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