Festive mood in Makati, this image was taken during my Coffee break just outside the
Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3, Dec. 29


© Gunther Deichmann - Leica D-Lux 4

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. Simple trouble shooting techniques for your Mac plus iWork: Keynote, Pages and Numbers.
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.
PS. I be posting shortly some new and interesting Tutorials in my Blog section: GD Photo Tutorials
GD

Power Mac Center: Staff training with GD on Aperture 2, Dec.29, 2008


Power Mac Center: Staff training by Junior Tan from Apple Singapore, Dec. 29,2008

© 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.

Bubbles...

© Gunther Deichmann - Manila Philippines

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.
I managed to get this shot off before the window was wiped clean, I thought an interesting shot from the closed car window for a change. As you know I just love shooting from the car windows, more to come soon.
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.
Happy Holidays to you all, take good care!
GD

Season’s 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. GD


This shot was taken many Moons ago, literally...for a Calendar production.
It also became the month of December in the Calendar. The Location is at
Fog Dam near Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia
Oh, by the way this was during my Kodachrome days.

Afternoon delight...

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.
GD

In Support of:
THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE SHARK 2009!

… 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
species are gone. 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.
HELP SPREAD THE WORD:

http://www.year-of-the-shark-2009.org/

SAVE SHARKS FROM
E XTINCTION

© Gunther Deichmann - Shark from Palau Micronesia
http://www.deichmann-photo.com

I have to make a correction re. my latest post on... “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.
GD
Has the digital era killed Kodachrome?
* Only one commercial photo lab in the world still develops Kodachrome film
* Kodachrome has captured the world in rich but authentic hues since the 1930s
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. The Original Kodachrome are kept in an environment controlled storage.

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. Just a tiny bit of history on some of the films, but not to much...

My old and irreplaceable Kodachrome, Ektachrome and Velvia
Transparency’s are now digitized and accessible via Aperture 2.

Before Digital 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, Ernst Haas, Eric Meola and many others used them almost exclusively. Later it became Fuji Velvia at 50 ASA and some Ektachromes not to mention a great range of B&W and Color Negative films.
All the Kodachromes are long gone since they required a complicated development process; only Kodak and a few specialized Pro Labs in the US could do the processing at the time.
Ektachromes are still around and of course Fuji with a good range of slide films all of these can be processed using the E6 process, which is still available today…but for how much longer...?
Polaroid has left us now for good…Kodachrome has long gone and I guess it is only a matter of time before the others follow…technology is progressing fast.

Digital gives you a clean and organized working environment.

Digital has arrived and is here to stay, no question about it, the new Nikon D3X and other DSLR Cameras reaching the 25 Mega pixel mark and above. The quality is there, but we also need some serious computing power now dealing with larger files.
Softwares like Aperture 2 and Lightroom have evolved not to mention Photoshop with its constant and expensive new upgrades.
Yes, we save on film, but now we spend on Computers, compact flash cards, hard drives for storage and software a never-ending story and technology is moving at an incredible speed these days.

OK. lets not forget, we had similar problems if not more during the film age, processing, storing and labeling of slides took on some real dimensions, filling up complete rooms and corridors. Packaging and sending slides in sheets to Stock agencies and Clients via courier services was also very expensive, now we use the Net.
In other words, both have their pro and cons, except for our younger generation; they might be missing out on the real art of Photography, getting the exposure and the shot right in the first place. As the new saying goes…
oh well I really messed this up, but never mind I can always fix it in the computer with Photoshop.
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. If you make a mistake, except it and you have learned something. Experiment with the Camera and not with the Computer remember you are a Photographer and not a Graphic Artist, unless you like to become both, then Photoshop is great. I am not against Photoshop, but remember the image comes first and then the Computer. Nothing has changed it is almost the same way we did before, we took our images and then went into the darkroom, of course we had some limitations then.
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.
The computer is nothing else but a modern darkroom without chemicals and that is real good news and very positive for our environment.
GD
http://www.deichmann-photo.com

See below a letter from David Callard in Australia:
Thanks David for sharing this with us.

Hello Gunther,
                         Re your piece on film you might like to use my comment for your blog (if you so wish): 
I certainly don't want to see the end of film. I enjoy shooting transparency. 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. Somehow digital, in my view at least, often falls a little short in that regard. Perhaps that is just me. But I do think that using film is a great way to learn some of the more technical aspects of photography, e.g. color temperatures of different light sources, even the varying color temp. of sunlight according to time of day. 
Of course, we film lovers can still console ourselves that it looks like being many years before digital becomes an affordable alternative to film in medium and large formats. How many of us can justify spending $40K + for a digital back for a 4X5 Linhof Technika? Even if we do we still don't get a full frame sensor, but a 'cropped' down version of the format. Finally I would say if we don't want a product like Polaroid to disappear it is important to keep on buying it!
Cheers,
David.

Sam's Tours in Palau Micronesia wins PVA's Tour Operator of the Year Award 2008!

I am happy and proud to be associated with Sam’s Tours in Palau Micronesia who has just received the Tour Operators of the Year Award.
Congratulations to Sam’s Tours!

Sam’s Tours location in Palau Micronesia
click this LINK or the image and go direct to the Digital Photo Center

You might remember my involvement in setting up this truly unique Digital Photo Center at Sam’s Tours at the beginning of the Year.
The Digital Photo Center has some six Apple iMacs fully loaded with software including Aperture plus a complete backup system for all your needs. The Center is Wi-Fi connected and can transfer all your images and Videos to your iPod. Small Digital Cameras with underwater housings are also available for rent.
Then there is Ocean Wonders Video Service at Sam's Tours operated by award-winning High Definition Underwater Filmmaker and Digital Video Producer, Dr. Nick Martorano, Ph.D. Nick is also available for professional work including underwater digital videography services, digital video editing, post-production and final output assignments.
Sam’s Tours the premier Dive Center in Palau Micronesia, a Photographers haven above and below the waves!
GD
See the official Press release below...

Sam's Tours - TOUR OPERATOR OF THE YEAR!

The Palau Visitors Authority (PVA), Palau's official tourism board, announced their selection of Sam's Tours as "TOUR OPERATOR OF THE YEAR" for 2008. The announcement and award presentation took place during the Annual Christmas Gala of the Belau Tourism Association (BTA), Palau's private sector tourism industry association, recently held at the Palau Pacific Resort.
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. The Palau Shark Sanctuary received a PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Environmental Education Gold Award for their work.
“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.

Posted from Singapore…I spend the past few days in Singapore to have my Nikon Cameras serviced at the Nikon Service Center. But I also caught up with my good friend Choon a System Engineer with Apple Singapore.
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.

From left: Jeffrey, Junior, Benjamin, Ching Ping, Choon and GD

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.
GD

“Photo of the Week” German Stern Magazine
"Bilder der Woche"  in STERN no. 46 of November 6.


© Gunther Deichmann - Double page spread in Stern
Translated Headline:“The only thing left from the Sharks”

The Photo was taken in Bali on the 8th of October in the small commercial Harbor of Denpasar Bali, Indonesia.

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 recognized Hammerheads, White tip and Black tip sharks.
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)? All fins had been frozen, which indicates that the vessel came from a longer trip. 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”.
GD

The End of Polaroid instant Film has come...
& one starts to wonder now, when do
we see the End of Film.

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 sincerely hope not. 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.

But now to this very interesting article by John Omvik posted at the Aperture User Network yesterday...

The End Of An Era…
( posted by John Omvik on Yesterday, 03:27 AM )
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...
read the complete article with an image of the Polaroid Founder Edwin Herbert Land
@ http://www.apertureprofessional.com/showthread.php?t=21775

I have returned from Singapore and brought with me the very new and latest Leica D-Lux 4 Compact Camera.
I always looked for a small point and shoot Camera that I can carry with me to meetings or shooting the odd images out of the car Window.
As you know, I just love shooting out of Car Windows.
I used a few other models in the past but somehow was never real happy with the results until now when the Leica D-Lux 4 was announced at the recent Photokina 2008 a couple of month ago.

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.
This 10.2 mega pixel Camera has a fast f:2.0 lens ranging from 24 to 60 mm, perfect for carrying around attached to my belt.
What’s new about this camera is the wide range of accessories for additionally widening its photographic potential, offering the sophisticated user even more possibilities for creative photography. With its 1/1.63“ CCD image sensor, which is unusually large for this class of camera, the Leica D-LUX 4 produces images of superlative quality. 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 Leica D-Lux 4 with the attached optional Viewfinder

OK. I have to admit not a cheap Camera but when it comes to Quality no need to say anymore. 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.
How do I convert the Raw files now? Leica has supplied Capture One and that seems to work fine for the moment. Of course it is not Aperture 2 but it is Ok for the time being until we get an update for Aperture. I hope very soooon…..
I had very little time in Singapore to give this little black beauty a good test drive but I am really impressed from what I have seen so far. I love the very easy to use controls; fast response time, large LCD Screen and the first images I have taken on the Snap Shot Mode came out fantastic in color and sharpness.

The view out of my Hotel Window...through the glass and straight out of the Box in the late afternoon, shot on Snapshot mode and no image adjustments applied only straighten and resizing.
A super cool black viewfinder with 24 mm brightline frame can be attached to the flash shoe of the Leica D-Lux 4, enabling the photographer to view his subject without using battery power.
The mode dial let’s you select from Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Program mode, Manual exposure (real great), plus option for two Custom settings there is also a Scene mode plus a motion picture mode.
The camera is also prepared for photos in HDTV format: By connecting the camera’s HD port to a HD television set with optional component cable, slides can be shown in high definition.
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.
Apple, please hurry up and upgrade Aperture 2 with the Leica D-Lux 4 Raw conversion.

PS. In the next few days I also give you a first hand impression on the Nikon D700, which has now replaced some of my older models.
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.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html
GD

Tags: Leica D-Lux 4, Compact Digital Cameras, Apple Singapore, System Engineers, Aperture 2.1.2, Nikon DSLR D700, Nikon DSLR D3X

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.

© Gunther Deichmann

The Philippine Tarsier from Bohol Island, Tarsius Syrichta (subspiecies fraberculus)
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. The male weighs an average of 134 grams, the female 117 grams.

I just call him “ET” but other local names are:
Mamag, mago, magau, maomag,

A shy, solitary, nocturnal, arboreal primate, the tarsier inhabits primary and secondary jungle forest and bamboo groves from sea level to about 700m elevation. It feeds mainly on insects and small lizards (has the largest eyes to body size of any mammal). Like the owl, the tarsier can rotate it’s head in a full 180 degrees of arch. With it’s suction cuplike fingers and toes, it is a nimble climber in trees. 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.

© Gunther Deichmann

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.

In 1997, The Philippine Tarsier Foundation was established in Tagbilaran , the provincial capitol of Bohol. 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.

Timing is sometimes everything...the long awaited story in the official Cambodian Publication produced by Dragon Art is out. I guess in time for the Angkor Photo Festival in Siem Reap and this year also in Phnom Penh. My contribution for my beloved Cambodia...

Saffron Antiquity

From the 9th to the 15th centuries, Angkor was the political, religious and cultural capital of the Khmer Empire. 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.

The ruins of Angkor are magnificent in themselves — few civilizations in the world have left monuments so impressive.
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. These ruins can help conjure a world that is truly marvelous; and that is part of their value as part of our cultural world heritage. Remarkably, furthermore, Angkor has always maintained a living heritage — these ancient spiritual centres have never died.

There is a PDF file of the complete story (6 pages) on my main site under Publications,
here is the LINK The pdf file will be available in 48 hours

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.
Visitors should try to see Angkor Wat in the sunrise. The complex faces west, so the sun rises behind it, framing silhouettes against the dawn sky as, already at 6.30am, orange-robed monks go about their business.

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.

© Massimo Casal http://archive.casalphotography.com/c/maxcasal
His Email message to me was very simple,
but then what else needs to be said.
Gunther, just to share a nice smile for your beloved Cambodia!
Take care!
Massimo

Now you have made my Day,thanks my friend,
Cheers Gunther

We don’t like to hear when someone is telling us…
...oh no my Hard drive crashed today.
That is reason for not showing you any images today...
...what a Disaster!

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.
I am talking about my external 2TB Lacie Drive where I keep my data bank and all my images cataloged.
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.
Remember in my last few blogs I mention PhotoShelter and today “Disaster” struck.

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.

But now to the Hard Drive problem, my three-year-old partition Lacie 2TB drive did not show up on my desktop. At first I thought easy I just reboot and see, but no luck.
Then I run a few times the Mac Disk Utility and it told me that there is a problem with the drive. Oh no!!!
The next step I used was DiskWarrior, it recognized the external drive and it performed a check, only to find out this disk can’t be repaired. After all this I restarted my Machine with the Drive still connected and then one of my partitions popped up on the desk top.
Or was it pure luck? We never know.
I gained access to all the files and made another back up, even I had a couple of spares.

What went wrong with the Drive? Who knows…but you never know when it happens.
You don’t have to be as crazy as I am and making triple back ups but make sure you back up everything at least once.
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.
The images are my Life and most of them can’t be replaced at all, it is my bread and butter and loosing them all would be a real Disaster.
The cost of additional hard drives or an external storage solution has come down in price the last few years. It is a lot more expensive if you loose all your images, some of them you never take again, a lives work gone.
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.

I highly recommend Invest in a reasonable back-up system, it is money well spend and in today’s digital age as important then your camera.
GD

PhotoShelter has provided a special discount code, see below and if you like to sign up and quote this code you can avail of a nice discount.

Photo: Hermes Singson - even on the Road I am using two Hard drives but can upload direct to PhotoShelter from within Aperture 2 provided I have a good connection.
But you might ask why do I need PS? I can always keep the images on my Hard drive or burn DVD’s.
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. Remember to be safe you need to have a back-up.
If that single drive fails you lost all your precious images and using a recovery service can get very expensive and there is never a guarantee or full recovery. 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.
Paste this Code: ps57QDKDW2
Annual PhotoShelter Basic Account - 10% Off! - $109.00/year
10GB storage, 5GB/month hi-res bandwidth, billed annually.
Annual PhotoShelter Standard Account - 10% Off! - $319.00/year
35GB storage, website templates, e-commerce, $50 sales activation fee
waived, billed annually.
Annual PhotoShelter Pro Account - 10% Off! - $539.00/year
100GB storage, website templates, $50 sales activation fee waived,
billed annually.
To take advantage of this deal, go to this page:
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Enter the code number, ps57QDKDW2 click the button and it will reveal the deal.
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.

See below a list of some NEW PhotoShelter features:
1. 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).

2. Client-selectable download sizes allow your buyers to choose the size of the image they're downloading (up to the size you indicate). If you allow an original to be downloaded, the buyer may choose to download the original, a JPEG conversion, or smaller versions of the same JPEG conversion.

3. New customization theme! Check out Caboose, designed for those who want a similar look to their DRR pages, and the brand-new Induro.

4. New customization widgets and widget options that allow more flexibility with displaying galleries, metadata, and more.

5. Embeddable gallery slideshow - new options! Code your embedded slideshow to always point back to your customized pages, choose the size and color, or disable full-screen mode.
For the demo and tutorials go to the PS site at: http://pa.photoshelter.com/
or view a fully function slideshow @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/page7/page7.html
GD

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.
PS. No Photoshop has been used, this is direct from Aperture 2.

© Gunther Deichmann - Boracay, Philippines November 2008

Book now for this special 5 hour intensive training, get to
know Aperture 2 & make it work for your Photography.

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.

For questions and special requests,
you can call 729-7087 or 88,
or email us at
training@powermaccenter.com
or go to our website at: http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php
GD

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.
To many pages to post here.
Oceanography and Marine Biology: An Annual Review, 2008, 46, 105-202
© R. N. Gibson, R. J. A. Atkinson, and J. D. M. Gordon, Editors
Taylor & Francis
Biology of the planktonic stages
of Benthic Octopuses
ROGER VillANUEVA & MARK D. NORMAN
Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la
Barceloneta 37–49, E-08003 Barcelona, Spain
Sciences, Museum Victoria, GPO Box 666, Melbourne, Vic 3001, Australia

Colour Figure 16 (Villanueva & Norman) Adult Octopus cyanea in camouflage display amongst soft corals,Puerto Galera, Philippine Islands.
(Photo: Gunther Deichmann.)

Few words are needed it is only another update. Oh, did I say “ONLY”? It is very impressive what PhotoShelter did!
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.

Click on the image and go direct to “The Classics”

The cyan color circles show you the other options you have once the slideshow is running. The upper circle; move your curser and you get all the image info. Lower left circle; click here and you get the whole row of thumbnails from that particular Gallery. Lower right circle; options for a sheet of thumbnails, copy the code and URL from this slide show.

We have just performed another major upgrade 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 entire archives direct from my site with Keywords, just type in what you looking for and the images show up. Eg. 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.

Here is a quick tip how to find Images fast and easy if you using our new Search Archive option.
Most search engines are not case sensitive but beware of spelling mistakes.
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. Consider also that words such us Color v. Colour could affect your search results.(English v. American spelling)

PhotoShelter made it easy now and has included an advance search option as well, you find that at the top bar at my customized Home Page
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.
You find the button Link to all Galleries also at the Stock Photos Search Archive.
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. I will feature this cool NEW addition on my next Blog.
They have also included a very flexible customization for your HOME PAGE but this one needs some html knowledge, I guess you can always ask your webmaster for some help.
How is all of this work with Aperture 2? Fantastic if you ask me, uploading direct from within Aperture 2 is easy.
Scenario; I have to visit my client and during the meeting he ask me if I have this shot from Ayers Rock with clouds...do you have a connection I can use? Sure... and a few minutes later I can show him all the images.
Now if that is not cool then I dont know what is, besides I could be anywhere in the world uploading my latest images from within Aperture
notifying my agencies and Clients, that is real speed and efficiency.
GD

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.
Magazines in Spain and Portugal have also picked up the image for publication now.

© Gunther Deichmann - Turtles are also on the extinction list
Image from Palau Micronesia, without Photoshop.

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. Plus the satisfaction when you see this magic shot of yours and can honestly claim...”Wow I did this without using Photoshop.”
http://www.deichmann-photo.com
GD

“Photo of the Week” German Stern Magazine
"Bilder der Woche"  in STERN no. 46 of November 6.


© Gunther Deichmann - Double page spread in Stern
Translated Headline:“The only thing left from the Sharks”

The Photo was taken in Bali on the 8th of October in the small commercial Harbor of Denpasar Bali, Indonesia.

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 recognized Hammerheads, White tip and Black tip sharks.
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)? All fins had been frozen, which indicates that the vessel came from a longer trip. 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”.
GD

“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

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.

For questions and special requests,
you can call 729-7087 or 88,
or email us at
training@powermaccenter.com
or go to our website at: http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php
GD

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.
I always wondered about this, did Nikon made a Deal with Bill Gates? 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...OK enough now, problem is solved.
GD
Aperture 2 and iPhoto ‘08 update
This update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2 and iPhoto ’08 for the following cameras:

• Canon EOS 50D
• Nikon D90
• Sony DSLR-A900
• Nikon Coolpix P6000

It also addresses issues related to specific cameras and overall stability.

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

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.

Once you in the HOME Page and you like to view all the Galleries
just click above next to HOME and this will open all my current Galleries and images
but if you in a hurry use the unique search option SEARCH ARCHIVES from now on.

Denpasar market area, Bali
© Photo by Hermes Singson - Bali October 2008

Oh boy what would we do without our trusted Photography Assistant on a commercial shoot.
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. Reliable, trust worthy and a great companion when on the road.
However, Assistants get very little chance to take their own images during a commercial shoot, there is never enough time.
Hermes has developed a great eye for details and takes the opportunities when they arise, but never interfering with our main Job and Duty.
Shooting some images behind the scene or when he gets a spare moment, which is not often on commercial assignments. 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.
To be different he took only Black & White and came up with some cool stuff.
See below some Images by Hermes Singson, shot in Bali behind the scene or when he found the time.

From left: GD at work - and Cafe Wayan Bali

From left: Coffee maker from our room - Toothbrush in Hermes Room
© Photos above by Hermes Singson - Bali October 2008

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
4 and 3 stars, very simple and efficient.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
GD

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.
We created a new presentation to promote two new Restaurants at the
O-CE-N Bali, managed by the Outrigger Hotels.
O-CE-N @ http://www.o-ce-n.com/

Testing the TV’s before the final presentation

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.
GD

Bali exposed...



© Gunther Deichmann - Bali Indonesia
for more recent images on Bali click the Image above or this LINK
You might have to refresh your Browser to view the NEW images

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.

© Gunther Deichmann - a happy old lady during
a Hindu Ceremony, Bali Indonesia
for more recent images on Bali click the Image above or this LINK
You might have to refresh your Browser to view the NEW images

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.
I have provided a small selection of images on my Blog Gallery and check out Bali exposed
@ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/page2/page2.html
or click the IMAGES above.You might have to refresh your Browser to view the NEW images
Soon more on my Main Site once it is updated under New Images & of course at my PhotoShelter Archives.
The Journey continous…
GD

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.

First Depressions: New MacBook's Glossy Screen
( 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
and colorful Crocs Shoes.

© Gunther Deichmann - Tanah Lot Bali Indonesia Oct. 2008
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

Home Sweet Home…have transferred all my images to my Mac Pro and made several back-ups.
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
E-mails.
(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)
A request arrived for some images… need immediately some photos from our recent Property shoot in Bali, half a dozen low res. Images from a particular part of the Property.
Now here is the cool part… a few minutes later they received the images at the O-CE-N Bali.

O-CE-N @ http://www.o-ce-n.com/

Remember when we exported the Projects over to the Mac Pro? All Previews, which had been generated from the start during import from our recent trip, are still on my MacBook Pro until I delete them. 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.
You can also drag them on to your desktop and send them as attachments via Mail or use any other mail server.
I can keep thousand of images in a good jpg resolution on my laptop without clogging it up to much. My resolution setting for Previews is: 1440x1440 which I find is good enough, go to your Preference Panel and choose what preview size you like.
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.
Later and once the client made his final selection I can send the high res. files via FTP or use the ever so useful MobileMe Web Gallery.
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.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
GD

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
GD
Field report: Nikon D700
( posted by David Schloss on 10-22-2008, 04:06 PM ) AUP
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.

You have arrived back home, all your referenced images stored on External Drives (I am using the Rugged 160 Gig Lacie Drives, see my previous Blog) now you have the task ahead and transferring/exporting those to your big Machine.
With Aperture 2 this is quiet simple and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist, I also click on the consolidate images checkbox in the export panel when exporting a whole project.
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. I just love and use the 2x20 inch Apple Cinema Displays, great for Color and fine-tuning.
If you don’t have a MacPro then a very good alternative is an Apple Cinema Display connected to your MacBook Pro. The new 24 inch Apple LED Cinema Display looks pretty slick (but I have had no reviews as of now)

Photo by my Assistant Hermes Singson - back Home again...
you might notice the small orange Lacie Drive in the background
containing the Projects from our last Journey to Bali.

Another question I have been asked by Photographers and some of my students.
How much editing I do on the road?
Well, as Photographers we should spend more time behind the Camera, but the need or should I say the urge sometimes get the better of us…eager to see the images on a larger screen.
Edit as much as you are comfortable with and if the weather turns bad do some more…it is much more fun looking at your creations then watching TV in the Hotel Room.
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.

Of course if you need to send images to Magazine Editors whilst on the road you have no choice but to do some editing. With the right info supplied the editors or the art department should have no problems in dealing with the images depends on the requirements, you could send high jpg or tiff and if they request RAW files go ahead
and send them.

I only tweak the exposure, some raw fine-tuning, cropping, straightening and some other minor adjustments when using the MacBook Pro on the road. The big advantage is to have all your Meta Data in place before you get home, complete caption and keywords. (IPTC) I Choose IPTC Basic or Expanded this is quiet sufficient and quick before the final import, if you need to add more info later no problems you have all the options. 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).
All your images have now the basic info, this way you save a lot of time, plus the advantage that all the images from the days shoot are still fresh in your mind, easy to apply keywords and captions.

Don’t put things of for later, Aperture 2 almost begs you to do it now. 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.

Advise…do not delete files or reformat your Mobile Hard Drives right after you have imported your Images or Projects, wait until you have made another back up on one more external Hard Drive running of your MacPro. Once you have done this go ahead and clean out you Mobile Drives and get them ready for your next trip.

http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
GD

We have returned from Bali... back in Manila leaving behind a very beautiful place.
The images below are a “Play of Light and Color” from two very different places. No computer manipulation on any of the images.

© Gunther Deichmann - reflection of Boats at the
Bali Harbor, shooting below the Pier

© Gunther Deichmann - reflection of Boats at the
Bali Harbor, shooting below the Pier

When I checked my email upon my return I found some images attached from my Brother Bernd who lives in Berlin Germany. 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.

© Bernd Deichmann - Sony Center in Berlin during
the Festival of Lights

© Bernd Deichmann - Sony Center in Berlin during
the Festival of Lights

© Bernd Deichmann - Berliner Dom during
the Festival of Lights

Excerpts from: Mail Online
Forget sight-seeing, light-seeing is the new must-do activity for visitors to Berlin this month.
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'".
For the official Festival of Lights website click this LINK
(from14. - 26. Oktober 2008)

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.
GD

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.

© Gunther Deichmann - Tanah Lot Temple at Dusk, Bali

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.
Until next time… not a good-by… but see you later Bali…
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. O-CE-N @ http://www.o-ce-n.com/
Please stay tuned...soon the very best of Bali on my Website @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - shadows at Kuta Beach,Bali


© Gunther Deichmann - afternoon run, Kuta Beach, Bali


© Gunther Deichmann - creating patterns, Kuta Beach, Bali


© Gunther Deichmann - The colors of Bali


© Gunther Deichmann - Denpasar Market, Bali


© Gunther Deichmann - Food Decor, Bali


© Gunther Deichmann - is this one for me?
Denpasar Market, Bali

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.
(I have found that some Hotels can have completely different outlets and connections as we discovered in Bali)
Make sure you bring along a multi adaptor the Hotel might not have them available. 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.
With my set up running two Lacie Hard Drives (they draw power of my MacBook Pro)
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.

Photo: Hermes Singson - the electrical
system on the road


Photo: Hermes Singson - you need a good power supply for the Lacie Hard Drives
your Camera Battery Chargers, Cell Phones , etc., etc.

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.
Caution... avoid charging your equipment in bathrooms; humidity and water can course electrical shock or damage to your equipment.

http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
GD

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. GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Umbrellas and Shadows at
Legian-Kuta Beach, Bali Indonesia


© Gunther Deichmann - behind the scene...preparing
for the Barong Dance in Batubulan, Bali


© Gunther Deichmann - Hindu cleansing Ceremony at the Lembeng Beach,
held during the full moon of the month


© Gunther Deichmann - roasting Pigs at the roadside in
preparation for the next day Hindu Ceremony

© Gunther Deichmann - Happy faces at the
Denpasar Market, Bali Indonesia

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. For those of you who have not seen it before I have included the image below…

A very simple but super effective setup with two Lacie 160 Gig Hard drives, daisy-chained, thanks to their triple interface. (One USB, One Fire Wire 400 and one Fire Wire 800. Use only the fire wire for this setup, Daisy-chain the 400 and use the 800 for your Card Reader.)

A fast 800 Fire Wire San Disk Card reader and a few blank DVD’s and CD’s just in case.
I named the Lacie Drive A and Drive B. On Drive A I store all my reference Images and keep my MacBook Pro Drive nice and clean, and Drive B is purely for backing up Drive A. By the way the Room Menu usually comes in very handy as a Mouse Pad.

The setup - Photo by Hermes Singson

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.
Back home I transfer all my Projects to my Mac Pro including all my adjustments and Metadata.
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.
GD from Bali
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html
PS. I prepare more images from Bali on my MobileMe Web Gallery once I am back Home where I have a faster connection.

Tags: Backing up,, Personal Backup X4 , Intego

O-CE-N BALI

© Gunther Deichmann - Birds Eye View of the O-CE-N Bali
at Kuta-Legian Beach

Outrigger O~CE~N offers you the best location in Bali for owning a beautiful apartment in the first luxury apartment complex on the beach!

This property photography has been a bit different from our usual commercial shoot, Bali needs very little introduction, well known for its great beaches, gentle people and amazing colorful culture and tradition.
The privately owned O-CE-N Bali is very different from most other places in Bali, incorporating modern architecture and a touch of prehistoric times through out the property. O-CE-N @ http://www.o-ce-n.com/

© Gunther Deichmann - Ammonite set into Onyx at the Long Bar

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.

© Gunther Deichmann - View from the Restaurant
with the amazing Marble in the foreground

At the entrance to one of the RESTAURANTS you can’t miss this fantastic backlit piece of marble cut so thin that it is transparent, an eye catcher at night.
Through out the whole property you see master pieces of stone craft and the occasional 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. Original intended for the property but it ended up in the hands of my good friend Thomas who did some of the interior designs and furnishing of the O-CE-N Bali.

2x1.2 meters

Close up
© Gunther Deichmann - fossilized seabed measuring
some 2x1.2 meters. By the way this unique
piece is for sale if you interested.
You can contact me @ gdeichmann@mac.com

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.
Need my Blues during the editing hours with Aperture 2.

© Gunther Deichmann - the iPod & iHome System

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.
Now my assistant Hermes Singson and myself saw for the first time the final outcome of this true remarkable property. 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.
Hungry? Not a problem, the O-CE-N has some of the best food on the beach and soon their new Seafood Restaurant gives you the best choice of Seafood available in Bali.
GD
PS.Hang five for the next Blog as we continue the Colors of Bali, traveling through the country side, plus Aperture 2 field setup...

Tags: iHome, Property, Design, Outrigger, Real Estate, Kuta Beach, Architecture

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.

© Gunther Deichmann - “Reflections” Bali Indonesia October 2008

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! These are all straight shots from the Beach. NO PHOTOSHOP manipulation and enhancements,
from Aperture 2 direct to my blog pages.

© 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.
The Journey continues with color and reflections…
Cheers from Bali,
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - “Reflections” Bali Indonesia October 2008

Tags: Bali Kuta Beach, Reflections, Surfing Beach

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...

4th Angkor Photography Festival in Cambodia
November 23 - 28, 2008 Siem Reap


© Gunther Deichmann - Siem Reap Angkor Wat, Cambodia 2007
For some of the latest images on Cambodia click the image above or this
LINK http://www.deichmann-photo.com/new-camboadia.html

Tags: Events, Photography Fesival, Siem Reap Cambodia

© 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.

Tags: World War II, Shipwrecks, Dive Truk Lagoon, Discovery, Wreck Diving

4th Angkor Photography Festival in Cambodia
November 23 - 28, 2008 Siem Reap


© Gunther Deichmann, Angkor Wat, Siam Reap Cambodia 2007
for some recent images on Cambodia click the image or this LINK

The first such event to be organized in Southeast Asia
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/
Gunther Deichmann @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

Tags: Angkor Wat Photography Festival, Artworks

© Gunther Deichmann - Bali Temple Door

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.
But the real reason for my travel to Bali? I let you know later...another suspense.

Aperture 2.1.1 never leave Home with out it...

Bali Indonesia...A World first...Asian Beach Games
18 - 29 October 2008

Indonesia will make history from the 18th — 26th of October 2008 when it plays host to the first Asian Beach Games in the world. 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.
For more information visit http://www.bali2008.com/

Tags: Bali , Indonesia, Asian Beach Games, athletes, World first , Island of the Gods

© Gunther Deichmann Cliffhangers...check the yellow circle

Tech info: Please keep in mind that all the images are in very low resolution and only for this Blog . They have also a full Watermark Copyright on them created in Aperture 2. The images came from my slide collection, scanned and imported into Aperture 2, some of them had to be restored since they had deteriorated some what. 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.
For more images please click this LINK or the Images, you might have to refresh your Browser to see the NEW Images.

© Gunther Deichmann - Cliffhangers

If there would be a Olympic competition in barefoot rock climbing, scaling the razor sharp limestone cliffs in Palawan then the Tagbanuas would break the world record.
These fearless natives of Palawan in the Philippines climbing these towering cliffs with such an ease they deserve a Gold medal, collecting “The White Gold” the bids nests every year.
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.
I used strong footwear and ropes, but my barefooted local guides shot straight past me and waited at the entrance of this small cave.
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.

© Gunther Deichmann - a very rare image
with the swiftlet on the nest

Scaling these limestone cliffs is a common job among the native Tagbanuas of Northern Palawan. They collect this nest and sell it to a middlemen who would, in turn, trade it to Chinese restaurants or other Traders in Manila
The nests are composed of interwoven strands of salivary laminae cement. The nests have high levels of calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. Hong Kong and the United States are the largest importers of these nests.In Hong Kong a bowl of Bird Nest Soup would cost US$30 to $100 . A kilogram of white nest 9hence the name “White Gold) can cost up to $2,000

Authentic bird's nest soup is made using the nests of the swiftlet, a tiny bird found throughout southeast Asia.
The edible bird's nests are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans.
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.
The problem is the livelihood for the Tagbanuas if the practice and collecting these Bird Nests stopped since there is very little else besides fishing for these amazing agile people.

Unfortunately, harvesters will take a nest once it is large enough, whether or not eggs or chicks are present. Most caves have one season for harvest but thieves steal nests throughout the year. In recent years the swiftlet population has dropped, putting swiftlets on the protected species list.

© Gunther Deichmann - Tagbanua family life...
for more images click this LINK or the image

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. At the end of the season they move back to their Village within the Coron Bay area.
GD

Tags: Monochrome Mixer, Nido, Swiftlet, Birds, Nature, Chinese , White Gold, Bird Nest Soup, Bird Nest Collecting

An interesting query:
Subject: Aperture Web Journal Themes
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.).  I've searched and can't really find anything other than going into the html code which I'm not equipped to do.
Brian

Hi Brian,
I am trying to work something out for you. 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.
Remember a few years ago we couldn’t do anything like this, but since have come a long way, seldom leaving the application to perform other tasks.
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. Rapid Weaver works real well with Mac (designed for it.) Here is the link to the site.
http://www.realmacsoftware.com/rapidweaver/
Cheers Gunther

Since then I have received another nice input from Martin Gisborne, Aperture Product Marketing Manager.
A company called Jumsoft makes custom themes for Aperture… you could try checking out their site http://www.jumsoft.com/aperture/
Maybe there is someone else out there with some additional info for Brian and others,
or maybe our friends at Aperture User Network AUN can shine some more light on this issue.
GD

Tags: Web Journal

Photography & Aperture 2 at the Power Mac Center, Makati, Greenbelt 2, Sept. 24

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“The ONE SOFTWARE SOLUTION for Photographers” click on the Banner for more info at the Power Mac Training Center

POWER MAC TRAINING CENTER
2nd Level, Greenbelt 3 Ayala Center, Makati
For questions and special requests,
you can call 729-7087 or 88,
or email us at training@powermaccenter.com

Tags: Aperture 2 Training, Makati Manila, Late News

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.

Screenshot above:
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.
Lets call it “Discover Aperture & find the hidden Treasures”
Lets be honest, with most applications you have to experiment a bit and soon you discover things which you cant find in the Help menu.
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.
Now I did a simple Screen shot with the ever so handy and very cool Snapz Pro X and it was done
Not a high end out put but something you might need for reasons explained above a handy and quick layout, great for email attachments or blogs, etc.

Attach this to your Mail or use it for your Web or Blog pages

These are only simple tips in case you have a need for them, my advise is experiment a bit and you find Aperture 2 has a lot more usages then you think. But never leaving Aperture is for me a real plus and very handy if you are on the road with limited time, after all we should spend more time shooting. Of course you can get very serious and have all the pdf options at you disposal and create some very cool professional looking Books.
Have fun and enjoy,
GD

Tags: Aperture 2 Books, Aperture Tips, Aperture Themes, Photography Presentation

© Gunther Deichmann - aerial near the 70 Islands, Palau Micronesia for the latest images on Palau please visit my PhotoShelter Archive click this LINK or the image above.
It comes at no surprise that Palau made it in the “Readers Choice Awards 2008” again. Operators like Sam’s Tours are part of this success having invested into a complete iMac Digital Photo Center offering their customers state of the art Photo and Video imaging opportunities. Not only for the Pros., the NEW Facility at Sam’s Tours caters also for the Hobbyist who like to take the memory home from above and below the waves, sharing the images with friends and family members.
The Facility is also fully DSL/Wi-Fi connected.
For the Pro the DPC is fully equipped with the latest digital imaging software including Aperture. Read some excepts from the DPC below, there you find also a direct link to Sam’s Tours Digital Photo Center.

The Scuba Diving Magazine Readers Choice Awards 2008

Palau, Micronesia
FIRST PLACE:
Dive Destinations
Marine Life
Big Animal Encounters
Wall Diving
Underwater Photography
Advanced Diving
TOP THREE:
Top Macro Life
Top Value
TOP FIVE:
Top Healthiest Marine Environment
Top Wreck Diving
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 is a member of the Philippines Micronesia Alliance, www.alliancediving.com

While the diving is spectacular in Palau all year round, Sam’s Tours has scheduled some additional Special Events for 2008, to offer visitors, check for detail on the website.

Click on this LINK or the image above and go direct to
Sam’s Tours Digital Photo Center

DIGITAL PHOTO CENTER at 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. No other photo center in Palau comes near!
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.

Tags: iMac, Advance Diving, Big Animal Encounter, Macro Life, Top Wreck Diving, Readers Choice Awards 2008, Scuba Diving Magazine, Dive Destinations

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

• Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n
• Nikon D700
• Olympus EVOLT E-420
• Olympus EVOLT E-520
• Olympus SP-570
• Samsung GX-10
• Samsung GX-20
• Sony DSLR-A300
• Sony DSC-R1

Tags: Software update, Raw File compatibility, iPhoto '08

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

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Tags: Journey Through Color and Time, International Stock Photos

I like to introduce to you the extremely rare Leichhardt Grasshopper from Arnhem Land in Australia, why do I bring this to your attention only now? Well, you can find this guy in my PhotoShelter Archive under: Insect/Grasshopper/Australia
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.

© Gunther Deichmann - the rare and very unique Leichhardt Grasshopper from Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory of Australia, found nowhere else in the world. Visit Gunther Deichmann website @ www.deichmann-photo.com or click on the image above.

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 understand the Aboriginals a lot better now, the Dream TIme and myth, I can imagine when they saw this orange colored Grasshopper for the first time, how Alien this must have been.
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. All the other ones which where clinging on this bush I left where I found them, but of course took some Photos first, I might never see them again.
The Leichhardt Grasshopper is only found in the Northern Territory, Australia.
Another endangered species?

See below some more info and excerpts courtesy of:
http://www.abc.net.au/cgi-bin/common/printfriendly.pl?/
science/scribblygum/November2000/default.htm
It's named after the explorer, Ludwig Leichhardt who reported great numbers of them as he crossed the Arnhem Land plateau in 1845. However, after a few more sightings, Leichhardt's Grasshopper went incognito for 120 years. It's only reappeared on the scientific record recently, around 1973, when the mining industry boomed and access into Leichhardt's grasshopper territory was improved.
In Australia's Top End a beguiling grasshopper is heralding the coming of the wet season by putting on its gaudiest outfit. Leichhardt's Grasshopper is out in full adult glory. It's Australia's most brightly coloured grasshopper and one of the most spectacular in the world.
Leichhardt's Grasshopper is bright red, blue and orange. Its strong colours are a defence against predators which works so well that this little grasshopper has Attitude - often it doesn't even bother to fly away when predators approach.
Leichhardt's Grasshopper's scientific name is Petasida ephippigera. Grasshoppers come from the group of insects known as Orthoptera, which includes crickets, locusts and grasshoppers.
Jawoyn and Gundjeibmi people of Western Arnhem Land call the grasshopper Alyurr, children of the Lightning Man Namarrgon, a powerful ancestral being.
Catching sight of these grasshoppers requires a bit of effort and some patience. Most sites are accessible only by foot more than a day's walk from any roads. Even then it may not be worth it. Numbers fluctuate so greatly that grasshoppers may only be around one year in three.
This remoteness has made Leichhardt's Grasshopper difficult to study and also to protect. Even though it is quite rare, the grasshopper isn't able to be covered by Endangered Species Legislation because we don't fully understand its basic distribution, biology and ecology.For more info and some of the interesting Aboriginal legends go to:
http://www.abc.net.au/cgi-bin/common/printfriendly.pl?/
science/scribblygum/November2000/default.htm

We have just removed the PhotoShelter widget on my main site...the PhotoShelter Archive has just been updated with all the images from the PhotoShelter collection.
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.

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© Concept and design Copyright Gunther Deichmann
Click on the “Hot Couple” or the banner above
and go direct to my PhotoShelter Archives.

Tags: Commercial Photography, Advertising Photography, Editorial Photography, Stock Photography, Rare Insects, Ludwig Leichhardt, Arnhem Land, Grasshopper

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....
Today I like to share with you two images from Hubert Weber an Executive at the Werdenberg Corporation in Manila, his hobby and passion is Photography. Oh, by the way... his boss just bought an iMac and made the switch...we are talking about Executives who have been using PC’s all their lives and now making the switch.

Esplanade Singapore, the copyright note on the images has been created using BorderFX 1.1 plug-in for Aperture, check my previous Blog for all the details.

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. Well done Hubert, keep up these nice images...
GD

Tags: Switching from PC to Mac, Night Photography, Skyline

Posted (By: David Schloss. 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
as a personal-image-sharing site.
Nice and so cool to get some exchange going, solving problems and giving advise to those who needed.
Remember my previous Blog: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html#unique-entry-id-274
“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.”

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. If you need all the other options in BorderFX 1.1 creating borders, shadows, additional text, etc.,etc., it is all there, just activate them by ticking the option box, it is that simple. Download BorderFX 1.1 at the link below:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/aperture/
GD

Read John’s article on BorderFX 1.1 in Aperture User Network
click the link below:
Marking the border and watermarks with BorderFX
( posted by John Omvik on 09-12-2008, 08:22 PM )
BorderFX Export Plug-in for Aperture
Aperture Export plug-in called BorderFX 1.1 developed by Reinhard Uebel.
http://www.apertureprofessional.com/showthread.php?t=19449

Tags: Aperture Export Plug-in, BorderFX 1.1, Workflow, Manila Street Scene

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...
Nothing new in Photography, waiting and patience are some of the essentials in good Photography.
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.

© Gunther Deichmann - Bali Indonesia from the Book (cropped version)
“Journey Through Color and Time”
For a preview of the Book please CLICK THIS LINK

Tags: Bali , Indonesia, Time travel, iPod , Resorts and Spas, HOTELS

The last time I mention my Son on this blog was when he messed around with his DJ stuff mixing and creating Music in GarageBand. Now he scares me with the power of Terminal and pulling iPods apart. But he is actually very good in fixing things too.

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.

Inside of a 30GIG iPOD

He wouldn’t dare or would he? 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.

left:The Power Mac Center Greenbelt, Makati, Manila, right:Mark-Lee

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.

Tags: Power Mac Center, tech support, iPod hard drive

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. I have included the image below with a Watermark and a screenshot of the settings below.

© Gunther Deichmann - if you look closely
you see a faint watermark on the left

Inside the Preference panel, Screenshot of the
actual water mark settings

On Sep 5, 2008, at 6:57 PM, Ian Watts wrote:

Your Name: Ian Watts

Your Email: ian@wattsphotography.co.uk

Subject: Aperture 2 and MobileMe

Message: Is it possible to attach watermarks to images exported to MobileMe galleries?

Various web forums think not...

Thanks,
Ian


On Sep 5, 2008, at 1:28 PM, Gunther Deichmann wrote:

Hi Ian,

Unfortunately there is still a little problem within Aperture 2 and the watermark, Aperture always had some minor glitches with the watermark, dont know why the Engineers at Apple have not fully addressed this issue. I guess with anything fairly new problems will occur and down the road this one will also go away for sure.
But here is an easy workaround since my images are only for the web and in Low res., it is easy and fast
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.

Back in your Aperture Browser choose and select your images you like for your Mobile Me Gallery.
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. Plus you have a watermark on them now anyway. Now you import the whole folder and create your Mobile Me Web Gallery and all your images have now the copyright mark.
Ok, I know it is a little work around but it is a lot faster than using Photoshop and applying the watermarks one by one.
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.
Have a nice day,
Cheers Gunther
PS. I dont watermark raw or high res. files since they go out to clients I know and can trust.


From: ian@achievers.co.uk
Subject: Re: Aperture 2 and MobileMe
Date: September 5, 2008 8:53:19 PM GMT+08:00
To: gdeichmann@mac.com

Hi Gunther,

Thank you for your speedy response.

What a pity! 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?

I have done what you suggested and it works fine - thank you - if a little time consuming!
Thanks again for your help,

Ian
Watts Photography
ian@wattsphotography.co.uk

Tags: Watermark, Workaround, Problem solving

I am sure the Underwater Housing manufactures are very busy at work; they need to get the Housings ready for the all New Nikon D90 at the Photokina later this month.
The Nikon D90…after some more thoughts and looking at some test reports this camera is going to be a winner. 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/
Link to the Photokina in Germany, September 2008 - http://www.photokina-cologne.com/thefair/

The NEW Nikon D90 the very first
D-SLR with a Movie function

Photo Courtesy of Nikon Singapore
http://www.nikon.com.sg/

Photo Courtesy of Nikon Singapore
http://www.nikon.com.sg/

Lets wait and see once it is out there, but the movie option is very cool and I guess a nice if not perfect addition for our Underwater Photographers. Now you can shoot all your Digital images just like before but have the option for Video too. Nice... going Nikon!

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.
But there is also a bigger risk and we should be aware of it…you must keep an eye on your gauges, check you air supply regular. We all know to well when we have this great shot in front of us, and say oh just one more…one more…just one more...
To late we realize that we dont have enough air left for our Deco or Safety stops or in the worst case we find ourselves to deep and just run out of Air..Not even the greatest shot is worth taken that risk...remember it is your life.
You have this great shot but cant share it with anyone, because you and your Camera are missing in the DEEP.
Digital Cameras with large CF Cards 8Mb and more have increased the risk of scuba diving today, plus now a Video option.
The size of our regular Dive Tanks has stayed the same and decompression sickness is not going away.
Take some great images with the same Camera plus Video now, very easy, but don’t forget about you and your buddy’s safety.

© Gunther Deichmann - Our living Fossil the Nautilus from Palau Micronesia, and what better place than to Dive with Sam’s Tours which is fully equipped with the state of the Art Digital Photo Center. For more info click on the banner Ad or on the images and go direct to Sam’s Tours Digital Photo Center.


© 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. Here is the link: http://www.divephotoguide.com/

© Gunther Deichmann - Napoleon Wrasse and Sharks. Great wall diving in Palau Micronesia, but be careful and watch you gauges make sure you have enough air for you safety and/or deco stop. A real problem in todays Digital Underwater Photography is, when to say NO to another Photo.
Of course all of this is not a problem for our land Photographers...would I use the new feature? Yes, for my Podcast for sure. Once I had the chance to give it a test drive I let you know what is possible.
For other images by Gunther Deichmann go to: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/home.html

Tags: D-SLR, Photokina , Decompression sickness, Safety Stop, Digital Photography Preview, Compact Flash Cards

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 - Rainforest, North Queensland

© Gunther Deichmann - last light on a Water Lily, a Billabong
in Kakadu National Park, N.T.

THINK!

Tags: Kakadu National Park, GLOBAL WARMING, North Queensland

I have read and followed up on some environmental stories in Australia recently, my Home Country.
“Big Dry” turns farms into deserts…Australia is experiencing it’s worst drought in 100 years. But for how much longer?
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.

Is it Dejavou? Cover of Time Magazine, March 28, 1983, Gunther Deichmann

In 1983 I experienced first hand the slaughter of thousands of cattle and sheep, destroyed due to lack of food and water.
Native animals like the Emus got killed when crossing fence lines in search for food and water. (see the image below)
“Are we now on the very brink of environmental collapse."
Excerpts from the BBC...
"You see the lack of birds and the lack of life. You smell it. You can smell the water. If you walk out into the lake bed you can burn your feet because of the acid sulphates."
"It's very real and it's happening right in front of us."
"It's been a disaster," according to the global warming activist and best-selling author, Professor Tim Flannery.

© Gunther Deichmann - Photo taken in 1983 during
“Australia’s Great Dry” near Port Augusta,in South Australia
- The remains of an Emu -

See below some excerpts from a recent story on the TIme.com website; for more and the complete article please go to:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,923411,00.html
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. Last year it had 2.3 in. In many areas seeds cannot germinate; in others the regal Murrumbidgee River is nothing but a stagnant puddle. Dust storms have enveloped Melbourne and, five weeks ago, bushfires raged over the arid ground of southeastern Australia, claiming a record 72 lives.

© Gunther Deichmann - Composite image (2 images) to demonstrate
Global Warming and the effects it is having on us and our planet.

Tags: GLOBAL WARMING, Australia, GREAT DRY, Disaster, Drought, Bush Fires, Dust Storms, Animals, Emu

I just picked up this Press release; amazing and more amazing new cameras have being released for the Photokina in Germany 2008. I guess the race is on again, Nikon verses Canon...
Plus this coincident with the name “Deichkind”…which made me really laugh, read below the blog post.
Can we create now movies and podcasts in the Temples of Cambodia? Where is this all going, but it is an interesting New Camera from Nikon and a very first with the new Movie function.

From the Photokina Blog post… http://news-photokina.koelnmesse.info/en/
Under the motto “Image, Music & (E)Motion,” photokina 2008 will present IMMOTION–the photokina Party Night, a unique event offering a sizzling combination of sound and vision. Top international performers from the live and club music scene will meet up with young, international VJ and imaging projects. There to provide the perfect party atmosphere will be Deichkind, Bomb the Bass, Pan/Tone, and other top musical acts. The party will take place on September 26, 2008 (entrance: 8 p.m.; beginning: 9 p.m.).

Worldwide unique and successful Photokina world of imaging 23.-28.09.2008
http://www.photokina-cologne.com/thefair/
Innovation- and trendforum, global platform for business and communication of the whole imaging sector, that’s photokina!
As the leading fair of the branch photokina puts a focus on the image and shows how convergence of different products and technologies determines the dynamics and growth of this market. Images and image technologies decide the quality of modern communication and form an integral part of the technology of today and tomorrow.

Nikon Singapore, Photo Courtesy Press release: Nikon D90 DSLR - 27/08/2008
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 @
http://www.nikon.com.sg/

.Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 27 August 2008 – Nikon Europe today announces another great step forward in its mid-class DX-format D-SLR range: the D90. 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. The D90 will open new doors for photography enthusiasts of any level.
With 12.3 megapixels, the newly-designed DX-format CMOS image sensor and Nikon’s proprietary EXPEED image processing concept, the D90 is a quality-guarantee. 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
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0808/08082702nikond90previewed.asp#press

Tags: Nikon D90, D-SLR, DX-format flagship, World of imaging, Photokina Germany, 12.3 megapixels, D300, movie function

Another Alien afternoon...
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.

Tags: Corals, Alien, U/V light, Marine Biology

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.
Thanks Marilyn for sharing this with us.
Gunther
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:
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/video/player#/?titleID=1579853604&catID=1

Tags: National Geographic Traveler, Sailfish Photos, Interesting Photos, Gulf of Mexico

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. Plus minimum requirements for running Aperture 2 plus a link to the Aperture 2 Trail version, hey why dont you take Aperture 2 for a spin now...

But now an interesting Press release....
from Nikon @ http://www.nikon.com.sg/ & dpreview.com
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0808/08080702nikonp6000.asp
For more on the New Nikon Coolpix P6000 check out the links above.

Nikon announces Coolpix P6000 with GPS
Thursday, 7 August 2008 04:40 GMT
Nikon has announced its flagship compact, the Coolpix P6000. Built around a 13.5 megapixel, 1/1.72 inch sensor (0.41 square cm), the camera has a 4x zoom starting at a respectably wide-angle - equivalent to 28mm. 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. The other stand-out feature is the inclusion of built-in GPS logging of the locations at which images were recorded.

Photo Composite by GD
Nikon Coolpix P6000 features
* 13.5 megapixel CCD (effective)

* 4x wide-angle zoom lens (28 - 112 mm equiv.) with optical stabilization
* 2.7" LCD monitor (230,000 pixels)
* ISO 64 - 1600 at full resolution (3200 and 6400 at three megapixels)
* NRW RAW format (although "Windows Imaging Component" and "Windows only")
* Built-in GPS receiver records location (latitude and longitude for automatic geotagging)
* External flash and lens accessories
* Wired LAN port
* Face-priority AF
* D-Lighting

This on the new Nikon RAW format:

COOLPIX Picture Control NRW (RAW) files can only be processed in-camera. NRW (RAW) files are compatible for use in-camera, with ViewNX (Windows version only available early October 2008) or with WIC-based applications. Capture NX, Capture NX2 and NEF files are not compatible with NRW (RAW) images.
is pleased to announce its new top-of-the-line Performance series COOLPIX model, the P6000, Nikon’s first camera with built-in GPS.
The COOLPIX P6000 is packed with groundbreaking technology to ensure the highest possible image quality from a compact body. 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. Furthermore it features three functions to reduce image blur. High-performance Lens-shift Vibration Reduction (VR) allows sharp pictures with minimal blur and offers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed three stops faster. Its superior noise-reduction technology allows a sensitivity range up to ISO 6400. Nikon’s Best Shot Selector allows the camera to take a maximum of 10 sequential shots and automatically saves the sharpest image. This is ideal for macro close-up shooting when camera shake is most likely.

Aperture’s Wide Support for Leading Cameras...but from what I can gather no support yet by Aperture 2 for the Nikon Coolpix P6000.

Using Aperture, you can import JPEG images from virtually all digital cameras. Shooting RAW? Camera Aperture supports the RAW formats from a wide range of digital SLRs and medium-format cameras and camera backs. You’ll find an extensive list of supported camera models on the RAW support page.
http://www.apple.com/aperture/specs/

Minimum System Requirements
http://www.apple.com/aperture/specs/

* Native RAW import and editing of images from leading digital cameras and camera backs (See RAW support page for model listing.)
Aperture 2 supports the RAW formats from more than 100 digital cameras and camera backs. (Note that models marked with an asterisk require Aperture 2 with Mac OS X v10.4.11 Tiger or Mac OS X v10.5.2 Leopard or later.) Aperture 2 also lets you work with most DNG files.1 Shoot JPEG? Using Aperture, you can import JPEG images from virtually all digital cameras.
http://www.apple.com/aperture/specs/raw.html

Tutorials
http://www.apple.com/aperture/tutorials/

The Aperture 2 trial provides a fully functional version of Aperture 2 that you can use and experiment with. While it includes all the features available in a licensed copy, the trial version will expire 30 days after you launch it for the first time.

Tags: Nikon Coolpix P6000, 13.5 megapixel, Digital SLRs, DNG files, NRW format, GPS logging

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.

The Commercial Photography site @
http://web.mac.com/gdimages/gdimages/Home.html

Click on the Image to view the commercial site.


See below the latest Videos, go to Music Video/Podcast
click on the images or the link below:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/page4/page4.html




Video © 2008 Gunther \Deichmann and Dirk Fahrenbach, Edit: Gunther Deichmann
and Hermes Singson, Music: © 2008 Gunther Deichmann and Sounddogs,
re-mixed in GarageBand and Soundtrack Pro. All rights reserved © 2008

Tags: Commercial Photography, SOUTH EAST ASIA, Soundtrack Pro, Aerial Photography, Philippines, MICRONESIA AND THE PACIFIC

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.

2008 Video © Dirk Fahrenbach edited and sound track mix by © Gunther Deichmann
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.

Tags: Underwater Video, Sounddogs, Video Cam, Dugong Dive Center, Dirk Fahrenbach, Club Paradise

Good NEWS for all our Underwater Photographers & Adventure Travelers...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. The Divers Choice...

Blog Post from the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance
Late Breaking NEWS...finally our updated and improved website is up and running at alliancediving.com the Divers Choice
22/08/08 14:14 Filed in: Breaking NEWS | Alliance News
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. You might have to refresh your Browser and update your cache.
Please go ahead and check it out, our domain name is the same except for the facelift...www.alliancediving.com

Some images from the NEW and updated PMA website, click on the image
above and go direct to the New Gallery @ www.alliancediving.com

Tags: Philippine-Micronesia Alliance, The Divers Choice, Digital Photo Center Palau, Underwater Cameras, Adventure Travel Tours

I just saw this interesting article by Micah Walter from the AUN Blog I totally agree with Micah and I am only adding; why I am using Aperture? (this is not a comparison) However if you really curious I have provided the link below on the article by Micah.

Pound for pound & click for click...
(posted by Micah Walter on Yesterday, 02:03 PM)
I spent some time today catching up on some Lightroom reading.
http://www.apertureprofessional.com/showthread.php?t=18722

Now to my two cents worth... WHY do I use Aperture? 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.

1. I am using a Mac; I guess it is the logical choice to use Aperture.

2. Integration, integration and more integration…this is a very big part for me why I am using Aperture, read some of the blogs and you understand why.

3. 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
in 2006, only Aperture was available (it was just released) and using Photoshop would have taken way to long for the short deadline I had. Sorting through more than 10,000 images from more than 24 countries taken over 30 years, plus adding the last chapter from Tibet, another 5000 plus images, mixing scanned and digital images, from high jpg, tiff to Raw. Not an easy task producing a hard cover Book with some 360 pages, matching the images for their color and theme.
I truly believe that “Journey Through Color & Time” was the very first international book where Aperture not only played a major role but
also made it possible to produce it in such a short time.

To view selected images from the Book, find out
more or read some reviews please use this link,
or click on the image above.
http://web.me.com/gdeichmann/Gunther_Deichmann_
Photography/The_Book_Images/The_Book_Images.html

The Book Journey Through Color & Time
limited signed edition (only 300 copies left)
Publication is available @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/orders.html
or email @ FEEDBACK & CONTACT
(a great personal or corporate gift for art lovers.)

All I had was Aperture 1.0 loaded into my Machine and jumped in the cold water. There was very little info in those days on Aperture. Now we have a brand NEW Aperture 2.1.1 more capabilities, faster more integrated etc., etc…
a fantastic evolution in just 2 years plus.
Lightroom was not even around then…and maybe this is the answer to the question why I am full of praise when it comes to Aperture.
What I am trying to say is…and I have said this many times before get to know one software well. YOUR images are not created in the Computer; we only use the software and the Computer, as the digital darkrooms don’t ever forget this.
The images in my Book have not been altered, that is why I fell in LOVE with Aperture in the first place, (in those days; no dodge, burn, repair and clone, etc.) 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…
I am a Photographer and Aperture just works for me.
GD

Tags: Journey Through Color and Time, Book Publications, Adobe Software, JPG, Tiff, Art Books, File Format, In Design, Limited Edition Books, Rare Books, PUBLISHING, Photography Books

Here is my promised article on: “What is the different between the Web Gallery - Web Journal - and Web Page.” Aperture 2 offers you all three choices…but what are the fundamental differences between these three?
I am not going into details of these three today but I rather explain in simple and short terms the difference. You might remember from of my previous blogs how much I love the Web Gallery now called MobileMe Gallery.

Heritage Suite Hotel Cambodia Screenshot of the MobileMe Gallery,
view this Gallery online click this link or the image above.
But you have to use the Username: gdimages Password: gd2551

1. When you need to create web pages that mix text and images, the Web Journal option is your best choice. When you create a Web Journal, you manually add the pages, images and text. This is slower than the Web Gallery option, but it offers precise control.
2. Within Aperture there is a third option simply called Webpage. 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.

Screenshot of the Web Journal, ideal for lots of text.

Screenshot of the Webpages, with limited text options

3. 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. However you do need a MobileMe account for the MobileMe Gallery.

The Web Journal and Web Page can be placed also on any Server where as the Web Gallery (now MobileMe Gallery) requires a .Mac account or now a MobileMe account.
I have described my favorite the MobileMe Gallery (before .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…
Check this link for some action shots at the Olympics: CLICK HERE
“Phelps Frame-By-Frame Phelps' Miracle” Finish

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: If iWeb isn’t located in your Dock, you can navigate to your Applications folder and launch it from here.
Note also: If you have an active MobileMe account, when you click on the Publish button, iWeb will automatically upload your website. Otherwise you can always choose File>Publish to a Folder to Export iWebpages without needing a MobileMe account (until recently it was called .Mac)
WOW all of this within Aperture 2.1.1; I keep on saying…AMAZING… not surprising with all this integration on the Mac.
GD

Tags: Webpages, Webtechnique, MobileMe Gallery, Web Journal, iWEB

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...
"How to shoot at 10-frames-per-second and edit at 12-frames-per-hour."

© Gunther Deichmann - Surfing in Bali Indonesia

Sometimes it is so confusing and difficult to learn or master something NEW, we are so set in our ways and I cant blame you.
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.

Check out the very latest info/images behind the scene at the Beijing Olympics and Aperture 2.1.1 go to:
AUN - http://www.apertureprofessional.com/
O’Reilys - http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/aperture/certainly

Below are some very common terms used through out Aperture and in Digital Photography today.

Adobe RGB (1998) A commonly used color profile often used for printing. Many professional labs request that image files be delivered in this color space.
sRGB A common working space designed to represent the average PC monitor. Because of its small gamut, it is suitable for Web graphics but not for print production.
Adjustments HUD A heads-up display, or floating panel of contextual controls, that enables adjustments to be applied to images.
hue An attribute of color perception, also known as color phase. Red and blue are hues.
EXIF Short for Exchangeable Image File. 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.
HUD Heads-up display: a floating panel with various options. Different HUDs can adjust levels, increase brightness, modify color temperature, assign keywords, straighten horizons, or make any other adjustments.
ICC profile Created as a result of device characterization, an ICC profile contains the data about a device’s exact gamut.

IPTC Short for International Press Telecommunications Council. IPTC metadata is used by photographers and media organizations to embed keywords in the image files themselves. Large publishers typically use image managementsystems to quickly identify images based on their IPTC information.
metadata Data describing other data, including image files. Databases use metadata to track specific forms of data. 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.
RAW The original bit-for-bit uncompressed digital image file captured by a camera. Aperture works with RAW images through every step of the digital workflow and supports the RAW formats from all leading digital camera manufacturers.
GD

Tags: Raw File, HUD, iPTC, sRGB, Metadata, Print Production, Beijing Olympics 2008, iCC Profile, Adobe RGB, Adjustment HUD

I picked up this post from the Aperture Users Network (AUN) an interesting observation by David Schloss...
In his article David is absolutely right, many Photographers dont have the time, (try to make time) or could not be bothered to change. I know many such cases...but I know also many others who are willing to listening and try very hard to make the switch from Photoshop to Aperture, in the end it is for their own benefit. I had similar reports from India where Photographers like to make the change but find it difficult to switch from their existing workflow, the lack of “HANDS ON” a common problem...but how can we solve this?
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.

© Gunther Deichmann - Kite surfing action Philippines &
as David Schloss put it so nice...
"How to shoot at 10-frames-per-second and edit at 12-frames-per-hour."

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/
My personal opinion and closing words...get familiar with one software instead messing around with many different ones. You find Aperture is not that difficult to learn or to digest, it might be a bit strange in the beginning (no need to SAVE anything) but as time goes by you going to love it...like I do. Plus you have all the integration on the Mac, perfect for events like the Olympic Games.

But now to Beijing...
Beijing Olympics and the Photoshop Paradox
( posted by David Schloss on Yesterday, 08:37 AM )
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."
Apple's got a rather large amount of support available in the MPC, (we're in the lower level, relatively near the McDonalds) with fifty MacPro desktop systems set up connected to 30-inch Cinema Displays. Members of the media are welcome to come and hook up to them and work on Aperture or any of a number of other programs on the machines, and the "broadband" connections mean that photographers can go from shooting to submission in no time.
That is, unless they are still using Photoshop as their main image management tool. 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...
read the complete story & more @
http://www.apertureprofessional.com/showthread.php?t=18615

Tags: Competition, China, Beijing Olympics 2008, Support, SPORT, Action Photography, BRIDGE AND PHOTOSHOP, International Sports Event, Apple Mac, TRAINING

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!

© 2007 Gunther Deichmann - prestine Rainforest
in Micronesia/Pacific

I thought I share this interesting science article with you, yes a bit different from the usual Photography and Aperture stories.
But I am very fascinated by this article from the BBC. New rainforest species revealed. Parasitic vampire catfish caught on camera for the first time
An expedition to the rainforests of Guyana has discovered species new to science. A team of researchers and wildlife film-makers spent six weeks searching the pristine forest as part of a BBC documentary.
The group believes it has revealed two fish species, one frog species and a number of bat flies that have not been described previously. The finds are detailed in the BBC series Lost Land of the Jaguar.
The three-part documentary includes footage of the elusive South American cat. Dr George McGavin (BBC) was astonished at the variety of life on show. "In a short time, we caught hundreds of species, 10% of which may be new to science. It was unreal, unbelievable," exclaimed Dr George McGavin, a zoologist and one of the four presenters of the documentary.
Images/Video and a lot more about this amazing story at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7531537.stm

Tags: RAINFOREST, Guyana, SOUTH AMERICA, Wildlife Photography

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

© Gunther Deichmann - Composite
“INFINITY”...and www.websyncintl.com

....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. Stay tuned for the next GarageBand Mix “Surfing Blues” soon available on this blog.
GD

Tags: INFINITY, SPACE, ABSTRACT, Web Ad, Web banner, Websync International

Last year PopPhoto.com Online Home of Popular Photography & Imaging and AMERICAN PHOTO presented… A Tips & Tricks Special! Pros, readers, and Pop Photo editors share their secrets for taking your photography beyond the ordinary.

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. Other cool tips and the complete article in PopPhoto.com @
http://www.popphoto.com/popularphotographyfeatures/4776/20

12) Oil's Well.
Need soft focus in only part of a scene? And you still don't have your soft-focus filters? Gunther Deichmann suggests using your finger to very gently apply oil from your forehead to your lens (or better, UV filter) at a point that corresponds to the area you'd like softened. After shooting, be sure to remove the oil with a lens-cleaning cloth or tissue.
10) Reflection on You.
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, he doesn't use large, intimidating reflectors. Instead, he wears a white T-shirt.
"If you position yourself correctly in natural light, the T-shirt is a very nice reflector," he says. "No need for anybody to hold a reflector, and your hands are free."

1) Plus added today…More tips with the white T-shirt…
also very handy for a nice soft fill in flash…just point your strobe at your T-shirt and you have a very nice soft fill.
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.

2) Walking in the tropical rain…
Shooting in the rain can be challenging but also very rewarding, I just love it… especially when you live in the tropics like I do.
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. Make sure they are the Poncho type, easy to put on and they have enough opening to get to your Camera quickly.
(You can find them usually at Shopping Centers or Department stores.)

The cool thing about these inexpensive raincoats, they fold up very small (approx. size of an A5 Note Book) and they have an opaque appearance. 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. Now you covered up for the rain but also have a small soft box when needed.

I am also using different Camera Bags; but which one I choose before going on a trip? Well, that really depends on the shoot, the location, if I bring the Computer and if I am traveling alone or with an assistant, etc., etc.
But this Bag from Lowepro is fantastic; the DryZone is the world’s first totally waterproof, soft-sided camera backpack.
When choosing a Camera Bag think of it like buying a Condom for your Cameras “health and protection must be guaranteed.”

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.
You need to get the Job done, and a good Camera Bag can help in protecting your equipment. I have been using the DryZone 200 for a couple of years now and I am very happy with it... a super cool bag for the most rugged situations.
From the dust bowels in Tibet to the Beaches and remote Islands in the Pacific this bag provided me with the comfort and security I needed.Perfect for some real Island hopping, given you the security in rough or rainy weather when travelling in a small boat from island to island. (See below some specs. on the DryZone 200.)

The DryZone, even fully loaded, they float so your gear is always protected. The inner drypod with patented, waterproof TIZIP™ zipper provides 100% watertight protection. It’s like a drysuit for your equipment. When less protection is needed, leave the TIZIP™ open and fasten just the inner zipper and top clip for easier access. The heavy-duty, padded camera compartment inside is fully customizable while the outer shell comes complete with a technical backpack harness. Also included, ergonomic lumbar support, fully adjustable CollarCut™ shoulder straps, tuck-away tripod holder, self-draining mesh pockets, drain hole, rubber handle, and attachment loops for SlipLock™ accessories. DryZone packs are comfortable to wear and give you total peace of mind in extreme environments.
More details and Photos at:
http://products.lowepro.com/product/DryZone-200,1935.htm
Stay tuned or subscribe to this blog for Part (2) Tips on Travel Photography, for some images taken in the rain in Cambodia last year go to:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/newimages5.html

Tags: American PHOTO, Reflector, Popular Photography Magazine, Shooting in the Rain, DryZone 200, Outdoor, Waterproof Camera Bag, White T-shirt, Flash, Protection, Raincoat, Lowepro Camera Bags, Extreme Environment

Wow it has been six days since my last Blog...have I been traveling without a connection? Not at all, I was told by my Doctor to stay clear of my Computer and have a good rest. 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.
Amazing new storage capacity for existing and new MobileMe account users, read my previous blogs with all the details on MobileMe. If you’re not using MobileMe you dont know what you are missing out on, super cool features plus having all this storage at your fingertips. In Aperture it is called the MobileMe Gallery (before .Mac Web Gallery) and you can add MobileMe Albums now.
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.
GD

Tags: Mobile Me Gallery, Web Portfolio, Aperture 2 Web Journal, Storage, iDisk, Aperture 2 Web Pages, MobileMe Albums, Aperture 2 and MobileMe, Internet

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.

© Gunther Deichmann - taken care of our Environment in 2008 and beyond...

Hi,
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. This new system will be available worldwide. 
Apple Training and Certification

Tags: Environment, Apple Training, Certification, Mac OS X Pro Apps

Feel like experimenting? 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. The Titles are: The Commercial - Our Marine Life - Tropical destination
Please note: You might have to refresh your Browser to see the new Video Clips. Click the link or the image below and View the three (3) 15 and 30 sec. Clips., or go to Music/Video Podcast

© Gunther Deichmann - Composite, Mumbai India April 2008

How to do it…open iDVD choose a Theme go to your Media Browser and here you have your Aperture 2 library.
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.
Make sure you have the Drop Boxes enabled otherwise they become part of your recording.
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. (This file can be from 50MB plus in size)
The only thing left to do is drag the Movie clip into iMovie open your Media Browser for the Music and pick anything you have created on to the timeline.
Fine-tune and make your soundtrack fit, add a fade in and fade out, or what ever you like (lots to choose from) now you can export everything to many different file formats.
You have different options for exporting your Movie file, there is also Share available. If you have Quick Time Pro even better there you have all the conversions you ever going to need, plus you can do some editing too, but you have to have QT Pro.
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.
Of course you can create more than one recording/clip with Snaps Pro X and join them together later in iMovie creating a short presentation or demo, great for the web.
PS. I kept these files very small for easy viewing on the web, however you can leave them in their original size that is good enough for your desktop and TV.
GD

Tags: Snapz Pro X, Video, Apple Mac, iDVD, Quick Time, Capture, Tips, Web , Photo Composite, iMovie

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.
I guess some of you have to get that dictionary out and start reading…
GD

http://www.fotoaldia.com/GALERIAS-6-1293-0-1-0.html

Mostrando la Galeria de :"Gunther Deichmann"
Click en la imagen para agrandar
Título:"Escenas de Bombay, India"

El fotógrafo australiano Gunther Deichmann ha sido galardonado con numerosos premios internacionales. Es miembro del Instituto de Fotografía Profesional de Australia (IAPP) y ha sido merecedor de 14 reconocimientos al mérito en sólo 3 años. Como fotógrafo ama los colores fuertes, las combinaciones de contraste y las situaciones de gran dramatismo. Ha tenido además el honor de haber sido juez en los premios anuales Professional Merit Awards. Fue a partir de entonces que empezó a enseñar fotografía en el Community College de Darwin. En marzo de 1983, la Revista Time publicó en su portada una foto auya sobre la gran sequía australiana. En 1985, the IAAP lo premió como el mejor fotógrafo profesional de paisajes de ese año. Ha publicado más de 12 libros, incluyendo su obra más importante

“Journey Through Color & Time”, en edición limitada de 360 páginas. 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.
Desde marzo del 2007 está certificado como entrenador de Apertura por Apple. También integra la Junta Asesora de la Apple para este programa. Para más información sobre este fotógrafo visite esta página: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
La página web de Gunther es:www.deichmann-photo.com
Gunther también escribe regularmente una columna en este blog: :www.deichmann-photo.com

Tags: Spanish, fotoaldia, Magazines, Gallerie, View from the Car Window

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.
See below email from Massimo:
Hello Gunther!
I always very interested to follow your blogs updates.
Just my 1 cent:
- Regarding the way to protect your pictures on the web I agree that flash make it more difficult. 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.
- I do really like your latest gallery "The View from my Car Window". Street photography (with or without car!) is what I really like and do a lot here in Vietnam. I would like to share the following picture that I got from the car last weekend.

© Massimo Casal - Ha Tay province just ouside Hanoi,Vietnam
you might also noticed that I have added a Copyright watermark
on Massimo’s image hence my other blog
“How to protect my images on the web”.

The picture is taken in Ha Tay province (just outside Hanoi city) from the car window.
I used a Canon 1DMarkIII camera + 28-300L lens. RAW file processed with Aperture 2.1.1, using also the Dodge and Burn plug-in to lighten and sharpen the bride face.
Thank you very much and Best Regards!!
Massimo

Tags: ASIA, HANOI ViETNAM, View from the Car Window, Aperture discussion, Dodge and Burn, Raw File, Canon, Gallery

Click this banner or the link below for more information.

Besides this announcement there is a ton of other information at the Aperture Users Network available. 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.
GD
See below the post I have picked up from the AUN (posted by David Schloss AUN on 07-28-2008, 05:37 PM )
American PHOTO Magazine’s 3rd Annual “Emerging Photographers” Call for Submissions
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/

Tags: Aperture Users Network, American PHOTO, NEW YORK, Competition, Workflow

But before we hit the road a short announcement…
Aperture has just been updated to 2.1.1
Apple has just released Aperture 2.1.1, and update to the program that "supports general compatibility issues, improves overall stability, and addresses a number of minor issues."


A few recent images from this series are on my Blog Gallery click here
or on the image above.
You might have to refresh your Browser in order to view the new images..

Sometimes we don’t realize what is around us when we travel by car… traveling to meetings or other appointments, visiting friends or family members. In short we spend a lot of time in our vehicles, trains, busses etc.
Shooting from your car window…glued to your seat never leaving the car, of course you have to have a Driver or go by Taxi. This can be challenging but also rewarding a very different perspective from the car window… you might remember I did something similar in Mumbai, India.
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.
We see these images every day as we drive to work or go to meetings, never realizing what is around us since we have to pay attention to the traffic. 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…”
For