Editing 18,000 images with Aperture 3 after our Expedition and Travel Photography Workshops to Sri Lanka, Nepal & Bhutan.
Some 18,000 photos later...
An endless Journey through Color and Time.
Performing with a Condom and Phallus in his hands… during the Talo Tshechu
Festival with Dramitse Nga Cham
(sacred Mask dance of Drum and Stick) Bhutan
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
After a 5-week Journey through Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan the editing and culling back of images is complete. (still working a bit on Nepal, had to have a break before I get square eyes)
But the main editing has been complete for quiet some time, thanks to the outstanding performance on my Mac BookPro using Aperture 3.
Ohhhh…I don’t know what I would have done without Aperture…my thoughts drifting back to the old days using Kodachrome film, labeling and sorting through mountains of plastic cases.
Honestly I do miss my Kodachromes but then times have changed, some for the better and some for the worst, it is almost all digital now.
(I do admire some of my good old friends who still shoot with film, but mainly in B/W now)
Tea Plantation worker, Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
School is out…Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
I do as much editing with Aperture while still on the road and by the time I get home a lot is done already. (rough and first edit only)
Back home; first I back up all those images (Aperture Libraries) from my portable Lacie Rugged drives to my Lacie Raid system, then some more editing and later upload selected images on to my PhotoShelter site. PhotoShelter; yet another welcome addition in todays digital age for safe keeping, storing and selling your images.
Through out the entire trip Aperture performed just awesome, at times pushing my Mac and Aperture to the limits.
Tip: I strongly recommend that you do all your key wording, captions etc. while on location, it will only take a few extra minutes during or after import but everything is still fresh in your mind.
Oh… I can do this later when I am back home, I am to tiered now…believe me, you never end up doing it or you forgotten all those places. (we’re only talking some 5 to 10 extra minutes here)
I am forcing myself in doing just that, it saves me a lot of time and my NEW images can be up on PhotoShelter or my own site within a few days after my return.
Bathing festival, Kathmandu, Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
In a village near Bhaktapur, Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Sadhu preparing his color mix, Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
I might mention also for those who are located in the Philippines, we have some Aperture 3 classes (Aperture Level Basic and Beyond) scheduled, starting in June through to December at the brand new PMC Power Mac Center AATC facilities at Arnaiz, Makati, Philippines. (final dates/times to be announced shortly on Twitter and Facebook)
You might ask why Aperture? Aperture’s capability is greatly underestimated in particular when it comes to editing huge number of photos. It has a superb and easy to use filing structure, not to mention all those other adjustments, but for large number of photos, I believe it is the best software out there.
Now you might think I am biased when it comes to Aperture; well I have been using it since day one and never looked back and this is not the first time I had to deal with so many photos.
How could I have edited 18,000 or so images in Photoshop in just a few days? No way, I be still working for the next 3 month.
Once you understand the fundamentals of Aperture 3 the rest is easy, exceptional fast and very efficient. Spend some time with it, study the tutorials or enroll in a classroom session with Aperture.
Buddhist Monks at the Trongsa Dzong,(Fort) Bhutan
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Young Boy in the Traditional Village of Sopsokha, Punakha District, Bhutan
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
For all our Expeditions and Adventure Travel GD Photo Workshops through out Asia click this LINK.
You don’t have to be a Pro Photographer to join our Expeditions and Adventure Travel Tours; we cater to all who are interested in Photography.
With Gunther Deichmann and his experienced assistant you get to know different cultures and explore amazing landscapes. Getting you not only to the right locations without wasting time but also at the right hour of the day. For the latest testimonials click here.
We make sure that you get the best possible photographs from these truly amazing destinations.
GD
Just one more…
A very funny Farmer at the Traditional Village of
Sopsokha, Punakha District, Bhutan
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Adventure Travel Photography ASIA: The story behind the photos… carving a giant Phallus
The story behind the photos…strange cultures and tradition.
Carving a giant Phallus… was he the "Master Phallus Carver" in this Village?
It was during our last Adventure Photography Workshop; I strolled through the traditional Bhutan Village of Sopsokha, when a man approached and indicated that I should follow him, of course curiosity got the better of me and I went along.
After a few minutes we arrived at this house, he unlocked the door and politely ask me to come inside…did he invite me for a cup of tea I thought? But right there in the dark corridor, I saw WOW… the largest wooden Phallus ever… it was at-least some cool 5 foot in hight.
Without any explanation my new acquaintance picked up a chisel and hammer… gave me a cheeky smile and started to continue his craft. chopping away on this super large penis.
Carving a very large Phallus in the village of Sopsokha,Bhutan
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Shops selling carved penis and traditional houses decorated with Phallus symbols
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
I had seen many other Phallus symbols in Bhutan, painted on Houses and for sale in all shapes and sizes in local souvenir shops, but this one was somehow special, not to mention its size.
Our craftsman kept on chiseling away at this monster… as we stood silently in this dark corridor in disbelieve… except for a big WOW that crossed our lips. Hubert who saw me wondering off earlier with a "strange man"…had followed me, he was also amazed seeing such a super large phallus…a first for both of us.
Against evil spirits; prayer flags, arrow and a
carved Phallus. right: A Phallus Handicraft shop
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Phallus paintings and carvings in Bhutan are esoteric symbols, which have their origins in the Chimi Lhakhang monastery near Punakha the former capital of Bhutan. The village monastery was built in honor of Lama Drukpa Kunley who lived in the 15-16th century and who was popularly known as the "Mad Saint" or “Divine Madman” for his unorthodox ways of teaching, which amounted to being bizarre and shocking.
These explicit paintings, though embarrassing to many urbanites now, this folk culture is now informally discouraged in urban centers, but can be seen painted on the walls of houses and buildings throughout Bhutan, particularly in villages and credited as Kunley's creations. Traditionally symbols of an erect penis in Bhutan have been intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip.
You find these paintings on almost every house in particular at the
traditional village of Sopsokha,Bhutan
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Worship of the phallus was believed to be in practice even before the arrival of Guru Rimpoche and Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal…what is know about it, has been past on over many generations.
Phallic symbols are, generally not depicted in community temples and Dzongs (Fortress) which are most revered places of worship where Lamas or Buddhist monks reside.
But I seen them also during festivals in Bhutan, showing them off during dance performances and rituals.
Rural and ordinary houses continue to display them, in particular in the traditional village of Sopsokha where I found (or he found me) this master phallus carver.
After taken some shots I thanked our craftsman for his hospitality, I turned around at the door for one last look, and could not help noticing a big grin on our carvers face.
I guess he seen our stunned looks a few minutes earlier, I am sure he was very proud of this super Phallus he was creating, otherwise he would not have invited us into his home.
GD
The latest images from Bhutan are now on my PhotoShelter site, just click the large image on the Home page.
http://gdeichmann.photoshelter.com/
For more info go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phallus_paintings_in_Bhutan
