iPhoto Slideshow & Aperture at
Power Mac Center TriNoma.


Power Mac Center TriNoma

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

Power Mac Center TriNoma

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

“Blues Night” at Buri Resort...




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

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

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

© Gunther Deichmann - the Fan...

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

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

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

© Gunther Deichmann - day one Puerto Galera,
Philippines

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

© Gunther Deichmann - day two Puerto Galera,
Philippines

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

© Gunther Deichmann - day three Puerto Galera,
Philippines

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

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

“My Photo Gallery” the Prototype...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_____________________________________

Now part two: Changing Times…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Times have changed!?

GD

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Aperture 2.1.4 Tip: Sluggish performance?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Last years article on performance re. Aperture 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

Excerpts from the article September 5, 2009:

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

1. Opening Aperture, much faster now with Snow Leopard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2010 GD Photo Workshops in Asia

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

© Gunther Deichmann - New Power Mac Center, TriNoma

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

© Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan India 2009

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

© Gunther Deichmann - Laos

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

© Gunther Deichmann - Laos

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

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

© Gunther Deichmann - Phnom Penh Cambodia Dec. 2009


© Gunther Deichmann - near Phnom Penh Cambodia Dec. 2009

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

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

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

© Gunther Deichmann - Myanmar/Burma

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

Power Mac Center TriNoma presents...


© Gunther Deichmann - Phnom Penh, Cambodia Dec. 2009
Nikon D300s

Be a Professional Photographer this Holiday Season... presented by Power Mac Center TriNoma
3rd Level Mindanao Wing, TriNoma Edsa cor. North Avenue,
Quezon City, Ph: (632) 901-3980

A one hour special on iLife - Aperture 2 - Tips, Tricks and Techniques by Gunther Deichmann.
Power Mac Center TriNoma, 30th of December from 5:00 to 6:00 PM

For questions and special requests, you can call 729-7087 or 88, or email us at training@powermaccenter.com

http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php

The mood & colors from the last
few days in Cambodia...

The year is coming fast to an end and I am looking forward to some very exciting Journeys in 2010. Myanmar – India - Nepal & Cambodia are confirmed trips…plus what ever else crops up in between, with me you never know.

© Gunther Deichmann - the mood of Angkor Wat
the day before we left for Phnom Penh Cambodia

Before I am going into the family Christmas mood I like to share with you some more interesting escapades from the recent Cambodian Journey including a bit on Aperture 2.
I have also included a disturbing Photo…a stark reminder of the dark past in Cambodia with its Land Mines; its scars are still visible today and for many years to come.

© Gunther Deichmann - the Gate of Bayon
Temple, Siem Reap Cambodia

Please spare a moment for those unlucky ones among us, be it in Cambodia or elsewhere in the world. Lets not forget them, may our thoughts be with them not only during Christmas but all year around. Thank You!

© Gunther Deichmann - a stark reminder...
the scars of War! Phnom Penh, Cambodia

As you know I have just returned from Cambodia a few days ago in time to spend Christmas with my family. Arnold my Web Guru and myself left Siem Reap on the 18th of December by Car for Phnom Penh where we spend a few days roaming around.

Sadly we had to leave the good company of the Heritage Suites Hotel behind, already missing Didier, Vorana and Jam plus the super friendly staff, but I will return soon. Siem Reap has become almost my second home now, plus there is still so much to more explore and to discover.

© Gunther Deichmann - last light on the way to
Phnom Penh Cambodia

© Gunther Deichmann - the fisherman on the way to
Phnom Penh Cambodia

A lot of changes have taken place in Phnom Penh since my first visit in 1992 and again in 2005, I have been spending more time these past few years in the Siem Reap area.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sunday afternoon at the Mekong River
in Phnom Penh Cambodia

Phnom Penh brought back memories from the past especially when we had dinner at the FCC (Foreign Correspondence Club) my hangout from the earlier days.
A must on any ones list if you visit Phnom Penh, great food, cold Beer and a cool atmosphere, this time around they had a great Gallery of Photos from my famous Rock stars on the walls; Garry Moore, Chrissie Hynde's from the Pretenders, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Pat Garrett from Midnight Oil, Rolling Stones and just about everybody else from the good old days… plus a cool Blues/Jazz Band was playing on our first evening in Phnom Penh.

But you also find walls covered with Photos from the Vietnam War and the horrific reign of the Pol Pot Regime, some disturbing images but it is the reality from the past or even now in the streets of Phnom Penh where you see people with out their limbs.

Been connected is important these days, good Internet connections are all over Phnom Penh like in Side walk Café’s and Restaurants. Getting around is also not a problem you find Tuk Tuk’s and Motorbikes on every street corner.
If you don’t have any accommodation booked, then you should check out a very cool guesthouse called the “Eye of the Mekong House” at 30 street 110 - run by a very charming Frenchman called Nikolas. Great place with spacious rooms, good Coffee, very affordable and right in town just a stone throw away from the Mekong River.

The new Nikon D300s proved to be fantastic in every aspect during my last trip but I need more time for the Video…lot more details on that one later.

© Gunther Deichmann - A Christmas Tree???
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Let me finish today with the word “patience” there has been some whining and complaining re. Aperture 2 updates been to slow and some Photographers are thinking switching to Lightroom…
New Camera models have been popping up non-stop in 2009; now we blame Apple and other for not keeping up… sad! What ever happen to patience? From my past experience when Apple has done something they did it real well and not using some Beta version like Adobe with Lightroom. Would you buy or work with a Beta Version of a Camera? As a serious Photographer I don’t like to test things, I like them to work…don’t forget who came out first with the almost perfect Digital Photography workflow…Aperture was way ahead and made things possible which had been very difficult before and could only achieved with Photoshop.

© Gunther Deichmann - Color Steel...Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Patience…all real GOOD things take Time and I am sure Apple will come up with something soon enough…they have always done so in the past, maybe a bit slower but for sure it will be awesome and no need for Beta testing.
Now I have to get this Blog out... move my Magic Mouse and get back to my red wine and Midnight Oil plus the Kids are waiting. Cheers!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a GREAT 2010!
GD

The spirit of light in Cambodia…

Yes, all good things come to an end sometimes…but not for long, I shall return very soon to this ancient land with its Temples hidden deep in the Jungle.

© Gunther Deichmann - APSARA & light Angkor Wat Cambodia Dec. 2009

I wish all my readers, family members and friends a fantastic Christmas season and might the New Year bring what you have been wishing for. As for me, I am leaving tomorrow Siem Reap for Phnom Penh and after a few days back to Manila just in time to spend Christmas with my family.

© Gunther Deichmann - corridors & natural light
Cambodia Angkor Wat Dec. 2009

This trip has been very strenuous but ever so rewarding, met new friends…
a musician composer from Las Vegas (we had a great chat about my music and Garage Band), a Doctor, an Eye specialist and his wife from London and some others. PS. according to him my Eye sight is still Ok... hmmm and since his wife is also a Medical Doctor my Blood Pressure is fine too...must be the good wine at the Heritage Suite Hotel.

© Gunther Deichmann - Buddha Bless Cambodia Dec. 2009

Our stay at the Heritage Suite Hotel (Arnold my Web Guru and myself) was as great than ever, with the superb company of the Management and staff, in particular the GM Varona and Jam from Marketing, not to mention the ever so entertaining Didier from the Heritage Adventures. Thanks to you all...
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...your hospitality has been outstanding!
I announce some very interesting news soon regards to the Heritage Adventures and the Heritage Suites Hotel once we’re back in Manila.

© Gunther Deichmann - early morning at
Ta Phrom Cambodia Dec. 2009

My gratitude to Nikon Singapore once again for providing me with an excellent replacement Nikon D300s Camera for my damaged D2X.
I have not finished testing it completely…but I am more than happy so far with it, considering it received some real punishment during this trip.

© Gunther Deichmann - early morning at
Ta Phrom Cambodia Dec. 2009

Can you imaging how happy I was when Apple announced a few Days ago the RAW file update for Aperture 2, which of course included the Nikon D300s just in time for my test drive in Cambodia. All photos on this Blog have been edited using Aperture 2 and almost no corrections have been applied.

© Gunther Deichmann - novice Monk at Angkor Wat Cambodia Dec. 2009

Sorry I have to keep this Blog post brief today, need to pack my things yet and I rather let the images speak…a lot more photos will follow but due to some pending publications I can’t share them at this time.
I am wishing every body a great Holiday Season…take good care and be good.
From Siem Reap in Cambodia…Buddha Bless!
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - magic Cambodia!

Once in Siem Reap I fill you in with more details…oh no, not my suspense again.

At the same time I am test-driving the recently released Nikon D300s not only for the images but also for its Video capabilities, which should be very interesting.

However I do give the Ox Cart a miss this time, don’t like to loose another Camera, you might remember from one of my previous Blog post when I lost my Nikon D2x in the rice paddy.
The last month of the year is taken care off now; another very exciting trip is in the middle of January 2010 until the end of the month. Then on February 24 our Photo Workshop in Rajasthan India starts... until March 4. After our Photo Workshop in India I have another very big and exciting surprise but that one has to wait too… yes I know, my suspense again, sorry about that.
Don’t worry I let the cat out of the bag soon enough, you just have to stay tuned. I know, a lot of riddles today!

© Gunther Deichmann - Reflections on the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia

Going through the equipment check now and have to pack my bags by Friday, from the 8th of December I try to update my Blog at least every two days from the Heritage Suite Hotel direct from Siem Reap, and of course the latest news from the Heritage Adventures as well.
In between all of this I have some Aperture 2, iLife and iWork Seminars and Workshops at the Power Mac Center in Manila, for sure a very busy but exciting start for 2010.
GD

Heritage Suite Hotel


http://www.heritage-adventures.com

Creating real reflections... without Photoshop.

It is nice sometimes when you go back in Time, looking at images you created without a Digital Camera and the use of Photoshop, remembering the good old days...

Creating reflection, distortions and other simple effects is easy these days, a few clicks and you’re done in Photoshop, flipping an image and vola you have a great reflection.
As for me... I create these images without the help of Photoshop!

© Gunther Deichmann - Phnom Penh, Cambodia 1992

The other day I went through my archives and came across one of those images, taken in Phnom Penh in 1992, Pol Pot was still hiding somewhere in the Jungle near Phnom Kulen near Siem Reap. Memories starting to flash in front of my eyes...the "Wild West" days of Cambodia...bad memories carved into the faces of Cambodians... the Killing Fields still fresh in their mind... a time I will never forget.

I arrived in Phnom Penh the same time as the United Nations covering a major story on the Mekong River for Animan Magazine in Switzerland. One afternoon while walking the streets of Phnom Penh I noticed this nice reflection on this car roof parked right in front of me. I rested the camera carefully on the car roof trying not to scratch the paint and took the image above. Using an FM 2 Nikon with a 15 mm lens and Kodachrome 25.

What is interesting... 18 years later... I still create my reflections the same way without the use of Photoshop, except I am using a Digital Camera now.

Taken in 1992 the image above is a good example, but so are the ones from 2009, see below Photos from Cambodia and India. None of them have been treated in Photoshop, using Aperture 2 only for cropping and the basic Raw file adjustments.

© Gunther Deichmann - abstract reflections at the Taj Mahal India 2009

I have also updated my PhotoShelter Gallery on India with some new edits and have added a NEW Gallery from my recent trip to Cambodia. LINKS to the updated Galleries in PhotoShelter: New Cambodia 2009 & updated India..added some additional Photos

© Gunther Deichmann - Bayon Temple area,
the Bridge, Cambodia 2009

There is also one more Gallery from Cambodia but this one is password protect due to a pending article, don’t worry I open this one in due time, I guess it is my suspense again.

© Minding the Goats, Thar Desert Rajasthan India 2009

Please Note:
We only have two (2) more vacancies for our GD PhotoWorkshop in India, March/Feb. 2010, hurry and book now before you miss out on this incredible trip to India.
GD

I am pleased to announce the final Dates for our
GD Photo Workshop in India!

February 25 - March 04, 2010

We are currently working on the final Itinerary however our PhotoWorkshop will coincide with one of the most important Festivals in India...lets celebrate "Holi" and the Elephant festival in Jaipur Rajasthan at the same time.
New Delhi and Agra with its magnificent Taj Mahal is also part of our itinerary, more information will be available very soon.

2009 © Gunther Deichmann - Colors of Rajasthan

Please note this PhotoWorkshop is for a limited number of students only; max. 8 participants.
The Workshop is filling up fast, as of today we only have three (3) vacancies left, bookings are only on a first come basis and have to be confirmed by no later than January 10, 2010. I hope you understand that due to the complexity and logistics of this workshop we can't except anymore bookings after January 10.

2009 © Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan

I hope you can join me on this Journey through Incredible India in 2010. Please stay tuned for more details and info soon on this Blog or you can contact me direct. For additional info and testimonials from previous workshops please go to GD PhotoWorkshops or click this LINK, thank you.

Note: You can also watch a short intro (slide show) on India on YouTube, see my prevous blog post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBdyMR8fq0s&feature=channel
GD

I was in the mood last night… for "cooking,"
using only a few ingredients to create a nice meal.

Check out the final meal in YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBdyMR8fq0s&feature=channel

Recipe & Ingredients

Main Ingredients; the Images from India & original audio recording.

MacBook Pro
iPhone with iTalk app. installed
Aperture 2 ( 2.1.4)
GarageBand from iLife ’09
FotoMagico 3 Pro (Version 3.0.8)
Good Internet connection

Just follow these simple steps…after editing the images in Aperture 2 make sure you filed them in their Albums or Smart Albums for easy access in FotoMagico later via the nice build in Media Browser.
Like with any good cooking it is important you have everything well prepared before you start.
I prepared the soundtrack earlier in GarageBand using the original recorded audio on my iPhone from India, mixing it plus adding some instruments. I use iTalk together with iTalk Sync from Griffin an excellent application for the iPhone.

You record with iTalk and later transfer the audio file wireless to your Mac with the installed iTalk Sync. Now you can use the audio file in iTunes or modify it in GarageBand like I have done, mix it up a bit…and bingo! This way you created an original sound track for your presentation or in this case for our FotoMagico slide show.
Pls. Note: I only use my own compositions or paid audio, this is more original and you don’t have to worry about any Copyright infringements.

Lets open FotoMagico…you don’t have to be a Rocket scientist or a famous Chef to do some great cooking in FotoMagico as I explained in my previous post.
Everything is connected… great integration with the Mac…& yes it runs well on Snow Leopard too (I discovered no glitches in FotoMagico 3.0.8 Pro)
Open your Media Browser in FM and select Photos, you have all your iPhoto and Aperture Libraries right here. Of course you have also access the same way to your iTunes Libraries, GarageBand and Videos, yes videos… with FotoMagico 3 Pro you can also include your film clips and mix them up with your still images.
Now you select the images you like and drag them on the time line, move them around the way you see fit, add pan or zoom to each or all, set the timing and pick your transitions.
It is a good Idea to add some black frames at the start and finish like I have done to include some text/information; again FM makes this very easy. Text can also be applied to run over the images, options for different Fonts, sizes and colors are all there, plus so much more.

Once you happy with the flow of your images open the Media Browser again and pick your Music, select the track you like and drag it on the audio time line. It is a good Idea to determine before you start the approx lengths of your show. You can also adjust the soundtrack by moving it into the right position
Options for voice over and additional audio tracks are available, but we keep it simple today…I created the basic Journey Through Colors & Sound slideshow in about an hour of course not including the editing in Aperture 2 and mixing the audio in GarageBand.

One last check in the Preview before you share your show via YouTube or all the other options including a HD presentation direct from your Laptop.
If you export direct to YouTube like in my case, make sure you have an account or create one before, the rest is fully automatic but could take some time depending on the lengths of your show and of course your connection speed.
We finished our cooking for today now lets serve a good meal to our friends or clients…believe me, FotoMagico 3 Pro made cooking very easy & tasty…Enjoy your meal.

GD

Thanks to Incredible India and Shroff International Travel

Visions in the making…

http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

Changing ones website, content etc… a never-ending story. Above the new Intro Page

I decided the other day to change the intro page on my main web gallery…for how long I don’t know, lets see. We made also some changes to the Home page with new images. Not that much has changed, but I felt it needed a little freshening up…. hope you like it.

Now to Bantey Ampoeu, a remote Khmer temple hidden in the Jungle and a great example of natures power if left alone. Fantastic vegetation… trees have grown and covering this hidden marvel and one feels like Indiana Jones.

© Gunther Deichmann - Bantey Ampoeu


© Gunther Deichmann - Bantey Ampoeu

Converting some of those Indiana Jones like images into Black &
White looks very cool too, a feeling of going back in time with the help
of Aperture 2 & the Monochrome Mixer.

Bantey Ampoeu is certainly off the tourist track and during the Monsoon can be reached only by Ox Cart… a one and half hour journey through Rice Fields and Jungle. This is my favorite time of the year to check out those hidden places.

© Gunther Deichmann - Bantey Ampoeu


© Gunther Deichmann - on the way to Bantey Ampoeu


© Gunther Deichmann - "passing traffic..."

Difficult to get there in the rainy season but the colors and vegetation in the late afternoon make it a very rewarding journey, as long you don’t mind the Leeches and getting into "Muddy Waters".

Thanks to Didier from the Heritage Adventures who took me to Bantey Ampoeu during the worst…but for me the best time of the year.
GD

http://www.heritage-adventures.com


Heritage Suite Hotel in Siem Reap

Wake up early in the morning...


© Gunther Deichmann - early morning
on the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia

A short QT fun movie created with FotoMagico from our last Photo Workshop in Cambodia;
Behind the scene... Giggles... and a little fun with Aperture 2, GarageBand, FotoMagico and final export using Quick Time. The Title...Wake up early in the Morning... came about that all our excursions started around 4 to 5 AM everyday and the Giggles where part of our daily routine... just a fun and great group. The Soundtrack was entirely produced in GarageBand and since we had so much fun I just couldn't help myself in getting this one out...of course I had to add some Giggles...
Now listen to the "Giggle Band" & Wake up early in the Morning just click the LINK below. Plus all the info on FotoMagico below too.

http://www.deichmann-photo.com/page8/page8.html

© Gunther Deichmann - having a bath? Early morning,
the water Village on the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia

I have mention FotoMagico a few times in my previous Blog post's, but the latest FotoMagico 3 Version 3.0.8 is so cool and for those of you who are not familiar with it I can highly recommend it.
I also introduced it to my students recently in Cambodia and they fell in love with it.
An excellent software easy to use with superb quality, you have all the settings you ever going to need for producing high end slide shows/presentations (including HDTV) or export it to the web.
You can add sound, text plus some cool transitions at your finger tips, great integration on the Mac with access to your
Media Browser for Aperture, iPhoto, iTunes etc. for more info go to:
http://www.boinx.com/fotomagico/overview/
GD

Present on: Options upon opening FotoMagico


The interface, easy and simple to use


Share... plenty to choose from

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

© 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/

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

© 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

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

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

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

Behind the Scene from Cambodia...

Photos of everybody by everybody from our recent GD PhotoWorkshop
in Cambodia.

© Gunther Deichmann - Wet season at Preah Khan,
Angkor Wat Cambodia 2009

It has been an incredible week, just back from Cambodia and right into the floods and sadness of Manila, not to mention the World News from Palau on the Worlds first Shark Sanctuary. I have uploaded the behind the scene Photos from our recent Journey and Cambodian PhotoWorkshop adventure on this Blog. The best of six images from the participants will be uploaded also shortly but today it is behind the scenes, the funny part of our Photo Workshop.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sunrise at Mt. Kulen,
Cambodia 2009

View the gallery and click this LINK or choose Behind the Scene GDPWS Cambodia 2009. Once open click on the thumb nails to view larger images

Many thanks to all my students, you have been an incredible Group, listening, learning but you also made me laugh non stop. Thank you all very much for your attitude and friendship. It has been a great trip and hopefully I see some of you in India next year, details be announce soon on this Blog. March/April are the tentative month.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Buddhist Nun at Preah Khan,
Angkor Siem Reap Cambodia Sept.'09

"I hope she is praying for good weather."
Please take a few moments and think about those people who
are stranded and their homes are underwater or lost.

It is raining Cat and Dogs in Manila, the worst I have seen in a very long time, then yesterday Palau in the Limelight with an extraordinary achievement declaring at the UN in New York the Worlds first Shark Sanctuary, a little update on Snow Leopard, Aperture 2.1.4 & slowly drifting back to my recent Photo Workshop in Cambodia.

© Gunther Deichmann - Novice Monk at the Monastery near
Angkor Wat, nice Weather and a smiling face. Cambodia Sept. 2009

Wow what a mix today… a Kaleidoscope of recent events.
But then it is raining or should I say pouring non-stop, nobody dares to go outside into the flooded streets of Manila including myself. A friend of mine tried to visit me today, but no way... he couldn’t get out of his Hotel...

Manila is flooded, period! The only way to commute today is by Boat !

I just made it home last night…& now we lost power too...nice to have a Mac BookPro with a fully charged Battery and what better way to recap the past few days in a few sentences on today’s Blog, the only question is when do I get this post uploaded, your guess is as good then mine...

© Gunther Deichmann - this Butterfly landed right in front of me,
getting salt from the stones inside Preah Khan,
Siem Reap, Cambodia Sept. 2009

Lets start with Snow Leopard and the things I discovered during my recent trip to Cambodia.
Encountered a small problem in Aperture 2.1.4 whereas the Original images took time to appear after they had been modified, the version showed up but the Original Raw file took some time to show.
That small problem has now gone away after I upgraded to the latest Version of Snow Leopard 10.6.1 upon my return from Cambodia.
Everything else worked just flawless and I encountered no other glitches with SL and Aperture 2.1.4 dealing with over 3000 plus images on location. ,

I also notice that there is no more Software update via the Desktop, (Download Only) now you have to go direct into the system, which is fine, but if you have a slow connection or get interrupted that could cause a problem. Why Apple has removed this I don’t know, maybe it is a Copyright/Piracy issue, who knows!

Otherwise I am extremely happy with Snow Leopard, fast and efficient a great operating system and definitely worth every cent, as a matter of fact, great value for US$ 29.95. BTW the battery life on my new MacBook Pro is just awesome. Some of my students in Cambodia also used for the first time SL and encountered no problems either.

© Gunther Deichmann - reflections of the Sure Prot Angkor Thom Ruins
at Sunset,directly opposite the Elephant Terraces,
Siem Reap, Cambodia Sept. 2009

Back from Cambodia only a couple of days, I had already a session at the Power Mac Center on iWork ’09 with Keynote and Pages.

__________________________________________________________

Then the NEWS came in from Palau, the first World Shark Sanctuary declared by the President of Palau at the United Nations in New York last Friday. This small Island Nation in the Pacific has shown the rest of the world how to stop the killing of our Sharks, congratulations again to Palau and I am proud to be associated with the Shark Sanctuary in Palau.
http://www.palautours.com/blog.html

Contact the Palau Shark Sanctuary:
http://www.sharksanctuary.com/contact-us.html
email : sharksanctuary@gmail.com
Tel:      + 680-488-1062
Cell:    +  680-775-1062
Palau is GMT + 9 hours / same time zone as Japan.

For more Images on Palau please visit my Photo Shelter Galleries & follow the LINKS below:

1.General:  http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann/gallery/Palau-Micronesia-Tribal-Aerial-Waterfall-Animals-Landscape-People-Islands-Tourism-Jellyfish/G0000C.NjlJIRAik/

2. Aerials: http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann/gallery/1-Palau-Micronesia-Aerials-Jan-2008-largest-collection-of-aerial-Photography-on-Palau/G00000jBlBEacoyY/

3. Aerials 2: http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann/gallery/2-Palau-Micronesia-Aerials-2nd-Gallery-largest-collection-of-Aerials-on-Palau/G0000EnEkvDHJjo8/

__________________________________________________________

Now back to Cambodia, my sincere thanks to all participants from my last Photo Workshop “Angkor Wat & beyond…” you have been a great group and made my job so much easier, thanks again to you all, I will remember the friendship we shared and for sure the non-stop giggles, thanks to you all I had a great time too.

To the staff and management from the Heritage Suite Hotel in Siem Reap our appreciations for an outstanding job & their incredible hospitality during our stay. Thank you all!

A very special mention and thanks goes to Didier Faraud from the Heritage Adventures for showing us some additional places rarely visited by others. A real adventure... on foot, by 4x4 wheel drive and Ox Cart, thanks a lot Didier.

I have been asked already for more images on Cambodia, please have a little patience I am going to upload the students Gallery asap. But one thing for sure, I was impressed with their images and dedication to Photography, they did an outstanding job not only in the field but after the shoot too using Aperture 2 for the workflow.
More images from the students and myself very soon...so please stay tuned.
GD

The last two days in Cambodia...
I will remember them for sure.


Drying the gear...did it help? Not really!

My last day in Cambodia was less eventful than the day before when my Camera bag dropped into the Rice Paddy from the Ox Cart, one Camera body and one lens has to go for a major repair Job to Nikon in Singapore. (I am glad I always bring a back up... second Camera boddy and lens)Today my last day...a little less exciting, we only got bogged with our 4X4 Wheel drive in black mud....ha, ha a slight reminder of my good old Australian Days in the outback. Jamie is lending a hand and whipping up the text from the past two days, see below. Now I have to do some packing, get some rest and take my dirty mud coverd laundry back to Manila.

© Jamie Irenaliena Rayer Keet - push.........

A very special thank you again to Didier Faraud from the Heritage Adventure who really went out of his way to show us some places where "almost" no man had gone before. As a matter of fact the minefields in this area had only been cleared last year, some very special images will follow once I am back in Manila. Of course Aperture 2 made it possible again to go through 3000 plus images very quickly and efficiently.
As for me...I will definitely return to this truly amazing place, discovering more places "where almost no man has gone before." GD

© Jamie Irenaliena Rayer Keet - the Ox Cart adventure...

Here is Jamie's story...
Going wireless in the jungle isn’t such a bad idea. The last two searches I hastily punched into my Blackberry were “How to remove leeches”, and “Images of undetonated explosive devices, aka mines”. All told, the former is a slightly complicated task of examining and gently dislodging, while the latter come in a selection of shapes and sizes. The ones featured in the Siem Reap Mine museum were of the communist grey colored, circular variety. What do leeches and mines have in common? Upon encountering either, do not Freak Out. Easier said than done.
The photo workshop was over and we were taking a short break from the hectic week. Ever brimming with wild ideas, Didier had planned an easy afternoon trip out to explore a temple in the woods.
After an hour’s drive on bumpy roads in the 4x4, we arrived at a hut. Five pairs of eyes stared back at us as we climbed out into the afternoon sun and Didier launched into a conversation in Khmer with a local. In a few minutes our next ride appeared.

© Jamie Irenaliena Rayer Keet - hey...you just lost your bag...

Travelling by ox cart is not entirely an uncomfortable experience, but by the time you arrive at your supposed destination, you would’ve probably had your wits bounced out of you. Not to mention the possibility of having your camera bag floating in a rice paddy. We were too busy keeping balance, pointing DSLRs at the farmers and getting our perfect shots. No one took any notice of the weathered local on the opposite ox cart frantically waving his stick, pointing towards some obscure spot behind us and yelling in Khmer. By the time we turned and noticed a big black object sinking in muddy waters, it was a little too late. Nonetheless, Didier dashed the 100m and waded back with the dripping pack. It was GD’s camera bag fully loaded. There was nothing to be done but to check the damage later.
After the temple we headed to a camera repair shop. One of the lenses was flooded and stubbornly refused to let out the water. “No can do” said the shopkeeper. Unfazed, Didier suddenly had a better idea and he started to shake the lens in all directions. While Didier was attempting to salvage the drowning lens, GD had found new distraction. A robed monk was sitting at the computer screen in the shop, and GD was trying to get a shot of him sat paradoxically under a flat screen TV with a Jackie Chan movie flashing above him. Didier got as much water as he could out of the lens, GD got his shot of the monk, and we headed back to the fort.
On the way back in the jeep, I plugged in another online search: “How not to freak out”.
Jamie Irenaliena Rayer Keet :)

Heritage Adventure

© Jamie Irenaliena Rayer Keet - Angkor Wat color converted into
B&W using the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2.

Looking down at my soiled boots and algae stained shorts, I gingerly brushed the sand out of my greasy limp ponytail. “Well I think I’m perfectly unsanitary enough, thank you very much,” I threw back bemusedly at him before laying down upon the 14th Century laterite stones of the incredible Preah Khan temple in Siem Reap. I was trying for yet another shot at my elusive subject, which happened to be an enormous silk cotton tree growing on the top of a 900 yr old temple in serious disrepair, and dirt was the last thing on my mind. Hanging around GD gives one oodles of ideas, and most of them leave you craving for a bath at the end of the day.

Indeed GD had promised an intense 6 day, 5 night photography course in Cambodia, but he sure hadn’t warned us that learning was going to be so much fun. Our outdoor photography classroom included stunning ancient temple ruins, polychromatic floating villages, lush tropical jungles, waterfalls, caves, local food huts, bar counters, and last but not least the infamous ‘round table’ where all of us eagerly gathered for our highly animated photo editing sessions on Aperture 2.

The group was utterly fantastic, relaxed and mutually supportive throughout. In fact, we hovered along a fine line between taking serious photographs and turning each other into hilarious nutty fruitcakes. We simply laughed as much as we learned. And believe me, we were rolling in the aisles.

© Jamie Irenaliena Rayer Keet - Angkor Wat APSARA Dancer at
Angkor Wat, Siem Reap Cambodia.

What amazed me most was that in less than a week in the field with GD, my photographic vision had changed dramatically. Comparing the shots I had taken from the first day to the fifth, I could see a significant difference in my subject composition, understanding of calculated exposure and improved editing skills. “The goal is that by the end of the week, you’re going to look at things differently,” GD promised at the outset.

And whether that left us mud caked or not, he was right.
Jamie Irenaliena Rayer Keet :)

We are proud to be associated with the Heritage Suite Hotel in Siem Reap

A Photographic Journey through
the Cambodian Jungle.


© Gunther Deichmann - an "Elephant" in the Jungle of Phnom Kulen

We left the Heritage Suite Hotel at 4:30 AM yesterday…the last day of our Photo Workshop for Kulen to the river of a thousand Lingas and the Kulen Waterfall.

Hard at work...trying to get the right angle and catching the light.

My trusted Guide over many years, Savuth taking a break

But the highlight of the day was a very special trip in the afternoon deep into the Jungle to a seldom visited place that can only be reached by 4X4 wheel drive and then another hour on foot.
A lot more images from this destination will follow in the coming weeks…believe me this place is absolutely amazing.
I am still catching up with some sleep, long hours everyday the past week, but fun and very rewarding for all in the Group.

A long but very rewarding walk...

© Gunther Deichmann - Mt. Kulen Waterfall...

Just one more...

Now, where did he come from? A new Student?
Luis Harder and an unexpected fan, at the River of the thousand Lingas.

As mentioned above some amazing images will follow later, but today I like to share with you Photos from the Participants in action during this trip in the Jungle.
GD

Special thanks again to Didier from Heritage
Adventures for making this trip possiable.


www.heritage-adventures.com

www.heritage-adventures.com

Due to some difficulties the past few days with our internet connection and early morning hour Photography trips I keep this Blog brief and rather let the images do the talking...

Aperture 2 & MacBook's Pro at the
Heritage Suite Hotel, Siem Reap
The Workflow after the shoot!

We are into our fourth day and I am extremely impressed with the Images from my students, as a matter of fact they have really outdone themselves, not only in the field but everybody has reached a very good level and expertise on Aperture 2...the workflow after the shoot.
Special thanks to Didier Faraud from the Heritage Adventure who is organizing some very special trips for us and of course the Management from the Heritage Suite Hotel in Siem Reap, who has provided us with and excellent service throughout the week.

Above images: On the Tonle Sap Cambodia

I the next couple of weeks I be reporting in more details from the whole trip and put up a special Gallery with images from all the Participants...today is only a small appetizer from this morning.

© Joerg Schueler, life on the Tonle Sap


© Hubert Weber, reflections the Tonle Sap


© Luis Martin Harder, the Tonle Sap


© Richard Cawthra,
Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia

Tomorrow is another 4:30 AM start, so I sign off now, but a lot more from Cambodia and our Photo Workshop soon.
GD

Composite Image: © Gunther Deichmann - Speed and much more efficient...
running Aperture 2.1.4 on Snow Leopard...a cool New Cat!

1. Opening Aperture, much faster now with Snow Leopard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© Gunther Deichmann - Jumping with Joy...
Snow Leopard is available at Power Mac Center

1. Aperture 2.1.4 works fast...a lot faster then before and everything else is working cool, no problems so far...smooth as silk. Aperture 2.1.4 was released a few hours after the availability of Snow Leopard last Friday.
For those who have not upgraded via the software update I recommend to do this prior installing Snow Leopard.


2. I learned the hard way on Rapid Weaver, but not a big issue, for those who use RW make sure you install Rapid Weaver 4.3 prior installing Snow Leopard you can get the upgrade for free if you have a licensed copy, just click the LINK below.
Once installed you should be up and running, I tried it before but no luck, I restarted my MacBook Pro and installed the upgrade. Well, lets see if this Blog is coming out OK., if not you can't read my assessment, so I am crossing my fingers now, but so far so good.
(RapidWeaver 4.3 Release Candidate 1 is now available!)
Download the file and install, don't worry if you cant find your license number, like with everything on the Mac it is straight forward.

3. A Quick spin with FotoMagico 3.05 so far no issues, all seems to be working OK. but again make sure you have the latest update.

4. Awesome... the New Quick Time even if you don't have the Pro Version super slick, I just love it, Video editing has just become a lot easier...5 stars from me.

5. I have picked up some 28Gigs of Hard drive space, nice if you dealing with large images and you forgot your external drive when on the Road...super cool.

6. It goes without saying Safari is humming very fast and nice, even Firefox is running a lot faster now, not to mention Mail and all those other cool things under the Hood.

7. Installation was a breeze and I encountered no problems at all, this is a new Super Cat with a lot more under the hood, more info in due time...have to run a few more laps.

8. Then there is, which I like a lot Restore from the Rubbish "Put Back" it is called, good thinking...

9. A text auto flow, I think that came from Aperture, ha, ha, for Mail and Text edit.

10. Last but not least for today, you have a great "New machine" for US$ 29.95

As you all know I am leaving for Cambodia shortly and put the Snow Leopard through its paces on location. Was I worried to install Snow Leopard prior my departure? Not at all. However, please do a thorough check on the compatibility of other 3rd party software you might have installed, updates for many becoming available daily now.

BTW...Time Machine is working fine too. Even the Spellcheck and a few other things I have noticed are much more refined and easy to use. Maybe my imagination, but I dont think so!

Don't panic if opening of your software takes bit of time, this is only for the first time around, Snow Leopard has to update all your existing files like Mail, Aperture etc.,etc. but after that you fly & there is so much more!
GD

MAC CAMPUS ROADSHOW
BY POWER MAC CENTER


ABOVE: using Pages from iWork ‘09

Students from the Computer Science and Photography Department, Teachers and Faculty Members from the Lyceum University attended the Mac Campus Road show. Sponsored by Power Mac Center and organized by Maleng P. Raysag from PMC and the management at Lyceum University.
The Power Mac Center Training Devision had set up an array of iMac’s manned by their staff explaining to Students and Teachers the possibilities on a Mac. I could not help noticing that Photo Booth was a real hit, laughter non stop.

The program of the day included lectures on Integration on the Mac, Photography, Digital workflow using Aperture2 and a basic Photo Competition using what ever Camera was available; Cell phones, Compact Digital Cameras to SLR’s. , etc.
Part of the presentations included how the Mac can help you and how to speed things up using Aperture 2, (Aperture 2 & beyond…) iWork ’09 and iLife ’09 explaining the cool integration. Life made so easy!

The photo Assignment for the day was again Shadows for group “A” and group “B” Space, allotted time for completion 45 minutes.

© Jhonille Villanueva, Donna Dawn Santander-1st
Nikon D40

After the assignment, with the help of Andrew & Mark-Lee from Power Mac Center we uploaded the images into folders and imported them into Aperture 2 for fast processing and judging using the star rating system in Aperture.

© Aaron Basa-2nd
Sony Cyber Shot


© Paulo Caballero, Prince John Risky Arenas-3rd
Cellphone


© Raymark Espeleta, Geneva Panigbatan-4th
Sony Digital Camera

The highest scoring images received prizes sponsored by Power Mac Center.
Another fun Day minus the rain today, being with a cool group of Students, Teachers and Faculty members using only simple Cameras but creating some nice images.
Thanks everybody, I had a great day!
GD

Last Fridays Power Mac Center Event, the 15th Anniversary.
& DJ Mark - Lee was in his element using a Bose sound system.
____________________________________________

Some 50 students from the Computer Science Department from the Adamson University attended the Photography Seminar. The program of the day included lectures on Photography, Digital workflow and a basic Photo Competition using what ever Camera was available; Cell phones, Compact Cameras to SLR’s. etc.

Students from the Computer Science Department
from the Adamson University in Manila

After a two our lecture on Photography, Keynote presentations and techniques I divided the students into two groups for two different assignments. Assignment “A” was Shadows and group “B” Space, allotted time for completion 90 minutes.

A real fun Day! What was amazing... the images the students took for the competition, the small Digital point and shoot Cameras and Cell Phones had the highest score.
After the assignment, with the help of Andrew & Mark-Lee from Power Mac Center we uploaded the images into folders and imported them into Aperture 2 for fast processing and judging using the star rating system in Aperture 2.
It proved again how easy it is to work with Aperture 2 making selections and using it for something very different today, after all we had to go through some 200 images fast.
Most of the students came from the Computer Science Dept. but had a high interest in Photography and the three lucky winners received prizes sponsored by Power Mac Center.

First Price went to Yves using a
KODAK EASYSHARE
C813 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA
Yves took this shot pointing his Camera
into a mirror. Corridor at the University.

Was I surprised? No! The best and most creative images came from Cell Phones and small compact Digital Cameras. Proven again, that if you put your mind to it, you can create some very nice images with what you have got. Photography is you and you alone create these images, equipment helps but if you have nothing else... you use what is available.

Second prize: KIMGHI using a cell Phone, interesting
Image, a building reflecting in water on rough concrete
during todays rain.


3rd prize: Sherwin using a SONY DSC-S40
He took this shot during our lunch break at the nearby Mall

Even more amazing, the weather was real bad raining non-stop, difficult for the Group who had the Shadow assignment; of course we considered that during our judging.
I had a lot of fun too, being with a cool group of students using only simple Cameras but creating some nice images.
Thanks everybody for a great day!
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - this juvenile Frogfish is
only around one centimeter in length

The original Image had been scanned & stored as digital file in tiff format on my external hard drive, I just imported the file into Aperture 2 made minor correction & a long forgotten image became a life again.

Frogfish Memories
Posted by Gunther Deichmann on May 21, 2009 in Blog, Destinations, Marine Life,
FINS Online

While going through my archives the other day I came across an image from film days, and I fondly recalled the story behind this photograph.
It was during a night dive in Anilao in the Philippines that I spotted this amazing miniature frogfish, around one centimeter in length. But…since it was near the end of our dive, I had run out of film. I cursed and blew bubbles in frustration.
Since it was a shallow dive, my guide and I still had plenty of air, so I signaled to him, then went back up to the boat to change film.
Crazy, I know…the things you do for a shot sometimes. However, my main concern at the time was how to find this little guy again. He was so tiny and could’ve easily disappeared.

After I changed film and went back down to where my trusted dive guide was waiting for me, it took a while, but we found the little frogfish again.
After I took three shots, he disappeared into a crevice. We waited a few minutes before surfacing and heading back to the resort for a well deserved beer.
GD

Congratulation & Best wishes to the Power Mac Center
on their 15th Anniversary.



Thank You! GD
__________________________________

Plus...Photos & Macs brought to you by
Adamson University, Manila

BE PART OF PHOTOGRAPHY &
MAC LEARNING SESSIONS
Sponsored by Power Mac Center

NEWS RELEASE - EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS
Listen to Mr. GUNTHER DEICHMANN, international acclaimed travel photographer as he shares his exciting works and experience on travel photography. See the latest techniques in making the most out of your pictures...Win exciting prizes and surprises! Join the photo competition at the end of the seminar. Interested participants may bring their digital cameras or cell phone cameras to join... and lastly, learn why Mac is the best computer for schools.
Where:
SD 3/Level, Adamson
Time:
8am-5pm
Schedule:
8am-9am
Registration
9am-11am
Talk by Gunther Deichmann,
11am-12nn
Photo Competition
12nn-1pm
Break
1pm-2pm
Photo Competition Judging
2pm-4pm
Apple Technology - a session on
latest gadgets & Mac products
4pm-5pm

Contact:
Mobile Hotline • 0908 7213422 / 0917 6047980
0918 3427555 / 0922 8647131 / 0910 8897055
Landline • 729 7087 or 88 | 7297128
Email: academy@powermaccenter.com
www.powermaccenter.com

How a Fisherman lost his Sunglasses…

The things you discover when you do your editing…sometimes strange or bizarre or just…Wow, I didn’t see that when I took that shot.
The image below is just one of those weird occasions; a couple of years ago I was in Chuuk Micronesia and one morning during breakfast on the Veranda of the Hotel I spotted this Fisherman casting his net. It was pouring rain at the time so I thought this was a nice shot just from the breakfast table without getting wet, an easy one.
Later during my editing in Aperture I noticed the Fisherman’s Sunglasses in mid air, if I had realized this during the actual shot I would have told him…hey you just dropped your Sunshades.

© Gunther Deichmann - converted the original image into B&W using the Monchrome
Mixer in Aperture 2 (See if you can spot the Sunglasses in mid air.)

I guess he is still looking for them “today”, he was fishing at an incoming tide and I am sure his Glasses are gone.
Have a good look and see if you can spot the sunshades in mid air. It is cool what you discover during your edit sometimes.
GD

Coffee & High ISO on a rainy day...


© Gunther Deichmann - an interesting effect...
D700 with a f/2.8 180 mm lens ISO 1600

The past few days Manila is blessed again (not sure if that is a blessing) with a lot of Rain, but then we do need water and we are still in the Monsoon season. Tropical Storm "ISANG" is hanging around up north.

About an hour ago...I decided to grab a cup of Coffee and had a look at the back of our Building, that’s when I spotted the Philippines Flag in my neighbors window, ok lets try out the Nikon D700 at high ISO speed and see what I can come up with. (see the shot above)
Then I started to mess around some more with clothing hanging on a washing line in the rain…
hmmm strange, drying clothing in the rain, oh well!
Using the Nikon D700 with a f/2.8 180 mm lens (one of my favorites and perfect for the D700) I set the ISO on 1600 and for some shots on 800 ISO.

D700 with a f/2.8 180 mm lens ISO 800 (cropped image)


D700 with a f/2.8 180 mm lens ISO 1600

The shutter speed varied between a 1/50th and 1/160 of a second my Aperture was wide open at f/2.8, all straight shots and hand held. (too lazy today for putting up a Tripod)

A few minutes later I had imported the RAW files from my CF Card into Aperture 2 and made only these adjustments; Cropping, Auto level, some sharpening (which I do for all digital Images) well, believe it or not, that was it folks… no other twists, turns, pushing and pulling!

Extreme blow up from the original image, more than 200%
D700 with a f/2.8 180 mm lens ISO 1600

It is now an hour later and concluded this rainy day coffee break…the Nikon D700 performed just great at high ISO plus the color was perfect, well for me anyway.
I shoot most of my work on ISO 200 but have no problems using the Nikon D700 at a higher ISO for some serious work. (max. 1600 ISO) As you know I have tested it up to 12000 ISO (you can go to 25000) in the past, but using such a high ISO setting I can only recommend it under extreme circumstances, but it is nice to know you can do it.
GD

“New! My special selection from the Taj Mahal & Rajasthan India April 09”


© Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan India April ‘09

Back into the wild again...


1975 © Gunther Deichmann - a tranquil and serene setting in this wetland
from the Top End of Australia, but it is also the home of the Saltwater
Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) Kodachrome 25 Minolta X700 20mm lens

This is my follow up article on Images long forgotten and somewhere tucked away in our archives or hard drives...Memories of Outback adventures from the past.

The Australian Saltwater Crocodile and the famous “Sweetheart” from the Finnis River in the Northern Territory some 55 kilometers south west of Darwin City. I used the same process importing the old digitized images from my external hard drives into Aperture 2 applying some adjustments and using the Monochrome Mixer for the Black and White images. Aperture does a great job not only with todays RAW files but also with scanned tiff files from slides or negatives.

Once imported and you made some adjustment you can always revert back to your original file just like you would do with Raw images, this makes Aperture 2 perfect for archiving, cataloging even for your older images, using just one system instead of many.

1979 © Gunther Deichmann - surrounded by flowers a very large
apprx. 16 foot Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in Yellow Waters
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Kodachrome 25 Minolta X700


1979 © Gunther Deichmann - see if you can spot this perfectly
camouflaged large about 20 foot Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) on a
muddy River Bank Northern Territory, Australia. Kodachrome 25 Minolta X700

Close encounter of a different kind…and I got very close… sometimes too close to these ancient reptiles during my days in the Northern Territory of Australia. Saltwater or estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest of all living crocodilians. Some old historical records from 1930 or there about claim they had been caught up to 33 feet in length, however no photographic records has surfaced to prove this, but I do believe it.
I myself encountered Crocs bigger then the Boat I was sitting in and the boat was 22 feet, it is no joke sitting in an Aluminum Dingy and this massive Croc slides in from the muddy banks hitting in your direction.
A fantastic and a great experience getting up close to these prehistoric animals evolved millions of years ago and still with us today.

1975 © Gunther Deichmann - Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) on the
banks of Yellow Waters in Kakadu National Park
Northern Territory, Australia. Kodachrome 25 Minolta X700.
(using Aperture 2 for the B&W conversion)


1978 © Gunther Deichmann - “blowing bubbles” Crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus) on the banks of the Adelaide River in the
Northern Territory,Australia. Kodachrome 25 Minolta X700.
(using Aperture 2 for the B&W conversion)

I could fill up a book with the many encounters I had with these amazing animals, feeling scared at times and vulnerable, but I am also happy that in my life time I experience the only true survivor of our prehistoric past.
Spending many days out in Bush with Dr. Graham Webb (see my previous article) going where no man has gone before collecting Saltwater Crocodile Eggs for research and a conservation program at the time.
Photography was extremely difficult under these circumstances, wearing a water proof shooting vest which could also act as a floating device, not for me mind you... but for my Cameras, have to get our priorities right!

© Gunther Deichmann - Two days old! Crocodile
hatchlings in a holding tank before
their release into the wild.


© Gunther Deichmann - an interesting reflection -
Two days old! Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
Hatchling in a holding tank before its release into the wild.

Part of the research involved being dropped off by helicopter on to floating mats to collect Crocodile Eggs. Floating mats are; a natural floating interwoven grass found in Wetlands at the Top End of Australia, you can actually walk on this grass mat, a very strange feeling, like walking on a water bed. Of course there is always the risk you break through, ending up to your neck in water, not a good feeling with large Saltwater crocs nearby. However this floating mat is the perfect habitat for the Crocs to build their nest and the ideal location for researchers. The research involved collecting eggs, temperature measurements and other data, a high-risk research with nowhere to run in case “Mum” decides to return.

Back at the Laboratory; the Eggs where placed in an Incubator and after hatching the small crocs where tagged and released back into the wild.
GD

Then there was “Sweetheart” a 5.5 meter saltwater crocodile that lived in the Finnis River in the Northern Territory of Australia, some 55 kilometers south west of Darwin city. This enormous Croc was very territorial. It became famous because it took a dislike to the sound of outboard motors and would often attack small boats entering its territory. Presumably it viewed them as a threat or a challenge from a rival Croc.

The Giant Crocodile “Sweetheart”

More info and photos of “Sweetheart.” Check the links below
http://inny.ipbfree.com/index.php?showtopic=1810


http://www.all-about-reptiles.com/crocodile.html

© Gunther Deichmann - Take off... Australian Freshwater Crocodile
(Crocodylus johnstoni)moving at high speed towards a Billabong.
Photo from the mid seventies.

The other day I went through my Archives looking for a particular image when I came across my series on Australian Freshwater Crocodiles. (Crocodylus johnstoni) I remember that time I went out with Professor Dr Graham Webb an expert on Australian Crocodiles collecting data deep inside the Australian Bush in the Northern Territory. Spending days on end camping at Billabongs catching, tagging and releasing these truly amazing Reptiles for research and conservation.

© Gunther Deichmann - One of the very first images showing a true gallop.
Australian Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)
Photo from the mid seventies.

It was during this project that we discovered that the Crocodile (not only the Freshwater one) displays a true Gallop, movements just like a Horse, not known previously until this research by Dr. Graham Webb.
The images on todays Blog and many other where most likely the very first showing Crocodiles in a full Gallop, amazing and thrilling times long gone but not forgotten. At the time they where published in a various magazines.

The Black & White Images are from one of those trips, the originals had been shot on Kodachrome film, afterwards or I should say many years later I scanned the slides, now the digital images residing in my archives. By the way this was long before my Nikon days using the X700 Minolta bodies and lenses.

© Gunther Deichmann - Lift off...Australian Freshwater Crocodile
(Crocodylus johnstoni)moving at high speed towards a Billabong.
Photo from the mid seventies.

I imported the tiff files direct from my external hard drives into Aperture 2 and converted them to B&W. So, if you have images from way back have a good look at them you never know what you might come across and if you end up using them or not makes no difference it is worth the memory from times long gone.

A few years later Dr. Graham Webb also discovered what was thought first a new species of a Freshwater Crocodile in a very remote part of Arnhem Land, an Aboriginal Reserve in the Northern Territory. Almost half the sizes of the other know Freshwater Crocs, after a long study it turned out they are exactly the same species but had adapted to this size due to the lack of food in this remote part of the Arnhem Land. Consequently they where named the Pygmy Crocodiles but it is the same species (Crocodylus johnstoni) yet another proof that these reptiles, which developed over million of years, can adapt to changes depending on their location or climate.
The Australian Freshwater Crocodile is at risk today from the increasing number of introduced Queensland Cane Toads and human interference in their habitat. The toad is lethally poisonous to Freshwater Crocodiles (although strangely harmless to Saltwater Crocodiles.
In one of my next articles I introduce you to the Australian Saltwater Crocodile, (Crocodylus porosus) experience with the same Research team…from Hatchlings to a large 22 foot Croc.
GD


See below some info and facts on the Australian Freshwater Crocodiles:

The Australian freshwater crocodile is a relatively small crocodilian. Males can grow 3 meters (9.8 ft) long, while females reach a maximum size of 2.1 meters (6.9 ft). The body color is light brown with darker bands on the body and tail - these tend to be broken up near the neck. Some individuals possess distinct bands or speckling on the snout. Body scales are relatively large, with wide, closely-knit armored plates on the back. Rounded, pebbly scales cover the flanks and outsides of the legs.

The Freshwater Crocodile is not capable of killing or even seriously harming a human. There has only been one recorded attack by a freshwater crocodile on a human; this attack took place at Barramundi Gorge (also known as Maguk) in Kakadu National Park and resulted in very minor injuries to the victim, who managed to swim and walk away from the attack. It is believed the victim swam directly over the small crocodile, in general it is still considered safe to swim with this species.
Distribution and habitat
They are found in the states of Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. Main habitats include freshwater wetlands, billabongs, rivers, and creeks. It competes poorly with Saltwater crocodiles but is saltwater tolerant. As an adult its diet consists of birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and fish. This species can be found in areas where Saltwater Crocodiles cannot and are known to inhabit areas above the escarpment in Kakadu National Park and in very arid & rocky conditions (such as Katherine Gorge, where they are very common and relatively safe from saltwater crocodiles during the dry season.) That being said, they are still consistently found in low-level billabongs, living alongside their larger evolutionary cousins.
This species, until recently, was common throughout much of northern Australia, especially where the much larger and far more dangerous Saltwater Crocodile is not found (such as more arid inland areas and higher elevations) but in recent years the population has dropped dramatically due to the ingestion of local populations of the invasive Cane Toad. The toad is lethally poisonous to Freshwater Crocodiles (although strangely harmless to Saltwater Crocodiles) and is rampant throughout the Australian wilderness. The crocodiles are also infected by Griphobilharzia amoena, a parasitic trematode, in regions such as Darwin, Australia and Irian Jaya.

© Gunther Deichmann - impressive... interesting vegetation and
texture at the main entrance to the Oceanarium, this Outdoor area
houses also the Philippine Crocodile.

Inside the Oceanarium.

© Gunther Deichmann - some very interesting and educational
life displays, Embryos still in the Eggs.

Experience a slice of ocean life! Enjoy a 25-meter walk along an underwater tunnel and experience how marine animals interact with each other in their natural habitat.
So off we went today to check it out; my verdict not bad for Manila and certainly an education on Marine life for children and adults alike. If you plan a visit make sure you pick a weekday as the crowd can get quiet heavy on weekends, or in the morning it is not so bad either.
I guess it is still fairly new so you can expect a lot of visitors for the time being, getting some clean shots with my camera was almost imposable, but then I had the boys with me, defiantly a priority today.

© Gunther Deichmann - Brandon checking out the Lion fish in
one of the big display tanks.
Available light since flash photography is not allowed.

We took our time and spend some 2 hours wondering around checking on various critters and of course the highlight been the large Rays and Sharks.

© Gunther Deichmann - cruising overhead in
the Tunnel area a large Ray

The Nikon D700 was set on 1600 ISO, another great test drive, the shots came out OK with except able noise at this high ISO setting, the most difficult part was to get clean shots due to the large crowd. All images taken with available light, like with most other Oceanariums and Aquariums, flash photography is not permitted.
Now the Boys went to sleep and I am sorting out today’s take in Aperture 2, Twitter has left already via the Plug in.
All the images have been processed in Aperture 2 and have not been altered in any way or using another software.
However two of the indoor images have been treated with the Aperture 2 plug in, Noise Ninja.
As for the Nikon D700, I am impressed again!

© Gunther Deichmann - educational electronic touch
boards are through out the main display area

From an educational point of View…not bad and a good start in the Philippines, creating awareness to the public of our fragile Oceans.
The commercial shopping mall and Restaurant areas need for sure some more improvements, I found this part disappointing.
Also the boot ride to view some of the larger animals from the top was way to expensive for the given 10 min. this is actually a waste of money and time, you’re better off to spend more time below in the Aquarium area.
Lets keep in mind, this is all very new, and construction is ongoing for more facilities including a Hotel. The Oceanarium is for sure worth the visit and a good way of educating your children about our marine life, this part is well done and quiet impressive.
You can’t or should not compare it with Oceanariums in Japan, Australia or in the US, but it is a good start for Manila.
GD

“7000 images later, a Journey Through
Rajasthan, India… Aperture 2 & beyond…”

The Fine Art Prints!


Fine Art Photo Prints from Rajasthan, India at the recent
Photo Exhibit at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila during the Event
- A Taste of India -

I prepared the selected digital images in Aperture 2 using my calibrated Apple Cinema screens getting them ready for delivery on my portable hard drive. Additional adjustments where not necessary, they reproduced absolutely perfect just like the original from the screen.
Further more OneWorkshop guarantees the archival quality prints, they are certified for their fade resistance.

A big enlargement graces the wall at the PMC, Photo Exhibit at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3, Makati, Philippines some of the images from Rajasthan will be on display from June until the end of July. During this time we have also some Seminars, Workshops & Consultancy on Aperture 2, for more details check with the Power Mac Center.
For questions and special requests, you can call 729-7087 or 88,
or email us at training@powermaccenter.com
http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php

More Photos on display at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3, if you in the area check out also the Multi Media presentation on the Apple TV set-up.

My advise:
Do not perform major color adjustments on your Laptop, instead work on a good quality & calibrated screen for you final output. You never look back or regret if you invest in a high quality Monitor or Screen they are vital for accurate color renditions and fine-tuning.
Thanks again to Ross Capilli & Rick for an excellent Job.

See below some information on the archival printmaking services:

Masterpiece Giclée
OneWorkshop,Inc. is providing the Visual Arts Community, Photographers, Museum Administrators, Gallery Owners and Art Collectors with digital archival printmaking services, using the Giclee (pronounced “zhi-clay”) Printmaking method.
Giclée Printmaking has opened up a whole new set of creative and economical opportunities for both the artist and artist photographer. We invite you to learn more about these opportunities, so we can show you how you can maximize the value of your art by making reproductions using the most cost-effective means. We use only top quality 7 & 8 color-Archival Inks on a wide selection of Archival Fine Art Papers or Canvas that you may choose from in our studios.
Giclee prints are advantageous to artists who do not find it feasible to mass produce their work, but want to reproduce their art as needed, or on-demand. Once an image is digitally archived, additional reproductions can be made with minimal effort and reasonable cost. Another tremendous advantage of giclee printing is that digital images can be reproduced to almost any size and onto various media, giving the artist the ability to customize prints for a specific client.

2241 Ground Floor La Fuerza Plaza II Don Chino Roces Ave corner Sabio St. Makati CityTel (632) 8192074 Telefax (632) 8105094

Tweet...Tweet... & Aperture 2

I had the Twitter plug-in for Aperture 2 for quiet sometime but only recently during some Twitter exchanges I thought to have a closer look at it.
The world is twitting like crazy now…some very good stuff but there is also some real rubbish out there, I guess that applies to just about everything with today’s technology.
But lets not get to hyped up about it, what is good and bad; filtering is the keyword read what you like and ignore the other stuff, at least we have a choice.
Now to the Twitter Plug-in for Aperture 2, is it useful or just a waste of time?
Easy to install and easy to use…but when and how?
For example; you traveling and get this great image a real scoop, you easily upload this image and have it on Twitter in no time direct from within your Aperture 2 Project and let the world know.
This maybe great for News Type related events, e.g. Iran right now, but you still have to have a connection no matter which way you turn and twist.

You can also use the Twitter plug-in to share images with your friends & family, keep them informed, letting them know where you are and this can be fun.
However you do need to have your original file in your Library or have access to your external Hard drive if you have stored your images as reference files otherwise you cant send them via Twitter. You can’t Export your image using the Previews, of course you can work around this, but then why use Aperture in the first place if this is the software you’re using while on the road.

In short the Twitter Plug-in could come in very handy but using it everyday I don’t think so. You can also use it to direct traffic to your Blog or website e.g. announcing New Images or a new Gallery on your PhotoShelter site etc.,
Try it out and install it, definitely fun to use and you never know when you have this scoop of a photo you like to share with the rest of the world on Twitter.
GD

QT file approx. 7MB, best viewed using a
Broadband/DSL connection
Leading up to the Power Mac Center Event... 7000 images later, Aperture 2 & beyond I have produced a Presentation in Keynote using GarageBand for the soundtrack.
I converted the Keynote presentation into a small Quick Time file to give you a small Preview on the Net, join us at the Power Mac Center for more on Aperture 2 & beyond. Watch the high resolution Keynote presentation & all the other things you can do on a Mac using your images from Aperture 2.
GD

Also on YouTube NOW in higher resolution,
click here or the Logo.

A Journey Through Rajasthan India...
how to cope with 7000 images after
the shoot, plus the integration on the Mac.


Poster production using Pages from iWork ’09
creating a pdf file for final printing.

June & July ’09 Aperture 2, a Power Mac Center special, Images from India on display through out the Store plus get the chance to win a limited edition Book (available in August ’09) with the images from Rajasthan, India... entirely produced using Aperture 2 plus a lot more.

Photography & Aperture 2 Training/ Free Seminars & WORKSHOPS at the Power Mac Center incorporating Keynote & Pages from iWork 09 ...plus a little GarageBand using the iPhone as a Recorder.

The Seminars: An introduction to Aperture 2 the workflow after the shoot and the things you can do with your selected images using iLife ’09 GarageBand and iWork ’09 working with Pages and Keynote plus a lot more. How to use Aperture when traveling, things to watch out for.
Total integration using the Mac.

The Workshops: Travel Photography and Aperture 2, tips and tricks while on the road plus the integration on the Mac using Pages and Keynote from iWork ’09 the possibilities after the shoot. Tips when you’re on the road using your Mac and Aperture 2.
How to record traditional music when you’re miles from nowhere by just using your iPhone and mixing sound tracks later in GarageBand for your slide shows and Keynote presentations.

Consultation on Aperture 2: Trouble shooting, performance improvement, ideal set-up & storage solutions, choice of Hard Drives, how to back up your images and any other Questions you might have to make your workflow easy using Aperture 2 after the shoot.

For questions and special requests, you can call 729-7087 or 88,
or email us at training@powermaccenter.com
http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php

June 19 - 6:00PM to 7:00PM (seminar)
June 27 - 3:00PM to 5:00PM (workshop)

July 10 - 6:00PM to 7:00PM (seminar)
July 18 - 3:00PM to 5:00PM (workshop) 

FREE Consultation on Aperture @ PowerMac GB3 Store
July 4 , 25 and 31 please check with the Power Mac Center for the Time.

A Journey Through Rajasthan India...
7000 images later.


Created with iWork ’09 using Pages
How I work with Aperture 2 & deal with 7000 images after the shoot, visit my Seminars and Workshops at the Power Mac Center in Makati, Greenbelt 3, see the dates below.

June 19 - 6:00PM to 7:00PM (seminar)
June 27 - 3:00PM to 5:00PM (workshop)

July 10 - 6:00PM to 7:00PM (seminar)
July 18 - 3:00PM to 5:00PM (workshop)
For questions and special requests, you can call 729-7087 or 88, or email us at training@powermaccenter.com
http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php

The Seminars: An introduction to Aperture 2 the workflow after the shoot and the things you can do with your selected images using iLife ’09 GarageBand and iWork ’09 working with Pages and Keynote plus a lot more.
Total integration using the Mac.

The Workshops: Travel Photography and Aperture 2, tips and tricks while on the road plus the integration on the Mac using Pages and Keynote from iWork ’09 the possibilities after the shoot.
How to record on the road by just using your iPhone and creating real sound tracks later in GarageBand for your slide shows and Keynote presentations.

For a change... India in Black & White...
from the Car Window.


© Gunther Deichmann - Bikaner Rajasthan India, April 2009
No fur...the Camel had no fur, Camel hair is used in Rajasthan for carpets
and other materials he must have been just to the “Barber shop”

I just love the Aperture 2 Monochrome Mixer converting Color to Black & White but the subject needs to be right.
I am known for my strong colors and contrast, but occasional I convert images to Black and White due to their nature and subjects.

© Gunther Deichmann - Just Eyes...Bikaner Rajasthan India, April 2009

Aperture 2 makes it very easy and I have explained the process on numerous occasion in my Blogs. I thought I share with you today some images which I felt where perfect for the conversion, again these shots have been taken from The Car Window one of my favorite shooting techniques when traveling.
The Images are taken in the Desert Town of Bikaner in the Thar Desert, Rajasthan India, April 2009.
How I work with Aperture 2 and deal with some 7000 images after the shoot check out my Seminars and Workshops at the Power Mac Center in Makati, Greenbelt 3, see the dates below.

June 19 - 6:00PM to 7:00PM (seminar)
June 27 - 3:00PM to 5:00PM (workshop)

July 10 - 6:00PM to 7:00PM (seminar)
July 18 - 3:00PM to 5:00PM (workshop)

For questions and special requests, you can call 729-7087 or 88, or email us at training@powermaccenter.com

http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php

© Gunther Deichmann - these children where not begging they just walked
up to the car to check me out... Bikaner Rajasthan India, April 2009

Join me on a Journey through Rajasthan using Aperture and the Mac, how to create slideshows, Keynote presentations with sound from GarageBand recorded on an iPhone, prepare and produce Flyers and Posters using Pages
from iWork ’09.
GD

Rajasthan’s colors on the road & the
amazing Architecture... seeing is believing.

© Gunther Deichmann - along the road near a small
village near Bikaner, Rajasthan

Havallis are large mansions that were built and lived in by either wealthy merchants or favored ministers.

You find Havallis throughout Rajasthan but in Mandawa they are very special, here you see Havallis with amazing paintings in great details on the outer walls.

© Gunther Deichmann - the back of the BHANWAR NIWAS a Heritage Hotel in Bikaner, it goes without saying... if you in Bikaner you have to spend the night at this truly amazing place. www.bhanwarniwas.com In some of my future blogs I introduce you to the interior of this Hotel.
Today, the world comes to this storybook town to see its colorful frescoes on every subject under the sun, that is, ranging from the religious to the erotic; from copies of popular English prints to witty social satire, rendered in the inimitable style of the local artist. And perhaps the best place to discover the legacy of Shekhawati is from the comfort of Castle Mandawa, a fortress, now converted into a luxurious heritage hotel.

© Gunther Deichmann - a well preserved Havalli in Mandawa, Rajasthan India.

I forgot who told me during my visit to this amazing town, apparently Mandawa and Venice in Italy are the only two places in the world showcasing this type of paintings on the outside walls... a real outdoor Art Gallery.

Mandawa In the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan is the beautiful small town Mandawa, known throughout the state for its forts and havelis. The structures of this place reminds one of the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be in the bygone era.
Mandawa was settled and fortified in 18th century by the dominant merchant families of the region. The wealthy businessmen of the village constructed many havelis and baolis with colored painting adorning their walls. Later on, with the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Despite the time lapse and ignorance about these visual and architectural extravaganzas, their attraction did not fade and today they are some of the major attractions for the visitors to Rajasthan.
For the latest images on Rajasthan in India please go to my selection upper right hand side on this Blog or click this LINK http://www.deichmann-photo.com/page2/page2.html
More Images from India and Rajasthan are also on my PhotoShelter Gallery
GD

Photography & Aperture 2 plus a Taste of India
during the month of June and July in Manila &
Makati Philippines.


Image above: Taken at the Spice Court Hari Bhawan, Achrol House Jaipur
Thanks to Kuldeep Singh and India Tourism in Rajasthan for a fantastic lunch.
If you pass through Jaipur make sure one of your stops is at the
Spice Court, the food is out of this world.


http://www.incredibleindia.org/

Lets talk about food; Indian cuisine has always been one of my favorites, I like it a bit spicy and exotic and Indian food is just that. You have to try some of those vegetarian dishes; just thinking about gets me hungry. Too spicy? Don’t worry you can always ask the Chefs to keep it mild, but the taste…oh boy.
During my recent visit to India I sampled the real Indian cuisine, now the Hyatt Hotel is bringing you the taste of India to Manila.
At the same time some of my Images from India will also be on display at the Hyatt Hotel during the flavors of authentic Indian cuisine at the Market Café. But that’s not all, we also have some seminars at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3 during the month of June and July.
For more details contact the PMC at: http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php

Aperture 2 & beyond… 7000 images later, a Journey through Rajasthan, India.
I talk about my experience on the road, the workflow and how to deal with large number of images after the shoot, but most important the things you can do with your images using the integration on the Mac, you be amazed by the possibilities.
Eg. producing a Book using Aperture 2, creating your own flyers and posters using Pages from iWork ’09, making Keynote presentations and using your own sound recordings from your iPhone and mixing it later in GarageBand.

June 19 - 6:00PM to 7:00PM (seminar)
June 27 - 3:00PM to 5:00PM (workshop)

July 10 - 6:00PM to 7:00PM (seminar)
July 18 - 3:00PM to 5:00PM (workshop)

In the meantime you can check out some authentic Indian cuisine at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila, for more info see the Press release from the Hyatt Hotel below:

“A TASTE OF INDIA” AT MARKET CAFÉ
4- 21 June 2009

From 4th to 21st of June, “A Taste of India” brings the diverse and varied flavours of authentic Indian cuisine to Market Café at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila in the form of popular dishes from north India that will spice up the sumptuous buffet.
The hotel has invited Chef Ashwani Kumar and Chef Chandramani Geeband, two chefs from The Leela Kempinski Hotel and Residences in New Delhi to create an explosion of Indian spices for a truly splendid culinary feast.

Delight in the appealing tastes and textures of Tandoori Chicken, one of the most popular Indian roast chicken delicacies, Paneer Ki Khurchan, Murg Ka Parcha, Subz Ka Palao, Seekh Kebab and more. Find yourself indulging in unlimited Subz Biryani, Navrattan Pulao and luscious mouthwatering desserts, all for the same price as the regular buffet – just PhP1,388 nett per person for lunch and PhP1,518 nett per person for dinner.
Discover the distinct flavours and unique taste of India exclusively at the Market Café at Hyatt Hotel and Casino Manila.
“A Taste of India” is supported by Business World, Manila Bulletin, Foreign Post, What’s On Expat, 105.1 Crossover, RJ 100, Magic 89.9 and The Leela Kempinski Hotel and Residences.
For further enquiries or to make a reservation, please call 245 1234.

The Colors of Rajasthan India continuos...


© Gunther Deichmann - “I been watched”
Jodhpur Rajasthan India , April 2009

Since my return from Bangkok and the TDEX show I have been working on my project from India, but a lot more work has to be done, I post some more details during the month of June. To view some selected images from India click this LINK or go to http://www.deichmann-photo.com/india.html

By end of next week you find also the final details on our upcoming GD Photo-Workshop on my
GD Photo-Workshop Site, already booked participants however will receive an email within the next few days with all the information.
We are almost fully booked, so if you’re interested please contact me ASAP, final closing date for bookings will be June 22, 2009.
As mention previously in my Blog, this GD PhotoWorkshop will go beyond Angkor Wat and for the first time we have included the Tonle Sap Lake and some other interesting places seldom visit by Tourists.
“6 nights and 7 days from the 13th until the 19th of September”
Please subscribe to my Blog & stay tuned for the final details shortly...
GD

The last frame...


© Gunther Deichmann, looking across the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok at 8:00 PM
Nikon D700 - ISO 6400 - F: 5.6 -
using the Nikon VR 24 to 120 Zoom, handheld at a 1/4 of a second.

On my last day in Bangkok I took the opportunity and shot some frames across the Chao Phraya River which runs through the heart of Bangkok using my Nikon D700 at ISO 6400, lets call it “The last frame”. Amazing how the Nikon D700 can handle this type of situation, even at the high ISO the noise is acceptable. Of course not for huge blowups, but good enough for the web or smaller reproductions in print, and if it gets too noisy at even higher ISO (24000) then we can always resort to Noise Ninja a separate Plug-in for Aperture 2.
GD

Sunday the 17 of May, the last Aperture 2 seminar in the open area at the Thailand Dive and Travel Expo, a very interesting crowd and some photographer even brought their MacBook Pro’s with them. The scheduled one-hour basic Aperture 2 seminar turned into a serious two-hour session.

Later in the week I also caught up with my long time friends, well known Photo-Journalist John Everingham and Chris Ryan in Bangkok, talked about the good old days and chatting way over a few beers overlooking the Chao Phraya River which flows through the heart of Bangkok.

Tony Wu’s Sunday Seminar on Underwater Photography at TDEX

Tony is getting ready for his Underwater Photography Seminar

Even a Buddhist Monk showed up at the TDEX...thinking about going diving?

After the show we carried on until the early hours in the morning at our Hotel Coffee Shop

John Everingham, GD and Chris Ryan, cooling of with some
Beers at the Chao Phraya River

This is the nice part about Travel Photography catching up with old friends and making new ones, tomorrow it is back to Manila where I have a lot more work to do on my India Project...but more on that later.
Special thanks again to the organizers from the TDEX and of course to Mean and Aye from Fins for making my stay in Bangkok so enjoyable.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - yesterdays sunset from our Hotel Roof
Sukhumvit Road Bangkok

As you might know I am currently in Bangkok attending the TDEX show with my good friends from FINS, I have to admit I am pleasantly surprised at the show and the attendance, it is quiet a crowd.
For an in depths report you have to check out the FINS website at: http://www.finsonline.com/
there you find the latest Blogs, Videos and information from this years TDEX show, plus a lot more.

© Gunther Deichmann - the crowd at the TDEX Bangkok, Thailand

The Fins Team is working non stop conducting live interviews which will be featured on their website, I keep myself busy with some Aperture 2 Seminars on Saturday and Sunday explaining the basics on Aperture. What is Aperture 2 and how it can help you in your Photography.

Sharing a last minute joke with Mean from FINS, before the start of my
Aperture 2 seminar. Mean did a great job with all the translations for our Thai audience

Tony Wu a world class underwater Photographer is having his own Seminars on basic Underwater Photography and how to light your subjects below the waves.
Check out Tony’s stunning underwater images at: http://www.tonywublog.com/

© Gunther Deichmann - Tony Wu during his Underwater Photography seminar

I keep this blog short today, have to run for my Sunday session on Aperture, but before I do I like to take this opportunity and thank Fins and the TDEX organizers for inviting me to this truly great show in Thailand.

Aye explaining some equipment from Light & Motion,
Underwater Housing and Lighting equipment

The FINS Team hard at work, from left: Tony Wu, Mean and Aye

Once I have returned I post some more images and stories from this years TDEX show in Bangkok.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Pushkar in Rajasthan of all places...
you never know what you come across in India, from holy
and sacred Rats to Pink Floyd “Wish You Where Here”

It is done & much sooner then I expected… the Taj Mahal & Rajasthan high res.Images are now available in my PhotoShelter Archives and can be viewed in two NEW Galleries. This was made only possible in such a short time with the integration & speed of Aperture 2 and PhotoShelter…

The NEW Galleries:
1. New! 100 selected images only; some of my personal favorites from the Taj Mahal & Rajasthan, here is the direct LINK
2. New! A broader selection of over 400 images from the Taj & Rajasthan and the Thar Desert, the direct LINK

If you’re searching for particular images, use the search field option implemented on all pages on my Web site or at this Blog (Stock Photos Search Archives, upper left hand side). You always find the latest image PhotoShelter Galleries at the top left hand side in my Gallery collections.
There is still some more work to be done, fixing some captions, detailed descriptions and uploading some additional images… the Rats are also not there yet. (Remember from my previous Blog on the sacred Rats) More updates will follow shortly.
I have to admit burning a bit of Midnight Oil the past few days going through thousands of images, but now it is out of my system. The images are safe and sound in my PhotoShelter Archive, plus I done all my other backups too.
The only thing missing now is to update my main website with the new category “India” this will be implemented by late Tuesday this week.

Just one more...


© Gunther Deichmann - no explanation required...

Now I have to get ready for my trip to Thailand to the TDEX (Thailand Dive & Travel Expo) only a short trip, I am back in a week. In the next few months I make an announcement in regards to my recent trip to India, so please stay tuned,
I know…my suspense again…

Again, special thanks to all my Guides, Drivers and Hotels who made my journey a save and enjoyable one.
Shroff International Travel: http://www.shrofftravel.com/
India Tourism: http://www. incredibleindia.org/
Rajasthan Tours: http://www.rajasthantouronline.com/

I have also prepared some articles on the Hotels, Food and other special things from my Journey trough Rajasthan, they will be available soon on this blog.
GD

I have seen colors I thought didn’t exist…



© Gunther Deichmann - Pushkar Rajasthan India
Click on the image and go to the first Gallery from India
If you still see the Bali Images you might have to refresh your Browser to view the new Gallery.

I managed to do it… thanks to Aperture 2 the main editing has been done and I am uploading most of the images in high resolution from my recent trip to India as we speak into my PhotoShelter Archives.
Very soon a Gallery is available with some of the best images from this truly amazing Journey through Rajasthan in India and of course the fantastic Taj Mahal.
The pressure has been on because I am leaving again next week for Thailand, I have been invited by the Organizers and Fins Magazine to give some lectures on Aperture 2 during the TDEX Show, (Thailand Dive & Travel Expo) for the dates on the Aperture 2 seminars click this LINK.
I am looking forward to catch up with old friends again, like Tony Wu, Aye and Mean from Fins, plus I have the opportunity to shoot some more images in Thailand, which I need for my seminars a couple days later.
I know some of you have been waiting to see some more Images from India including the Taj Mahal, so I have prepared prior my next departure “Rajasthan & the Taj Mahal India” Gallery on this Blog. Click this LINK or the image above & check out the small Gallery.

I only selected 30 images at random, a complete Gallery with many more images will be available on my PhotoShelter Gallery very soon, just give me a few more days.
We are also adding a new Category to my main website “India” with 14 very special Images, this one will be up by early next week.
Now enjoy a journey through vivid colors and experience a little bit of Incredible India.

Please note:
All images are in their original version non of them have been altered or modified in Photoshop, they have been exported to PhotoShelter and to my Blog from direct within Aperture 2 in low and high res. versions.
Adjustments used in Aperture 2: Raw conversion, cropping, straightening, contrast, minor white balance adjustments and of course some sharpening, plus I occasionally adjusted the shadows and highlights using the Highlight and Cold Areas.
However color may vary from one Computer screen to another on the Web, the colors are very rich and at times unbelievable, but then that is Rajasthan, my main reason to go there, it is truly awesome.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Thar Desert Rajasthan India, April 2009

From Delhi to the amazing Taj Mahal in Agra, then to Jaipur – Jodhpur - Pushkar – Manvar – Jaisalmer – Bikaner – Mandava - & back to Delhi.
Plus a little side trip to Deshnoke 30 Kms from Bikaner, to a 600-year-old temple dedicated to Karni Mata. It plays host to thousands of rats, the rats are considered sacred and worshipped.
An amazing Journey with colors beyond your wildest imagination… a Photographers paradise but also a “nightmare”. There is so much color around you and it can get very difficult to isolate your subjects… “You almost go color blind.”
Oh, and I should mention the fantastic food…but that is another story, but it is so good…

In the next few weeks I share with you some of the amazing sites and colors, but today I like to take the opportunity and thank all my Guides and Drivers for an excellent service and providing me with a save journey through out.
My special thanks to India Tourism and Rajasthan Tours in Jaipur for providing me with an incredible inside into Rajasthan, with out their help and assistance this Journey would not have been possible.
Thank’s to Shroff International for taken care of all my travel arrangements from Manila, Philippines.
I am going to post images and information from each area in the weeks to come and I advice you once the new images are uploaded on my main Website and PhotoShelter Archives.
My Nikon’s (D2X & D700) performed fantastic through out the whole trip and I loved shooting with the D700, both Cameras performed great. Even under the harshest condition like in the Thar Desert coping with 42 degrees heat, dust and sand.
The MacBook Pro with Aperture 2 performed equally great, Aperture 2 never let me down and managed the 7000 plus images like a breeze, I honestly don’t know what I would have done without.
I have also recorded with my iPhone some traditional Music from the Thar Desert people which I mix later in GarageBand for some Keynote presentations.
In the evenings I imported and captioned the images, working with reference files using two external Lacie hard drives, then reformatting the CF Cards for the next day.
I guess that is it for today; need a few days rest, but soon a lot more, including some incredible images from India including the Taj Mahal.
GD

Jaipur - Rajasthan India...


© Gunther Deichmann - Jaipur Rajasthan, India

I have arrived in Jaipur - Rajasthan very sleepy from the long journey and the incredible heat this time of the year but I could not resist to share this image with you. Not many words tonight, but this place is just out of this world.
No matter which way you turn or twist...color, color and more color.
It is very easy to fall into the trap and shoot blindly where ever you go, a sheer paradise but you need a lot of discipline to get the right subjects...not an easy task in Rajasthan.
I took the image above on my way into the town of Jaipur, but there are so many others and I do have some very cool surprises or too waiting... you know I love my suspense.
Tomorrow another early start to some more remote places in the area, now I get a few hours rest and if all goes well I be in touch again soon.
A big thanks to Aperture 2 which enables me to do all my editing fairly fast everyday, don’t know what I would have done without it. By the way the Nikon D700 is performing just fantastic and I mean fantastic.
GD

Part of your Import Panel
Don’t leave it blank on import!
It will only take a few moments to fill out and since you’re at the location everything is still fresh in your mind.

Planning Your Import Strategy
A few days before my departure I sit down and clean my MacBook Pro of all those things which I don’t need to bring, in other words cleaning out my Libraries including the iPhoto one and store all this other stuff on my external hard drive I keep at home.
Preparing Aperture 2 prior my Departure
I know where I am going, right.
Have done all my research with the help of Google Maps and other resources, so I know my prime destinations and some specific locations.

I create a Project and name it India for this exercise since it is my next destination very soon.
Then I prepare in advance some Albums or even Smart Albums like;
Cities, People, Culture, Animals etc., plus I always create one for Generic this is for all those images that you don’t have time for or they are difficult to integrate at the time.
Since I have done my research and I know already some places where I am going to be for sure like; India, Delhi, Taj Mahal, Jodhpur etc. I add all those Keywords already; of course there will always be more to add during import everyday but this way you spend less time on your computer and more in the field shooting.
Which brings me to another point; don’t put things off, add as much information during Import as possible it is only a few extra minutes, everything is still fresh in your mind, plus you have some locals around you who could assist in the right spelling of local names etc.

Drop down menu in your Preference Panel,
set your Preview size for import.

I work in the field with two identical Lacie 360 Gig Rugged Hard Drives and import all my images as reference files, the second 360 Gig Drive is a back up for the first one lets call them A & B.
It is also a good Idea to set your Preview settings not to large, a good resolution for viewing is “Fit within 1024 X 1024”
During Import and if activated Aperture 2 creates Previews and Thumbnails at a setting you can specify in the Preference Panel under Previews. If the setting is too large, “Don’t limit or 1/2 size” you clog up your Hard drive again.

The Basics on Import
When you import from a camera or card reader, Aperture places the images in a project. If you don’t select an existing project, a new one is created automatically. As Aperture imports images, it generates a version file and an image thumbnail corresponding to each master. You can import masters directly from a camera or card reader and from your hard disk drives. When you import images, you can choose whether to have the masters stored in the Aperture library or on a hard disk outside of the library, where they can be accessed as Referenced images.
As you import images, you can have Aperture automatically name and record information about them. Aperture can assign filenames using custom naming conventions, as well as record metadata such as captions, keywords, dates, copyright and credit information, and IPTC information. You can even set Aperture to stack related images together, keeping bracketed shots or a series of shots taken in quick succession in groups that you can easily select and work with.
Happy Travel...
GD
http://www.gdphotoworkshop.com/home.html

“Siem Reap, Angkor Wat & beyond.”

This is only the initial announcement, all other details will be posted upon my return from India towards the end of May.
If you’re interested you can contact me and reserve your space without any obligation for the time being, final bookings have to be made by latest August 15, 2009. With only 8 to 12 max participants I recommend you make your bookings early, just click this LINK: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/contact/contact.php
GD

Screenshot - left hand side red rectangle shows the Smart Album click on the very small magnifying Glass far right to activate the Smart Settings pop up window for all your ratings, upper red rectangle 5 Star ratings.

You might ask how come I don’t start at 1 and work my way up? Again this is entirely up to you, but for me it is the first impression of any image that counts, something that turns me on from the first time I see it, besides everything is still fresh in my mind. Of course you can always create other smart Albums later and have your 4,3,2,1 and rejected images shown.
Going through thousands of images has never been easier, thanks to Aperture, hence the reason why I seldom use Photoshop these days, definitely NOT for editing.
What takes literally minutes in Aperture 2 can take days in Photoshop even if you use Bridge.
An Overview of the Aperture Rating System
After finishing a shoot, photographers typically review their images and determine which ones are worth working with. While a “yes or no” judgment of an image can work for a small selection of photos, with a larger collection of similar images that show small variations, photographers need an organized method of noting which images are superior shots, which deserve further review, and which are poor quality or rejects.
A simple and effective rating system can help photographers quickly narrow the focus of the selection process.
Rating is a simple process with powerful results. If you can easily identify 100 out of 500 images that aren’t going to work, removing these images reduces your workload by 20 percent. Rating and thereby reducing your workload can save you a considerable amount of time.
Aperture provides a system for rating images from Select to Reject. The easily
decipherable image ratings appear on the images themselves as overlays. Positive ratings appear as stars; you can rate images from one to five stars, with five being the highest, or Select, rating. A negative, or Reject, rating appears as an X.
The process of rating an image can be as easy as selecting an image and clicking a rating button in the control bar to assign a rating to the image.
You can also use keyboard shortcuts to quickly assign or change ratings.
You can quickly review and rate images one after another with speed and efficiency.
You can also select and rate multiple images at once. You can review and rate images in the Viewer, Browser, and Light Table, as well as in Full Screen view. When you’ve finished rating images, Aperture allows you to sort images according to their ratings.
You can use the Query HUD to hide or show images of a certain rating. For example, after an initial rating pass, you can set the Query HUD to show only those images that
are rated one star. You can then closely inspect and further refine your selection or begin an adjustments pass. Aperture is preset to hide images that are rated Reject, so you may need to change the Query HUD settings to see rejected images.

Rating Images
Aperture provides a set of seven possible image ratings:
Five stars, or Select
Four stars
Three stars
Two stars
One star
Unrated, or neutral
Reject
Rejected images appear with a white X overlay. Positive ratings appear with white star overlays. If no overlays are displayed on the image, the image is considered neutral or is not rated. You can rate a single image or apply a rating to several images at once.
Rating Individual Images
You can quickly rate a selected image with the rating buttons.
To rate an individual image:
1 Select an image.
2 To show the control bar, choose Window > Show Control Bar (or press D).
3 Click the rating buttons in the control bar to assign a rating.
To assign the highest rating to the image: Click the Select button.
To assign a rating of Reject: Click the Reject button.
To increase or decrease the image rating: Click the Increase Rating or Decrease
Rating button.
Note: As long as the image is selected, you can change its rating.
4 To select the next image, press the Right Arrow or Left Arrow key, or click the Previous
Image or Next Image button in the control bar.
You can also apply a rating to several images at once.
To apply the same rating to multiple images at once:
1 Select the images you want to rate.
2 Click a rating button, or press the keyboard shortcut for a rating.

For those of you who are using Aperture 2 already check out the PDF manual (part of the Aperture Software) for more options and selecting multi images for ratings.
GD
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

Red Square lower right corner, activating and de-activating
the Quick Preview Mode if this button is activated it changes color
to Yellow.

Use Quick Preview Mode for; rotating Images during import, Lift and Stamp your Metadata, Star Ratings, Keywords etc. But to provide accurate feedback, image- processing function requires a view of the original pixel data, which you don’t get with Quick Preview. This is the reason why a lot of the adjustments tools are not available to you when Quick Preview is activated.
Experiment with the Quick Preview button, find out how it improves your speed in editing thousands of images without time delay and if you wonder why you cant make certain adjustments then just click and deactivate the Quick Preview button. As for me, one of the best new additions in Aperture 2, much faster editing and not only during import.
GD
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

http://www.apple.com/aperture/action/

Aperture 2 is a powerful and easy-to-use digital image management system that can track thousands of digital images and provides the advanced photographer with high-quality image management and adjustment tools. Designed for the needs of professional photographers or serious amateurs.

Not only that, Aperture is the perfect companion in the field providing you with all the editing tools you need and by the time you get back home from a trip your work is almost done. There is always some down time in between flights or the weather goes real bad and you have to spend time in your Hotel room. With Aperture 2 editing on the road has become so much easier now. By the time you reach home you have already added the captions on import, done your keywords, ratings and applied some adjustments like straightening and cropping.
1. Advanced RAW workflow: From capture to output, you can work with your images captured as RAW files, without having to first convert them to another format before viewing, adjusting, organizing, or printing them. Aperture supports RAW formats from leading digital camera manufacturers (including Canon and Nikon).
2. Flexible image management: An open library structure lets you store photos anywhere you want. You can have Aperture either store image files in the library or simply link to image files in their current locations. This is very useful if you have excisting images on differnt hard drives and now make the change to Aperture. You can also have Aperture link to your iPhoto Library without copying the images
into the Aperture library. Aperture can work with photos stored on any number of hard disk drives and other storage media. You can catalog and search for images that are stored on multiple hard disks, including offline volumes, CDs, and DVDs.
3.Professional project management: Aperture allows you to manage thousands of projects and provides flexible organizational tools, comprehensive metadata support, and powerful search tools that let you find files instantly.
4. Nondestructive image processing: Designed to protect your images from the moment they’re imported, Aperture identifies your original images as digital “masters” and has built-in safeguards to help ensure that you don’t accidentally overwrite or modify them.
5.Versatile printing and publishing: Working directly with your RAW images, you can create color-accurate prints, custom contact sheets, stunning websites, and unique bound books with tools that are intuitive and powerful.
After you’ve finished working on your images, you can use Aperture to export them as files. You can export these files to another application, send them to a printing service or to your clients via email, or publish them on the web.
You can export your images in several formats:
including JPEG, TIFF, PNG, and PSD file formats and during export you can rename, resize, and adjust images and include EXIF information, IPTC information, or other metadata. You can also apply ColorSync profiles and watermarks to files you export.
With Aperture, you can easily create and present slideshows of your images. You can use slideshows to review images with clients, present a series of final select images, or present your images to audiences complete with background music, which you can also create in GarageBand (part of iLife’09)
What better way then finishing the day at the Resort Bar and show of your images with your Dive Buddies or Friends over a glass of Wine or Beer.
Setting Up an Aperture System is easy.
Setting up the hardware for your system can be as simple as connecting your camera or card reader to your computer. You can also set up a system that uses external hard disks and color-calibrated displays.
Download the Aperture 2 trail version and check it out, you want regret it, however if you get stuck Apple provides you with some cool videos (http://www.apple.com/aperture/tutorials/) plus some other useful links below.

Gunther Deichmann: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html
Aperture User Network: http://www.apertureprofessional.com/

Gunther Deichmann
Apple Pro Certified Trainer for Aperture 2

Integration on the Mac...Photography & Aperture 2,
iLife + an introduction to iWork ’09

Created with iWork ’09 using Pages...

Join me on March 20 - Photography & the Integration of Aperture 2 on a Mac & on March 21- iLife 09 Workshop with iWork ’09.
All sessions will have computer set-ups for your hands-on guided sessions and training starts at 1pm-3pm
Please make your reservations at the Power Mac Center, limited Computer set-ups available, these are additional and special workshops and not necessary listed on the Training Center announcements.
Go to the registration page @ http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php
For questions and special requests,
you can call 729-7087 or 88,
or email us at
training@powermaccenter.com

Triple “T” - Tips, Tricks and Techniques.

In the first week of March 2009 we saw a lot of new Software and updates; Pixelmator from my previous blog, BurnTo Disc (my Blog today), Apple announced a few days ago a new Digital RAW Compatibility Update and yesterday we received an iLife Support update, iPhoto, Airport Client and Airport Utility.
I beginning to wonder when the next Aperture 2 update will surface, at present we are on 2.1.2
But now to my topic of today:
The Commercial or Resort shoot is over, you've edited your images and updated your vaults or external drives, but how do you send copies to your client, or share them with your friends?
Email or uploading them on your FTP, iDisk or Web Gallery are one of many options from within Aperture 2.
You could also export your Version or Masters on to your Desk top, then use Toast or your Burn folder to burn CD’s or DVD’s but that is more complicated, why not go direct to BurnToDisc within Aperture 2.

Here is the scenario; the client needs to have some shots right there and then before you leave your Tropical Paradise. Just before you leave for the airport you present him with a CD or DVD of the selected images from the shoot and you both have a big smile on your face.
Believe me, this happen to me on many occasions and I am sure it will happen again, hence the reason that I always carry some DVD’s or CD’s with me.

BurnToDisc is an Aperture Plug-In that simplifies the process of exporting your images and burning them to DVDs and CDs for sharing, archiving or off-site storage.
Disc names are automatically generated from user-defined elements such as disc number, image number, export date and project name.

For each exported image, you can specify multiple image sizes, multiple image formats and on-disc folder placement for the images.
The cool part is that the Export options which you’re so familiar with in Aperture 2 are also at your fingertips when using BurnToDisc …in other words, a very simple process.
To allow for varying workflow scenarios, any number of named export configurations can be saved, and then later recalled for use. At a price tag of US$ 49.95 it is not the cheapest plug-in but for sure one of the better and more useful ones.

Below are some excerpts from the BurnToDisc PDF Manuel:
(only a few) For more details go to:
http://www.blueroomsoftware.com/BurnToDisc/
ApertureBurnToDisc.html


Introduction
BurnToDisc is an Aperture Plug-In that simplifies the task of exporting your images and burning them to recordable media, such as CDs and DVDs. While the default installation will have you burning discs in just a few clicks, complex layouts of differing image formats, sizes and folder hierarchies are also fully supported.
Export Sessions
When you select a collection of images from within Aperture and invoke BurnToDisc via the Burn Masters To Disc... or Burn Versions To Disc... menu item, a new Export Session is initiated. Export Sessions are responsible for converting and resizing images, creating the appropriate on-disc folder hierarchies, generating disc and images names, and burning discs.
The configuration of an Export Session takes place in the Export Setup Panel:
Export Configuration Template Examples
Below are some example use cases that showcase the flexibility and power of Export
Configuration Templates:
• Organized By Project: The user wants to archive master images, placing
them into folders with names that correspond to the Aperture Project with
which they are associated.
• Thumbnails: A photographer is required to submit to his client a disc with
both high-resolution TIFFs and 300 x 300 pixel JPEGs of each image. The
large images must be in a folder called images, while the small images
must be in a folder called thumbs.
• One Of Everything: The user wants a JPEG, TIFF and PNG for each
exported image, and place them in folders named jpeg, tiff and png,
respectively.
Plus a lot more…
GD

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

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

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

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

Note: I work exclusively with reference files and keep all my Projects on external drives as well, backing up everything in the field with two identical hard drives. Back home I then transfer all my files and Projects to my Mac Pro storing everything again on my Raid system for back ups, only then I delete the Images on my portable Hard drives.
GD
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

Apple announced today the RAW Support for the New Nikon D3X

Apple today released the latest Digital RAW Compatibility Update, adding the Epson R-D1x and the Nikon D3X to the extensive list of digital camera bodies and backs supported by Aperture 2, iPhoto ’08, and iPhoto ’09. You can obtain the Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 2.5 by selecting Software Update in the Apple menu or from the Apple support site.
http://support.apple.com/downloads/Digital_Camera_
RAW_Compatibility_Update_2_5?sr=hotnews

Put your Mouse Cursor on the Toolbar hold down the control key (ctr) and click on the Toolbar a small dropdown menu appears, now select Customize Toolbar and a large window appears with all your tools.
Select which Icons you like to be part of your everyday workflow and drag those into the Toolbar customizing everything for your personal preference. You can always go back to the default toolbar later, just drag it back.
You can choose also from; Icons only – Icons with text – text only. I recommend for newcomers to Aperture 2 to select Icons with text, easy to remember in the beginning and once you get up to speed with Aperture 2 you can use the ones only with the Icon or text giving you more space in your Toolbar.
GD
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

Correcting a washed out & over-exposed image
using the Aperture 2 adjustments...


© Gunther Deichmann - Raw and not corrected image using the Nikon D700
for the Tutorials and how to apply correction on an overexposed Image please
click on the image above or use this LINK.
You might have to refresh your Browser to view the new Tutorial.

It is not easy sometimes as a Pro to make things go wrong on purpose especially when using the new Nikon D700.
A few weeks ago I ask my son Brandon to sit on the Stairs outside our apartment with this beautiful light streaming through the window.
I thought, hey this is a good exercise for bringing back the highlights in Aperture 2, so I shot some correct exposed images but also on purpose overexposed some for today’s session on how to bring back the highlights using Aperture 2.
Highlight Hot & Cold Areas came in very handy in this exercise, (you find this in theView panel ) for the applied adjustment details go to the GD Photo Tutorial Panel upper left hand side or click this LINK. There you can compare the images in large side by side.
After all my corrections I converted the image also into a nice Black and White using the Green Filter this time.
Please remember the images can look different on other screens this is only a guide for the exercise.
Before we go into all the details I like to give some praise to the Nikon D700, excellent performance in any light condition, yes I have done some test shots already at 6400 ISO and that just blew me away, but more on that later.

Original image shot in RAW, see below the order of adjustments in Aperture 2.
Sharpening: 0.92
Edges: 0.82
Exposure: -1.63
Recovery: 1.49
Black Point 0.08
Shadows: 5.9
Changing from Color to B&W using the Monochrome Mixer and added the Green Filter
GD

Tags: Triple "T" tips, tricks and techniques, Tutorials, Aperture 2 Training

“Elevator Blues”
But where is Eric Clapton? Guitars out side the Lift
at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Manila

It was during a Coffee Break that my good friend Arnold and myself stepped out of the Lift and almost fell over this cool line up of Guitars. “Arnold...the only thing missing is Eric Clapton,” as it turned out there was a major rock secession in progress in one of the Ballrooms, sorry folks no Clapton, John Mayall or even Bob Marley otherwise I would have not gone back to my meeting.
This strange scene reminded me of a song by Ten Years After...
”The Band with no Name”
I could not resist and pulled out my constant companion the little Leica D-Lux4 and shot some frames, remember in one of my earlier Blogs never leave Home without it, (the camera that is) even when you have to attend a meeting you never know what is around the next corner or outside an Elevator in this case.

This image triggered todays blog and a very short introduction to the new GarageBand ’09, now you might ask what has that to do with Photography or Aperture 2?
Actually a lot!
Let me use the magic word again Total Integration even with music...create your own sound easy and feel good about it that it is yours and has not been copied from someone else. GarageBand is perfect for your Slideshows, Keynote presentation and of course your very own Podcast, the Media Browser is always right there.

The New look when you open GarageBand ‘09

I like the revised and new interface a lot, simple and clean and for those who like to learn an instrument GarageBand’09 has now some very cool tutorials guiding you step by step through the learning process for Piano or Guitar.

GarageBand’09 and the Media Browser right at your fingertips

Check out the new GarageBand ’09 play some Guitar tunes and create your very own music for all your presentations, GarageBand’09 is super cool and a big improvement from its previous versions. GarageBand’09 is part of iLife ’09 which also includes iPhoto, iDVD, iWeb and the cool new iMovie.
GD

How do I do this? Select a folder with the images or create a new one with the images you like to use for the Book, then click on the Book icon, you can choose between auto flow or manual adding the images, you still have the option to move them around after they have been placed.
Once you happy with your Book layout you click on the slide show icon add all your effects, music etc. and go to Export or Share.
Now you have a Book for printing (check on the help menu for specs and more details) and a slick slide presentation, having a similar look then your Book.
Now a few new additions in iPhoto ’09; Places Powered by Google, (cool Maps)Face recognition the stuff everybody is talking about, get your images direct into Flickr and Facebook without leaving iPhoto.
Add a smart Album just like in Aperture 2 or create your Mobile Me Web Gallery all of this and the improved interface makes the new iPhoto ’09 a ripper… my only “worry” …what is going to come for Aperture 2 down the road, this could be very interesting.
Talking about integration with iLife and iWork ’09, it is almost “scary” how they worked all of this to perfection.

I have only scratched the surface on the new iLife and iWork ’09 but continue my test drives with both and bring you up to speed in due time.
GD

Screenshot with the poster in Pages from iWork ’09
but there is so much more...

I always loved iWork in particular Keynote, I do just about all my presentations with this cool software with endless possibilities to choose from and using Pages when I am in a hurry and need to create something with…Pages.

What is the difference between ’08 and ’09 iWork…well unless I don’t go to sleep tonight I can explain all the new things to you, but I must rest sometimes too.
Don’t worry in due time I give iWork ‘09 a very good test drive, however I can tell you this much; major improvements, awesome new Templates for Pages and super cool ones for Keynote... a lot of new ones. In short I am impressed, no wonder that the recent reviews on both products iLife and iWork ’09 have been very good and getting 4.5 + star ratings.
Why do these products work so well you might ask? It is the perfect integration on the Mac which makes all of this possible, no matter where you go the Media Browser is always around, hence the reason why I am as a Photographer love iWork and iLife, I have access to my Aperture 2 and iPhoto Libraries get into my GarageBand, iTunes and Videos without ever leaving the software.
Dont forget the iPhoto and Aperture 2 Seminar at the Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3, Makati on the 21st of Feb. from 6 to 7PM
GD

February 2009, Seminars at the Power Mac Center,
Greenbelt 3, Makati, Manila
TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY & APERTURE 2
plus iPhoto and APERTURE 2

For bookings and more information click this LINK or the screenshot above.
For questions and special requests,
you can call 729-7087 or 88,
or email us at
training@powermaccenter.com

Perfect for recording and interviews in the field, taken notes has just become so much easier.
As the name suggests, iTalk and iTalk Sync work real well together, the perfect combination.
Ok.enough sweet talk…say you walking around those amazing Temples in Cambodia with their strange names or you just hanging around a side walk Café, now you use your iPhone and start recording, OK that is nothing new. But now you’re back at your Hotel start editing and Caption your images from the days shoot. Mmmhhhh, what was the name of this Temple again?

Easy, you synchronize your iPhone with your Lap Top and start up iTalk Sync, the recordings from the day are now on your Desk Top or place them in iTunes, it is that easy. But It gets much better, since you gave every recording a name or added additional text to it, a small text file is also attached and parked right next to your sound file on your Desk Top. You can open this text file in Text edit, and you’re ready for copy and paste into your Aperture Metadata, plus you have all the additional info in your sound recordings.

The transfer from the iPhone to Computer is wireless, OK. if no Wi-Fi is available you can always play back the recording and work on your caption manual and transfer everything later when a connection is available, but at least you have a nice recording with all the information.

The aiff and the text file on your Desk Top

I mention in my earlier Blog some of the other cool Applications for the iPhone, but this one is super cool, and set the quality of your recordings is available too.
iTalk is US $4.95 and iTalk Sync is for free, you can download iTalk Sync from this LINK and install it in your Computer. You can buy iTalk from the Apple Store and download it straight into your iPhone.
GD

Using iTalk Sync is simple and straightforward, below are some details, a text file which is part of the Software.

When you run iTalk Sync, it will immediately scan your local Wi-Fi network to find any iPhone (or iPod Touch 2G) that is running iTalk. So make sure your iPhone or iPod is awake and talking to the network, and is running iTalk. (Henceforth, all instructions referring to "iPhone" should be understood to apply to iPod Touch 2G, as well, unless otherwise noted.)

If iTalk Sync finds more than one iPhone, it will show you a list. Double-click on the name of the iPhone you want to connect with.
Your iPhone will show you a message that your computer is attempting to connect with it. Press Yes or No.
When you okay the connection, iTalk Sync will show you a list of the recordings stored on your iPhone. To transfer the recordings to your computer, simply use your mouse to drag them out of the list and onto your desktop.
Your recordings will be transferred as high-quality AIFF files, which you can play in iTunes or in most other media players. iTunes will give you the option of burning your recordings onto audio CDs, or converting them to a different format such as AAC/MP3, for use with portable music players.
You may want to convert your files; in general, AAC/MP3 files take up less storage room than AIFFs. If you plan to edit your recordings further, keep the original AIFFs and convert a copy of the edited version as AAC/MP3.
http://www.italksync.com/

Tips, Tricks & Techniques... “TRIPLE T”
plus “Food for the iPhone”


© Gunther Deichmann “Food for the iPhone” cool Applications

Lets start with Aperture 2 before we start “cooking” with the iPhone...
Applying Sharpening...which one??? We have two sharpening options in Aperture 2 Edge sharpening and Sharpening. I get always asked why should we sharpen images anyway or most of the time and if so which one do we use.
Most if not all DIGITAL CAMERAS producing a softer image, hence the build in sharpening controls in today’s cameras.
So how come we don’t or I should say I don’t use these? My Camera settings are all set to normal, because it is very difficult to judge from the LCD screen how much or how little sharpening to apply.
I have set all my sharpening parameters in Aperture 2 and since I know my Cameras I perform all the Edge or Sharpening in the Computer using my standard settings.
Of course these can vary from one Camera Model to another, you have to experiment a little to find out which settings works for you best. My recommendation experiment with some of your images and don’t worry you can always go back to your untouched Original, that is the beauty about Aperture’s non-destructive editing.

Aperture’s Sharpening Adjustment does a good job, but it can also get you into trouble.
SHARPENING sharpens everything in your image including nose from darker images found in low light images. If you apply this on Portraits this can have some unpleasant results. Where as in Landscapes and normal exposed images this could look Ok.
Aperture’s EDGE SHARPENING controls lets you apply subtle sharpening effects to only the edges in your images.

Press F to enter Full Screen mode, and then press H to bring up the Adjustments HUD.
(to apply any sharpening you should view your images at full screen mode) Now place your cursor at the area you like to sharpen and press Z to zoom to 100%
Press Control-S to add an edge Sharpening adjustments. Edge Sharpening searches for edges by identifying areas of sudden contrast change.
Try a quick experiment and deactivate Edge Sharpening controls group by deselecting it, and then add normal Sharpening adjustments. Set the intensity to about 0.6 and the radius to 3.1. now you will noticed the difference due to the Global sharpening.
Of course since Aperture 2 we have also our New Dodge and Burn Controls.

Screenshot of Dodge & Burn Panel

In Aperture select IMAGES and on the drop down menu choose Dodge & Burn then on the small drop down window (red square) select Sharpening, choose your brush size and strengths and apply your Sharpening on selected areas only.

This iPhone application is truly one of the better ones, very practical and useful, now I have arranged all my most frequent and important Phone Numbers, no more scrolling and searching just touch and go or should I say call…
http://www.hotchiliapps.com/

Hot iPhone Tip from Hot Chili Apps

Want to call, mail or sms to your preferred contacts with just one touch? Would you like to create your own buttons choosing photos, color, text and add symbols ? Than comcenter is the right app for you. Comcenter is a speeddial/speedmail/speedsms application where you can create your own buttons. Choose a background color with the color picker, take a photo and resize it, add a symbol and manipulate it in size, angle and color. Use text, chose a font, align it and see in a big and a real size preview if you like it. Add phone number or mailadress from your adressbook and even name your button...more at http://www.hotchiliapps.com/

Screenshot of this cool application

For our German readers they have provided the info in German too.:
Würden Sie gerne Ihre Freunde und Kontakte mit nur einem Fingertip anrufen, eine Mail oder eine SMS schicken ? Würden Sie gerne Ihre eigenen Buttons entwerfen ? Mit Ihren Fotos, Hintergrundfarben, Texten und Symbolen ? Dann ist Com Center genau die richtige Applikation für Sie ! Com Center ist eine Speed-Dial / Speed-Mail / Speed-SMS Applikation die Sie ganz individuell gestalten können mehr @..... http://www.hotchiliapps.com/?p=132

Tags: iLife '09, iPhone 3G, iPhone Applications, iTunes Store, Tips,Tricks, Techniques,Tutorials

© Gunther Deichmann - catching the Light...

Take your Camera for a walk...where ever you go; with the family, to meetings, functions or just for a stroll in the Park with your Dog, a Compact one is sometimes good enough, because you never know what crosses your path.
The other day, I walked out of my Apartment and my Son Brandon was jumping up the stairs, beautiful late afternoon light streaming through the window lighting the staircase. I ask him to run up the stairs just one more time so I can capture this magic moment.
I used a slow shutter-speed to emphasize on movement, taken with my little Leica D-Lux 4, processed in Aperture 2 without enhancements, this was natural light at its best.
The following day I attended a function and during my visit to the Toilet “I spotted two famous Photographers inside”, Herb Ritts and Richard Avedon with two famous and classic images. The light in the frame and photo by Herb Rits reflected like an Eclipse in Time Laps.
So, there you have it, never leave HOME with out it...
GD

Shooting Kinski, Avedon and his famous 1981 Vogue portrait of actress Nastassja Kinski entwined with a boa constrictor. For the story on the shoot and Richard Avedon click this LINK

Herb Ritts began his photographic career in the late 70's and gained a reputation as a master of art and commercial photography...
for more on Herb Ritts click this LINK

“Triple T” Tips, Tricks & Techniques

Is the iPhone3G our Digital Swiss Army Knife?

In many ways it has become almost that, with the exception of “chopping up firewood, repairing the toilet seat or fixing the car”, but at least you have a Phone to call, text or email the repairman.
With so many applications to choose from we get really confused what is useful and what is not. I admit I am not really into all those Games but a few of them are pretty cool.
Yes, I did download some games, he, he…and when I am traveling in a Taxi and get stuck in one of those real Traffic Jam’s I get the iPhone out check my email and afterwards play some games or listen to my favorite Blues music. The only drawback; my Kids love the Games and I have to keep an Eye on my Phone these days.
Pick an application to suit your needs and if you into Games…
Wow the choice is just awesome.
Most of the Applications the iPhone comes with I like, but I am not going into great details with those today, I rather look at some of the other Applications I found useful and having them all in my pocket now is just great.

Using the Dual Level Application in
my iPhone on a Tripod

Now to Aperture 2 & the iPhone3G... a quick tip:

If your preference setting is set to open Aperture when a Camera is connected watch out… Aperture 2 opens up and tries to import all photos you have taken with your iPhone, as a Pro I found this a bit irritating.
You can work around this, don’t import and close Aperture, you can always change your settings in your Preference panel later.
But what I do like is having the ability to import my images all or selected Albums from my Aperture Library just like you would do with your images in iPhoto. See the screenshot below, nice integration again, I talk about this a lot more in one of my future “Triple T” Articles.

Some Applications for the iPhone I like...
Dual Level and iHandy level, the later one been free of charge
Quick Voice for recording in the field, very handy
Cambio your conversion tool kit, will do almost any conversions
Translater for all your language barriers and the list goes on and on.
More recommended Application in my future “Triple T” articles.

Say you need to shoot a building or even some Landscapes, you’re in a hurry and forgot your level which you normally use on the hot shoe of your Camera. We seldom forget our Cell Phones! I found this need little application for the iPhone very cool and it can get me out of the Jam. Use it also to keep your Picture frames straight at Home or at your next Exhibition, this one is real handy.

Then we have all these cool GPS gadgets for our travel, some of them with a compass,
Check out gpsCompass at the Apple store.
Know where you are and where you are going with this gpsCompass application for the iPhone 3G.
Using Apple iPhone’s Location Services, this application displays a GPS compass and common GPS data fields to help you find your location and track your movement.
Important Note: gpsCompass does 100% of its calculations based on consecutive GPS coordinate readings. With the exception of the pure Longitude, Latitude, and Altitude, all other displays, especially the compass, require the unit to be in motion, and outside.
Go to the Apple Store for all Applications and more details:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/appstore/

For our Underwater Photographers and Divers check out this cool Dive Planner;
See below recent Review in MacWorld
Review: Dive Planner for iPhone
Simple tool gives scuba enthusiasts electronic alternative to dive tables
by Rob Griffiths, Macworld.com
Both my wife and I are certified scuba divers... Dive Planner works well, and it’s a heck of lot easier to read and use than any dive table I’ve ever seen.
Sure, dive computers are more powerful, more popular, and used by nearly everyone now. While Dive Planner won’t replace dive computers for complex plans, it works quite well—much better than dive tables—for simple dive calculations, and at $3, it’s quite the bargain.
Dive Planner is compatible with any iPhone or iPod touch running the iPhone 2.0 software update and got a Mouse rating of 4.5
Have fun,
GD

Click on the screenshot above and go direct to GD Photo Tutorials

I have noticed recently more people experiment with Black and White images, I guess it has become a lot easier these days with all those different software’s available to us. In this case I prefer the Color image and I only used this image to demonstrate the different Filters in Aperture 2.

Polaroid and Film is on the way out but Black and White Photography has become more and more popular in the digital age.
In the old days it was a lot more time consuming and required a lot of skills in the Darkroom messing around with Chemicals…Developer…Fixer and the Stop bath words and terms seldom used today. I remember when I used to spend hours on end in the Darkroom exposing sheets and sheets of paper under my old Durst Enlarger.
Now we use the Computer, the days of the Enlarger and Chemicals are gone.
I am very much of a Color person and seldom shot Black and White in the past but appreciate the techniques and art form, creating good black and white Prints is not easy even with today’s software and technology. Are we ever get the magic of Masters like Ansel Adams with the software of today…I am not sure but I know we can create some pretty good images and prints.
Software like NIK Silver Efex Pro Plug-in for Aperture is fantastic (I run a test on it)
and give you some amazing results, but for a price. Unless your majority of work is B&W no need to go this far, plus there are so many other out there including PhotoShop.

The Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2 does a pretty good job and is perfect for restoring old and washed out color images.
I described this in details in one of my earlier Blogs with some rare images from Australia.

Now a word of caution, don’t convert everything into B&W, creating the image in the first place is the key and more important. Not all images work well in B&W, a good understanding on contrast and composition is vital for good B&W Images.
Try and set your Camera on B&W and shoot without the need to convert later,
learning and understanding Black & White.
Many, many moons ago I sometimes load two cameras one with Black and White the other one with Color, now it has become so easy.

Aperture allows you to change your color images to Monochrome (B&W) using the Monochrome Mixer with build in Filters. Just like in the old days when we used different color Filters in front of our lens shooting B&W to achieve different effects or increase contrast. Aperture has those same Filters, my simple tutorial will show the difference between these filters and the effect they have on the Image.

Click on the screenshot above and go direct to GD Photo Tutorials

In the Adjustment Panel click on the + marked with a small red square this will open a drop down menu scroll down and you find the Monochrome Mixer.
Once you converted your image into B&W the Monochrome Mixer Controls show up large red square. Click on the little arrow small red square and a drop down menu appears with all your color filters. Now you can start experimenting with your images and dont worry your color image will stay as is, Aperture creates another version and never touches your original image.
You have the choice of: RED - ORANGE - YELLOW - GREEN - BLUE and some manual controls for more fine tuning.

Festive mood in Makati, this image was taken during my Coffee break just outside the
Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3, Dec. 29


© Gunther Deichmann - Leica D-Lux 4

I have just completed my last training session in 2008, this time for the staff at the Power Mac Center on December 29, 2008 Makati, Greenbelt 3, Manila.
Please stay tuned for more exciting training schedules in 2009 like: Fundamentals of Mac OS X Leopard, iLife: iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto, iWeb and GarageBand. Simple trouble shooting techniques for your Mac plus iWork: Keynote, Pages and Numbers.
Of course I am going to be around for some more on Aperture 2 and Photography in 2009.
Check this Blog for information or go to http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php for all the details in 2009.
Now I like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and a real fantastic 2009, take good care of YOU and our ENVIRONMENT.
PS. I be posting shortly some new and interesting Tutorials in my Blog section: GD Photo Tutorials
GD

Power Mac Center: Staff training with GD on Aperture 2, Dec.29, 2008


Power Mac Center: Staff training by Junior Tan from Apple Singapore, Dec. 29,2008

Afternoon delight...

You remember my recent article about the new Leica D-Lux 4 being a perfect little companion in the field or for the weekend snapshots of the Family, a camera you can carry around with you all the time.
Well, the other day I returned home and as I walked in the Corridor towards my apartment I saw this great light streaming from the windows and my youngest son Brandon was sitting there reading his comic book.
I took a quick light reading and pressed the shutter, the original was in color (no time for changing the setting to B&W) imported this time a JPG file into Aperture and used the Monochrome mixer to change the image to B&W.
Today I open Pages picked a theme and had this real nice image framed and ready for todays Blog. Since then I have taken quiet a few images with the Leica and I share them with you later.
GD

The Leica D-Lux 4 with the attached optional Viewfinder

OK. I have to admit not a cheap Camera but when it comes to Quality no need to say anymore. The only draw back at present is the Raw format it is not supported yet by Aperture 2, but I am sure Apple has this fixed very soon with a new software update.
How do I convert the Raw files now? Leica has supplied Capture One and that seems to work fine for the moment. Of course it is not Aperture 2 but it is Ok for the time being until we get an update for Aperture. I hope very soooon…..
I had very little time in Singapore to give this little black beauty a good test drive but I am really impressed from what I have seen so far. I love the very easy to use controls; fast response time, large LCD Screen and the first images I have taken on the Snap Shot Mode came out fantastic in color and sharpness.

The view out of my Hotel Window...through the glass and straight out of the Box in the late afternoon, shot on Snapshot mode and no image adjustments applied only straighten and resizing.
A super cool black viewfinder with 24 mm brightline frame can be attached to the flash shoe of the Leica D-Lux 4, enabling the photographer to view his subject without using battery power.
The mode dial let’s you select from Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Program mode, Manual exposure (real great), plus option for two Custom settings there is also a Scene mode plus a motion picture mode.
The camera is also prepared for photos in HDTV format: By connecting the camera’s HD port to a HD television set with optional component cable, slides can be shown in high definition.
A cool Marco Mode of subjects as close as 5cm, manual focus and so much more, in other words this little marvel has a lot of power and possibilities maybe that’s why it is called the “Son of the Leica M 8” a perfect little companion in the field or for the weekend snapshots of the Family.
Apple, please hurry up and upgrade Aperture 2 with the Leica D-Lux 4 Raw conversion.

PS. In the next few days I also give you a first hand impression on the Nikon D700, which has now replaced some of my older models.
But I can tell you that much already…a great Camera and I can imaging what the new Nikon D3X is going to be like after I had my first gentle drive with the D700, more on that in a few days.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html
GD

Tags: Leica D-Lux 4, Compact Digital Cameras, Apple Singapore, System Engineers, Aperture 2.1.2, Nikon DSLR D700, Nikon DSLR D3X

Book now for this special 5 hour intensive training, get to
know Aperture 2 & make it work for your Photography.

Aperture 2 and Photography Workshop at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt Makati November 29 & 30, 1pm to 6pm at GB3 Training Center.
Only a limited number of seats are available for this Workshop, please make your reservations early, thank you.
This workshop is for serious amateur and advance Photographers, for details and early bookings please contact the Power Mac Center.

For questions and special requests,
you can call 729-7087 or 88,
or email us at
training@powermaccenter.com
or go to our website at: http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php
GD

We have just performed another major upgrade on my PhotoShelter Archive...now with a custom HOME PAGE easier navigation and some other alterations. But here is the cool part; now you can search my entire archives direct from my site with Keywords, just type in what you looking for and the images show up. Eg. Ayers rock Australia - plus we added a new button on this Blog left hand side just above FEEDBACK & CONTACT Stock Photos Search Archive we also changed the look and added some helpful info how to find images.

Here is a quick tip how to find Images fast and easy if you using our new Search Archive option.
Most search engines are not case sensitive but beware of spelling mistakes.
If you misspelled a word, no images or only some will appear for e.g. you entered more than one Keyword like: milky way, Palau, Micronesia but you spelled it “milky wey” then only some images or non will appear. Consider also that words such us Color v. Colour could affect your search results.(English v. American spelling)

PhotoShelter made it easy now and has included an advance search option as well, you find that at the top bar at my customized Home Page
So be careful with you’re spelling, but if you not sure and I know there are some exotic names out there you can always type in the Country or go to the Gallery which contains all the images and subjects.
You find the button Link to all Galleries also at the Stock Photos Search Archive.
PhotoShelter has added so many new cool features like an Embed your Gallery, it is like a YouTube look very nicet if you need to show your latest images to your agency or Client. I will feature this cool NEW addition on my next Blog.
They have also included a very flexible customization for your HOME PAGE but this one needs some html knowledge, I guess you can always ask your webmaster for some help.
How is all of this work with Aperture 2? Fantastic if you ask me, uploading direct from within Aperture 2 is easy.
Scenario; I have to visit my client and during the meeting he ask me if I have this shot from Ayers Rock with clouds...do you have a connection I can use? Sure... and a few minutes later I can show him all the images.
Now if that is not cool then I dont know what is, besides I could be anywhere in the world uploading my latest images from within Aperture
notifying my agencies and Clients, that is real speed and efficiency.
GD

There will be an intense Aperture 2 and Photography Workshop at the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt Makati for November 29 & 30, 1pm to 6pm at GB3 Training Center.
Only a limited number of seats are available for this Workshop, please make your reservations early, thank you.
This workshop is for serious amateur and advance Photographers, for details and early bookings please contact the Power Mac Center.

For questions and special requests,
you can call 729-7087 or 88,
or email us at
training@powermaccenter.com
or go to our website at: http://www.powermaccenter.com/training.php
GD

• Canon EOS 50D
• Nikon D90
• Sony DSLR-A900
• Nikon Coolpix P6000

Denpasar market area, Bali
© Photo by Hermes Singson - Bali October 2008

Oh boy what would we do without our trusted Photography Assistant on a commercial shoot.
It is extremely valuable to have an Assistant around during commercial Photography; I have been blessed by one of the better ones who has been with me for a long time. Reliable, trust worthy and a great companion when on the road.
However, Assistants get very little chance to take their own images during a commercial shoot, there is never enough time.
Hermes has developed a great eye for details and takes the opportunities when they arise, but never interfering with our main Job and Duty.
Shooting some images behind the scene or when he gets a spare moment, which is not often on commercial assignments. During our recent trip to Bali he found a little spare time to create some images for himself and these I like to share with you today.
To be different he took only Black & White and came up with some cool stuff.
See below some Images by Hermes Singson, shot in Bali behind the scene or when he found the time.

From left: GD at work - and Cafe Wayan Bali

From left: Coffee maker from our room - Toothbrush in Hermes Room
© Photos above by Hermes Singson - Bali October 2008

It was also the first time that he really got into Aperture 2 using my MacBook Pro for some pre editing and by the time we got back home a lot of our work had been done.
He prepared some smart Folders with different subjects and edited the images according to star ratings, he marked what he thought was good with 5 stars, I checked later again reducing the images further by hitting
4 and 3 stars, very simple and efficient.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
GD

Testing the TV’s before the final presentation

Using Aperture 2 for the editing, Keynote for the Presentation and Quick Time for the conversion to a high end DVD then burning it with Toast Titanium.
I exported my edited images (Versions) from Aperture 2 using JPEG – 50% of the Original Size, which in this case was more than good enough.
Now I open Keynote picked a Theme added the selected images and some transitions, and send the complete presentation to Quick Time at the highest settings.
Once the conversion was done I burned the DVD in Toast Titanium activating the Loop option since the DVD had to run non-stop.
GD

O-CE-N @ http://www.o-ce-n.com/

Remember when we exported the Projects over to the Mac Pro? All Previews, which had been generated from the start during import from our recent trip, are still on my MacBook Pro until I delete them. I selected the requested images and send them a few seconds later via Mail direct from within Aperture 2, here you have additional option for the images size; small, medium or large.
You can also drag them on to your desktop and send them as attachments via Mail or use any other mail server.
I can keep thousand of images in a good jpg resolution on my laptop without clogging it up to much. My resolution setting for Previews is: 1440x1440 which I find is good enough, go to your Preference Panel and choose what preview size you like.
Note: Try to avoid using 1/2 size or don’t limit Previews unless you have a lot of Hard Disk Space and a fast MacBook Pro.
Later and once the client made his final selection I can send the high res. files via FTP or use the ever so useful MobileMe Web Gallery.
As for me, I am going to have another cup of Coffee now, Dream about Bali and I guess one more Donut won’t hurt.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
GD

Photo by my Assistant Hermes Singson - back Home again...
you might notice the small orange Lacie Drive in the background
containing the Projects from our last Journey to Bali.

Another question I have been asked by Photographers and some of my students.
How much editing I do on the road?
Well, as Photographers we should spend more time behind the Camera, but the need or should I say the urge sometimes get the better of us…eager to see the images on a larger screen.
Edit as much as you are comfortable with and if the weather turns bad do some more…it is much more fun looking at your creations then watching TV in the Hotel Room.
The screens on the MacBook Pro and MacBooks are very good no question about it, however for fine-tuning and more precise color correction I use the Apple Cinema Screens which I do calibrate from time to time.

Of course if you need to send images to Magazine Editors whilst on the road you have no choice but to do some editing. With the right info supplied the editors or the art department should have no problems in dealing with the images depends on the requirements, you could send high jpg or tiff and if they request RAW files go ahead
and send them.

I only tweak the exposure, some raw fine-tuning, cropping, straightening and some other minor adjustments when using the MacBook Pro on the road. The big advantage is to have all your Meta Data in place before you get home, complete caption and keywords. (IPTC) I Choose IPTC Basic or Expanded this is quiet sufficient and quick before the final import, if you need to add more info later no problems you have all the options. Now is also the time to get rid off some rejects you don’t need to import, e.g., the Camera went off by accident, you select all for import and deselect the ones you don’t need by holding down the Apple Key and click on the rejects.

Here is my daily routine whenever possible… I apply caption, copyright, and major keywords on import that is when your import panel is available straight after you insert your CF Card. (you can set the opening behavior for Aperture 2 in the preference setting so that Aperture opens as soon you insert the Cards).
All your images have now the basic info, this way you save a lot of time, plus the advantage that all the images from the days shoot are still fresh in your mind, easy to apply keywords and captions.

Don’t put things of for later, Aperture 2 almost begs you to do it now. The cool part about Aperture 2, once you have transferred all your images over to your MacPro all the adjustments and Meta Data and what ever else you have done on the road is still there, a very big time saver.

Advise…do not delete files or reformat your Mobile Hard Drives right after you have imported your Images or Projects, wait until you have made another back up on one more external Hard Drive running of your MacPro. Once you have done this go ahead and clean out you Mobile Drives and get them ready for your next trip.

http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Happy faces at the
Denpasar Market, Bali Indonesia

I thought I better get another Blog post out today, who knows if I have a connection in the next few days since we are moving Camp and to get these recent Blogs out took some 3 hours already. For those of you who have not seen it before I have included the image below…

A very simple but super effective setup with two Lacie 160 Gig Hard drives, daisy-chained, thanks to their triple interface. (One USB, One Fire Wire 400 and one Fire Wire 800. Use only the fire wire for this setup, Daisy-chain the 400 and use the 800 for your Card Reader.)

A fast 800 Fire Wire San Disk Card reader and a few blank DVD’s and CD’s just in case.
I named the Lacie Drive A and Drive B. On Drive A I store all my reference Images and keep my MacBook Pro Drive nice and clean, and Drive B is purely for backing up Drive A. By the way the Room Menu usually comes in very handy as a Mouse Pad.

The setup - Photo by Hermes Singson

You can use a variety of software’s for your back ups, I have been using in the past the SilverKeeper which comes with the Lacie Drives when you buy them, but I have switched recently to Personal Backup X4 from Intego, a very simple and reliable software.
Back home I transfer all my Projects to my Mac Pro including all my adjustments and Metadata.
This set up has saved me so much time over and over again, I can do some editing in Aperture right from the Hotel room and once back home a lot of my work is done already.
A word of caution the Lacie Drive uses the power from the MacBook Pro so you better make sure your Machine is fully charged and I advise that you carry a spare battery.
My Battery is fairly old now and I can only keep the charge for about one hour, previous test have shown me that on a new fully charged Battery you can work for about two hours plus.
GD from Bali
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html
PS. I prepare more images from Bali on my MobileMe Web Gallery once I am back Home where I have a faster connection.

Tags: Backing up,, Personal Backup X4 , Intego

© Gunther Deichmann - “Reflections” Bali Indonesia October 2008

Aperture 2 has proven itself again with the speed and efficiency I even get some sleep these days.
The images on todays Blog have been taken on our first day in Bali at Kuta Beach right across from the OUTRIGGER and O-CE-N Bali (outrigger.com) you might think that the reflections have been created in the computer…definitely not! These are all straight shots from the Beach. NO PHOTOSHOP manipulation and enhancements,
from Aperture 2 direct to my blog pages.

© Gunther Deichmann - “Reflections” Bali Indonesia October 2008

In the coming days I share with you some interesting images…from Fossils to iPod uses and some more abstract images from Bali.
The Journey continues with color and reflections…
Cheers from Bali,
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - “Reflections” Bali Indonesia October 2008

Tags: Bali Kuta Beach, Reflections, Surfing Beach

© Gunther Deichmann - Bali Temple Door

My long planned trip to Bali Indonesia is just around the corner, I am leaving on Friday the 3rd of October and be away for some three weeks shooting a variety of things. More on that later, please forgive me if my blogs getting a bit thin during the month of October but I do like to spend as much time as possible behind the camera.
Lucky for me, my travel companion is Aperture 2 on my MacBook Pro hooked up to my triple interface 160 Gig Lacie Drives which is going to make my job a lot easier and faster plus a lot of extra storage. I guess I be shooting a lot more since I found out that the Asian Beach Games are held during the later part of my visit.
But the real reason for my travel to Bali? I let you know later...another suspense.

Aperture 2.1.1 never leave Home with out it...

Bali Indonesia...A World first...Asian Beach Games
18 - 29 October 2008

Indonesia will make history from the 18th — 26th of October 2008 when it plays host to the first Asian Beach Games in the world. Bali will become the venue of this international event which will see 45 countries participating with over 10,000 athletes, officials, media and volunteers all flocking to the Island of the Gods for this world class event.
For more information visit http://www.bali2008.com/

Tags: Bali , Indonesia, Asian Beach Games, athletes, World first , Island of the Gods

Hi Brian,
I am trying to work something out for you. But you are correct there is actually no way that we can make some changes to the Themes in the Aperture Web Journal and Pages, however I have heard that you can import your own design but let me check on this a bit more.
I am not using the Web Journal and Web Pages in Aperture very often, I am using the MobileMe Web Gallery for my work and have my own site created outside Aperture 2.
I guess Aperture was never really intended to do major web work which is understandable but then we never know what comes next, hopefully in the near future we get to see more in Apertures Web Pages and Journal.
Remember a few years ago we couldn’t do anything like this, but since have come a long way, seldom leaving the application to perform other tasks.
I am using Rapid Weaver for some web work and Blogs, very cool software and no need to know html and RW has full html capabilities if needed. Rapid Weaver works real well with Mac (designed for it.) Here is the link to the site.
http://www.realmacsoftware.com/rapidweaver/
Cheers Gunther

Since then I have received another nice input from Martin Gisborne, Aperture Product Marketing Manager.
A company called Jumsoft makes custom themes for Aperture… you could try checking out their site http://www.jumsoft.com/aperture/
Maybe there is someone else out there with some additional info for Brian and others,
or maybe our friends at Aperture User Network AUN can shine some more light on this issue.
GD

Tags: Web Journal

Your browser doesn't support JavaScript or you have disabled JavaScript.

Tags: Aperture 2 Training, Makati Manila, Late News

Screenshot above:
Marked with red the drop down menus for Themes, Set Master Page and Book Action (there you find the Auto flow unplaced images) and the Print option where you find the Preview (use this for the Screenshot) and all the other pdf formats you ever going to need.

Play around with the Book option, even if you don’t produce a complete Book right now and you find there are a lot of things you can do, use a small number of images first and experiment.
Lets call it “Discover Aperture & find the hidden Treasures”
Lets be honest, with most applications you have to experiment a bit and soon you discover things which you cant find in the Help menu.
Open Aperture and select the images you like for your “Book” then click the Book Icon pick a Theme (the screenshot shows the Stock Book Black) and if you in a hurry choose Auto flow unplaced images and you are almost done, click Print “Book” and select Preview.
Now I did a simple Screen shot with the ever so handy and very cool Snapz Pro X and it was done
Not a high end out put but something you might need for reasons explained above a handy and quick layout, great for email attachments or blogs, etc.

Attach this to your Mail or use it for your Web or Blog pages

These are only simple tips in case you have a need for them, my advise is experiment a bit and you find Aperture 2 has a lot more usages then you think. But never leaving Aperture is for me a real plus and very handy if you are on the road with limited time, after all we should spend more time shooting. Of course you can get very serious and have all the pdf options at you disposal and create some very cool professional looking Books.
Have fun and enjoy,
GD

Tags: Aperture 2 Books, Aperture Tips, Aperture Themes, Photography Presentation

© Gunther Deichmann - aerial near the 70 Islands, Palau Micronesia for the latest images on Palau please visit my PhotoShelter Archive click this LINK or the image above.
It comes at no surprise that Palau made it in the “Readers Choice Awards 2008” again. Operators like Sam’s Tours are part of this success having invested into a complete iMac Digital Photo Center offering their customers state of the art Photo and Video imaging opportunities. Not only for the Pros., the NEW Facility at Sam’s Tours caters also for the Hobbyist who like to take the memory home from above and below the waves, sharing the images with friends and family members.
The Facility is also fully DSL/Wi-Fi connected.
For the Pro the DPC is fully equipped with the latest digital imaging software including Aperture. Read some excepts from the DPC below, there you find also a direct link to Sam’s Tours Digital Photo Center.