Photography: "Eyes - like light, without it we can't see." a magic moment in Cambodia.
"Light is photography, photography is light."
...a magic moment in Cambodia!
© Gunther Deichmann - the magic of natural light,
Cambodia 2009
To finish the month of October, I decided today to share this Photograph with you . The Image above is from my last trip to Cambodia...remember I mention in one of my previous posts that I keep you in suspense, well here is one of them, others will follow... and more suspense again.
No more words needed now...enjoy natures gift to us... called light!
"Eyes-like light, without it we can't see." GD
Photography & iPhone…Tips on cool applications, not only for Travel, Underwater & general Photography.
In some of my previous Blogs I have recommended some interesting applications like the spirit level, the excellent GPS from Motion X and others, but today we have a look at the sky, the dark and the bright side, plus some new measurement tools.
Lets use Cambodia and India as an example; upon arrival how many times have you asked at your Hotel or the locals what time is sunset or sunrise, only to be told…oh about 5:00 AM is sunrise and sunset is around about… 5:30PM, hmmm… it is always about or something like that…
Very seldom you get an accurate answer, I like to know the exact time… if not you could miss a great shot, even more so if you have to travel to your final destination where you like to be for those early morning or late afternoon shots.
The choice is awesome when it comes to applications but only a few do it well, so lets start with the Werewolf which come out on a full Moon.
© Gunther Deichmann - always on time for sunset or sunrise,
Queensland Australia
Our first App is Phases a beautifully crafted little app that shows you all kinds of useful information about the moon—and a little bit about the sun.
24 hour time zone, Location GPS, Time zone, Northern and Southern Hemisphere etc.
Moonrise and Moonset, Sunrise and Sunset & a lot more.
But the best part about Phases is a Calendar with the Moon Phase for planning your trip month ahead or check on the tides if you’re an Underwater Photographer or Diver.
In other words you can plan your trip in such a way that you can be certain that you will be on a specific location in time for this magic Moonrise with your girlfriend, Camera or just waiting for the Werewolf…check out the website for a full explanation and info at:
http://bjango.com/apps/phases/
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Not a NightOwl? Then Sun n Moon is the way to go, it gives you sunset and sunrise on location and some info on the Moon but hasn’t the cool Moon Phase Calendar like Phases.
Sun n Moon is more on sunset and sunrise, but it is also a very useful and a good application.
Sun n Moon accurately calculates data for:
Key Features
• Sunrise and sunset times (no network connection required)
• Moonrise and moonset times
• Specify location by 3 methods:
http://www.catalyst4.com/sun_n_moon/Sun_n_Moon.html
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Now we are done for today’s romantic setups under the Moon or at Sunset,
its time for some measurements and two more Apps.
The one which really stands out is fairly new and called Dimensions from pocketDEMO fantastic and super cool…I could describe this one for ever but instead have posted the LINK so you can check it out, I have tested it and fell in love with it, a must for US$ 1.99 some useful devices for Photography and many other uses in this amazing iPhone application toolbox. You can even check Thunder storm (distance) size up your shoes and dress, measure your room or the distance to the next dive site using your iPhone Camera (now that is so cool) or check the thickness of your wetsuit plus so much more. It has also some of the best tutorials for an aplication I have seen on the iPhone. This one you have to check out!
http://www.petitemallette.com/
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Don't know your connection speed? Speedtest.net its there to help, a simple but accurate tool to test your connection speed. This free application very useful if you're in a different location and don't know the speed...should I start uploading or downloading now or should I wait for a better connection. It works both on Wi-fi and on Edge.
Excerpts from their website and link below for more info:
Speedtest.net using a massive global infrastructure to minimize the impact of Internet congestion and latency. With millions of tests performed every month across hundreds of servers, Speedtest.net is the ultimate resource for bandwidth testing and related information. Visit it on your computer today to find out why.
http://www.apptism.com/apps/speedtest-net-speed-test
That’s it for today, with these Apps you can easily measure your Costumes for Halloween (you better believe it Dimension does it too) and check if you have the full Moon to watch the Werewolves running around. And now I am going to do a speedtest on my iPhone to check if I should upload this Blog now.
GD
Tips, tricks & techniques: Few seldom mentioned features on Snow Leopard.
For those who are not that familiar with Snow Leopard & Mac or just done the switch, let me introduce you today to a few very simple things you might find use full in your everyday workload.
Did a spring clean on your Mac? I know it is not springtime but I do it regularly throughout the year.
Trash: Deleted file by mistake, red square
Put Back
A seldom mentioned and a new edition amongst others in Snow Leopard is the Put Back option from the Trash back to its original location.
Say for example you done your cleanup and deleted hundreds of documents, all of them in the Trash, just to make sure you open the Trash and check for a last time before you empty it, just in case, we don’t want to delete anything we might need or we dumped by mistake.
In Snow Leopard you open the Trash located at the Dock, ones the folder is open check your files and the ones you like to keep or have thrown out by mistake you just highlight those, then you go to File scroll down and you see Put Back click on it and your files go back where they came from in the first place.
With this cool and simple addition in Snow Leopard check your Trash before you finally empty it, this is very nice in particular if you have forgotten where the files originated.
I just love Quick Look!
For those new to Leopard and now Snow Leopard: Quick Look is a super cool feature but did you know once you clicked on it, (you can use the right mouse button to get to it or go to File) it not only shows you the document but you can do a lot more without open the actually software, Acrobat Reader in this case since I used a pdf file.
Try this…click say on a pdf file with multiple pages on the MacBook Pro you use the scroll pad and enlarge it or click full screen,
ok nothing new…but it is to big, you like to see a few more pages then just hit – (minus button on the keyboard) and it gets smaller every time you hit it to the size you comfortable with, nice if you use another keyboard.
Expose or show all Windows:
Another cool addition on all new Mac’s is the Expose button also called Show all Windows, this one is located on your keyboard (F3) have a go at it open multiple windows and click on F3 real nice and so convenient. Not like before, on Snow Leopard the arrangement is very nice now.
Just one more:
How often it happen you tried to eject a flash drive or your external drive and could not do that, can't eject drive file is in use or something like that. It is funny, I encountered this before, but now I am waiting for it so I can check it out. Anyway, if this occurs Snow Leopard will let you know where the problem is, it was frustrating before not knowing what was going on.
GD
Palawan & beyond...Power Mac Center presents GD Photo Workshop at Club Paradise
Power Mac Center Philippines proudly brings you...
Palawan & beyond...
December 3 to 7, 2009
You are cordially invited to a 4 nights 5 days exclusive Photo Workshop at Club Paradise Palawan with Gunther Deichmann, international multi-awarded travel photographer and Apple Pro Certified Aperture Trainer. Registration fees includes airfare and accommodation from Manila to Club Paradise Palawan, all meals (full Board) and full hands on with Aperture 2. Discover & Explore a different Palawan with the master!
Please book early this Workshop is for a limited number of participants only! Testimonials from previous international PhotoWorkshop.
Registration and Inquiries: workshops@powermaccenter.com
0919-2051659 & 0917-5228286. More details will be announced very shortly.
Explore & Discover Coron & Culion Island plus the amazing african
and endemic wildlife on Calauit Island in Northern Palawan. 
Paradise is waiting...Club Paradise, Palawan!
For more information and a recent Video on Club Paradise check out the links below:
The Underwater Channel filmed at Club Paradise and Dugong Dive Center. a very cool Video from this dream destination in Palawan, Philippines. http://www.theunderwaterchannel.tv/clipinfo/4003142
Photography: Rumors & Suspense new products…last week has been very hectic on the Net with new DSLR's, Software & Apple products.
Thanks Luis for the inspiration and the good wine!
© Gunther Deichmann - Northern Territory,
Australia 1982, Minolta X700, Kodachrome 25ASA
Announcements of New products all over the place…and the battle between Nikon vs. Canon continues big time with their new models ready for the Christmas rush.
Plus a new line of cool products has just been released by Apple…from the Magic Mouse to Mac minis and the new iMac’s.
Rumors and speculations; the announcement by Adobe with a Public Beta Version of Lightroom 3, and the continuous questions when Apple is coming out with Aperture 3, plus so much more. I guess it is this time of the year when we see all those new things hitting the shops for our big Christmas shopping spree.
New technology, new gadgets and computers…great! But aren’t we forgetting something even if we can afford all of those cool things?
Education is the magic word! Do we really understand one or the other software…or Canon v. Nikon?
Technology is progressing at blazing speed… and there is nothing wrong with that, but we should also spend some quality time and money on education, or we forget the real art of Photography soon, becoming a slave of “Photoshopmania”… etc.
A good Camera… (never mind the brand) a good Computer and a good software will NOT create the ultimate Image…but it is You and You alone; your feelings, vision, patience, dedication your heart and passion is what creates the ultimate image.
How many things do we need in a software for processing our Raw images? I remember when I put my 360-page book “Journey Through Color & Time” together using only Aperture 1 for the editing and now we’re asking for so much more…
I have to admit Aperture 1 was a bit tough to work with, but since Aperture 2 everything is just perfect and lets not forget that Aperture 1 was the Pioneer in the new workflow for Photographers and not only in digital…I have mixed both digital and scanned images to produce my Book in Aperture 1 Plus you can’t beat the integration on the Mac with Aperture 2… it is just awesome.
OK maybe I am also a bit biased like David Schloss from Mac Create and the Aperture User Network who has just written this very cool and interesting article; see below excerpts and the Link to the complete article.
We used film for generations, had no choice but to have patience but now we are pushing the developers and engineers, why the rush? Do we really understand eg. Aperture or do we like to play just a bit more with our images?
Besides why should I work with a Lightroom Beta version inviting problems and testing something I don’t have the time for.
For me patience is one of the most important aspects in good photography… lets see and wait when Apple announces a new upgrade to Aperture 2, I am happy with anything they come up with.
I have the patience… I can wait, no problems, but now I have to do some more work in Aperture 2... just like David.
GD
Below the excerpts from David Schloss at Aperture user Network
Adobe Launches LR 3 Public Beta – Adds Some Aperture 1 and 1.5 Features
Adobe has announced their Public Beta of Lightroom 3. Obviously I’m a bit biased here, but I was hoping for a more extensive list of features. As a photographer, I’m really very happy to see competition in the marketplace. The recent Nikon vs. Canon battles have raised the quality level of photographic gear for everyone…
So when I read over the list of improvements for Lightroom 3, I was a bit underwhelmed. I thought, honestly that Adobe would be more forward looking…read the complete artcle at:
http://aperture.maccreate.com/2009/10/22/adobe-launches-lr-3-public-beta-adds-some-aperture-1-and-1-5-features/
Photography Workflow: Tips, Tricks & Techniques cool plug in for Aperture 2, plus a nice feedback from our recent Photo Workshop.
A great help for the Digital workflow...BurnToDisc
© Gunther Deichmann - Soft drink Bottles are re-used for Motorbike
Gasoline along the Road just outside of Siem Reap, Cambodia 2009
Before we go into all this technical stuff (not so technical anyway...) I like to mention a nice feedback from Richard Cawthra who was part of our recent Photo Workshop in Cambodia; read what he had to say and how the Workshop has helped him.
LINK (testimonials on GD Photo Workshops)
And for those who have missed it from one of my earlier Blogs I like to re-introduce a very cool Aperture 2 plug in BurnToDisc 2 by Blue Room Software, one of the most useful plug-ins for Aperture 2., for me that is.
I tested it also on Snow Leopard recently and it's working just fine, I encountered no glitches or problems. I been using BurnToDisc for a long time and can highly recommended this plug in for Aperture 2.1.4 just fantastic when you're on the road or your Agencies screaming for images!
The Scenario:
My Agency requested some Photos from my recent trip to Cambodia in high resolution on CD or DVD.
Now here comes the easy part…BurnToDisc is part of my workflow after the shoot, the only thing I had to do select the Images I needed for my agency (the selected and adjusted versions).
I had already created a Smart folder with a selection of Photos, now I narrowed it down even further and selected the ones which had been requested, selecting them one by one by holding down the Apple (Command key), after my selection I open BurnToDisc.
Go to File and click on Export, on the fold down menu you see Burn Master to Disc or Burn Version to Disc.
The rest is easy just follow the instructions and you have your Disc burned in no time with the selected..
Screenshot of BurnToDisc Plug in for Aperture 2.1.4 tested on Snow Leopard
Again, no need to open another software this is direct from within Aperture 2, BurnToDisc has many different options to choose from, even burning multiple Discs, it will show you also how much space you have or is available on your Disc once you have selected your images and open the plug-in.
The nice part is when burning versions to a Disc you can chose within the program which file format you would like to use, in my case I needed them in tiff at 8 bits.
You have the same choice, like with all the other export options within Aperture and that is very cool.
Of course you can also use BurnToDisc for all your Master Images, a perfect way of storing your Raw files on a CD/DVD.
GD
Excerpts from the Blue Room Software Website below:
Disc names are automatically generated from user-defined elements such as disc number, image number, burn date and project name.
BurnToDisc operates with Aperture 1.5, it will also take advantage of the more streamlined background export functionality of Aperture 2.0 and later.
* Images can be exported in multiple formats in the same export session
* Images can be scaled to multiple sizes in the same export session
* Image file names can be taken from the Aperture Library, or augmented from export session metadata
* The placement of images on disc can be in any user-defined folder hierarchy
* Folder names can be static or constructed from metadata
* To allow for varying workflow scenarios, any number of named export configurations can be saved, and then later recalled for use
Minimum System Requirements:
* MacOS X 10.4 Tiger or later
* PowerPC G4, G5 or Intel Macintosh
* Aperture 1.5 or later
Recommended System:
* MacOS X 10.5 Leopard
* Aperture 2.0 or later
BurnToDisc 2 is available for purchase for $49.95 (USD). Existing BurnToDisc 1.x customers can upgrade to version 2.0 for only $19.98.
For more info go to: http://prmac.com/release-id-4604.htm
Travel Photography: Small Taste of the Latest from Cambodia... a Gallery with few NEW Photographs.
It has been quiet a task and a few hours (24) to get everything back to normal and running smooth again.
Also make sure you refresh your Browser once you in the Gallery if you don’t see the latest images, thank you. Color also might varies from one screen to another.
© Gunther Deichmann – Novice Buddhist Monk exploring
Angkor Wat, Cambodia 2009
To view the special prepred Gallery click on the Image above or this LINK
or go to the menu bar above Small Taste of the Latest - Cambodia.
Please Note: More images will also be available shortly in my PhotoShelter Archives with a NEW Gallery.
A "Small Taste of the Latest from Cambodia"... I arrived in Siem Reap a few days earlier prior the start of our GD PhotoWorkshop, checking things out and getting ready for the arrival of my students. Today I like to share with you some images from these few days before and the ones I managed to sneak in during our Workshop...when I had the chance.
Thanks to Aperture 2 my editing (the only software) is just about done but now I have to start the painful job in uploading high res. files to my agency archives in Europe.
I also stayed a few extra days after the workshop to work on a particular project, but those Images I can’t post yet due to a variety of reasons...
OK. here we go again my suspense is killing everybody...
Everybody had left by now with the exception of Jamie, who had decided to hang around, exploring some amazing places. I have been sworn to secrecy for the time being, but don't worry you get to see them soon enough.
(Ha, ha Jamie too)
I hope you enjoy these latest images from Cambodia, which for me is one of the most exciting places to visit in Asia.
Once we have everything in place I defiantly share with you some rare and amazing images, but for now…the ones from today have to do.
Don't forget we are taking bookings now for our India Photo Workshop in early March 2010, and have only limited space available. (Total Number of participants is only eight)
For insights on India please check my PhotoShelter Galleries so you can get a little “Taste of India.”
GD
Late NEWS: We have encountered some major Internet problems, sorry for the inconvinience
GD
Photographs in between during the GD Photo Workshop in Cambodia... just a leaf & the window plus another testimonial.
In between...when I had the time.
© Gunther Deichmann - "just a leaf"
Ta Prohm, Cambodia Sept.2009
The past few days I have been busy with editing and compiling an article, hence the reason for being so quiet, plus I have to admit that I have a slight hangover from last night.
Luis Harder invited me over to his place, giving him a hand to set up his additional screen and sorting out a few minor things in Aperture 2.
Of course good old Luis had prepared a great meal, fantastic food and some good red wine, actually the wine was so good that I ended up indulging myself more then it was good for me today, anyway we had a great evening talking shop. Thanks Luis for a cool evening.
A few days ago our "Cowgirl" Jamie send me this fantastic testimonial from our Photo Workshop, after reading it I had watery eyes, thank you so much Jamie not only for what you wrote but also for your kindness and great friendship.
For the testimonials go to GD PhotoWorkshop or click this LINK.
Now a GD Photo Workshop announcement; the bookings for our Indian Photo Workshop are open, this one we have to start early with our bookings the exact dates and Itinerary will be finalized shortly but it is in early March 2010. Due to popular demand we have only 4 more vacancies, the total number of participants is NOT exceeding eight students.
© Gunther Deichmann - "The Window"
Bayon Temple Cambodia Sept.2009
The Photos today are taken "in between" our lessons at Ta Prohm & BayonTemple when I was wondering around finding some interesting subject matters for the group to shoot. My editing is almost complete and I am uploading my images shortly into my PhotoShelter archives, once done I advise you and you can check out the NEW Gallery on Cambodia.
If you have not done so, check out the photos The Students work just click this LINK and the fun images Behind the Scene or go above to the Menu bar.
GD
Photographs by the Students from the GD Photo Workshop, Angkor Wat & beyond... plus the first testimonials.
HANDS ON IN CAMBODIA SEPT. 2009
In the field & the workflow after the shoot
with MacBook Pro's using Aperture 2.
Check out these cool images & click this LINK or go to The Students work on the top bar, you can also click on the image above.
I hope you're going to enjoy them as much as I have.
The Photographs by: Jamie Irenaliena Rayer Keet, Joerg Schueler, Luis Martin Harder, Hubert Weber and Richard Cawthra. They selected six images of their choice I didn’t chose or performed any editing. It was my pleasure to guide this cool group through Photography in the field and then using Aperture 2 for the workflow after the shoot. Plus the Journey to some of the amazing places in Cambodia during our GD Photo Workshop "Angkor Wat & beyond... thank you all for being such a warm and happy group, you have been fantastic! Hope to see you in India next year!
GD
Below is my personal thanks to all those people who
made this Photo Workshop a successful one.
I have also uploaded some of the first testimonials, you can read them
at GD Photo Workshops top bar or click the image above or this LINK.
Thank’s to Jamie from Jakarta, Indonesia, Joerg from Shanghai, China, Luis from Manila, Philippines, Richard from HongKong and Hubert also from Manila, Philippines for their participation in my PhotoWorkshop, Angkor Wat & beyond…you have been a fantastic Group, thank you very much for your kind words and friendship, miss you all.
A very special thanks goes out to Didier from Heritage Adventures for the additional insights. (even Didier became for a few days one of my students)
I am also grateful to the Management and staff from the Heritage Suite Hotel who made all of this possible with their smile and hard work, you made our stay just so fantastic, thank you from the bottom of my heart. A very, special mention goes to my good friend and long time Guide Savuth who was beside us all the time not only carrying some equipment but digging out the bogged 4X4 wheel drive at Mt. Kulen too, thanks my friend.
GD
Travel Photography: Muddy Waters with Aperture 2 & the Monochrome Mixer from our Photo Workshop in Cambodia.
The news has been literally full of very disturbing images from all those effected regions, people have lost their lives and property, it has been a very violent September and October. Mother Earth has sent her wrath down on us with her destructive force.
My thoughts go out to all those people who have suffered greatly during this trying times, this is NATURE and a stark reminder that we are at the mercy off it at times…no technology can prevent the fury of Nature.
The Images on today’s Blog have been taken just outside the Ta Prohm Temple on a rainy and very wet morning during our recent Photo Workshop in Siem Reap Cambodia '09, I call it "Muddy Waters" I hope a welcome change from all those disturbing images from the past few days and days to come.
(I guess the name comes for my Love for Blues)
Original file prior using the Monochchrome Mixer in Aperture 2
© Gunther Deichmann - "Muddy Waters" reflection in a muddy water
paddle outside the Ta Prohm Temple, original above changed into a
Black & White image using the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2.
Built in the Bayon style largely in the late 12th and early 13th centuries, it is at Ta Prohm, where some of the original vegetation has been left un-cleared by archaeologists.
Visiting Cambodia in the off season can be a challenge but it is also very rewarding, amazing shades of greens are found all over the temples and in the country side. Fantastic opportunities for Photographers who search for something different, it is for sure my favorite time to visit these amazing places in the worst time of the year. There are few Tourists around and the landscape is ever changing into amazing colors. But be prepared and take good precaution, it can get very wet and uncomfortable during this time of the year.
And just one more...Green with envy!
© Gunther Deichmann - "when there is water there is also new life!"
A seedling... a new tree. In the Jungle of Mt. Kulen, Cambodia '09
In my next Blog post when the Internet connections have improved... remember we still have Typhoon PARMA hanging around, I post a New Gallery with six images from each participant from the Photo Workshop in Cambodia, it is there preferred choice from the trip, so please stay tuned. They all did a great Job!
In the meantime why dont you check out the images from Behind the scene...just click this LINK.
GD
