photographers? Do we really need iWorks’08 or can we do with out it? You be surprised…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-06-03T22:54:39+08:00

Say, your on the road shooting a resort and your client requests a presentation the day before you leave…launch Keynote, without any doubt my personal favor, pick a Theme from the Theme menu, go to your Media Browser select the images direct from the Aperture 2 Library (iPhoto is also there) add text, some animation and your almost done. But if you really like to impress your client…go back to your Media Browser and choose some Music, I always have some sound tracks prepared in iTunes, multiple tracks of 30 sec., 45 sec., and 2 min. or create your own in GarageBand. ...But Keynote doesn’t stop here, see the screenshots below for all the option you have on the Export Panel and a lot more in Quick Time (QT Pro is required for all the options) I just love Keynote for my presentations, the Web or sending a quick preview to clients via mail. ...Dont underestimate Numbers’08 in iWorks’08 it is an innovative spreadsheet application great for your invoices or other related forms such as travel planners plus a lot more. ...But my favorite is Keynote’08 an amazing and easy to use application, don’t know what I would do with out it…I just love it and my clients too; Keynote’08 alone is worth every penny spent on iWorks’08.

iPHOTO and APERTURE 2 do we need them both? You bought a new Mac… iLIFE installed do we really need iPhoto as professional Photographers? I do…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-31T18:18:34+08:00

I have kept the file fairly small for those of you with a slow connection of course you can make this much bigger and have a nice presentation in no time...even when you on the road. ...All of us have these happy family snaps; images of friends and parties, now is the time (for me) to use iPhoto, keep my personal images separate from my pro work. ...Occasional my friends or family members ask me to store or sort out their personal images, yes I could do this in Aperture 2 very easy but my preference is to use iPhoto for this personal stuff. ...I have found a very nice and efficient way to use both applications and because of the superb integration on the Mac I have access to iPhoto in Aperture 2.1 anyway, plus keeping the business separate from the private images. iLife is not only iPhoto, you have iTunes, Garageband, iMovie, iDVD & iWeb it is a whole package, now it is up to you how to apply each and every one of them, been so integrated you end up using them all, like I do for some cool presentations.

APERTURE 2...View from the Car Window...creating cool Black and White Images using the Monochrome Mixer and a little Animation...NEW IMAGES uploaded.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-26T21:34:02+08:00

...Aperture 2 creating some cool looking Black & White Images using the Monochrome Mixer plus a little Animation... the images from India including the COLOR IMAGES are soon on my website in about 24 hours, we also updated the Home page. Click on the screen shot or use this link:

APERTURE 2 TIP…Import Panel is empty but my files are on the Desktop…where are my Photos? Sometimes we forget how smart Aperture 2 really is…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-26T13:00:09+08:00

At times we get too comfortable with the good things…and I am no exception, in one of my earlier blogs I praised Aperture 2 with its do not import duplicates function…remember this nice and great feature when you mixed up you CF Cards…do not import duplicates, a really fantastic time saver when you on the road. Well yesterday I tried to import some images, which had been treated outside Aperture 2 from the same Project, but into a new Album…I had my images on my desktop and when I tried to import them into the same project into this new Album everything on the import panel was blank. (They did originated from this Project and I exported them a week earlier for a special selection into a folder on my Desk top.) ...The field in the import panel was ticked at do not import duplicates…very clever of Aperture 2 but not so clever on my side since I have this checked all the time when ...I had worked with these files before and they where also part my earlier Project, of course now they become duplicates…I wanted to over ride this for a specific reason and do some more work with them, up on deactivating the check box all my images appeared and I imported them in no time.

Asia Pacific’s Finest young racers gathered for a four-day race meeting at the Sepang International Grand Prix Circuit in Malaysia…a warm up for the Historic F1 night race later this year in Singapore…& 2nd place for Stockinger in his Formula BMW...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-24T17:01:01+08:00

Marlon Stockinger, sponsored by BMW and Swiss Private Bank Sarasin, put in a stellar performance last weekend at the Sepang International Grand Prix Circuit in Malaysia, where Asia Pacific’s Finest young racers gathered for a four-day race meeting. After struggling in the opening rounds of this year’s Formula BMW Pacific Championship during the recent F1 Grand Prix in Sepang, he is gaining confidence with each outing. ...… Nara was away well when the safety car pulled off with Stockinger skillfully slipping into his tow and pulling away from the rest of the field. However, the unshakable Nara took the flag to record a superb second victory, joined on the podium by the triumphant BMW Juniors Stockinger in 2nd and Wootton in 3rd place. Due to the great results for this weekend Stockinger advanced from 5th to 2nd place behind Simon Moss of South Africa in the rookie classification and from 12th to 5th place in the overall drivers classification for the 2008 championship…

From LIGHTROOM to APERTURE 2…thinking of switching? Worried YOU loose all your DATA and having to start all over again? Do I have the solution...?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-23T20:39:17+08:00

Switching from Lightroom to Aperture 2...a question I have been ask many times in the the past few month, Mac and PC users who have been using Lightroom are impressed with the incredible integration and flexibility of Aperture 2...just when they hear the . ...I have been asked over and over again…I am using a Mac and like to use Aperture 2 but I have done all my previous work in Lightroom, is it possible to transfer all my Data over to Aperture 2 and not loosing all the info and hours of hard labor? This subject has come up many times and until very recently I could not answers these questions, and I have to be honest here I have no Idea about Lightroom, I started with Aperture 1.0 been happy since day one and working now faster and more efficient in Aperture 2, some of my previous blogs with samples have shown and proven this only to well. ...Why should we deny Mac users Aperture 2 if they would like to make the switch, and if you ask me it makes a lot of sense, if you a Mac user then you are so much better off with Aperture just for the integration alone plus with all these new plug-ins. Apple is aware of it and from past experience a solution is going to be available one of these days, I hope soon for all you out there who like to make the switch.

TIBET'S Horse Racing Festival published in the Asian Geographic Magazine...APERTURE 2 & the .Mac Web Gallery helped to keep the deadline...the story is out.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-23T00:22:45+08:00

Edited some 5000 images in Aperture (Aperture 1.5 at the time) made the deadline for my Book Journey Through Color & Time a month later, Tibet being the last chapter of the book, and now kept another deadline thanks to the build in Aperture Web Gallery...see my previous blog. Now the story is out in the Asian Geographic Magazine...read some excerpts below and a screen shot of the spreads...without Aperture (of course now I am using Aperture 2.1) this would have been an impossible task. ...Tibet’s province of Nakchu in Tibet hosts many festivals throughout the year, but one stands out more than any other; it is the highest horse racing festival in the world – a spectacle of colour, festivities and endurance for participants and visitors alike. Over 10,000 people will cross high passes of more than 4,000 meters by foot, horse and jeep to make their way to the Nakchu Racecourse, to race, eat, drink and make merry during this annual festival. ...But be warned – this festival is not for the faint-hearted – oxygen levels in Nakchu are approximately 61 percent and during the month of August, temperatures can soar up to 40 degrees Celsius in the shade at high noon and go right down to minus one degree Celsius in the early morning.

“Asia Without Borders” PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION NEWS...ASIAN Geographic looking for striking image of Asia's land, people, architecture or wildlife...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-22T18:35:33+08:00

Like to see YOUR images in print/published, maybe win a nice new Camera all that plus more with the ASIAN Geographic Magazine in 2008, the latest issue is available right now, see below a short intro and the links for YOU to join. ...ASIAN Geographic is looking for special photographs from talented amateur and professional photographers who have captured a striking image of Asia's land, people, architecture or wildlife. ... An overall Grand Prize will be awarded to the best overall picture as judged by our panel of editors. The top photographs will be exhibited as part of an “Asia Without Borders” photography exhibit scheduled to be held in December, 2008. For more info and complete details click the screenshot above or this link: http://www.asiangeo.com/contest_awb.html

Continues feedback...Is this a real image? Film & Digital images, years apart from AUSTRALIA to GREECE ...more real images & comments from some readers...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-21T12:18:37+08:00

I guess a very nice dialogue has started and I try my best to publish all of them as they become available, as mention in my previous blog exchange of ideas and knowledge is good. ...BTW, your thought and the exchange of ideas about "real images" in your blog is really interesting and educational. ... I believe you'll be a lot of help in this area GD, a lot of newbies in photography will be guided and many pros will be delighted. ...thanks for your thoughts and input, have a look at the latest blog.... some real images no manipulation shot the way I saw them, been at the right place at the right time. Observing the weather before going out...work out a strategy where you need to be at a certain time of the day...and of course a bit of luck will help.

Interesting feedback...Is this a real Image? Compare the images... Are we facing a dilemma in PHOTOGRAPHY today…the story continues...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-19T15:59:47+08:00

Read below some of the un-edited emails I have received, different opinions from different Countries…in the end it is up to you which way you create your images but as mention before I am very firm when it comes to Photo Journalism, Geographic, Culture and Travel Photography. ...great I just read your blog, no problem I think a very nice and cool forum... what i am saying and what i am worried is that in Journalistic terms like real events this real verses manipulated becomes an issue. ...Very difficult indeed to tell, I am an advocate for real things when it comes to Photo Journalistic images, we should not mess around with these, of course Photoshop and all the other stuff out there has is place and I use it too, but in real life and events we should be careful and not manipulate the images or distort a given event. ...thanks for this dialogue... very interesting indeed, hmmmm let me think, the image in the end will win you and I know that, I guess it boils down to only one thing your conscious and been able to feel good about it and say... yes this is real, I know that, even if they dont believe me, that alone is a good feeling and worth a lot. ...It is an interesting subject which ever way you look at it and we all know times have changed when Digital arrived, I am just a little concern, since I admire the likes of Capola, Ansel Adams and many more, a craft which is now seldom taught even in schools, sad but true, can we change it?

Light of HOPE ? Burma/Myanmar...how much longer? Is it becoming GENOCIDE? The suffering continues...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-18T19:17:30+08:00

It is the Typhoon/Monsoon season... how would we feel if we had to suffer like these beautiful and gentle people in Burma? The hard line Regime is still not moving, thousands more have to die... ...A Country I got to know... not only for its culture but for it's beautiful people, they had a difficult life before... but NOW it is Genocide. ...© Gunther Deichmann - On the banks of the ...(Original Image taken on Tri-X black and white film)

Stock Photos…images available 24 hours a day via PhotoShelter online… in high & low resolution, browse the Gunther Deichmann Archive Gallery with constant updates from more than 20 Countries

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-17T20:32:42+08:00

Currently there are close to 4000 images in high resolution available covering Countries like: Australia – Pitcairn – Tahiti - Germany – Italy – Greece – Spain – France – Indonesia – Laos – Thailand - Burma/Myanmar – Vietnam – Cambodia – Taiwan – Palau- Yap - Pohnpei - Chuuk (Micronesia) Guam- Saipan - Philippines – Brunei – Malaysia - Singapore – Hong Kong - India – Tibet… ...The contend of each folder has a full description and the number of images inside, click the folder and you see the selection of the country or category. There is also a folder with most of the high-resolution images from the Book… ...Check the link below and browse the gallery, scroll down & once the Home page is up on the left hand side you see this box (see screenshot below) just click on… red oval. ...For Gunther’s commercial work over the past few years please visit: http://web.mac.com/gdimages/gdimages/Home.html

Luis Martin Harder…his first Exhibition at One Workshop Gallery in Manila & at the same time “Reunion” with some of my students from the Cambodian GDPhotoWorkshop.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-17T13:58:49+08:00

Congratulation to Luis Martin Harder one of my students from the Cambodian GDPhotoWorkshop last year…he really went out his way and show cased his very first Exhibition on the 13th of May in Manila. Since Cambodia he has done real well, more than 30 images from Cambodia and the Philippines are on display, very impressive work I might add and I am very proud of him. A good and mixed crowed attended the opening night at the One Workshop Gallery including other familiar faces like good old Bebet Gaudinez (I am just waiting to see ...Photographers like Wig Tysman, Tilak Hettig, George Tapan and many other personalities including Henry Bateman Artist/Writer showed up to give Luis the credit he deserves, of course the host Photographer Master printer and Artist Ross Capilli and his wife made sure everybody had enough to drink and eat. ...You might remember from one of my earlier blogs…he was the one who received the Aperture software, (which was sponsored by the Power Mac Center in Makati) during our Cambodian GDPhotoWorkshop, see the image below in case you have forgotten.

Is this a real Image? Are we facing a dilemma in Photography today with all this software around us? Photoshop-Lightroom-APERTURE 2 – Plug-ins, new filters, the list goes on and on…how can we prove it is a real image… or been manipulated?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-16T11:45:52+08:00

How far can we go with our computer…it is a creative field after all…in commercial work, advertising, FX, or experimental creative photography we can go wild and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that…the computer and the software today allow us to do some amazing things, I have seen some pretty cool stuff and do some of it myself. ...Aperture 2 unlike Photoshop let me work on my images up to a point…and this is the part I really like, you don’t get tempted to move some “heads around”, a great management system, nice editing tools you do need for digital files and a few other cool tools and applications. But manipulation is out…if I like to do that then I switch to Photoshop or buy some new plug –ins for Aperture 2, the nice part is and this is real great…with Aperture 2 YOU can choose and set it up the way you like it, customizing to suit your type of photography. ...I like the way Aperture evolved, but I feel to much attention has been given to all these plug ins, yes if you do commercial work go for it, but NO if you do serious creative, Journalistic and real life work, because you like to look into the eyes of your client and say… YES this is the real thing you can take my word for it… ...Only a few years ago we had our negatives or slides and could prove what was real and what had been manipulated…I guess now we can only rely on our Raw images, one more reason to shoot Raw only, what I am trying to say is, that it is getting harder and harder to prove these days what is real and what is not…please think about and form your own opinion like I have with all my blah, blah above.

APERTURE 2 & the .Mac WEB GALLERY…keeping tight schedules and deadlines is easy now…delivered Tibet on time…a real live scenario.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-14T22:18:28+08:00

Deadlines, deadlines and more deadlines…the last minute changes by editors or the production staff from magazines… an all to familiar story. Take this very recent case; I submitted images from Tibet for a story in the Asian Geographic Magazine, the first images where in low resolution…for selection purpose. ...No problems…I got Aperture 2 and since all my high and low resolution images are stored in my Aperture Library I quickly selected the “CHOSEN ONES” had them up for downloading on a New . ...I guess not…once the story is out this month I let you have a preview until then…if you need your images out there fast from one publisher to another, use the Web Gallery in Aperture 2, so easy now and happy faces at the production department. ...I have managed to download all the hi-res images from the link you provided.

Fresh APPLES and APERTURE 2… they had a lot in common recently …a simple shot from inside my Hotel Room in Mumbai India…plus one more Black & White…using the Monochrome mixer.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-13T10:39:29+08:00

It is amazing what you find or have forgotten when you do some more editing in Aperture a few weeks later. ... During my stay at the Hotel I noticed these Apples on this small Table, I thought…hey not bad, the light, the reflection and I guess the relationship between the words Apple and Apples, I shot this scene right in front of me using only the available light from the window. Then in Aperture 2 I used only the Raw conversion, the straighten tool, a little cropping and applied some sharpening. ...This shot was taken few minutes later while sitting on my bed and looking towards the window, a straight shot I might add…and I didn’t move the furniture either, no manipulation in Photoshop, again using only the Raw converter in Aperture 2, the straighten tool, a little cropping and some sharpening. ...I saw this women sitting outside her home in a small alley in central Mumbai, the original image was color but converted to Black & White in Aperture 2 using the Monochrome mixer.

BURMA-MYANMAR NEEDS HELP! Devastated by a Monster Typhoon...the people are starving...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-11T22:30:14+08:00

© Gunther Deichmann - Burmese Indian Community north of Yangon No need for many words but Burma needs help... I have traveled through this amazing and very beautiful Country years ago and the Burmese people are some of the most gentle in South East Asia...deprived of their freedom by a brutal Military Regime who will not even let outside help into the country in times of real need. ...A group of Monks helped me many years ago from being arrested, now I have seen them getting beaten by the Military and Police why is outside help been delayed when it is needed most? As a travel Photographer/Journalist I feel responsible to voice my opinion, even if this will not change the currant situation...lets hope there be a change for the better in the near future.

F1 GRAND PRIX & Formula BMW Racing CALENDAR for 2008...including the very first F1 Race in Singapore at NIGHT...a challenge for Nikon v. Canon in low light conditions.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-10T16:08:13+08:00

But did you know that Aperture 2 or now 2.1 is going to be in China at the Olympic Games in full force, not me this time, but many Pro's going to be there using Apple Aperture 2 software...a lot more on this later. ...Due to popular request I have provided you the dates for the F1 Grand Prix and Formula BMW Racing events for 2008. The most exciting and the very first F1 GRAND PRIX NIGHT race in Singapore is on Sep 26 - 28 (Rd 15 & 16) Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore ...March 21 - 23 (Rd 1 & 2) Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia (along with F1) ...Sep 26 - 28 (Rd 15 & 16) Marina Bay Circuit, Singapore (along with F1)

F1 Grand Prix at night soon in SINGAPORE...the very first & supported by the Eurasia Team and of course Marlon Stockinger Philippines & Aditya Patel India...“I want to own a Ferrari team” Aditya Patel is all tuned up…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-09T15:44:05+08:00

“I want to own a Ferrari team” Aditya Patel is all tuned up…the first F1 Grand Prix at night supported by the Eurasia Team in their Formula BMW... ...Back to the F1 Grand Prix and Formula BMW… this time a report from India. ...Now the team is looking forward to the big and exciting race in Singapore soon, the very first F1 Grand Prix at night. ...But for sure furious… The Formula BMW Eurasia Team with Aditya Patel & Marlon Stockinger will be there as the support race in their Formula BMW. ...That’s about it … see below some magazine articles from India featuring Aditya Patel & GOOD LUCK to the Eurasia Team.

DJ Mark-Lee…Aperture 2 and GarageBand…plus iTunes…how does this fit together? Simple…if you got a Mac then you can do all of this plus…a cool slide show with sound, assembled on the road.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-08T10:36:00+08:00

The only thing left to do… open your slideshow in Aperture 2 and add your sound track you created minutes ago, follow my instructions below how to get there, iTunes is now at your fingertips find your sound track & add it to your slide show, sounds almost too easy. ...Take my Son Mark-Lee for example… he is doing some part time DJ work and he uses my old but still very functional Titanium Mac G4 Laptop, using GarageBand and creating his own artwork in Photoshop, see above…pretty cool if you ask me. ...If you are a music lover and created your own mix, of course you can use these too...but please don’t use something from the iTunes Store or from other sources, Music which does not belong to you, respect the copyright of others. ...Once you have arrived here you have many options and your iTunes Library is there too, now you find your sound track which you have created only minutes before, select it go through your slide show settings and your done. ...Of course you can always prepare some music at Home and later use it for your Aperture Slideshow, I have created my own tracks when traveling and the weather was bad, spend my time in the hotel room, mixing sound tracks in GarageBand... but at least I had some fun.

APERTURE 2 Tip...iPhoto Library and Aperture 2.1 how well do they work together? Real well...& so useful if you started in iPhoto and switched to Aperture 2...iLike...or is it iLife.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-07T16:29:17+08:00

No need… you stay in Aperture and have access to all your iPhoto images and can leave them there, no need for importing all the high-end stuff, no more switching back and forth. As a matter of fact you can do this not only with iPhoto but also with your images stored on your external drives from years ago as mention in one of my earlier blogs. ...The choice is yours how you like to manage your images, it is easy to import your complete iPhoto Library and use Aperture 2.1 working with one software. ...A little tip... if you have mixed up your personal images with some others but like to separate them, import the iPhoto Library into Aperture, once that is done delete all the personal images in Aperture and your images are organized, dont worry your personal images are still in the iPhoto Library since you selected in the import panel leave in current location. ...This is a screen shot of my iPhoto Library and you can see (I selected the underwater images) they are now in my Aperture Library.

APERTURE 2 Tip...where do I find my Camera info...this is nice if You like to compare DATA...very cool & not only for the Pro's...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-06T22:05:32+08:00

Where do you find at a push of a button YOUR Camera Info when you like to compare your shots after the shoot in Aperture 2.1 ...Show and Hide Camera & Color info...the red oval shows you the data, you have to be in the adjustment mode/panel. ...You can also move your Cursor over the image to get the color Value in between the images, the grey area will show you the Camera info. ...You can also move your cursor over your Thumbnails... for those of you who are still in the early stage of Photography this command is great for analyzing your images quickly. ...Aperture is not only great for the Pro's but it can help you to take better images by quickly finding out what went wrong or right.

Gunther Deichmann UPDATED BLOG Page...see for yourself and go to http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-03T19:16:26+08:00

Due to popular demand and frequent requests we have just updated our blog pages with a few appropriate Banner ads. We keep these to a minimum number, we like to be informative and not clutter up our site, they are very much related to photography, travel, latest on Aperture 2, the Digital Photo Center in Palau complete with Wi-Fi and Aperture, Underwater Photography and other similar subjects. Now a special mention on the new PALAU TOURS Website, announced only today... a great NEW SITE for PALAU in Micronesia with stunning images and very informative text... ...Click on the image and visit the NEW PALAU TOURS BLOG ...This new site is still undergoing development, but it is out in Cyberspace now, including the NEW PALAU TOURS BLOG with frequent up dates, check the blog @ http://www.palautours.com/blog.html

OUR PLANET & the ENVIRONMENT…the International Exhibition in ARMENIA…”Become The VOICE of VOICELESS” visit the site and view the images.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-05-01T16:29:13+08:00

We have to take care of our PLANET and the ENVIRONMENT otherwise there be nothing left for our Children… ...The image above was taken in Palau Micronesia it was used as the Cover ...As mention in one of my earlier Blogs some of my Images have been part of an international Environment Exhibition at the Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art. For more detailed information I have provided some links below… many other international Photographers have contributed images for the Exhibition and environmental awareness, for a complete list of all the participants and sponsors including the WWF World Wildlife Fund in Armenia go to the provided links below… I am happy and proud to have been part of this Exhibition in providing images creating awareness for our fragile environment.

TROUBLE SHOOTING & TRAINING at the POWER MAC CENTER Manila Philippines...the Dates & Topics

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-30T17:39:39+08:00

at the Power Mac Training Center, Level 2 Greenbelt 3, ...Check out the Training Center at the Power Mac Center In Makati. ... for Aperture he is also on the Apple Aperture Advisory Board. Visit his website @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/home.html ...Check out our Training Calendar website for more info & services.

TROUBLE SHOOTING…an issue with OUTLOOK (PC) & MAIL (MAC) more likely on the PC…how to fix this little but annoying problem…very simple… YOUR Signature creates this glitch.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-29T17:33:15+08:00

It all started when some of my friends complained having problems replying to my e-mails, they wrote back and said their Outlook started to freeze upon hitting the reply button and could only reply by open OUTLOOK again creating a new message. A persisting and re-occurring problem for quiet some time with a few of my good buddies who are using PC's ...So where was this little glitch…nothing major but I understand a little annoying for some, they had to re-boot when replying to my mail…no need for re-booting on a Mac. ...We run some tests and found out this happens only with Outlook upon replying to my mail, Outlook did not like my SIGNATURE on my outgoing mail. ...Problem solved, when I send e-mails now and I know they are using Outlook I just remove my Signature and that works, or you need to switch my emails to plain text when replying because it is the html in the SIGNATURE that creates this problem.

A personal view on all these NEW PLUG-INS for APERTURE 2.1...do we really need them all & how useful are they...plus a little workflow.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-28T17:11:51+08:00

Ok some of you might love these plug-ins and there is really nothing wrong with it but for me…filters and some others in the pipeline are not much use to me. I am a Photojournalist/Travel Photographer, I like my images the way I saw them…even before the digital age I have never used any filters, the only thing I do now is remove the odd sensor dust, cropping and straightening and of course the great black & white conversion. ...I am not a Photoshop guy who enhances the images… no need before, why now…but I love the ability to export my files direct from within Aperture 2 to my PhotoShelter archives and PhotoShelter Collection, the latest plug in is very cool, plus I can create a nice . ...These are the things I love more than anything…lets take PhotoShelter as an example I have the ability to upload my images from just about any location provided I have a connection, not only having the possibility of a sale but just for safe keeping in a different location, it is just like another backup system & you know how important that is. OK. for our studio guys and commercial Photographers some of these plug-ins are a welcome new addition to Aperture 2.1 and some of them come in very handy for sure, making the job so much more efficient and easy but for me filters and other new plug-ins are not much of an advantage, I like to spend more time in the field.

Interesting travel information... & DID YOU KNOW...BOLLYWOOD is everywhere in Mumbai India...from the high rise buildings to the slums it is all over the place.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-28T13:12:13+08:00

Mumbai India... click on the image for the latest photos on Mumbai India ...If you travel to Mumbai India dont be surprised when you see or came across this amazing film industry, no matter where you go, posters and shooting along the road. ...Bollywood is known across the world for the sheer volume of films it churns out each year. Virtually ruling the entertainment sector of India and great many parts of South Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and parts of Africa, Bollywood also commands a sizable chunk of Indian diaspora in the UK, Canada, Australia and the US. For my images on Mumbai India go to my PHOTO SHELTER ARCHIVE @

Late breaking NEWS...the most recent images from Boracay island in the Philippines are on my PhotoShelter Archive ready for viewing

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-26T22:41:07+08:00

PHOTOSHELTER NEWS My hangover has left me and I managed today to upload the latest shoot from Boracay Island in the Philippines onto my PhotoShelter Archive. Check it out @ http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann © Gunther Deichmann - Parasailing in Boracay, Philippines

PHOTOGRAPHY… JAZZ & some cool BLUES plus a little Aperture 2…celebrating with some good friends at the GERMAN CLUB in Manila Philippines…the images & you know how much I love the Blues.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-26T18:29:22+08:00

Thanks to some very good friends and a superb JAZZ/BLUES Band called Johnny Alegre AFFINITY, we had a great evening at the German Club in Manila Philippines we where even graced with the presence of the German Ambassador Christian-Ludwig Weber-Lortsch a coincident. ...The amazing thing was that the Band had been organized a few weeks before not because it was my day but the German Club ask me if I knew some Jazz or Blues Band to play on the 25th of April. I called Bebet Gaudinez who was part of my Photo Workshop in Cambodia, I knew that he could refer me to some good musicians, but then the next surprise… one of the musicians the bass player was related to one of my other students in Cambodia Luis Harder…a very small world or maybe not so in the music or photography circles. Thanks to Bebet for organizing this real cool band and yes, Bebet and me did talk about Aperture 2 a little…but that was earlier in the evening. ...All of us had a great time including my wife Grace, my son Mark-Lee & friends Gunter and Otts Taus, Juergen Warnke from Club Paradise, Paul Schenk from Swiss Air, Arnold Munoz from Rougarai, Rhandy Singson and of course Hermes plus many others.

Cool looking slideshows with PhotoShelter... the Archives are now viewable as slide show and at full Screen...plus more.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-25T03:14:11+08:00

It is just so amazing what these guys come up with at PhotoShelter...now you can view all the Galleries as a slideshow and not only that you can set the speed, email to someone the code or view it on full screen and if you click on the abc you have all the caption as well. This is applicable to all the Galleries in other words you can now watch the show... each and every Gallery at full screen. GREAT NEWS. Below are the screen shots how it looks and how to do it, click on the images below for a direct link to my PhotoShelter Galleries, choose any Gallery and you have the cool looking slide show. ...Marked with a red circle is where you can activate the slideshow

Late NEWS…more images from AMAZING INDIA on the PhotoShelter Archive now…plus almost forgotten in 3rd place Aditya Patel from Chennai India with the Eurasia Team at the recent Formula BMW & more with Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-24T11:53:23+08:00

Sometimes it is strange how things come together, remember when I was reporting on the F1 Grand Prix and Formula BMW from Sepang Malaysia during the month of March, which was organized and sponsored by PETRONAS. ...If you click on the Yellow one that is for the Archive selection all the new images are allready there...the green one is for the PhotoShelter Collection… I am waiting on the editors now before you can view the latest images in the PSC too. After the event I traveled to Mumbai in India…and I should have mention Aditya Patel, sorry I just forget, but you know it has been very hectic the past few month so please forgive me. ...See below some article I have just come across on Aditya Patel, another young upcoming driver… and I guess the fast and furious continues, congratulation on his achievement finishing an impressive 3rd place. ...Eurasia Motorsport’s Aditya Patel finished an impressive third place in the first round of the Formula BMW Pacific Series held at Sepang Circuit’s Malaysian F1 GP support race.

More new plug-ins for APERTURE 2.1…this time from PhotoShelter the easy way of uploading and meeting deadlines for Magazines & editors…plus MUMBAI INDIA is ready for viewing on the PhotoShelter archives now…the Journey continues.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-22T12:49:36+08:00

More plug-ins arriving… the latest one is from PhotoShelter (see the screenshot below) an update from their earlier version but now perfect and improved for Aperture 2.1 this has always been a great edition in Aperture since I have joined PhotoShelter, if you remember PhotoShelter was one of the very first plug –ins for Aperture 1.5. I have already tested this new plug-in… very nice, it even tells you if you have made a mistake e.g. forgot to convert your black & white image (Grayscale) to RGB, and be honest we all make these little mistakes sometimes, these guys are getting very clever out there, taken all the thinking away from us, well almost. When you on the road as much as I am this plug-in comes in very handy, no matter where you are you can upload your images direct from within Aperture, don’t I have mention this before…never leaving the program. ...The same images are also now available on my PhotoShelter Archives and if you don’t believe me…then check out link below and go to the Archive and India is there, soon to follow is Boracay in the Philippines. ...They needed a good choice of images so I prepared them in one of my favorite…the Web Gallery in Aperture 2…with password, username… the works ready for the selection and once they have chosen from the low res. images I just upload the high res. ones, given the editor a good broad selection for the article, not missing out on anything plus all my caption and info is done and not having them to do twice… so simple all with Aperture 2.1

From Mumbai in India to Aperture 2.1 plug-ins... they are on the way...one of the first from Nic Software...Viveza is available in May 2008...plus Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center in Palau exposed in Scuba Diving Magazine

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-19T13:22:43+08:00

Before we introduce one of the first Plug - ins for Aperture 2.1 some more images below from my last journey to Boracay in the Philippines... & very soon all these new images from the past few weeks will be on my PhotoShelter Archives and PhotoShelter Collection. ...The Wi-Fi connections we installed running cool, not to mention the iMac upgrades and training of the staff on Leopard and Aperture, I guess all of this would not have been possible without the investment from Sam Scott and the incredible input and advise from Dermot Keane the GM at Sam's Tours. ...Sam's Tours' all new Digital Photo Center is fully equipped to cater to digital photographers of all interest levels, from those with handy point-and-shoot cameras to the most demanding digital photographers shooting in RAW format. Their six top-of-the-line Apple iMac workstations are loaded with terabytes and terabytes of storage, archiving and secure data backup systems, lots of RAM, and completely optimized for digital imaging with Apple Aperture 2 image management software, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Bridge, Toast, and topped off with DSL Wi-Fi internet access. ...I guess to go with the iMacs and Aperture at Sam's Tours was the right decision, check it out the next time you in Palau and dont forget your Camera for these incredible shots above and below the waves.

From black & white images…back to color… more images from India after the Aperture 2 event… roaming the streets in Mumbai and venturing towards Goa one afternoon.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-18T13:49:00+08:00

I guess I did fall in love with the colors of Mumbai and India and like to share just a few more images with you before changing the subject… don’t worry a selection of images will be shortly on my Site (http://www.deichmann-photo.com/) the PhotoShelter Archive and the PhotoShelter Collection (http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html) but I have to catch up first with a lot of editing, paperwork and prepare for my next trip to Bali in Indonesia now. ...Aperture certainly made my life a lot easier these past few weeks…from the extreme F1 Grand Prix in Sepang Malaysia where I joined Marlon Stockinger on his Formula BMW debut, remember the fast anf furious…to Mumbai India for the Apple Aperture World Tour and then straight to Boracay Island in the Philippines for a commercial shoot, it has been non stop and thousands of images later, a few hectic weeks have gone by. ...© Gunther Deichmann - the two images above... late afternoon along the road from Mumbai to Goa, women carrying bricks at a small building site, these clay bricks are manufactured right on site hence the dust and smoke from the nearby brick furnace. If you are a photographer and shoot a lot of images then Aperture is the solution not only of its editing and management capabilities but the integration with the Mac…editing has become fun again…not to mention the new plug-ins soon available with Aperture 2.1 ( click this link for more info)

Mumbai India...the view from the car window continues...how to create cool looking Black & White images with Aperture 2.1

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-16T15:22:57+08:00

You all know I am very much of a color person and never shoot much in Black & White, maybe changing film before became a bit of a hassle or carrying the extra camera around... ...However on these rare occasion I do shoot Black &White and sometimes it looks even better... more down to earth and real...no need to carry a second or third camera around with you, Aperture 2 can do all of this after the shoot and the nice part is...you still have the original color images after the conversion. ...All you have to do is... go to the Monochrome Mixer in the Adjustments Panel and there you find all you need including these color filters we used to use during the old days in front of the lens. ...I dont call this manipulation in the Computer... remember you are not in Photoshop...this is just like the old fashion darkroom... even before I converted some slides into a Black & White image in the darkroom... nothing new except is has become a lot easier and remember it is the image you created in the first place that will leave a lasting impression. I LOVE COLOR but sometime Black & White is beautiful too and I am by no means against it, I love good Black & White images and it is so great that we still can do this today except for all these chemicals, I guess if you look at it this way, Aperture is very much environmental friendly.

What has a Whale in common with Kashmir in India & Boracay in the Philippines…? Just a coincident...Who knows…?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-15T15:49:57+08:00

As you know I have just returned from Mumbai in India & Boracay in the Philippines... and today I came across this very interesting article. If you book a Safari trip with Calypso Diving then you have a good chance to see them in Panagatan and if you go to Kashmir in India you might find some of their relative in sedimentary rocks as fossils. ...But did you know that Whales “lived on land” according to some new discoveries... check out this amazing article below that has just rolled ...Remains found in the Kashmir region of India suggest the fox-sized mammal is the long-sought land-based ancestor of whales, dolphins and porpoises. ...Whales are known to be descended from land-dwellers but the "missing link" has been a mystery until now…for more interesting reading and photos click the link below:

Some Images after the Aperture event in Mumbai India... plus a 12 hour stop over via Manila before hitting the famous Boracay Beach in the Philippines for some commercial photography...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-14T16:30:31+08:00

The brief stop over in Manila just gave me enough time to say hi and bye to my family, a change of underpants and enough time for a good cup of Coffee before hitting the road again…from one extreme to another, contrast and color along the road but having Aperture 2 in my “suitcase” makes my life a lot easier these days. ...I roamed the streets for a few days after the Aperture event in Mumbai and decided to shoot some images just from the car window, easy to do since the traffic is slow and you be amazed what you can capture…see below only some examples. ...More on my main website very soon… but now to Boracay… a commercial shoot but I decided to show you today something a bit different…low light, color and movement these images where taken in between the commercial shoot when ever I had the time. I am back for a month now and catch up with some long overdue blogs and more on Aperture 2 or should I say Aperture 2.1 ...It has proven again and again that without Aperture I be spending to much time after the shoot... another 3000 plus Images just from the Boracay trip and I am almost done with my editing and I just walked into the door this morning, I might mention briefly again the new feature during import…do not import duplicates I keep this activated all the time now, silly me mixed up some CF Cards again but hence this very useful new Feature in Aperture 2 no problems.

Only 12 hours in Manila after Mumbai India...& now leaving for Boracay Island...but I got my Road Warrior Aperture 2...& some images, a little taste from India

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-07T21:24:46+08:00

You might remember from my earlier blog about this real nice tropical Island called Boracay in the Philippines...well I am leaving tomorrow morning to get this shoot done... we had to put this one off due to bad weather before...but now the weather is great. Yes it's been only some 12 hours since I have returned from Mumbai and now the sun is out and I have to go again... ...I have transferred the Images from my Indian trip to my Mac Pro... the project from Mumbai...done some editing and cleaned my laptop ready for Boracay... super organized and very efficient. ...I survived the red hot chili peppers and the great curries in India, the Apple Aperture Event was just great... the colors and contrast I had been looking for I found plenty full... ...I am sorry... more tips on the new and amazing features in Aperture 2 have to wait until I get back from Boracay Island...

Aperture World Tour, the event in Mumbai India...Aperture 2...great people & so much contrast and color...the Journey continues...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-04-04T01:22:52+08:00

Yes you have guessed right the Apple Aperture event in Mumbai is completed and I am hanging around for a few extra days and realized that I should have come to India a lot sooner. ...See below some images from the Apple Aperture event and in the coming days I feature some images from my few days in and around Mumabi, yes Aperture 2 came again very handy, since the event I have shot some 1800 images in just a few days, it really helps to have a Road Warrior like Aperture around. ...The only drawback since the digital age and the arrival of Aperture is that I get less sleep... in the old days you just marked your rolls of film and went to bed, but now you upload them and start editing right away...well do I get carried away, my fault... ...Anyway with Aperture 2.1 at least it is quick and very efficient not like before spending hours on end in Photoshop, now I can get some sleep which reminds me I have to hit the sheets soon. Sorry for the delay of this Blog from Mumbai, but I hope you understand that I rather shoot and create images then writing all night long... there is just to much contrast and color around me at the moment.

Late breaking NEWS… Aperture 2.1 just released… with amazing new features for photographers & soon in Mumbai, India for the Aperture World Tour.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-29T00:18:55+08:00

As mention in my previous blog I try to give you an insight direct from the location, lets cross our fingers and hope the connection is Ok., until soon. Marlon Stockingers website, the Photo Gallery and front page has now been updated with the latest images from the F1 Grand Prix and the Formula BMW in Sepang, see Marlon in action... ...A simplified UI makes it easier to preserve an image's original aspect ratio, match the aspect ratio of your display, or use one of the standard preset aspect ratios. ...A contextual menu allows you to choose the Show on Map by right-clicking (or Control-clicking) on an image that contains GPS data. ...Automator actions have been added to Save as PDF pop-up menu in the Print Book window to automatically generate JPEG or TIFF images from book pages.

The last lap before India...F1 Grand Prix...GP 2...Formula BMW...the images and Aperture 2...Sepang Malaysia 2008

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-27T22:45:36+08:00

The last lap from the F1 Grand Prix in Sepang Malaysia, then I have caught up before leaving for Mumbai in India on Sunday. I hope for a better connection from the land of red hot chili peppers and tasty curries, it would be so nice to give you a live report from the Apple Aperture 2 World Tour in Mumbai, lets wait and see. ...Ok., lets wrap things up with Marlon Stockinger and the F1 Grand Prix in Malaysia, today I have included some behind the scene images and a couple cool action shots, a Ferrari and some action of the GP 2 plus the Formula BMW. ...For our photographer friends some more info on Aperture 2 …I have already uploaded all the images from the F1 Grand Prix into my PhotoShelter collection…not bad in just a few days we provided you with some blogs and I prepared a Mac Web Gallery with medium size resolution images for Marlon, for press releases etc., etc. Of course you can only access this one with a password and username, you might write to Marlon and get the access code, you find his personal info on his website @

PRESS RELEASE... Stockinger gets Baptism of Fire at Malaysian F1 Grand Prix & Formula BMW

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-25T11:24:39+08:00

16 year old Filipino race driver Marlon Stockinger had his racing debut last weekend at the 2008 Malaysian F1 Grand Prix in a Formula BMW car, driving for team Eurasia Motorsport. ...Indian Team mate Aditya Patel had a good start from 7th place on the grid whilst Ross Jamison of Hong Kong, Simon Moss of South Africa and Sean McDonagh of Korea took the lead, leaving the others behind, struggling for visibility. ...“I had to start from 10th place again, but this time I felt more at ease and started to enjoy the race and overtake some people. ... I have to work hard on my qualifying and driving technique, since most of the other drivers have already some racing experience in cars”, says Stockinger, ending the race in 8th position overall and 3rd in the Rookie Cup respectively. Moss, Jamison and McDonagh made the podium whereas Patel was forced to retire as a result of damage inflicted after he was punted into a spin at the first turn.

Catching up...Kimi Raikkonen and his Ferrari make it so easy...it has been a perfect week at the F1 Grand Prix in Sepang Malaysia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-24T23:04:07+08:00

Yes... a few great days, except for my internet connection at the Hotel, I am trying to catch up now...a few more images today from the last few days in Sepang... ...I did some pre editing since my connection was just not there...at least I had a head start before I got back to Manila. ... Great action from Sepang in soaring heat and a heavy tropical shower during the Formula BMW's first race, Marlon Stockingers first major race... straight into the unknown... heavy rain a real challenge for him. ... I shot some 3000 images and Aperture 2 went through it without a glitch, as a matter of fact I could not have done it with out Aperture, working every night with my Mac Book Pro and two external Lacie hard drives storing the files during import as reference files, the second drive for back up purpose. I got sunburned and looked like a red Ferrari...then I got drenched in the rain including my Cameras... but it was fun being there, thanks to Tom Stockinger and the fantastic Eurasia team a great bunch to hang around with.

F1 Grand Prix...GP 2 Asia...Porsche Carrera Cup...Formula BMW plus a lot more in Sepang Malaysia with Aperture 2...preparation day

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-21T22:58:42+08:00

Aperture 2 did not let me down, it was the complete useless connection in my Hotel... talking about slow and very furious... ...Sorry for the inconvenience but I make up for it in the next few days with some images from all the races and behind the scenes. ...Today has been my first day in Sepang, everybody is getting ready for the F1 race, Formula BMW with Marlon Stockingers first race, the Porsche Carrera Cup and the GP 2 Asia. The temperature soared today, I got my usual sunburn and look like a red Ferrari now, but we had a chance to watch the F1 cars doing their practice run and of-course all the interesting action in the Pit with the Formula BMW and the GP 2 Asia. ...Check out some of the images from this hot very hot day, but I dont think this is going to stop the fast and furious...well it slowed me down a bit, as predicted Aperture 2 performed just great uploading was a breeze and the editing went just as planed...only a slow connection today.

Late News...Aperture World Tour... in Asia, Singapore-Hong Kong-Taiwan & India 2008

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-19T19:37:03+08:00

Join us and enjoy a close look at the next generation of Apple’s powerful photo editing and management software. With its simplified user interface, Aperture 2 is easy enough for any photographer to pick up and use. Intuitive and accessible, it brings a variety of new interface features that members of Apple’s pro photo marketing team will demonstrate, including: ...This free, two-hour seminar explores all of the top features in Aperture 2, our invited professional photographer’s workflow and an introduction of Canon’s latest camera. ...For more details and venues click on the image above or this link: http://www.apple.co.in/aperture/tour/

Concern for Tibet…& in two days reporting from Sepang in Malaysia on the Formula BMW with Marlon Stockinger and the F1 Grand Prix with Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-19T12:01:12+08:00

Stay tuned for the next few days… from the 21st until the 24th I try and give you as much information and NEWS as possible from the Formula BMW and the F1 Grand Prix race in Sepang Malaysia. ...Now some sad NEWS and my concern for Tibet, a country that I love so much… is there a Storm brewing over the Potala in Lhasa? ...The now deserted Barkhor street... where the old and new meets, traditional Tibeteans with their pryer wheel on the way to the Jokhang Temple ,Lhasa, Tibet,. The Jokhang Temple is one of Tibet's holiest shrines, originally .built in 647 A.D. in celebration of the marriage of the Tang Princess Wencheng and the Tubo King Songtsen Gampo. ...I sincerely hope that peace will avail and this uprising will not spin out of control, during a recent press conference the Dalai Lama caution constrain on both sides, violence will not solve this problem only dialogue and common sense.

Late breaking News...fixed a small glitch on our Blog re. reviving old slides and rough scans in Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-15T17:17:25+08:00

We have had a slight glitch with my latest Blog… we encountered a broken link...but that is fixed now. ...Aperture 2 or now 2.01 the rescue of a 25-year-old Dolphin in Australia before leaving for the F1 Grand Prix in Malaysia. Two images did not upload at first, please check or refresh your system the problem has been fixed! This particular blog addresses an issue almost forgotten today; what about the older generation of photographers who have a ton of slides or digitized images stored in their archives and shelves. ...You get a very good idea what Aperture 2 can do with old and almost forgotten slides or scans.

Aperture 2 or now 2.01 the rescue of a 25 year old Dolphin in Australia before leaving for the F1 Grand Prix in Malaysia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-15T01:00:11+08:00

If you like me and have some old but good images on slides, had them scanned and stored on your hard drive, try and import them into Aperture 2.01, I do this a lot accessing my older images from their location on my external drives, never clogging up my main drive. ...The other day I discovered this image from way back in Australia, I guess it is about 25 years old and I thought, hey lets bring this into Aperture 2 and see what I can do with it, I could have done this in Photoshop but I like my test drives and more laps in Aperture 2 before leaving for the F1 Grand Prix and Formula BMW race in Malaysia with Marlon Stockinger next week. ...Cropping out the boat on the left – applied the devignette filter (large red circle) and Wow all four corners cleaned up very nice, then made some manual exposure adjustments – fixed the blown out highlights with the new recovery tool, adjusted the shadows and the Hue a bit –fixed a fungus spot on the image (small red circle) with the new retouch tool (clone or repair) and that was about it…time to do all of this 10 min. max. See for yourself the images below; before and after, Aperture 2 came to the rescue again, remember my earlier blog on the Sea Lion by Tony Wu, now to a Dolphin rescue from Monkey Mia in north western Australia some 25 years ago. ...Aperture 2 or now 2.01, but I am very impressed…"top timing and great corner control in my laps", now I have more time after the shoot for my family or creating new images.

PhotoShelter Collection updated... new images & aerials after sunset in Palau...plus a tip from Aperture 2 organizing your metadata quickly

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-12T23:31:35+08:00

Click on the images or use the link below PhotoShelter Collection @ Once you in the PhotoShelter Collection just go to the list and click on recently added, enjoy the images. ...A quick tip for Aperture 2... where to find your Metadata AutoFill List, see the ...See below the screenshot...just click on Metadata and in the drop down menu click the AutoFill List, large red circle you be amazed what you can delete or add including these spelling mistakes who keep popping up when you fill in your Metadata.

Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art: ACCEA...plus an Australian impressed with Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-11T17:17:09+08:00

You might remember from one of my earlier blogs in February 2008, I mention Armenia...yes from F1 and Marlon Stockingers first Formula BMW race in Sepang Malaysia next week to an international environment Exhibition in Armenia the contrast is just so great...but you know I love contrast. ...from the Armenian Art Exhibition with many other international Photographers participating to make their Voices heard for our fragile environment. ...Once the Exhibition is up and running I provide a direct link, just stay tuned... above and below are two out of seven Images from my collection which will be on display during the Exhibition in Armenia. ...And it is very important to us, that environmental photographers from all over the world also add their voice for voiceless. ...This is going to be a big event in Armenia, which includes photography, fine art and sculpture, film and video arts, rock and classical concert etc., etc.

Evolution explained…photography and the .Mac Web Gallery with Aperture 2...soon live from the F1 race in Sepang...plus 5 stars for Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-09T19:13:39+08:00

A system which works so well and perfect for stock images, you always look for this old shot… now you bring it into Aperture 2 create a Web Gallery send low resolution files first to your client and after he made the final selection you send the big stuff all within Aperture 2…never leaving the program, but you do need a . ...Just last week I had several cases where images where needed in low res. first for selection, e.g. sending Philippine images to a German Publisher – providing a selection for my web master for a web project – then images for my friend Tom Stockinger to select the racing shots of Marlon’s Formula BMW Pacific for news paper press releases… ...As a travel Photographer this new addition is just perfect…what does this mean…very simple I can now spend more time on the road shooting and my images if in low or high resolution are with my client or at my stock agencies long before I return home. ...Once you have received the email see first image above you just click View Album and your internet browser opens up, that's it...but now you have all these possibilities...like different layout, Grid, Carousel, Mosaic, Slideshow, downloading, uploading, Tell a Friend etc., etc. and you not restricted to just one page what ever is in your Aperture Project or the selected images will be online for your friend or client to see. ...For myself this is certainly one of the best new addition in Aperture 2 not to mention all these other cool things I have reported earlier in my Blogs…and of course the new speed…all for a fantastic price…two votes today for Aperture 2 and to those guys and girls who where part in developing/creating Aperture...

Aperture 2 with the .Mac Gallery soon at the Sepang Malaysia 2008 Grand Prix Formula 1 Race race track…& pre selection for a German publisher via .Mac Gallery…that is integration.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-07T21:20:58+08:00

As promised here is my follow up with these Philippine stock images for a German Publisher…I have provided some tips how to make things so much faster using the Web Gallery within Aperture 2, but before I go into all the details let me say this…fantastic integration and so efficient having this ability is just so amazing. ...I mention in my earlier Blog that Aperture 2 is my Road Warrior now, I have won not only the battle but the war…all jokes aside when you travel like me and you have this amazing ability then I ask my self what else do I need. ...Mac Web Gallery - once you have selected NEW Web Gallery select your Project or Images see red oval on the left and publish it, the open window on top red oval is actually my Activity window the red circle is the icon to activate it, this is super useful, you always know what is happen in the background, no need to worry. ...This is the actually Web Gallery from the internet browser, there are so many cool effects and options for viewing, these are some of the images from the Philippines in low res. for the publisher in Germany, the first batch...now if you click on Tell a Friend or you can tell your client...see the red circle again and see what pops up now...the image below... fill in the details and you are done...plus you have a very happy friend or client since they did not expected this so fast...on time again... or from the F1 Grand Prix 2008 in Sepang, Malaysia shortly. ...Soon I am at the Grand Prix F1 race in Sepang Malaysia, this time to cover Marlon Stockinger for his Formula BMW also called Formel BMW… the real race… no more test driving plus all the F1 show, the Ferraris, the pretty girls, the mechanics etc., etc.

Late breaking NEWS from Japan… the incredible rescue of an Australian Sea Lion with Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-05T21:14:55+08:00

I just returned the favor and introduced him to Aperture…now we both have very little time left for our wife’s…hmm…or more in time to come. ...When we got to the details his exact words where… I just love the recovery tool for blown out highlights etc., etc. that one is so awesome in particular for underwater photographers, hey Tony… please send me some images for comparison, so he did of the Australian Sea Lion who just about kissed his Dome port on his underwater housing from one of his recent trips. See below the before and after images and you might remember from my previous blog with the Ferrari and BMW about this new and fantastic feature in Aperture 2. ...I also mention to him during our skype call the new All Projects button, ha, ha… he tried it out while we where still online, he just couldn’t wait... after I had explained the function and how to use it, all I can hear was… Wow… wow… that is really awesome… if I had know this last night I could have saved my self a lot of time looking for some images during a small presentation. ...I said all along from fossils to BMW, Ferrari’s and marine life, Aperture 2 can handle all of it and a lot more… I guess this is another vote for Aperture 2 and this time from Japan.

Aperture 2 exploration continues & photography from the Philippines... Apple has just released an update...Aperture 2.01 is ready for downloading...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-05T14:16:11+08:00

I received another email the other day from David Callard in Australia, he ask me if I shoot Raw and JPG...my reply was very simple... no need if you using Aperture, David I only shoot Raw, Aperture 2 does all the rest plus you have all these adjustments at your disposals. ...Now to my second real event, I had been ask to supply a large number of Stock images from the Philippines for a publication in Germany, I had to call on some good friends of mine to provide me also with some stock images since I did not have all of the requested images. The publishing house needed first some low res files for viewing, now here I was with a real mix bag of images not only from me but from other Photographers as well, needed in JPG for selection purpose first. ...I may add that these images where a real mix bag, from scanned slides to digital plus from very different sources, even my assistant Hermes contributed some nice images, a lot of images with a lot of information but with Aperture it was a breeze. ...The next stage is the high resolution images when the publisher has made his selection, once that is made we upload them on to our ftp site direct from within Aperture 2, you might think this is magic, No... it is Aperture 2 never leaving Aperture all done within, I guess it is sort of magic.

Aperture & Fossils? A discovery from some 150 million years ago…and now in 2008 exploring Aperture 2.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-04T13:18:54+08:00

You might find this article below very different and interesting, in particular for those readers who have known my background in Paleontology… a fossil hunter, but that was a long, long time ago… ...I am still fascinated after all these years by the secrets mother earth is keeping from us, only now and then we find out…a great article recently broadcast on the BBC. ...Real wet-wet-suits and finning like a duck been chased by a crocodile...but what a photo opportunity, but only if you had a super wide angle lens on your camera...but then I am not sure on that either...read about this amazing find, close your eyes and start dreaming. ...Another new feature in Aperture 2 is the ability to check up on your shooting data but not only that, there is a lot more info available including the star rating, if you have given those. ...I found this very useful in checking lens setting, exposure, aperture, date and time, ISO Speed, etc., etc., a wealth of information at your finger tips with a click of your mouse button and another vote for Aperture 2.

iPod magic...plus Aperture 2 very soon at Sam's Tours Palau Micronesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-02T17:57:06+08:00

Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center is the only one of it's kind in Palau, Micronesia and in the Pacific, check out my previous blogs or go direct to Sam's Tours DPC site click this link Sam's Tours DPC. ...But they offer a lot more at Sam's, now you can upload all your holiday/vacation photos on your iPod, the staff at the DPC will be happy to assist you with all your requirements, the only thing you have to do... bring your iPod, but then who doesn't these days and once back home show your friends and family members on TV how great your last vacation has been. We take away all your hassles, you be organized back home, no more looking for hours on end where you stored these great shots... plug in the cable switch on your TV and enjoy the show. They can do the same with your video footage, at Sam's Tours you connected not only to the rest of the world, now you can concentrate on your diving, they take care of the rest, surviving for all our underwater photographers has just become a lot more realistic and fun. Enjoy your vacation, dive the great dive sites of Palau, like Blue Corner and Blue Hole and so many others, dont feel like diving...no problem, join Sam's Tours on one of their great land tours by road, visit ancient and historical sites or take a Kayak trip for a day or two, explore and discover Palau...visit the

A toast to Sam's Tours in Palau...the reflection of excellence continues...soon with Aperture 2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-03-01T16:49:32+08:00

Aperture 2 at Sam's Tours Palau Micronesia...stay tuned for more updates from Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center. Surviving for our underwater photographers has just become a lot easier in Palau, Aperture 2 is on it's way ready for you to use. Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center is the only one of it's kind in Palau, Micronesia and in the Pacific, check out my previous blogs or go direct to Sam's Tours DPC site click this link Sam's Tours DPC. Watch out for Monday the 3rd of March...a truly amazing story, images and another very cool tip on Aperture 2, but now I take the weekend off,

One of those days today... but Aperture 2 got me out of the Jam again...lap time? Very fast...!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-28T21:04:33+08:00

I was in the middle off preparing some environmental images for an international exhibition in Armenia, (yes Armenia, but more on that later) but Aperture 2 came again to the rescue. I prepared a Smart album and went through some 3000 plus images, hey with this new Preview setting it was fast, marked some images with 5 star ratings for the Smart album and I was done... well not yet, Tom needed actually some rough prints, but that would have taken to much time since the selection was some 150 images and it was to late sending files to the Lab for printing. ...No problem with Aperture 2, go to Print Image under File and there you find a setting for Contact sheet...yes it is that easy, the only thing you have to do is specify the columns and rows add some metadata and you done, there is also an auto setting but I needed the individual images a bit larger, you can even prepare a pdf file from your Contact sheet and send that to your lab or to your client direct from Aperture using Mail, ha,ha now I have to laugh... ...It took about 45 min. for everything and long before Tom arrived, I was back editing my environmental images dealing with another deadline...always deadlines and more deadlines but with Aperture 2 it is a lot easier to manage. ... I call it V for victory...this keyboard shortcut is superb...if you press V you can toggle between the Browser & Viewer- Browser only and Viewer only, what a time saver.

The weather got the better of me...more noise from Australia...Aperture & the Aussies are hot...& cast your vote...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-26T17:02:38+08:00

With the new Aperture now available and Lightroom just celebrating its first birthday, that’s what Stephen Shankland (c|net news) wants to know, and he’d like your help. ...Mark, check with your local Mac Center or retailer on the availability, from what I have heard it is available in Australia, I did receive a letter from David Callard also from Australia who has just received his copy. Please do not hesitate in contacting me if you need any help with the new features, you be thrilled with the new interface, features and the super sonic speeeeeeed, I am not kidding... it is very fast and so easy to use. ...All Projects...now that is super cool you find it in your Projects panel, move the cursor over the images from your project click and press the space bar that will set the key image, but you can change this any time you feel like it, check it out, certainly another vote from me for Aperture 2 ...I live In Port Douglas Australia where the reef meets the ocean, I spoke to Gunther with reference for a new computer & professional software for digital Photographers, hence Aperture 1.5 & now I saw on GD’s latest Blog a newer and better Aperture 2 plus he had this amazing Photo shelter widget that showed his stock photos at random!!

Late breaking NEWS…we have updated our main website today...Stock Images & Commercial Photography

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-25T19:46:39+08:00

Late breaking NEWS…we have updated our main website today, for the changes visit http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html… a new layout and background image including now the new PhotoShelter Collection Widget or click at the main site at Stock. By the way Aperture and PhotoShelter work so well together, you can up load from any location as long you have a connection and you never know when you have this great shot or “Hot News” item you need to get out fast… ...Also the latest images from the Palau Pacific Resort are now incorporated on the Commercial site, click on the red button at the main site, Commercial or go direct to this site @ ...I am leaving on Wednesday for Boracay Island, my Blog is going to be a bit thin in the next few days…up on my return we shall continue with more Aperture 2 in the field using images from Boracay.

Aperture… the blown out highlights on a Ferrari …an easy overlooked setting in Aperture 2…

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-25T14:38:35+08:00

… if you using Aperture 2 and have existing raw images from previous version of Aperture say 1.1 and 1.5 but now you installed Aperture 2 then some of the tools and new feature might “not be active or not working”. ...The new recovery tool is one of them, a great way of improving your blown out highlights, you be amazed what you can bring back working with raw images, it is a very good idea anyway to use Aperture’s new Raw conversion from the start, you can apply this to all your existing Raw images as long you remember to migrate these to Aperture 2, all previous version in this small drop down menu are also there, you choose. ...left: You can also change the setting to 2.0 in the floating inspector in full screen mode, after you have changed this the Recovery and Black Point slider work just fine. ...However if you work in v2.0 you cant go back to the previous version, but who wants to do that anyway, you noticed a fast improvement on the raw conversion once you switch from previous to the new 2.0 setting. ...After next Wednesday my Blog will be a bit thin…I am leaving for the tropical Island of Boracay in the Philippines, suppose to be one of the best beaches in the world for another property shoot…I am ready to rock and roll with Aperture 2, editing right on the spot…or beach...

Aperture 2 continues...some images behind the scene from Sepang & a nice letter from Australia...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-23T20:08:37+08:00

More images prepared in Aperture 2... behind the scene from the Sepang F1 race track in Malaysia...& an interesting link on Aperture verses Lightroom... plus a nice letter from David Callard in Australia who frequently visits my blogs & very much Aperture related, he ask me if I could include the letter on my blog. ...When I worked with my good friend Gunther Deichmann in Darwin, capital city of Australia’s Northern Territory aeons ago in the ‘80’s I don’t think either of us could have envisaged the phenomenal technological hurricane that was to blow through the photographic world at the turn of the millennium. ... It was in the early ‘90’s when I decided to do 4 years of intensive study at a leading private photographic college in Melbourne that I first heard the question raised, “Could it be that film is forever dead?” ... Like many of my colleagues at the time, I found the need to retrain all over again in the realm of computerized image processing rather daunting, especially after encounters with the new language of software, despite the promises on the box claiming ease of use. ... I have always found Gunther’s advice to be thoroughly sound, so have recently got with the times and invested heavily in digital cameras plus a top specified MacBook Pro loaded with Aperture v.2.

Welcome to a few more laps with Aperture 2…my Road Warrior… plus some diving today.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-21T20:07:17+08:00

When you use the New retouching or cloning tool, make sure you switch off the Quick Preview button, on a full screen just move your mouse to the top of the screen your tools appear and you see the icon for the retouching panel, click the icon and the retouching panel will open, everything you need is there...size and softness of brush etc... click on the image above and go direct to ...As a working photographer who spend most of his time in the field I have to get the images right in the first place in other words I cant and will not relay on two software’s e.g. having Lightroom and Aperture installed on my Machine, aren’t we suppose to create images, yes a lot of changes have taken place since the digital age has arrived but lets not forget where the real images come from. When Aperture 1.0 came out I was in the middle of my book production “Journey Through Color and Time,” 360 pages full color using tiff and Raw files, editing some 5000 images from over 30 years, yes I did all of that with Aperture 1.0 since there was nothing else available, I had just finished and Aperture 1.5 surfaced, to late the book was done, now Aperture 2 has taken this completely to new dimensions. ...I used to shoot Kodachrome 25, and had to get it right in the first place, there was no room for mistakes, ok. things have changed and we can do a lot more with our images now, that is what I love about Aperture 2… it is simple and very fast with a lot of new useful tools, I choose Aperture from the beginning, did my Book and many other things since then, Aperture filled a big gap in Digital Photography before anybody else did. I also use Photoshop, great software and I have been using it over many years and continue doing so, but now I am using it less and less… I am a Photographer not a Retoucher and it all depends what you shooting in the first place, yes in advertising and some commercial work it has it’s place for sure.

Fasten your seatbelt…the Aperture 2 test drive continues…looking under the hood...no more duplicates... plus...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-20T14:12:09+08:00

1800 Raw images imported as reference files…in just under 10 minutes… I call this real speeeeeeeeed, almost scary…and having the choice to edit during import is one of my new favorites, the Quick Preview…oh boy I just love that one! ...I also took the last corner too fast today (or maybe I am not used to the new speed of Aperture 2) yes, I did loose control and imported by mistake the same CF Card twice, but then I thought, hey, there is this NEW command where you can tick this box and avoid duplicates on import. ...90% of my photography is in the field, importing from my CF Cards or external hard drives in the Hotel Room or even in a Tent during my trip through Tibet in 2006, and sometimes I get my Cards mixed up, but now having the ability to avoid duplicates “Do not import duplicates” is very smart and a great time saver. ...Some more good NEWS, for our underwater photographers…Aperture 2 has now a retouching tool, but more on that in my next blog…the only thing I give away today, if you need to remove some back scatter in your underwater images, the horror in underwater photography …yes, it can be done…! ...There is one more new option I like to introduce to you today... check out the NEW overlay option "Highlight Hot and Cold Pixel" I have tried this already...again a super NEW addition to Aperture 2, I provide some real life samples in the days to come.

Aperture 2 test drive over the weekend continues...& the first screenshot.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-17T19:53:18+08:00

After the initial first or so lap's I had a good look under the hood... today I bring you the first of a series...my experience with Aperture in the field and after the shoot. I have provided for those who are not that familiar with Aperture yet, some links...yes that is something Apple does real well providing some cool videos and tutorials, easy to understand. So, if you New to Aperture check it out and watch these cool marvels you pick up so much info from these videos . ...Aperture 2 is fast, sorry correction... very, very fast a sheer pleasure to work with, and with one of the new features from about 100 this one I really like the Quick Preview super cool, check out the screenshot the red circle lower right shows you how to activate that one. ...I can go on forever, and I will in the weeks to come, I am just so excited (my wife is not) I keep driving and driving one lap after the other, the ease and simplicity of the improved interface and the new speeeeeeeeeeed has taken Aperture to complete new dimensions, so why dont you check it out and give it a test drive you wont be disappointed.

Late breaking NEWS from PhotoShelter...the cool Widget

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-16T22:47:33+08:00

So many NEW things are happening right now and all around Valentines Day, they do Love us I think, I hardly can keep up with it, well we all know my first test drive with Aperture 2... it is real fast and I mean very fast, my previous Blog from today and now PhotoShelter has just released this very cool Widget, check it out below.

The fast and furious continues... Formula BMW Pacific...Porsche Carrera Cup...& yes Aperture 2...it is fast, very fast & so cool.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-16T16:03:53+08:00

I arrived back from Sepang in Malaysia last night, and today Aperture 2 walked into the door just in time for the test drive with all these images I took in Sepang at the F1 Circuit. ...I have to admit I am game sometimes, I installed Aperture 2 and after a few minutes was up and running, the very first thing I noticed was the speed and it was so much smoother, I have to get used to the new layout yet, but from what I have seen so far, that won't take long at all. ...All the images below of Marlon and the preparation of the Porsche Carrera Cup (Carrera Cup Series) on the Sepang F1 Circuit are direct from Aperture 2, I am having fun and more test driving over the weekend, using the images from this very fast and recent shoot. Marlon and Tom Stoeckinger are still in Sepang, Marlon running some more high speed lap's, and I am running my own high speed test on Aperture 2, I am very impressed with the driving skills of Marlon, but my first lap on Aperture 2 got me very excited, as with Marlon there be a lot more news coming and I guess with Aperture 2 as well. ...Marlon's website has been updated and so has the Aperture site, again timing is everything, check out the links and find out all the new features in Aperture 2 and the latest News with the 2008 Racing Calendar on Marlon Stockinger's website. or click the screen shots below.

The fast and furious...extreme contrast...Formula BMW Pacific, Sepang Malaysia & now Aperture 2...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-14T23:55:53+08:00

Four days ago the phone rang...hi Gunther this is Tom, how do you feel like going to Sepang Malaysia with me and Marlon for the Formula BMW Pacific trail/test runs prior the F1 Race later in March. ...This is fast very fast, shooting high speed with my Nikons the D2X and the D200, on the first day alone I went through some 1500 images and today was not much different, we start in the morning about 7AM until 6PM, then back to the Hotel eat and then I am editing on Aperture... only to find out during my stay in Kuala Lumpur that Aperture 2 has been released. ...During these tests trails with Marlon Stoeckinger it was a pleasure to work with Aperture, again and again what would I have done with out it, no way I could have done my editing in such a short time if you shoot some 8 frames per second you need Aperture. ...I will continue this story about a teenager, who is working his way up to become one of these days a Formula 1 driver, he is certainly going in the right direction, Marlon has just amazing driving skills for his age, 17 years to be exact. ...Marlon loves and listening to Nickelback on his iPod, and carries his Black Mac Book with him where ever he goes, like me I could not do all of this without Aperture... the fast and furious... sort off, but for sure contrast from one extreme to the other, romantic resorts in the pacific to a F1 Circuit, I guess it is never boring.

Latest News on the Digital Photo Center in Palau...updated PhotoShelter Archives...new images from Chuuk

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-11T14:35:27+08:00

The Digital Photo Center at Sam's Tours Palau, Micronesia, is getting more and more popular not only with photographers but with customers who just like to say hi to their loved ones...great timing for Valentines day. From the rental of Video Cams and small digital Canon Cameras...to the more pro, the ability to use Aperture...yes you can do all your own editing or let Sam's Tours staff help you with the safe keeping and storage of your images...and now available headphones for your connection and chatting away to your loved ones via Skype... ...The Survivor Micronesia series on TV may have shown you how fantastic Palau really is, and if you have missed Survivor Micronesia you can always check out some of my images on Palau and go to my PhotoShelter Archive or to the PhotoShelter Collection for all other special selected stock images including Micronesia, just click on the links... ...I have received today the images below from Dermot Keane the GM at Sam's Tours, Alex one of the Girls and a new DPC staff prepared them for us, thanks Alex. ...The Digital Photo Center is getting more and more popular and not only for Photographers, the iMac's are a perfect choice with their build in Camera.

Latest NEWS... updated PhotoShelter...new images available now!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-09T00:04:33+08:00

Late NEWS... just updated my PhotoShelter Archive with... new Images. ...New Aerials of Palau Micronesia, some very cool low light photography after sunset from the helicopter & New generic images of Palau... the more commercial ones. ...In the next few days there be some New images also from Chuuk Micronesia, available. A very special selection soon with NEW images on the PhotoShelter Collection site, just stay tuned for the announcement. ...I have just returned from a month shooting and all is done... without Aperture... impossible!

Photography and a smile with a heart... Chuuk Micronesia... Valentines day?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-08T19:40:33+08:00

I like to share one more of the images I took during my recent stay in Jan. at the Truk Stop Hotel and Dive Center, actually taken on our first night. ...I have cropped it to give it a more surreal feeling and a very slow shutter speed added to this nice effect. ...During my visit in Chuuk this girl was sitting just outside the Chuuk High School grounds, as I approached she smiled and I noticed the Golden Tooth with a Heart shape, I guess in Chuuk it could always be Valentines day... Very soon all these new images are available on my PhotoShelter Collection and in the PhotoShelter Archives, I announce their availability very soon. ...I guess you have to wait, stay tuned and have patience I let you know up on my return, but this is going to be very cool...

Support for the Chuuk High School...thank you all.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-06T17:08:20+08:00

Clark Graham and the High School in Chuuk, Micronesia..."not forgotten any more." For more information and the complete story go to my previous blog from the 27 01 2008 "The forgotten ones! ...It has been great news for the students at the Chuuk Public High School, we have managed to secure a Canon Digital Camera and an iBook from Gunther Taus in the Philippines, another Camera is coming from Andy Kerr's father in the US. The Power Mac Center in the Philippines is contributing some iBook accessories, etc.,etc and Apple US is supporting Clark Graham and his students with iLife and iWorks software. ...Photo courtesy, Arnold Munoz - GD on his MacBook Pro editing on Aperture in his room at the Truk Stop Hotel in Chuuk, Micronesia, the screen shows some of the images from the Chuuk High School, GD is also using iLife and iWorks, creating his own sound with GarageBand, iMovie for Podcast and loves Keynote for his presentations.

The Palau Pacific Resort & Mandara Spa Micronesia, the commercial images

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-04T19:52:52+08:00

We have just updated our commercial website with the latest images from our shoot at the Palau Pacific Resort, Micronesia. Below is a direct link to the Portfolio section, once you arrived there just click on the images and a Gallery will open up, double click for a bigger size image. ...If you ever get the chance or planning your next trip to Palau Micronesia, visit the Palau Pacific Resort or book your next vacation right there, it is a Paradise within a Paradise called Palau, or as I like to call it, "The Pearls of the Pacific." ...I have been visiting Palau for the past 15 years and never get tired of it, every-time I discover new and incredible landscapes and forms nowhere else to be found, I just love Palau for it's beauty above and below the waves, a Photographers paradise. You might think that I am raving on and on, that maybe so, but once you have visited and explored this marvel of nature you will agree with me.

A Digital Photo Center in Palau, Micronesia... and now in Puerto Galera Philippines...?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-03T16:53:50+08:00

The photography world has gone more and more digital, dive centers and dive shops opt for more reliable equipment these days, easy to connect and perfect for underwater photographers if you an amateur or pro. There is iLife with iPhoto or for the more advanced Aperture, you shoot and show your images as a slideshow minutes after you have uploaded them include you favorite soundtrack without ever leaving the software, or send an email to your relatives from your vacation. ... So, when you plan your next trip to Micronesia or the Philippines check out Sam's Tours In Palau or Divedojo in Puerto Galera, you find they are really connected, not only underwater but also above. My next blog in a few days is about the super support we have received so far for the High School Children in Chuuk, plus a lot more interesting articles from this part of the world. ...As the owner of Divedojo, a brand new dive shop in Puerto Galera, Philippines, I was immediately captivated by your blog on Apple Mac setups in Micronesia and the professionalism that they bring to the diver experience.

iPods…Aperture in Bali…now that is what I call integration.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-02-01T16:07:08+08:00

Here is an interesting story from Bali Indonesia… during one of my Aperture seminars in Jakarta last year, I met Eddy from E Max and he showed me around in particular a boutique hotel that featured iPods with sound systems in all the rooms. Now here is the twist, what has Aperture got to do with all of this… quiet a bit… if it had not been for the Aperture seminar in Jakarta I could have never advised a good friend and interior designer who was working at the time on the Luxury Hotel and Apartment Project, at the Outrigger O-CE-N Bali Hotel in Indonesia. Thomas ask me one day during his visits in Manila what I thought of the idea having iPods in all the Hotel rooms and if this could work, I laughed and said... problem solved…; about 8 month later he purchased 115 iPods and sound system from Eddy at E Max in Jakarta…read the letter below I have just received… sorry no images, they have to follow later, I am leaving for Bali to do the property shoot in March, plenty images up on my return. “ talking about integration” ...Let me take this opportunity to thank you both, for your professional assistance in advising sourcing and purchasing the 115 pcs iPOD NANO and the 115 pcs I HOME Black for ourLuxury Hotel and Apartment Project, at the Outrigger O-CE-N Bali Hotel in Indonesia. ...You had "O-CE-N "engraved on all our iPOD Nano's and the I home's have been delivered with the Euro electric plug, as requested by my client.

Mangroves on fire... plus a rainy day... Chuuk Micronesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-30T21:13:23+08:00

We have had an excellent feed back for our High School in Chuuk see my previous Blog, a donation came for an iBook and a couple of Cameras, this is great news for the students. The images below have been taken during my stay in Chuuk more of these and some new aerials from Palau will be available soon in my PhotoShelter collection, and some on my website under new images, please give me a few more days I am trying to catch up with all my back log in the office. In my next blog I am introducing also a new product which I have tested during my recent travel, no camera gear, this is from a Pharmaceutical company, real cool for your travel-kit and soon available in the Philippines as well, but more on that in a few days. Enjoy, both images have been taken the same day and from the same place, one at night the other one in the the morning during a tropical rainstorm. ...© Gunther Deichmann- "a rainy day" Chuuk Micronesia

The forgotten ones! Is this the future generation of Aperture…? A very interesting story from Chuuk, Micronesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-27T15:35:44+08:00

Clark who is a very dedicated volunteer (see his Bio below) managed to organize these iBooks for the Chuuk Public High School, an amazing task and a great opportunity for these Children in this remote part of the world. If you see the images you might understand a bit more about this public school, it is guys like Clark who dedicate their life to projects like these with the occasional help from Andy Kerr from Guam who was there this week on a visit to help out. ...Take this example; Clark has to take all the iBooks home everyday for security and get them charged for the next day, he does this at the Truk Stop Hotel since they have reliable power, also the only place in Chuuk with a wi-fi connection and sometimes Clark takes his students there for some learning experience on the net. ...I decided to help out a bit too, so on Friday morning I visited the school again to provide Clarks students some basic Photography lessons which he welcomed and thanked me for it, but then I should thank him for showing me something that not so many people are aware of, another learning experience and a reminder of the "forgotten ones". ...We are so blinded by too much technology these days, but here I saw something very beautiful, a group of Children with very little equipment getting some amazing results with just the basic iBook and sharing the only small digital camera patiently amongst each other.

Our last night at the Palau Pacific Resort before our Journey Continues to Chuuk Micronesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-23T22:30:34+08:00

The shoot at the Palau Pacific Resort completed - Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center is now up and running - our bags are packed for our next Journey to Chuuk Micronesia. Well almost, 2:30 AM sitting in my room and editing some last minute aerials using Aperture, yes I did go up again in the chopper, but more on that later with some very cool images of the Rock Islands shot at dusk. Now, I am ready to hit the bed when I looked out of my window and saw this incredible Moon set, yes not rise, the moon was setting, oh boy I grabbed my tripod and Camera and started to shoot until 3:45 in the morning from my Balcony, but it was worth every bit, again not much sleep, I'm getting used to it. In a day or so from Chuuk, another story... that one is so cool... you just have to stay tuned. There are people out there who really do care about other humans who are less fortunate "The forgotten ones", a great story from this remote part of the world and very much related to Mac and Aperture... just amazing.

Part two (2): Aperture... iMac... now at Sam's Tours... A First in Palau Micronesia - The Final Cut.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-23T20:26:20+08:00

Installation of the RAM was easy and went through without a glitch, then we upgraded all the iMac's to Leopard since the operating system was all on Tiger, now that was fine too, however we encountered some real problems in upgrading all six(6) iMac's due to the internet connection, that took us about 3 days to finish. Then we setup all the external hard drives for a perfect back-up system, not to forgot upgrading Aperture to 1.5.6 which was a little cumbersome, the latest update does not work via the 'Software Update', due to a glitch, we had to get it direct from the Aperture site, and after hours of downloading we were finally up and running. ...All six (6) iMac's are connected in the same network via the Airport Extreme Base Station for file sharing, perfect for photo workshops, we put a lot of emphasis on the back up system, so no matter what happens to your great underwater shots they'll be safe even after you leave Palau. ...All iMac's are wi-fi connected and have dedicated access to the internet, thanks to Arnold our I.T. guy making the DPC a virtual internet Cafe as well, a Video station is soon to be implemented as well, separate printing via an Epson printer is also available plus external CD/DVD burner with labeling ability. But there is a lot more... small Canon digital cameras with underwater housings are for rent and some new video cam's are available also, there you have it, diving with Sam's Tours has just gotten a lot better, thanks to the new Digital Photo Center, now you can leave your laptop at home, you are in good hands at Sam's Tours.

Leaving soon for Chuuk... Aperture/iMac up and running in Palau... a first in Micronesia...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-18T18:43:11+08:00

Soon we are leaving Palau and continue our Journey to Chuuk, Truk Lagoon, Sam's Tours is up and running with the Digital Photo Center and we have also finished our shoot at the Palau Pacific Resort. See below two more images from the last few days at this real great place. Once I am in Chuuk and caught up with some sleep I go into some more details regarding Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center, certainly a first in this part of the world, and using the management system of Aperture. More images also from behind the scene on my next blog a few days from now. I did prepare today a real cool slide show for my client at the Resort never leaving Aperture, and with some cool music from iTunes, all prepared from inside a smart Album.

Aperture... iMac... now at Sam's Tours... A first in Palau Micronesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-15T22:12:06+08:00

Our trained staff can assist you after the ‘dive workflow’, show your images to your friends while still on location with a impressive slide show, burn you images on CD/DVD for you to take home. ...All of this is now possible at Sam’s Tours Digital Photoshop, DSL wi-fi internet connection using Airport Extreme, but most impressive is the photo workstations, not only one but six high end iMac computers with all the software you ever going to need. ...In case you loose your CD/DVD, we backup your images for up to 60 days just send us an email and we will burn another copy of your CD/DVD and post it to you. ...That’s about it for now, I am very tired and need to get some rest, we follow up with part two in a couple of days, and explain in more details of this unique setup in Palau. ...Please stay tuned for more in depths details in my next blog, by the way our commercial shoot at the Palau Pacific Resort is also completed, some more training in the next few days for the staff at Sam’s Tours on the Leopard operating system and of course Aperture, we should be all sweet by the weekend before we proceed to Chuuk (Truk Lagoon)

Palau Micronesia… more great News & only 3 more days before...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-11T21:24:06+08:00

If you can guess what is going to happen on the 15th of January… at Sam's Tours the first email with the right answer can win... ...Our shoot at the Palau Pacific Resort is coming along fine; due to some rain the last few days we have decided to extend our stay a few extra days before traveling to Chuuk (Truk Lagoon). At least we dont have to rough it like the Survivor Palau Micronesia which had been recently filmed in this great part of the world, we have the comfort of the Palau Pacific Resort, the staff and management has been absolutely fantastic, when you plan your trip to Palau, I recommend you stay at the Palau Pacific Resort and dive with Sam’s Tours, the best of the best in Palau.. Next week starting the 13th I be reporting direct from Sam’s Tours from where we will fire up our big surprise. Then things will be very different at Sam’s concerning … opps… I almost slipped and let the cat out of the bag.

Aperture tip from Palau Micronesia...plus a very messy room...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-10T14:14:03+08:00

The above image is part of Aperture, set on Maximize Viewer, with a bunch of images taken during our stay and commercial shoot at the Palau Pacific Resort, Mandara Spa area. (check out the blog from the 08 01 08, our first from Palau) Above is my typical Hotel setup, MacBook Pro with two Lacie 160-Gig Rugged Hard drives, make sure if you go out and buy these drives that they have a triple interface, they also come with USB only, I love this setup, daisy chain the two drives with fire wire 800 and use the fire wire 400 to go to the Mac Book Pro. (A, B) The drive marked with A is where all my reference Aperture files go, the B is only for backing up drive A via the simple SilverKeeper software from Lacie, (if you purchase the drives the software comes with it) C is my high speed fire wire 800 Card reader, this one goes direct to the fire wire 800 outlet on the Mac Book Pro. ... This way we can upload all day our Cards with out having to worry and running out of storage space, it is advisable to connect your computer to the outlet since both fire wire Lacie drives take the power of your machine, however I have used this system in the field without the luxury of a hotel and this works fine for just two hours. ... My client ask me the other day if they could look at some of the images we have taken so far, well I said no problem lets use your conference room, setup the projector and I run an Aperture slide show with music from iTunes, it is that simple.

The battle with the connection speed... Palau Pacific Resort Micronesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-09T23:39:45+08:00

Oh Boy, this is really frustrating, the connection speed in Palau, I am trying so hard the last few days to get these blogs out, somehow we will manage, maybe not so many images this time around but I can always fire them out at a later date. A few more days to go before we will make our big announcement from Palau, the weather is getting better now and we had a good brake for some Helicopter work today, see the images from the Palau Pacific Resort below. My promised little tip on Aperture in the field I try to get out in the next few days or just before our announcement, please have patience the connection is a real problem over here, I wonder what it is going to be like later in the month when we go to Chuuk, Truk Lagoon. ...© Gunther Deichmann, Palau Pacific Resort, Micronesia © Gunther Deichmann, Aerial of the

Surviving in Palau Micronesia our first blog update...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-08T22:11:40+08:00

The connection is not the greatest, I have been trying for the past few days, well that is life in the Pacific, but we managed to get this one out. As you know we are in Palau, that is my trusted Assistant Hermes and myself, we are on a commercial shoot for the Palau Pacific Resort or better known as PPR, I keep this blog short and sweet since our connection speed is not so fast. The shoot is coming along just fine and in a few days I be able to bring you some Aperture tips as well, oh boy with out Aperture I be still messing around, how fast and easy commercial shoot have become, even the delivery of images direct to the client on site. Anyway more in a few days and remember our big announcement due between the 14 and 15th of Jan., yes that one will be big, so stay tuned. The image above is from the Mandara Spa located right here at the Palau Pacific Resort, now who says surviving in Palau is so difficult?

Leaving for Palau Micronesia and Chuuk...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-03T18:29:56+08:00

I am leaving for Palau Micronesia and Chuuk tomorrow the 4th of January, depends on my connection speed my blogs will be a bit light the next 3 weeks. However there be a major announcement around the 14 and 15th of this month, very exciting NEWS from Palau and a first in Micronesia. ...Between the 5th and 12th of Jan. we are at the Palau Pacific Resort for a major commercial shoot, I am sending out the occasional blog from there, with tips on Aperture on location, but not related to the other Big Event. However after the commercial shoot we get started and prepare for the big announcement, just hang in there we let you know soon enough..., I know I am really bad with my suspense and the only thing I can give a way at the moment, great News for Photographers visiting Palau after the 16th of January. ...I am leaving with my web master for Chuuk (Truk Lagoon) the world famous wreck diving destination in the pacific, for more photography and to set up a new website for our client, back in Manila around the 24th of Jan.

Live from Manila, Happy New Year

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2008-01-01T00:58:08+08:00

Live from Manila, sorry no sound, if I had included that your sound system would have blown up. Happy New Year. 12:30 Am 2008!

Late breaking News...BMW and Marlon... more speed on the Mac and one million...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-29T19:22:27+08:00

In support and due the his achievements we have managed to update Marlon Stoeckingers website before the end of the year,thanks to the speed of the Mac... please visit his site at: ...A new color scheme due to his success with BMW and an overall new design, more updates will be implemented soon. Congratulations again to Marlon and a very Happy New Year, from Gunther and his Team. Today the 29.12 2007 Gunther Deichmann's website has reached more than one million hits this year with over 30,000 visitors. http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

Aperture...PhotoShelter...Palau Micronesia...& a big surprise soon...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-29T07:30:24+08:00

It all started with the PhotoShelter Personal Archive, and for me it was the perfect solution in keeping my images away from the office (I am crazy when it comes to backups) in a completely different location, not only that but PhotoShelter makes another backup again. With the arrival of Aperture and shortly after the plug in from PhotoShelter things even got better, now I can be anywhere in the world provided I have a connection and upload my images into my archive. ...In the PhotoShelter Personal Archive I can store and make available thousands of my images in high resolution, currently some 3000 plus, organized in different countries, you can find them also via specific keywords, of course these are edited and include the images from my Book "Journey Through Color and Time" (pls. note: not complete yet) ...I keep you in suspense a bit, I love doing that, so keep your eyes peeled or subscribe to our blog, announcement date is going to be around the 14th of Jan. 2008 direct from Palau. ...A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân- yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

Not only Photographers can help to save our Planet...U2

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-26T14:13:39+08:00

Christmas is over, the New Year is approaching, as photographers we can help to get the message out there, the survival of our Planet is important for our younger generations. I have seen with my own eyes so many changes over the past 30 years, hence the images below. We have to do something and think about it now, before it is too late. ...To take care of the planet is to take care of our own house. ...A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân- yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

Formula BMW Pacific Scholarship Trials & speed on the Mac...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-22T16:40:48+08:00

At that time Tom had a deadline for some images and ask me to go through them, we imported them quickly into Aperture and an hour later it was done, saving his day and he kept his deadline. (all images had been shot in Raw with a Nikon D200) Marlon got his first iPod a couple of years ago and last year we set him up with a black MacBook, I think this is very cool a Mac user and now the proud winner of the prestigious BMW Formula Scholarship. ...Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Nineteen-year-old Australian Chris Wootton, Filipino-Swiss karter Marlon Stöckinger, 16, and South African Simon Moss, also 16, have each earned a Formula BMW Pacific scholarship following exhaustive trials held at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit from December 13 to 16. ...The Juniors, who were amongst 25 candidates from 12 different nations taking part in the trials, have each been offered 50,000 Euro (approximately 70,000 USD) of financial assistance towards the cost of a season in the region’s premier entry-level single seater series, as well as a full year in the unrivalled Formula BMW Pacific Education & Coaching programme. ...Manila-based Filipino-Swiss racer Marlon Stöckinger began his career in 2001 and has notched up an impressive record of karting achievements, becoming Asian Karting Champion in 2006 (125 Open Category and Senior Rotax Max Class), and representing the Philippines in the Rotax Max DD2 World Finals in Portugal that year.

Nocturnal Photographers-Night Owl's Festival of Lights in Berlin

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-20T21:44:03+08:00

Berlin lights up during the month of October, the next light show is in 2008, if it happens and you travel through Europe why dont you swing by Berlin, watch the show and if you feel up to it try your skills on some real night photography. ...Also this year, the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS™ turned Berlin into a sparkling metropolis with a firework of illuminations and events for two weeks from 16 to 28 October. ...The City Foundation Berlin, the Union Investment Real Estate AG, the light artist Andreas Boehlke and the festival director Birgit Zander with her agency Zander & Partner Event-Marketing are the initiators and organisers of the festival. ...Initiatoren und Organisatoren des Festivals sind die City Stiftung Berlin, die Union Investment Real Estate AG, der Licht-Desginer Andreas Boehlke sowie Festivalorganisatorin Birgit Zander mit ihrer Agentur Zander & Partner Event-Marketing. ...A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân

PhotoShelter news & update of our main web site...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-19T21:31:23+08:00

To make it more easy for you and if you cant remember all these links we have updated my website, (just a little bit) a new button Commercial (see the red squares) has been added this links you direct to the commercial photography site. ...See below the new image and the latest information for you buyers, PhotoShelter is continuous updating and improving their site, and I will update you again when more new info is available. ...For those of you who have been watching the TV show Survivor Micronesia check out the Blog from the 17 12 07 for our up coming Photo Workshop in Palau with Tony Wu at Sam's Tours, hey and lucky me, I am leaving for Palau and Chuuk Micronesia on the 4th of January. ...Our search results display has been updated to include a drop-down menu of pages, so buyers may now jump to a particular page of results instead of scrolling through each page to find the images they were seeking ...A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi -

Aperture, Photography on Mac, training dates at the Power Mac Center Dec. 2007

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-18T16:43:25+08:00

If you in Manila for the Holiday Season why dont you take the opportunity and drop by the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt Makati, for the last session of the year, an intro into "Photography and the Mac" and for the more advanced a "one on one session on Aperture", for details please contact the Power Mac Center @ training@powermaccenter.com or www.powermaccenter.com Looking forward to see you. "Happy Holidays" Gunther Deichmann _____________________________________

Breaking NEWS! Palau Photo workshop... the final dates.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-17T19:03:55+08:00

I have just received word and given confirmation about the final dates on the Photo Workshop in Palau Micronesia with Sam's Tours. ...Tony Wu one of Asia's best underwater photographers ( editor of Fins Magazine) and Gunther Deichmann well renown for his landscape and surface shots (also a certified Apple Pro trainer for Aperture) have organized this exciting event at Sam's Tours. More details will be announced shortly, for reservations and bookings please contact Dermot Keane from Sam's Tours at:www.samstours.com ...Plan your trip now for an exciting Photo Workshop above and below in Palau Micronesia, shoot with Tony Wu at Blue Corner and other great dive sites, journey with Gunther Deichmann to some of the best locations above in Palau and learn the digital workflow after the shoot. For our Mac/Apple friends there is a big surprise waiting for you at Sam's very, very soon this will be announced on this Blog and at : http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

We can make a difference...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-15T16:48:58+08:00

Mother planet is showing us the red warning light. ... To take care of the planet is to take care of our own house. ...Let's hope for a greener and more environment ...A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

Power Mac Center training, specials for Christmas & readers contest...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-14T13:30:24+08:00

For your wife/girlfriend maybe a nice iPod or even a cool looking Mac Book...there is so much to choose from or go to the Shutter Box Philippines and join the readers contest for Christmas 2007. Having difficulty in handling all this tech stuff, not a problem the Power Mac Center is offering a lot of Free training. ... Trainings are from 6PM to 7PM at the Power Mac Training Center, 2nd Floor, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City, Philippines. Some trainings that would probably interest photographers are the Color Management training, iLife ‘08 training since it has iPhoto and the session which you probably wouldn’t want to miss…. ...For inquiries and registration, call +63.2.729.7087 or +63.2.729.7088 or email training@powermaccenter.com

Is the photography market changing?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-12T12:29:28+08:00

There are some editors out there today which are not qualified to make these important decisions, the lack of training and experience, not only in photography; we have the net yes, but with a lot of useless images to choose from. ...Actually some of them are designers not even editors, as I am watching the trend of today more designers and graphic artist make the final decisions in the end, they prepare the layout, nothing wrong with that. (photographers out there keep in mind and shoot the same subject vertical and horizontal, when ever possible). ...There is a real saturation of very good and very bad images out there, turn on your computer and check with Flickr or Picasso not to mention all the others who sell or offer images for a Dollar or two. ...Here is a very good example; I recently had one of my images rejected I was told it was to saturated… I guess the editor at that time though this must have been tweaked in the computer… wrong is was shot on Kodachrome 25 and scanned afterwards, besides I love strong colors, this is me, my style, my photography. ...I feel there is a lack of responsibility in some editors today, hey not all of them, but there are lot of them out there who don’t have a clue and this has nothing to do with the new age and digital photography.

A very good Aperture tip...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-10T20:45:53+08:00

I have been using this technique since day one, sorry that I have not mentioned this before, I guess I am so used to it, if you ever have been to one of my workshops then you know, I do explain this in details, for those who don't, then read the full story from David Schloss. David Schloss from Aperture User Professional Network (AUPN) has beaten me to it, thanks David and I have to admit, this is one of the better and useful Aperture tips in a long time. ...We talk a lot in our Road Tour classes about the workflow needed to keep a Library on a desktop and a laptop system up to date, but truth be told, I rarely bother with any of that. When I'm traveling for a shoot, I usually don't need to have my existing Library file with me—it would be easy to take it with me, all my images are referenced and so my whole Library is relatively small—because images in previous shoots rarely have bearing on my current shoots... more ...This is great for all your travel photographers go and check it out @ http://www.apertureprofessional.com/

The ugly things I have to shoot sometimes.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-08T18:57:53+08:00

We are again at the end of the year, wow how fast this one past... but then not as fast then the disappearance of our animal species. ...The worldwide human population was 1 billion in 1600, 1.5 billion 100 years ago, and is over 6 billion today. At the same time, the species extinction rate has increased to one species a day. If this continues, it will cause a dramatic drop in the diversity of life on our planet, which will most certainly have serious effects. If you have any interesting images related to the environment or stories to tell, please let me know and I try to incorporate these in my Blogs, thank you.

Photo tip... images from 30000 feet

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-05T19:12:07+08:00

For many of us it is this time a year when we go on vacation and for others it is a lot of hard work. If you one of the lucky ones and fly home to your family or take your vacation try and get a good window seat on the plane, avoid the middle section since the wings can get in your way. ...The two shots below have been taken from a commercial Jetliner, I guess at about 30000 feet, one near the Russian/Polish border (I did ask the stewardess where we where at that time) and the other one on my way to Lhasa from Chengdu in China. (this one was not as high, approaching Lhasa) Remember when you try this, you have to make sure to press the lens right onto the window, have your auto focus switched off and you might have to move around a bit to avoid glare, use a fast shutter speed and whola, you be amazed how things look on a good day from these heights. If you don’t have this magic window seat, you can always ask politely for somebody to move for a few minutes to give you the nice view.

Kevin Costner and my friend Mark Cox

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-12-01T22:42:46+08:00

Photography and fossils... the last blog has started something, it is just amazing how small our world really is, besides the things you learn about your friends you thought you knew. I have received the email see below from Mark Cox, Mark was also part of our recent workshop in Cambodia, he read the last blog about the Trilobite and send me this in return. This gets to show you the sort of Guy he is, never talked about it before, a great guy, good friend and very humble on top of it. ...I don't know how you do it, looks fantastic, lucky I was there the other day watching you do all this ! now I have better insight, thanks for that Boss, I also found recently an old photo of me & Kevin Costner !!!

What has a Trilobite fossil to do with photography?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-29T20:05:18+08:00

Maybe my background in Paleontology has something to do with it, I really dont know, but now and then they keep coming back to me... the old days, when roaming the quarries for fossils. ...Recently announced, we fired up our new commercial photography website and under the category Ad's & Campaign's there you find a fossil (Ammonite) been used in one of the Ad's see below. ...Today I like to talk about a giant Trilobite which had been recently discovered, oh boy this one is a real whopper, see below the complete story, a bit from the past and you might ask what have fossils in common with photography? ...We used one of my Ammonites before in an Ad for light switches and now the Trilobite from my old collection is in Aperture, commercial photography and fossils, read the story which I have picked up from the BBC below, "million of years ago," very interesting dont you think. ...In July 1998, a team of scientists set out for northern Manitoba hoping to find fossils similar to those uncovered by previous digs, like the 43-cm (17-inch) long trilobite excavated in the area a decade before.

The official blog for the New GD commercial photography site

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-26T20:59:13+08:00

2007 © Gunther Deichmann Please see my recent Blog regarding the NEW commercial photography site, we have launched this a few days ago, but with many new ventures made a few more changes since then. Now it is all out there, please remember that my stock images are available on PhotoShelter, unless you have a very specific request, then of course you can contact us direct. We added some important links from my supporters and made a few minor adjustments, fixed some text and changed a few images. All related links are on my previous blog.

New commercial photography web site and very important NEWS about PhotoShelter and stock images

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-24T11:45:34+08:00

It must have something to do with the month of November, last year the launch of my book Journey Through Color and Time, and the complete update of the main website. This year again in November I like to announce due to frequently requests our new commercial photography website, representing some of my commercial work over the past few years. Please visit this new site for photography, concepts, design, advertising, media representation and websites. ...We made also a few changes on my main site, now with direct links to this commercial site, the stock images have all been re directed to my PhotoShelter site at: ...For a very exclusive selection of my images you can now visit my

Micronesia exposed in Fins Magazine, Nov. 2007

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-20T15:27:22+08:00

The current issue of Fins Magazine is featuring a nice 12 page article on Micronesia, please see below some excerpts from this current issue, you can download the whole article direct from their website at: http://www.finsonline.com/magazine/vol_6_6/ or go to my site in a few days and you find the pdf file under publications at: ...Stretching from the Marshall Islands just west of Hawaii to theCaroline Islands east of the Philippines, and from the Marianas Islands to the north and Gilbert Islands to the south, Micronesia has less combined land area than the smallest state in the United States, yet more ocean area than the entire mainland USA. ... For scuba divers, the islands of Palau (or Belau), an independent republic since 1994, and the island states of Yap, Chuuk,Pohnpei and Kosrae, which make up the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) are of the greatest interest. ...Although the island has now reverted to using its more traditional name of Chuuk, it’s known to many scuba divers as Truk, a destination world-renowned for its a vast collection of intact WWII Japanese shipwrecks, sunk during Operation Hailstone by aerial attacks launched from US Fast Carrier Attack Groups in 1944............ ...“The whole of Micronesia is still relatively unexplored and a sheer paradise, with all its remote atolls and small islands covered with bird rookeries, and islands inhabited by only a dozen or so people.”

Popular Photography & imaging and American Photo presents

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-17T21:43:09+08:00

20+ Simple, Useful, Clever, Fun Ways to Get Better Photos PopPhoto.com the online home of Popular Photography & imaging and American Photo, they have just published a small article/tip of mine on photography plus a lot more. ...20+ Simple, Useful, Clever, Fun Ways to Get Better Photos ...Pros, readers, and Pop Photo editors share their secrets for taking your photography beyond the ordinary. ...When pro Gunther Deichmann (www.deichmann-photo.com) makes portraits in areas where the subjects might be shy, such as a remote village in Tibet,

The most important lens for the Photographer needs “repair.”

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-16T21:01:55+08:00

The old saying goes …”through the lens of …” I be live it should say “through the eyes of …”, I have mention this many times before, it is the eyes which see the subject first and not the lens, without the eyes and of course our soul we cant create this magic image in the first place, Right. I guess it is in all of us, like children with a new toy having just bought that new Camera, Lens or the latest software, how can we make adjustments or even looking at our images on the Computer if our eyes have a problem. ...Without going into to many details my vision is fantastic again, with the camera and on the Computer and I mean real fantastic, OK I have to take some medication for a week or so, have one or two more check ups but that is about it, technology is out there and it is real good, not that cheap but for the first time in my life I bought the very best lens and I can see my old friends again clearly, he he. ...So there you have it, before you go shopping for a new lens, get your eyes checked and if you need to go through the Cataract Surgery don’t complain about the cost, (some of my lenses are a lot more expensive) remember Your Eyes are your biggest assets and not only in Photography. ...The old saying goes …”through the lens of …” I believe it should say “through the eyes of …”, maybe some of the writers on photography should be rephrasing the old saying, it is not the camera or the lens, it is You and Your Eyes, the hardware and software are only tools and not the creator, the painter uses his brush and Canvas as a tool, he or us photographers have to see it first before we can record it.

Aperture - PhotoShelter - Photo workshops plus a lot more...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-13T19:20:42+08:00

Like with all new things, they need time to mature before you can see any real benefits, there are potential sales and of-course have the piece of mind that your most important images are stored in a different location, I am very famous for preaching back up, back up and more back ups, remember this is your work and for me, it is my life. ...Check out the new The PhotoShelter Collection, the site is ready for business and as mention above I advise and provide you with the link to my personal Micro site soon, some of my very special images have been already integrated on this site. By the way the GDPhotoWorkshop site has now all the latest info on up coming Photo workshops in 2008, for Cambodia everything is in place, Palau and Tibet will follow shortly, just go to the link and make your reservation if you interested. http://www.gdphotoworkshop.com/home.html ...We have also up dated our Blog page on the GDPhotoWorkshop site and this one, we made it easier for you now to search and navigate through articles and information, just check below the YouTube Logo and you see the changes. You might have noticed also that Gunther Deichmann's main site and the GDPhotoWorkshop site have now been cross linked, you go to either one of them and you can get to the other direct from the front page.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia 1992, GD and another black and white story

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-10T20:21:34+08:00

Sometimes when you go through your old images you come across some amazing things, the other day I went trough my files from 1992 looking at Cambodia, it was at that time that Pol Pot had just been outsted and the UN arrived the same day I did. I was on an assignment for Animan magazine to cover the Mekong River, Phnom Penh was one of the stops, it was just like the “Wild West” back then, guns everywhere, Angkor Wat was still off limits due to the heavily mined area and many other places, shooting in Phnom Penh proved to be quiet something during that time. One morning near our Hotel I saw this busted large water pipe, flooding the entire area with muddy brown water, a few minutes later some young boys appeared and jumped right into the muddy “current”, having real fun on this hot and humid day in Phnom Penh. The original image was taken in color, (not much color anyway since everything was muddy and brown) so when I came across it the other day, I imported the scanned tiff file into Aperture and converted it into a cool looking B/W. As mentioned in one of my earlier Blog post I love contrast and strong colors, however once in a while on these rare occasions the

New Palau images on Photoshelter now

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-08T20:22:17+08:00

Just for your information, the latest images of Palau are now available in PhotoShelter, please click the link below and go to my Gallery "Latest Images from Palau Micronesia" Some cool new aerials and others... http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann GD

SURVIVOR PALAU - Lost in the Rock Islands?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-08T16:50:30+08:00

I have picked up this Blog post from Dermot Keane, GM of Sam's Tours in Palau and if you a diver you have to check out their website at: ...Diving in Palau Micronesia is just out of this world, not to mention the spectacular Rock islands, I believe Palau is still one of the last great places left on Earth where nature is at its very best, I guess that is the reason for TV Channels like Survivor, Discovery Channel and National Geographic for keep coming back for the production of a variety of shows, explore and discover Palau above and below ...It's no secret that Survivor is back in Palau shooting a second show but I wonder if the contestants locked away on one of Palau's myriad islands battling it out with one another really know what they're missing? Sam's Tours marketing agent, good friend and professional photographer Gunther Deichmann who was just in Palau for Sam's Tours recent 17th Anniversary Celebration, shared a few images with me that he just shot during his last trip. He took a flight with "Matt the Pilot" from PALAU HELICOPTERS and added some more aerials to his library and although I've seen Palau myself from the air many times, I'm still amazed by the stunning beauty of the green carpeted Rock Islands.

Latest news and updates on GD Photo Workshops and photography info

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-06T12:23:16+08:00

Important NEWS and updates on the GD PhotoWorkshop to Cambodia-Palau-Tibet in 2008. Please check the blog which I just posted on the PhotoWorkshop site, besides more details on these workshops you find some interesting information on other Photography related issues. Just click the link below, thank you. ...© Gunther Deichmann, Palau, Micronesia 2006 © Gunther Deichmann, Tibet 2006

Aperture,GarageBand and PhotoShelter. On the road again...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-03T22:57:10+08:00

The changing way of stock photography... with PhotoShelter and Aperture, you find the link for the Podcast below, enjoy! ...Very soon there are some very exciting things happen with PhotoShelter, a big launch in New York on Nov,12th the new PhotoShelter Collection is here, check the PhotoShelter website for more details, I must admit and I am not looking back since I have joined PhotoShelter and it all started some time ago with the Plugin direct from Aperture, I have just shot some 1500 images in Palau Micronesia, but I am already organized and some of these new ones are ready for viewing on my PhotoShelter Gallery in a day or so, have to sort the images for my client out first, I better. Aperture and PhotoShelter are my constant companions now during my journeys, it is so easy and so efficient, I even have time now to create some music when I am on the road with GarageBand, this one I did in between shots in Palau, "on the road again," sounds familiar. ...Enjoy the sound track which I created in Palau one evening, no TV anyway, plenty of time left for some editing and GarageBand,I guess some of you have seen how fast I had some of these new images up and running on my Aperture Gallery, see my last Blog: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

The Colors of Palau, Micronesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-11-01T20:37:58+08:00

Palau Pacific Resort and a few beers at sunset. I just arrived back from Palau Micronesia, and so many things happen during my visit, Sam's Tours Grand Opening and 17th Anniversary, all new facilities are fully operational now, read the blog post from Dermot Keane the General Manager at: http://www.alliancediving.com/blog/ The Survivor TV show shooting their latest episode as we speak, of course they are very secret about everything, then the Discovery Channel shooting at the same time a new story on the Bone Detectives and to top it all an international Canoe Race competition "The Micronesia Cup" was held at the same time, participants from Guam, Singapore, Palau,Japan, Australia, Patagonia and many others competing in this race, talking about a buzzing Palau. I had the chance of buzzing around in the Helicopter, thanks to Matt from Palau Helicopters, Matt is a good old Australian and a fantastic Pilot, it was just like the good old days from Down Under when I was chasing Cattle in the outback. After one of the Helicopter rides, Matt and myself met up with my friend Dermot from Sam's Tours at the Palau Pacific Resort for a beer at sunset, a great way of finishing the day, see the image above, for more new images from my recent trip to Palau please go to my Aperture web gallery just click here.

An Alien afternoon...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-10-24T13:56:34+08:00

© Gunther Deichmann, Cuttlefish Sepia sp. - Alien afternoon... Hi everybody... I am leaving this afternoon for a short one week trip to Palau to be with my friends and client at Sam's Tours, they are celebrating the Grand Opening for the completely renovated Sam's Tours premisses, the big party is on the 26 of October and I give you a full report with images once I am back next week, but now I have to run hence this Alien afternoon.... so much to do and no time left. Until soon, Cheers Gunther

PDN PhotoPlus - are we getting to technical? Photography is...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-10-22T18:57:04+08:00

Let us be inspired by images from the masters of today and the past, we can learn so much from them, by just browsing through their images, take the good old Nikon FM2, now that is a real camera, manual everything, OK things have changed even for me I am also all digital, but nothing has changed the way I shoot, we must not forget, that it is not the camera which takes these great shots, it is only a tool, it is you and you alone who create these images, remember the image is created before you press the shutter and that is YOU. ...To finish what has been on my mind for quiet sometime is also the software, from Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture, yes we need this now, but again how much do we really need, pages and pages on the internet, I call it total over saturation, is there some one out there who can explain some of these softwares in more simple terms, then maybe more people could understand them and if I like to go into depths with it, then I just buy a good old book. ...The way we think these days, well I messed up this shot... easy I can fix it in Photoshop, wrong thinking, that is why I like softwares like Aperture, you cant move things around, get the image right in the first place and dont relay on Photoshop... that is not Photography. OK I made a mistake and underexposed by 2 stops, Aperture can fix that, but so could the darkroom before by push processing or clip testing, but the lab could not move and retouch things out of your frame and that is why I love Aperture and of course the ability to sort and file thousands of images, now that is an improvement from the old days. As an Apple Certified Trainer for Aperture, I have embraced this software long before I become certified, my new darkroom... you dont get even tempted to move heads around..because you cant do it, but I can make some correction just like before, the good old fashion way, plus having the ability to sort and store thousands of images... what else do I need!

Books, Photoworkshop and much more in the current issue of i-mag magazine

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-10-19T14:52:29+08:00

New guidebooks on Palau Micronesia and Puerto Galera in the Philippines have been given some nice write ups in the i-mag Photography Magazine, a paradise pair, Palau and Puerto Galera two of the best dive destinations in the Asia pacific region. ...They have also published in the same issue a nice article on the recent GD PhotoWorkshop in Cambodia with the Philippine Center for Creative Imaging or PCCI. ...The i-mag Photography Magazine was very quick and published in their current issue a nice article from our GDPhotoWorshop in Siam Reap, Angkor Wat, Cambodia. The images are from the workshop participants and text by Jun Miranda, including the image from Luis Harder, who won the Apple Aperture software, with his photo of the little boy, the bike against the brown wall. ...For more information or if you like to view some of the images in our Gallery from the participants, please click this link:

Fast feedback on Aperture and Black/White, blog posted today

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-10-17T21:39:49+08:00

I have just posted Aperture Black and White adjustments a few hours ago, and now this nice letter from David in Australia, thanks David. Well, on my other Blog talking about the Photography Festival in Cambodia, as you can see announcements good or bad can pave the way, please read what David has to say. ...I don't think anyone has thought of doing B/W out here, at least I can't find any examples, other than the old historical work, which of course is a totally different genre. ...I have two Linhofs, a 6x9 and 4x5 plus a Toyo monorail and a suitcase of lenses for each - also a 6x12cm back for the Technika IV 4x5. It seems that the downsizing of the Big Two film manufacturers has opened up the market for a number of old style sheet film brands, like Foma and Efke.

Aperture Black and White adjustments

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-10-17T16:03:50+08:00

I am very much of a color person, however when you return from a trip like Cambodia, or be more specific Siam Reap and Angkor Wat, you start to think when you look at your images. ...Once you have your Raw files imported you just highlight the image you think could look good in BW, then you go to the adjustment panel click on the one with the + sign and now another panel opens up which contains the Monochrome Mixer, click on that one and there you go BW, but it gets a lot better than this, you have the options just like in the old days with film to experiment with different filters like red, orange, yellow, green and blue, every-time you click on one of these filters the image is changing, now it is up to you what you like best, there are so many more other adjustments you can choose from, this is just a quick way for you to see if the image looks better in Black and White, maybe you like Sepia, it is in the same adjustment panel, again the choice is yours. I am a color Photographer but I found that some of the images from these ancient ruins look real great if not better in BW, so if you using Aperture give it a try and see what happens, it is so easy but the best part is if you dont like the changes you made your original is all out there in its colorful glory, Aperture never touches your Original. Last but not least, if you like to compare the two images, BW with the color one, then just hit the letter "M" on your keyboard, toggle on and of and see the difference. Please see below some images from the last trip, converted into Black and White, for more images (sorry all in color) please go to my website at: www.deichmann-photo.com

The Angkor Photography Festival

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-10-15T21:19:04+08:00

It has been a year, well almost that I attended the Apple seminar with other top Asian photographers on Aperture, being on the advisory board for Aperture, we have come a long way since, all this happen during the Angkor Photography Festival in 2006. ...I have just returned from Siam Reap from a Photo workshop and now next month the Festival again for the the 3rd year running. ...Unless you are a Photographer and that is in question too, as a matter of fact I only found out about a month ago about this years program, maybe we as Photographers should not do the organizing, this is suppose to be for all, not only for Pro Photographers but upcoming ones too. A super Idea and for sure down the road a success but only if everybody knows about it and not only a small group of people, I sincerely hope that this years festival shows more than just images of war, turn on CNN you have it everyday, I know the past only to well, I have been traveling to Cambodia since 1992, but believe me there is also so much beauty out there, not only the past, lets not forget it by all means, but lets try to take in the beauty around us, the Cambodians are some of the nicest people I have met and the culture is just beyond your imagination. ...I hope this year is going to be better, I be there for sure and I keep my eyes, ears and mind open, I have tried to make a donation this year but the organizers did not listening, nothing big, but every little bit counts I guess, or does it not anymore.

Cambodia and a reunion at the Penguin Cafe... the journey continues.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-10-13T15:56:39+08:00

It happen last night, after I finished at the Power Mac Center in Makati with another seminar on Photography and Aperture, I met up with Bebet Gaudinez one of the participants from the Cambodia Workshop. ...We had spend some time together in Cambodia during our Photo Workshop but never realized that we had so much in common, Bebet is the first Filipino I met and I know who plays the Australian Dideridoo, and knows one of my favorite bands Yothu Yindi from Downunder, Bebet actually played in the Band who performed during this years Australian Day at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, I attended the function but had no Idea who was playing the Dideridoo, now I know. ...We had a great time, listening to some cool sounds at the Penguin Cafe and chatted about Photography, Music, Cambodia and Tibet all night, we also talked about getting together for a Jam session soon, his friend who plays the flute, Bebet on the Dideridoo and myself on the Mac mixing and recording on GarageBand, I am really looking forward to this one, that is going to be one hell of a session. ... I like to thank Bebet for all the drinks, food and entertainment, I had a real great and relaxing evening, thank you so much. Music and Photography... how well they go together, I cant be with out it, and after last night I guess I am not the only one, Bebet will join me next year in July/August on my GDPhotoWorkshop to Tibet, lets see if he gets the chance to play the big Horns the Monks are playing during festival time at 3800 meters.

The Journey continues...

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-10-08T16:40:23+08:00

I have up graded my website for my book Journey Through Color and Time, now the Journey continues, a fresh approach, more images from the book, great music and some video clips on the podcast pages an archive plus a lot more information. It has been a year since the launching of my book, well almost, 15th of November 2006 to be exact. The website for the book has been around but in the meantime a lot of things have happen on the website front, with the arrival of iLife 8, well a lot of great stuff has now been incorporated, as matter of fact, most of it is brand new and so much faster. ...Creating the music in GarageBand, once that part is out of the way I just go to iWeb and stay there, have access to all my images including my Aperture Library, plus a very cool new assortment of templates to go with, now you dont have to be a rocket scientist any more, you can do it too and it is so much fun. There is a podcast dedicated to PhotoShelter, "Photo Stock Blues" another one for the Heritage Suite Hotel "Heritage Hotel Brandy Blues" and the cool one called "The Journey continues" these three are very new and I hope you like it, but enough now, check it out on the link below, watch, view and listening to the cool sounds, sit back and enjoy, let the Journey continue... as for me, I am going to have a Brandy right now.

"Man's best friend", the land-mines of Cambodia and beyond Angkor Wat.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-10-02T20:21:59+08:00

Like many other Photographers we try to to show the good side of life, but in this case I like to bring to everybody's attention, the madness and sadness still visible for many years to come in Cambodia, where ever you go or travel in this sheer beautiful Country you came across some one who has suffered beyond you imagination. These are the land-mine Victims of Cambodia, at one point one of the heaviest land-mined countries in the world, most of the mines have been cleared now, but there are still some hidden in remote regions. ...Yes, indeed hard words but a reality, think for a moment and try to understand, I myself did a lot of thinking during many trips to Cambodia, but I never will understand this madness, War and Land-mines for what? A simple farmer attending to his needs and then boom......., burned, blind and lost limbs, who can take care of his children and family now? Please think about it when traveling through out Cambodia, support these unfortunately people, even a little will go a long way, but please dont close your eyes and just walk past as if nothing happens, it did, dont ignore it.

Podcast and an interesting image; Darling where is the Casino?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-09-30T15:20:43+08:00

I have decided to make a quick podcast from all the GDPhoto workshop participants, with some cool sounds created in GarageBand, from Aperture to iPhoto and QuickTime easy on a Mac and a lot of fun too. For more images on our participants please click here. Check it out at the link below, you find this one and some others also on YouTube, ...you all know, I love red and contrast.

Protect Cambodia Heritage sites

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-09-29T17:06:49+08:00

For more stories related to Angkor Wat and Siam Reap in Cambodia please go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7015647.stm ...Looting is evident even at protected Angkor Wat Cambodia has invited international law enforcement agencies to help protect the country's ancient temples. ...US agents and local officers have been meeting in Siem Reap to discuss ways of protecting what is left. ..."What we did in those cases was prosecute the people who smuggled the goods in - and the people who accepted the goods in the US." ...For Cambodia, stopping the looting is partly a matter of pride - the towers of Angkor adorn the national flag - but as tourism grows, so does the economic importance of preserving ancient treasures.

The winning shot, Cambodia, Aperture and a lot more!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-09-27T17:55:59+08:00

Now back in Manila, we made arrangements to meet with Lawrence C Sison from the Power Mac Center to claim his prize, the Apple Aperture Software, for more information on Aperture please click here I like to thank Lawrence C Sison from the Power Mac Center for all his support and sponsor ship, also my gratitude to Apple Singapore for their support. We have now started our Gallery with images from the participants, "Best Images" have included a new feedback page and more up dates on other up coming events check it out at: ...During all workshops we collect more images from the participants and after 12 month choose the top Photos for our grand prizes, however there is always one winner in each workshop at the current location, just like the shot we choose from Luis. ...Now you find an additional button at the bottom on the left hand side at the Home page "GD New Images”, this new page will be updated every time I return from one of my Workshops or other destinations.

From Cambodia to Celebrate the Sea

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-09-23T20:42:48+08:00

As you know, I just arrived back from Cambodia, two days of catching up with some email back log, and then straight into the Celebrate the Sea Festival in Manila Philippines, this major international event was hosted for the first time in the Philippines. ...Many international speakers and guests joined this festival just to name a few: David Doubilet National Geographic Photographer, Daniel Mercier Founder of the Antibes World Festival of Underwater Pictures, Emory Kristof Underwater Discoverer, Emory created the designs of the camera system which found the Titanic. He led photographic surveys of the 6th-century wreck San Diego in the Philippines in 1993., Amos Nachoum Underwater photographer Amos Nachoum has led National Geographic expedition teams with Dr. ...Amos Nachoum had a problem with his Mac Book Pro Charger, but one phone call to the Power Mac Center solved his problem and he was up and running again, then I talked to Music Composer Eric Bettens from Belgium about his fantastic underwater sounds and music created using Logic Pro, a great event with some very interesting people, for more information on Celebrate the Sea please go to the Philippine - Micronesia Alliance Blog, click here. Now I need a few days rest and catch up with some more paperwork, I did receive however another very nice email from one more participant from the Cambodian workshop please see below, these guys just dont stop, thanks again for everything.

More nice words from my cool workshop participants

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-09-22T15:57:57+08:00

As mention in my earlier blog, all the participants have been so great and kind with their comments on my recent workshop in Cambodia, thank you again so much, ...and greenest one among the "great bunch", I have to say I probably learned the most from you and even some of the guys (Kuya Luis was really great with encouraging me). This experience has taught me not to be content on just waiting for the moment but going out and looking for it. ...Hope to shoot with you again and perhaps a couple of beers in Malate/Penguin. ...I heard from Francis that everyone had a great time with the workshop.

I am back from Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-09-19T18:47:16+08:00

Although I have the tendency to shift to my own world when we hit the road for our photo shoots – I always have in my mind the images in your book and the lessons and insights you have unselfishly shared to us in the class. ...I can't begin to tell you what an amazing time I had in Cambodia with you & the amazing people we did the course with, History was in the making I think. ... Not only these things are special to me but you have inspired me even more, plus my friendship to you has grown even more, for this my friend I thank you for the bottom of my heart . ...As for my new friends please could you pass on this mail to the wonderful people that accepted me as a fellow photographer, you were all very special to me & am excited about new adventures together. All in all I'm complete & extremely happy with everything the monks were wonderful for the icing on the cake & the hotel everyone was fantastic, last but bby no means the least our trusty guide, which I could never pronounce his name, thanks so much.

More images from Cambodia and the highlight from the last day.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-09-16T20:00:00+08:00

I am writing this blog from Cambodia, the group has left and I stayed behind for a few extra days, I have provided a direct link to my Aperture Web Gallery of images behind the scene. Images of the participants in action, our Hotel and rooms plus a Buddhist blessing right at the Hotel for the whole group on our last day. I have to say this group or I call them just a great bunch, have been real cool and some of them booking for Tibet already, we are also planning some more Workshops in Cambodia and of course stay at the Heritage Suite Hotel, again my special thanks to the management in particular to Sylvie and Fabrice for arranging a real Buddhist blessing on our last day. Many thanks to all and see you soon again for some great Photography, Aperture of course made my life easy during the editing and going direct to the Web Gallery without any problems. ...For more images from this last workshop please go to my Aperture Gallery,

Direct from Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-09-11T23:19:00+08:00

This is only a quick one just to let everybody know, we had a great time and some of the images from the participants turned out just fantastic, my personal thanks to all who attended this workshop in Siam Reap, Cambodia. ...More details will follow once I finished with all the editing and find more time. ...Our very first winner for this event is Luis Harder, he hit it right on, the assignment or subject was to come up with an image which had nothing to do with temples, he took the shot below near the Heritage Hotel. ...There are so many stories to tell and some great images to show from the last few days, and once I am back we have our special galley up soon on the GDPhotoWorkShop web site. ...A very special thanks to the management and staff from the Heritage Hotel, a real surprise will follow in my next blog, so please stay tuned or subscribe.

A quick tip for our Aperture users in Siam Reap, Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-09-05T21:59:21+08:00

You dont have to wait until we get there, not at all, take a few minutes and set up your Aperture Library now, before the Journey begins. You all know we are going to Cambodia; just create a project now with the name Cambodia and create some Albums within, e.g.. landscapes, temples, people, traditional, personal etc., etc. and when you ready for importing each day you are all set to go. ... Cambodia, location like Angkor Wat, Siam Reap, Monks, Temples etc.,etc. this want take long at all, just a few minutes before the trip, you can also prepare some common keywords the same way, you be amazed how much time you save later and have more time after the shoot for a relaxing beer or two. For those who are not familiar with these set ups dont worry I be there to guide you trough it, ok only one beer for you. ...Apple Singapore,The Power Mac Center, Makati, Manila, Heritage Suites Hotel, Siam Reap, Cambodia, Sam's Tours Palau, Micronesia and the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance

Leaving for Cambodia on Friday

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-09-04T17:46:46+08:00

Well, time has come, we are all set for our Cambodian Workshop, a few more days and then I try to report from Siam Reap, Angkor Wat, provided I get a good connection. We are leaving this coming Friday and our first shoot is on Saturday early morning, all the participants are very excited about this trip, including myself, even I have been there many times, but there are always some great and new opportunities In Siam Reap, a Photographers paradise. The shooting is our top priority but seeing all the images later in Aperture on our Computer is going to be really exciting, as mention I try my best to do some blogs direct from the location, however our Gallery with the best images will be up on the GDPhotoWorkshop site up on my return. Of course I am also looking forward to see my old friends and my guide Savuth again who is guiding us through this unique place, and having the Heritage Hotel as our base is just fantastic. Thanks to our supporters/sponsors: Apple Singapore, the Power Mac Center in Makati, Manila, Sam's Tours Palau and the Heritage Hotel in Siam Reap we make this Gallery very interesting and a challenge for our participants, we have a lot of surprises in stall for the best images but more on these later.

World Photography day was on the 19th August

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-29T18:10:01+08:00

To celebrate the World Photography day on the 19th of August the Asian Photography Magazine launched a special issue, I am proud to be part of this years event. ...Asian Photography which is distributed through out India and south east Asia featured my image from 1983, no other than the Cover of Time Magazine, this is in particular very appropriate as we experience all over the world environmental weather abnormalities. ... To read the small story I have provided a download as pdf on my website under Publications/Spreads go to: ...(to see the actual cover of Time just click on the same page on Covers.)

A Graphic Expo/Techy Weekend

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-26T19:43:25+08:00

It is amazing what you find in Google sometimes, I picked up this post last night, I like to express my sincere thanks to, I guess her name is Citrine for her kind and very nice words about my Photography, thank you Citrine. Below please read some excerpts from her story, for the the complete story on the Graphic Expo in Manila please go the link below: ...Yesterday, I was able to attend the Graphic Expo ‘07 at the Philippine Trade Training Center, as I brought along my dad, a tech enthusiast ( who inspired me to be one as well ), and my sister Strawberry, who is majoring in Multimedia Arts, so that I could show her what the latest gadgets and technology there in Pre-press and Imaging. ...Gunther Deichmann is a brilliant photographer, he is described as a photographer who possesses the eyes of Dream Time. Dream Time, according to the Aborigines ( the natives of Australia ), is the land before time, or time outside of time.

An all out Mac event in Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-25T22:32:02+08:00

The GDPhotoWorkshop in Angkor Wat, Cambodia is going to be an all out Mac event now, I just found out last night during our preparation meeting at the Philippine Center for Creative Imaging, that everybody is using Mac's. ...I meet the participants from the Philippines, USA and Australia, I have to admit a great bunch, we are going to have some fun and shoot some nice images at this fantastic world heritage site. The usual day will go like this; early morning and I mean early morning excursions to the great sites of Angkor, then we have lunch and some session on our Mac's until 3pm. ...I am trying to post some live blogs, connection permitted and keep everybody informed, some real surprises are waiting for all participants, but it is not a surprise if I let the cat out of the bag now, dont worry everybody will find out soon. You just have to make sure you stay tuned and subscribe to our blog for all the exciting news from Cambodia @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

GDPhotoWorkshop to Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-23T21:33:28+08:00

Our Workshop to Cambodia, Angkor Wat is now very near, we are off on the 7th of September, fully booked and we are ready to go for some very exciting photography and exploring the great world heritage sites in and around Siam Reap. For those who could not make it, dont worry we are already scheduling another one for Cambodia soon, just keep checking the GDPhotoWorkshop website and under the Calendar you find all the up coming events. ... If I have a good connection I be sending out blogs from the Heritage Hotel in Siam Reap our base during the workshop, for more info on the Heritage Hotel please go to: http://www.heritage.com.kh ...By the way I am getting a lot of interest for the workshop next year in Tibet, (July/August 2008), make sure you contact us soon, since this one has only a limited number of participants (10 max), preparations and bookings have to be made early for this one. ...Our host in Palau Micronesia is Sam's Tours the premier Dive Center in Palau, for more info please go to: http://www.samstours.com

Diving, photography with living fossils

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-20T14:26:33+08:00

In Palau, Micronesia check with Sam’s Tours, arrange a Nautilus dive, or right in front of the dive shop you find plenty of squid, with Calypso Diving in Boracay, you can find some squid and octopus at Crocodile Island or take an easy dive right in front of the beach at night, lots of squid and the occasional octopus, but the squid is guaranteed. Dugong Dive Center on Club Paradise, Palawan is a great location for cuttlefish at the house reef, check with the local guide for the best time of the year, the mating season, if you hit it right you can be part of this amazing mating ritual surrounded by dozens of cuttlefish at the house reef, right in front of the resort. Diving in Puerto Galera is very rewarding, there you get almost all the these critters in the shallow water, no need to go deep, in Sabang Bay you find squid, octopus, cuttlefish and if you lucky even the flamboyant cuttlefish. Truk Stop Dive Center in Chuuk, has a lot of octopus hiding in the wrecks from the IIWW, just ask your Guide to look out for some. ...I try to bring you more “living fossils or their relatives” in the near feature, point you to the best dive locations within the Pacific, Philippines and Micronesia and if you an underwater photographer you sure going to love these locations.

The living fossil in Palau, Micronesia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-17T15:38:24+08:00

The fossils have been brought to my attention again by no other than Walter Ty, my constant supplier of Interesting news, again thank you Walter, we do appreciate this. ...Before you read the whole story on the provided link, here is some information referring to the two images below, as you all know my background is Paleontology. Image on the left: I have found this Ammonite some 40 odd years ago digging for Fossils near the German Town of Goslar, it is dated back to the Jurassic period some 160 million years ago. The image on the right is a close relative of the Ammonite, the Nautilus that I photographed in Palau about four years ago; it is the surviving member from this cephalopod family. If you ever have the urge to go “back in time” talk to Dermot Keane or Sam Scott from Sam’s Tours in Palau, they can make arrangement for a Nautilus dive, to bring you closer to one of the few and true living fossils.

The last few month been very hectic

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-15T11:25:16+08:00

The last few month have been very hectic with workshops on Photography, Aperture and the Web at the Power Mac Center in Manila, organizing my workshop to Cambodia for September in cooperation with the Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (the Cambodian workshop is now fully booked) and preparing a lot of articles for magazines, including images to Forbes Traveler for an article on Palau. Other media events last month have been the Philippine Star Fotofest and MEDIA IN FOCUS hosted by Che Che Lazaro at ABS CBN on the ANC Channel, which featured ...Two new-revised edition from our Series of Guide Books, Palau and Puerto Galera have just been released and we completed the production of the small book “Palau Crown Jewel of the Pacific”. The Asian Photography Magazine in the July 2007 issue used my images on the cover and a pro profile over 12 pages on “Shoot for yourself” CLICK Photography Magazine from Malaysia, in August 2007, used one of my images on the cover and an article over 6 pages on “Photography Philosophy with Gunther Deichmann”

Ancient forest found in Hungary

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-13T13:05:53+08:00

Since my background is Paleontology I thought I pass this story on, very interesting again from the BBC. ...An ancient forest of cypress trees, estimated to be eight million years old, has been discovered in Hungary. Archaeologists found the 16 preserved trunks in an open cast coal mine in the north-eastern city of Bukkabrany. The specimens were preserved intact while most of the forest turned to coal thanks to a casing of sand, which was perhaps the result of a sandstorm. It is hoped the trees may offer experts a valuable insight into Earth's climate eight million years ago.

Aerial images in Forbes Travel Magazine

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-12T14:24:04+08:00

Aerial View of Blue Corner, Palau, Micronesia © Gunther Deichmann for Sam's Tours for a selection of images on Palau and Micronesia click here. For all aerials and other images of Palau and other states within Micronesia please go to my PhotoShelter online archive at: http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann

MEDIA IN FOCUS - LIVE ON ABS CBN

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-09T20:56:19+08:00

Che Che Lazaro, Gunther Deichmann and George Tapan, ...MEDIA IN FOCUS hosted by Che Che Lazaro at ABS CBN on the ANC Channel featured a 1 hour on Photography. The topics during the interview where Photojournalism, Travel, the past and future and the art of photography, the show was a live broadcast at 6:00 PM local time, on ABS CBN and is broadcast also outside the Philippines on Cable TV. ...The image above clockwise: Che Che Lazaro, Host and Newscaster, Gunther Deichmann Australian Photographer and George Tapan Philippine Photographer during the interview. Thanks to ABS CBN for inviting me and a special thanks to Che Che Lazaro for being a wonderful host.

Power Mac Center Photography and the Web

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-09T13:17:41+08:00

The 7th of August was another great day at the Power Mac Center, Greenbelt 3, Makati, Manila, Philippines. We had a full house during our seminar, an intro into Aperture, some basic Photography and how you can make use of the Web introducing Aperture Web capabilities and iWeb. Stay tuned for more seminars and Workshops at the Power Mac Center, the coolest shop in Manila.

THE PHILIPPINE STAR FOTOFEST 2007

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-06T14:23:31+08:00

Local Photographers attended the event and mingled with the crowd at the Ayala Center,I like to congratulate the Philippine Star News Paper for their effort, ...The Philippines has some great talents emerging in Photography, and I am proud to be part of this Star Fotofest, the Philippine Star Newspaper is the most widely read News Paper in the Country. The book signing by Gunther Deichmann, Journey trough Colour and Time, was sponsored by Asia Type, Manila Philippines, a special thanks go to Nancy Vecina ...Special thanks to moderator Arlyn Dela Cruz, Journalist and Anchor women for guiding us through the seminars and workshops, ... Raffle draw – prize (GD “Journey through Colour and Time,“ photography book)

Fisherman catches 'living fossil' BBC NEWS

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-08-02T12:08:25+08:00

A friend of mine, who knows my interest in Fossils send me this amazing article/link, thanks to Walter Ty. ...An extremely rare "living fossil" caught by a fisherman in Indonesia is being examined by scientists. The 1.3m-long (4.3ft), 50kg (110lb) coelacanth is only the second ever to have been captured in Asia and has been described as a "significant find". Read the whole story and photos @ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6925784.stm ...A "living fossil" fish caught by a fisherman off the coast of Indonesia is examined by scientists.

A Scientist, a TV Producer and a Photographer, more international visitors

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-07-28T18:31:21+08:00

Like every human being each one of us has their own story and melting that into one pot on a reunion like this turns the moment into a bestseller, a blog or even a podcast. ... For myself, as a scientist, I just can’t turn my scientific lens from these big goggles in front of me, looking around the room, coming out of a head with furry extensions on the back of it’s head. ...Are we going to bed, no bloody way, he, he Dirk and Norbert did not last that long, the girls did you in…. they had a great time. ...One hell of a good evening in Manila with some real good friends, who I love dearly, until our next Blog, but make sure you stay awake. ...No, it is good morning Manila, 6:05 AM, you have guessed right the sun is up, now the closing words from our TV Producer Martina.

Website update and upcoming Photography Magazine spreads

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-07-27T00:58:57+08:00

I like to inform you that I have just updated my website: www.deichmann-photo.com New look at the home page, change of image, I have also added a new category on Environment within the site. (top bar in between Tibet and Wildlife) Within the next two weeks you be able to download also some pdf files; Portfolio spread and the cover in Click Magazine, the Digital Photography Magazine from Malaysia. Also Portfolio spread in the Asian Photography Magazine, talking about Aperture and Photography, I inform you all on my blog once both Magazines can be downloaded as a pdf file from my site under publication.

New Dive Guide Books available in August, order your copies now

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-07-25T19:36:02+08:00

• Additional: $5.00 for international delivery via registered mail. ...Featuring some of the best images on Palau by Gunther Deichmann world-renowned photographer. ...• Additional: $5.00 for international delivery via registered mail. ...For information on Gunther Deichmann's coffee-table book (360 pages hardbound) "Journey Through Color and Time" an art book featuring more than 20 countries

Sharks and Discovery Channel, voices of concern

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-07-21T20:16:32+08:00

This is in response to my Blog (see below this one) regarding the open letter regarding the Discovery Channel, some of us are out there to voice their concern and offered their support, please read the unedited letters I have so far received, thank you all for your feedback, from Germany, Australia and Singapore so far. ...Es muss eine umweltgerechte Denkweise der Menschen einsetzen, die nicht nur auf den (schnellen) Profit ausgerichtet ist, aber in den "armen Laendern" ist dieser Denken reiner Luxus. ...I expect truly objective science from programs such as Discovery, and Nat Geo, which also seems to have sold out to the public fascination with disaster; I am thinking of NG programs like "Raging Planet", even docos about American prisons! ...Anyway, if it takes sensationalism to sell a program Discovery could objectively promote their cause and that of conservation by highlighting the real issue which of course is the truth about sharks.

Please help our Sharks and Turtles, an Environmental message

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-07-20T21:56:05+08:00

Please take a good look at the images above, there is a community in Bataan, who used to collect turtle eggs and sell them. No more, they now take care of these precious creatures, collect the eggs and once they have hatched release them back into our Ocean, I wish we had more communities like this, and who thought this is happen in the Philippines, but this is the fact, including road signs in this area have been put up for our oil guzzling cars. More in details about this amazing Turtle loving community in one of my future blogs, but please read on regarding the letter which I have received from my friend and supporter Jason Heller at DivePhotoGuide and get all the info @ ...For those of you have not seen this yet, please feel free to post it. It is a formal response from the world’s foremost shark scientists, researchers and conservationists regarding this year’s Shark Week content.

Thanks to the Power Mac Center in Makati, Manila, Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-07-16T16:34:52+08:00

Please see below a letter which I have just received, at the same time I like to thank the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt, ...Sheila Go of MAC Power center in Greenbelt Makati for excellent service rendered! Bad enough that my Wife's i-book broke down (and was to expensive to be "rehabilitated"), the agony of not having a Computer (and waiting for parts) was much more a burden... To the rescue came Gunther Deichmann - a few phone calls to the MAC center - one phone call from my end with Sheila to explain what is needed and voila, 2 days later a brand new 13" i-book with all the old files (from the damaged one) was handed over. Over and above, all the parts that had been replaced on the old (none functioning computer) were reimbursed and deducted from the bill of the new computer.

Photography Workshops, in Asia and Micronesia, including Underwater

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-07-15T22:19:05+08:00

Gunther Deichmann is holding Photo Workshops in Asia and organizing some underwater photo workshops in Palau, Micronesia and in the Philippines. There will be a well known underwater photographer with you and at times a marine biologist on your side to get the image you have dreamed about and of course Gunther will guide to through the after the shoot procedures using Aperture or Photoshop, the complete digital workflow. These workshops expose you to different cultures, people and see beyond the non-Photographers eye. Travel, explore and learn how to see things in a different light with Gunther Deichmann. ...For more information about Gunther Deichmann’s Photo Workshop throughout Asia, go to:

You just took 2,000 shots. Now what?

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-07-12T21:25:27+08:00

A travel and after the shoot PhotoWorkshop with Gunther Deichmann, Angkor Wat in Siam Reap,Cambodia. This used to be the largest city in the world around the 12th century, visit with Gunther these ancient monuments and learn how to create better images and re- discover the ancient Culture of Cambodia. After the shoot you'll experience the sheer Raw power of Aperture. Shoot as many images you like on any given day and mange them afterwards with Aperture, dont worry to much it is not that complicated, Gunther is around and guide you through the whole process. ... That is ok., Gunther has many years of experience how to deal with images in Photoshop.

CAMBODIA TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-07-04T21:51:39+08:00

The Philippine Center for Creative Imaging (PCCI), in cooperation with GDPHOTOWORKSHOP, invites you to a photo safari/travel photography workshop on one of the most popular destinations in Asia: Cambodia. To be conducted from September 7-11, 2007, this workshop is opened to all serious amateur and professional photographers who want to explore Cambodia’s Angkor Wat while learning the complexity of travel photography. ...At the end of the course, each participant will receive a Certificate of Completion from both PCCI and GDPHOTOWORKSHOP and a copy of Gunther’s book, Journey Through Colour and Time. ...The total package price is US$1,650 (or peso equivalent) which includes airfare transportation from Manila-Siam Reap-Manila; 4 night-/5 day-accommodation at the 5-star Heritage Suites Hotel, breakfast, ground transportation and guides; Angkor Wat Heritage site permit fee and visa fee for Camboida; lectures at the Heritage Suite Hotel conference room; and a signed copy of Gunther Deichmann’s book Journey Through Colour and Time. ...His photographic opus appeared in different magazines such as the cover of Time Magazine (USA), Bulletin (Australia), Der Spiegel (Germany), Bunte (cover), National Magazine (South Africa), National Geographic, New York Times (USA), Sued Deutsche Zeitung (Germany), Grand Reportage (France), VSD (France), GEO (France), Terre Savage (France), and Figaro (France), and in other major book productions such as The Racing Game, National Geographic, Time-Life, Reader’s Digest, BBC (London).

The things you can do with a Mac, Aperture and iLife.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-07-02T11:23:47+08:00

I used Aperture where my images have been located, dragged them to the desk top into a separate folder, the cool thing is, that my original files where off-line, I work within Aperture mainly with Referenced files, leaving my internal hard drive nice and clean. Then I dragged this folder let's call it "Marine Images" into iPhoto, once that was done I open iWeb, and from here it was a breeze. Note: I could had left the "Marine Image" folder on my desktop as well, but this is my personal preference to bring it into iPhoto, keep in mind there are many different ways you can do this, it is really up to you or what you prefer or comfortable with, you have all the options and that is the nice part. The integration again proved to be the winner here, I had access to all of my files within iWeb, never leaving it, or open any other software. ...Mac account and was done, oh well not quiet, I was not happy with the background, so I quickly went back to iWeb changed the background and published the changes, including three images which had been stored in Aperture, again never leaving iWeb.

Cambodia-Podcast, GD PhotoWorkshop

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-27T23:30:15+08:00

For those who have never been to Cambodia and for those who like to be part of my PhotoWorkshop in September I have produced a small ...Only 6MB this one was created entirely with Aperture, Keynote, Quick Time and using GarageBand for the sound. Enjoy this small clip and get a glimpse of Angkor Wat, Siam Reap Cambodia. You can download the high quality QT file below: ...For more images on Cambodia please go to my web pages @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com

The 6th Celebrate the Sea Festival

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-25T14:04:15+08:00

Get ready for the The 6th Celebrate the Sea Festival in the Philippines, please see below some information and links to the official website. For more information on this great event please click on the provided links below, thank you. ...Celebrate the Sea Festival is comprised of an international underwater film and photographic competitions, workshops on underwater photography, seminars of our ocean environment, children painting competitions and Shoot Out competition. ...Stop the killing of Turtles and Sharks, they have the same right to be here like you and me. Visit my website @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com and for some underwater images please click here.

Photographers and their Assistants

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-22T20:05:49+08:00

In Photography sometimes it is the assistant who is the one we rely on most, particular in complex situations, making it more easy to carry some of the heavy equipment, etc.,etc. But if he is also your friend then traveling is even more enjoyable, your friend becomes your assistant and travel companion, you can have a beer in the evenings with. ...Photography assistants are sometimes taken for granted and don’t get the credit they deserve, maybe we can change this a bit now, we usually carry a tripod, so why don’t we bring a walking one along we can talk too and lets have a look at some of their images as well. ...Hey, I thought why don’t we make them a bit more public or even better start a small series on good old Hermes, he deserves the credit and has taken some great shots during his time with and without me. ...So I guess what we are going to do now and then run some images of Hermes on our blog for you to see, and a good old change from my stuff.

My latest Podcast and Aperture

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-19T14:13:21+08:00

Part 2 “and then there was light” AUPN and Aperture, and then there was Light. ...I could not leave it alone and decided to create part two of “and then there was light” OK. have to admit, it is a bit larger about 17MB but I hope you like it, this one will play even on full screen size, this is a great way showing your work, burn it on a CD or make a cool DVD, and believe me, it is not that difficult. Check it out if you have the patience and down load it, either on your desktop or into your iTunes. Enjoy it, I really had a lot of fun doing it, same procedure than part 1 but have thrown in some images to spice it up.

Thanks for your comments and Aperture

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-17T14:53:30+08:00

I have just received this nice comment form Mark Cox in Australia, regarding my latest blog on Aperture and the Imelda Mrcos story read below, thank you Mark for your kind words: ... Subject: Re: Saved the day and made a sell, with Aperture it was so easy, the Imelda Marcos images ...its always good to get mail from you anyway, I see what you mean with the Aperture program that is truly amazing but come on Gunther you are very humble you know. With out you & the shots you take & with Aperture in the right person hand then you can deliver ! ... Thanks again so much will see you next week, take care are & Cheers my friend.

Saved the day and made a sell, with Aperture it was so easy.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-16T14:26:44+08:00

I thought this was going to be an 2 to 3 hour affair, but how wrong I was, 12 hours later I got back home, the Magazine needed the shots ASAP, so I downloaded the whole day shoot at 10:30PM, edited, caption and made some adjustments, by about 12:30 am I was done and had send the images direct from Aperture to my client in Europe, three days later I had 6 page spread in Globus Magazine Croatia. About two days later my Agency in Germany was desperate to have a look at the Images as well, I got the email with the request and about 15 minutes later I had a selection in my Aperture Gallery, pressed the publish button and I was done, well not quiet the only thing left to do was to send an email with the link to my Agency. ...Two years ago all of this would have taken about a day, hence the amount of images I had to edit, caption and doing some RAW file adjustments. Time has changed, thanks to Aperture I am more connected than ever before, oh, I forgot to mention the next day after the shoot I had all the high res. ...There is an old saying, once you get used to your favorite Pub you keep on going back there, you never leave that place, well it is the same with Aperture you just stay put, never leaving to go anywhere else and why should you, it is all there, completely furnished and integration, my favorite “Pub.”

Exclusive images of Imelda Marcos, 12 hours with Imelda Marcos

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-12T00:45:24+08:00

Exclusive images of Imelda Marcos, former first lady of the Philippines. ...Last month I was shooting for Globus Magazine, Croatia, an exclusive about Imelda Marcos, what an experience this has been, I was lucky to find out a lot more about this still amazing lady. I am not political at all, no I am not, I am just myself a Photographer/Journalist doing a Job. For more images please use this link below: For my Aperture Gallery please click here

Our Environment-some of us do care!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-09T11:38:53+08:00

Interesting note from David Callard in Australia, his comments on the Environment issue and images, please read below, some of us do care. ...I think my favorite is the plain water drop on the leaf; that really says it for me. Addressing climate change has to be the biggest challenge mankind has faced, yet I am not totally pessimistic about our ability to solve it. ... Yes, we will have to accept some major changes to our lifestyles and means of production but capitalism has clearly won the ideological wars and of course its greatest strength is its capacity to rapidly adapt to change. ... I am in favor of nuclear power as a stopgap solution until we can get solar and other sources fully developed.

GDPhotoWorkshop website is now complete

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-08T00:51:19+08:00

The GDPhotoworkshop web site is now complete with all the information, cost, dates, FAQ and a lot more... Please check it out and book your workshop in Cambodia, Bali or Palau. All Calendar dates are now available including some for 2008. For all the information just click this link and go to GDPhotoWorkshop, thank you.

Some of us do care!

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-05T13:27:56+08:00

Just received this nice note from Mark Cox, please read below: ...You are so right mate! all we humans ever do is take take & more take, then we start crying when its too late, we will definitely destroy our selves its just human instinct I think. If all the tree's & rain-forest disappear human life will cease to exist. I'm the same as you Gunther the world has to come together before its too late really.

Global warming and water crisis

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-04T15:53:54+08:00

I have created some images trying to portrait the on going world water crisis and Global warming issue. enjoy these images and... ...It is indeed a serious problem world wide, lets do something about it. ...You can help. ...Click this link to view more images on my Aperture web Gallery

GD PhotoWorkshop web site now online

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-02T14:18:42+08:00

We are proud to announce that the GDPhotoWorkshop website is now up and running to provide you with all the information for the upcoming workshops in Manila, Cambodia and Bali. The information on the workshop in Cambodia is soon available including cost and other details. ... For more information on the workshops please click this link: ...Still fixing a few things, but almost there, you can now browse the site and check it out. Up coming workshops for this year are Cambodia and Bali

Let the Journey begin

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-06-01T12:26:42+08:00

Time has gone by, but the color is still around me, I have decided to Pod cast the presentation I used during the launch of my book “Journey through Colour and Time” ...Music composed and re-mixed in GarageBand with tracks from Sounddogs and Freeplay Music, created and edited in iMovie then published to iWeb. Sit back and relax, have a cup of coffee and a brandy, then check out the images and enjoy the sound, but make sure you have some good speakers hooked up. ...Please forgive me if you should encounter any problems, this is a very long and complex presentation, or blame your connection. ...Subscribe to my Pod cast and enjoy it in your iTunes Library.

Photography, Aperture and the Web

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-31T16:37:53+08:00

As promised here is the short Pod cast from our Seminars at the Power Mac Center in Makati, Manila on the 25th and 26th of May. ...A quick edit in iMovie –then the music- which had been entirely created in GarageBand ...As mention during the seminars the total integration of iLife, Aperture, Keynote, Pages etc., etc. makes all of this possible in a very short time, besides it is a lot of fun. Enjoy the Pod cast and don’t forget to subscribe for the latest news. ...I like to thank all the participants who attended the seminars and we hope to see you again.

Completed Aperture Seminars at the Power Mac Center, Manila, Philippines

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-26T21:35:01+08:00

On May 25, we had an introduction into Aperture, a good and very interesting crowed showed up at this first Aperture seminar at the Power Mac Center. ...Thanks to Hermes Singson, my trusted assistant for shooting the images behind the scene, they came in very handy during some of the Aperture demos and it was in “real time” ...Great service and a superb staff make you to came back over and over again, even if it is only for window-shopping or checking out the latest Apple or other related products, the friendly and knowledgeable staff can assist you with any question you might have. ...Activities like seminars on Aperture, Final Cut Pro or just your basic introduction into iLife are held through out the year just check with the staff at the Power Mac Center for details and the dates. ...Lectures on Photography and the use of Aperture in the field, travel to some of Asia’s greatest culture and historical places, visit and shoot Angkor Wat in Siam Reap, Cambodia or travel trough the landscapes of Bali with its unique culture and art.

I love Cambodia, message just received

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-25T14:09:12+08:00

In support of the children in Cambodia I like to pass this message on, please read below the email I have just received, ...Oh, yes I do love Cambodia, the people and culture, just an amazing place and only now I realized that my blog from some time ago had been picked up, it is truly amazing. click this link for details ...I went to Cambodia 8 years ago and fell in love with the country. ...I have traveled to Cambodia on two previous occasions and was excited to try out your new e-visa service. ...Gunther Deichmann covered Cambodia in his Book Journey Through Colour and Time extensively and six pages on the revival of the APSARA traditional Cambodian dances are dedicated to the APSARA Arts Foundation in Phnom Penh, for more info on Gunther's book please click the link below:

VERY SOON - GD PHOTO WORKSHOPS

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-21T23:27:39+08:00

Very soon Gunther Deichmann is launching his new website for Photo Workshops, keep and eye out for www.gdphotoworkshops.com ...Travel workshops to Cambodia and Bali are planned for this year, in early 2008 there be a workshop with a Marine Biologist in Palau, Micronesia, at Sam's Tours. Other workshops in underwater photography with Aperture as the leading photo software are planned within the Philippines, these will be announced on the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance website, bringing together some of the best underwater photographers from Asia. Details and dates will be published soon on Gunther's new Photo workshop website, so please stay tuned and watch out for these unique workshops, an introduction to Aperture, the Apple software for professional photographers is part of all workshops. Gunther Deichmann is an Apple Certified Professional, Apple Certified Trainer, Apple Asia Aperture Board Member.

Aperture Seminar at the Power Mac Center, Manila

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-17T23:42:57+08:00

The Power Mac Center is offerring several free Photography related seminars for this month of May 2007. Free Seminars at the Power Mac Center ...All the seminars will be held at the Training Center of the Power Mac Center, 2nd floor, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City. ...Gunther Deichmann is an internationally multi-awarded Australian photographer. ...Recent Aperture workshop in Phuket, Thailand 2007

News for the Underwater Photographers

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-16T16:10:54+08:00

Sam’s Tours friends and business partners John and Charlie Mc Cready who operate the Cal 48 live aboard sail charter boat ECLIPSE based at Sam’s Tours have just launched their new website. ...Visit their new site at: http://www.palau-divensail.com and find out for yourself why Eclipse is so popular! John is a long time sailor, a founding member of the Royal Belau Yacht Club and master of Eclipse. ...Now is the time to get in touch with Eclipse and book your trip for next year. ...at Sam's Tours Palau Micronesia and can be chartered for personal and individual sail vacation or dive trips for small groups, perfect for the underwater photographer who seeks the ultimate in dive location and service.

G.D. and friends in Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-14T18:26:37+08:00

Following the ADEX show, due to a change in airline schedules I had surprise chance to join my good friends Gunther Deichmann and Dirk Fahrenbach on their short trip to Siem Reap in Cambodia, home of the famous ancient temples including Angkor Wat. ...I took the time to do a quick inspection of some of the hotel properties there and came across a really nice 27 room boutique hotel called Heritage Suites www.heritage.com.kh Exquisite rooms. ...Our local guide was Savuth Lim who did a great job of watching the weather and the light and making sure Gunther and Dirk were in the right places at the right times for excellent photography. Even more amazing was how he wheeled us around the crowds (and they can be big) and or took us to the less visited temples which are equally as stunning as the most popular one. ... Savuth arranged a car and driver to be at our service all day and joined us himself as our personal guide when we headed to the temples.

Blue Planet Run: The Water Crisis

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-10T14:22:29+08:00

This article has just come to my attention, and we should put some real thought into this issue. ...I have provided a link to the Aperture Users Professional Network. ...There you can read the whole article/story how we can be part of this and help, ...The world is just a drop away from disaster ...It is in our hands to make a difference!

Aperture for Professional Photographers

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-08T19:31:53+08:00

I just picked up this blog from the Aperture Users Professional Network. ...For more information and a very cool web site all about Aperture click this link, tons of great Information and the latest News about Aperture, latest plugins, tips and much more. If you like to find out more about Aperture click here. ...Go to PhotoShelter for the very latest images on Cambodia or check out my website ...Photographer Gunther Deichmann runs a series of Aperture workshops in Cambodia and around Asia, and has an interesting series of blogs up about the sessions and about his photography.

Three days at Siam Reap, Angkor Wat, Aperture and Photography workshops

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-05T17:28:50+08:00

I just love Cambodia, hence the reason for keep on going back, it is truly a Photographers dream, please join me soon for some exciting Photography workshops, ...During my recent trip this month I have scouted for some Hotel accommodation and prepared some logistics for a series of up coming workshops to Cambodia, other ...However if you get the chance to visit Angkor Wat by yourself, check out the Heritage Suites Hotel talk to Bernard Loyer the GM and get spoiled at one of the best Hotels in Seam Reap, feel like some real good cake, then you have to check out the blue pumpkin. ...I am planning a very special trip for this event and set up one additional workshop on site during the Photo Festival in Angkor Wat, again more details and dates will follow shortly. If you are interested please feel free to contact me for more details, in the meantime please subscribe to my blog for more exciting news soon, or visit my website at:

G.D. is back from Thailand and Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-05-04T14:35:15+08:00

In Thailand I visited the ADEX Dive Expo and caught up with some very ...Meet with my good old friend John Everingham from Art Asia Press and ...The three of us went to Siam Reap Angkor Wat, more on Angkor and Cambodia will follow within the next few days, with a special link to some of my new images, ...A lot more to come once I have settled in a bit, just keep your eyes on my blog.

Great trip to Palau, back in Manila and ADEX next week in Bangkok.

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-04-18T17:23:39+08:00

I have just returned from a very cool trip to Palau, my web master Arnold and myself had to finish the Sam's Tours website, well in between I took ...New aerial and land shots check them out in a day or so at my ...Now I am leaving for the ADEX show in Bangkok and after that a few days in ...friends, and oh, well I am going to have my Birthday in Bangkok with my

Aperture Seminar/Workshop Phuket Thailand

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-04-01T21:32:33+08:00

Aperture Seminar and Workshop by Gunther Deichmann at the Phuket Royal City Hotel, the event was organized by Phuket Alpha on the 29th and 30th of March 2007. For more images on Phuket and the Workshop please click the link below:

Cover of i-mag Photography Magazine

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-03-14T17:44:42+08:00

Check out the latest i-mag Photography Magazine, Cambodia made it on the Cover plus there is a 9 page story on my travel Photography and Book ...The whole article is available as download in a pdf file below ...Click on Gunther Deichmann for the whole story as pdf file.

APERTURE in Jakarta, March 2007

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-03-10T00:15:57+08:00

It was a great event and was held at the Jakarta ...the Participants for making this a great event during ...the Convention Center, for images and a Web Gallery created during the event with Aperture please click this link. These Images on this Gallery have been taken only and hour

A very nice letter from my Guide and friend Dawa in Tibet

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-02-03T23:50:44+08:00

I like to share this letter with my friends around the Globe and at the same time say thanks to my good friend and Guide Dawa for his endless help and energy during my travels through Tibet with my Son Mark-Lee, with-out Dawa's help my Book Journey Through Colour and Time would not have been possible, ...When I go through those lovely pictures,I did know what is the beauty of the colour.... It is my best luck and golden opportunity to know such great person like you in my life.... Okay I am not going to write a long e-mail to waste your golden time. Here at the last but not the least I wish you all the things go success with you and happy and healthy for your whole life.

Book Cover - Die letzten Nomaden

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-02-03T13:06:30+08:00

Film received in 1997 a Gold medal at the New York Film Festival. Cover Photo by Gunther Deichmann, a well known and multi awarded image of the Olgas with a Rainbow taken in the ...For more on Gunther Deichmann's Images go to his web site at: www.deichmann-photo.com or check out his latest publication

Book presentation to the President of Palau

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-01-18T13:34:14+08:00

Gunther Deichmann presents his new book Journey Through Colour and Time ...Remengesau Jr., President of the Republic of Palau. Palau, and the FSM States of Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei are featured in the ...Also present were journalists from local newspapers, the Chief of Staff, ...Billy Kuartei and Dermot Keane the General Manager of Sam's Tours,

Water-Colour

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2007-01-03T21:11:54+08:00

Plus a 10 page story on Truk Stop Dive Center ...For more on this story click the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance web site under Media it will be up in two days. ...For more on Fins Magazine click this link: http://www.finsonline.com/index.php/frontpage/current_issue/vol5.6.html

Back from Cambodia

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2006-12-06T12:12:50+08:00

http://web.mac.com/gdimages/iWeb/gdimages/CAMBODIA%20NOV%202006.html The images have been taken after the Apple - Aperture Conference in Siam Reap Cambodia, Nov. ...Of-course there are many more new images, this is only a portion of it and taken during a four day stay in Siam Reap. It was great to meet all the other Aperture photographers during this short but very interesting Conference, I made new friends and had a great time, thanks to Apple and Aperture.

THE BOOK LAUNCH "JOURNEY THROUGH COLOUR and TIME"

gdeichmann@mac.com — 2006-11-22T20:40:26+08:00

The venue with super big screen back-drop courtesy of Apple and Epson. On the 15th of November, Gunther Deichmann launched his book "Journey Through Colour and Time". ... Some 200 guests attended the book launch which also featured a photo exhibit by Gunther Deichmann. ...Peter Sutter, Switzerland Ambassador, H.E.Herbert Jager, Austria Ambassador, Anna Marie Ablan, Consul of Republic of Belarus and Mr. ...It was a fun-filled event with raffles of books and iPODs courtesy of Apple.