My Love affair with Aperture 3 deepened.

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

Recent visited places from Mindoro Isl., Puerto Galera, City
of Batangas, Makati and Manila shown as Satellite Map

If you're not using a Digital Camera with a GPS function that is Ok. just use your iPhone and whenever you stop or from the Car window take a quick shot. Later import the photos from your iPhone into Aperture 3 activate Places and the rest is easy. I be writing a lot more about this cool addition from the road. Click on the Places icon at the upper right hand side at the toolbar to get you started.

Recent visited places in Makati and Manila shown as Road Map

10 days ago I went to the Island of Mindoro/Puerto Galera and I took some happy snaps with the iPhone, then on the way back I also stopped in Batangas and then back to Manila. Of course there have been some gaps where I didn't stop to get some images but all the rest had been recorded, very accurate I might add, see the attached screenshots. Map options are Satellite - Road or Terrain.
Ok the only "drawback" is that my wife from now on always knows where I am or I have been, ha, ha. but that is fine with me too, nothing to hide.

Recent visited places in Makati and Manila shown as Terrain Map

To activate your Places before they work you have to go first to the Aperture 3 Preferences settings and activate it, then click on the Advanced setting a small drop down menu appears and you see Look up Places, the default setting is on Never just click on the Automatically and you're done.
Again an excellent new addition to Aperture 3 and as you can see I am getting fine tuned for my big trip starting next week.
GD

Tags: Places, , GPS logging, Nepal, ASIA, Google Maps, , Kathmandu, Philippines

© Gunther Deichmann - Pushkar, India 2009

So here we are back into Photography, Aperture 3 is certainly going to make our workflow more easy and more fun, GPS and Places, the new Curves, put back from the Trash, Chromatic Aberrations the list goes on and on.
We have also color coding which some of us find very useful for on the road editing, however I have a slight grin on my face and you might ask why. Very simple, some of our Underwater Photographer recently complained and nagged non stop about updates being to slow from Apple.

Some even went as far and switched to Lightroom, again my magic word is patience...are they going back to Aperture 3 now, it looks that way.
My advise as an Aperture user from day one and as a Certified Trainer, get to know one software real well and stick with it, in due time and it is happening right now changes will happen, remember “Rome was also not build in one day” have patience, good things take time. And The Time is NOW.
Thanks to the Apple Aperture Team for a Job well done!

As for my travel photography, I am more then excited, but then again I need to get those images first. You all know I am leaving very soon and if all goes well I have Aperture 3 running and give it a real good and realistic Road test for some 4 weeks in the field trying to post images with the new Facebook function , Locations via Places, the new video function and for sure I am going to work with the new Curves.

Please stay tuned and I try my very best connection permitting to file real reports from the field, or you might say Aperture 3 straight out of the Box.

The web is totally saturated at the moment, the talk of the Town is Aperture 3, but now I am looking forward to some cool Photography and only then I write more in details about all those new features which certainly sound all very exciting.
For the latest info on Aperture 3 and all the new features pls. go to: http://www.apple.com/aperture/whats-new.html
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan India 2009

Places
Now you can use GPS location data to explore your photos by the places they were taken. Better still, find them on an interactive map.
Organize your library by location, location, location.
If you’re shooting with a GPS-enabled camera, Aperture 3 uses reverse geocoding to convert location coordinates into familiar location names, then displays those locations on the Places map. If you’re using a separate GPS tracking device, the path of your photo journey appears on the map when you import a track log. You can even extract locations from iPhone tracker apps or your iPhone photos. Which means you can instantly find all your Yellowstone photos, for example, without typing the word “Yellowstone.” Photos can be organized by country, state, city, or a point of interest such as Old Faithful or the park visitor center.
Put your photos on the map.
If a photo doesn’t include GPS metadata, simply drag the photo to the spot on the map where you shot it. A pin appears. Then, when you’re searching for photos, use the map’s navigation menu to quickly find the location. When you click the pin, Aperture displays all the photos taken there.
Easy course corrections.
If you need to change the location of your shot, drag the pin on the map across the street or across the country. The GPS data associated with the photo updates automatically, so you know where your photos are at all times.More info @ http://www.apple.com/aperture/whats-new.html

Moving from iPhoto to Aperture 3

You’ve done some great things with iPhoto, and now you’re ready to do more. Aperture 3 is designed to make the move from iPhoto easy and seamless. See how easy it is...http://www.apple.com/aperture/iphoto-to-aperture/

© Gunther Deichmann - Aperture 3 embraces
you with open “arms”...

BTW...now our Underwater Photographer going to love the new Curves Tool and Chromatic Aberration Filters, (and not only our Underwater Photographers) I just hope they had the patience and waited for the all NEW Aperture 3 and if not they might have to switch back to Aperture now. For all New features go to http://www.apple.com/aperture/whats-new.html
GD

Just a few more...
New Auto Buttons
Quickly make exposure adjustments by using the Auto buttons now available in the Exposure, Levels, and Curves adjustment bricks.
Chromatic Aberration Filter
Remove the color fringing that can occur along edges due to optical issues by using the new Chromatic Aberration filter. The adjustments can be brushed in or brushed away as needed to achieve desired results.
Powerful New Curves Tool
Use the new Curves tool to adjust exposure and tweak color. Curve adjustments can be applied to luminance, RGB, or individual color channels. You can set the black, white, and midtone points, as well as place custom points along the curve using a target tool. All Curves adjustments can be brushed in or brushed away as needed to achieve desired results.
Linear or Gamma-Corrected Mode
The Curves tool can operate in two different modes — Linear and Gamma-Corrected — depending on which best suits the image. Linear mode is best when dealing with extended range data and highlights, while Gamma-Corrected mode can be especially helpful when working with shadows.

Range Support in Curves Tool
Because the Curves tool supports the “extended range” data sometimes available in RAW images, you can set the Range control in Curves to Extended in order to see the “out of range” highlight data that you may be able to recover. You can then use controls in the Curves tool to pull blown highlights back in and improve detail in highlight areas. Alternatively, you can set the range to Shadows and focus on the lower-left quadrant of the tone curve to make extremely precise Shadow adjustments.
Quick Brushes
Use the new Quick Brushes pop-up menu in the Adjustments toolbar to gain immediate access to 15 ready-to-use brushes for the most common enhancement tasks. Quick Brushes include Skin Smoothing, Polarize, Intensify Contrast, Tint, and others.

Screenshot from the new and updated Apple Aperture Site.

Only one out of 200 new features:
Advanced Slideshows
Create spectacular multimedia shows with photos, HD video clips, titles, layered soundtracks, and professionally designed themes.



Use familiar iPhoto ’09 slideshow themes. And more.
If you’re moving from iPhoto ’09, the slideshows you created with themes such as Snapshot and Shatter are preserved in all their brilliance. Aperture 3 includes all iPhoto themes and two new themes: Watercolor Panels and Photo Edges. Each theme gives you a professionally designed layout, title treatment, and transitions to create a distinctive backdrop for your photos. Choose a theme, drop in some photos and HD video clips, and produce amazing slideshows in seconds.
Combine photos, audio, and video clips in one show.
If your camera records video, you can import it into your library along with your stills and include it in your slideshow. Just drag a video clip into the slideshow as easily as you add a photo.
Create and edit layered soundtracks.
To personalize your slideshow, just add music from your iTunes library (DRM-free only). Then drop in audio clips stored in your Aperture library — voiceovers, narration, or other sounds recorded on location — for a multilayered soundtrack. If you’re including video in your slideshow, you can add the audio from the video, too.
Tap out the time of your fades and cuts.
Talk about fingertip control. With Aperture 3, you control the pace of your slideshow with the tap of a finger. As you watch the slideshow, press the Return key to determine when each slide begins and ends. As you tap out each slide change, Aperture 3 records your custom timings.
Add titles, borders, and colors.

When using the Classic and Ken Burns themes, you can add titles anywhere in the slideshow in your choice of font, size, and style. Choose borders and background colors. Scale photos. Even control fades and adjust transition times.

Just announced by Apple
Aperture 3

It is finally here Aperture 3, Apple has just announced today Aperture 3, now I am going to be in for some serious test driving shortly, stay tuned for more info as they become available. This is great and very exciting NEWS. Thank You Apple!
But there is so much more...just incredible and if you’re a Mac user then this is it...if you’re not, then you might think about switching now.

Wow…Wow…now that is what I call a super slick Update, just amazing and believe me well worth the wait. So for those of you who made the switch to Lightroom you might have to reconsider. As I have said many time before, all good things take time and when Apple comes up with something they do it real well…like in Photography patience!
In the next few weeks I am going to be busy running around in India and Kathmandu but at the same time I have to do some real test driving with Aperture 3.
Please stay tuned for some real reporting on Aperture 3 in the field and from exotic locations.
GD

Excerpts from MacWorld
The update ($99 for existing Aperture users), which Apple said offers "over 200 new features," includes advanced versions of the Faces and Places features previously seen in iPhoto '09. There's a new image-refinement tool called Brushes, which allows users to paint adjustments directly on to images. And a new Projects feature adds flexibility and I am sure a lot more...


Now just a few Excerpts from the Aperture User Network:

Support for Videos and Audio [Not in Lightroom]
Audio Files [Not in Lightroom]
Chromatic Aberration
Slideshows [Vastly Better than Lightroom]
Flickr and Facebook Albums [Better than Lightroom]
Quick Brushes
Curves and Chromatic Aberration
Adjustment Brushes [Not in Lightroom]
Labels and Flags
Import Features [Some Not In Lightroom/Some Better Than Lightroom]
ILibrary Switching, Syncing and Sharing [Better Than Lightroom]
Import Speed
Lumix users who have been clamoring for RAW file support, today is your day.
The same goes for you, Canon sRAW shooters. You’re supported now.
More and more photographers are working with video these days, and so Aperture now has full support for importing video files. This is a huge change and the support for videos in Aperture 3 is unparalleled in the photographic workspace. Videos can be imported, edited (using trimming features like found on the iPhone) and exported, and they can be used in the newly updated Slideshow tool (which we’ll talk about below). You can grab still images from your video, use them in slideshows and albums, export them in a Library and more.
After many requests from users, Aperture now has full-bore labeling (eight colors to choose from, with customizable titles for the colors) and flagging. Files exported from Aperture maintain their labels in the Finder. And files labeled as flagged/locked int he camera come into Aperture flagged. (That finally gives me something to do with my cameras’s flag button.) more @
http://aperture.maccreate.com/2010/02/09/aperture-3-overview/

iPhoto Slideshow & Aperture at
Power Mac Center TriNoma.


Power Mac Center TriNoma

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

Power Mac Center TriNoma

Please check out also the latest updates on the
GD PhotoWorkshops Calendar
@ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/

IMAGES WITHOUT BORDERS LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE NON-PROFIT,

100% of profits from sale of works by world class photographers go directly to Doctors Without Borders
 www.imageswithoutborders.org

New Orleans, Louisiana - (February 2, 2010)

One hundred and twenty five professional photographers from seven countries have sent their finest images for sale to Images Without Borders, including Peter Carey, Tomas Van Houtryve, Martin Vargas, Jeffrey Lynch, Scott Wood, Julie Dermansky, George Long, Kit Wohl, Gunther Deichmann, and Ian Talbot. Images Without Borders currently offers over 400 fine art prints for sale, and many pieces have sold. An initial donation by PhotoShelter (www.photoshelter.com) of a host website made this project possible.

“When a disaster strikes, artists often have very little money to donate to charitable causes; what they have instead is their artwork,” said co-founder, Stacy Ericson. “While Images Without Borders was born from the recent earthquake in Haiti, it offers a new and channel for artists and art lovers to make contributions over the long term.”

Many of the prints are not ordinarily available to the public, or are sold by galleries at far higher prices. Images Without Borders now hosts over 400 art prints for sale. The project will continue on as a nonprofit to provide ongoing assistance to Doctors Without Borders, the well-regarded relief agency that responds to disasters around the globe.

About Images Without Borders
Images Without Borders sells gallery-quality prints from images donated by world-class photographers, with all sales proceeds (minus the printing costs) going directly to Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in support of their work. Each image is offered by Images Without Borders as a limited edition of ten prints. Gallery Image prints are offered at $50 and $100. iPhotography Image prints are offered at $36. When ten prints have been sold, the image will be retired from this special edition. Images Without Borders is in the process of filing for 501(c)3 non-profit status, and is endorsed by Doctors Without Borders.

About Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides aid in nearly 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. www.doctorswithoutborders.net

© Gunther Deichmann - Wild Horses Northern Territory Australia
Available through Images without Borders, plus many others.

Don’t under estimate your Monochrome Mixer

for cool Black & White Photos.

© Gunther Deichmann - ferns.

I shoot color, seldom B&W with the odd exception or when it is requested by a client, I am also not a friend of any type of manipulation but for commercial and advertising work I sometimes have to follow the clients need.

If you really understand Aperture then you be amazed what you can do without using another software.
Not so much altering the image but creating nice B&W Photos or removing some color in certain areas, read on below;


Making simple adjustments using the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2, but this time we take it a step further; I just love the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2 creating on the fly some nice Black and White images and reducing the color in others using the color slider.

Screenshot showing the open Adjustments Panel
including the open Monochrome Mixer & color sliders.

Switch to the Adjustments interface in Aperture

Small red square; this is where you find your Monochrome Mixer just click on the small arrow and a drop down menu opens, scroll down and you see the Monochrome Mixer. Click on it and your color image is getting converted to B&W.

Large red square; here you find all your adjustments you need for creating nice B&W images, you can make some basic adjustments with another drop down menu that gives you a good selection of traditional B&W filters.
In most cases this works just fine or you can make your adjustments manually like I have done. However I recommend that you play around a bit and find your own personal settings, different images... different taste.
Experiment with the color sliders and the color squares when in the Monochrome mode and you find that the Monochrome Mixer can do a lot more than you thought.

There is actually no need for additional plug-ins or Photoshop you can use the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture in most cases, of course there are limitations.
Since this was a commercial shoot and the client requested some B&W’s I edited them all in Aperture 2 and tweaked them a little more then I normally would do.
You can get a lot out the Monochrome Mixer, including some good looking Infrared images. (that is for one of my next post’s, Infrared images using the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture.)

© Gunther Deichmann - lemon with a twist...

Removing saturation: The image with the glass and lemon I did not convert using the Monochrome Mixer, I used the Color slider in the Adjustment panel and moved all of them to the left (minus -) in the saturation, except for the yellow one, this one I increased to approx. 50 (plus +) in the saturation.
Then I adjusted the contrast a little and tweaked my exposure. This one was easy, since almost all the color in the image had been blue, see the original image from my previous post: “Blues Night” 27-01-2010 | 22:08 Filed in: Photography | Aperture 2 | ASIA
GD

Just one more...



© Gunther Deichmann - Buri Resort & Spa
The Pier at sunset in Puerto Galera

When the light is just right...

© Gunther Deichmann - “Pyramids” & Flowers - Jan. 2010

Before leaving for India and Nepal in February I like to share with you some simple but unusual Photos from my last Journey, no other explanation is needed judge for yourself...is it a setup or have they been manipulated later?
For those of you who are interested I am happy to post an explanation on my Blog prior my departure to India.

© Gunther Deichmann - The Palm Leaf - Jan. 2010




© Gunther Deichmann - Strange - Jan. 2010

Check out also the latest GD PhotoWorkshop Calendar updates, only posted yesterday with the latest dates, Workshops/Seminars at the Power Mac Center in Manila & some new international destinations for 2010 & 2011.
GD

“Hot & Sour Coca Cola”...
recycling our Plastic?



© Gunther Deichmann - recycled Coca Cola Bottles
now used for local made Vinegar, Philippines.

I guess it is recycling...sort off... our plastic by-products at least for the Bottles, but when it comes to the sheer number of plastic bags then we are way behind the disposal.
During my Travel I come across a lot of weird and crazy things, like in Cambodia where they use Plastic Bottles for Gasoline along the country road (see the photo below) a favorite image from my Facebook Friend Steve Galano, it was actually Steve who requested some more of these type of images.

© Gunther Deichmann - recycled Coca Cola Bottles now used for
local made Vinegar with Chili, Philippines

Here you go Steve as promised; on my way home the other day from Batangas in the Philippines I spotted these Coca Cola Bottles along the road containing some with Vinegar others with Vinegar and Chili, what amazed me the Coca Cola labels where in perfect condition and made me think...

I am sure after all the Coca Cola had gone they must have cleaned these Bottles before re-using them for what ever concoction they had in mind. Did they get a supply of new labels from the Bottling Plant or maybe they just took good care during the cleaning process. Who knows?

© Gunther Deichmann - recycled Coca Cola Bottles now
used for Gasoline, Siem Reap Cambodia

The real issue is our disposal of Plastic, the culprit the plastic bags...we have to stop using them!
I remember when I ventured deep into Arnhem Land in Australia visiting remote Aboriginal tribes, the first thing I noticed where the ugly blue and pink plastic bags thrown around all over the settlement. That was way back in the in the eighties, it could be worst now. We introduced the Aboriginals to this ugly menace, before we came along they used bags made out of degradable materials from mother nature.

© Gunther Deichmann - local Children at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
collecting plastic. Why can’t the tourist take their own trash home?

Or lets take all those plastic bags which get thrown overboard by ships only to be found later in stomachs of dead Turtles which they mistakenly took for their natural food, the jelly fish...and not only Turtles!
These photos of plastic Coca Cola Bottles are some form of “Recycling”... but not nearly enough what we should do... Stop using Plastic Bags!
GD

“Blues Night” at Buri Resort...




© Gunther Deichmann - cool Blues...with a touch of lemon.

It was on our first night at Buri Resort in Puerto Galera, everybody had gone to sleep with the exception of the Bartender... it was way to early for me to do the same so I decided to have a couple of Beers with my buddy Arj and listening to some cool Blues from my MacBook Pro.
A few moments later while looking at the ceiling I jumped up and started to unpack my cameras, the rest of the evening...well, you see on this Blog.

© Gunther Deichmann - “Blues Night at Buri...

© Gunther Deichmann - the Fan...

No image manipulation of any kind, using only the Nikon D700 with a 24 to120 mm VR lens at ISO 400 straight shots with only a little adjustments in Aperture 2. Even the Bartender hang around watching crazy me running around instead of relaxing.

So there you have it, a cool “Blues” evening at the beach. In the coming days I post some more very interesting and unusual Photos from my last Journey.
So, if you into Blues then turn up the volume, sit back, have a drink and check out the images.
GD

Great Light in the Sky, the bonus images...
editing with Aperture 2 on the Beach.

© Gunther Deichmann - day one Puerto Galera,
Philippines

Direct from the Beach... thanks to a good internet connection at Buri Resort and Spa; the weather has been great particular very early in the morning and in the afternoon.

© Gunther Deichmann - day two Puerto Galera,
Philippines

More interesting images will follow shortly but today I like to share with you some scenes in the afternoon taken over the past three days all taken from the same location but with amazing color changes everyday.
Edited a few minutes ago with Aperture 2 on my MacBook Pro applying only minor adjustments, very quick and easy right in front of the beach.

© Gunther Deichmann - day three Puerto Galera,
Philippines

BTW... thanks to the Twitter plug-in for Aperture I send out an image earlier, great integration as always.
The cool part is, by the time I get back home I am almost done with all my editing (2000 images in three days) and concentrate on my next Journey. India is just around the corner...

Now I am going to have a couple of beers under the stars with my buddy Arnold before going to bed.
Enjoy the light in the sky...
GD

Images without Borders helping Haiti!



© Gunther Deichmann - Umbrellas in Snow, Germany

I am happy to announce to be part of the Images without Borders making photos available for sale and raising money for the Earth Quake victims in Haiti, for the substantial and ongoing donation to Doctors without Borders.
Soon you find some of my Images on their site which is sponsored by PhotoShelter and others.
Thanks for the opportunity to be part of Images without Borders.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - an Egret in the wetlands of Northern Australia

Excerpts from the Blog Post Images without Borders below.

Thanks to the contributions of nearly 100 fine photographers from around the world and the donations from Photoshelter, Bay Photo Lab, and Adorama Pix, we are able to make these fine art prints available to the public for a very low cost...read more @ http://imageswithoutborders.blogspot.com/

“Painted Skies & Oceans”
the Colors of Micronesia.



© Gunther Deichmann - Dramatic Sunset & Rainbow over the Pacific.

A dramatic sunset in the Pacific, the Image above taken between Chuuk (Truk Lagoon) and Pohnpei in Micronesia.

The Federated States of Micronesia is an independent, sovereign nation made up of Pohnpei and three other states; Chuuk, Kosrae, and Yap. Together, the FSM comprises approximately 607 small islands in the Western Pacific spread over almost 1,700 miles (2,700 km) from east to west just above the equator some 2,500 miles (4,000 km) southwest of Hawaii and about 1,800 miles (2,900 km) north of eastern Australia, above Papua New Guinea.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sunset over the famous Truk Lagoon,
a Divers paradise for WWII ship wrecks

Chuuk or better known amongst the Scuba Diving community as Truk Lagoon is a must for Divers who like to explore the amazing WWII wrecks in this Lagoon. A whole Japanese fleet was sunk here during the WWII. Great Visibility and little current makes this a perfect destination for Wreck Divers.

© Gunther Deichmann - A lone Coconut tree at the edge of
Truk Lagoon, Chuuk Micronesia



© Gunther Deichmann - dramatic clouds over the
Palau Rock islands, Micronesia

Palau is also know as one of the best Dive destinations in the world, diving highlights include Blue Corner and the Blue Hole, plus so many others. In 2009 Palau became also the first Shark Sanctuary in the World, one of Natures best kept secret with its amazing bio diversity below and above the waves. Check out Sam’s Tours for all your scuba diving activities in 2010.

© Gunther Deichmann - a small island just in front
of the Palau Pacific Resort




© Gunther Deichmann - typical Pacific sunset, Palau




© Gunther Deichmann - Islands at sunset, Palau Micronesia




© Gunther Deichmann - Coconut trees at the edge of
Truk Lagoon, Chuuk Micronesia



© Gunther Deichmann - aerial view at sunset, Rock Islands Palau



© Gunther Deichmann - view from inside a
cave in the Palau Rock Islands, Palau



© Gunther Deichmann - sunset at the Palau Pacific Resort also known as PPR

Check out the GD PhotoWorkshop site for all the Calendar dates in 2010
including a trip trip to Palau Micronesia in June 2010
Adventure Travel with your Digital Camera!

© Gunther Deichmann - Hobbit House Manila, Philippines, just a fun evening. QT 1:57min

If you ever pass through Manila then you should check out the Hobbit House (Lord of the Rings) in Malate, founded in 1973 by Expat Jim Turner, a fun and very entertaining place with good music, food and cold beers.

I took this video some time ago while having a couple of beers with my friend Arnold,
of course my little Leica D-Lux 4 was strapped on my belt. As you know, I never leave home without it.

Some very special, fun loving people run this establishment, the “Little People” with their big hearts, great smiles and cool sense of humor.
The main attraction is Egoy the Elvis Presley impersonator, small in size but with exceptional good vocal cords.
I thought… lets try out the video function on the Leica, and see what I can come up with… no tripod using only available light…oh boy it was dark. Plus some flash photography from other Costumers made it even more awkward.

A quick edit in iMovie (iLife’09) inserted a small intro soundtrack to the photos from GarageBand and it was done.
Nothing special, just a fun video with the help of my little friends.

Thank you all, you have been so cool and entertaining, your hearts are so much bigger then most others.
I think even Joe Cocker would love this place and he might join in with his song…
"A Little Help From My Friends" or as I call it “A little Help from my Little Friends”
So, there you have it, never leave home without a camera, try to shoot and experiment just for fun sometimes.
GD

“My Photo Gallery” the Prototype...

© Gunther Deichmann - “My Cambodian Gallery” 1.36 min QT Prototype only.
Broadband recommended 13.2MB

During my last trip in Cambodia I used the new Nikon D300s a lot (I might add for the first time) but had very little time to test the Video function on the D300s (a lot more when I get back from Nepal/India in March)
All image editing was done with Aperture 2.1.4 and the video was very quickly edited using the new Quick Time on Snow Leopard which is fast and so easy to use.

I managed to get a bit of Video footage, nothing special but easily applied in a presentation like this. Of course the music was created in GarageBand before and I pulled this track from my archives.
In due time and when I get back from India I put up a nice mix with stills and Video. Having the ability now to create presentations where we can use stills and video combined is just so nice and cool.
I hope you like this small and first demo...the adventure only started.
Also on YouTube as: "My Gallery" the Prototype http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVi8IgL1tGI&feature=channel
GD

Sort of a chilling story from a Publisher that is...
the email exchange Part Two.

© Gunther Deichmann - Hot Chilies in Phnom Penh just uploaded
on my PhtoShelter Archives.

Today’s article was prompted by my friend Tony Wu an outstanding Underwater Photographer and Mac user.

I received the news from Tony while working on my new GD Photo Workshop site, uploaded yesterday new images into my Agency archives and today finished with more make up on the GD Photo Workshop site (it never stops) plus uploaded some 200 new Photos to my PhotoShelter Archives.

PhotoShelter: Click this link and then click on Link to all Galleries: New Cambodia Dec.2009 http://www.deichmann-photo.com/page6/page6.html

A lot of work done in a relative short time, but it needs to be done, how good are your images if you only have them parked on your Hard drives. As a professional Photographer this work is as important then creating those images. Thanks for the computer age; things are not quiet so horrendous anymore. Good software like Aperture 2 and good fast machines make our lives a lot easier today.

But sometimes I sit back and think about the old days; the horror of labeling slides, storing and editing, and sending them via FedEx or DHL to Agencies was a real pain and expensive!

However the nice part was that fewer Camera Models had been produced, a Nikon F5 or FM2 would last you a lifetime. I still have the old Nikon FM2 Battleship tucked away on standby, including my good old Music…the Classics.

Now new models sprouting up every month like Bamboo, technology has changed and many things around us. But do we really need all those new Camera models? That I leave today for you to decide.

Now back to Tony, my inspiration for this article; Tony just received his new jazzed up MacBook Pro and was beaming with sheer joy, I wont go into tech details now but we both came to the same conclusion…”It is a Never Ending Story”

Yes there is a need to upgrade your Computer otherwise you can’t keep up with the huge file size and Videos, but a very good MacBook Pro is a lot cheaper than some of those Cameras, Tony made the right decision and upgraded his system after many years, it was time. I am very happy for Tony and his new set up, now his emails to me will be even faster, he, he.

_____________________________________

Now part two: Changing Times…

I received this email in the first week of January 2010 from a reputable German Publishing Company requesting 20 to 30 Photos on Palau.

This is a true story! See below excerpts from the email, unedited except for names and the address, everything else I left.

1. Email: Please can you send me Pictures from Palau everithing what you have on the Galleries 20 or 30 Pictures. Thanks we are a Newspaper from Germany

2. My reply:
please advise on your terms, conditions and usage for publishing the Photos.
Best regards,
Gunther Deichmann

3. Reply:
Dear Gunther, For a Newspaper ………  in the Januar for travelogue.

4. My reply:
please advise on your paying/publishing rates, circulation of Newspaper and size of images,
Thank you.
Best regards
Gunther Deichmann

5. Reply:
Dear Günther, we are looking for free Pictures.
Thank you

6. My reply:
Dear…..
sorry but this is the wrong address for free pictures! I have to make a living too. I might remind you that all the images on the website are protected by International © Copyright
Gunther Deichmann

Times have changed!?

GD

“Small Taste of the Latest” updated with a
selection of Photos from my last trip to
Cambodia in December 2009.


© Gunther Deichmann - Angkor Wat Cambodia Dec. 2009
View more images in the Gallery click on the Photo or go to
“Small Taste of the Latest”on the menu bar.

In September 2009 we had our very cool and humoring GD Photo Workshop in Siem Reap and then in December I had to return to finish a few projects on my own, namely the very soon to be launched Heritage Suites Hotel and Heritage Adventures websites. They be up very, very shortly and I keep you posted. Only a few more days and I announce the NEW LINKS to you.

During my last trip in December 2009 I did spend more time at the Hotel then shooting but I guess that’s life and work, however I had to show my good friend and webmaster Arnold around a bit since it was his very first trip to Cambodia, plus I had to finish a couple other things deep in the Jungle. I know my suspense again but unfortunately I can’t share these images with you yet, all pending on a publication later this year. I know, shrouded in secrecy again, sorry about that.

But I made a small selection from the last trip today which I can share with you, just a mixed bag from Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.
What I like about Cambodia so much, no matter how often I go back, say for example Angkor Wat I always find and discover new things or the light is just in my favor like on the day I took Arnold for the first time to Angkor in the afternoon.

© Gunther Deichmann - Ta Phrom, Cambodia Dec. 2009
Click on the Photo for more.

While he was dazzled and overcome by this architectural master piece trying to catch his breath, I just wondered around and played with the light.
The next morning at 5:30 we left for Ta Phrom with a perfect sunrise and a slight cool breeze, a welcome change from the normal humid condition earlier in the year. Besides my Jungle trip (more on that later) that was all the time we had exploring Siem Reap this time around.

© Gunther Deichmann - Phnom Penh, Cambodia Dec. 2009
Click on the Photo for more.

Due to unavailability of flights from Siem Reap (sort off lucky for us) we chose to drive from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, a town I know only to well, again we only had two days but since I know my way around it was easy to get to the right places at the right time.
Located along the Mekong River, Phnom Penh has a lot to offer for visitors and Photographers alike, charming French restaurants and Bars lined up along the “Boulevard” overlooking the Mekong, and behind you the majestic Grand Palace with its famous Silver Pagoda.

© Gunther Deichmann - Phnom Penh, Cambodia Dec. 2009
Click on the Photo for more.

Thanks to Aperture 2, editing was fast and smooth, plus I have finished all my tagging, key wording etc., uploaded all the latest images into Archives from my Agencies and in a few days everything will also be on my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries.
I hope you’re going to enjoy this small selection of Images from our last Journey, Cambodia is certainly one of my favorite destinations in Asia, more very soon on PhotoShelter.
GD

NEW look for the GD Photo Workshop site in 2010...
Adventure Travel with your Digital Camera.

Screenshot: The NEW Home page

It has been long overdue but this morning at 4AM we had it pretty much licked.
Thanks to my good friend and web guru Arnold for hanging in there with me until the early hours in the morning.
http://www.gdphotoworkshop.com

My old and rusty GD Photo Workshop site is gone and a new one took shape by 4 AM.
Now directly wired to my Blog (press the button GD Photo Workshops) plus on my main site, nicely integrated, ha, ha how I love this word and YES it was all done on a MacBook Pro. No need for many words, it is all self-explanatory.
This one is easier to update and has already all the PhotoWorkshop dates for 2010, India being the first, starting in February and the participants getting very excited already.
A lot of rambling the other day on tech issues, so I keep this one brief plus I have to catch up with some more sleep, so I am not sure on that one either since my good Buddy Dirk from the Dugong Dive Center in Palawan is on the way to me.
Take a moment and check out the NEW site and if you feel up to it join me on one of my Photo Workshops in 2010 or 2011.
Enjoy, I hope you like it.
GD

Aperture 2.1.4 Tip: Sluggish performance?

For those of you who have missed this post from March 2009 and due to more recent concern re. Aperture 2 performance with newer Camera models, I have posted this article again plus some additional comments re. Aperture 2.1.4

© Gunther Deichmann - Phnom Kulen, Cambodia very first test
on the Nikon D300s using the repaired 180mm 2.8 lens.
Shooting Raw and imported into Aperture 2.
Thanks to Nikon Singapore for doing such a great Job on my Lens.

BTW importing files from the new Canon D7 and the Nikon D300s are absolutely flawless since the recent RAW file update by Apple. As a matter of fact I was in Cambodia at the time when the update arrived...installed it and imported all my RAW photos from the Nikon D300s without any problems, about 2000 plus of them, including some Video files and Aperture 2.1.4 ask me where to store them too. They went on the Desk Top for some very quick editing with the new and very cool QT, released together with Snow Leopard

Video Screen shot from the Nikon D300s straight from the Box
into the Phnom Kulen Waterfall in Cambodia ...very first test.
No adjustments on camera or lens, more and real video
from the Nikon D300s later.

In 2009 we saw quiet a few new camera models hitting the market; bigger...better?...more pixels... hence requiring more storage and more computing power and I am sure the trend is going to continue in 2010.
I have mention the word Patience in my post from the 24th of December...see below some excerpts from the article, we see more new Camera models in 2010 and if we like it or not they will require some more powerful computers to cope with the ever increase in MB per image. The performance can drastically be improved by running Leopard or the latest Snow Leopard...I have written an article on the performance increase on the Snow Leopard, big difference in speed and no more sluggish behavior.
(Article from September 5, 2009: Test driving Aperture 2.1.4 on Snow Leopard. Is Aperture 2 running smoother & more efficient now?) Again I have posted the most important improvements below.

© Gunther Deichmann - Heritage Suites Hotel Spa
Nikon D300s using the 50mm 1.4 G lens. (wide open)
Imported into Aperture 2 as RAW file.

Excerpts from my previous post Dec. 24, 2009
New Camera models have been popping up non-stop in 2009; now we blame Apple and other for not keeping up… sad! What ever happen to patience? From my past experience when Apple has done something they did it real well and not using some Beta version like Adobe with Lightroom. Would you buy or work with a Beta Version of a Camera? As a serious Photographer I don’t like to test things, I like them to work…don’t forget who came out first with the almost perfect Digital Photography workflow…Aperture was way ahead and made things possible which had been very difficult before and could only achieved with Photoshop then.
Patience…all real GOOD things take Time and I am sure Apple will come up with something soon enough…they have always done so in the past, maybe a bit slower but for sure it will be awesome and no need for Beta testing.

Last years article on performance re. Aperture 2

Just like a car engine, Aperture 2 needs also a good tune up once in a while to run smooth and trouble free.
Say you working happily away and all off a sudden this window appears asking you to Rebuild or run a Consistency check.

Since you never seen this window before…panic strikes… oh my what is wrong?
This happen to me a few times, pushing Aperture to the limit…but don’t worry it is an easy fix.

It’s Ok… Close down Aperture, then hold down the Option and Apple Key while restarting Aperture again, now this little window appears asking you either to Rebuild or run a Consistency Check.
I have run both options and not only if I got the warning but also when I noticed that Aperture was running sluggish or behaving a bit erratic.

This works well if you have a lot of projects and images, however you have to have a bit of patience running the Rebuilding or Consistency Check as this could take some time, it all depends on the size of your Library.
Don’t Panic again if after the Consistency Check some of your Projects and files have disappeared, no worries just repeat the step and this time run Rebuild and you find all your Projects are there.
If you’re not comfortable activating the Rebuild or Consistency Check window then just wait until the window appears one day, but then you have almost no choice but to go through this exercise keeping Aperture 2 running nice smoothly.
But isn’t nice that Aperture 2 is given you a warning sign, just like the oil indicator for your Car engine.

Now a final word of advise, make sure you made a back up of all your Images on an external drive, regardless how good your Mac or how big your drive is and how well Aperture 2 performs, back up is rule number one… disaster can strike anytime.

Note: I work exclusively with reference files and keep all my Projects on external drives as well, backing up everything in the field with two identical hard drives. Back home I then transfer all my files and Projects to my Mac Pro storing everything again on my Raid system for back ups, only then I delete the Images on my portable Hard drives. I also archive my Project when I am done with them on external drives, giving me breathing space for my Library, I can always go back to them when needed.

Excerpts from the article September 5, 2009:

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

1. Opening Aperture, much faster now with Snow Leopard

2. Going to full screen mode, no more delay, it is instantly

3.Selecting multiple images in editing mode and then going to full screen, very fast now.

4. Retouch Tools & Spot Patch Tools have improved by 100% almost no more delay when retouching using clone or repair tools, this is a very big improvement.

5. Opening from within Aperture an External editor like Photoshop CS3 is super fast now

6. Opening Mail from within Aperture also super fast improvement by at least X2

7. I exported some 28 high res Raw images in one go as Versions to full jpg size, wow, that went real fast, again a huge improvement.

8. I also experienced the same during import using a fire wire 800 Card reader, nice speed increase.

9.There had been some delays before on some commands in particular the Cloning and Repair but that has disappeared now.

10. I tried also the slide show with some 50 plus Raw images, almost no delay very cool.

11. Edit with: Dodge & Burn, very fast opening with the use of the Tools, super fast on saving and closing.

12. Hitting the Z key (zoom) wow again, it is instant; the bit sluggish Navigation before is now very smooth, the same applies for the Loupe much faster and so much more responsive on all settings.

Aperture 2.1.4 performs very impressive on Snow Leopard, a significant speed increase and overall smooth performance. I think Aperture was ahead of its time and was just waiting for the New Cat…. Snow Leopard is made for Aperture 2.1.4 the perfect combination. Not to mention the increase of disk space after installation of the S.L.very cool. (see my comments from my previous Blog Post)

Run like you never run before… Aperture 2.1.4 is doing just that; everything is just so much more liquid and responsive.
I only used Raw and very large Tiff files, really pushing it, editing has picked up another 100%.
So, if you’re using Aperture 2.1.4 go ahead and install Snow Leopard, find out why I love Aperture even more now, feel and experience the difference.
GD

Please note the above information is based on my personal test only, and I can’t be held liable if you experience different results or performances.

2010 GD Photo Workshops in Asia

Happy New Year to you all and I hope you can join me on one of my Adventure Travel Photography Workshops in 2010.
We are in the process and updating our GD Photo Workshop website and that should be done shortly, a new look with more information and the Calendar for 2010. In the mean time we make all official announcements on this Blog.
For those of you who live in Manila I am also conducting regular Seminars and Photography related Workshops on Aperture 2, iLife and Pages at Power Mac Center in TriNoma and Greenbelt 3 Makati. (please contact the Power Mac Center for schedules and details)

© Gunther Deichmann - New Power Mac Center, TriNoma

For Bookings and other PhotoWorkshop inquiries please click this LINK for feedback and what previous students had to say CLICK HERE.

© Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan India 2009

Leaving in late February 2010 our first GD Photo Workshop will take us to India where we celebrate at the same time the magic of “Holi” India’s most colorful festival. Other Photo Workshops been finalized for Palau in Micronesia (Natures best kept secret) an amazing Journey into Myanmar/Burma, Laos and of course once again one of our favorite destination Cambodia later in the year.
In Cambodia we’re not only visiting the famous Angkor Wat and other well known temples but this time we go way beyond... exploring hidden Khmer treasures deep with in the Jungle of Cambodia. For those who like to stay on we extend our stay and travel from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh for an additional 3 to4 days.
We keep our Groups to a minimum of eight (8) participants to give you the very best value and attention. These are field-Photo Workshops, followed by honest critique of your images and process. There are almost daily critiques and informal gatherings, all providing an opportunity to share your work and having fun doing so, stress is not part of the agenda.

© Gunther Deichmann - Laos

Digital photography has changed the way photographers create images, both in terms of the actual work with the camera, and the possibilities that exist in the digital darkroom. Instead of waiting a day or more for film to be processed, the photographer can now relate to the image while still at the location. This presents possibilities for improved exposure and composition, as well as new visual discoveries and insights that arise from seeing the image immediately after it has been exposed. In the digital darkroom, precision adjustments for color and tonal balance, contrast, and sharpness allow for unparalleled creative and technical control.

© Gunther Deichmann - Laos

The workshops are for advanced amateurs and experienced professionals who want to gain insight into how to make better photographs for editorial, stock sales or for personal satisfaction. A digital SLR camera capable of capturing RAW images is required. Students are encouraged to bring their own laptop.
Students will work in digital formats and are expected to have basic digital photography skills including image capture, downloading, editing, etc. For those with experience on Mac Computers Gunther will guide you through the understanding of Aperture. He will also teach basic editing skills in Photoshop. Gunther is a certified Apple Pro trainer for Aperture 2 and has years of hands on knowledge using Photoshop as a photography tool.

Work Shop Outline
The program offers a combination of presentation, exploration and discovery. On most days, we will be learning exposure and capture techniques with our digital cameras in the morning & afternoons then using Adobe Photoshop and Aperture for exploring the digital imaging workflow at lunchtimes and in the evenings.
During the workshop we will provide direction to photographers looking to improve their photography as they travel on personal trips, or photograph on assignment. Our primary focus in these work shops is on the technology of shooting digitally and learning to tell the stories of other people's lives. The entire world of the photographer is reviewed as we discuss gaining access, researching places and story ideas, as well as understanding the complete digital workflow.
We will cover using digital cameras, and all of the gear needed to be fully prepared to go out and cover stories while traveling. Daily lectures and discussions will also include how to use strobes and a portable digital darkroom. Throughout the week you will photograph various editorial assignments: picture stories, point pictures and captions writing.

© Gunther Deichmann - Phnom Penh Cambodia Dec. 2009


© Gunther Deichmann - near Phnom Penh Cambodia Dec. 2009

You will photograph for example places in Cambodia and the other destinations while learning from one of the best travel photographers around. Gunther covers all aspects of the shoot: how to solve technical problems, how to work with people, gain access, digital workflow on the road, and how to use a small strobe. You will learn how to research a story, select a destination, prepare a shooting list, edit your pictures and ways to share your work with a larger community.
Gunther will work with students in critique sessions and in the field, sharing his working knowledge and techniques.

© Gunther Deichmann - Palau Micronesia,
No Photoshop used here, this is a natural reflection.

General Workshop Information
A successful workshop begins with advance knowledge and good preparation. Take the time to do a little research on the area(s) you will visit. This document is intended to inform you of what lies ahead and assist you in fully preparing yourself to take maximum advantage of the learning environment workshops with Gunther.
Students will be pushed to photograph not only scenes and environments, but also the people and life for example in Siam Reap and Angkor Wat, Cambodia or India. People that are naturally timid about approaching people will learn techniques and be exposed to ideas and a spirit that will help them go forward with their photographic communication including photographing people.

© Gunther Deichmann - Myanmar/Burma

Students will spend much of their time exploring and photographing the rich daily life for example, the Angkor Wat Ruins and the colors of India.
Gunther will discuss technique, intent, composition, and the creative use of the camera and lens. He will review and critique your portfolio, and works-in-process, discuss careers, getting published and give you an idea of where you are, and what to do next to become better, but most important you will learn how to see things in a different light.
For Gunther’s Bio please click this LINK.