Things to watch out for before Installing
& upgrading OS X Mountain Lion

Mountain Lion is here, well later today... but are you ready to update your system? See below some useful information and tips how to go about it and play it safe.

OS X Mountain Lion brings a lot of great things from iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch to the Mac. You can send iMessages. Get your Mac in on Game Center. Receive notifications. And more. And with iCloud, now your Mac works even better with your iOS devices. Watch the video

1) Verify System Requirements and Check Compatibility

2) Check App Compatibility
If you’re already running OS X Lion (10.7) then you probably don’t need to worry much, but for those who are upgrading to Mountain Lion from Snow Leopard, there’s a good chance that some apps don't work. (See the very useful LINK below)

3) Most important of course and this goes without saying, is your Backup.
For more info and details please CLICK HERE

Check the App Compatibility Table:

Compatibility Table

GD

Tags: Applications, Installing, App Compatibility, Software update, 64Bit, OS X Mountain Lion, Check Compatibility, Tips, Tricks, Techniques, Tutorials, System Requirements, Compatibility, Backup, Apple, Upgrading, Mac OS X Pro Apps

Burning Midnight Oil…Installed OS X Lion and test driving…
So far I am doing some very good Lap times.

Don't know why this happen to me all the time…a coincident maybe, I mention in my last post on Sri Lanka that my next post would be from Thailand, but then came Lion OS X last night. Now I am test driving…mind you half a sleep so please forgive me for any grammar and spelling mistakes…I need another coffee.

Like before, every time I have to go on a trip, just days before (it happen with Aperture 3 and others) a major update got released, so last night I burned midnight oil and installed Lion OX.

Lucky I had a good internet connection and the downloading only took 3.5 hours plus another 45 minutes for installation and checking the system, I was done by 4:12 AM. I just realized this is the entire flight duration from Manila to Bangkok.
Most of us in the Philippines and in Asia general going to have some difficulty with good connection speed, the only draw back when downloading huge files.

You might ask why going through all this trouble and burning midnight oil, (BTW I love the Band) but I am a Certified Apple Pro Trainer for Aperture and have classroom session and workshops I need to know if there are any issues so I can trouble shoot when needed.

But now to my first observation and some tips for you to move over to Lion, first of all; Make sure you have a back up of your previous system and you updated Snow Leopard prior installation. Making a good back up is absolutely crucial, you never know what can go wrong, Time Machine is a good choice but you can also clone your hard drive via another software if you wish to do so, but make sure you BACK UP!

Lion OS X is only available via download for the Apple App Store and it is about 3.5Gig this is a big Baby for downloading, so a very good connection is important, don't try this with a dial up, which brings me to the next issue, there are some rumors that Apple is going to supply some Memory sticks for some US$ 69.00 with Lion OS X but they want be available until August and this is not sure either.
If you must get Lion now go to a friends place buy some wine and sleep on the couch over night, or ask your Boss if you can do it at work, a good connection and healthy relationship in this case with your Boss is important to.

Compatibility, I am still test driving but so far have not encountered any major issues and the Lion is doing just fine except for some minor issues and getting use to an all new experience.

The scroll bar is gone, well not quiet, it only shows now when you move the mouse or scroll on the trackpad then it will show, the new interface is slick and responsive very quirky, nice one.

Of course there are some 3rd party softwares which do not run and below is a list of some I encountered, not a big deal I can either do without them or a fix will be available soon.
Aperture 3, not a glitch running very cool, Motion 5 is also not a problem, as a matter of fact almost everything I am running from before is fine.

Mail is now very slick just like on your iPhone or iPad, love this new look, but you might have to get use to the new way of scrolling and if you don't like it then you can always set it up to your preference.

Older versions of Stuff it Expander is not running, very old version of Microsoft Office like Word are also not supported, Drop Copy has an issue but no need for that any more since Lion has now Air Drop build in and that works within 30 feet, perfect.
For some 3rd party software you might need to install the serial number again but other than that, all is fine.

A bigger issue is fotoQuote: OSX Lion and Cradoc fotoSoftware programs and an Update pre-announcement

Tags: Tips, OS X Lion, Peach Press, iPad, iPhone 4, Drop copy, Air Drop, fotoQuote, Motion 5, Compatibility, Rapid Weaver, testing, Backing up, Aperture 3, Install, testing, Software, Certified Apple Pro Trainer

First week in 2011...iLike.

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Reflections in Pushkar Rajasthan, India

The first week in the New Year is gone, behind me my son's Birthday and his passing of the Apple exam as an APPLE CERTIFIED SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL v10.6. not a bad start for him in the New Year.

I had lots of meetings, caught up with some good friends and shot the biggest Swiss Cheese ever at Werdenberg Corporation yesterday… the size of a truck wheel, no kidding… and I really don’t like cheese.

The new Apple App Store is out there now and I found some interesting and very useful Apps, a nice and organized Store with everything under one roof.
Three of them I can recommend already of which two of them are for Free, my good friend Tony Wu put me onto the first one called Alfred very slick, I have integrated Albert now in to my family…Albert does a great Job in finding things in a jiffy and uses a nice big font. Try it out, you have nothing to loose it is for free.
The other one, which could come in very handy in some situations, is RemoteSnapServer… but where would you use it, you might ask, ok let me explain.

For example if you’re running a company and a faulty product was delivered with your last shipment then you use your iPhone take a quick shot and RemoteSnap Server transfers your images direct to your Mac Desktop, nicely tucked away in a folder keeping your iPhone free with these type of images from work.
But you can use it also just for fun at home sending your Kiddy and party photos direct to your Mac keeping your Phone uncluttered with happy snaps.

No cables or connecting you camera it is all done via Wi-fi…of course you have to have that…I run a good test drive yesterday and it works like a charm. Try it out; another cool free application, which could came in very handy now and then.

The other nice one I like a lot is iMovie designed for the iPhone 4, an excellent application, and a very nice addition for your iPhone 4. I had a good play around with this one, of course it has its limitations if you compare it with its bigger Brother but it does a real neat Job with your iPhone’s HD camera and in no time you put a slick looking Video together.

It has build in themes, trim your clip, move frames, add stills and create a nice slideshow, add text and use your iTunes Library for the sound. After you’re done it gives you some options for exporting in different sizes or just transfer the clip to your Mac and watch it in full size.

Easy to learn and fun to play with, in due time I will post a video created with iMovie for the iPhone.
So there you have it, catching up with some friends which iLike, the iWine at the Cave Bar or better known now as the iBar, all these things which iLike in the first week of the New Year.

In the coming weeks I am going to test also the newly released Nikon 24 to 120mm f:4 Zoom Lens and post a review afterwards. This newly designed Nikon lens has received some excellent reviews already on the web.

This Workshop is fully booked, for other options in
2011 and 2012 click the image or this LINK

Now I am finalizing everything for our India and Nepal GD Photo Workshop that starts in March. This one is fully booked and I am sure all the participants are very excited including myself and lets face it March is only around the corner.

I case you missed it we have updated our GD Photo Workshop site and finalized all the dates with some very cool destinations for 2011 and 2012.
Check it out and CLICK THIS LINK.

Next week is equally crazy with visitors from abroad and more meetings, but that’s the way iLike it.
GD

• Fixes an issue that could cause iMovie ’11 to stop responding while scanning the Aperture library for video clips.
• Addresses issues that prevented the Aperture library from appearing in the Media Browser of other applications.

• Resolves an issue that could cause Aperture to quit unexpectedly when a camera was plugged in to your Mac.
• Fixes a issue that in rare cases, could cause image files to be deleted when dragging a folder containing both images and text files from the Finder into Aperture.
• Resolves an issue that could prevent images added to a library using the "Import Folders as Projects and Albums" option from being imported correctly.
• Addresses an issue that caused Aperture to quit unexpectedly if you cancelled an import when using the "Import Folders as Folders and Projects" option, and when the source folder contained one or more non-image files.
• Aperture no longer quits unexpectedly when importing an iPhoto library after having opened the import window with an iPad connected.

• Addresses an issue that could prevent the Aperture First Aid from opening correctly after upgrading a library from 3.0 to 3.1.
• Resolves an issue that could cause Aperture 3.1 to quit unexpectedly while upgrading an Aperture 3.0 library.

• The Noise Reduction adjustment brick now correctly displays Radius and Edge Detail sliders when applied using a Quick Brush.
• Fixes an issue that caused Adjustment Presets applied using a keyboard shortcut to reset existing adjustments on an image.
• Lift & Stamp HUD now correctly displays the word Brushing next to each listed adjustment that has been applied using a brush.

• Aperture now correctly sets the "Photos Viewable by" setting for images published to your Flickr Photo stream.
• Addresses an issue that could cause Aperture to stop responding when deleting a published web album from the source list. 
• Aperture no longer uploads images to Flickr Pro accounts as Web Size when the Size setting in Aperture is Actual Size.
• Fixes an issue that could cause a MobileMe account to be removed from the Aperture source list if the account password was changed at www.me.com.

• Fixes an issue that could cause Aperture to quit unexpectedly when the "Fit Slideshow to Main Soundtrack" button was clicked.

• Fixes an issue that could sometimes cause Aperture on a computer with Mac OS X v10.5.8 Leopard to stop responding while updating a vault stored on a network volume.
• More info @ http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2518
• For more information about the application, please visit www.apple.com/aperture .

The first test results...after the software OS X 10.6.5 update...
a vast improved Aperture 3

These are only my initial findings after installing the OS X 10.6.5 software update using a 15 inch i7 MacBook Pro with 6 Gig of Ram and the Automatic graphics switching turned off in the energy panel.

1. Exported 106 high res. images as JPEG originals including watermarks, in about three (3) plus minutes.

2. Switching between Browser, Split View and Viewer, very nice now.

3. Toggling back and forth to full screen and at the same time editing multiple images in full screen mode is a huge improvement.

4. Using the retouch tool, nice increase in performance, also a lot less lag time. Very cool now.

5. Switching between Libraries and loading time has improved a lot.

6. Using the Lupe; focus on cursor in the Browser mode is now much more liquid.

There you have it, I am sure I find a lot more improvements down the road, but these are my first findings as far Aperture 3 is concerned, so if you have not updated to OS X 10.6.5 yet, then you better do it asap it is in my opinion one of the best OS X software updates for Aperture. I will also check on the improvements in the new iPhoto from iLife '11 later.
GD

• Performance increase of some image-processing

• operations in iPhoto and Aperture.

• improve reliability with Microsoft Exchange servers
• address performance of some image-processing operations in iPhoto
• and Aperture
• address stability and performance of graphics applications and games
• resolve a delay between print jobs
• address a printing issue for some HP printers connected to an AirPort Extreme
• resolve an issue when dragging contacts from Address Book to iCal
• address an issue where dragging an item from a stack causes the Dock to not automatically hide
• resolve an issue with Wikipedia information not displaying correctly in Dictionary
• improve performance of MainStage on certain Mac systems
• resolve spacing issues with OpenType fonts
• improve reliability with some Bluetooth braille displays
• resolve a VoiceOver issue when browsing some web sites with Safari 5

First good look and test drive on the all
NEW iPhoto from iLife '11

I found a few minutes today and had a quick look at the all new iPhoto from iLife '11 and I have to admit...I am impressed. Just the interface alone is so cool now with full screen capabilities and floating film strip almost like Aperture.

Access to the basic adjustment tools are easy, great new options for slideshows, new layouts for cards and books etc. and as mention, this is only my very first impression. I had no time to go any deeper now, but will do so very soon, in the meantime I like to share with you some screenshots at least on the new iPhoto.
Had a quick look at GarageBand and iMovie too, lots of new and cool things, but again not enough time at the moment.

I am also working on another post from my trip to Singapore and the "Celebrating Images of Asia" Event which finished last night with a great Party.

See below some screenshots from the new iPhoto from iLife '11
GD

Cool Slideshow options & choices also now
available in full screen mode


Easy to add places also in full screen


At full screen adjustment tools and effects, plus the cool
floating filmstrip below just run your Mouse over it
to make it smaller or larger.


Share with Flickr, FaceBook and others...


Excellent new options for designing your Cards and Books.

Simple, but yet seldom mention new edition in Aperture 3

Why do we need Focus Points? What have the engineers been thinking when they included this? I believe it is a cool new edition for beginners in Photography, an easy way on checking your focus after the shoot. I use it a lot during my training sessions explaining where the focus was during the actual shot, a cool teaching feature.

Focus Points
Hover over the Focus Points button in the Camera Info pane to see the focus points used by your camera to auto focus the image. You can also click the button to turn the display of focus points on or off.

The focus is on the red square

Large Caption Metadata View
Switch to the Large Caption view when entering captions. In this view, Aperture increases the size of the field and font, making caption writing easier.

Halo Reduction
This is a great one… at times we come across these ugly purple and blue fringes produced by certain lenses. Now we can get rid of those by using the simple Halo Reduction brush, see the screenshot below.
Use Halo Reduction to remove blue and purple fringes sometimes produced with certain lenses on overexposed areas. Simply paint over the halos to remove unwanted fringing. The brush can be used to eliminate difficult halos when Chromatic Aberration alone cannot completely remove them.

Keyboard Zooming
The last one for today is the Keyboard Zooming, very simple... but we forget it sometimes.
Use Command-Plus and Command-Minus on the keyboard to zoom images at predefined increments.
GD

“Images of Asia – 23-24 October 2010 – Suntec, Singapore”

I like to thank the organizers of "CELEBRATING THE IMAGES OF ASIA" for their invitation and making me part of this great event in Singapore. I am one of the Guest Speakers during the event and conduct also some 90min. Photography Workshops on both days.

A detailed guide using Apple Aperture 3 software to get more from your photographs, plus the important essentials and workflow after the shoot including tips on backing up your files in the field using Aperture 3 software.
Photography today... are we manipulating to much? Plus an introduction in using Multimedia presentations.

• Excerpts from the website: Images of Asia – 23 to 24 Oct 2010

PHOTOiNEWS.COM

We are proud to announce the launching of a Web Photo Gallery – PHOTOiNEWS - Beta Version exclusive for Mac users, in cooperation with Websync Intl.Co and Gunther Deichmann.

This site will cater for selected Semi Pro and Pro Photographers who are using Apple computers.

We include a forum and individual Gallery’s to all members and of course participants from the GD Photo Workshops. Tips, tricks and techniques on Photography, Software tools, hardware accessories and other related issues.

Our objective is to showcase the very best Photos from our members and expose them to a broader international market without being lost in Cyberspace plus providing interesting articles and discussions.

This is not a Flick’r or Multiply site! We are exclusive and showcasing only the very best Photos from our members.

In addition previous and future participants of the GD Photo Workshops have a free membership subscription automatically.
You have your own account password and username of course, upload your images, change your themes and many more exciting features.

THE BETA VERSION should be fully operational by September 4, 2010, please stay tuned for more details very soon.
GD

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


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

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

OK. lets start with Apple’s Snow Leopard 10.6.4

Sharing articles from your Safari Web Browser made easy

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

Safari & Mail shortcut for sharing articles

The easy way in using Quick Look

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

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


Highlighted multiple Desk Top Icons, then open in Quick Look

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

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

A Quick look at your Videos

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Jurassic Park to the Future...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Energy Saver Panel

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

Aperture 3.0.3 Tip: Previews...

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

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

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

Aperture 3.0.3 & the New MacBook Pro Core i7


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 7 at Power Mac Center TriNoma

Aperture 3 Launch with Talk and Q&A with GD

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

GD

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

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

Just announced by Apple
Aperture 3

It is finally here Aperture 3, Apple has just announced today Aperture 3, now I am going to be in for some serious test driving shortly, stay tuned for more info as they become available. This is great and very exciting NEWS. Thank You Apple!
But there is so much more...just incredible and if you’re a Mac user then this is it...if you’re not, then you might think about switching now.

Wow…Wow…now that is what I call a super slick Update, just amazing and believe me well worth the wait. So for those of you who made the switch to Lightroom you might have to reconsider. As I have said many time before, all good things take time and when Apple comes up with something they do it real well…like in Photography patience!
In the next few weeks I am going to be busy running around in India and Kathmandu but at the same time I have to do some real test driving with Aperture 3.
Please stay tuned for some real reporting on Aperture 3 in the field and from exotic locations.
GD

Excerpts from MacWorld
The update ($99 for existing Aperture users), which Apple said offers "over 200 new features," includes advanced versions of the Faces and Places features previously seen in iPhoto '09. There's a new image-refinement tool called Brushes, which allows users to paint adjustments directly on to images. And a new Projects feature adds flexibility and I am sure a lot more...


Now just a few Excerpts from the Aperture User Network:

Support for Videos and Audio [Not in Lightroom]
Audio Files [Not in Lightroom]
Chromatic Aberration
Slideshows [Vastly Better than Lightroom]
Flickr and Facebook Albums [Better than Lightroom]
Quick Brushes
Curves and Chromatic Aberration
Adjustment Brushes [Not in Lightroom]
Labels and Flags
Import Features [Some Not In Lightroom/Some Better Than Lightroom]
ILibrary Switching, Syncing and Sharing [Better Than Lightroom]
Import Speed
Lumix users who have been clamoring for RAW file support, today is your day.
The same goes for you, Canon sRAW shooters. You’re supported now.
More and more photographers are working with video these days, and so Aperture now has full support for importing video files. This is a huge change and the support for videos in Aperture 3 is unparalleled in the photographic workspace. Videos can be imported, edited (using trimming features like found on the iPhone) and exported, and they can be used in the newly updated Slideshow tool (which we’ll talk about below). You can grab still images from your video, use them in slideshows and albums, export them in a Library and more.
After many requests from users, Aperture now has full-bore labeling (eight colors to choose from, with customizable titles for the colors) and flagging. Files exported from Aperture maintain their labels in the Finder. And files labeled as flagged/locked int he camera come into Aperture flagged. (That finally gives me something to do with my cameras’s flag button.) more @
http://aperture.maccreate.com/2010/02/09/aperture-3-overview/

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

NEW look for the GD Photo Workshop site in 2010...
Adventure Travel with your Digital Camera.

Screenshot: The NEW Home page

It has been long overdue but this morning at 4AM we had it pretty much licked.
Thanks to my good friend and web guru Arnold for hanging in there with me until the early hours in the morning.
http://www.gdphotoworkshop.com

My old and rusty GD Photo Workshop site is gone and a new one took shape by 4 AM.
Now directly wired to my Blog (press the button GD Photo Workshops) plus on my main site, nicely integrated, ha, ha how I love this word and YES it was all done on a MacBook Pro. No need for many words, it is all self-explanatory.
This one is easier to update and has already all the PhotoWorkshop dates for 2010, India being the first, starting in February and the participants getting very excited already.
A lot of rambling the other day on tech issues, so I keep this one brief plus I have to catch up with some more sleep, so I am not sure on that one either since my good Buddy Dirk from the Dugong Dive Center in Palawan is on the way to me.
Take a moment and check out the NEW site and if you feel up to it join me on one of my Photo Workshops in 2010 or 2011.
Enjoy, I hope you like it.
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.

Trash: Deleted file by mistake, red square

Put Back

A seldom mentioned and a new edition amongst others in Snow Leopard is the Put Back option from the Trash back to its original location.
Say for example you done your cleanup and deleted hundreds of documents, all of them in the Trash, just to make sure you open the Trash and check for a last time before you empty it, just in case, we don’t want to delete anything we might need or we dumped by mistake.
In Snow Leopard you open the Trash located at the Dock, ones the folder is open check your files and the ones you like to keep or have thrown out by mistake you just highlight those, then you go to File scroll down and you see Put Back click on it and your files go back where they came from in the first place.
With this cool and simple addition in Snow Leopard check your Trash before you finally empty it, this is very nice in particular if you have forgotten where the files originated.


I just love Quick Look!

For those new to Leopard and now Snow Leopard: Quick Look is a super cool feature but did you know once you clicked on it, (you can use the right mouse button to get to it or go to File) it not only shows you the document but you can do a lot more without open the actually software, Acrobat Reader in this case since I used a pdf file.

Try this…click say on a pdf file with multiple pages on the MacBook Pro you use the scroll pad and enlarge it or click full screen,
ok nothing new…but it is to big, you like to see a few more pages then just hit – (minus button on the keyboard) and it gets smaller every time you hit it to the size you comfortable with, nice if you use another keyboard.

Expose or show all Windows:

Another cool addition on all new Mac’s is the Expose button also called Show all Windows, this one is located on your keyboard (F3) have a go at it open multiple windows and click on F3 real nice and so convenient. Not like before, on Snow Leopard the arrangement is very nice now.

Just one more:

How often it happen you tried to eject a flash drive or your external drive and could not do that, can't eject drive file is in use or something like that. It is funny, I encountered this before, but now I am waiting for it so I can check it out. Anyway, if this occurs Snow Leopard will let you know where the problem is, it was frustrating before not knowing what was going on.
GD

© 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/

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

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

Latest News from Version Tracker.

Late-Breakers
Friday, June 12 2009 @ 09:12 AM PDT
New Mac Trojan, OSX/Jahlav-C has been discovered
2009 has seen quite an onslaught of malicious software targeting the Mac OS. The siege continues with a new Trojan, OSX/Jahlav-C.
For complete details and information on this New Virus go to:
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20090612091219496

Another except from macnn
While malware remains uncommon on the Mac, Apple has had to stray from assertions that the platform is effectively immune to problems experienced by Windows users. A high-profile Trojan released this year has been tied to pirated copies of iWork and Photoshop, and it is believed that more malware will debut as Macs gain popularity. Hackers are known to target common platforms for the widest possible impact.
Read the complete article @ http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/06/11/new.mac.malware.circulates/

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.

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.

© Gunther Deichmann - “playing the Blues...”
My favorite Music, created in iWork ’09 using Pages.

Children had the chance under supervision to play with the latest iMac Computers and iPods. Animation, some basic drawing and other educational software had been installed on all the iMacs with the guidance from the PMC staff.
Laughter and giggles came from the Kids once they discovered and had a go at Photo Booth…just watching them was real good entertainment.

© Gunther Deichmann - created in iWork ’09 using Pages

There was also an artist on hand who painted some cartoons on the Kid's faces, nice to see that a company like the PMC organized this week long fun and educational event for children.
All images on this post are taken with the Leica D-Lux 4 my constant travel companion,back home a few hours later, I created the layout with the new Pages from iWork '09

© Gunther Deichmann - created in iWork ’09 using Pages

All the Kids (“the big ones too”) had a lot of Fun myself included, plus I had a nice day out with my Boys.
The images are uploaded already on my PhotoShelter Archive, check out the new Gallery and click this Link…Philippines March 2009

Photo Workshops with Gunther in Cambodia @ http://www.gdphotoworkshop.com/home.html

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

Complete Stationary: Letterhead, Envelope
& Business Cards...plus a lot more with Pages

Here are some samples of a stationary set and a simple brochure created in just one hour with the new iWork’09 using Pages.
Apple has made it very easy for us, providing some cool Templates (a lot of them) in iWork ‘09 using Pages to create some slick looking Brochures, Stationary, Posters and so much more on the fly.
The integrations on the Mac making the production so very easy and you don’t have to be a Rocket Scientist to work it all out.

Sample Brochure for the Palau Pacific Resort -
If the deadline is not on your side...you can create Brochures
in all shapes and sizes... plus a lot more with iWork ’09 & Pages

iWork ’09 and Pages is a great and simple to use software, uncomplicated and very handy when these deadlines breathing down your neck.
The templates make it easy, but you can always modify and add your own personal touch to it like changing the font, colors, graphics or adding shapes, tables or charts.
Of course the Media Browser is always around for your images either using your Aperture 2 or iPhoto Library, referring to my headline… iWork fast.
GD
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

From left: Jeffrey, Junior, Benjamin, Ching Ping, Choon and GD

Last night I got invited to join the Asia Apple System Engineers for dinner and afterwards for a few drinks at the Lunar Club.
Surrounded by these guys the iPhones where buzzing all around me, but they also gave me some cool and useful tips, in other words it was very educational besides having a real good time with this totally great bunch.
Super cool and real fun Guys… thanks a lot to Ching Ping (SE Manager) Benjamin, Jeffrey, Junior and of course Choon for a great evening and sharing some of their knowledge with me.
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

© Gunther Deichmann - Tanah Lot Bali Indonesia Oct. 2008
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

© 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.

The Scuba Diving Magazine Readers Choice Awards 2008

Palau, Micronesia
FIRST PLACE:
Dive Destinations
Marine Life
Big Animal Encounters
Wall Diving
Underwater Photography
Advanced Diving
TOP THREE:
Top Macro Life
Top Value
TOP FIVE:
Top Healthiest Marine Environment
Top Wreck Diving
While the Readers’ Choice Award category for individual dive operators has been discontinued in favor of destination awards, Sam’s Tours garnered a total of 8 Scuba Diving Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards beginning in 1997, including Gold List Award, Top Dive Center, Top Staff and Top Value, making Sam’s Tours the “Divers Choice” in Micronesia. Sam’s Tours is a member of the Philippines Micronesia Alliance, www.alliancediving.com

While the diving is spectacular in Palau all year round, Sam’s Tours has scheduled some additional Special Events for 2008, to offer visitors, check for detail on the website.

Click on this LINK or the image above and go direct to
Sam’s Tours Digital Photo Center

DIGITAL PHOTO CENTER at SAM'S TOURS
Sam's Tours Digital Photography Center is fully equipped to cater to digital photographers of all interest levels from those with handy “point-and-shoot” cameras to the most demanding digital photographers shooting in RAW format. Our six top of the line Apple iMac workstations are loaded with terabytes and terabytes of storage, archiving and secure data back up systems, lots of RAM, and completely optimized for digital imaging with Apple Aperture image management software, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Bridge, Toast, and topped off with DSL Wi-Fi internet access. No other photo center in Palau comes near!
Our rental equipment includes the latest Canon Powershot SD850 digital cameras and Canon ZR830 mini digital video cameras complete with underwater housings, large storage media, plenty of additional batteries, and full service support from our professionally trained Photo Center staff.
Other Photo Center amenities include a padded and dry camera prep table, battery charging stations, 110V and 220V electrical supply, separate camera rinse tanks, camera drying station equipped with towels and compressed air, and secure storage for your housings, equipment cases and other accessories.

Tags: iMac, Advance Diving, Big Animal Encounter, Macro Life, Top Wreck Diving, Readers Choice Awards 2008, Scuba Diving Magazine, Dive Destinations

Inside of a 30GIG iPOD

He wouldn’t dare or would he? But my iPod was safe, and when I saw the small hard drive it reminded me of an old Gramophone or Record Player so I guess old ideas die-hard. Having a Son who loves Mac and works at an Authorized Apple Center can have its benefits but be ready for the odd scare or two.

left:The Power Mac Center Greenbelt, Makati, Manila, right:Mark-Lee

Don’t try this at Home, if you ever have a problem with your iPod I highly recommend to take it to the next Apple Service Center.

Tags: Power Mac Center, tech support, iPod hard drive

Heritage Suite Hotel Cambodia Screenshot of the MobileMe Gallery,
view this Gallery online click this link or the image above.
But you have to use the Username: gdimages Password: gd2551

1. When you need to create web pages that mix text and images, the Web Journal option is your best choice. When you create a Web Journal, you manually add the pages, images and text. This is slower than the Web Gallery option, but it offers precise control.
2. Within Aperture there is a third option simply called Webpage. The Webpage template offers less customization than the Web Journal; the Webpage translates an Album into a page, and then allows you to specify a number of columns and rows for each page.

Screenshot of the Web Journal, ideal for lots of text.

Screenshot of the Webpages, with limited text options

3. I guess you know this one, the now called MobileMe Gallery, my absolute favorite, but then it depends what type of work you producing or like to show. However you do need a MobileMe account for the MobileMe Gallery.

The Web Journal and Web Page can be placed also on any Server where as the Web Gallery (now MobileMe Gallery) requires a .Mac account or now a MobileMe account.
I have described my favorite the MobileMe Gallery (before .Mac) in great details before and how much I love it for the storage and distribution of my images, and since the arrival of MobileMe it has only gotten better.
If I where in Beijing right now and had to cover some of the events I would certainly choose the MobileMe Gallery to get my images out to the Editors and Publishers, the MobileMe Gallery is very cool and smooth as Silk…
Check this link for some action shots at the Olympics: CLICK HERE
“Phelps Frame-By-Frame Phelps' Miracle” Finish

However Aperture does not stop here, if Aperture’s three webpage options aren’t enough for you then you can turn to iWeb, which is part of the iLife suite that is a standard on all Macs.
Tip: If iWeb isn’t located in your Dock, you can navigate to your Applications folder and launch it from here.
Note also: If you have an active MobileMe account, when you click on the Publish button, iWeb will automatically upload your website. Otherwise you can always choose File>Publish to a Folder to Export iWebpages without needing a MobileMe account (until recently it was called .Mac)
WOW all of this within Aperture 2.1.1; I keep on saying…AMAZING… not surprising with all this integration on the Mac.
GD

Tags: Webpages, Webtechnique, MobileMe Gallery, Web Journal, iWEB

© Gunther Deichmann - Composite
“INFINITY”...and www.websyncintl.com

....Today I bring you “INFINITY” another cool effect from this combination Aperture 2.1.1 - iDVD - iMovie - Snapz Pro X and of course GarageBand but with a little twist. , I added Photoshop to the list. This cool clip runs for about 45 seconds and is a bit more complicated then the previous ones...but so cool, using the old iMovie with some 3rd party plugins, adding some voice over and flying balls...of course the Mac integration played a big role here. However the technique is the same using Snapz Pro X for the iDVD recording, once that is done the possibilities are endless and as mention before you can create some high cool looking files for the TV too.
Click here or on the image and travel to the Music Video/Podcast section to play the clip, you might have to refresh your Browser for the new clip to show, enjoy. Stay tuned for the next GarageBand Mix “Surfing Blues” soon available on this blog.
GD

Tags: INFINITY, SPACE, ABSTRACT, Web Ad, Web banner, Websync International

Just to fill in the blank spaces I thought I remind everybody on the MobileMe, the new icons popped up in Aperture 2.1.1 after MobileMe was activated, pretty clever by Mac.
Amazing new storage capacity for existing and new MobileMe account users, read my previous blogs with all the details on MobileMe. If you’re not using MobileMe you dont know what you are missing out on, super cool features plus having all this storage at your fingertips. In Aperture it is called the MobileMe Gallery (before .Mac Web Gallery) and you can add MobileMe Albums now.
MobileMe together with Aperture 2 is a great way to show your Portfolio to clients and frinds and impress everyone with a cool looking Web Album.
In one of my up coming blogs I will describe the difference between all these Web related things within Aperture 2.1.1
We have also the Aperture 2 Web Journal and the Aperture 2 Web Page options, but more on that later, now I have to follow Doctors orders and get some more rest.
GD

Tags: Mobile Me Gallery, Web Portfolio, Aperture 2 Web Journal, Storage, iDisk, Aperture 2 Web Pages, MobileMe Albums, Aperture 2 and MobileMe, Internet

© Gunther Deichmann - taken care of our Environment in 2008 and beyond...

Hi,
Since environmental considerations are an integral part of Apple's business practices, Apple Training and Certification is pleased to introduce a new Green certificate fulfillment process. Beginning August 1, paper certificates will no longer be sent to Mac OS X and Pro Apps students who pass certification exams. Instead, students will receive an email with a link to download a PDF version of their certificate at no charge. Students will be able to print these certificates, but we hope that most will choose to simply post the PDF certificates on their websites. This new system will be available worldwide. 
Apple Training and Certification

Tags: Environment, Apple Training, Certification, Mac OS X Pro Apps

Click this banner or the link below for more information.

Besides this announcement there is a ton of other information at the Aperture Users Network available. Cool tips, trouble shooting, workflow etc.,etc. just about everything you need to know about Aperture (Aperture 2, & Aperture 2.1.1) plus a lot more.
GD
See below the post I have picked up from the AUN (posted by David Schloss AUN on 07-28-2008, 05:37 PM )
American PHOTO Magazine’s 3rd Annual “Emerging Photographers” Call for Submissions
Winners featured in November/December 2008 issue - Magazine teams up with Apple’s new Aperture software
New York, June 25, 2008 (Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., www.hfmus.com) -- American PHOTO announces the call for submissions for its third-annual Emerging Photographers’ portfolio review competition. The winners will be given the opportunity to have their work published in the November/December 2008 is... read more @ http://www.apertureprofessional.com/

Tags: Aperture Users Network, American PHOTO, NEW YORK, Competition, Workflow

“Time to Remember” © Mark-Lee & Gunther Deichmann -
(click on the link below or the image for the 1 min.Video, approx.2.5 MB)
Podcast

The other day Mark-Lee borrowed my small Sony Video Cam and took some cool footage at this Disco… and I was trying to relax that day after some editing in Aperture making up some more soundtracks for future presentations. But honestly… I was just messing around relaxing with GarageBand when I looked over to the Mac my Son was working on…hey cool footage son, please let me have some of this stuff…OK Dad... I whipped it into iMovie and about half an hour later had this little Video up and running.
It just gets to show you how easy it is sometimes…of course you need to have a Mac where everything just works so well together, including the transfer of the Video file from his G5 to my PowerBook Pro via Wi-Fi network, super fast...
Cant beat this integration, he,he….plus NOW in YouTube @ http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMEJOURNEY
By the way the still shot at the start of the Video came straight from the Aperture 2 Library using the Media Browser in iMovie, the same with the Soundtrack created only hours before in GarageBand.
GD

Tags: Time to Remember, YouTube, Video Cam, MTV, Mark-Lee Deichmann, Disc DJ, Video, Sony

Courtesy Photo © Vincent Leterrier -
(see his comments above)

I did ask Vincent Leterrier if we can use the image on our Blog, read his reply below send via the .Mac Web Gallery in Aperture 2…I think I found another fan for the .Mac Web Gallery, it is certainly one of my favorites. Note: Vincent using a 15 inch Mac Book Pro and switched recently from Aperture 1.5 to Aperture 2

Hi Gunther,
Tks for your kind comment on my photos, first time I received a recognition like that from a photographer (I know my family and friends love my pictures, but....;-)
Of course, you can use it on your blog, I'm even honored ! (it sounds so formal, but it's not my intention, just take it in the simplest way !)
Here are the photo, I've add another one that I like too. The girl at the back have a pure model face, and I like the East-Ouest multicultural dimension...
Unfortunately, at this time we did not meet yet, so I was shooting in Jpeg only !!! There is a lack of crisp, but this time is over now... ;-)
BUT, the new Aperture 2.1 functionalities like Recovery and Black point are also working well for Jpegs. So fantastic. And the tool Dodge and Burn also!
Vincent Leterrier
http://gallery.mac.com/vincent.leterrier#100059
__________________________

Thank you Gunther, Hermes and to all the Mac staff – an outstanding job!
Kristina, Rose and I had a fun and informative day. Even an old dinosaur with embarrassingly limited computer skills like myself, found the presentation surprisingly "comfortable", not to mention inspiring! You've won three more converts - at PC's expense! Look forward to more of your workshops - perhaps something on restoration techniques of old negative and slide film?
Well worth the round trip from far away Subic!
Cheers,
Kevin Hamdorf, Photographer
__________________________

Hi Gunther!
Thank you for featuring some of my shots. It means a lot to me and I am deeply touched. :-)
Hope to shoot with you soon! hehehe
Regards,
Sheila Go

© Shiela Go - using the Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2.1

Tags: Dodge and Burn, Switching from PC to Mac, Monochrome Mixer, Aperture 2.1

A great shot from © Shiela Go - from Group 2,
my caption would be: “Conserve Water”

Remember…this was supposed to happen last week but due to Typhoon Fengshen (Frank) the Aperture 2 and Photography Workshop was moved to last Sunday. We had a record attendance and I like to thank all participants for taken the time being with me at the Power Mac Center for this fun event.

Aperture 2 and Photography at the Makati Power Mac Center Group 1 and 2

Besides the Workshop a lot of other things happen at the same time around the Power Mac Center, customers receiving a cool Tattoo I LOVE Mac, T. -shirts and Camera Straps give away, plus participants from the workshop received their certificate for being part off it. To my surprise some very familiar faces showed up during our first session, John Chua from Ad Photo, Photographer Kevin Hamdorf who drove all the way from Subic Bay with his Daughter and Rose his Graphic Designer, good old Bebet Gaudinez a Lightroom user who attended my Photo Workshop in Cambodia last year and Vincent Leterrier who participated in one of my earlier workshops made his presence felt with some very cool images he shot recently.

A lot of fun at the Power Mac Center, Makati Manila Philippines.
Hey.. do you like my new Tattoo “I LOVE MAC”

All participants had to go out and shoot a number of images which we later imported into Aperture 2, then we did some adjustments, cropping and changing a few into Black & White using the Monochrome Mixer.

Two images from Group 2


top: Shiela Go below: no name. Two more images this time from Group 2 using the
Monochrome Mixer in Aperture 2

Again two Groups starting the first at 1PM until 5PM then from 5PM way past 8PM a long but fun day. Thanks to Honey Machuca from Think Big, of course to the Management and technical staff at the Power Mac Center for providing me with a non stop supply of Coffee and made sure everything went smooth, they did a great job. Thanks also to Mark-Lee Deichmann for some troubleshooting and Hermes Singson for all the images behind the scene. Thanks to Canon Philippines for providing us with an excellent projector.

left: GD with Shiela Go and the technical staff from the Power Mac Center
right: GD and Honey Machuca from Think Big

The Work Shop was a basic introduction into Aperture 2 with all the possibilities after the shoot, demonstrating the total integration on the Mac with short demos on iLife and iWorks...plus a lot more including a short critique session on the images.
Thank you all, and see you again soon,
GD

More Images by Gunther Deichmann @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

Tags: Power Mac Center

Create YOUR own Music and SOUNDTRACKS in advance for your
Slide Presentations & have fun doing it...

Whenever I get the chance I open GarageBand and create my own music tracks they come in very handy when putting together slide shows or presentations later.
I have included a small soundtrack PODCAST below which was created using GarageBand only .
I usually do this late at night or early in the morning; I can concentrate and don’t get disturbed by phone calls and other noise.
The integration on the Mac makes all of this very straightforward and you don’t have to be a musician, as long you have a good feel for music and a little patience.
I love creating soundtracks in GarageBand with thousands of loops to choose from plus the option to purchase a variety of Jam Packs. A word of caution, the Jam Packs do take up some hard drive space.
Creativity is un-limited, it is all up to you, use the existing Jingles and sound tracks or create an entire music track from scratch, there are so many possibilities.
Experiment with GarageBand, you soon find out its enormous capabilities, besides it is a lot of fun.
As mention above Aperture 2 is at your fingertips and of course you have access via the Media Browser to iPhoto, iTunes & iMovie as well. I have a whole collection of sound tracks tucked away in my iTunes Library just for the occasion when I need to put together a presentation in a hurry, creating your own sound is not only fun but you have something you made and this will set you apart from all the others.

GarageBand - Podcast setting with the Media Browser open at the right,
just drag your images into the main window upper track.

Drag your images direct from the Media Browser, you have also access to your iMovie, choose a Jingle small red square this will open all the Jingles, now you can choose which one you like, right large red square. Drag any one of them you like on the time line and have fun...
the soundtrack below was created using Garageband only .
Podcast

Tags: Creativity, Sountracks, Media Browser

Aperture 2 Your Best Shots. Made even better.



Photo by Noreen from Group 1 last week Saturday
the day before "Frank" arrived

NEW Date for our Photo Workshop with Aperture 2 at the Power Mac Center, Sunday the 29th of June from:
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

You all know we had to cancel our last Workshop/Seminar due to Typhoon Frank which hit the Philippines very hard last Sunday, our thoughts go out to those who have suffered during this severe storm.

Contact the Power Mac Center in Makati for details @
Phone 7297087-88
http://www.powermaccenter.com/

Editor's Choice 2008: Imaging Software Aperture 2.1

Workflow and image editing are equal partners in this year's applications, led by Apple's powerful Aperture 2.1.

By Jonathan Barkey and Russell Hart / American Photo
June 2008

This year saw the advent of specialized plug-ins for Apple's Aperture 2.1 and nondestructive localized editing in Adobe's upcoming Lightroom 2.0 -- bringing Photoshop-style control of specific image areas to these picture-management powerhouses. Some of their fans just might not need Photoshop anymore!
Apple Aperture 2.1 click the link below and read the complete article.

http://www.popphoto.com/americanphotofeatures/5341/

Now We Know...What is Aperture 2...
The Workshop/seminar included the ff.:

A short briefing for the participants before the actual photography, importing the images after the shoot into Aperture 2 using MacBooks, introduction into the basics of Aperture 2 including the versatile interface, tools, tips, how to produce a short slide show with Aperture 2, the integration on a Mac using iLife & iWorks including a demo how to produce a short presentation with Keynote, brief description on Pages and a live/real time demo using the .Mac Web Gallery in Aperture 2, open discussions and photo critique...plus a lot more.

Cool shot by Group 1
Photo by John

Our first two sessions at the Power Mac Center are done, great attendance, great participants and some cool images processed in Aperture 2.
Shooting around Greenbelt and later processing the images in Aperture 2 an introduction into Aperture at the Power Mac Center, the first group from 1pm until 5 pm was lucky with the weather. However the second Group from 5 p.m. until 8 pm had to deal with tropical rain and darkness, a challenge which in my opinion was well executed.

The participants and classroom sessions, the training
facility at the Power Mac Center, Makati, Manila

I like to thank all participants from today, for a job, well done, special thanks to Melvin Tosino, Andrew and E.J. from the Power Mac Centers technical staff who assisted me during these long hours.
Thanks to Mark-Lee Deichmann for helping out and Hermes Singson for shooting behind the scenes, plus to all the staff and Management from
Think Big for a great job.
Next week we show you some more images (including who took them) from these two days with Aperture 2 and Photography at the Power Mac Center.

A well executed shot during the tropical
rain storm by Group 2

What is Aperture?

Photo: Hermes Singson - GD synchronizing the Mac Book Demo units with Aperture 2 for Saturday and Sunday's workshops.We try and report in almost real time from the event over the next few days, so please stay tuned.

Thanks to the technical staff Mark and Melvin from the Power Mac Center in Makati, Manila for their assistance in setting up the the Mac Books for tomorrows Aperture workshop.
Special thanks also to Honey Machuca from THINK BIG for doing a great job in marketing the Event.
There are still some seats available for tomorrow night and a few for Sunday, call the Power Mac Center for more details and reservations.

Book your seat now @
http://www.powermaccenter.com/
Dates: June 21 and 22, 2008
Time: 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm

What is Aperture?

Aperture 2 features incredible tools for managing massive libraries,speed through photo edits,making essential image adjustments and delivering photos online and in print using one simple, integrated workflow.

Aperture Workshop (Free)
learn more about Aperture with Apple-certified trainer
Gunther Deichmann
Dates: June 21 and 22, 2008
Time 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Book your seat now @
http://www.powermaccenter.com/

Tags: Power Mac Center, Photography Seminar

Click this link

Manila
Aperture 2 Workshop (Free)
Learn more about Aperture with Apple-certified trainer Gunther Deichmann
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

Dates: June 21 and 22, 2008
Time: 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm



Visit Power Mac Center at Greenbelt 3 to book your seat now!
Limited seats only
For more information call 7297087- 88
or email training@powermaccenter.com
____________________________


NEW YORK
Join AUPN at B&H for Aperture Day - June 23rd
by David Schloss 06-03-2008 filed in Blog > AUN News


Click this link
The AUPN will be presenting a day of seminars and instruction at B&H Photo in New York City, on June 23rd. Classes are free, registration via the B&H website (link below). Especially aimed at the iPhoto user and the photographer thinking of upgrading to Aperture 2, this session will tackle some of the hottest topics in digital photography, and answer your Aperture questions.
Aperture Day @ B&H June 23 seminar descriptions


All over the world with PhotoShelter

Click this link

Tags: NEW YORK, AUPN

left: Ammonite from 160 million years ago - right: Nautilus a close
relative from Palau Micronesia

Some of you know my background with fossils or Paleontology…but what has a Mac in common with all of this?
Read this amazing and very cool article below…

Running with the Dinosaurs
Mac Technology Helps Put the Spring in a Hadrosaur’s Step

Read more about this amazing story with cool images @
http://www.apple.com/science/profiles

Tags: Fossils, Dinosaur, Discovery, Technology, Paleontology

Tags: MobileMe, .Mac, Storage, iDisk

Very few are allowed to use my Mac...
Matt preparing a small article for me from his
visit to Puerto Galera.

Matt is studying marine biology and is working for DivePhotoGuide as a writer photographer, he just arrived from Bali and is covering now some of the dive destinations in the Philippines, Jason Heller the founder of DivePhotoGuide and a good friend ask me some weeks ago if I could assist Matt during his visit over here.
So here we are Matt and myself talking all night until the early morning, chatting away about our experience with Mac and Aperture 2, Photoshop, Photography and so on, a very interesting and productive evening. Matt has left this morning for Palawan another great dive destinations in the Philippines and the only place to see Dugongs.
Interesting, Matt is using the New MacBook Air, he decided to work on this trip with it since there are so many weight restriction on small aircrafts and he has to carry a lot already, a ton of cameras and underwater housing making the MacBook Air the ideal choice. We try to catch up with each other again when he is returning from Dugong Dive Center in Palawan next week...for another session and Apple talk. For all his images and stories check out DivePhotoGuide.com in a few weeks.
GD

Matt Weiss and Gunther Deichmann, two Mac addicts having fun, my son Mark-Lee took the opportunity and recorded the "event" on his cell phone.

Tags: DivePhotoGuide, Underwater Photography, Photo Journalism

The .Mac Aperture 2 Web Gallery

The scenario…
Lets use a Magazine for an example…say you did a story in Malaysia but now you in Australia on another assignment.
You received an email and the editor is requesting some more images from your shoot in Malaysia but he is not sure what he exactly wants…believe me this happens a lot.
Now here is a potential sale and you don’t like to miss out.… if you brought your laptop along which I always do and kept your Malaysia project in your Aperture Library then no problem.
The editor is making a pre-selection only and the production department would like to start the layout and for that they can use low res. JPG Images.
This happen recently to me with a story on Tibet.

Aperture 2 can solve this problem easy…

You might not have your Master Images with you since you store them as reference files back home on your external hard drive, but you have the previews in your Aperture Library in JPG . In my case I keep the preview size to about 1024 good enough for presentations and the web without clogging up my Mac Book Pro.

You create a Web Gallery throw in some “50 shots” from Malaysia and hope for a good connection, press publish with an almost automatic notification to the Magazine editor.

Direct notification to the Magazine Editor via Mail
complete with username and password

He can view a great looking Web Gallery with many different options and of course the production department can download the low res. files for the layout.
All your caption and information is also there, no need for redoing these since you applied all of this before.
You can password protect and give a username, so only the specific person can view or download the images, however you can also choose for everyone.
I just love the username and password option knowing that only authorized persons have access to it, super cool.

Don’t worry about this little site folder warning which pops up when you try and publish your images it only tells you that your Masters are not available but your Previews in 1024 size are, good enough for a selection and layout.

Pop up warning to let you know that
your master images not available

You finished your assignment in Australia and hit back home, wait for the editor’s choice, once you have his decision you just hook up your external drive where you store your masters and upload the chosen ones in high resolution.
You made a sale while on the road…OK I have to add you do need a .Mac account and a connection and Aperture 2 of course.
After the images have been published, you can delete the Aperture Web Galley for more space on your .Mac account and your ready for the next request.
Remember when you delete the Web Gallery all your images in all the projects and folders are not affected and stay where they are.
There are endless possibilities and it is up to you how to use and implement them for your work.

Years ago we burned CD’s with images and even had to make all the image corrections knowing that they might not be used…not only that but we had to send them via DHL or Fed Ex to magazines and Stock Agencies, this took days and was very expansive. I use to spend more than US$ 3000.00 for courier service each year… how much I spend now? About US$ 350.00 for Aperture 2 and a .Mac account, after that only about US$ 100.00 per year for maintaining your .Mac account. (of course you have the options to increase your storage capacity for an additional fee) I think it makes a lot of sense, plus I am connected and can make a sale no matter where I am.
GD

Tags: TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY

QUICK TIME MOVIE the Colors of Mumbai

Say, your on the road shooting a resort and your client requests a presentation the day before you leave…launch Keynote, without any doubt my personal favor, pick a Theme from the Theme menu, go to your Media Browser select the images direct from the Aperture 2 Library (iPhoto is also there) add text, some animation and your almost done.
But if you really like to impress your client…go back to your Media Browser and choose some Music, I always have some sound tracks prepared in iTunes, multiple tracks of 30 sec., 45 sec., and 2 min. or create your own in GarageBand.

Now you add the sound track and you have a great show in a few minutes, but it gets a lot better…Keynote gives you some amazing export options,
like Send to: iDVD, iPhoto, iWeb, iTunes, GarageBand and direct to You Tube, yes you have heard right… to You Tube direct.

But Keynote doesn’t stop here, see the screenshots below for all the option you have on the Export Panel and a lot more in Quick Time (QT Pro is required for all the options) I just love Keynote for my presentations, the Web or sending a quick preview to clients via mail.
If that is not integration then I don’t know what is!

Export Panel...

Oh I almost forgot…the Built-in voiceover recording (very cool) and Import from and export to Microsoft PowerPoint and other formats.
You might notice I have not left Keynote, it is the perfect integration on the Mac which makes all of this possible.

In short, you work with Aperture 2, edit your images, make the necessary corrections and impress your friends and clients with a cool Keynote presentation.

Direct to You Tube...

How do I use Pages’08… very simple, start with one of over 100 templates to write letters, reports, business forms, and more. Create newsletters, brochures, flyers and posters with ease. Create a simple layout in Pages using the Media Browser to access your Aperture and iPhoto Library.

Dont underestimate Numbers’08 in iWorks’08 it is an innovative spreadsheet application great for your invoices or other related forms such as travel planners plus a lot more. If you need some images for your Numbers then go to your Media Browser, Aperture 2 and iPhoto is right there.

But my favorite is Keynote’08 an amazing and easy to use application, don’t know what I would do with out it…I just love it and my clients too; Keynote’08 alone is worth every penny spent on iWorks’08.
GD

For the latest images visit Gunther Deichmann's website @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/newimages.html

Tags: iWorks'08, Keynote, Pages, Numbers, Quick Time, Workflow

Click the logo and go direct to AUPN

Why should we deny Mac users Aperture 2 if they would like to make the switch, and if you ask me it makes a lot of sense, if you a Mac user then you are so much better off with Aperture just for the integration alone plus with all these new plug-ins.
Apple is aware of it and from past experience a solution is going to be available one of these days, I hope soon for all you out there who like to make the switch.
Go to AUPN for some info on this subject @ http://www.apertureprofessional.com/
Of course if I hear anything in the meantime or there is some more NEWS on this subject I let you know.
GD

Tags: Lightroom, Learning Aperture 2

But be warned – this festival is not for the faint-hearted – oxygen levels in Nakchu are approximately 61 percent and during the month of August, temperatures can soar up to 40 degrees Celsius in the shade at high noon and go right down to minus one degree Celsius in the early morning. There are few tourists in this area due to the high altitude – that and camping is the only accommodation available.

Traversing the Lhasa-Nakchu-Golmud route along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway features landscapes of grasslands, snow-covered mountains and villages, with the occasional view of the newly built railroad from China to Lhasa. It is an amazing journey and if you’re lucky, you just might encounter a prostrating pilgrim or two performing their ritual along the way. If you decide to travel to Nakchu, check with the local authorities or organize a local guide, then prepare yourself for extreme temperatures. Bear in mind that you are very close to the sun, so drink lots of water to avoid dehydration and to lower the effects of altitude sickness. Travelers should spend a few days in Lhasa to acclimatize to the altitude before hitting the road – when traveling from an altitude of 3,650 meters to Nakchu at 4,500 meters...
more on this amazing Festival on my website soon you find it under (publications - spreads) there you can download the whole story as a PDF file, or better get the latest issue of the Asian Geographic Magazine.

The previous Blog from the 14th of May
APERTURE 2 & the .Mac WEB GALLERY
delivered Tibet on time…

For more images on Tibet by Gunther Deichmann visit
his website @ www.deichmann-photo.com
or visit his PhotoShelter Archive & Collection @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html

Deadlines, deadlines and more deadlines…the last minute changes by editors or the production staff from magazines… an all to familiar story...not a problem anymore with Aperture 2

Tags: ASIAN Geographic Magazine, TiBET

APERTURE 2 & the .Mac WEB GALLERY
delivered Tibet on time…

For more images on Tibet by Gunther Deichmann visit
his website @ www.deichmann-photo.com
or visit his PhotoShelter Archive & Collection @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html

Deadlines, deadlines and more deadlines…the last minute changes by editors or the production staff from magazines… an all to familiar story.

Take this very recent case; I submitted images from Tibet for a story in the Asian Geographic Magazine, the first images where in low resolution…for selection purpose.

Weeks went by and yesterday the shout for the high-resolution images came in…
”we need them today”… OK. No problems…I got Aperture 2 and since all my high and low resolution images are stored in my Aperture Library I quickly selected the “CHOSEN ONES” had them up for downloading on a New .Web Gallery with username and password…that was last night. (see the email correspondence below)
Today I received the email below…do I have to say anything else? I guess not…once the story is out this month I let you have a preview until then…if you need your images out there fast from one publisher to another, use the Web Gallery in Aperture 2, so easy now and happy faces at the production department.
GD

See below the original email correspondence from the last 24 hours…

First email…

Hi Gunther,

Thank you for providing us with the requested information so promptly under such short notice, we really appreciate it. :)
Here are the images we require hi-res versions of, (see attached).

Thank you,
Sabrina

A few hours later…

Second email…

Hi Gunther,

Thank you for your quick reply, we do apologize for the short notice.
I have managed to download all the hi-res images from the link you provided.

Thanks again,
Sabrina

Tags: .Mac, Web Gallery, Apple, Mac, Aperture 2, Aperture Tips

APPLES + APERTURE 2 = MUMBAI INDIA

© Gunther Deichmann - Fresh Apples in Mumbai India
View GD images on India at his PhotoShelter
archive or collection @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html

It is amazing what you find or have forgotten when you do some more editing in Aperture a few weeks later. Remember my recent trip to Mumbai India for the Apple Aperture 2 World Tour. During my stay at the Hotel I noticed these Apples on this small Table, I thought…hey not bad, the light, the reflection and I guess the relationship between the words Apple and Apples, I shot this scene right in front of me using only the available light from the window.
Then in Aperture 2 I used only the Raw conversion, the straighten tool, a little cropping and applied some sharpening.
So there you have it…real fresh Apples from Mumbai India.

© Gunther Deichmann - Apples and window

This shot was taken few minutes later while sitting on my bed and looking towards the window, a straight shot I might add…and I didn’t move the furniture either, no manipulation in Photoshop, again using only the Raw converter in Aperture 2, the straighten tool, a little cropping and some sharpening.

The Black & White image below…

© Gunther Deichmann - Mumbai India April 2008

I saw this women sitting outside her home in a small alley in central Mumbai, the original image was color but converted to Black & White in Aperture 2 using the Monochrome mixer.
GD

Tags: Aperture 2, art, Photography, Tips, Apple, India, Aperture Tips

Let there be visuals with sound...
pure integration & imagination!



Artwork © Mark-Lee Deichmann - Mark-Lee used an old iSight camera
mounted on the Mac Titanium G4…took a self portrait of him
& manipulated the image in Photoshop.

Take an Aperture slide show…you have to make a presentation while on the road, fine you have the images and got Aperture 2… but music…?
In most cases if you using a Laptop for your roadwork I guess you have GarageBand and iTunes…iLife installed.

If not, you better hurry and do it now…

Here comes the sound, you create a sound mix in GarageBand or use a short loop (pre-installed with GarageBand) export the finished track to iTunes and you’re done.

The only thing left to do… open your slideshow in Aperture 2 and add your sound track you created minutes ago, follow my instructions below how to get there, iTunes is now at your fingertips find your sound track & add it to your slide show, sounds almost too easy.
See my sample screenshots below…

Maybe a bit of practice in GarageBand will help, but the rest is easy…

Take my Son Mark-Lee for example… he is doing some part time DJ work and he uses my old but still very functional Titanium Mac G4 Laptop, using GarageBand and creating his own artwork in Photoshop, see above…pretty cool if you ask me.

There he is sitting with his Numark PHX Headphones whipping out music on GarageBand or just mixing his sounds for his DJ stuff on my old G4.
If you are a music lover and created your own mix, of course you can use these too...but please don’t use something from the iTunes Store or from other sources, Music which does not belong to you, respect the copyright of others.
GD

When GarageBand opens you see this screenshot, the small red circle shows you where to find your loops & Jingles, now delete/remove the tracks (large red oval)


Select Jingle red circle on the left then your taste of music e.g.. Blues/Rock red circle in the center, pick something which will fit with your timing/lengths of the slide show, listen to it and if Ok drag it on the the now empty time line, remember you removed the other tracks previously.


Select Share a panel opens up to guide you the rest of the way...to iTunes


Back in Aperture 2 select your slide show, a small panel opens, now click the small arrow, red circle to go to all the settings for your slide show



Once you have arrived here you have many options and your iTunes Library is there too, now you find your sound track which you have created only minutes before, select it go through your slide show settings and your done. Your own sound with a cool Aperture 2 slideshow created on the road.
Of course you can always prepare some music at Home and later use it for your Aperture Slideshow, I have created my own tracks when traveling and the weather was bad, spend my time in the hotel room, mixing sound tracks in GarageBand... but at least I had some fun.

Tags: GarageBand, iLife, Integration, Music, Sound, iTunes

Go to File in Aperture 2 scroll down and select Import then Import iPhoto Library, make sure you select leave images in their current location.
Aperture automatically creates a new Folder (see the red square on the screenshot) containing your complete iPhoto Library,
Depends on how many images you have stored in your iPhoto Library this could take some time since Aperture 2 creates Thumbnails and Previews.

This is a screen shot of my iPhoto Library and you can see (I selected the underwater images) they are now in my Aperture Library.

Visit Gunther Deichmann's website @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/home.html

Tags: Integration, Images, Photography, Aperture Tips, Learning Aperture 2, iPhoto, Apple, Mac, iLife

A cool little Aperture 2 Tip...

Where do you find at a push of a button YOUR Camera Info when you like to compare your shots after the shoot in Aperture 2.1
See the provided screen shot below, the small drop down menu (small red circle) is where you find ...Show and Hide Camera & Color info...the red oval shows you the data, you have to be in the adjustment mode/panel.
This is very useful when comparing shots, what might have gone wrong or right...You can also move your Cursor over the image to get the color Value in between the images, the grey area will show you the Camera info. Play around and you find this is a very useful addition in Aperture 2.
You can also move your cursor over your Thumbnails... for those of you who are still in the early stage of Photography this command is great for analyzing your images quickly.
Try it out and have some fun...Aperture is not only great for the Pro's but it can help you to take better images by quickly finding out what went wrong or right.
GD

Visit Gunther Deichmann's website @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/home.html

Tags: Aperture, Photography, Camera, Digital, Tips

You are cordially invited to attend our 6pm-7pm
FREE MAC Training for the month of May
at the Power Mac Training Center, Level 2 Greenbelt 3,
Ayala Center, Makati.


For all Mac and non Mac users...feel like switching? Why not!
Check out the Training Center at the Power Mac Center In Makati.
Recommended by Gunther Deichmann a certified Apple Trainer
for Aperture he is also on the Apple Aperture Advisory Board.
Visit his website @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/home.html

Click on the image for your
Registration at the POWER MAC CENTER
MAC TOPICS:
May 6- Mac OS X.5 Leopard Basic
May 13- Mac OS X.5 Leopard Advanced
May 15-iWork (Pages & Keynote)
May 17-iLife '08 Basic (iPhoto, iMovie & GarageBand)
May 20- Automator & AppleScript
May 22 - Movie Editing Using Final Cut Pro
May 24- Troubleshooting Your Mac
May 27-TAB Animation for Kids
May 29-Switchers 101 (From PC to Mac)

Check out our Training Calendar website for more info & services.
One-on-One Tutorial/ Group Training/ Venue Rental)

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

© Gunther Deichmann - Communication...Hong Kong, for more
stock images visit GD PhotoShelter Archive, click on the image
or this link: http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann

Solving a problem can be fun or frustrating…nothing to do with
Aperture 2, Plug-ins or Photography this time, but with Communication…
an issue between Outlook and Mail… PC verses MAC
& why I am not surprised.

It all started when some of my friends complained having problems replying to my e-mails, they wrote back and said their Outlook started to freeze upon hitting the reply button and could only reply by open OUTLOOK again creating a new message. A persisting and re-occurring problem for quiet some time with a few of my good buddies who are using PC's

After a few weeks and some investigation we have solved the problem… NO VIRUS in my system! Remember… I am using Mac…but they also had no virus on their system.

So where was this little glitch…nothing major but I understand a little annoying for some, they had to re-boot when replying to my mail…no need for re-booting on a Mac.
Do I rub it in again? Well just a little…cant help myself, he, he.

We run some tests and found out this happens only with Outlook upon replying to my mail, Outlook did not like my SIGNATURE on my outgoing mail. (I have a couple of Logos on it)

Problem solved, when I send e-mails now and I know they are using Outlook I just remove my Signature and that works, or you need to switch my emails to plain text when replying because it is the html in the SIGNATURE that creates this problem. There you have it, nothing major just annoying for my friends…not for me.

Problem is fixed…and we all smiles again.

Visit my Website @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/home.html

GD

A straight shot...believe it or not, but very true.
I only applied the Raw conversion & a little sharpening.

© Gunther Deichmann - looking out of my Hotel Window in
Mumbai India April 2008 for the latest images on India visit
my PhotoShelter Archives, click on the image or the link below:
http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann

Below excerpts from the Aperture Users Professional Network a great site for all the latest technical information on Aperture.
http://www.apertureprofessional.com/
Tiffen's the newest player to release an effect plug-in for Aperture, Tiffen Dfx. The Tiffen Dfx software simulates and replicates digitally the effects that Tiffen filters can create, plus much more…

I am excited? Yes? No?
Ok some of you might love these plug-ins and there is really nothing wrong with it but for me…filters and some others in the pipeline are not much use to me.
I am a Photojournalist/Travel Photographer, I like my images the way I saw them…even before the digital age I have never used any filters, the only thing I do now is remove the odd sensor dust, cropping and straightening and of course the great black & white conversion. I do rely on the RAW Image conversions and adjust the exposure a bit at times, very minor tweaks... plus some sharpening which all the Digital Cameras need...some more than others.
I am not a Photoshop guy who enhances the images… no need before, why now…but I love the ability to export my files direct from within Aperture 2 to my PhotoShelter archives and PhotoShelter Collection, the latest plug in is very cool, plus I can create a nice .Mac Web Gallery, (not a plug-in) one of my favorites…I call it “show and tell the client.”

View some of my images before the digital age shot on Kodachrome 25 @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/australia.html

These are the things I love more than anything…lets take PhotoShelter as an example I have the ability to upload my images from just about any location provided I have a connection, not only having the possibility of a sale but just for safe keeping in a different location, it is just like another backup system & you know how important that is.
OK. for our studio guys and commercial Photographers some of these plug-ins are a welcome new addition to Aperture 2.1 and some of them come in very handy for sure, making the job so much more efficient and easy but for me filters and other new plug-ins are not much of an advantage, I like to spend more time in the field.
However a noise reduction plug-in would be nice, even for me, I think Nic Software is working on it now.
Aperture 2 has much bigger advantages for me…being so integrated and the management of images is out of this world plus the speed and flexibility.
In the end it is your choice what you like or need, with Aperture 2.1 you have all the options for a variety of Jobs and that is just so great.

GD

© Gunther Deichmann- a swoosh of color moving across the camera...
small market area in central Mumbai, India, April 2008

On the road again”…Woodstock…the Boggie…remember that cool Blues song from Canned Heat, still one of my favorites…and since I am on the road a lot, I guess this blog is very appropriate….

More plug-ins arriving… the latest one is from PhotoShelter (see the screenshot below) an update from their earlier version but now perfect and improved for Aperture 2.1 this has always been a great edition in Aperture since I have joined PhotoShelter, if you remember PhotoShelter was one of the very first plug –ins for Aperture 1.5.

I have already tested this new plug-in… very nice, it even tells you if you have made a mistake e.g. forgot to convert your black & white image (Grayscale) to RGB, and be honest we all make these little mistakes sometimes, these guys are getting very clever out there, taken all the thinking away from us, well almost.

When you on the road as much as I am this plug-in comes in very handy, no matter where you are you can upload your images direct from within Aperture, don’t I have mention this before…never leaving the program. Hmmm…
Super cool and very important, you never know when you capture this great shot and need to get it out there, always connected.

Take for instance my last Journey from Mumbai in India and then straight to Boracay… the latest Images from India are already on my PhotoShelter Collection…just waiting for the editors now. The same images are also now available on my PhotoShelter Archives and if you don’t believe me…then check out link below and go to the Archive and India is there, soon to follow is Boracay in the Philippines.
The link… and on the road again…soon! It is the yellow one... Yellow brick road...reminds me of another song.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html

© Gunther Deichmann- the amazing architecture
at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai India, April 2008

Oh, I almost forgot, I just prepared a story on the horse racing festival in Tibet shot in 2006 for my book Journey through Color and Time for the Asian Geographic Magazine. They needed a good choice of images so I prepared them in one of my favorite…the Web Gallery in Aperture 2…with password, username… the works ready for the selection and once they have chosen from the low res. images I just upload the high res. ones, given the editor a good broad selection for the article, not missing out on anything plus all my caption and info is done and not having them to do twice… so simple all with Aperture 2.1
Hey, and DON'T FORGET TO BOOGIE...
GD

Screenshot of the NEW PhotoShelter plug-in
for Aperture 2.1



I have marked the area with a red oval where you can check if
there is a problem with your images.

© Gunther Deichmann - wall decor at the Boracay
Mandarin Spa, Boracay Philippines 2008


© Gunther Deichmann - having fun...
Parasailing in Boracay Philippines 2008



© Gunther Deichmann - Kites at Boracay's White beach just out
side from the Boracay Mandarin Hotel Resort, Philippines 2008

But now to these new plug-ins...

The interesting part for all these new plug- ins will be for our underwater photographers in due time...some of whom still using Photoshop to tweak some colors which can be difficult for underwater landscapes. Remember when I set up the Digital Photo Center for Sam's Tours in Palau, (check the previous blogs for details) I have heard only yesterday that everything is running very smooth.
The Wi-Fi connections we installed running cool, not to mention the iMac upgrades and training of the staff on Leopard and Aperture, I guess all of this would not have been possible without the investment from Sam Scott and the incredible input and advise from Dermot Keane the GM at Sam's Tours.

_________________________________________

Sam's Tours has just been featured recently in the Scuba Diving Magazine online Bottoms Time, see the screenshot below.

Click on the image and go direct to
the Digital Photo Center

Press release from the Scuba Diving magazine:
ALL - NEW DIGITAL PHOTO CENTER AT SAM'S TOURS IN PALAU

Sam's Tours' all new Digital Photo Center is fully equipped to cater to digital photographers of all interest levels, from those with handy point-and-shoot cameras to the most demanding digital photographers shooting in RAW format. Their six top-of-the-line Apple iMac workstations are loaded with terabytes and terabytes of storage, archiving and secure data backup systems, lots of RAM, and completely optimized for digital imaging with Apple Aperture 2 image management software, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Bridge, Toast, and topped off with DSL Wi-Fi internet access. No other photo center in Palau comes near!

Plus, you can rent new Canon SD850 Digital Cameras and Canon ZR830 Digital Minicams with underwater housings. Other camera-friendly improvements include an expanded "dry zone" for Camera Preparation and Charging and a new Camera Drying Station complete with towels and compressed air for post-rinsing camera care.

________________________________________

What has all of this to do with the new plug-ins? Actually a lot...more capabilities on one system soon...I guess to go with the iMacs and Aperture at Sam's Tours was the right decision, check it out the next time you in Palau and dont forget your Camera for these incredible shots above and below the waves.
GD

Nic software has just announced the availability of one of the first Plug -ins for Aperture 2.1 in May 2008. For those of you who are interested in all these new plug ins stay tuned as soon more become available I be announcing them.
Exciting times ahead for some of you, soon you be able to stay even longer in Aperture 2.1 without switching back and forth or open Photoshop.
Click on the images below for a direct link to Nic software and a detail description of their products.
GD

Available in May, 2008, Viveza will also be compatible with Apple Aperture 2 to enable direct on-image editing, with the most powerful and precise tool available to selectively control light and color in photographic images. For the first time, corrections and enhancements can be made quickly and easily without the need to create complicated selections or layer masks, providing selective editing control within Aperture.

© Gunther Deichmann - early morning in the Mumbai Railway station...
I just love color and movement.



© Gunther Deichmann - early morning rush hour
in the Mumbai Railway station.



© Gunther Deichmann - light and shadow on the road
near Bollywood in Mumbai

I guess I did fall in love with the colors of Mumbai and India and like to share just a few more images with you before changing the subject… don’t worry a selection of images will be shortly on my Site
(http://www.deichmann-photo.com/) the PhotoShelter Archive and the PhotoShelter Collection (http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html) but I have to catch up first with a lot of editing, paperwork and prepare for my next trip to Bali in Indonesia now.
I guess you have to stay tuned for the announcement… it wont be that long.

© Gunther Deichmann - amazing story telling decor in the
lobby area at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai




© Gunther Deichmann - the colors
of Mumbai



© Gunther Deichmann - just along the road
central Mumbai

Aperture certainly made my life a lot easier these past few weeks…from the extreme F1 Grand Prix in Sepang Malaysia where I joined Marlon Stockinger on his Formula BMW debut, remember the fast anf furious…to Mumbai India for the Apple Aperture World Tour and then straight to Boracay Island in the Philippines for a commercial shoot, it has been non stop and thousands of images later, a few hectic weeks have gone by.

© Gunther Deichmann - "catching the color"
near the Mumbai Railway station



© Gunther Deichmann - happy faces even
with a heavy load...



© Gunther Deichmann - the two images above... late afternoon along the road from Mumbai to Goa, women carrying bricks at a small building site, these clay bricks are manufactured right on site hence the dust and smoke from the nearby brick furnace.

If you are a photographer and shoot a lot of images then Aperture is the solution not only of its editing and management capabilities but the integration with the Mac…editing has become fun again…not to mention the new plug-ins soon available with Aperture 2.1 ( click this link for more info)

For me who is constantly on the road it is the ultimate software my “Road Warrior”
fast and efficient, Aperture 1 was the missing link in Photography but now with Aperture 2.1 Apple has set a standard for the workflow after the shoot and with an amazing image management system.

… enjoy the images, thanks to Aperture I managed to get them out very fast, now I can concentrate on my next trip creating images and not having to worry how I am going to edit them quickly and efficient.
GD

The view from my car window continues ...
but in Black & White.



© Gunther Deichmann - a street vendor in Mumbai selling
a variety of books, no other comments needed...

A few more images from my road trip in Mumbai India...the view from the car window continues but in Black & White.
You all know I am very much of a color person and never shoot much in Black & White, maybe changing film before became a bit of a hassle or carrying the extra camera around... I have been in color all my life...

© Gunther Deichmann - she is so happy...

© Gunther Deichmann - A proud Mumbai taxi driver...

However on these rare occasion I do shoot Black &White and sometimes it looks even better... more down to earth and real...no need to carry a second or third camera around with you, Aperture 2 can do all of this after the shoot and the nice part is...you still have the original color images after the conversion.

© Gunther Deichmann - Think! The sad side...
I have encountered this scene not only in India but just about everywhere
else I have traveled...no need for additional comments...



© Gunther Deichmann - just another view from my car window...

All you have to do is... go to the Monochrome Mixer in the Adjustments Panel and there you find all you need including these color filters we used to use during the old days in front of the lens.
No... I dont call this manipulation in the Computer... remember you are not in Photoshop...this is just like the old fashion darkroom... even before I converted some slides into a Black & White image in the darkroom... nothing new except is has become a lot easier and remember it is the image you created in the first place that will leave a lasting impression.

I LOVE COLOR but sometime Black & White is beautiful too and I am by no means against it, I love good Black & White images and it is so great that we still can do this today except for all these chemicals, I guess if you look at it this way, Aperture is very much environmental friendly.
GD

The view from my car window...

© Gunther Deichmann - all the images above are from my recent trip to
Mumbai India, they have been taken from the car while traveling
through out the Mumbai area, I always wanted to create some images
from the car without leaving it. Mumbai was a perfect place to do this with
it's slow moving traffic in the late afternoon.

More on my main website very soon… but now to Boracay… a commercial shoot but I decided to show you today something a bit different…low light, color and movement these images where taken in between the commercial shoot when ever I had the time.
I am back for a month now and catch up with some long overdue blogs and more on Aperture 2 or should I say Aperture 2.1

© Gunther Deichmann - Getting ready for Parasailing in Boracay,
Philippines, April 2008


© Gunther Deichmann - catching the last "wave" and light, Boracay Beach,
Philippines, April 2008



© Gunther Deichmann - late afternoon colors and kites on
Boracay's famous White Beach, Philippines, April 2008

It has proven again and again that without Aperture I be spending to much time after the shoot... another 3000 plus Images just from the Boracay trip and I am almost done with my editing and I just walked into the door this morning, I might mention briefly again the new feature during import…do not import duplicates I keep this activated all the time now, silly me mixed up some CF Cards again but hence this very useful new Feature in Aperture 2 no problems.
Now enjoy the Images…more frequent and very interesting blogs are on the way or visit Gunther Deichmann's website @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/
GD

Extremes & contrast...Mumbai India



© Gunther Deichmann - Mumbai India, April 2, 2008

A very big thank you to Mumbai in India for the incredible hospitality, the people and the amazing colors around me and of course the great food.
Yes you have guessed right the Apple Aperture event in Mumbai is completed and I am hanging around for a few extra days and realized that I should have come to India a lot sooner.
The Journey continues through Color and Time... or more like contrast and extremes I have encountered the last few days and as you all know... I love contrast!
Thanks to the Apple Aperture team for having me on board and my special thanks to all the wonderful people I have met during the event and on the road.
See below some images from the Apple Aperture event and in the coming days I feature some images from my few days in and around Mumabi, yes Aperture 2 came again very handy, since the event I have shot some 1800 images in just a few days, it really helps to have a Road Warrior like Aperture around.

Sam Leung - Product Marketing Manager Asia Pacific
introduction into Aperture at the Grand Hyatt Hotel
in Mumbai India, April 1st. 2008

The only drawback since the digital age and the arrival of Aperture is that I get less sleep... in the old days you just marked your rolls of film and went to bed, but now you upload them and start editing right away...well do I get carried away, my fault...

Gunther Deichmann - during his talk about photography
on the road and after the shoot workflow.

Sam Leung - Product Marketing Manager Asia Pacific
during the Aperture Product demonstration at the
Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai India, April 1st. 2008



A full house, the delegates at the Grand Hyatt Hotel...
Gunther Deichmann - during his talk about photography
on the road and after the shoot workflow.

The delegates at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai,
India, April 1st. 2008

Anyway with Aperture 2.1 at least it is quick and very efficient not like before spending hours on end in Photoshop, now I can get some sleep which reminds me I have to hit the sheets soon. Sorry for the delay of this Blog from Mumbai, but I hope you understand that I rather shoot and create images then writing all night long... there is just to much contrast and color around me at the moment.
Dont worry the blogs keep flowing again as soon I am back in Manila... with some more new and helpful information about Aperture 2.1
from Mumbai India...GD

Aperture 2.1 is red hot...



© Gunther Deichmann - red hot chillis

The land of super Curry and red hot chilli peppers is near… Aperture 2 in Mumbai India on the 1st of April 2008. As mention in my previous blog I try to give you an insight direct from the location, lets cross our fingers and hope the connection is Ok., until soon.
Marlon Stockingers website, the Photo Gallery and front page has now been updated with the latest images from the F1 Grand Prix and the Formula BMW in Sepang, see Marlon in action...
@ http://www.marlonstockinger.com/gallery.html
GD

Aperture 2.1 updates various features of the application and addresses issues related to performance and overall stability. The updates include the following and I guess a lot more test driving on the road, you just have to stay tuned.

. Dodge & Burn Plug-in. A sample plug-in is pre-installed, taking advantage of the Edit API introduced in Aperture 2.0. The plug-in adds brush-based tools for Dodge (Lighten), Burn (Darken), Contrast, Saturation, Sharpen and Blur.
. Customize Default Adjustment Set. You can now specify which adjustments appear by default in the Adjustments Inspector/HUD.
. Updated Crop Tool. A simplified UI makes it easier to preserve an image's original aspect ratio, match the aspect ratio of your display, or use one of the standard preset aspect ratios.
. Sorting in All Projects View. A contextual menu allows you to sort the All Projects view in ascending or descending date order.
. Show on Map. A contextual menu allows you to choose the Show on Map by right-clicking (or Control-clicking) on an image that contains GPS data.
. Access to Toolbar on Second Display. When using multiple displays in Full Screen mode, the Full Screen toolbar is now accessible on a second display.
. "Snapshots" book theme. This additional theme includes new "photo border" frames in which to place images.
. Flip Images. You can now flip images horizontally or vertically within Aperture.
. Vignette. The range of gamma and exposure settings available has been expanded.
. Save Books as JPEG or TIFF images. Automator actions have been added to Save as PDF pop-up menu in the Print Book window to automatically generate JPEG or TIFF images from book pages.
. Update EXIF from Master. This command allows Aperture to reread EXIF from a master images after they have been imported.
. Extended AppleScript support. The "Reveal" verb in the AppleScript dictionary has been extended to include containers such as projects and albums.
The update includes fixes that impact the a number of areas, including:
. Image import
. Image migration
. Erasing memory cards after import
. Quick Preview
. Batch Change
. Auto-stacking
. All Projects view
. Tooltips
. Smart Albums
. Tethering
. Adjustments inspector
. Viewer
. Loupe
. White Balance
. Definition
. Lift & Stamp
. Handling of externally edited images
. Reconnecting referenced files
. Keyboard customization
. Deleting images
. Metadata presets
. Book themes
. Borderless printing
. Web Page/Web Journal export
. Exporting versions
. Export Plug-in support
. AppleScript support
For further information about this update, see Late-Breaking News About Aperture 2, available at http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Aperture_2.0_lbn_z.pdf
The Aperture 2.1 Update is recommended for all Aperture 2 users.

Aperture World Tour 2008
Countries and Dates

Singapore March 12 - Hong Kong March 20 - Taiwan March 27 -
India (Mumbai) April 1



Join the Tour

Beginning in February, Apple takes Aperture 2 on tour around the world. Join us and enjoy a close look at the next generation of Apple’s powerful photo editing and management software.

With its simplified user interface, Aperture 2 is easy enough for any photographer to pick up and use. Intuitive and accessible, it brings a variety of new interface features that members of Apple’s pro photo marketing team will demonstrate, including:

* A new All-in-one Inspector
* Viewer Only mode
* Quick Preview mode
* Project skimming in All Projects view

This free, two-hour seminar explores all of the top features in Aperture 2, our invited professional photographer’s workflow and an introduction of Canon’s latest camera.

Agenda

* Discover Aperture 2 - by Sam Leung
* Using Aperture on Assignment - by Gunther Deichmann
* Canon Digital Imaging Solution - by Canon

For more details and venues click on the image above or this link: http://www.apple.co.in/aperture/tour/

You might remember my last blog when I mention the Evolution…and the .Mac Web Gallery…cant stay away from it because it is so awesome...

I have taken a different approach in my blogs… explaining or talk about the new features in Aperture 2…yes a bit on the technical side plus some tips, but I like and continue in bringing you real live information about Aperture 2 from the field…the real testing ground.

I am bragging again… YES… (justified) I am so impressed… like in evolution the missing link came with...
Aperture 1.0 but with Aperture 2 we started to walk upright…but to be honest, I am actually running very fast now…
Sounds like I am back in to my fossils…discovery of man… Aperture 2.

Lets turn the clock back a bit…no…no fossils today, it is just so amazing and I guess the credit has to go to the engineers at the Apple Aperture department.
Sometimes we forget... without these guys... we be still in the Stone Age… the hours they have put into the development, trying to please everyone… only to often, we just take them for granted.

If you like me having a mix bag of images and I mean a mix bag of thousands and thousands of slides, some scanned and digitized plus raw images now, you might wonder how all of this is organized… very simple with Aperture. Even before Aperture 2 came out a few weeks ago, I managed this very nicely with Aperture 1.5 but now with Aperture 2 it has open so many more possibilities in all areas of photography.

I find my old and treasured images from 30 years ago and mix them up with the new Raw files, not a problem, the great thing is I can leave them where there are… on my external hard drives just bring them in as referenced files.
Store or keep in their current location.
A system which works so well and perfect for stock images, you always look for this old shot… now you bring it into Aperture 2 create a Web Gallery send low resolution files first to your client and after he made the final selection you send the big stuff all within Aperture 2…never leaving the program, but you do need a .Mac account.

Thanks to the engineers from the Aperture Dept. for making my life so much more pleasant...fast and very efficient.

Just last week I had several cases where images where needed in low res. first for selection, e.g. sending Philippine images to a German Publisher – providing a selection for my web master for a web project – then images for my friend Tom Stockinger to select the racing shots of Marlon’s Formula BMW Pacific for news paper press releases…

This screen shot shows you what Tom received in his email,
including a small message.

I am going to implement this during my next trip to Seapang, Malaysia this month for the F1 Grand Prix and the Formula BMW Pacific race...and continue the very fast and furious.Including the Porsche Carrera Cup, plenty of of action after the 15th of March from Sepang.

As a travel Photographer this new addition is just perfect…what does this mean…very simple I can now spend more time on the road shooting and my images if in low or high resolution are with my client or at my stock agencies long before I return home.
Talking about meeting those deadlines…easy now… I just LOVE this whole concept… Aperture 2 is my Road Warrior now.

The open Web Gallery on your Browser

Once you have received the email see first image above you just click View Album and your internet browser opens up, that's it...but now you have all these possibilities...like different layout, Grid, Carousel, Mosaic, Slideshow, downloading, uploading, Tell a Friend etc., etc. and you not restricted to just one page what ever is in your Aperture Project or the selected images will be online for your friend or client to see. Even the option of username & password protect is available.
Visit Marlon Stockingers website and you see these images also on his live Photo Gallery click the image or the link below.
There you find also the Racing Calendar for the Formel BMW in 2008.

http://www.marlonstockinger.com/gallery.html

Yes real live examples from Aperture 2 and the .Mac Web Gallery…what took hours and days before, is done almost in real time now…the "guy" who came up with this one should get a ***** 5 Star.
Can you imagine you shooting this story for an international magazine or reporting from some remote place…the editors need to go to print the layout is with the art department everybody is waiting for you…well you might have to go into town for a connection but after you published your .Mac Gallery you are back in the field and carry on with your work…
At least the editors and art directors have some idea what is going on and what else is coming…absolutely fantastic.
For myself this is certainly one of the best new addition in Aperture 2 not to mention all these other cool things I have reported earlier in my Blogs…and of course the new speed…all for a fantastic price…two votes today for Aperture 2 and to those guys and girls who where part in developing/creating Aperture... A Big Thank You!
GD

Visit Gunther Deichmann's Website @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

© Gunther Deichmann - images like these had been on the
wish list of the publisher...aerial view of Lake
Taal Volcano in the Philippines
Click on the photos for GD's stock images
@ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html

Aperture 2 again to the rescue... I imported all the images into Aperture added the Metadata, caption plus the photographers name created a web gallery and I was done, well I only had to send an email to notify the client. I may add that these images where a real mix bag, from scanned slides to digital plus from very different sources, even my assistant Hermes contributed some nice images, a lot of images with a lot of information but with Aperture it was a breeze.

© Gunther Deichmann - the nocturnal Tarsier Monkey,
one of the smallest Monkeys in the world from the
island of Bohol in the Philippines.
Click on the photos for GD's stock images
@ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html

The next stage is the high resolution images when the publisher has made his selection, once that is made we upload them on to our ftp site direct from within Aperture 2, you might think this is magic, No... it is Aperture 2 never leaving Aperture all done within, I guess it is sort of magic.
Remember as a child you where so amazed by the Magician who made the rabbit disappear...now with Aperture 2 all your headaches have disappeared.
In my next blog I show you a screen shot of the Web Gallery with some more images from the Philippines.
GD

Apple has just released an update for Aperture 2 (2.01) which I recommend for all Aperture 2 users, see below the details from Apple.
I have also provided a link below for those of you who like to try out Aperture 2 first before purchasing.
http://www.apple.com/aperture/trial/


About the Aperture 2.0.1 Update
Summary

Aperture 2.0.1 addresses issues related to the performance and overall stability of Aperture 2. The update includes fixes that impact the following areas:
Products Affected

Aperture 2.X

* Upgrading libraries from earlier versions of Aperture
* Publishing .Mac Web Gallery albums
* Preview generation and deletion
* Creating and ordering books
* AppleScript support
* Keyboard shortcut customization
* Appearance of metadata overlays in the Browser, Filmstrip, and on light tables
* Watermarking of emailed photos
* Highlight Hot and Cold Areas

It also fixes a number of other minor issues, some involving the following areas:

* Loupe
* Smart Albums
* All Projects View
* Straighten Tool
* Filmstrip
* Drag and drop import
* Thumbnail generation
* Import window
* Export plug-in reliability

The Aperture 2.0.1 Update is recommended for all Aperture users.

© Gunther Deichmann - how it looks on my personal iPOD
...images from Palau

But they offer a lot more at Sam's, now you can upload all your holiday/vacation photos on your iPod, the staff at the DPC will be happy to assist you with all your requirements, the only thing you have to do... bring your iPod, but then who doesn't these days and once back home show your friends and family members on TV how great your last vacation has been. We take away all your hassles, you be organized back home, no more looking for hours on end where you stored these great shots... plug in the cable switch on your TV and enjoy the show.

They can do the same with your video footage, at Sam's Tours you connected not only to the rest of the world, now you can concentrate on your diving, they take care of the rest, surviving for all our underwater photographers has just become a lot more realistic and fun.

Enjoy your vacation, dive the great dive sites of Palau, like Blue Corner and Blue Hole and so many others, dont feel like diving...no problem, join Sam's Tours on one of their great land tours by road, visit ancient and historical sites or take a Kayak trip for a day or two, explore and discover Palau...visit the
"The Pearls of the Pacific."
For the latest images on Palau go to Gunther's stock images @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/stock.html

Latest info and tips on Aperture 2 visit Gunther Deichmann's Blog @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

GD

© Gunther Deichmann - aerial view of
the Palau Rock islands after sunset

The Reflection of Excellence continues...

Great NEWS! Soon to arrive...Aperture 2 at Sam's Tours Palau Micronesia...stay tuned for more updates from Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center.
Surviving for our underwater photographers has just become a lot easier in Palau, Aperture 2 is on it's way ready for you to use.
Sam's Tours Digital Photo Center is the only one of it's kind in Palau, Micronesia and in the Pacific, check out my previous blogs or go direct to Sam's Tours DPC site
click this link Sam's Tours DPC.
Watch out for Monday the 3rd of March...a truly amazing story, images and another very cool tip on Aperture 2, but now I take the weekend off,
Cheers until Monday
GD

To visit Marlon's website just click on the image.
Marlon Stoeckinger Race Car Driver - Formula BMW Pacific,
Sepang F1 Circuit, Malaysia - one of 12 contact sheets straight
out of Aperture 2 including all the metadata

No problem with Aperture 2, go to Print Image under File and there you find a setting for Contact sheet...yes it is that easy, the only thing you have to do is specify the columns and rows add some metadata and you done, there is also an auto setting but I needed the individual images a bit larger, you can even prepare a pdf file from your Contact sheet and send that to your lab or to your client direct from Aperture using Mail, ha,ha now I have to laugh...I have not left Aperture 2 since I started to work today...he,he my famous word integration, no need for anything else.
It took about 45 min. for everything and long before Tom arrived, I was back editing my environmental images dealing with another deadline...always deadlines and more deadlines but with Aperture 2 it is a lot easier to manage. By the way, try this... I call it V for victory...this keyboard shortcut is superb...if you press V you can toggle between the Browser & Viewer- Browser only and Viewer only, what a time saver.
GD

No this is not me... a recent shot from
Chuuk in Micronesia, a fisherman during
a tropical down pour.
www.deichmann-photo.com

Aperture 2… responses from Down Under…see below a letter from Mark Cox in Queensland, Australia.
This is my reply to Mark's letter...thanks for your kind words Mark, now to your request re. Aperture 2…for all its glory, speed, functuality and ease of use, you be amazed at the price…
upgrade for only US$ 99.00 since you have already 1.5

Click the image and go to the Apple store

Another reason for using Aperture 2, I don’t know of any other pro software that can match that? Another vote from me.
Mark, check with your local Mac Center or retailer on the availability, from what I have heard it is available in Australia, I did receive a letter from David Callard also from Australia who has just received his copy. Please do not hesitate in contacting me if you need any help with the new features, you be thrilled with the new interface, features and the super sonic speeeeeeed, I am not kidding... it is very fast and so easy to use.

Tip and a must check out for today...All Projects...now that is super cool you find it in your Projects panel, move the cursor over the images from your project click and press the space bar that will set the key image, but you can change this any time you feel like it, check it out, certainly another vote from me for Aperture 2

Screenshot shows All Projects (red circle) panel open, a real
cool addition, sooooooo... easy to use.
Double click on the image and your project opens up.

For all the latest features on Aperture 2 plus some great tutorials click on the screenshot above, a direct link to Aperture's new website.

GD


From: mark.cox.photography@mac.com
Subject: Re: Aperture introduction
Date: February 26, 2008 9:55:15 AM GMT+08:00
To: gdeichmann@mac.com

My Name is Mark Cox a Photographer, I have know Gunther Deichmann for some years already, have done a photo-workshop in Cambodia with him & WOW. I live In Port Douglas Australia where the reef meets the ocean, I spoke to Gunther with reference for a new computer & professional software for digital Photographers, hence Aperture 1.5 & now I saw on GD’s latest Blog a newer and better Aperture 2 plus he had this amazing Photo shelter widget that showed his stock photos at random!! Without GD constantly updating his web & sending his always interesting & amazing blogs I would miss out. GD once again, thanks so much my friend keep them coming please & let me know how much the new price is of Aperture 2 & availability in Australia.

Mark Cox
Photographer & Adventurer

Intro:

When you use the New retouching or cloning tool, make sure you switch off the Quick Preview button, on a full screen just move your mouse to the top of the screen your tools appear and you see the icon for the retouching panel, click the icon and the retouching panel will open, everything you need is there...size and softness of brush etc... click on the image above and go direct to
the NEW Aperture 2 website where you can find tutorials (great videos) and all the latest features explained in details.

Welcome to a few more laps with Aperture 2…plus some diving today.
I prepared some images for our underwater photographers one with back scatter and on the other one I removed the backscatter with Aperture’s NEW retouching tool, very useful also for the sensor dust on your image, check below and compare the images before and after.
Before we go into all the details I like to bring up an “interesting subject” some how keeps cropping up on the net…
- Aperture and Lightroom -

No… I will not compare or join these discussions.
(No more after today)
As a working photographer who spend most of his time in the field I have to get the images right in the first place in other words I cant and will not relay on two software’s e.g. having Lightroom and Aperture installed on my Machine, aren’t we suppose to create images, yes a lot of changes have taken place since the digital age has arrived but lets not forget where the real images come from.

When Aperture 1.0 came out I was in the middle of my book production “Journey Through Color and Time,” 360 pages full color using tiff and Raw files, editing some 5000 images from over 30 years, yes I did all of that with Aperture 1.0 since there was nothing else available, I had just finished and Aperture 1.5 surfaced, to late the book was done, now Aperture 2 has taken this completely to new dimensions.

Remember the saying… “Rome was not build in one Day either” I think we have to give some credit here to those engineers for what they have created and achieved, I certainly take my hat of to them, stop comparing… “this is better… that is worse.”
Sometimes I also advise the Aperture team how things can be improved, it is a long and slow process but in the end it will be implemented, I have seen the results and they do listening.

I used to shoot Kodachrome 25, and had to get it right in the first place, there was no room for mistakes, ok. things have changed and we can do a lot more with our images now, that is what I love about Aperture 2… it is simple and very fast with a lot of new useful tools, I choose Aperture from the beginning, did my Book and many other things since then, Aperture filled a big gap in Digital Photography before anybody else did.

I also use Photoshop, great software and I have been using it over many years and continue doing so, but now I am using it less and less… I am a Photographer not a Retoucher and it all depends what you shooting in the first place, yes in advertising and some commercial work it has it’s place for sure.

Which Raw converter is better??? I am not going into that one either, Aperture works for me, and I have customized my workflow and interface to my liking. What else do I need?
I am happy and so much faster than ever,” real time I think it is called.” Not to mention the integration one of my favorites, Aperture 2 has come a long way in a very short time, in the end it is up to you which software you choose. I guess the same applies to Cameras, you choose what ever you comfortable with, Canon verses Nikon (the web is full of it too) and so many others…

Aperture 2 is my Road Warrior…
fast, simple and efficient, no nonsense!

Now a little bit of diving and cleaning the BMW… see the samples below, removing sensor dust and backscatter in underwater images with
Aperture 2.

Before:
If you look closely you see some back scatter on the upper portion of the image


After: Adjusting the exposure and adding a little more contrast after that I used the retouch brush to remove the back scatter, a much cleaner image.


Before: A flat and very dirty BMW with Logo, ...after the race...
now he needs a good clean with our retouching brush

After the car wash...I used the auto exposure in my Adjustments panel
adjusted the white balance a bit and added some contrast.
Then I started to clean the dirt of the car by using the NEW retouching tool,
Now we have a nice clean BMW ready for the next few laps.
All of this took only a few minutes never leaving Aperture 2.

More real samples and some tips soon on this Blog...just stay tuned or subscribe to this Blog.
To view some of Gunther Deichmann's Images visit his website @

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

Let's go and check under the
hood of Aperture 2...



© Gunther Deichmann - Marlon's BMW being checked
by a mechanic in between laps, Sepang Malaysia
Click on the image above and visit Marlon's website @
http://www.marlonstockinger.com/index.html

Yes, I did some real timing today, like on the Race track every second counts, but sometimes even race cars loose control if you a good driver or not… you hit the gravel, your secure area.

I also took the last corner too fast today (or maybe I am not used to the new speed of Aperture 2) yes, I did loose control and imported by mistake the same CF Card twice, but then I thought, hey, there is this NEW command where you can tick this box and avoid duplicates on import. I had to investigate this one, and went straight for another lap…

After I had imported all my images I tried to cheat by importing the same images again, I clicked on the folder with the import panel open, and guess what? It was empty since I had activated the “Do not import duplicates “check box, thanks to the Apple engineers, a fantastic new feature, just awesome.
Note: this happen today, a real life mistake!

You find this box on the upper right on the import panel,
you check Do not import duplicates... it is that easy.

90% of my photography is in the field, importing from my CF Cards or external hard drives in the Hotel Room or even in a Tent during my trip through Tibet in 2006, and sometimes I get my Cards mixed up, but now having the ability to avoid duplicates “Do not import duplicates” is very smart and a great time saver.

No more duplicates... a real time saver,
not to mention the storage space you save.

As mention in my earlier Blog, Aperture 2 arrived perfect on time for my shoot in Sepang Malaysia for the Formula BMW Pacific practice trials, but soon I am back in Cambodia, Bali and Palau, creating images most people know me for. If I mix up my CF Cards again I just don’t worry anymore, given me more time to create images and extra time for serious editing on the road, thanks to the Aperture team.

Some more good NEWS, for our underwater photographers…Aperture 2 has now a retouching tool, but more on that in my next blog…the only thing I give away today, if you need to remove some back scatter in your underwater images, the horror in underwater photography …yes, it can be done…! I guess we go diving on our next Blog.
One software is a lot better than two, no need for Photoshop cloning.

There is one more new option I like to introduce to you today... check out the NEW overlay option "Highlight Hot and Cold Pixel" I have tried this already...again a super NEW addition to Aperture 2, I provide some real life samples in the days to come.

Click on the image above and visit the NEW Aperture 2 website @
http://www.apple.com/aperture/

OK. that’s it for today, but sooooooo much more in the coming days and weeks,
you just have to stay tuned or subscribe to my Blog.
GD

For more images by Gunther Deichmann please visit his website @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

These images have been taken only 3 days ago in Sepang, Malaysia,
Marlon Stoeckinger in his BMW the Formula BMW Pacific test trails.

But there is so much more...the new Recovery tool for pulling back "blown" highlights, while Vibrancy boosts saturation selectively without messing up skin tones. Definition lets you add clarity to images using local contrast. Vignette and Devignette filters are new, as well. Set up in the Preference your Mouse for double click, click on any image and you in full screen mode.
I can go on forever, and I will in the weeks to come, I am just so excited (my wife is not) I keep driving and driving one lap after the other, the ease and simplicity of the improved interface and the new speeeeeeeeeeed has taken Aperture to complete new dimensions, so why dont you check it out and give it a test drive you wont be disappointed.
A lot more in the next few days and weeks...
GD