Aperture 3 tip...

The nice thing about Aperture 3 interface is that you have at full screen no clutter or obstruction, viewing your Photos at full screen mode made easy. All panels are floating and they can be called up any time and moved around freely. But if you need even more space and your Info/Adjustment panels gets in the way, then try this:

Click with your cursor on the adjustment you like to make and hold down the shift key the adjustment panel disappears showing you only the slider you're working with at the time. This is very useful if the Adjustment panels gets in the way and you like to view your images at its fullest, it is really that simple.
GD

Showing the floating adjustments panel



After holding down the shift key only the slider is shown,
see red square.

During and in between flights...


Natural light coming from the aircraft window

I am on my way home but still have a few more hours to go, my stop over in Singapore is quiet long so I decided to do an edit in Aperture 3 using Photos from my quick trip to the USA.
All Photos are taken at various airports and inside the aircraft from Manila to Hong Kong, San Francisco, Korea and back to Singapore where I am posting this blog at 4:54 AM, my next flight to Manila is not until 9:00 AM.

Using only available light

Within the next few days and after I catch up with a good sleep I post some cool new Aperture 3 tips but please give me a few days rest first.

See below a Photo Kaleidoscope from all my stops and from inside the aircraft... killing time and taken photos what ever took my fancy, wondering around between Gates, waiting for the next connection using only the iPhone and my little Leica D-Lux 4.

Now I am going to have some early breakfast and wait for my final connection back home.
GD

Mystical Asia QT 2:51min. - Best viewed in Safari Browser
File size: Approx. 18MB - DSL Broadband connection recommended.

I have been flood out the past few days with Photography and Aperture 3 workshops at the Power Mac Center at Greenbelt 3 Makati. Tomorrow I have another session the whole day at the University of the Philippines Diliman sponsored by Power Mac Center Educational Division, all this prior my departure for the US on Tuesday.

But I promised on my last post that I share with you yet another cool Multimedia Demo/Presentation and here it is, "Mystical Asia" a 2.56 min. QT file, using Photos from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma (Myanmar) Nepal and Tibet.

I finished this demo only a few days ago, amazing stuff you can create using a MacBook Pro and of course the cool Aperture 3 slideshow with GarageBand and my new "Girlfriend called Motion" from Final Cut Studio.

Endless possibilities...with a touch of Motion your Multimedia demos or presentations can look so different and really come alive.
Now sit back and enjoy "Mystical Asia".

Please note the video is best viewed using your Safari Browser we experienced recently that in Firefox some script codes appear underneath the QT window, the video will still play correctly but it looks a bit strange.
Hopefully this issue is disappear soon.

GD

GD Photo Workshop site

Oh my I can't leave it alone...applied some new make up on my Blog. Overall new look, changed the images and moved things from the right to the left, etc. and more uniform with my GD Photo Workshop site. http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/

It started like this:
Early this evening I sat down with my Partner and Webmaster Arj to discuss some other issues when I had this crazy idea...
Arj what do you think? Lets change the look of my Blog...are you kidding me, you like to do this now?
Yes, I am deadly serious... ha, ha. Oh come on...GD.

That how it all started... a few hours later it was done, we did encounter some glitches but otherwise it went smooth, if you find something not working properly please let me know so we can fix it.

Another surprise is waiting already within the next few days...I just finished a nice Multimedia presentation of course using Aperture 3, GarageBand and my new found "Girlfriend called Motion". This one is promising to be very cool and slick, I have it uploaded by latest on Monday...need to get it done prior my departure for San Francisco on Tuesday.

I hope you like the new look of the Blog, if you don't see any changes right away please refresh your Browser.
GD

Cambodia & beyond...last call for reservations

We are getting very close to our final bookings for our GD PhotoWorkshop in Cambodia from the 12 to 18th of September 2010, we have only 3 more spaces available and our bookings will close by July 25th.
For more info please go to:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html

A complete Course outline is available up on request, please email me and I send you the PDF file, thank you.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/contact/contact.php
GD

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

For info on my GD Photo Workshops please click this LINK

Also on: Vimeo & YouTube

GD

Tips, tricks & techniques...
getting more out of your Mac.


My Road set up... 15 inch MacBook Pro i7, 800 fire wire
card reader and two Lacie Rugged hard drives with a triple interface.

In recent months I have seen quiet a few newcomers to Mac or as we like to call them “Switchers” they moved from PC to MAC.
For those who are new to Mac and I am sure for some long time users as well, I like to share some simple shortcuts today making your work on a Mac even more enjoyable.

OK. lets start with Apple’s Snow Leopard 10.6.4

Sharing articles from your Safari Web Browser made easy

Did you know when you're browsing the web in Safari and found an article you like to share with friends or business partners that with a simple click you can send the page without copy and paste via e-mail?
Once in Safari just press Apple (Command Key) and the letter “I” instantly Mail will open up and the article is right there, add the e-mail address and you’re done. Very slick if you like to share articles without copy and paste. (Screenshot below)

Safari & Mail shortcut for sharing articles

The easy way in using Quick Look

I guess most of us know the slick “Quick Look” function on Snow Leopard by highlighting the document or photo icon on your desk top or files located in folders by clicking the right mouse button or going to File and activate Quick Look.
However there is a much faster and slicker way of doing exactly that.

Quick Look, highlighted only one Icon
Note: The Icon for sending your photos direct to your iPhoto Library
add to iPhoto is just above the arrow Icon for Full screen


Highlighted multiple Desk Top Icons, then open in Quick Look

Just highlight the document or what ever you like to look at and press "Spacebar" Wow... so much faster and efficient, I use it a lot for a Quick Look at photos, pdf files with multiple pages or other documents. You can even select multiple photos and within seconds you find what you're looking for, instead open the software which can take time e.g. open Word can take up to 15 seconds depending on the speed of your Machine. This one is a real time saver!

Very useful for screenshots, finding the right one quick, also great for locating Videos or photos you might have uploaded on your desk top and of course reading documents in full screen without open the software is just so much more fun.
There is even an Icon for sending your photos direct to your iPhoto Library.

A Quick look at your Videos

Don't be shy give it a test drive and play around a bit... you find endless possibilities and remember next time you’re looking for this elusive photo, video, document or like to read your pdf pages in full screen, just highlight the Icon press "SPACEBAR" without open the software.

A cool way moving selected Photos from
iPhoto (iLife '09) to your Aperture 3 Library.

Mac is all about drag and drop…very simple and efficient; say you decided to move from iPhoto to Aperture 3 and like to move “not all” but some of your important Photos to the Aperture Library.
Open Aperture 3 go to Import and select in the panel show iPhoto Browser click and your iPhoto Browser will open. Then highlight the photo or multiple ones and drag them into your Aperture 3 Library, (see screenshots) Aperture creates automatically a new Project, the only thing left to do, name the Project…and you're done.

Aperture 3 and Import panel open showing the iPhoto Browser bar.

Aperture 3 behind the open iPhoto Browser panel, it is here where
you select your photos and drag them into your Aperture 3 Library

In this exercise I have selected the Marine Images from my iPhoto Library, see screenshots.
Now you have your selected Photos in your Aperture Library…it is really that simple, very fast, efficient and so integrated.

Underwater Photos from my iPhoto library have now been moved to
my Aperture 3 library, at the same time Aperture created a new Project.

Of course you can also import your whole iPhoto Library if you chose to do so, in my workflow I use iPhoto for private photographs and my low res. images for the Web, using Aperture 3 for my pro and heavy workload.
Utilizing the full integration on the Mac can be so much fun, but it's also faster and more efficient.
GD

The GD Photo Workshops in Asia...
confirmed dates for Sept. & Oct.
Cambodia, Nepal & Philippines.



© Gunther Deichmann - discover the
undiscovered in Cambodia

You find we go beyond the normal tourist locations, experience adventure with a touch of luxury in some of the best destinations in Asia. Discover the undiscovered with your digital camera.
Gunther has many years of experience in Cambodia and Nepal, you explore places seldom visit by others.

Understand light and composition, meet new people and immerse yourself in new cultures, getting the shot right in the first place is the main objective in these workshops. Learn how to see with your eyes and using the camera only as a tool to capture the ultimate image. Photoshop manipulation is not on the agenda.

At the same time master the after the shoot workflow, critique, tips, tricks and techniques, plus securing your Photos with the implementation of a complete back up system during our classroom sessions at the Hotel.

The workshops are for advanced amateurs 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 for those with experience on Mac Computers Gunther will guide you through the understanding of Aperture. (including the latest version 3.0.3) He will also teach basic editing skills in Photoshop. Gunther is a certified Apple Pro Trainer for Aperture and has years of hands on knowledge using Photoshop as a photography tool.

For more info go to:

GD Photo Workshops

Cambodia, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
PHOTO WORKSHOP in September 12 - 18, 2010
Final bookings must be made by latest 19th of July


PACKAGE PRICE: US $1,795.00 (airfare not included) for more details please email us at gdeichmann@mac.com

The price is inclusive of the following:

• 7 days and 6 nights stay inclusive of accommodation bed and breakfast at a 5star Boutique Hotel (Siem Reap)

• Ground transportation and guides including visit to the Tonle Sap lake

• Bottled water will be provided throughout the excursions.

• Heritage site permit fees.

• (only 4 more slots available)

Full details and outline of course will be send to you upon request.
Please Note: If you like to take part of the Phnom Penh extension additional fees are applicable, this is in addition to our Siem Reap 7 day Workshop and a great opportunity for those who like to add some extra days and explore/discover Phnom Penh and surrounding areas. Pls. send us an email for more information for the Phnom Penh extension.

7 days Angkor Wat and beyond...explore and discover the hidden Khmer treasures, please book this workshop early it is our most popular one.
Read what students had to say from our previous Photo Workshops in Cambodia & India.

© Gunther Deichmann - ancient Temples
& ritual Cambodia


© Gunther Deichmann - Siem Reap Cambodia

October 14 - 21, 2010 Bookings close by 9th of August.
Only 4 spaces remaining! 
Nepal, Kathmandu
A 7 day Journey into Nepal, final itinerary yet to be finalized, please stay tuned for more info very soon. Shortly we announce the price and upon request we provide you with a detailed Itinerary and Course outline.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhu Nepal

© Gunther Deichmann - Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal

Oct. 29 -Nov01, 2010 Bookings close by 31st of August.
PHOTOGRAPHY LESSONS IN PALAWAN: Learn from the Pro. in cooperation with Power Mac Center Manila Philippines.
Four days of fun and learning travel photography..exploring nature's beauty in Palawan
Target: Amateurs and semi-pro (max 8 participants) please book this one early. Peso 12,000 (does not include Hotel and accommodation charges yet)
Philippines only! Course outline soon to be announced.
For registration: workshops@powermaccenter.com

© Gunther Deichmann -perfect camouflaged Monitor Lizard
cooling of in the lagoon on Dimakya Island Palawan, Philippines



© Gunther Deichmann - Flying Fox, - Fruit Bats
on Dimakya Island Palawan, Philippines

Hope to see you on one of our GD Photo Workshops,
GD

Aperture 3 essentials & basic Photography,
using your camera and understanding the
work-flow after the shoot.

July 23-25

Doing it right from the start and avoiding problems later, using your camera and Aperture 3 is really not that complicated.
Switching from iPhoto to Aperture 3 the easy way, organizing all your photos the correct way, create Aperture 3 slideshows, import and edit video (movies) in Aperture 3.
Correct your photos the professional way without the use of Photoshop, export your photos to Facebook with a click of the button...plus tips, tricks and techniques on photography.
This course is for amateurs and semi pros.

Course fee: Peso 8,500.00 per participant for 3 days
1 to 4 PM except on the last day there is an additional 1 hour (1 to 5 PM)

For details: www.powermaccenter.com

For registration: workshops@powermaccenter.com

See a basic course outline below:

Day 1. Short introduction and presentation on basic photography
3:00 hours.
Lecture on your camera and problems you’re facing
How to use your equipment and make the most out off it, hands on and learning the basics.
E.g. basic operation of your camera the a-b-c. tips and tricks.
Short walk around Greenbelt 3 with GD using your camera in the field.
Setting up your computer for Photography and uploading images.
A. The first upload to the computer using Aperture 3 or iPhoto ’09
Basic lessons on digital photography.
Q&A

Day 2.
3 hours
Another short walk in Greenbelt with GD implementing the lessons from day one.
Hands on and advise including some critique after the shoot and upload of images.
B. The digital workflow after the shoot, Aperture 3 or iPhoto more advanced training,
plus backing up your images the correct way.
Q&A

Day 3.
4 hours
Final lessons learned and discussion, plus more tips, tricks and techniques from GD on Photography.
Participants go out alone for about 30 minutes and shoot some simple assignments given by GD.
After they return evaluation and lessons learned, final editing and fine-tuning with Aperture 3 or iPhoto.
What to do with your photos after the final shoot and edit;
integration on the Mac e.g. creating slideshows, presentations with iWork etc,.
Q&A

Soccer fever in Manila, Philippines?

© Gunther Deichmann - from the car window, street vendor
selling soccer balls near Makati. Leica D-Lux 4

Today on my way to Makati this happy street vendor came up to my Taxi window trying to sell me a soccer ball, I can't recall seen a street vendor selling soccer balls. Must be connected to all the action in South Africa at the World Cup.
GD

The Idea about this short environmental clip came from my last trip to Palawan, when the first rain and the Monsoon arrived for this season.

Running around in the rain at El Rio y Mar capturing the freshness of the vegetation around me, I decided later to put a few images together to create this clip called "WATER" using the Aperture 3 slideshow, Motion & GarageBand.
The actual rain sound was recorded on location with my Nikon D300s and mixed together with another soundtrack in GarageBand.

Motion and final assembly: In this case I used a template from Motion modified it and added the rain drop images.
(two images one with the drop and one without it)
After this was done I imported the Motion Clip and soundtrack into Aperture 3, added text plus photos... export and it was done.
GD

Also on:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG9DwR_tLIQ
Vimeo: http://www.vimeo.com/12789048

Manila Day... & Fireworks over Manila Bay..

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

A little spring-clean the other day revealed an old treasure from some 24 years ago.
Securely tucked away I spotted this old Calendar, which I produced many moons ago for the Northern Territory Tourist Commission in Australia. (the Calendar was a bit creased and crinkled but ok otherwise)
Wow …memories starting to buzz in my head… oh boy, do I remember this one!

24 years later…technology brings an old project back to life; sometimes it is nice to go back in time.
“This is like a 25 year anniversary for me since the project started in 1985.”

To cut a long story short we did some reproduction of this long forgotten marvel and after some cropping and adjusting the pages were ready for an update.

I used Aperture 3.0.3 for the editing and the final slide show, Motion from Final Cut Studio for the intro, and the Soundtrack I created again in GarageBand.

In the good old days we had no computers, everything was shot on Kodachrome 25 ASA with the exception of the moon, and in two other layouts I added the clouds manually via duplicating the film, adding the elements.

All Photos taken on locations in the Northern Territory of Australia…with some places extremely remote and difficult to reach.

At Ayers Rock we used an old fashion pushbike that we had repainted and restored, at the Olga’s the parachute setup looked simple, but the Girl almost drifted away as the wind picked up.

On the first day at Rainbow Valley the Camels didn’t arrive on time, so we had to come back the next day and get the Job done. The dresses for the girls (BTW Identical Twins) in this shot had been specially designed and tailored for this setup.

Devils Marbles…setting up a Hang Glider on these two Rocks proved to be dangerous and a real challenge, crossing our fingers that no wind gust blowing the hang glider of the rocks including our model. To top it off, the ladders we used to get everything on top of these two balancing rocks where about 2 feet to short; solving these problems on location can be quiet a challenge in the outback miles from nowhere.

Then to Palm Valley… the track to Palm Valley is only accessible with a 4WD vehicle, following the usually dry bed of the Finke River. Within the Finke Gorge National Park, is an east-west running valley in the Krichauff Range 123 km (138 km by road) southwest of Alice Springs.

Kings Canyon… a tough climb and a long walk, Kings Canyon is part of the Watarrka National Park in Northern Territory, Australia. Sitting at the western end of the George Gill Range, it is 323 km southwest of Alice Springs and 1,316 km south of Darwin.

Kakadu National Park… getting the Girls into the Kayak at Yellow Waters proved to be exciting but also very stressful, there are plenty of very large Saltwater Crocodiles around. My assistant kept a lookout with binoculars just in case, of course we had a larger boat right next to the Kayak where I was shooting.
BTW…the original color of the Kayak was white, I had it re-painted in red just for this shot.

Another cool location was Katherine Gorge, walking for hours to get to the 7th Gorge. Katherine Gorge is not just one spectacular Gorge but a series of 13 gorges along the Katherine River.

At Fog Dam we transported a complete dinning set into the swamp, another extreme, timing was of the essence here. I also flew in an Aboriginal friend of mine from the island of Bathurst just of the coast of Darwin, and the fish for dinner…that is another story.

The Gove Peninsula was some how difficult, far away at the top end of the Northern Territory, but luck was on our side. A Coast Guard Plane was parked at the airport so
I ask the pilot if he could do a few fly over for us…. which he did.

At the Arnhem Land Escarpment and Twin Falls we used Helicopters due to their remoteness. Getting into the Twin falls proved even difficult by Chopper, bringing the Crew down one by one.

More or less that was it…of course I had a small but very efficient crew; all the Girls locals from the Northern Territory were absolutely great and comfortable in the Australian Outback. Shooting over four-month off and on, covering some enormous distances.

These were the days of film…no computers existed with Photoshop, but then that was the challenge…would I do it again? Of course… any time.
GD

Also on:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMEJOURNEY#p/a/u/0/iMIjYGN4OcU

Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/guntherdeichmann

Guess who came for dinner...



© Gunther Deichmann - El Rio y Mar dinner time...

As promised here is the photo from my last day at El Rio y Mar…amazing this Lion fish arrived just in time for dinner.

If you read Part 3 from my recent Palawan trip then you might remember I was talking about my last night and dinner at the pier at El Rio y Mar.

Our group was sitting at the dining table at the end of the pier when suddenly one of the staff caught my attention. He was pointing at the steps at the end of the pier, so I walked over to him and to my amaze there was this Lion fish cruising around.

© Gunther Deichmann – almost like a painting... a Lion fish.
No need for Photoshop…
Nature provides all the texture and colors.

Maybe attracted by the light, or was he going to join us for dinner…we never know.
I instantly grabbed my camera, which was parked on the dining table only a few meters away.

To get more light onto this fellow I used the build in flash on my Nikon D700 this time…wow the light and the texture of the steps created this cool abstract image of a Lion fish.

© Gunther Deichmann – even he was not invited
I am so glad he dropped by.

What else can I say…never leave your camera behind, even if you have dinner with your friends.
BTW…there is some cool muck diving at El Rio y Mar and the Dugong Dive Center has a Dive Center right at the resort.

However in my case there was no need to take the plunge…the fish came “right to me,” or did he came for dinner?
GD

Dramatic skies, enchanting colors…
a tropical kaleidoscope.



© Gunther Deichmann - view from the Pier at El Rio y Mar,
Palawan Philippines

Oh… how I love this time of the year, the monsoon has finally arrived cooling things down a bit, a good time for some different photography.

© Gunther Deichmann - sunrise on the way to Calauit Island
Palawan Philippines

It started all on my last day on Dimakya Island, storm clouds rolled overhead, the first rain for this season had arrived. The day before on my way to Calauit Island we had painted skies at sunrise, an indication that things where about to change, great I thought.

You might think oh no…this bad weather is going to ruin everything…actually not, it is the other way around, well at least for me I just love this time of the year.
The ocean is so calm but the colors can be spectacular and lets face it we do need water, natures gift to man.

© Gunther Deichmann - near Club Paradise,
Palawan Philippines

© Gunther Deichmann - the Monsoon has arrived
Palawan Philippines

I said goodbye to Club Paradise and all those great people who made my stay so awesome, Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center and Juergen Warnke joined me for a short 20 min. boat ride to El Rio y Mar…which is just “around the corner.”

© Gunther Deichmann - arriving at El Rio y Mar,
Palawan Philippines

After my arrival I settled into my quarters (wow, these are very cool cottages) and had my usual cup of coffee first. Then I wondered around the Resort area which is nested in super healthy Mangroves, nature... again all around me.

© Gunther Deichmann - my home... sadly my stay was just to
short but I shall return. El Rio y Mar Palawan Philippines



© Gunther Deichmann - very healthy Mangroves just behind my
cottage during a tropical rain shower

Red Mangrove: Flowers of the red mangrove are fertilized and begin to develop.  The propagule or seedling, does not drop from the tree immediately, but continues to grow in place.  If there are no storms or other disturbances, the red mangrove seedling and its companions can advance the shoreline as they stabilize the soils beneath them.  In nature however, storms tend to keep the system in balance. 

© Gunther Deichmann - Human cutting of mangroves can cause severe erosion problems during major storms or tsunami. Mangroves are also a very important breeding ground for fish and other marine critters. Palawan has some very healthy Mangrove forest along its coastline.

I took it easy the first few hours, besides it was Sunday and now1:00 PM not a very good time to shoot anyway.
Then of a sudden... at 3:00PM all hell broke loose with a great tropical downpour, fantastic I thought, grabbed the umbrella and started to work at the Mangroves.

After about 45 minutes it was all over, the sky cleared up nicely with the clouds disappearing in the distance.

I went around the place and took some Photos of the Resort and at sunset I spotted this amazing dark cloud on the horizon in the bay. (see first photo above) Another wow left my lips before it went to dark and I got ready for our dinner at the pier.

© Gunther Deichmann - a cool night in tropical Paradise
El Rio y Mar, Palawan, Philippines

By now it was 7:00 PM and I thought…well that is it for today but then the big surprise…sorry folks you have to wait for this one…I promises in a couple of days you get to see it. My suspense again...

Unfortunately I could only stay one day in El Rio y Mar before hitting back to Manila, oh how I wished I could had extended my stay, but I shall return, a promise I will keep.

It was amazing how many photos I managed to take in such a short time, these are only a few on today’s post.
To top it all off, the image below was taken just 3 hours prior my departure, just after breakfast near the swimming pool area.

© Gunther Deichmann - Brown-throated Sunbird near the pool
area at El Rio y Mar, Palawan, Philippines

One thing is for sure if you travel to Palawan in the Philippines nature is all around you…as they say, it is the Philippines last frontier, but for me it is the lost Paradise or plain and simple Jurassic Park.
GD

The latest Software update 10.6.4 includes a fix and resolve an issue editing
photos with iPhoto or Aperture 3 in full screen view.

Make sure you have a good connection this one is very big some 641.1 MB

The 10.6.4 Update is recommended for all users running Mac OS X Snow Leopard. It includes Safari 5 and general operating system fixes that enhance the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac, including fixes that:

• resolve an issue that causes the keyboard or trackpad to become unresponsive
• resolve an issue that may prevent some Adobe Creative Suite 3 applications from opening
• address issues copying, renaming, or deleting files on SMB file servers
• improve reliability of VPN connections
• resolve a playback issue in DVD Player when using Good Quality deinterlacing
• resolve an issue editing photos with iPhoto or Aperture in full screen view
• improve compatibility with some braille displays

From Jurassic Park to the Future...

It was a big day yesterday for Juergen Warnke Chairman of Club Paradise and El Rio y Mar...he decided to make the switch from PC to Mac. During my recent visit in Palawan I had a lot of chats with Juergen about the efficiency on the Mac and a week later we went together to the Power Mac Center to check out the units.

Juergen Warnke is all smiles at the Power Mac Center
Greenbelt 3 during his first test drive.

Being a Business man who travels a lot Juergen decided on the new Mac Book Pro 13 inch, I certainly going to help him with the initial setup and get him up and running in no time. He is also looking into an additional iMac for the Resort and a Cinema Screen for his office, the perfect combination. He now has all the Battery Power on the road and the luxury for the office.

After we left the Power Mac Center we switched for a Glass of Wine at my favorite Wine Bar the "Cave" and just in time for the World Cup Soccer game between Switzerland and Spain. Wow the win by the Swiss over Spain was just awesome.

Happy Switchers...Othmar Frei and Juergen Warnke at the
Cave Wine Bar at Werdenberg in Yakal street Makati.

Othmar Frei the GM of Werdenberg Corp. a good friend who switched also just recently to a Mac greeted us, it was only a couple of weeks ago that we both went to the Power Mac Center to get his Mac Book Pro i7.
So there you have it, two new-bees and happy switchers. Othmar I ask, how is your new Mac? Oh boy I should have made the switch a lot earlier, it is just so cool...just love it. Great... after that we had a few Glasses of wine and watched the soccer game.

Tomorrow I continue with my adventures from Palawan... "and then came the rain"...but that should never stop you from taken photos...almost like making the switch from a Pc to a Mac...it is never to late.
Until tomorrow,
GD

Part 2...endemic wildlife has its home on
Dimakya Island, Palawan Philippines

© Gunther Deichmann - at sunset Fruit Bats from the
second colony take off into the sky.

The endemic wildlife of Palawan is just so amazing…and you don’t have to venture very far to encounter Birds, Anteaters, Porcupines, Deer, Lizards and Turtles you just need a little patience “walk and talk” quietly and you find them on Dimakya Island
Home of Club Paradise.
Note: All images have been processed using Aperture 3 using only RAW file image adjustments and cropping.
No manipulation in Photoshop.

© Gunther Deichmann - my home for four days...Club Paradise,
Palawan Philippines

We all know that the diving is just so amazing in this area, from shipwrecks to an unspoiled immaculate house reef right in front of your cottages. Where Turtles roam and Dugongs feed on the adjourning sea grass beds not to mention all those critters and tropical fish on the reef. A paradise for underwater Photographers.

However as mention before in Part 1, on my recent trip to Palawan I concentrated on the wildlife above the waves where another paradise was waiting for me…

© Gunther Deichmann - The Brown-throated Sunbird (Anthreptes malacensis), also known as the Plain-throated Sunbird, is a species of bird in the Nectariniidae family. It is found in a wide range of semi-open habitats in south-east Asia, ranging from Myanmar to the Lesser Sundas and west Philippines

My second and third day on the island was blessed with encounters of Herons, Pigeons, Calamine Deer and of course the ever presence of Flying foxes — or Fruit Bats, but this time from a different colony at the other end of the island. (see the photo above)

© Gunther Deichmann - luck was on my side when I wondered through the Resort, when I spotted these Herons right next to one of the Buildings. Entertaining me for a few moments before they took off in the undergrowth.

Rufous Night-Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus). The Rufous Night-Heron hunts for food during night time. They primarily eat small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, and small mammals. They live near bodies of water such as rivers, streams, marshes, seas and lagoons. They fly at dusk to their feeding ground producing a "kwok" sound.
Rufous Night-Heron can be easily identified if it's young or mature because of its distinct color. The juvenile changes its color from spotted and streaked brown into plain brown with a black cap on top of its head when it becomes an adult.

© Gunther Deichmann - I spotted this CALAMIAN DEER close to the natural lagoon Dimakya Island on my second day, just a minute stroll from my cottage.

CALAMIAN DEER (Axis calamianesis). The Calamian Deer is also known as the "hog deer". The name "hog deer" arises from its habit of crashing through the undergrowth with its head down like a pig, rather than leaping over obstacles as other deer do. Hog deer are heavy-set and compact, standing only about 28" high at the shoulder.

Calamian Deer is an endemic species restricted in the Palawan Faunal Region and is considered endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). They are found in the Calamianes Islands, Northern Palawan. Axis deer in general take readily to water and are said to be good swimmers. They are predominantly grazers, and they eat also fallen flowers and fruits of forest trees.

Of course my stay was way to short to capture all the endemic species like the Scaly Anteater or Pangolin, some of the Owls (I certainly heard them at night) and many other Bird species. I guess I have to make another trip and catch up with some of the other animals that have eluded me on this visit.

I also traveled to Calauit the famous Island with its African introduced species, but my report from this part of Palawan has to wait a bit, lets just concentrate on some of the Philippine endemic wildlife first.

© Gunther Deichmann - this photograph was taken on Calauit Island during my recent visit to Palawan. Deforestation has greatly reduced its numbers and the Philippine Bearcat is on the endangered species list

The Binturong (Arctictis binturong), also known as the Asian Bearcat, the Palawan Bearcat, or simply the Bearcat, is a species of the family Viverridae, which includes the civets and genets.
It is the only member of its genus. The binturong is neither a bear nor a cat, and the real meaning of the original name has been lost, as the local language that gave it that name is now extinct. Its natural habitat is in trees of forest canopy in rainforest.

It is nocturnal and sleeps on branches. It eats primarily fruit, but also has been known to eat eggs, shoots, leaves, and small animals, such as rodents or birds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binturong

© Gunther Deichmann - photo of Palawan Porcupine was taken on Calauit Island during my recent visit to Palawan.

The Philippine Porcupine (Hystrix pumila), or the Indonesian Porcupine or the Palawan Porcupine, is a species of rodent in the Hystricidae family (Old World porcupines). It is endemic to the island of Palawan in the Philippines. Common Name: PALAWAN PORCUPINE Scientific Name: Hystrix pumila Local Name: Durian / Landak
Conservation Status: Apparently stable, but these species are reported to be persecuted by farmers as pests in coconut plantations.A locally common to uncommon species found in primary and secondary forest in the mountains and in the lowlands.

This species also prefer caves, but are commonly found under tree buttresses or in rock crevices.It is an endemic species restricted in the Palawan Faunal Region. It has been recorded in the islands of Busuanga, Calauit, Coron, and on the Mainland at the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, and the forested areas of El Nido.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Porcupine

For the 3rd part I share with you some of the cool cloud formations, sunrise & sunsets that occur this time of the year…the onset of the monsoon and my favorite travel time, so please stay tuned for Part 3.

Just one more...
jumping with joy in Paradise.



© Gunther Deichmann - Club Paradise,
Palawan Philippines


Please Note: A Photo Workshop in Paradise - Oct 29-Nov 1

PHOTOGRAPHY LESSONS IN PALAWAN: Learn from the Pro. in conjunction with the Power Mac Center
Four days of fun and learning travel photography..exploring nature's beauty in Palawan
Amateurs and semi-pro (max 8 participants) please book this one early.
For more info pls. contact:

Email: 
workshops@powermaccenter.com
tutorial@powermaccenter.com

2/L Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center Paseo de Roxas Avenue, Makati City, Philippines 
Tel: 7297087
3/L TriNoma, Edsa cor North Ave. Quezon City
Tel: 9013981

For other Workshops in 2010 plus Cambodia and Nepal please go to:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html

Photography tips, tricks & techniques, plus Aperture 3 tutorials @ Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3, Makati

Before I continue with my "Jurassic Park" in Club Paradise Palawan, Philippines Part 2 just a quick announcement on upcoming additional Workshops and Seminars at the Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3 Makati, please see the dates below:

June 25-27 and July 23-25
PHOTOGRAPHY & AFTER THE SHOOT
Experience Aperture 3 basics and integration on the Mac. Plus tips and tricks on Photography, learning how to use the camera.
Amateurs and semi-pro

August 23-25
PHOTOGRAPHY FOR MOM
" How to shoot your kids! "
Basic camera use, techniques in child photography & creating projects on Mac.

Oct 29-Nov 1
PHOTOGRAPHY LESSONS IN PALAWAN: Learn from the Pro.
Four days of fun and learning travel photography..exploring nature's beauty in Palawan
Amateurs and semi-pro (max 8 participants) please book this one early.

We also offer personalized 1on 1 tutorial and consultancy on Aperture 3, please contact the Power Mac Center for details and schedules. Understanding the workflow after the shoot and complete back up solutions for your Photos using Aperture 3.

Contact: http://www.powermaccenter.com/education

2/L Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center Paseo de Roxas Avenue, Makati City, Philippines Beside Music One and First Aid
Tel./ fax no.: (632) 729-7128 Tel. no. for Solutions desk: 729 - 7088 Text line: (+63917) 580-6852
Operating Hours: Mon to Thurs: 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Fri to Sat: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sun: 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3, right beside our 1 on 1 Tutorial Room Details here.
Tel. no.: (632) 729-7087

For other Workshops in 2010 plus Cambodia and Nepal please go to:
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html

Jurassic Park? No... Club Paradise
Palawan Philippines - Part 1



© Gunther Deichmann - like... Jurassic Park..."Flying Foxes"
Fruit Bats & a Heron on Dimakya Island

Part 1:
All Photographs on this Blog Post taken the very first day (actually half a day, I arrived about 11:00 AM) on Dimakya Island
Watch out for part 2 & 3 more nature and interesting animals soon to follow on my Blog...plus a cool marine creature taken during our dinner at the Pier of El Rio y Mar...ha, ha my suspense again. Don't you love it!

I returned last night from Palawan the last Frontier in the Philippines...Nature at its best. The past week my Blog posts have been very thin and I didn't bring my MacBook Pro this time either...just the cameras and plenty CF Cards.

I knew if I had brought my Laptop the nights would have been very long, spending hours sorting the photos on Aperture 3 and having non or very little time for my good buddy Dirk Fahrenbach, plus Juergen Warnke was on the Island too this time.
Spending quality time with friends in "Jurassic Park" for a change...plus Aperture 3 worked so well that I am almost done with the editing the day after my return.

I left Manila on a Cebu Pacific flight to Busuanga and after about 50 minutes arrived at the new Busuanga Airport, wow things have really changed since my last visit here. I had been to Club Paradise before but that was many moons ago, so it was interesting to find out what changes had taken place besides the new airport. After a short jeepney ride I boarded the Boat from Club Paradise for Dimakya Island.

© Gunther Deichmann - arrived on Dimakya Island Home of
Club Paradise & Dugong Dive Center
Palawan, Philippines

Located on Dimakya Island and also the Home of my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center. Dimakya Island undoubtedly one of Asia’s Eden, the Philippine’s Last Frontier and the Calamianes group of Islands is perhaps one of the world's best-kept secrets among travel destinations and at the same time the Home of Club Paradise.


The Resort had also undergone some facilities changes including a Spa and the Dugong Dive Center is offering now some Liveaboards trips to APO Reef and other areas.
The islands house reef is world famous for its marine life and is frequently visited by Dugongs, as a matter of fact this season has seen a record number of these amazing animals right in front of the Resort... a divers paradise without a doubt.

Within few minutes of my arrival I spotted the Flying Foxes having the their usual midday rest...hanging upside down in the trees right next to the Resort. Oh this is great!
I checked into my cottage located right on the beach, changed into something more comfortable before setting off for a little exploratory walk with Dirk to the other side of the Island...but first we had a nice cup of coffee and a good chat...

Dirk...GD... some diving too? Absolutely NOT! What? Are you sick? No... I am going to have some fun running around in the Jungle and heat finding these other creatures almost everybody seems to forget about.
...there are plenty great shots of Dugongs and marine critters by good Underwater Photographers already, besides our good friend and excellent underwater photographer Tony Wu is going to visit you next year anyway and he is getting all those great underwater shots. As for me... I am getting sweaty and dirty trying to find some endemic animals on this beautiful island.
Dirk...GD you're crazy...yep I know!

Ok.,OK...but may be in a couple of days Dirk commented with a grin... sorry Buddy not this time. However in the evening I am having a couple of drinks with you. Dirk...I don't believe it....you left your computer at home...yes my friend, otherwise no drinks later...Dirk...oh I get it now...!

© Gunther Deichmann - A Monitor Lizard cooling off in the Lagoon on the Island, he was my very first encounter on day one. I followed him around for about 2 hours trying to get the perfect shot of him in his natural environment.

© Gunther Deichmann - Abstract reflections of nature in the lagoon. A natural attractant to wetland inhabitants and visitors, thus, wildlife around the lagoon area (such as herons, bulbuls and kingfishers) continues to inhabit the island. The climax vegetation and the hills are also preserved in their natural state. These areas provide habitat to other birds which area displaced in the flatlands.

© Gunther Deichmann - Just one more my "friendly" but very shy
Monitor Lizard in the Lagoon on the Island

© Gunther Deichmann - my lucky day... the Dugong Dive Center still had some hatchlings before their release, a great opportunity for me to get some shots at sunset.The Turtle protection program on the island is a joint effort between the staff and management from Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center http://www.dugongdivecenter.com/turtle_program.html

The resort has engaged in an active tagging program for marine turtles to study their habitat range. From February to October 1991, 12 marine turtles were tagged using the markers from Pawikan Conservation Project of the DENR.

© Gunther Deichmann - Painted Sky - the end of day one...& what a day it was in Paradise.
A few more days and more exotic nature will follow, so please stay tuned for Part 2 and 3.

Before I am signing off today, (only today, plenty to come yet) a special thanks to all the staff and Management at Club Paradise & El Rio y Mar and of course to Dirk Fahrenbach and his staff from Dugong Dive Center.
Until soon...Save and Protect our Environment!
GD

Power Mac Center Redefined...
Party Time in Greenbelt 3 Makati

Open for Business again...but so redefined... the awesome newly renovated Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3 Makati Manila Philippines.

Philippine All-Stars @ Power Mac Center
Greenbelt 3 Makati, Manila

It all started on Thursday the 27th of May 2010, after undergoing some major renovation the past few months PMC open its doors again with a big Bang, attended by celebrities, personalities and Press it was certainly a party to remember not to mention the great food and drinks.
Apple representatives from Singapore attended plus some "Super Heros" where walking the floor. Well, that was day one...the celebration continuous with yesterdays appearance of the famous Philippine All-Stars cool music and lots of fun.
If you need a new Mac, iPod Touch or what ever your heart desires drop in to this truly amazing...awesome new PMC and avail of up to 15% discount which is still available until Sunday. My good friend Luis Harder and Photographer did just that yesterday, walking out of the door with a new iPod Touch for his wife and a cool iMac for his office.
But there is so much more...ongoing Tutorial for GarageBand, Aperture 3 and other Apple applications check out the schedules and dates at PMC.

A cool new Classroom... and the nice redefined 1 on 1 tutorial room are now open...as a matter of fact we have an Aperture 3 Introduction on Sunday the 30th from 6 to...? Lets see, we might just make this one a bit longer, please drop by and join me and find out what Aperture 3 is all about. http://powermaccenter.com/services/training/learning_series

Todays Photos are from the last few days...however I am working on a nice fast slideshow from the event as well and we post this one later, of course it will be created using Aperture 3 and GarageBand, so please stay tuned.

Congratulations to the Staff and Management of the Power Mac Center not only for providing Manila with such a great store but for a super event.
The PMC is certainly redefined!
http://powermaccenter.com/stores
GD

Tags: Philippine All-Stars, Power Mac Center, Makati Manila, Apple Premium Reseller

"Nature's gift to man, so easily abused,
yet seldom appreciated." GD

Strangely no tech or Aperture 3 talk today...you might wonder why? Actually very simple...going through my PhotoShelter files the other day organizing my latest Photos from India and Nepal when I ended up in my other Galleries and got stuck somehow in Australia.

© Gunther Deichmann - Whistling Ducks at Sunset, Kakadu National Park

Photos I have taken long ago, a stark reminder that we should take care of our Planet before it is to late.
Images from one of my favorite places...the wetland of the Northern Territory, immense rich on fauna and flora, but if you ever venture to this part of the world you need time.

The best time for Birds for e.g. is just before the onset of the wet season when large groups of different Birds congregate at the remaining water holes or at the edges of swamps.
White-bellied Sea-eagles, Black-necked Storks or also called Jabirus (Aboriginal word) Whistling Ducks by the thousand and huge flogs of Magpie Geese and the ever present Kingfishers and Cockatoos. (see photos below)
The end of the dry season is just buzzing with life but not only with Birds there are Reptiles and interesting insect all around at small Billabongs and water holes.

© Gunther Deichmann - left: aerial over wetlands Kakadu National Park.
right: a single flower in a swamp during the wet season with
a storm brewing on the horizon

Keep an eye out also for the Frill-necked Lizard and if you lucky enough he might just run like you have never seen a Lizard run before... on his hind legs upright almost like a human posture, comical and amusing. (see him in action below)

Then of course the ever so impressive Saltwater crocodile who makes his home just about anywhere in the Top End of Australia...so beware where you go for a swim... you never know where one of these guys is waiting.

I am leaving next week for Palawan in the Philippines, another Natures Paradise getting a break from Manila it be interesting to see what awaits me on Dimakya Island also the Home of my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center.

Dimakya Island undoubtedly one of Asia’s Eden, the Philippine’s Last Frontier and the Calamianes group of Islands is perhaps one of the world's best-kept secrets among travel destinations and at the same time the Home of Club Paradise.

My Blog posts and Tweets will be a bit thin starting next week, but I make up for it after my return in about a week,reporting more from this great destination in the Philippines.

See below some excepts from Wikipedia & more photographs with Links to the wetland and wildlife of northern Australia in particular Kakadu National Park and surrounding areas.
GD

Kakadu's flora is among the richest in northern Australia with more than 1700 plant species recorded which is a result of the Park's geological, landform and habitat diversity. Kakadu is also considered to be one of the most weed free national parks in the world.
The name Kakadu comes from the mispronunciation of ‘Gagadju’ which is the name of an Aboriginal language spoken in the northern part of the Park. Kakadu is ecologically and biologically diverse. The main natural features protected within the National Park include:
four major river systems:
East Alligator River,
West Alligator River,
Wildman River;

and the entire South Alligator River;

Kakadu National Park is also UNESCO World Heritage Site

The environment referred to as ‘the Stone Country’ features ‘resurrection grasses’ that are able to cope with extreme heat and long dry spells followed by periods of torrential rain. Monsoon forests often develop in the cool moist gorges dissecting the stone country. The southern hills and basins support several endemic plants that are only found in Kakadu such as Eucalyptus koolpinensis near Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge). Lowland areas form a large proportion of Kakadu National Park and are mainly covered in eucalypt-dominated open woodland with the ground layer consisting of a large range of grasses including spear grass, sedges and wildflowers.

© Gunther Deichmann - Water Lily at sunset

The floodplains, which are inundated for several months each year, feature sedges such as spike rush as well patches of freshwater mangroves (itchy tree), pandanus and paper bark trees (Melaleuca). Varieties of water lilies, such as the blue, yellow and white snowflake, are commonly found in these areas. Estuaries and tidal flats are populated with varieties of mangroves (39 of the 47 Northern Territory species of mangrove occur in Kakadu) that are important for stabilizing the coastline. Mangroves serve as feeding and breeding grounds for many fish species including the barramundi.

© Gunther Deichmann - Salt Water Crocodile at yellow waters
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory Australia

On the tidal flats behind the mangroves, hardy succulents (samphire), grasses and sedges grow. Isolated pockets of monsoon forest grow along the coast and river banks. These forests contain several impressive trees, among them the banyan fig, which can be recognized by its large, spreading aerial roots, and the kapok tree, which has a spiny trunk, large, waxy red flowers and pods full of cotton-like material.

© Gunther Deichmann - left: White-bellied Sea-eagle Kakadu National Park
right: Jabirus at Yellow Waters Kakadu National Park

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), also known as the White-bellied Fish-eagle or White-breasted Sea Eagle, is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.
It is resident from India through southeast Asia to Australia on coasts and major waterways. It is a distinctive bird. The adult has white head, breast, under-wing coverts and tail. The upper parts are grey and the black under-wing flight feathers contrast with the white coverts.
The White-bellied Sea-eagle is one of the largest raptors in Southeast Asia, and the second largest bird of prey in Australia after the Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) which stands up to 1 m.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-bellied_Sea_Eagle
Black-necked Stork
Scientific name: Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus- Family: Ciconiidae- Order: Ciconiiformes
The Jabiru isn't just a large stork, it's the only Australian stork. Often seen at yellow waters in Kakadu National Park Northern Territory Australia. More on Jabirus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabiru


The frill-necked lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), also known as the frilled lizard or frilled dragon, is found mainly in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Its name comes from the large frill around its neck, which usually stays folded against the lizard's body. The lizard's diet consists mainly of insects and small vertebrates. The frill-necked lizard is a relatively large lizard, reaching up to 91.4 cm in length.

© Gunther Deichmann - almost human like posture,
a Frill-necked Lizard on the run

The frill-necked lizard is so called because of the large ruff of skin which usually lies folded back against its head and neck. The neck frill is supported by long spines of cartilage which are connected to the jaw bones. When the lizard is frightened, it gapes its mouth, exposing a bright pink or yellow lining; the frill flares out as well, displaying bright orange and red scales. This reaction is often used to discourage predators or during courtship. The lizard is also capable of bipedal locomotion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipedal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frill-necked_Lizard

Tags: Kakadu National Park

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

Incorporating Motion from Final Cut Studio into an Aperture 3 Slide Show is giving us some cool possibilities. I created the Motion Clips with Motion which is part of Final Cut Studio, very nice as an intro and finish for your Aperture Slide shows.
The sound (2 separate tracks) I previously created in GarageBand and had them in my iTunes Library.

Like with everything else on a Mac a perfect integration, when open Motion I had access to all my Photos in my Aperture 3.0.3 Library and could have also used my soundtracks, but in this exercise I added the sound later in Aperture 3.0.3

It was real fun messing around with Motion and creating this short demo, with endless possibilities at your fingertips you can produce a nice and cool looking Multi Media show using Aperture 3, Motion and GarageBand.
GD

Tags: Motion, , Multi Media, Final Cut Pro, Demo, Cambodia, Nepal , Lacie Hard Drives, Photo Workshops, Slide show, Photoshelter, MacBook Pro i7, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY, Aperture 3.0.3, Movie , Final Cut Studio, Core i7

Photographs - Nepal...
Travel through Culture & Time

Wow it is done…just finished uploading the latest images (high resolution) from Nepal from my recent trip in Feb/March 2010.
Due to other commitments Nepal got a bit delayed, the latest Photos from India have been on my PhotoShelter Archives for some time.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhu Kathmandu Nepal Feb./March 2010



© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhus Chest, Kathmandu
Nepal Feb./March 2010

Nepal: Amazing – bizarre – colorful – and ever so strange, but at the same time very beautiful. Check out the selected Images in my PhotoShelter Gallery, of course there are a many more in the archives if you can’t find what you’re looking for in the Gallery just type in the Search box.

© Gunther Deichmann - Kopan Monastery Kathmandu
Nepal Feb./March 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - Kopan Monastery Kathmandu
Nepal Feb./March 2010

Animal Sacrifice – Fossils – People - Buddhist Temples & Monasteries – Monks – Cremations - Hindu Ceremonies & the ever so strange Sadhus from Kathmandu in Nepal “A true Journey through Color, Culture & Time.”
Click this LINK or the Photos and go direct to the latest from Nepal.

© Gunther Deichmann - Hmmm what is the Riot Police doing at
my doorstep?"Little Tibet" Kathmandu Nepal Feb./March 2010



© Gunther Deichmann - Red and Yellow Kathmandu Valley
Nepal Feb./March 2010

Non of the photographs have been manipulated, all photos have been processed using a MacBook Pro i7 and Aperture 3.0.3
The Photos on this Blog post are only a small taste what is stored in my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries.
GD

Just one more... and then there was light.

© Gunther Deichmann - amazing Sun-rays lasting only a few minutes and then the light
was gone, from the top of the Monkey Temple Kathmandu, Nepal Feb./March 2010

PhotoShelter LINK

Energy Saver Panel

I unchecked also the Automatic Graphics switching (just for this exercise) in the System preference (Energy Saver).
Extreme circumstances…and most of the time we’re not going to push it so hard, but at least I know how long I can work before looking for a power outlet when I am in a tricky situation.
Please note: I can’t be held responsible for the information above, they are based on my own personal tests results and might vary on other units or under different conditions.

Aperture 3.0.3 Tip: Previews...

If you don’t see some of your Previews in the Aperture Browser (black frame) or you have the feeling they playing up…don’t panic just perform this simple exercise:

Move your cursor on the black image field…click the right mouse button on the appearing menu scroll down to Rebuild Previews and click here. (marked with red)
However if the next menu tells you (screenshot) that the previews are already up-to-date just perform the next step and all your missing previews will be back on the screen.

“The preview for the selected item is already up-to-date. To force it to be re-rendered, hold down the option key when choosing this menu item.”
GD

Aperture 3.0.3 & the New MacBook Pro Core i7


© Gunther Deichmann - speed & motion, wild Horses
Northern Territory - Australia

I didn't use any speed test tools but my first impression running Aperture 3 on the new 15 inch MacBook Pro i7 are very good. A very nice performance increase from my previous 2.66 MBP.

We all know Aperture 3.0.3 likes power, this new Machine gives you certainly that extra performance without any doubt... I noticed big improvements during Import and Export in particular the speed increase when changing your Browser View or going up to full screen.

I really pushed it a bit the other day as I kept on toggling back and forth bringing in new Raw Photos on the screen…instantly they kept flashing in front of me.
Going from full screen to 100% Zoom is also extremely fast now, plus working with Brushes and other adjustments tools has improved dramatically.
Switching between Libraries is defiantly much faster there is almost no more waiting time.Very noticeable is also the speed increase when Aperture 3 updates the Library and Previews usually during exiting the software.

It is still too early for my final verdict but from what I have experienced up to now is already very impressive.
The other cool thing I have a lot more space on my hard drive now (comes with a 500Gig drive) great when you don’t like to carry all your external drives with you. 90% of the time I store all my Photos as reference files on external hard drives, but it is nice to know you have this extra space in times when you need it most.

As a matter of fact, a good friend of mine was so impressed that he went out yesterday to buy the new MacBook Pro i7…a hard-core PC user until now, he made the switch from his old PC to a Mac.
Please Note: If you migrating your system from your old Mac to the New one, have your Aperture 3 license handy you will be asked to enter it upon launching the software.
Other than that everything is just so much faster.

I post additional information once I have used the MacBook Pro i7 in the field and completed some more serious editing.
GD

The New MacBook Pro i7 & i5 15 & the 17 inch models are available at all Power Mac Centers in Manila.

Contact:
http://www.powermaccenter.com/index2.php
Email: info@powermaccenter.com

Please stay tuned also for the announcement of the Grand re-opening of the Power Mac Center in Makati Greenbelt 3, an amazing super cool shop that has undergone complete renovation these past few weeks.

2010 © Gunther Deichmann - Journey Through Culture & Time -
Aperture 3 slideshow 2:19 min. Also on YouTube and Vimeo.
Pls. Note: Color might vary at different Screens.

I had a little time on my hands today plus I was in the right mood...so I created this short Slide show presentation in Aperture 3.0.3 using a Video Clip which I had prepared previously and using three different soundtracks.

Everything worked flawless and I encountered no problems at all...as a matter of fact it was pretty straight forward and easy.
I like the Share or Export options in Aperture 3, you can send it almost anywhere never leaving Aperture 3, this is only a short clip but the possibilities are there.

I created the sound tracks (3 different ones) in GarageBand some time ago and had them handy in my iTunes Library.
The Globe at the beginning of the slide show (Movie .mov) I made last week, the original lengths had been some 2.5 minutes. I just dragged the .mov file into my slideshow trimmed it down with the Movie setting in Aperture 3 to approx. 37 sec.added text, images and the three soundtracks...then hit Export and I was done.

This coming week (on Friday the 7th) we have an Aperture 3 launch at the Power Mac Center in TriNoma where you can see the same presentation in high resolution on a large screen. There will also be an introduction to Aperture 3 Q & A plus Raffle & cocktails.
For more information please contact the Power Mac Center @ info@powermaccenter.com
Tel: 470 1917 - 18

May 7 at Power Mac Center TriNoma

Aperture 3 Launch with Talk and Q&A with GD

Program:
6:30 pm Registration
7:30 pm Start of Talk and Q&A
      (Snacks to be served to all participants)
9:00 pm Software tryout with Melvin Tosino and Mark Agarin at 1 on 1 Tutorial Room
       Raffle

GD

Apple Aperture 3 Users...This is the 3rd update since its release.

Aperture 3.0.3: Release notes & also interesting guidelines for upgrading your Aperture library read more and get all the details @ http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2518

Amazing, awesome, colorful and very chaotic
Varanasi…India’s oldest city.
"A True Journey Through Color & Time."

© Gunther Deichmann - performance of Ganges Aarti in the early
evenings at the Riverbank on the Ganges,Varanasi, India 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - Ganges Aarti Ceremony in the early
evenings, Varanasi, India 2010

The last Photos from my recent trip to India are now residing in my PhotoShelter Archives, well… almost all, I am still working my way through the Nepal Photographs. Hopefully I am done with them shortly too, but India is done, thanks to Aperture 3 and a patient wife who let me work without interruption these past few weeks so I can finish my editing.

© Gunther Deichmann - there is a lot of Laundry today...
at the Ganges Riverbank, Varanasi, India 2010

Varanasi also commonly known as Benares or Banaras is a city situated on the banks of the River Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, regarded as holy by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and probably the oldest of India.

© Gunther Deichmann - hanging the Laundry...
Ganges River Varanasi, India 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - I just love those colors...
Varanasi, India 2010

Varanasi is one of the holiest places in Buddhism too, being one of the four pilgrimage sites said to have been designated by Gautama Buddha himself (the others being Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Lumbini). In the residential neighborhood of Varanasi lies Sarnath, the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon about the basic principles of Buddhism.

© Gunther Deichmann - sunrise over the River Ganges
Varanasi, India 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - worshippers bathing in the sacred waters
of the Ganges River, Varanasi, India 2010

Watching the sunrise over the mighty Ganges River and observing the numerous rituals along the riverbank is mesmerizing, where hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in the sacred waters. The riverbanks are lined with a chain of stone steps called Ghats, stretching from one end of the city to the other. Ghats are part of the religious landscape of this city.

From Varanasi we traveled by road to Lumbini in Nepal (Buddha’s Birth Place) and then continued to Kathmandu, a fantastic Journey through Culture and Landscapes.
As mention above the Photos from Nepal will be shortly available too in PhotoShelter, another week and I am done with the editing. To view all the photos from Varanasi and others from my recent trip to India please go to my PhotoShelter Gallery & click this LINK.
GD

Just two more...photos from the car window...
along the road from Varanasi to Lumbini in
Nepal, the Birth place of Lord Buddha.

© Gunther Deichmann - Rural area near Varanasi, India 2010



© Gunther Deichmann - waiting for local transport in a
small rural town between Lumbini (Nepal) & Varanasi, India 2010

My PhotoShelter Archives & Galleries: http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann


See below excepts from Wikipedia on the Ganges Arati Ceremony in Varanasi.

The purpose of performing arati is the waving of lighted wicks before the deities in a spirit of humility and gratitude, wherein faithful followers become immersed in God's divine form. It symbolises the five elements: 1) space (akash), 2) wind (vayu), 3) light (tej), 4) water (jal), and 5) earth (pruthvi). Communal Aarti is performed in the mandir; however, devotees also perform it in their homes.
To witness the performance of Ganges Aarti in the early evenings is almost a must, provided you can handle the immense crowd of people.
Hindu devotees performing the "Puja" with lighted lamps. The view is very mesmerizing and the ambience is spectacular in the backdrop of the beating of cymbals and bells as well as the incessant chantings. "
Aarti (from the Sanskrit term Aradhana) is a Hindu ritual, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. Aartis also refer to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when offering of lamps is being offered.
Read more @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aarti

Home Page updated with Nepal...

Go to the Home Page...click the Image above

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

Highly Recommended for Underwater Photographers!


© Gunther Deichmann - "The Pier"
Dumaguete, Philippines

In today’s electronic age it still amazes me how little thought has gone into the electrical outlets even in 5 Star Hotels or resorts. I always have to scramble for adapters, extension cords or move my bed or cupboards around the room, in most cases I can only charge one item at any one time.
As a Photographer this is sometimes a real nightmare since we do carry iPhone, Computers, Strobes and some other Gadgets with us today.

© Gunther Deichmann - Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort
Dauin, Dumaguete Philippines

I stayed in many Resorts and Hotels and encountered the same problem over and over again, with the exception of Pura Vida Beach and Dive Resort, they are very much connected in more ways then one.

Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort is located in Dauin, 15 kms south of Dumaguete City on Negros Island and was opened end of 2004. Build by divers for divers and is under Swiss Management.

An unusual number of electrical out lets seldom found in any other Resort or Hotel, they have it really worked out keeping the Divers and Underwater Photographers in mind. You never have problems here charging all your equipment in your cottage.
No need for extensions or trying to become an electrician upon your arrival, all their electrical outlets are convenient located and you have easy access to them.

© Gunther Deichmann - night dive, Helmut Gurnard
(Dactyloptena orientalis)

So if you’re an Underwater Photographer check out Sea Explorers and the Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort in Dumaguette Philippines, besides great accommodation including a Spa it is also an Underwater Photographers Paradise. Dive right in front of the Beach, (super cool macro) or take a short trip across to APO Island.

© Gunther Deichmann - Nudibranch (Thecacera picta)

The Sea Explorers PADI Career Development Center (CDC) is located also directly in the resort.
Sea Explorers runs several dive centers on different islands in the Visayas and is one of the most experienced dive operators in the area.

© Gunther Deichmann - School of Jacks at APO Island

Fantastic dive sites with an unbelievable variety of marine life
World-class macro and night dives, a paradise for underwater photographers
Fun diving in small groups with experienced dive guides
Beautiful and inviting resorts in tropical atmosphere
Very good value for money as well as professional and personal service

Their Specialties includes:

Unique Island Hopping
Amazing Dive Safaris and Special Tours
First class education of PADI courses from beginner up to professional
PADI Career Development Center (Dauin, Dumaguete)) and PADI 5* dive centers

Pura Vida Beach & Dive Resort plus Sea Explorers are very well connected, not only from an electrical point of view, but also through out the many Islands and Dive sites in their area. So, on your next visit to the Philippines check out Pura Vida and go Island Hopping with Sea Explorers and this time you can leave your extension cords at home.
GD

More NEW Photos in my
PhotoShelter Archive & Gallery



© Gunther Deichmann - a very cool & colorful look, Elephant during
the Elephant Festival in Jaipur Rajasthan Feb.2010

News...I have just updated again my PhotoShelter Archives with some additional Photographs from India 2010, more images from Varanasi in India and Nepal by latest next week.
View the photos & click this LINK or the Images.

© Gunther Deichmann - the night before the Holi Festival, spectacular
Bon fires are lit all over the city, Jaipur Rajasthan Feb. 2010

A Journey through endless
Colors & Expressions - India & Nepal...



© Gunther Deichmann - "Old Delhi" - New Delhi India
Click on this LINK or the Photo above & go direct to the NEW Photos

Please Note: If you don't see the India and Nepal images you might
have to refresh your Browser, previous Photos where from Cambodia.

Going through some 15,000 photos can be quiet a task even for Aperture 3 but I am almost done now. I have uploaded today only a small selection of Photos (50) under the category "Small Taste of the Latest" from India and Nepal.
I decided to use the theme; "People...Colors & Expression" for this Gallery, other images from Monasteries, People, Religion, Landscapes and way of life, etc., will follow in my PhotoShelter Gallery soon.

All Photos have been processed with Aperture 3.0.2 including exporting and watermarking. This has been a great trip all around from our Photo Workshop experience in India and then to the edge of the Himalayas in Nepal.

I might mention also that both of my Nikons the D700 and D300S performed without a glitch. If you're interested to join me on one of my Photo Workshops Adventure Travel with your Digital Camera, please contact me or check out the Calendar dates for 2010 on my GD PhotoWorkshop site by clicking this LINK.

I hope you enjoy this small selection of Photographs from India and Nepal as I have enjoyed these two very special and amazing places.
GD

The Students Work...
a Journey Through Incredible India

© Gunther Deichmann - Incredible India, Elephant Festival
in Jaipur Rajasthan March 2010

It is done, I have uploaded the work from the students in the Gallery 'The Students Work" a selection of six images each from their recent GD PhotoWorkshop in India Feb./March 2010.

Note: If you don't see the new images right away you might have to refresh your Browser, please enjoy the Photos and refrain from copying them, they are all protected by © copyright to each individual Photographer.

Congratulations to all participants for creating such nice Photos and I am very proud of you all. India had been a tough one from the chaotic streets in Old Delhi to the long Journey in Rajasthan by Mini Bus.

Shooting from early morning until dusk then back to our Hotels for a quick meal and shower, then we started our work on our Computers, uploading the images and working with Aperture 3 (except for two who used Lightroom).
Feel free and read some of the comments in the Testimonials from some of the participants.

Interesting everybody jumped into the cold water and worked with Aperture 3 (installed on our first night at the Hotel in Delhi)which was only released a few days prior our departure for India. No one encountered any problems and everything went real smooth, even our Lightroom Guys where very impressed with Aperture 3.
But now I rather let the images from the students do the talking, everyone done an incredible Job under sometimes very difficult circumstances. Thanks again to all Participants & I hope to see you again one of those days... happy shooting.

Please note: I have also updated my Home Page on my Main Website and changed some Photos from India in the Gallery section.

In due time I am going to replace my Photos in the Galley on my Blog called..."A Small Taste of the Latest" with a new selection of Photos from India and Nepal, currently it is still Cambodia.
My special thanks to Shroff International Travel for making the Journey to India an enjoyable one.

GD

A cool way of switching &
creating a New Library in Aperture 3


© Gunther Deichmann - near the old royal palace in Durban Square
Kathmandu, Nepal Feb 2010...and NO I didn't put the flower there.

I guess most of us have heard by now the new switching capabilities of the Library making work with Aperture 3 (now 3.0.2) so much more efficient.

But did you know Aperture 3.0.2 has also the capability to export your Smart Albums as a new Library, one of the slickest new additions in Aperture 3 but it is seldom mention. Of-course you can also export your whole project as a new Library.

Say you have done your edit and marked your selected photographs with a Flag (another new addition) or you selected them with star rating, keywords etc. (again lots of options)

Then you created a Smart Album and your photos residing now in your Smart Album. (in my case the flagged ones)
You can export this Smart Album including your Masters (consolidate Masters) as a New Library to any destination you might see fit which is super cool.
For this exercise I have chosen my Desktop but you can easily send them to any external Hard Drive.
In my case the benefits are very simple, I can store my edited photos in a different location and whenever I need them just switch Libraries later, easy access plus I keep all my edited photographs together.

Highlight your Smart Album, click right Mouse button and you see the Export option choose Smart Album as New Library and another new panel will appear, see below.

Almost done...the only thing left to do...choose a folder or not, consolidate or not consolidate, previews (small screenshot below )etc. everything is so flexible, it is all up to you and your workflow. Once you have exported your Smart Album to a destination of your choice you have easy access to it.

Please Note: If your Smart Album or Project is very large the export could take some time to complete.

Give it a try... don't worry nothing will be lost. I suggest you create a small Smart Album first, like a "Test Smart Album"and feel your way around, but you better watch out...you might fall in love with it, like I have.

Extremely useful if you’re dealing with Stock Photography and different agencies who might request different sizes or information, which actually happens a lot to me.
Of course the flexibility of Aperture 3 gives you the choice what ever your workflow might be, you can decide what works best for you.

For me…one of the best and coolest new additions in Aperture 3, an excellent time saver and photo management solution.
GD

Customize Aperture 3 the way you see fit,
you have all the options at your fingertips...

© Gunther Deichmann - Muslim Girl,
New Delhi India

Again the web is full of discussions and reports, praise and complains about Aperture but shouldn’t we rather look what has been achieved with the progress in Digital Editing in just a few years.

Aperture…Lightroom and some other software have come a long way; they have improved and made our lives easier. A few years ago we only had Photoshop, but then came Aperture and revolutionized our way of Digital editing and cataloging our photographs.
The questions is not what is better or worst instead we should be grateful that some Companies providing us with new tools to deal with the digital photos we shoot today.
I firmly believe that once you understand your software and its customized to your needs you have less problems.

However constant comparing and experimenting with all those different software’s only confuses you more and you loose sight of what you’re suppose to do…creating photographs and depending less on software.

Aperture for example is well suited and designed for all kinds of Photographers its incredible flexibility allows you to do almost anything, if you into Commercial, Nature Photography or what ever else.
Do we need Faces and Places? Some of us do and some others don’t, at least you have the choice to use it or not.
Can this or that be improved? For sure, it will come in due time like with everything else there is always room for improvement. Lets show some patience and give the engineers and developers some breathing space, the same patience we show in creating these amazing photographs.

© Gunther Deichmann - from the Car (Bus)Window,
Street Vendor on the way to Jaipur, India

Feedback good or bad is always very healthy and that shows in the latest release of Aperture 3, plus two upgrades within a month, hey not bad… someone is listening.

What I don’t understand is the constant bickering about certain things when a new release has just arrived, minor things in most cases and sometimes-easy fixes.
Believe me I get my fare share of it, just like the other day during one of my Seminars when someone ask me why his new Camera does not import the RAW Images into Aperture. After checking his MacBook Pro I found out he missed all the software updates including the new Camera RAW file releases.

I don’t like Faces…well don’t use it. How come Aperture 3 can’t do this? Did you read the Help Menu or the supplied PDF Manual?
Need more help…then check out the excellent Aperture User Network or Mac Create site you find almost any solution for your problems right here. Not to mention the excellent information and cool videos on the Apple Aperture Site.

As an Aperture user (since day one) and Certified Trainer my advice is get used to the software, study it well just like you would your new Camera Manual. (both are of equal importance)
I might never use all of the function of Aperture 3 (some brushes, effects etc.) but then I never used all of these things either in Photoshop years ago. Now I use Photoshop 5% and less then 2% of its tools and features.

The naked truth is…OK. I might sound biased towards Aperture but consider this… I have just shot some 15,000 images in India and Nepal constantly editing on the road. I encountered no major problems and the few glitches that came with the first release of Aperture 3 disappeared with the recent upgrades.
The improved interface, Media Browser and Quick Fixes with its instant view makes Aperture 3 a pleasure to work with.

Like my students who also took thousands of images and installed Aperture 3 straight out of the Box at the beginning of our recent India Workshop encountered also no problems.

Use your software as a tool and don’t use it as a scapegoat, besides your time is better spend creating photographs and studying one software.

As time goes by Apple is for sure going to release upgrades that improves Aperture 3 even further, they are listening and have in my Opinion done a fantastic Job so far.
I dare to think what Aperture 4 might bring us…
Apple is thinking ahead, the build in Video function is already a huge leap forward if you like to use it or not… but it is there, the same goes for Faces and Places.
Lightroom just announced a Video function for their latest version but no editing capabilities, I like the simple video editing in Aperture 3, of-course it is not Final Cut editing but you can produce some pretty good slideshows/presentation on the fly. Perfect for those days when you use your SLR in Video mode, very easy to use and you don't have to be a Rocket scientist to figure it out.

© Gunther Deichmann - Varanasi India

Remember Aperture 3 was just released some 6 weeks ago, have patience, read the Manual or tap into one of the resources I have mention above and you be fine.

Aperture 3 is incredible flexible and so integrated on a Mac that it will suit every type of Photography if you’re a Pro or Serious Amateur. Using all its functions or only the ones you need is totally up to you… customize it the way you see fit, you have all the options at your fingertips.
GD

Behind the Scene in India...the fun images
from our last GD Photo Workshop.

© Gunther Deichmann - Behind the Scene...
Jaipur, Rajasthan India 2010
To view the photos you can also click on the image above.

I just uploaded the images from "Behind the Scene India" into the Gallery all taken during our last GD Photo Workshop February/March 2010. The Image Gallery from the Students work will follow sometime next next week.

The current Gallery "The Students Work" is still active with Cambodia but will be replaced very soon with nice Photos from the participants during our last GD Photo Workshop in India. I am still waiting for a few more images and we're done.

In the meantime enjoy the images Behind the Scene from India; from the streets of New Delhi, the Taj Mahal in Agra and Jaipur in Rajasthan.
Please Note: If you click the LINK and you see Photos from Cambodia you might have to refresh your Browser to view this new and entertaining set of images from India.

As soon I have the students work uploaded I let everybody know, I am very proud of them, they did a great Job and you get to see some excellent images very soon.

Shortly I am going to share with you also some of my images from India and Nepal, in my Gallery "Small Taste of the Latest" and of course a much broader selection will be available on my PhotoShelter Gallery soon too. However I need a bit more time, have to do a lot more fine tuning and editing in Aperture 3 prior publishing those.
Enjoy "Behind the Scene from India...
GD

15000 images later...Aperture 3

© Gunther Deichmann - Hand made paper production,
Kathmandu Nepal, March 2010

Three days after the release of Aperture 3... I left for Nepal and India starting a 4-week journey including my Workshop in Rajasthan these are my honest and first impression of Aperture 3.

I just got back 10 days ago and like to give you now some serious feedback how Aperture 3 performed…straight out of the box.

You might ask, oh… that is a bit risky using this new and not tested latest software for a major trip like this
Not really, I have been using Aperture since day one, made my Hardcover book Journey Through Color & Time using Aperture 1.0 360 pages with tons of images from scanned tiff’s to the very first digital ones.

So when Aperture 3 was released only days prior my departure I felt confident in using the new release without any hesitations.
I installed Aperture 3 almost on my way to the airport, well almost some 48 hours prior my departure, had a quick look and from then on I used Aperture 3 shooting some 15,000 plus images.

© Gunther Deichmann - and there was light...
one of those moments... lasting only few minutes
Kathmandu, Nepal March 2010

Did I encountered some problems? Not really except for one or two glitches which got fixed with a Software update half way through my Journey, I installed that one in New Delhi. (3.0.1) And now only few days ago we received another super update, Aperture 3.0.2

Let me describe some of the new features I used for most of the time during my recent trip, they not only impressed me but made my editing on the road so easy… just awesome, sometimes pushing my MacBook Pro and Aperture 3 to the limit.

• Switching between Library’s is a breeze, now I can have for e.g. a Library for different Countries or what ever I see fit at a click of the button. It was good timing with the new release of Aperture 3, I created a brand new Library for my recent trip (actually two, one for India and one for Nepal) but can always go back to my previous ones at a mouse click. (Note: you might have to reprocess your images if they had been previously processed in Aperture 2, but that is also not a big deal if you choose only one or two photos. If you like them all to be reprocessed then depending on how many images you have this could take some time) For me this is a great new feature when dealing with thousand s of images, less strain on your machine.
• I love the new Import panel with all its options to choose from, including creating a back up already during Import. Check it out and set up your import panel to suit your workflow.
• Seeing your adjustments when you use the all-new Quick Fix in new Preset panel is very cool. Very nice is also the quick adjustments for different light conditions, changing the White Balance to tungsten, flash, fluorescent , etc., very easy now. I used it under some mixed light conditions in Varanasi, India. Also easy access to the adjustment panel right next to the Preset panel. Plus creating your own presets is real awesome…I use my own for sharpening, tailor made now for my Camera models.
• Switching your Machine to 64 Bit at the start improves Apertures performance, the only drawback is that other software might not work and you have to go back to 32 Bit, but soon or later others will follow and make it compatible also for 64 Bit.
• I love the all-new full screen Browser, bringing your editing to another level and speed.
• I also noticed a vast improvement on the RAW conversion, an excellent improvement, less tweaking and time required for image corrections now. A real time saver.
• Due to my type of Photography I don’t use the new build in Faces so much, but the new Places has some real benefits in particular if you have a GPS unit attached to your Camera. On my trip I used my iPhone to record the info and later imported the data into Aperture 3. I guess now I have to get my GPS attachment to avoid this work-around.
• Wow…the "Z" Key, a very cool improvement changing your zoom capabilities from 100% up or down, then hitting Z again to go back to full screen, very nice touch.
• Oh these Curves…gorgeous Curves…now they have been added, something which I missed in previous versions.
• Of course the new color-coding is very handy and useful, I started to use it now during my fine-tuning and more precise editing.
• Very nice touch: More information is displayed above your Metadata panel (this info is only visible when you click on the Metadata Panel), see screenshot below.

• I use the activity Monitor a lot especially during export, again more information is now available.
• During my Photo workshop in India all participants installed Aperture 3 and after a short intro they where all up and running without any major problems…in other words the learning curve or upgrading from Aperture 2 to 3 is relatively easy.
• We had two Lightroom users in our Group, both of them where very impressed, as a matter of fact one of them has switched now to Aperture 3 and the other is following shortly.
• Now, if your SLR has a Video function look no further, Aperture 3 will import all your Videos, with or without sound and you can edit all of that right in Aperture 3 creating awesome slide shows/presentations on the fly without ever leaving Aperture 3. Once finished you have all the export functions at your fingertips. BTW... The new slide show is so slick with a lot more new additions.

I am working on a nice presentation right now and in due time you get to see it on my Blog and You Tube/Vimeo.
To top it off you can also get this magic frame from your Video you might have missed in your still shot, just select New JPEG from frame and you’re done. (see screenshot)

Using for demo purpose a Video still from my iPhone

If you like to change the music you have easy access to your iTunes Library and you can import even previous Movies you have on file into Aperture 3, creating some awesome looking presentations mixing stills with videos. Yes, you have that magic Media Browser at your fingertips in Aperture 3.

Is that all? Oh no there is so much more… like, new Brushes, Chromatic abrasions (our underwater Photographers going to love this one) Flags, more adjustment tools etc., etc. and in due time I introduce them to you too.
I only mention some of the new features I used on my recent trip and of course the others which have always been part of Aperture.

The coolest part about Aperture is that you can customize your workflow the way you like it or the type of Photography you do, Aperture 3 has just become even more flexible.
Shooting a lot of images like I have done on my last trip, Aperture 3 performed just AWESOME!

Tip:
For those of you who have problems remembering some short cuts, here is a tip how you can customize your keyboard to suit you:

For example:
Commands with more than two or three keyboard shortcuts are sometimes difficult to remember e.g. like the Highlight Hot and Cold areas.
The default: Option – Shift – H
I use this one a lot, but on a bad day I sometimes get mixed up with this short cut so I changed it to S
How can you do this? Very easy…go to the top left hand side click Aperture and after that you see the drop down menu, click on Customize, a keyboard will show. (see screenshot) now you can customize your shortcuts like I have done with the Highlight Hot & Cold Areas.

Aperture is very customizable, it all depends on your need and type of Photography.

In my next Post I introduce you to the behind the scene images and a new Gallery with photos from the participants which where taken during our recent GD Photo Workshop in India.
Until soon,
GD

Déjà vu in Nepal…



© Gunther Deichmann - a mixed bag of just about everything
including a Monkey skull & Fossils, all for sale.
Kathmandu, Nepal

Déjà vu in Nepal…some of you might remember my passion for fossils, which goes way back during my time in paleontology.
Whenever I travel to different destinations in the world I always keep an eye out for those creatures long gone but been part of our evolution and my earlier life.
Last month on my first day in Nepal I strolled like so many other times before the Bazaars and local Markets in the narrow streets of Kathmandu.

I guess it came as no surprise to find many Ammonites and other interesting fossils on display wherever I went. Mixed with other religious and bizarre souvenir items; ugly ashtrays…cool looking masks, Gurkha Knifes (that be a challenge to get them on the plane) false and real gemstones, Buddha Statues, Prayer Wheels and lots of items made from Pashmina Wool…plus so many other obscure items, the list goes on and on. (Pashmina refers to a type of fine cashmere wool and the textiles made from it.)

© Gunther Deichmann - Ammonites & other fossils some of
them still enclosed in the Geode
Kathmandu, Nepal

Fossils always have been part of my life and I do have a very good understanding of them, their origin, age and the process of being fossilized.
What was new to me after some research; I discovered that these fossils are for sale mainly to the locals, their Believe in those fossilized creatures was something very different I found out.

Most of those fossils on display where broken but if luck is on your side you might spot a complete Ammonite.
I had a real great time with the Vendors to show me the good ones...
Trying to sell me the damage ones first… I persisted and soon enough they showed me the good stuff. Hey Guys …I do know my Fossils.

© Gunther Deichmann - everything you might desire...
Kathmandu, Nepal

Word got out fairly quick that there was this strange foreigner with a camera who had a keen interest in Fossils…and soon I had just about every Vendor on Durban Square chasing me, showcasing their very best Ammonites.
Sure I would have loved to buy a whole bunch of them…but these Rocks are very heavy and Excess baggage is expensive, so I contended myself with a couple good specimen.
Read on below, how Ammonites are treasured in Buddhism and Hindu faith throughout Asia

And for those of you who are interested in Nepal, why not joining our PhotoWorkshop in October, for details go to the
GD PhotoWorkshops site or click this LINK.
GD

Ammonite Fossils

The name Ammonite comes from the Greek ram-horn God called Ammon. Ammonites are the most widely known fossil; they are cephalopods and first appeared in the seas 415 million years ago, in the form of a straight shelled creature known as Bacrites. During their evolution three catastrophic events occurred. The first during the Permian period (250 million ago), only 10% survived. They went on to flourish throughout the Triassic period, but at the end of this period (206 million ago) all but one species died. Then they began to thrive from the Jurassic period until the end of the Cretaceous period when all species of ammonites became extinct.

Ammonites were animals that lived in the sea. They are now extinct except for one of their cousins the Nautilus, a truly living fossil found in the deeper part of our Oceans today.

Their name is derived from The Egyptian God Ammon. Ammon's sacred animal was a ram, and an ammonite looks like a ram's horn. Pliny the Elder called ammonites the Horns of Ammon.
Ammonites were cephalopods. Living cephalopods include octopuses, cuttlefish, squid and nautiloids. Extinct cephalopods include belemnites.

Ammonites found in the valley of the Gandaki River in Nepal and northern India are called Saligrams.
Because saligrams sometimes contain fragments of pyrite and quartz crystal, some people claim that there is gold or diamonds inside the fossils. Those sparkling black fossils are what gave the Kali Gandaki (Black Gandaki) its name.

They are considered the direct symbol of Lord Vishnu, as one of Vishnu's avatars (incarnations) was stone (Sri Saligram). Saligrams have markings called 'chakras', resembling the discus held in one of the six hands of the god Vishnu. Vishnu's chakra is a Hindu symbol of absolute completeness, with the eight spokes indicating the eightfold path of deliverance. The radial chakra markings in saligrams are actually the ribs of the ammonites. The fossils are kept in temples, monasteries and households as natural symbols of Vishnu and water in which they have been bathed is drunk daily.

For many people who have faith in the Hindu religion, the ammonite is one of the many forms of their Lord Vishnu. They keep the fossil in their worship room and worship it. Saligrams are mentioned in Sanskrit texts dating back to the second century BC.

In Account of the Kingdom of Nepal (1819), F. B. Hamilton described saligrams as objects of mystery and magic, respected throughout South Asia.

Resources: More LINKS and info below on Ammonite Fossils and their connection to various believes and religions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonite

http://www.shaligram.org/shaligramselection.html

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?at_code=355158

http://www.artbit.co.in/index.php/122/128

http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/fossils/ammonite.htm

My gratitude & thanks to all participants
for taken part in our recent completed
GD Photo Workshop in India.




© Gunther Deichmann - "The Group shot"

I only got back a few days ago, but today I like to take the opportunity to thank all participants who joined my recent Photo Workshop in India, at the same time I like to thank also our fantastic Driver who took care of us where ever we ventured, he made certain that our Journey was a safe one.
Thanks also to our Guides at different locations from New Delhi to Jaipur in Rajasthan. In the coming weeks when I have received some images from the students I post some of their photos on my GD PhotoWorkshop site but also an Album again from behind the scenes...there are some real funny ones.

Furthermore once I am done with my editing I create another Album from my recent trip to India and Nepal, which you're going to find soon under a "Small Taste of the Latest"... currently featured Cambodia.
My gratitude to Shroff International Travel for a superb Job, organizing this difficult but rewarding Journey, thank you so very much. More info about recommended Hotels and accommodation from India and Nepal will also follow soon.
Please stay tuned for much more in the next few weeks...for other Aperture 3 Seminars & Photo Workshops in 2010 please click this LINK.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Mug shots during our encounter in Jaipur with a street
Photographer using a 150 year old Camera



© Gunther Deichmann - Lots of fun on our first day in old Delhi


Just one more...thank you India!



© Gunther Deichmann - Varanasi, India

Kopan Monastery Kathmandu Nepal...



© Gunther Deichmann - large gathering of Buddhist Monks
at the Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu Nepal

The Journey has come to an end...the last Blog post from on the road, but more to come when I am back in the Philippines. And don't forget to check out the Calendar dates on my GD Photo Workshop site, Introduction into Aperture 3 plus some cool Aperture & iLife '09 Seminars at the Power Mac Center Manila.
For questions and special requests, you can call 729-7087 or 88, or email at:
training@powermaccenter.com

Learn and see how Aperture 3 can help your workflow,
"15000 images later...working with Aperture 3 using images from my last Journey"
March 19, 2010 Introduction to the all New Aperture 3
Power Mac Center in TriNoma

Also our GD Photo Workshop in Nepal during October 2010 is filling up fast, only four (4) spots available, please go to the GD PhotoWorkshop site for more info @ October 15 - 22, 2010 (DATES CONFIRMED)
"ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS NOW”

© Gunther Deichmann - eyes that seem to follow you...Kathmandu, Nepal

Now back to my post... Monastery Colors in Nepal,one of my last visits in Kathmandu was at the Kopan Monastery a Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Boudhanath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal.

© Gunther Deichmann - a Monks office...

I have always been fascinated by Tibetan Buddhism and the Kopan Monastery was high on my list, today I like to share with you a few images...colorful and graphic & no manipulation has been applied in any way using only at times the Quick Fix in Aperture 3.

© Gunther Deichmann - I Love Tibet!

Since I am still on the road I keep the text brief and let the images speak for themselves.
Enjoy the "Monastery Colors"

© Gunther Deichmann - Monks Books



© Gunther Deichmann - gathering of Buddhist Monks
at the Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu Nepal



© Gunther Deichmann - Head gear



© Gunther Deichmann - the yellow table...



© Gunther Deichmann - Tibetan Tea pots and Monks



© Gunther Deichmann - taken notes...



© Gunther Deichmann - blue reflections in oil lamps



© Gunther Deichmann - who open the door?

Just one more...



© Gunther Deichmann - Pashmina Wool from Nepal

Excepts from Wikipedia on Pashmina Wool:
The fiber is also known as pashm (Persian word for Wool) or pashmina (Persian / Hindi word driven from Pashm) for its use in the handmade shawls of Kashmir, India.The woolen shawls find written mention in Indian texts between 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD. However, the founder of the cashmere wool industry is traditionally held to be the 15th century ruler of Kashmir, Zayn-ul-Abidin, who introduced weavers from Turkestan.
In the 18th and early 19thcentury Kashmir (then called Cashmere by the English), had a thriving industry producing shawls from goat down imported from Tibet and Tartary through Ladakh. The down trade was controlled by treaties signed as a result of previous wars.The shawls were introduced into Western Europe when the General in Chief of the French campaign in Egypt (1799-1802) sent one to Paris. The shawl's arrival is said to have created an immediate sensation and plans were put in place to start manufacturing the product in France.
More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashmere_wool

Until next time...GD

An afternoon at the
Bouddhanath Stupa in Nepal



© Gunther Deichmann - Prayer Flags and Shadows
at the Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu Nepal

The Journey is coming slowly to an end, 6 more days before I am hitting back home, I have not written many Blogs during this Journey one of the major factors been...I have been very tiered spending long hours shooting and some limitation with the internet connection.

© Gunther Deichmann - Cleaning oil lamps at the
at the Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu Nepal

I make up for it once I get back... over 15,000 images by now, Aperture 3 loaded straight out of the Box before my trip performed absolutely flawless all RAW images have been stored on my external Lacie Drives as reference files. I encountered no problems and my editing has become even faster now using the new preset adjustment tools...Quick fixes takes care of most issues.
We arrived in Kathmandu a couple of days ago and went out this afternoon to visit one of the biggest Stupas called Bouddhanath located in Little Tibet, when refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath.
A very special mention I have to give to our our Guide Lil Tapa who has been a book of knowledge together with a great personality and sense of humor, thank you so much Lil! Everything this afternoon reminded me so much of my time in Tibet in 2006 and I sincerely hope for a free Tibet one day.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - a lone Bird, Prayer Flags and Shadows
at the Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu Nepal



© Gunther Deichmann - inside the Monastery
at the Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu Nepal

See below some excepts from Wikipedia:
Boudhanath (Devnagari: बौद्धनाथ) (also called Bouddhanath, Bodhnath or Baudhanath or the Khāsa Caitya) is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is known as Khāsti by Newars as Bauddha or Bodh-nāth by modern speakers of Nepali.[1] Located about 11 km (7 miles) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.[2]
The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of Tibetan refugees from China has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner, passes by Boudnath Stupa to the ancient and smaller stupa of Cā-bahī (often called 'Little Boudnath'). It then turns directly south, heading over the Bagmati river to Patan - thus bypassing the main city of Kathmandu (which was a later foundation).[1] Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyapa sage venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus, for more info go to: Wikepedia

A morning on the Ganges at Varanasi, India



© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhu, Varanasi India

Thanks again to Jamie who has taken the writing burden of me for the moment, our few days in Varanasi have been very interesting to say the least.
Strolling around the Banks of the Ganges yesterday afternoon a very excited Bebet came running over to me...hey GD do you you know who this guy is over there? Oh man it is Steve McCurry! Well, why I am not surprised...Steve does some Photo Workshops in India and has travelled this part of the world a lot.
I said...wow cool and before we know we where standing at the shorelines of the Ganges and having a quick chat with Steve before we departed in different wind direction doing what we all do best creating images.
Thanks to Bebet insistency and before we parted ways we had a quick photo taken of the three of us, indeed a small world even for indian standards.
GD

A brief encounter with Steve Mc Curry, at the banks of the Ganges
River in Varanasi India, March 2010

Gunther Deichmann - Steve McCurry - Bebet Gaudinez,

Tomorrow we 're leaving via land to our next destination Nepal with a stop over at Lumbini, located in Nepal and is considered the birthplace of Gautam Buddha., after Lumbini we continue on to Kathmandu where we spend another 5 days or so.

© Gunther Deichmann - Varanasi view from the Ganges,

BTW...if you have not done so download the latest Version of Aperture 3 (Version 3.01). I am getting close to some 8000 images and Aperture has been performing just fine, no major glitches. FYI...I am working exclusive with Reference files stored on my external Rugged Lacie 360 Gig Hard drive plus I am using an identical hard drive for backup.

See below excerpts on Lumbini from Wikipedia:
Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal, near the Indian border. It is the place where Queen Mayadevi is said to have given birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Buddha Gautama founded the Buddhist tradition. The Buddha lived between roughly 563 and 483 BCE. Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Sarnath.

© Gunther Deichmann - Varanasi India



© Gunther Deichmann - early morning bathers Varanasi India

Varanasi: Holy land of spiritual rites and rituals, cultural and religious centre, renowned learning hub, home to 4 universities and centuries old architecture. Up till now, I’d always secretly thought of Varanasi or ‘Benares’ as Florence and Venice put together. Perhaps I was swayed when I read that Mark Twain said: “Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”
But Varanasi is no Venice. Nowhere else do I feel able to say that that today is yesterday, tomorrow is today, and yesterday will be tomorrow. (GD will say that I’m tending towards the inclinations of becoming a sadhu..). Like many places of worship, Varanasi has given me great insight, but short of turning GD’s photography blog into a book on metaphysical musings, he has kindly asked me only to write of the essence of our experience here so far. (and not with-holding the fact that the tailor is also waiting for me to try on my superbly handmade silk Indian Alibabá pants: in all 10 colors!)
The highlight of our 3-day stay here was centered on the famed River Ganges, which true to its good standing is rich with daily rituals of life and death, myth and legend.

© Gunther Deichmann - colors of Varanasi India

We left the Radisson hotel promptly at 5:30am this morning glad of the chill in the moist air (the afternoon humidity accentuates the acid pong of omnipresent urine) and arrived at the bank of the river in less than 20mins. The driver was not a bit surprised to be battling giant busloads of tourists on the narrow dust-lined streets: We had passed the harmonious phase of the lull before the storm, which we were told was meant to crack at daybreak, when the frenzy of yesterday takes place all over again.
There was already a flurry of activity as we edged towards the bank of the Ganga: sadhus painting their weathered faces into cracked mirrors, flower sellers mulling about while mendicants braced themselves for another day, and shop keepers literally shifting the dust from one place to another with feather-dusters.
A shout and our boat arrived as a sudden scuffle between two boys over a piece of naan bread begun. Most of the out-of-towners like us were here to go boating on the river at sunrise; with the only difference being that GD had specifically requested a motorized vessel instead of the usual row-boat, not that there was any speed to the finish but riding against the current was not going to be easy without technology, even on holy waters.

© Gunther Deichmann - early morning bathers Varanasi India

Taking in the length of the river, GD was unruffled by the bustle (that’s cos he hadn’t had his coffee yet! haha), while Bebet and I prepared our cameras, all of us waiting for first light to awake to a slice of river life and an abundance of prayers. The silence was broken only by the motor’s humming, GD’s occasional observation about the light, Bebet’s anthropological reflections and one particularly curious devotee, sashaying on a lone rock a foot at a time and crooning at the top of his lungs. Kumar our guide, explained that he was praying for himself, for success and good health, to which I thought: fair enough, at least he knew he didn’t have the slightest prayer to make it to Bollywood, if that was remotely on his wish list.

© Gunther Deichmann - cleaning the small temples along the
Ganges in the morning, Varanasi India

© Gunther Deichmann - an early morning head shave in Varanasi India

In no time the sun was up and out. We clicked our cameras like drum beats in symphony to the chattering motor. Throngs of men and women were standing on the steps and bathing in the river, soaping themselves and brushing their teeth just a stone’s throw away from where some others were squat, depositing their breakfast or dinners on the starched soil. Naked children shivered on the banks with frowns on their faces, uncertain whether this was altogether fun or not. The townsfolk scrubbed their laundry in the greenish waters and beat them against the rocks. Women rung out their multi-colored saris and draped them upon the ground. We noticed others crouching higher up on the steps in the distance shaping cow dung into flat patties to sun bake them for later use. Yoga enthusiasts and sadhus sat crossed-legged in meditation upon higher ground.

© Gunther Deichmann - colors of Varanasi India

The sun continued her journey while the people offered their prayers to the morning, cleansing their minds and spirits along the holy river until we arrived back to the ghat where we begun our morning and disembarked. With one backward glance at the blurred hubbub against the sandstone walls I left the river Ganges with one thought: this was yesterday and this is tomorrow.
Jamie

The Incredible Colors of India...



© Gunther Deichmann - Jaipur Rajasthan, India Feb. 2010

We just arrived back in Delhi from Rajasthan and Agra...now I am fighting with the connection and I am very tiered, some of the Photo Workshop participants have to catch the plane back home about right now, they just had enough time for a quick shower in our Hotel.
Hey we're going to miss you guys!
I am leaving with Jamie and Bebet tomorrow afternoon for Varanasi and then overland back to Nepal, another 12 or so days to go before hitting back home.

© Gunther Deichmann - Jaipur Rajasthan, street vendor selling
colorful powder, India Feb. 2010



© Gunther Deichmann - Jaipur Rajasthan, India Feb. 2010

The colors of Incredible India; only a few images today need to do a lot more editing when time permits, but many more to come in due time, plus I put up a nice Gallery when I am back home.

© Gunther Deichmann - Holi Festival Jaipur Rajasthan,
India Feb. 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - Holi Festival...the roads are covered with
colorful powder,Jaipur Rajasthan, India Feb. 2010



© Gunther Deichmann - Jaipur Rajasthan, amazing colors
during the Elephant festival India Feb. 2010

Gunther Deichmann - Jaipur Rajasthan, amazing colors
during the Elephant festival India Feb. 2010

In the next few days I have no internet connection but try my best to stay in touch once I get to Kathmandu in Nepal, until then enjoy the images.
GD

Happy Holi from Jaipur in Rajasthan India...

© Gunther Deichmann - Happy Holi in Jaipur

The GD Photo Workshop Gang or better known now as "Baba G and the Shutter Bugs"... thanks to Tony who took out the copyright on the spot for this new tagline.

© Gunther Deichmann - Happy Holi in Jaipur

© Gunther Deichmann - Bebet is really
in the Mood... our onboard Sadhu.

After spending "2 hours" in the shower and trying to get all those beautiful colors off my body...never mind the clothes I have found the Time to wish everybody a very Happy Holi... India's most colorful Festival...& where everything goes.
The whole Gang... except for two using now Aperture 3, we installed it a few days ago in New Delhi, the performance is great and I had no complaints so far. But now back to Holi...an amazing festival as Jamie will explain below, thanks Jamie that you volunteered to do the main write up tonight...giving me a welcome hand and break.

© Gunther Deichmann - Some of the Gang Members...

Bonfires, twigs, pyres and leaves
Evil spirits burn as Holi proceeds!

With a shake, a nod and cheery Happy Holi! greetings from everyone to anyone who was anyone and ‘no-one’, it would appear that the Indian caste system literally dissolved into a puff of rainbow powdered dyes and colored water today.
Rajasthan was alive with a different spice and we daren’t say we weren’t pre-warned. We were told that on Holi, everything and anything goes. And they weren’t joking either.

Jaipur was vibrating with wild celebrations, drum beats of Indian rock and roll ala Shankar and its stimulating sisterly companions, raving bashes not only of the carnivalesque kind but apparently even veiled beatings and the none too unusual vengeance murders that ‘happen’, but as we were reassured, those only ‘happened in other cities and very rarely in Jaipur so not to worry Ma’am and Sir’. Well homicides or not, I’d secretly pocketed my pepper spray under my white cotton shirtdress, just in case the crowd got a little too piquant for my taste.

© Gunther Deichmann - Jamie is getting her "Make up"
applied by a local



© Gunther Deichmann - the Boys having fun in the streets of Jaipur

The crew was ready and itching to go shoot some color. Truth be told we’d been primed the night before, armed with hair oils, super skin moisturizers, caps, camera “condoms” in all shapes and sizes, throwaway t-shirts, shorts and the lot.

Ok, ok I confess I was the only one with the excessive concern for hair oils, cream based moisturizers, shower caps, disposable cotton underclothes, emergency eye drops, SPF 50 lip balm and goodness knows what else I had stashed in my sling bag. Another one bites the advertising dust! Newspapers (and Tony) had been playing up the dehydrating effects of the dyes on skin and hair, and GI Jane as I may be, I’d certainly had no wish to walk around Incredible India with post-Holi skin lesions or a kerosene scrubbed frizz.

© Gunther Deichmann - Tony is getting his picture taken
by a 150 year old Camera



© Gunther Deichmann - Amazing, old meets new...
the "shutter bugs" & the local street photographer

The glow of the warm afternoon sun didn’t let us down, and neither did Bebet’s smooth cone shaped crown – fondly Pink city’s extremely popular pink duomo of the day! Luis was busy keeping out of trouble while GD, his usual monkey self, got the children squealing around him, unable to decide whether they thought he was funny or scary or both.
I didn’t blame them – a seriously hot magenta, violet and salmon colored faced GD is quite a hair-raising sight! The rest of the crew stayed on track, a yellow-green Joerg staying cool and entertaining the locals with amusing conversation (or was it the other way around) while a blushing red Tony kept the beggars from pulling our clothes and cameras. Hubert was cool as a cucumber sauntering back and forth across the streets, side stepping the cows like a weathered local.

© Gunther Deichmann - 150 years later...but still in use,
the processing is done right on the street.



© Gunther Deichmann - Jamie's turn in front of the
old Plate camera...but please don't move...

And suddenly “150 rupees only, 150 rupees just you look Sir top quality photograph black and white please you look only”. No thank you no thank you no thank you no no no no no and then we stopped. We’d gotten so used to the mendicants following us around for the past 2 hours, pushcarts, trolleys, gypsy children and all across town that literally the replies (as polite as we attempted to remain) just came out of us naturally.

Right on the yellow powdered street hung a few carpets on a stairway which acted as a backdrop in front of (lo and behold) a 150 year-old plate camera, impressive in size as well as quality and sharpness . We later found out that the owner and his brother had inherited it from his ancestors and they have been in the photography business since ‘a very long time Ma’am’. Old meets new!!

Thousands of dollars of equipment strapped to our necks, I found it oxymoronic that for 150 rupees ($3 USD), each of us were as excited as kids on Christmas morn and happy as pie with our old fashioned black and white photos that were washed and developed in a pail of water on the street, ready in less than 10 minutes, and hey, it came with a negative too. Now since the digital age, we haven’t been that pleased with a self-portrait in a long time! What better way to end a picture-perfect day?
Holi Hai!

© Gunther Deichmann - back at the Hotel for some cold
Beers before the "two hour" shower.

Happy Holi...



© Gunther Deichmann - the start of Holi a priest during last nights
Pre Holi event blessing everybody with multi colors.

I am in a bit of a rush today...need to get out in the street again with my students to celebrate the Holi Festival the most colorful of all Indian Festivals in Jaipur Rajasthan India.

© Gunther Deichmann - Holi has started...

So please forgive me if this will be a very short Blog today, we're having a great time and the highlight will be later tonight, yesterday we went crazy at the Elephant festival which was so fantastic. Today we're going to get covered in color from top to bottom and last night we participated at a Temple the pre Holi event, with huge fires lit up all over town.

© Gunther Deichmann - the night before Holi

Sorry have to run now...but so much more later, thanks also to Aperture 3 uploading has been easy and fast, I am already at some 4000 images.

© Gunther Deichmann - it is going to get a lot worst today...

GD

Bizarre - Mysterious - Colorful & so amazing...
Kathmandu Nepal.



© Gunther Deichmann - Buddhist Eyes...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

I made it... my first post since I left Manila... I am not going into many details today, I rather let the images speak, only a few today a lot more when my connection is good, lets see and wait. The worst scenario... I have to do it when I get back home after the 16th of March.
Arrived in New Delhi this afternoon after 4 days in Kathmandu Nepal...a little sad that I had to leave but I am going to be back there in about two weeks after my PhotoWorkshop in India.

Contrast!

© Gunther Deichmann - Oh no...I did not set this one up... I was getting ready to take a shot of this unknown Guy with a Nikon taken notes when out of nowhere this Sadhu appeared and stood right next to him. Interesting, it seems that our fellow had to Yawn and our Sadhu had his eyes closed...like trying to put him to sleep. Well, that is sort off my interpretation. Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

Internet connection is Ok now, and I am using the spare time to write this long overdue post before all my students arrive later tonight, tomorrow we're busy exploring the old part of Delhi, the first part of our Indian Journey.
Nepal was very cool (literally it was freezing in the evenings and early morning). A lot more later on some bizarre Animal sacrifice and Cremations along the River... from the colorful living to the colorful dead.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhu
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

A lot more soon from this amazing place in the Himalayas called Nepal, with old tradition of Hindu & Buddhism, as a matter of fact I be visiting the Birth place of Buddha in about 10 days which is just across the border from India in Nepal..."
The Journey Through Color & Time" continuos.

© Gunther Deichmann - Eyes through red...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - The Wall...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - Bizarre... the Old & New.
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

Now a little about Aperture 3 from the road and straight out of the Box pushing it in the past few days, no complains... I can truly say Aperture 3 performed super and I encountered no major problems after some 3000 images in 4 days. A lot more on Aperture 3 on the road later...now I have to concentrate on my students and show them around Incredible India.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhus blessing...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010




© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhu & blue...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010



© Gunther Deichmann - Coca Cola and Blue...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

Just one more...



© Gunther Deichmann - The Spoon...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

Once I am back in Manila, I upload a new Photo Gallery with some of the latest images from Nepal & India...please have patience as this could take some time, I have a few more weeks to shoot yet.
Enjoy the first taste from Kathmandu, please stay tuned for a lot more...
GD

A new Journey begins....


© Gunther Deichmann - Incredible India

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

© Gunther Deichmann - the colors of India...

I guess that is it for the time being, I try to report along the way, but that depends on the connection.
Thanks to the staff from Shroff International Travel for making all the arrangements, specially Arjun & Sheena who have been fantastic.
GD

BTW...did you know that when you start up Aperture 3 it is in 64 Bit? You might noticed the difference if you have 4 or more Gig of Ram installed. However there are some issues when you work with previous installed Plug-ins, but nothing to worry Aperture 3 makes it easy.
Most of the plug-in if not all at the moment work only in 32 Bit and if you like to use them you have to restart Aperture 3, click on the image you like to edit (in my case I use the Noise Ninja Plug-in) click on the right mouse button, a small drop down menu appears and you see edit with Plug-in (32 bit) this will restart you Aperture 3 in 32 bit mode and stays like that until you close Aperture 3. Once you open Aperture 3 again you're back to your 64bit.

In a few days I am leaving for my main trip this year, plus my GD Photo Workshop in India where my lucky students have the opportunity to study and work with Aperture 3 in the field. I try to report from our locations whenever possible, of course like always depending on the Internet connection, speed and availability.
Check out also my Calendar Dates on the GD Photo Workshop site; "Introduction Aperture 3" at Power Mac Centers Manila Philippines, starting March 26.
GD

Another very new cool addition is the Zoom option (Z key) if you press this now say on full screen you have a new small thumbnail window, but now you can zoom in more, not just 100% very cool and so handy. Say you have zoomed in to 150% and like to go back to your 100% just hit the z key and you're back to your starting point of 100%. Personally, I find both of these new addition extremely useful for my particular workflow and I have to praise the engineers for an excellent job by in incorporating it into Aperture 3. Great Job Guys!
GD

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, ,