From Marijuana smoking Sadus to amazing colors, Buddhist Monks,
plus the strange and bizarre...all this from Nepal now on PhotoShelter.

Afternoon sunlight and a Sadu in his element...Kathmandu, Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

After a very busy week I managed to update and upload the latest images from my recent trip and workshop in Nepal.

Last week I was really tied up with lectures on the Digital Darkroom (mind you NO Photoshop) that was organized by the Filipinas Heritage Library and the Power Mac Center in Greenbelt 3, Makati.

Three 3 hour sessions with 15 students and all about Aperture 3 the Digital Darkroom, the workflow after the shoot and backing up your important photos on external hard drives.

But today I found time and caught up with my editing on Nepal and uploaded them on my PhotoShelter Archives and Gallery.

A Sadu's mirror...Kathmandu, Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Totally bizarre.....Kathmandu, Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Again all photos have been processed only with Aperture 3, NO image manipulation Photoshop or any other software has been used.

Nepal was the last edit from my recent Journey to Sri Lanka, Central India then to Delhi, & Varanasi, India and Nepal. Thousands of images later, now edited, the few selected ones residing now in my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries.

Weird, strange but yet so real in Nepal...
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Movement during the Manandhab Ceremony celebrated after the Holi Festival
at the Monkey Temple, Kathmandu Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

The colors of Nepal...
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Culture and Tradition, Kathmandu, Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Over the weekend I am finalizing my Itinerary’s for our up coming GD Photo Workshops to Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar…and believe me…they will be awesome.
BTW…We have only 2 more spots available for Laos and Myanmar and only one more slot for Cambodia, if you’re interested please get in touch with me ASAP all bookings will be closed very shortly. For more info and contacts click this LINK.
Now enjoy Nepal…

GD

A lot more @ PhotoShelter...



Weird, strange & bizarre but yet so beautiful...Kathmandu, Nepal
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

After days of editing and spending hours on end deciding which
images to use for updating my Main Web Gallery we are done!

We finished last night (or was it early morning, thanks also to Arj) and updated the Main Web Site, added new buttons on the Top Bar with new categories (countries). As you know my main site features only a selected few images (14 only) all others are found in my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries. (Sri Lanka is complete already in PhotoShelter)

To view the updated pages and new addition you can click on the screenshots below or use these LINKS:

Nepal (some new images) - India 2 - India 3 (Central India) & Sri Lanka.
(two additional Buttons have been added also namely Bhutan and S.E. Asia 4 but these will be updated at a later date)

PLEASE NOTE: You might have to refresh your Browser or even individual pages and maybe have to empty your cache since this was a major update on the site, with new Buttons and photos however this issue will take care of its self in due time.

Changed some photos in Nepal

All photos have been processed using only Aperture 3 for the website and the high-resolution images in my archives for PhotoShelter. No Photoshop or any other software has been used and /or the images have been manipulated in any way.

New India 2

However some color temperature corrections have been performed on some of the new photos from Central India (Cave images only) India 3 Gallery, due to the complexity and extremely difficult light conditions of mixed light which varied from Day light to tungsten to fluorescent plus what ever else there was… a total mix of all sorts of lights mixed together real bad.
Aperture 3 I might add did an excellent job dealing with these corrections and I never felt the need to use any other software.

New India 3 Gallery

In this particular case I was also not allowed to use any strobes/or for that matter any other light source, to make it worse even the use of a tripod was strictly forbidden using only 250 to max. 800 ISO, indeed a very challenging shoot to say the least.
The reason for this is very simple; most of these caves containing paintings on the walls which some of them dating back to a century BC.
They are in excellent condition and to avoid any more damage no additional lights are allowed except for what is provided, which in some case is very little or almost non-existing.

Very soon a lot more from this amazing location and the story behind the photos on this Blog.

New Sri Lanka.

The latest and complete selection from Sri Lanka is already uploaded on my PhotoShelter site; the complete selection from Central India, Varanasi, Delhi and Nepal will follow soon.

In the meantime check out the new editions (small selection of 14 photos per Country) on my updated main website.
GD

GD Photo Workshop India - Nepal March 2011...
some of the Students work



Click on the image above or this LINK and view some of the photos
by the participants from our last GD Photo Workshop to India and Nepal.

Note: If you see previous photos from Cambodia you
might have to refresh your Browser.

It is done...uploaded some of the participants photos from our last workshop in India and Nepal, what I really like is that everybody got some very different images from each other. Everybody also made their own selection and I am sure once they have had more time to edit more exciting images will appear on their own Web sites, Face Book or Flickr. Thank you all for been part of the GD PhotoWorkshops and I am looking forward to see some of you again for our exciting trip to Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar. You have been an absolutely fantastic Group and it was so much fun being with you.
Thanks again for everything.
GD

Colors - chaos - giant shish kebab - strange and
famous Restaurants & a squashed Squirrel.

Click the Image above or this LINK
for the “Behind the Scene”
Note: you might have to refresh your
Browser to see the new photos.

Rice wine and very strong Beer, Sadus, real “weed” along the road side, an almost busted knee, false beards...but most of all great people & participants traveling in chaotic streets having real good fun,
these are the images “Behind the Scene” from our recent GD Photo Workshop in India and Nepal.

It is done; I have just received the last photos from our Photo Workshop and uploaded them today. The images are not in any particular order (paying tribute to India and Holi) they are from everyone who participated: Tony, Bob & Vi, JP, Hubert, David, Felix, Richard, Max, Loy & GD.

It was a great Group and we had a lot of fun besides producing some very nice images, the selected photos from each and everyone (The Students Work) will be uploaded also very soon and I should be done with that task by end of this week.
There are so many tales; from the squashed Squirrel (it did survived Dave, and thanks to Hubert who provided the "First Aid").

"David at the time was standing, taken photos… he sat down…at that very moment a very cute Squirrel run underneath his butt, Dave jumped up and to his amazement a groggy little squirrel appeared…Hubert run over to his rescue...not Dave's I might add and started to perform some basic first aid on this little bugger (but no mouth to mouth) and then let him go…off he went... a bit groggy mind you (why I am not surprised) but otherwise OK."

Then our Nepalese dinner with ample rice wine (oh Boy not feeling so good the next day) and not to mention the hat trick (our fashion show at Bhaktapur) plus David winning the Golden Carrot Award for his well executed “F” assignment and so much more.
Oh and I almost forgot…Tony trying on a new Beard in Delhi…

My gratitude and thanks again to all the participants for being so nice and so much fun we were almost a United Nations assembly coming from: USA -Hong Kong - Indonesia-Singapore - Italy - Switzerland - Philippines & Australia.

So, now enjoy the “Behind the Scene”

Thank you all, GD

Three Countries, surrounded by people & colors…

Aurangabad - Central India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

My recent journey started in Sri Lanka from there to Central India (a lot more on those places later) and then to Delhi for the start of our recent GD Photo Workshop.

After a couple of days roaming the streets of the Spice Market in Old Delhi we took a Jet air flight to Varanasi just in time for the full moon over Ganges River and the Holi Festival.
After 5 days in Varanasi we left India for Nepal where we spend most of our remaining workshop days in Kathmandu and surrounding areas.

I have received most of the testimonials from the participants already and I like to thank everyone from my heart for their nice comments and support. I am still waiting for some selection of Photos, so I can upload them on my Blog under the Students work and of course the Behind the scene images. I should have this done within the next week or so.

The photos I have selected today are from Sri Lanka-India & Nepal, taken from before the photo workshop and during, lets call it “Surrounded by people & colors”

Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Varanasi Train station, India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Images from my special trip to central India and some amazing photos from Sri Lanka deserve a special Blog post and I will post them in due time. I am still fine-tuning my images in Aperture 3, the only software I am using for all my editing. All Photos are not manipulated/enhanced and only the basic editing tools have been used in Aperture 3, like contrast, minor sharpening, some exposure adjustments and adjusted the color temperature sometimes, besides the RAW conversion.

Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

I been busy these past few days in revamping my main website (Home page and some changes in the Nepal section) which is best viewed in Safari, don't know why there is always an issue with Firefox. (pls. make sure you do refresh your Browser to see the changes) see the screenshot below.
More changes to my main website is currently been worked on and this should be done also within the next two weeks. More images from Sri Lanka, central India and other new destinations should be in my Photo Shelter archives and Gallery also by latest mid May.

Rameshwar Village near Varanasi, India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Rameshwar Village near Varanasi, India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

You might find it also interesting to know, that during the whole trip my Nikon Cameras performed without a glitch, and I used 85% of the time the new Nikon 24.0 to 120.0mm f:4 and the 50mm f:1.4 G lens for the entire trip, with the 50mm lens been my favorite.

Why today’s topic… Three Countries, surrounded by people & colors…very simple, I Love Colors!

Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

"Little Tibet" - Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

For your info:

Laos-Cambodia-Myanmar GD Photo Workshops are almost full, we have only 2 more spots for each destination, more details and info @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html

Also our long awaited trip to Bhutan in 2012 is filling up fast, only four (4) more spots available, if you’re interested please contact me ASAP, bookings for Bhutan have to be made very early.

New Home page at main website
best viewed with Safari

GD

In search for the un-usual from my last Journey
Through Color & Time...the endless Journey continuos.



Sri Lanka
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

I like to share with you some images from my last Journey and the never ending quest for the un-usual, a few photos from three Countries and its Buddhism, more in the coming weeks once I am done with my editing. Also stories from each and every place I visited during the past few weeks with detail description on culture & history, plus a lot more from our recent GD Photo Workshops to India and Nepal.

India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com



India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com



India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com



Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

All Photos above taken with the Nikon D700 & D300S using the 50mm f:1.4 G and the new 24.0 -120.0 f:4 Lens.
Maximum 400 ISO and no flash or other artificial light has been used, edited and processed in Aperture 3 using only the basic editing tools and RAW conversion; no manipulation, Photoshop or any other software was used either.

Just one more...



Nepal
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

GD

My sincere thanks to all the participants from our recent completed
GD Photo Workshop to India and Nepal, thank you all so much.

An appetizer of things to come...




Nepal - Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Pls. note that this photo or other future images have not been altered
in anyway or been manipulated with Photoshop or other software
Nikon D700 and 50mm 1.4 G lens.



Varanasi India "Holi Cow" - Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Nikon D300S with the new 24.0-120.0mm f:4.0 lens at f:5.6

Four weeks later...the India - Nepal GD Photo Workshops have come to an end with the last participants leaving today from Thailand, well except for Tony.
My very special and sincere thanks to all who participated, you have been an awesome group to say the least, not only sharing your friendship but producing some of the very best images I have seen from any of my workshops. Well done, I am proud of you all! Even more amazing this time, it was an all out Apple Team after the shoot the participants using Aperture 3 and Lightroom.

The awesome Group in front of our Hotel in Varanasi,
after a pre Holi color powder session.


The awesome Group on our last day in Nepal

In due time I be showcasing some of these amazing images from India and Nepal on my Blog (The Students Work) and of course the fun photos. (Behind the Scene)
I am still on the road and have to keep this post short, prior the Workshops in India and Nepal I travelled also to Sri Lanka and to other parts of India, but this story and photos have to wait until I am back.

My thanks goes also to all the drivers and guides who provided us with a safe and interesting Journey, thanks to you all and my gratitude to Sheena from Shroff international Travel for arranging at times the not so easy logistics, a BIg Thank You.
In the coming weeks I be posting a lot more images and some of the stories behind them, so please stay tuned.

Again my Gratitude and thanks to all the participants who made these two Photo Workshops so awesome, see you soon again for yet another Journey.
BTW our PhotoWorkshops in Laos-Cambodia-Myanmar are almost fully booked and we have only a couple more spots available,
for all the details and bookings please go to: http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html

Just one more...



Varanasi India "Holi Wall" - Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Nikon D300S with the new 24.0-120.0mm f:4.0 lens at f:5.6

GD

The Colors of India and Nepal...



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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
"This is Holi" - India

The Journey Through Color & Time continuous very soon with our first Photography Workshops to India and Nepal, starting on the 17th of March, 14 days of adventure and pure color.

The two workshops are fully booked, but if you interested you can already make a reservation for our Sri Lanka and India Workshop in 2012 or choose some of the other workshops in our Calendar for 2011 and 2012.


SRI LANKA - INDIA 2012
February 26 - March 9, 2012
A unique itinerary has been work on which takes you to unusual places in India and Sri Lanka in 2012. More details and the full itinerary will be available by mid April 2011.

Please Note: We only travel in small groups between 8 to 10 participants max. on all published destinations, providing you the full attention of Gunther Deichmann, making these workshops very personal and a fulfilling experience for you.

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Getting ready for the Holi Festival - India

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Color, color and more color - Nepal



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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Monastery Colors - Nepal

PHOTO WORKSHOP CALENDAR 2011

Limited to maximum 8 participants for our
International Workshops.



Click on the Image and go direct to the Calendar for 2011

March 17, 2011 - Confirmed!
India - Nepal
March 17/18th  (depending on the arrival of the participants) to the 24th/25th  (celebrating Holi on the 20th in Varanasi) then we have our option to leave from Delhi to Kathmandu in Nepal our extension and second Workshop from the  25th to the 31st / 01 of April,  again depending on the departure of participants. 


You can also choose just one of the destinations either India or Nepal, or join us on both in India & Nepal and book the combination. After the completion of our Indian Workshop we fly from Delhi to Kathmandu in Nepal.

I complete Itinerary is shortly avail. and I send this one to those who are interested, pls. remember this workshop is almost full, only two more spaces available for India and only 3 more for Nepal.

Final bookings will close at the latest by November 08, 2010 http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page4/contact.php


September, 2011 - Confirmed!
Laos & Cambodia combination

We can confirm also for 2011 a combination for Laos & Cambodia starting on September 24th to the 6th/7th of October 2011 the final Itinerary and schedules will follow shortly for the above confirmed Workshops on my GD Photo Workshop site. Bookings close for Laos and Cambodia combination by latest end of June 2011.
You can also contact me @ http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page4/contact.php

Again, you can also just choose one of the destinations either Laos or Cambodia, or join us either in Laos or Cambodia, or go with the combination.
GD

Other Photo Workshops for 2011 are being finalized, we should have and confirm the dates by end of October 2011

The GD Photo Workshops in Asia...
confirmed dates for Sept. & Oct.
Cambodia, Nepal & Philippines.



© Gunther Deichmann - discover the
undiscovered in Cambodia

You find we go beyond the normal tourist locations, experience adventure with a touch of luxury in some of the best destinations in Asia. Discover the undiscovered with your digital camera.
Gunther has many years of experience in Cambodia and Nepal, you explore places seldom visit by others.

Understand light and composition, meet new people and immerse yourself in new cultures, getting the shot right in the first place is the main objective in these workshops. Learn how to see with your eyes and using the camera only as a tool to capture the ultimate image. Photoshop manipulation is not on the agenda.

At the same time master the after the shoot workflow, critique, tips, tricks and techniques, plus securing your Photos with the implementation of a complete back up system during our classroom sessions at the Hotel.

The workshops are for advanced amateurs who want to gain insight into how to make better photographs for editorial, stock sales or for personal satisfaction. A digital SLR camera capable of capturing RAW images is required. Students are encouraged to bring their own laptop.

Students will work in digital formats and for those with experience on Mac Computers Gunther will guide you through the understanding of Aperture. (including the latest version 3.0.3) He will also teach basic editing skills in Photoshop. Gunther is a certified Apple Pro Trainer for Aperture and has years of hands on knowledge using Photoshop as a photography tool.

For more info go to:

GD Photo Workshops

Cambodia, Siem Reap and Phnom Penh
PHOTO WORKSHOP in September 12 - 18, 2010
Final bookings must be made by latest 19th of July


PACKAGE PRICE: US $1,795.00 (airfare not included) for more details please email us at gdeichmann@mac.com

The price is inclusive of the following:

• 7 days and 6 nights stay inclusive of accommodation bed and breakfast at a 5star Boutique Hotel (Siem Reap)

• Ground transportation and guides including visit to the Tonle Sap lake

• Bottled water will be provided throughout the excursions.

• Heritage site permit fees.

• (only 4 more slots available)

Full details and outline of course will be send to you upon request.
Please Note: If you like to take part of the Phnom Penh extension additional fees are applicable, this is in addition to our Siem Reap 7 day Workshop and a great opportunity for those who like to add some extra days and explore/discover Phnom Penh and surrounding areas. Pls. send us an email for more information for the Phnom Penh extension.

7 days Angkor Wat and beyond...explore and discover the hidden Khmer treasures, please book this workshop early it is our most popular one.
Read what students had to say from our previous Photo Workshops in Cambodia & India.

© Gunther Deichmann - ancient Temples
& ritual Cambodia


© Gunther Deichmann - Siem Reap Cambodia

October 14 - 21, 2010 Bookings close by 9th of August.
Only 4 spaces remaining! 
Nepal, Kathmandu
A 7 day Journey into Nepal, final itinerary yet to be finalized, please stay tuned for more info very soon. Shortly we announce the price and upon request we provide you with a detailed Itinerary and Course outline.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhu Nepal

© Gunther Deichmann - Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal

Oct. 29 -Nov01, 2010 Bookings close by 31st of August.
PHOTOGRAPHY LESSONS IN PALAWAN: Learn from the Pro. in cooperation with Power Mac Center Manila Philippines.
Four days of fun and learning travel photography..exploring nature's beauty in Palawan
Target: Amateurs and semi-pro (max 8 participants) please book this one early. Peso 12,000 (does not include Hotel and accommodation charges yet)
Philippines only! Course outline soon to be announced.
For registration: workshops@powermaccenter.com

© Gunther Deichmann -perfect camouflaged Monitor Lizard
cooling of in the lagoon on Dimakya Island Palawan, Philippines



© Gunther Deichmann - Flying Fox, - Fruit Bats
on Dimakya Island Palawan, Philippines

Hope to see you on one of our GD Photo Workshops,
GD

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

Photographs - Nepal...
Travel through Culture & Time

Wow it is done…just finished uploading the latest images (high resolution) from Nepal from my recent trip in Feb/March 2010.
Due to other commitments Nepal got a bit delayed, the latest Photos from India have been on my PhotoShelter Archives for some time.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhu Kathmandu Nepal Feb./March 2010



© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhus Chest, Kathmandu
Nepal Feb./March 2010

Nepal: Amazing – bizarre – colorful – and ever so strange, but at the same time very beautiful. Check out the selected Images in my PhotoShelter Gallery, of course there are a many more in the archives if you can’t find what you’re looking for in the Gallery just type in the Search box.

© Gunther Deichmann - Kopan Monastery Kathmandu
Nepal Feb./March 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - Kopan Monastery Kathmandu
Nepal Feb./March 2010

Animal Sacrifice – Fossils – People - Buddhist Temples & Monasteries – Monks – Cremations - Hindu Ceremonies & the ever so strange Sadhus from Kathmandu in Nepal “A true Journey through Color, Culture & Time.”
Click this LINK or the Photos and go direct to the latest from Nepal.

© Gunther Deichmann - Hmmm what is the Riot Police doing at
my doorstep?"Little Tibet" Kathmandu Nepal Feb./March 2010



© Gunther Deichmann - Red and Yellow Kathmandu Valley
Nepal Feb./March 2010

Non of the photographs have been manipulated, all photos have been processed using a MacBook Pro i7 and Aperture 3.0.3
The Photos on this Blog post are only a small taste what is stored in my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries.
GD

Just one more... and then there was light.

© Gunther Deichmann - amazing Sun-rays lasting only a few minutes and then the light
was gone, from the top of the Monkey Temple Kathmandu, Nepal Feb./March 2010

PhotoShelter LINK

Amazing, awesome, colorful and very chaotic
Varanasi…India’s oldest city.
"A True Journey Through Color & Time."

© Gunther Deichmann - performance of Ganges Aarti in the early
evenings at the Riverbank on the Ganges,Varanasi, India 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - Ganges Aarti Ceremony in the early
evenings, Varanasi, India 2010

The last Photos from my recent trip to India are now residing in my PhotoShelter Archives, well… almost all, I am still working my way through the Nepal Photographs. Hopefully I am done with them shortly too, but India is done, thanks to Aperture 3 and a patient wife who let me work without interruption these past few weeks so I can finish my editing.

© Gunther Deichmann - there is a lot of Laundry today...
at the Ganges Riverbank, Varanasi, India 2010

Varanasi also commonly known as Benares or Banaras is a city situated on the banks of the River Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, regarded as holy by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and probably the oldest of India.

© Gunther Deichmann - hanging the Laundry...
Ganges River Varanasi, India 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - I just love those colors...
Varanasi, India 2010

Varanasi is one of the holiest places in Buddhism too, being one of the four pilgrimage sites said to have been designated by Gautama Buddha himself (the others being Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, and Lumbini). In the residential neighborhood of Varanasi lies Sarnath, the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon about the basic principles of Buddhism.

© Gunther Deichmann - sunrise over the River Ganges
Varanasi, India 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - worshippers bathing in the sacred waters
of the Ganges River, Varanasi, India 2010

Watching the sunrise over the mighty Ganges River and observing the numerous rituals along the riverbank is mesmerizing, where hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in the sacred waters. The riverbanks are lined with a chain of stone steps called Ghats, stretching from one end of the city to the other. Ghats are part of the religious landscape of this city.

From Varanasi we traveled by road to Lumbini in Nepal (Buddha’s Birth Place) and then continued to Kathmandu, a fantastic Journey through Culture and Landscapes.
As mention above the Photos from Nepal will be shortly available too in PhotoShelter, another week and I am done with the editing. To view all the photos from Varanasi and others from my recent trip to India please go to my PhotoShelter Gallery & click this LINK.
GD

Just two more...photos from the car window...
along the road from Varanasi to Lumbini in
Nepal, the Birth place of Lord Buddha.

© Gunther Deichmann - Rural area near Varanasi, India 2010



© Gunther Deichmann - waiting for local transport in a
small rural town between Lumbini (Nepal) & Varanasi, India 2010

My PhotoShelter Archives & Galleries: http://www.photoshelter.com/c/gdeichmann


See below excepts from Wikipedia on the Ganges Arati Ceremony in Varanasi.

The purpose of performing arati is the waving of lighted wicks before the deities in a spirit of humility and gratitude, wherein faithful followers become immersed in God's divine form. It symbolises the five elements: 1) space (akash), 2) wind (vayu), 3) light (tej), 4) water (jal), and 5) earth (pruthvi). Communal Aarti is performed in the mandir; however, devotees also perform it in their homes.
To witness the performance of Ganges Aarti in the early evenings is almost a must, provided you can handle the immense crowd of people.
Hindu devotees performing the "Puja" with lighted lamps. The view is very mesmerizing and the ambience is spectacular in the backdrop of the beating of cymbals and bells as well as the incessant chantings. "
Aarti (from the Sanskrit term Aradhana) is a Hindu ritual, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. Aartis also refer to the songs sung in praise of the deity, when offering of lamps is being offered.
Read more @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aarti

Home Page updated with Nepal...

Go to the Home Page...click the Image above

Only minutes ago we updated my Main Home Page Gallery with Nepal, if you can spare a moment why don't you have a look.
You might have to refresh your Browser to update the Photos, by next week the complete collection (only a few at the moment) on Nepal and Kathmandu will be uploaded on my Photoshelter Archive & viewable in the Gallery.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

A Journey through endless
Colors & Expressions - India & Nepal...



© Gunther Deichmann - "Old Delhi" - New Delhi India
Click on this LINK or the Photo above & go direct to the NEW Photos

Please Note: If you don't see the India and Nepal images you might
have to refresh your Browser, previous Photos where from Cambodia.

Going through some 15,000 photos can be quiet a task even for Aperture 3 but I am almost done now. I have uploaded today only a small selection of Photos (50) under the category "Small Taste of the Latest" from India and Nepal.
I decided to use the theme; "People...Colors & Expression" for this Gallery, other images from Monasteries, People, Religion, Landscapes and way of life, etc., will follow in my PhotoShelter Gallery soon.

All Photos have been processed with Aperture 3.0.2 including exporting and watermarking. This has been a great trip all around from our Photo Workshop experience in India and then to the edge of the Himalayas in Nepal.

I might mention also that both of my Nikons the D700 and D300S performed without a glitch. If you're interested to join me on one of my Photo Workshops Adventure Travel with your Digital Camera, please contact me or check out the Calendar dates for 2010 on my GD PhotoWorkshop site by clicking this LINK.

I hope you enjoy this small selection of Photographs from India and Nepal as I have enjoyed these two very special and amazing places.
GD

Déjà vu in Nepal…



© Gunther Deichmann - a mixed bag of just about everything
including a Monkey skull & Fossils, all for sale.
Kathmandu, Nepal

Déjà vu in Nepal…some of you might remember my passion for fossils, which goes way back during my time in paleontology.
Whenever I travel to different destinations in the world I always keep an eye out for those creatures long gone but been part of our evolution and my earlier life.
Last month on my first day in Nepal I strolled like so many other times before the Bazaars and local Markets in the narrow streets of Kathmandu.

I guess it came as no surprise to find many Ammonites and other interesting fossils on display wherever I went. Mixed with other religious and bizarre souvenir items; ugly ashtrays…cool looking masks, Gurkha Knifes (that be a challenge to get them on the plane) false and real gemstones, Buddha Statues, Prayer Wheels and lots of items made from Pashmina Wool…plus so many other obscure items, the list goes on and on. (Pashmina refers to a type of fine cashmere wool and the textiles made from it.)

© Gunther Deichmann - Ammonites & other fossils some of
them still enclosed in the Geode
Kathmandu, Nepal

Fossils always have been part of my life and I do have a very good understanding of them, their origin, age and the process of being fossilized.
What was new to me after some research; I discovered that these fossils are for sale mainly to the locals, their Believe in those fossilized creatures was something very different I found out.

Most of those fossils on display where broken but if luck is on your side you might spot a complete Ammonite.
I had a real great time with the Vendors to show me the good ones...
Trying to sell me the damage ones first… I persisted and soon enough they showed me the good stuff. Hey Guys …I do know my Fossils.

© Gunther Deichmann - everything you might desire...
Kathmandu, Nepal

Word got out fairly quick that there was this strange foreigner with a camera who had a keen interest in Fossils…and soon I had just about every Vendor on Durban Square chasing me, showcasing their very best Ammonites.
Sure I would have loved to buy a whole bunch of them…but these Rocks are very heavy and Excess baggage is expensive, so I contended myself with a couple good specimen.
Read on below, how Ammonites are treasured in Buddhism and Hindu faith throughout Asia

And for those of you who are interested in Nepal, why not joining our PhotoWorkshop in October, for details go to the
GD PhotoWorkshops site or click this LINK.
GD

Ammonite Fossils

The name Ammonite comes from the Greek ram-horn God called Ammon. Ammonites are the most widely known fossil; they are cephalopods and first appeared in the seas 415 million years ago, in the form of a straight shelled creature known as Bacrites. During their evolution three catastrophic events occurred. The first during the Permian period (250 million ago), only 10% survived. They went on to flourish throughout the Triassic period, but at the end of this period (206 million ago) all but one species died. Then they began to thrive from the Jurassic period until the end of the Cretaceous period when all species of ammonites became extinct.

Ammonites were animals that lived in the sea. They are now extinct except for one of their cousins the Nautilus, a truly living fossil found in the deeper part of our Oceans today.

Their name is derived from The Egyptian God Ammon. Ammon's sacred animal was a ram, and an ammonite looks like a ram's horn. Pliny the Elder called ammonites the Horns of Ammon.
Ammonites were cephalopods. Living cephalopods include octopuses, cuttlefish, squid and nautiloids. Extinct cephalopods include belemnites.

Ammonites found in the valley of the Gandaki River in Nepal and northern India are called Saligrams.
Because saligrams sometimes contain fragments of pyrite and quartz crystal, some people claim that there is gold or diamonds inside the fossils. Those sparkling black fossils are what gave the Kali Gandaki (Black Gandaki) its name.

They are considered the direct symbol of Lord Vishnu, as one of Vishnu's avatars (incarnations) was stone (Sri Saligram). Saligrams have markings called 'chakras', resembling the discus held in one of the six hands of the god Vishnu. Vishnu's chakra is a Hindu symbol of absolute completeness, with the eight spokes indicating the eightfold path of deliverance. The radial chakra markings in saligrams are actually the ribs of the ammonites. The fossils are kept in temples, monasteries and households as natural symbols of Vishnu and water in which they have been bathed is drunk daily.

For many people who have faith in the Hindu religion, the ammonite is one of the many forms of their Lord Vishnu. They keep the fossil in their worship room and worship it. Saligrams are mentioned in Sanskrit texts dating back to the second century BC.

In Account of the Kingdom of Nepal (1819), F. B. Hamilton described saligrams as objects of mystery and magic, respected throughout South Asia.

Resources: More LINKS and info below on Ammonite Fossils and their connection to various believes and religions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonite

http://www.shaligram.org/shaligramselection.html

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?at_code=355158

http://www.artbit.co.in/index.php/122/128

http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/fossils/ammonite.htm

Kopan Monastery Kathmandu Nepal...



© Gunther Deichmann - large gathering of Buddhist Monks
at the Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu Nepal

The Journey has come to an end...the last Blog post from on the road, but more to come when I am back in the Philippines. And don't forget to check out the Calendar dates on my GD Photo Workshop site, Introduction into Aperture 3 plus some cool Aperture & iLife '09 Seminars at the Power Mac Center Manila.
For questions and special requests, you can call 729-7087 or 88, or email at:
training@powermaccenter.com

Learn and see how Aperture 3 can help your workflow,
"15000 images later...working with Aperture 3 using images from my last Journey"
March 19, 2010 Introduction to the all New Aperture 3
Power Mac Center in TriNoma

Also our GD Photo Workshop in Nepal during October 2010 is filling up fast, only four (4) spots available, please go to the GD PhotoWorkshop site for more info @ October 15 - 22, 2010 (DATES CONFIRMED)
"ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS NOW”

© Gunther Deichmann - eyes that seem to follow you...Kathmandu, Nepal

Now back to my post... Monastery Colors in Nepal,one of my last visits in Kathmandu was at the Kopan Monastery a Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Boudhanath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal.

© Gunther Deichmann - a Monks office...

I have always been fascinated by Tibetan Buddhism and the Kopan Monastery was high on my list, today I like to share with you a few images...colorful and graphic & no manipulation has been applied in any way using only at times the Quick Fix in Aperture 3.

© Gunther Deichmann - I Love Tibet!

Since I am still on the road I keep the text brief and let the images speak for themselves.
Enjoy the "Monastery Colors"

© Gunther Deichmann - Monks Books



© Gunther Deichmann - gathering of Buddhist Monks
at the Kopan Monastery, Kathmandu Nepal



© Gunther Deichmann - Head gear



© Gunther Deichmann - the yellow table...



© Gunther Deichmann - Tibetan Tea pots and Monks



© Gunther Deichmann - taken notes...



© Gunther Deichmann - blue reflections in oil lamps



© Gunther Deichmann - who open the door?

Just one more...



© Gunther Deichmann - Pashmina Wool from Nepal

Excepts from Wikipedia on Pashmina Wool:
The fiber is also known as pashm (Persian word for Wool) or pashmina (Persian / Hindi word driven from Pashm) for its use in the handmade shawls of Kashmir, India.The woolen shawls find written mention in Indian texts between 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD. However, the founder of the cashmere wool industry is traditionally held to be the 15th century ruler of Kashmir, Zayn-ul-Abidin, who introduced weavers from Turkestan.
In the 18th and early 19thcentury Kashmir (then called Cashmere by the English), had a thriving industry producing shawls from goat down imported from Tibet and Tartary through Ladakh. The down trade was controlled by treaties signed as a result of previous wars.The shawls were introduced into Western Europe when the General in Chief of the French campaign in Egypt (1799-1802) sent one to Paris. The shawl's arrival is said to have created an immediate sensation and plans were put in place to start manufacturing the product in France.
More at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cashmere_wool

Until next time...GD

An afternoon at the
Bouddhanath Stupa in Nepal



© Gunther Deichmann - Prayer Flags and Shadows
at the Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu Nepal

The Journey is coming slowly to an end, 6 more days before I am hitting back home, I have not written many Blogs during this Journey one of the major factors been...I have been very tiered spending long hours shooting and some limitation with the internet connection.

© Gunther Deichmann - Cleaning oil lamps at the
at the Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu Nepal

I make up for it once I get back... over 15,000 images by now, Aperture 3 loaded straight out of the Box before my trip performed absolutely flawless all RAW images have been stored on my external Lacie Drives as reference files. I encountered no problems and my editing has become even faster now using the new preset adjustment tools...Quick fixes takes care of most issues.
We arrived in Kathmandu a couple of days ago and went out this afternoon to visit one of the biggest Stupas called Bouddhanath located in Little Tibet, when refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath.
A very special mention I have to give to our our Guide Lil Tapa who has been a book of knowledge together with a great personality and sense of humor, thank you so much Lil! Everything this afternoon reminded me so much of my time in Tibet in 2006 and I sincerely hope for a free Tibet one day.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - a lone Bird, Prayer Flags and Shadows
at the Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu Nepal



© Gunther Deichmann - inside the Monastery
at the Bouddhanath Stupa in Kathmandu Nepal

See below some excepts from Wikipedia:
Boudhanath (Devnagari: बौद्धनाथ) (also called Bouddhanath, Bodhnath or Baudhanath or the Khāsa Caitya) is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, Nepal. It is known as Khāsti by Newars as Bauddha or Bodh-nāth by modern speakers of Nepali.[1] Located about 11 km (7 miles) from the center and northeastern outskirts of Kathmandu, the stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.[2]
The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath dominates the skyline. The ancient Stupa is one of the largest in the world. The influx of large populations of Tibetan refugees from China has seen the construction of over 50 Tibetan Gompas (Monasteries) around Boudhanath. As of 1979, Boudhanath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Stupa is on the ancient trade route from Tibet which enters the Kathmandu Valley by the village of Sankhu in the northeast corner, passes by Boudnath Stupa to the ancient and smaller stupa of Cā-bahī (often called 'Little Boudnath'). It then turns directly south, heading over the Bagmati river to Patan - thus bypassing the main city of Kathmandu (which was a later foundation).[1] Tibetan merchants have rested and offered prayers here for many centuries. When refugees entered Nepal from Tibet in the 1950s, many decided to live around Bouddhanath. The Stupa is said to entomb the remains of a Kasyapa sage venerable both to Buddhists and Hindus, for more info go to: Wikepedia

Bizarre - Mysterious - Colorful & so amazing...
Kathmandu Nepal.



© Gunther Deichmann - Buddhist Eyes...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

I made it... my first post since I left Manila... I am not going into many details today, I rather let the images speak, only a few today a lot more when my connection is good, lets see and wait. The worst scenario... I have to do it when I get back home after the 16th of March.
Arrived in New Delhi this afternoon after 4 days in Kathmandu Nepal...a little sad that I had to leave but I am going to be back there in about two weeks after my PhotoWorkshop in India.

Contrast!

© Gunther Deichmann - Oh no...I did not set this one up... I was getting ready to take a shot of this unknown Guy with a Nikon taken notes when out of nowhere this Sadhu appeared and stood right next to him. Interesting, it seems that our fellow had to Yawn and our Sadhu had his eyes closed...like trying to put him to sleep. Well, that is sort off my interpretation. Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

Internet connection is Ok now, and I am using the spare time to write this long overdue post before all my students arrive later tonight, tomorrow we're busy exploring the old part of Delhi, the first part of our Indian Journey.
Nepal was very cool (literally it was freezing in the evenings and early morning). A lot more later on some bizarre Animal sacrifice and Cremations along the River... from the colorful living to the colorful dead.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhu
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

A lot more soon from this amazing place in the Himalayas called Nepal, with old tradition of Hindu & Buddhism, as a matter of fact I be visiting the Birth place of Buddha in about 10 days which is just across the border from India in Nepal..."
The Journey Through Color & Time" continuos.

© Gunther Deichmann - Eyes through red...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - The Wall...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

© Gunther Deichmann - Bizarre... the Old & New.
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

Now a little about Aperture 3 from the road and straight out of the Box pushing it in the past few days, no complains... I can truly say Aperture 3 performed super and I encountered no major problems after some 3000 images in 4 days. A lot more on Aperture 3 on the road later...now I have to concentrate on my students and show them around Incredible India.

© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhus blessing...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010




© Gunther Deichmann - Sadhu & blue...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010



© Gunther Deichmann - Coca Cola and Blue...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

Just one more...



© Gunther Deichmann - The Spoon...
Kathmandu, Nepal, Feb. 2010

Once I am back in Manila, I upload a new Photo Gallery with some of the latest images from Nepal & India...please have patience as this could take some time, I have a few more weeks to shoot yet.
Enjoy the first taste from Kathmandu, please stay tuned for a lot more...
GD

A new Journey begins....


© Gunther Deichmann - Incredible India

In a few hours another Journey begins...leaving first for Thailand and Nepal then to India for the start of my GD PhotoWorkshop. Meeting everybody in New Delhi before leaving for Rajasthan to celebrate the Holi Festival. After the Workshop back to Delhi, I then continue my Journey to Varanasi one of the holiest places in India and travel over land back to Nepal.
I try to update my Blogs as much as possible but that depends on the internet connection and if I am not to tired in the evenings.
I am all packed now, Aperture 3 is prepared and ready for the Road show, I am really looking forward to see my students in Delhi very soon for an exciting Photo Workshop in Incredible India.

© Gunther Deichmann - the colors of India...

I guess that is it for the time being, I try to report along the way, but that depends on the connection.
Thanks to the staff from Shroff International Travel for making all the arrangements, specially Arjun & Sheena who have been fantastic.
GD

© Gunther Deichmann - Rajasthan India 2009

Places
Now you can use GPS location data to explore your photos by the places they were taken. Better still, find them on an interactive map.
Organize your library by location, location, location.
If you’re shooting with a GPS-enabled camera, Aperture 3 uses reverse geocoding to convert location coordinates into familiar location names, then displays those locations on the Places map. If you’re using a separate GPS tracking device, the path of your photo journey appears on the map when you import a track log. You can even extract locations from iPhone tracker apps or your iPhone photos. Which means you can instantly find all your Yellowstone photos, for example, without typing the word “Yellowstone.” Photos can be organized by country, state, city, or a point of interest such as Old Faithful or the park visitor center.
Put your photos on the map.
If a photo doesn’t include GPS metadata, simply drag the photo to the spot on the map where you shot it. A pin appears. Then, when you’re searching for photos, use the map’s navigation menu to quickly find the location. When you click the pin, Aperture displays all the photos taken there.
Easy course corrections.
If you need to change the location of your shot, drag the pin on the map across the street or across the country. The GPS data associated with the photo updates automatically, so you know where your photos are at all times.More info @ http://www.apple.com/aperture/whats-new.html