Due to popular demand and frequent requests we have just updated our blog pages with a few appropriate Banner ads.
We keep these to a minimum number, we like to be informative and not clutter up our site, they are very much related to photography, travel, latest on Aperture 2, the Digital Photo Center in Palau complete with Wi-Fi and Aperture, Underwater Photography and other similar subjects.
Now a special mention on the new PALAU TOURS Website, announced only today... a great NEW SITE for PALAU in Micronesia with stunning images and very informative text...

"The Pearls of the Pacific" and Natures best kept secret.

Click on the image and visit the NEW PALAU TOURS WEBSITE
http://www.palautours.com/

Click on the image and visit the NEW PALAU TOURS BLOG
http://www.palautours.com/blog.html

This new site is still undergoing development, but it is out in Cyberspace now, including the NEW PALAU TOURS BLOG with frequent up dates, check the blog @ http://www.palautours.com/blog.html
GD

Tags: Aperture, Underwater Photography, Digital Photo Center, Palau, Photography, Images, Environment, GLOBAL WARMING, Survivor

A few things you might find interesting about PhotoShelter and the difference between the Personal Archive and the PhotoShelter Collection.

It all started with the PhotoShelter Personal Archive, and for me it was the perfect solution in keeping my images away from the office (I am crazy when it comes to backups) in a completely different location, not only that but PhotoShelter makes another backup again.

With the arrival of Aperture and shortly after the plug in from PhotoShelter things even got better, now I can be anywhere in the world provided I have a connection and upload my images into my archive.
That’s not all, with a provided super databank and a cool looking micro site I can sell images 24 hours a day, but now back to the difference between the two:

In the PhotoShelter Personal Archive I can store and make available thousands of my images in high resolution, currently some 3000 plus, organized in different countries, you can find them also via specific keywords, of course these are edited and include the images from my Book "Journey Through Color and Time" (pls. note: not complete yet)

The PhotoShelter Collection is a bit different, here you find a selection of edited images hence the word collection, again this is supported by keyword searches etc., etc., and a micro site as well. The PhotoShelter team is also actively marketing this site, where as the Archives are not, the Collection is more defined and the edited images have been chosen according to subjects and market requirements. In simple terms a very tied edit.
Aperture made captioning and key wording so easy, and PhotoShelter loves key words hence the reason they work so well together.
For more info on PhotoShelter check out my previous blog from the 19. 12. 2007 - category Stockimages
Click on the image below and go to the PhotoShelter Collection to visit the Personal Archive please click here.

I am leaving for Palau and Chuuk Micronesia on the 4th until the 26th of Jan. my blogs will be a bit light during this time.
As mention some time ago there is a major announcement during my stay in Palau and you better believe it, this will rock, absolutely amazing, a very first indeed. I keep you in suspense a bit, I love doing that, so keep your eyes peeled or subscribe to our blog, announcement date is going to be around the 14th of Jan. 2008 direct from Palau.

Click on the image and visit Sam's Tours

One last thing, if you feel up to it visit my site with the Podcast’s for some cool music and some clips created with iLife, just added recently. PODCAST LINK

Happy New Year, take good care and be careful with these firecrackers on the 31st.

GD

A very happy New Year - prost Neujahr - bonne année - onnellista uutta vuotta - gelukkig Nieuwjaar - ath bhliain faoi mhaise - selamat tahun baru - godt nytt år - szczliwego nowego roku - feliz ano novo - gott nytt år manigong bagong taon - sawatdii pimaï - kung hé fat tsoi - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao - godt nytår - eutichismenos o kainourgios chronos - felice anno nuovo, buon anno - S novim godom - sreno novo leto - Cung Chúc Tân Xuân- yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun

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I have picked up this Blog post from Dermot Keane, GM of Sam's Tours in Palau and if you a diver you have to check out their website at:
http://www.samstours.com/blog
Diving in Palau Micronesia is just out of this world, not to mention the spectacular Rock islands, I believe Palau is still one of the last great places left on Earth where nature is at its very best, I guess that is the reason for TV Channels like Survivor, Discovery Channel and National Geographic for keep coming back for the production of a variety of shows, explore and discover Palau above and below
with Sam's Tours.

SURVIVOR PALAU - Lost in the Rock Islands?
The Rock islands in Palau, © Gunther Deichmann

It's no secret that Survivor is back in Palau shooting a second show but I wonder if the contestants locked away on one of Palau's myriad islands battling it out with one another really know what they're missing?
Sam's Tours marketing agent, good friend and professional photographer Gunther Deichmann who was just in Palau for Sam's Tours recent 17th Anniversary Celebration, shared a few images with me that he just shot during his last trip. He took a flight with "Matt the Pilot" from PALAU HELICOPTERS and added some more aerials to his library and although I've seen Palau myself from the air many times, I'm still amazed by the stunning beauty of the green carpeted Rock Islands. I sure hope the contestants in SURVIVOR PALAU get a chance to enjoy Palau's real beauty when they're done with the show.

Even more amazing to me is "eye" that Gunther has. Perhaps all photographers have it, but I certainly don't. The image below was taken by Gunther while I sat and had a beer with him at RIPTIDE, a local beach bar, while we waited for the moon to rise. I was sitting looking right at this same scene but never even saw it...until he took the picture and showed me.... only then did I notice all the different lights and colors right before me. And no, the image was no touched up or edited. What you see is what you get! Gunther explained to me that although he now shoots only with digital for the past four years, it hasn't really changed a thing about HOW he shoots. "I only use the camera to record what I already see" said Gunther as he explained that his pictures are taken long before he opens the shutter.

SITTING ON THE DOCK OF A BAY - PALAU, MICRONESIA.
Koror, Palau, Micronesia, Malakal Harbor. © Gunther Deichmann
Gunther will conduct one of his popular PHOTO WORKSHOPS right here at Sam's Tours in April 2008. The workshop is for underwater photographers and topside photographers alike with lots of hands on time with Gunther and lots of underwater or field time too to capture your own stunning images of Palau. Dates to be posted soon. Reservations required. Stay tuned for more details or visit www.DEICHMANN-PHOTO.COM
Dermot
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© Gunther Deichmann, Cuttlefish Sepia sp. - Alien afternoon...

Hi everybody... I am leaving this afternoon for a short one week trip to Palau to be with my friends and client at Sam's Tours, they are celebrating the Grand Opening for the completely renovated Sam's Tours premisses, the big party is on the 26 of October and I give you a full report with images once I am back next week, but now I have to run hence this Alien afternoon.... so much to do and no time left.
Until soon,
Cheers Gunther

The fossils have been brought to my attention again by no other than Walter Ty, my constant supplier of Interesting news, again thank you Walter, we do appreciate this. For the interesting story on fossil sea spiders please go to: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/6948161.stm

Before you read the whole story on the provided link, here is some information referring to the two images below, as you all know my background is Paleontology.
Image on the left: I have found this Ammonite some 40 odd years ago digging for Fossils near the German Town of Goslar, it is dated back to the Jurassic period some 160 million years ago.
The image on the right is a close relative of the Ammonite, the Nautilus that I photographed in Palau about four years ago; it is the surviving member from this cephalopod family.
If you ever have the urge to go “back in time” talk to Dermot Keane or Sam Scott from Sam’s Tours in Palau, they can make arrangement for a Nautilus dive, to bring you closer to one of the few and true living fossils.
Contact Sam’s Tours at: www.samstours.com


Left: An Ammonite, 160 million years ago.
Right: 4 years ago in Palau, at the "Big Drop off",
a Nautilus, the "living fossil."
Photos: © Gunther Deichmann

I have just returned from a very cool trip to Palau, my web master Arnold
and myself had to finish the Sam's Tours website, well in between I took
some images.
New aerial and land shots check them out in a day or so at my
Photoshelter site, it has become a breeze to up load them now thanks to
Aperture, new aerials of the waterfall, the mysterious Monolith, aerial of
meeting House called "Bai" the really cool new road and many others.
Sorry, no underwater images from this trip, next time.
I like to express my sincere thanks to Sam Scott and Dermot Keane from
Sam's Tours who have been more than helpful and accommodating during
this trip. Thanks Guys!
You find below the link to Photoshelter, but why not subscribe to the RSS then
you up dated all the time with the latest images.

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann

or check my Aperture website at:
http://homepage.mac.com/gdeichmann/New%20Palau%20Images/index.html

Now I am leaving for the ADEX show in Bangkok and after that a few days in
Siam Reap and Ankor Wat, Cambodia, back in the first week of May.
Joining me at ADEX will be Dirk Fahrenbach from Club Paradise and
Dugong Dive Center, Palawan,Philippines and Dermot Keane from
Sam's Tours Palau, Micronesia, ha, ha, Dermot cant stay away from me.
These are two members of the Philippine-Micronesia Alliance.
THE DIVERS CHOICE.

At ADEX we catch up with Tony Wu from Fins Magazine and other old
friends, and oh, well I am going to have my Birthday in Bangkok with my
very good friends.
My friend Tony Wu has a great website and real cool underwater images,
you should check it out at: http://www.tony-wu.com

A full report will be issued up on my return.
Enjoy the images from Palau,

Cheers Gunther


Aerial of the Ngardmau Falls surrounded by lush Jungle
© Gunther Deichmann

Aerial of Milky Way, © Gunther Deichmann

The Road in Babeldaob, the biggest island in Palau
© Gunther Deichmann

The new Capitol in Palau, © Gunther Deichmann

We are still in Palau until tomorrow, wish I could stay a bit longer.
Below some images from yesterday's sunrise shoot in Babeldaob the big
Island of Palau.
A very early start at 3am since we had to travel from Koror up north
to the Monolith area, it was well worth it.
Check out the new road leading north, no more red dust, plus this very
unusual tree on the way back.
More when I get back.
Enjoy, Gunther

The Monolith at Sunrise,
Copyright Gunther Deichmann

The new Road on Babeldaob,
Copyright Gunther Deichmann

What a great Tree!
Copyright Gunther Deichmann


Sunset in the Rock Island, one of the big caves,
Copyright Gunther Deichmann

Photo: Gunther Deichmann

Milky Way Palau - Photo: Gunther Deichmann

Palau - the Home of the Mandarin Fish,
Photo: Gunther Deichmann
I am leaving for a short trip to Palau Micronesia today,
hey, lucky me.
This trip is to finalize the new website for our
Client Sam's Tours, see my good old friends again
and if I get the chance I do some diving.
I report on my way back by end of next week.
For those who dont know Palau, well, it is one of the
best dive destination in the world.
Besides diving the fantastic shaped islands are like
Pearls in the Ocean.
It is one of my favorite destinations above and below.
Sharks, Mandarin Fish, Mantas are abundant, but even
on the surface you be amazed what this place has to offer.
Jungle, Waterfalls or a visit to the world
famous Jelly Fish lake are a must.

OK. that is it I have to pack now and catch my plane soon.
more on my return next week.
Book your next trip with Sam's Tours in Palau, check their
website below to find out more about Palau:
http://www.samstours.com
Sam's Tours is a Member of The Philippine-Micronesia Alliance
The Divers Choice.

Cheers Gunther

Gunther Deichmann presents his new book Journey Through Colour and Time
to H.E.Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., President of the Republic of Palau.

Palau, and the FSM States of Yap, Chuuk and Pohnpei are featured in the
Micronesian section of the book.
Also present were journalists from local newspapers, the Chief of Staff,
Mr. Billy Kuartei and Dermot Keane the General Manager of Sam's Tours,
a local dive operator.