The story behind the photos… rare photos of tribal Aboriginals in their sacred
land from Central Australia (part one) & Arnhem Land, (part two) Australia

Corroboree - Central Australia,
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A journey through Australia’s past, “forgotten” cultures and tradition of the Australian Aborigines, a two-part series on this Blog.
Rare and seldom seen images that date back more than 30 years, taken on Kodachrome and Ektachrome film, way before the digital age, manipulation and Computers as we know it today.

Images that can never be repeated again, but still represent an important part of Australia’s Culture and Heritage for many years to come.
Part one and two will introduce you to some of these unique images with some explanation on the culture, history and some sacred sites. Please remember that I can't show all the photos I have in my archives and I had to keep the text brief, otherwise I end up with a Book.

Aboriginal Ceremony near Katherine south of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
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I was fortunately enough to experience some of this amazing culture first hand during the late 70th and mid 80th taken part in tribal ceremonies, visited remote areas in Central Australia, took part of a Burial Ceremony and traveled to sacred parts in Arnhem Land, northern Australia.

I also witnessed how Aboriginals would take care of our environment, taken only what they needed from the land, an important lesson that I treasure to this day.

Corroboree - At corroboree's Aborigines interact with the Dreamtime through dance, music and costume. Many ceremonies act out events from the Dreamtime. Many of the ceremonies are sacred and people from outside a community are not permitted to participate or watch. "Their bodies painted in different ways, and they wore various adornments, which were not used every day."

Traditional song and dance is very much a part of any Corroboree, using clap sticks or bilma
and of course the famous Australian Didgeridoo - Central Australia.
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Recent scientific evidence shows, Aborigines arrived in Australia more than 50,000 years ago and some traditions and beliefs are followed to this present day in remote parts of Arnhem Land.

Some color images (slides) had to be turned into black and white due their color fading over the years, however they still represent this unique culture through Australia’s past.

Central Australia, Corroboree
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Central Australia, Corroboree
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Women preparing themselves as part of a rare
Central Australian Corroboree by applying
elaborate body paint
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Indigenous Australians' oral tradition and spiritual values are based upon reverence for the land and a belief in the Dreamtime, The Dreaming is considered to be both the ancient time of creation and the present day reality of Dreaming. There are many different groups, each with their own individual culture, belief structure and language.

Aerial view of ULURU
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Tribal Elder at ULURU (Ayers Rock) Central Australia
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So lets start with part one and the most sacred site in Australia…Ayers Rock or know to the Aborigines as “ULURU”

Located in Central Australia in the outback is a massive slab of rock know to local Aboriginal tribes as Uluru. Year’s later western explorers named it Ayers Rock after an explorer and the name stuck. Aboriginal people believe Uluru is the origin of life and the center of the universe.
The word Uluru means, “the all-knowing and everlasting” this giant freestanding rock is indeed the most sacred site in Australia to the Aboriginal people and an awesome site for any visitor.

Aerial view of the OLGAS showing Ayers Rock in the distance,
Central Australia
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But there are so many other mystical places in the Center that played an important role for the Aboriginal Dreamtime, places like the Olgas some 30 miles west of Ayers Rock, remote and spectacular Kings Canyon, Palm Valley an Oasis in the desert, Chambers Pillar or Rainbow Valley just south of Alice Springs.

A rainbow over Rainbow Valley, a very rare event in the desert region of Central Australia.
This rock formation is actually called Rainbow Valley due to its coloring at the rock face.
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The remote but beautiful Palm Valley in the Alice Springs region of Central Australia
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The method of applying colored earth to the body varies depending on purpose. In most areas, before hunting, The men roughly smeared their bodies with ochre. In southern areas, white settlers' journals often mention the practice of smearing the whole body with earth, colored charcoal and animal fat, ostensibly to camouflage smell, but probably also to maintain body temperature.

Corroboree's can last over many days pending on the type of ceremony.
Central Australia
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Once a serious Corroboree has started it can go on all night,
Central Australia
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Very rare and historical image from 1974 during a Corroboree near Tennant Creek,
Central Australia. Located 500 km north of Alice Springs and 1000 km south of Darwin.
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Very rare and historical image from 1974 during a Corroboree near Tennant Creek,
Central Australia. Located 500 km north of Alice Springs and 1000 km south of Darwin.
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Very rare and historical image from 1974 during a Corroboree near Tennant Creek,
Central Australia. Located 500 km north of Alice Springs and 1000 km south of Darwin.
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In tropical areas, coating the skin with earth and fat kept sand flies and mosquitoes at a distance. Much has been said about the decorative and ritual functions of body painting. However, paint on the body has other uses less concerned with painted designs. Paint, specifically ochre, is applied to the body as a coating for protection in fighting.

Once a serious Corroboree has started it can go on all night
and can last over several days.Central Australia.
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Aborigine carrying a Bark painting as part of this particular dance ceremony - Corroboree.
Central Australia.
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Once a serious Corroboree has started it can go on all night,
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Stay tuned for part two, Vanishing Cultures and Tradition from the remote and sacred parts in Arnhem Land…the Ruined City and a special burial ceremony.
GD

Please Note: The following LINKS provided me with some of my research on the Australian Aboriginals, they are also a good source for further and more detailed information. Thank You!

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

http://www.aboriginalculture.com.au/index.shtml

http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_bodylivingart/index1.htm

http://www.janesoceania.com/australia_aboriginal_sites1/index1.htm

http://www.janesoceania.com/australian_aboriginal_music/index1.htm

Tags: Aboriginals, Aborigines, Australia, Rare , song and dance, clap sticks, Didgeridoo, Corroboree, environment, Historical, Arnhem Land, reserve, body paint, Uluru , Ayers Rock, Photography Books, creation, Ourback, Red Center, Dreaming, Heritage , Cultures & Tradition, Dreamtime, Vanishing, Ektachrome film, Kodachrome, Central Australia, Adventure Travel Tours, Adventure Travel

Exotissimo Travel Launch Specialist Photography
Workshops in ASIA led by International Photographer

See below the official release:

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(Bangkok, 19 January 2012) Exotissimo Travel, Asia’s leading DMC has unveiled a collection of niche photography workshop tours covering four top destinations in Southeast Asia. Each tour lasts between 6 – 10 days and is hosted by international photographer Gunther Deichmann who passes on his expertise in the field.

This novel selection of tours are open to all ages and abilities with professional photographer Gunther Deichmann teaching new techniques from basic to advanced over the course of each. It’s a fantastic opportunity to ask questions and gain first hand tutorial as you practice new methods. Gunther’s passion and friendly approach make his tours extremely popular and there is no doubt this series will prove just as well-liked.

All the essential elements of photography are covered with guests leaving confident in knowing how to compose the perfect shot. With over 30 years experience as a professional photographer, Gunther has worked in more than 25 countries with his camera and travelled extensively in Asia. His existing knowledge of the people and places means no time is wasted on these tours.

It's a rare opportunity to explore the unique cultural practices of a country while gaining insight into the architecture and heritage of a destination that few tourists see. The chance for spectacular photographic opportunities is unrivaled in these tours while also witnessing dramatic landscapes and meeting intriguing people that make remarkable subjects.

Gunther said, “I am delighted to be working with Exotissimo on these unique photography workshop tours. Each destination covered has its own distinctive qualities and cultural practices that we expose ourselves to, capturing the essence with our cameras while learning new techniques along the way.”

Ranging from 6 to 10 days, Exo are covering four of the most desired destinations in these photography workshops. This includes the alluring Vietnam, raw and charming Myanmar, stunningly beautiful Cambodia and enchanting Laos.
Click the LINKS to see the itineraries.

These tours have been designed by photographers with astounding photographic opportunities at every turn. They also encompass Exo’s philosophy of connecting with the people and culture of a place, as they take guests to many areas off the well trodden tourist path and into local areas where its possible to interact with villagers and learn about their way of life.

Gunther is also available for private tours. Please use contact details below for further details.

About Exotissimo Travel
Exotissimo Travel is a premier destination management company that specializes in tailor made tours in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia and Japan. Established in 1993, the company is now a network of 17 locally based offices staffing over 550 travel professionals, with sales offices in Florida, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Melbourne.

For more information, please contact:
Exotissimo Travel Group – Head Office Tel: (66 2) 633 9060 Email: marketing@exotissimo.com

Tags: NEWS, ASIA, travel professionals, expertise , top destinations, cultural practices, professional photographer, Southeast Asia, photographic opportunities, culture, private tours, Indonesia, Special Tours, Teaching, Gunther Deichmann , international photographer, Specialist Photography, Adventure Travel Tours, Expeditions, Indochina, Exotissimo, Discovery, Photography Workshops, Photo Workshops, MYANMAR/BURMA, laos, Latest NEWS, Cambodia, Vietnam, Tutorials

Updated Calendar & GD Photo Workshop Site for
2012 and 2013.

We are pleased to announce a complete update and revised Calendar for 2012 & 2013 on our GD Photo Workshop Site. Added new destinations and exciting places like Indonesia-Australia plus additional special Myanmar tours.

All 2012 dates are confirmed, our itineraries and full details are available upon request or by our agent's Exotissimo website. We're traveling to some places rarely visited by others, hence making our workshops more unique and flexible that makes a lifetime experience for you to remember.

Take for example our new and next Myanmar Journey in 2012 - this Special Trip was designed by Photographers for Photographers.

June 29 - July 09, 2012 - 11 special days of pure adventure and amazing photography.
Max. of 10 Participants only

On this journey we will explore the remote parts of the country but also some of the known places. We promise that this will be a very exciting and special trip.
For more info and details please CLICK this LINK.
GD

Tags: Exotissimo, Photography, GD PhotoWorkshop, Calendar, Ayers Rock, Borobudur, Central Australia, Rainbow Valley, Kakadu National Park, Special Tours, TRAINING, Australia, Nepal, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, MYANMAR/BURMA, laos, Cambodia, Indonesia, Indochina, Explore, Expeditions, Discovery, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY, Adventure, ASIA, Thar Desert, Adventure Travel Tours

A Walk Through Time…
Kulen's past and present.

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Below is a very short excerpt from a seven (7) page article in the latest Asian Geographic magazine on Phnom Kulen and its hidden treasures in Cambodia.

Tags: Adventure, Discovery, Ancient, ASIA, Didier Faraud, Waterfall, Jamie Irena Rayer-Keet, Archaeology, Heritage Adventures, Heritage Suites Hotel, Empire, Elephant Pond, Bat Cave, archaeologists , Jungle, Adventure Travel, 10th century, Bantey Srei, Angkor Wat, treasure, Phnom Kulen , reclining Buddha, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY, Siem Reap Cambodia, Khmer, Buddhism, Cambodia, Caves, ASIAN Geographic Magazine

RIP Photoshop in 2012 continues…the response.

My last post was suppose to be my last entry for 2011 but then I received this nice letter (unedited) in response to my last post RIP Photoshop in 2012, thank you Dermot for letting me share this with others. Happy New Year!

Hi GD
Loved your blog posting re: Photoshop RIP. Well said. 
 
I’m not a photographer at all, as you well know… not even with a point and shoot..but I am amazed and in awe of beautiful images, especially yours.  If I didn’t know you and or had not been with you when you took some of the images I know of…I would have a hard time not assuming that somehow Photoshop played a role.  You’re right….there is a time and place for Photoshop….but in order to protect the integrity of and respect for accomplished photographers and their images, the viewer does indeed need to know / deserve to be informed if and when images are manipulated.
 
I recall the image you took one day with your point and shoot camera while we were sitting having a beer at Riptide overlooking Malakal Harbor, Palau…..the one with the tiki torch by the railing just before sunset.  I was there. I saw the sky, I saw the tiki torch, and I saw you shoot the images. But I didn’t see what you saw until you showed me the image moments later…..no Photoshop! Just a trained and sensitive eye by the photographer. I also recall the image you shot ..with the same camera I think..in Singapore when we were sitting outside having dinner by the waterfront..with all the buildings lit up in the background. Same thing..I was there….I saw all that you saw…but not the way you saw it..until I saw your image! There are many more like that….some of the images I watched you take when we were in Siem Reap with Dirk. No flash; No Photoshop; just stunning images that were right before me but that my eyes just could not see……until I was GD’ed!
 
This has been an odd year for us…we’ve hardly been in touch ….not like before..but it’s also been a year in which I’ve seen the real Gunther ..the passionate photographer Gunther, re-emerge from the demands of the digital clutter that somehow seems to want to over take us and extinguish who we really are.  Wish I could have been as successful in making change in 2011 as you were,  and for 2012, I will look not just to your amazing images for inspiration but to how successfully you’ve managed to reshape your future by renewing your first passion…..your photography.  No Photoshop needed! 
 
Love you my friend and admire your deeply. Here’s wishing you a super successful 2012 and very Happy New Year and hope that we can cross paths and be in touch more often.
 
Hope to see you  in Manila early Jan enroute to BOOT.
 
Best!
 
Dermot Keane

Tags: Journalism, Culture, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY, Siem Reap Cambodia, Nature, Photoshop, Palau Micronesia, manipulation

The cruel story behind the photo... a real concern.

But first let me take this opportunity and wishing you all a fantastic & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

In a few days we’re moving into 2012 and this is my last post for 2011 with the conclusion that there is NO room for Photoshop in photographing Documentary, Nature, Journalism, Culture, Travel and in true story telling. RIP Photoshop in 2012!

I have written many articles on this subject and I am not going into details anymore but rather get to the point right away. We all know the pros and cons about Photoshop and how it has changed at least for some of us the way we look at photography today.

PS has its place in the commercial world or in graphic design, but there should be no use of any manipulation if we photographing the subjects mention above.
However if we do alter the image then it should be stated with the published work that it has been digitally altered.

Now to my concern and the story behind the photo:

The Olgas in Central Australia
More images from the Book Journey Through Color & Time
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The image in question above, the Olgas with a Rainbow taken in Central Australia was part of my exhibition during the Launch of my Book “Journey Through Color & Time in 2006.
It was during this exhibition that I overheard a group of people saying how wonderful and great this image was, with the exception of some comments that this could only have been done in Photoshop.

Now that is cruel if you ask me… I contained my disappointment and anger, even if I had to explain it to them they would have not believed me, as the saying goes, good photos do not need an explanation.

So here we are…or where are we? These where educated people believing great images are created partially in Photoshop and this is where the real problem lies.

The said photo was created way before Photoshop existed, even Computers where in the infant stage, a blow below the belt to the artist/photographer.
Taken on Kodachrome 25 ASA, at the right time and a little bit of luck with the weather.

Mustering Cattle Central Australia
Kodachrome 25ASA

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Yes, of course times have changed and we do use digital cameras, but we should refrain from any manipulation. If it can’t be avoided then we should state this loud and clear and stop fooling the public, because soon or later nobody believes anything anymore.

But how much is allowed? In the digital age we have to apply a certain amount of post processing e.g. sensor dust removal, some sharpening, minor contrast increase, of course cropping and straightening.

Some adjustment of the color temperature for images taken under difficult lighting conditions plus a few minor tweaks all amounting to less then 10%, good Photographers shoot right in the first place and do not rely on PS, we done it on film so why not now.

Wild Horses Top End Australia
Kodachrome 25ASA
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You might think that I am old fashioned or outdated, well its rather the opposite I embrace technical advances but I don’t agree with distorting nature or telling stories with manipulated images.

Software like Aperture, Lightroom or some others allow us to make basic adjustment and more, plenty good enough for our images.
If you have only PS then use it only for the basic RAW conversion and minor adjustments as mention above.

If your creative juices start flowing and you have to manipulate beyond the norm then state so below the image, this will gain you respect and is truthful to you and the public.

Provided by nature our Eyes are the best cameras since birth, we need to learn how to see, the rest will follow.
All the above is only my Opinion, but I know I share this with many others.

As for me in 2012, I continue to create images without the use of PS like I have done for the past 30 years, so RIP Photoshop for 2012 and beyond.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
GD

Just one more without Photoshop…

Varanasi India 2011 - Digital Image
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Tags: Photo Journalism, Olgas, Australia, Digital, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY, Documentary, Opinion, Photography, Tutorials, Software, Rainbow, manipulation, Nature, Lightroom, Culture, Photoshop, Aperture

Bizarre, strange, utterly weird & disgusting…
photos from along the road.



What happen to this Buddha Statue?But I love the colors.
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During most of my travels I come across the nice and beautiful things our planet has to offer. The funny, bizarre and strange encounters, but sometimes I see things rather unpleasant. Like the time I discovered the unloading of massive shark fins in Indonesia, and I am talking about massive!

Little explanation is needed for most of the photos below, with the exception of the disgusting ones.
This is a small collection of unusual images from my recent trips.
GD

From the Van window… Christmas shopping?
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Strange Bubbles…at a local market.
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Weird food…but actually very nice.
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Strange…no explanation needed.
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Bizarre…Novice Buddhist Monks and Guns…
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Wow! Hi-tech at the Cambodia/Thailand Border crossing
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A weird outdoor bar with bargirl/barboy?
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Utterly weird & strange food…
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Totally disgusting and very sad…
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Strange…drying meat.
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Totally disgusting and very sad…Bear Paws
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Totally disgusting and very sad…
Bear paws are considered a delicacy, and have been priced at $250 each.
Here they are inside a glass with Alcohol, drinking this concoction
is supposed to be a remedy for different types of illnesses and an
Aphrodisiac…what a lot of Bull….
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Through the Van window…
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Tags: Bizarre, strange, strange food, Bear Paws, Aphrodisiac, Buddhism, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY, Unusual, ASIA, Disgusting, Environment

I am featured with some nine pages and a couple shots on the cover but this special issue of Asian Geographic includes also other amazing photographers like:

Michael Yamashita - Steve McCurry - Michael Freeman - David Doubilet - Joe Quinn - Steve De Neef - John Arifin - Aaron Wong - Alexander Mustard - Michael Aw - Tri Huu Luu and William Chua

This is a copy you should get your hands on, lots of cool information, references, techniques and stunning great Photos below and above the waves.

I have created a pdf file with Keynote and you can check it out under publications on my main site under spreads or covers. Click the photos above or this LINK.
GD

Tags: One Asia Festival, SINGAPORE, Michael Freeman, ASIAN Geographic Magazine, ASIA Without Borders, PUBLISHING, Steve McCurry, Michael Yamashita, Special edition

Singapore ONE ASIA - Images of Asia round up
& the latest on GD Photo Workshops in ASIA.

A quick round up from my recent trip to Singapore where I attended the ONE ASIA festival as a speaker and Judge for the Images without Borders together with Michael Yamashita and Steve McCurry.

Besides the event I caught up also with good old friends, in particular Michael Freeman who I had not seen for a very long time.
It was great to go back in time at breakfast in our Hotel or during some quiet moments at the event.

But I also caught up with some of my Photo Workshop Students and friends in particle Christina Feldt from Germany and Chia Loy Chuan with his charming wife from Singapore.
Thanks to Christina and Loy for taken some of the photos during the event.

My gratitude to John Thet, Publisher of Asian Geographic Magazine and Organizer of the ONE ASIA Event for inviting me again this year.

Thanks also to the staff at Asian Geographic Magazine for taken care of behind the scenes and assisting me throughout the event.
I also found the time to get my last roll of film (Ektachrome) processed and scanned in Singapore, I post an interesting article about this exercise shortly.


There is also more NEWS on our Adventure Travel GD Photo Workshops with EXOTISSIMO for 2012.

For the Itineraries, info and the latest updates please click the photos or the LINKS below. Testimonials from previous participants.

Myanmar 2012, this is going to be an amazing &
very special Journey.

Indochina 2012, Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia

Other destinations and complete Calendar for 2012

GD

Tags: SINGAPORE, Events, Michael Freeman, ASIA, Michael Yamashita, Adventure Travel Tours, Exotissimo, MYANMAR/BURMA, Indochina, Photo Workshops, Steve McCurry, ASIAN Geographic Magazine, Images without Borders, One Asia Festival

The story behind the photos…
“A little Girl and her simple way recycling soft drink cans.”

This is the story about a little Girl at Phnom Sampeou, (Killing Caves) in the rural area of Battambang.

It was during our last Photo Workshop in Cambodia and we just finished the day at Phnom Sampeou, worn out and thirsty!
We bought some soft drinks at the local store and waiting for the million of bats to appear out of
a cave at dusk along the road, it was our last shoot for the day.

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All of a sudden this little girl appeared, collecting the empty cans, sorting them out and given me the occasional shy look.

I was watching her and kept shooting a few frames now and then, as she playfully emptied the leftovers before she arranged the cans along the road.

By now it was getting very dark and I had to push my ISO higher as she kept arranging the cans in a very playful manner and I was wondering…is she collecting them or is she just playing?

Vehicles and pushbikes going by, but this little girl was paying no attention to the traffic or our group, she just kept on lining up her cans.

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Now neatly arranged, she suddenly started to jump up an down flattening the cans with her feet, picked them up and disappeared as quick as she had arrived.

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The process of a very simple recycling was complete, I am sure the only thing left to do for her was to take the flattened cans and sell them for a few Riel (Cambodian currency) at the local Village.
GD

Tags: Recycling, Cans, iSO, Battambang, Cambodia, Softdrinks, Poverty, Phnom Sampeou, Riel, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY, Killing Caves

It started all with…
Johnny Depp En route to Bangkok.

Click on Johnny above or the LINKS but please NOTE since we done some major updates on my Blog and the GD Photo Workshop site you might have to REFRESH your Browser in order for you to see the latest images.

The Photos from Behind the Scenes are now uploaded and ready for viewing…the action, the fun from all these super nice participants in the field covering Laos-Cambodia and Myanmar.

Uploaded also some of the Testimonials from our last Journey.

Their work (The Students Work) will also be up in about a week and I keep you posted when this is done, but from what I have seen already there are some very nice images amongst them…in short, everybody did real well.
But now enjoy the fun part "Behind The Scene"… and as mention above, it all started with Johnny Depp on my way to Bangkok with Arj and David entertaining myself with the iPhone and my little Leica on the way.

The photos Behind the Scene are not in any particular order, taken by my self, Arj and by some of the participants using what ever camera was handy at the time, from iPhones, point and shoot and DSLR's.

You might take also note that we have moved the “Behind the Scene” and “The Students Work” now to the GD Photo Workshop pages and removed it from my Blog.
Everything is under one roof now and we can leave the previous workshop pages active, which would not have been possible on my Blog.

Thanks again to all the participants who joined my last Journey Through Color &Time. They came from Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, USA, Philippines, Spain, Germany and Australia.
Ladies first…Christina and Vi. The Boys: Bob, Tony, David, Bebet, Mojan, Rod, Loy and Richard and Arj my trusted assistant. (Thanks for your tireless help in Laos and Cambodia unfortunately you could not make it with us to Myanmar)

We did a lot of very cool photography…but more so had a lot of fun and that is what Photography should be.

As a reminder we have finalized also our next Workshops for Sri Lanka – Central India and Bhutan and have only few more spots available.
We have scheduled also an additional Very Special Workshop for Myanmar for the end of June 2012; full details will be announced shortly.
Until very soon, GD

Tags: Johnny Depp, Exotissimo, Thai Airways, ASIA, Photo Workshops, Adventure Travel Tours, Participants, Behind the Scene

Through the car window… using the iPhone & my little
Leica, plus my favorite Quote by Ernst Haas.



Through the Taxi window with the iPhone, Manila Philippines
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Finished the last Aperture 3 advanced tutorial at the Power Mac Center last week, got some important meetings out of my way and now the TIME has come…the packing has started (mind you very light) for our Cultural - Archaeological, Travel and Adventure GD Photo Workshops to Laos - Cambodia and Myanmar.
I report whenever possible but my Blog Posts will be a bit thin from now on, however I try to stay in touch via Facebook and Twitter.

Through the car window with the iPhone, street vendor during heavy
rain selling Sampaguita ... the national flower of the
Philippines, Manila Philippines
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With the iPhone, on the road from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
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In todays post, definitely the last one prior my departure (next one I have no clue from where) I have chosen only images taken with my iPhone and my little Leica D-Lux 4 which are my companion most of the time and the reason for my favorite quote by Ernst Haas; read the complete story below:

Street Children - through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
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Ernst Haas commented on this in a workshop in 1985:
Two laddies from Nova Scotia had made a huge effort to be there and were great Leica fans, worked in a camera store, saved to have them and held Ernst on high for being a Leica user (although he used Nikons on his Marlboro shoots, when the chips were down).   
About four days into the workshop, he finally maxxed out on the Leica adoration these kids displayed, and in the midst of a discussion, when one of them asked one more question aimed at establishing the superiority of Wetzlar;

Ernst said, "Leica, schmeica.  The camera doesn't make a bit of difference.  All of them can record what you are seeing.  But, you have to SEE."  

Nobody talked about Leica, Nikon, Canon or any other brand of camera equipment for the rest of the workshop.  
He also said, "Best wide-angle lens?  'Two steps backward' and 'look for the ah-ha'."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Haas

Street Children - through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
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Street Children cleaning the car windows for a few centavos -
through the Taxi window with my little Leica,
Manila Philippines
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Just one more…



Ferme le Lundi - French for "Closed on Monday"
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Yep, that is me in 1992 outside a French Cafe in Phnom Penh and my first visit to Cambodia covering a story on the Mekong River for Animan Magazine, no digital…no laptops, etc. just the good old film…and a bit younger mind you. Since then I have been visiting Cambodia almost yearly, continuously discovering the undiscovered…
and definitely Ferme Le Lundi!
Now the endless Journey continuos…until soon from where ever I might be…GD.

Tags: Ernst Haas, TRAINING, Photo Workshops, laos, GD Photo Workshop, Ferme Le Lundi, Leica, Leica D-Lux 4, MYANMAR/BURMA, Power Mac Center, Aperture 3, Cambodia, Photography Today, Adventure Travel Tours, Photo Journalism

"My creative process begins when I get out with the camera and
Interact with the world. A camera is truly a license to explore.
There are no uninteresting things.
There are just uninterested people." - Jerry Uelsmann -

Discover the undiscovered… with Gunther Deichmann, Expedition Leader and international multi awarded Photographer. For his full Bio please click this LINK.

These Photo Workshops take you beyond the normal tours, designed for only small groups to give you the maximum attention throughout the Journey.
(Depends on our destinations max. number is between 8 and 12 person.)

Adventure and fun at the same time, stress is not on our agenda, everyday has its little surprises and rewards, from culture experiences, wildlife encounters and fantastic photo opportunities and the whole search is for the unknown, so you can really expect the unexpected.

Learning alongside Gunther, with his vast experiences in Asia and Australia who has traveled these parts of the world for international Magazines for over 30 years.

Gunther’s experience and knowledge brings you closer to your subjects and you learn how to see things in a very different way and light. It is Gunther’s Philosophy about Photography that exposes you to a very different kind of image… a quote by Oscar Wilde says it all; “To look at a thing is very different from seeing it."


GD Photo Workshops are unique in many ways…besides creating beautiful images and experience different cultures there is always an element of fun amongst the participants no matter what nationalities attending. Read some of the testimonials from previous workshop participants. Click here.

More from Behind the scene from our last workshop and the students work click the LINKS.

We take Photography very seriously but at the same time find the precious hours after the shoot to relax and talk about our daily adventures, sharing each other’s experiences and the images we created.
Gunther will also guide you through the process after the shoot, the Digital Darkroom, he has years of experience on a variety of Software including producing Multi Media Presentations.
He is on the Apple Aperture Advisory Board Asia and an Apple Certified Pro Aperture Trainer.

But most of all... "Lets look at the world through our eyes, not through photo-editing tools."

Please Note: Our workshops for Laos-Cambodia 2011 is now fully booked and we have only one more spot for Myanmar but if you're still interested you have to confirm your bookings by the 20th of August.

We have also announced our destinations and Calendar dates for 2012 and working very close now with one of the Top Travel Agencies in Asia (soon there will be a major announcement regarding this exciting new development)

Besides Sri Lanka and Central India in 2012 we travel also to Mongolia - Tibet and a very exciting adventure Journey through Vietnam -Laos and Cambodia by road.

Please note the dates for our Bhutan Trip might change slightly due to some festivals which we don't want to miss, we advise very shortly. There are only 3 more spots available for this amazing Journey into Bhutan. Booking for Bhutan closes by September 15th latest.

Vietnam Delta
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In 2013 Gunther will lead a very special trip to Australia his home Country which he knows only so well; the outback and the amazing wildlife of Kakadu National Park. A 14 day Journey to some places seldom seen by others. More details will be announced later @
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/page1/calendar.html

Rare Aboriginal Ceremony Central Australia
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Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia 2010
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“Journey means travel. The more you travel, the more you
broaden your horizon and experience different cultures.
And to me that translate into photography." - GD -

Tags: Photo Workshops, ASIA, Bhutan, laos, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Journey , Vietnam, Discovery, Aperture3, Tours, Adventure Travel Tours, Expeditions

High tech, angry birds and a lot of other
strange things…

High tech...
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Last week in Bangkok was something out of the ordinary with a lot of different situations and images plus a short GD Photo Workshop for some exclusive clients.

Unfortunately I want be able to talk or show some of the high tech images due to restrictions of the project but at least I can share some of the more strange and bizarre photos with you.

Strange…
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Angry birds…
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Weird…
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Bizarre...
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Very different…
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Great smiles…
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Muaythai...
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It was an amazing week in Bangkok including a visit to the Mecca of Muaythai Boxing at the Lumbini Stadium pushing the ISO to 5000 on the Nikon D700.

I am back in Manila now and working on the final preparations for our GD Photo Workshop to Laos - Cambodia and Myanmar, which starts in September.


BTW…We are fully booked for Laos and Cambodia now and have only one more spot available for Myanmar, so if you like to join us for Myanmar you have to confirm this to us by latest August 12th, 2011 we can’t except any more bookings after this date.

Also our Workshop to Bhutan in 2012 is almost full and we have only three more spots available, if you’re interested please make your bookings asap. (Final booking for Bhutan has to be made by latest November 10th. 2011)

We still have some slots available for Sri Lanka and Central India in 2012 but these two exciting destinations are also filling up very fast.

There will be an update and some very exciting news on our entire Photo Workshops prior my departure in September on this Blog. For more information and details about our Photo Workshops throughout Asia, including the already popular one to Mongolia and Tibet in 2012.

I am also conducting some Aperture 3 and digital darkroom seminars at Power Mac Center and Filipinas Heritage Library in Manila during the month of August and early September, for more details on those please click on the LINKS.
GD

Just one more...

Everything from the above…except high tech & muaythai.
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Tags: Thailand, ASIA, Photography, TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHY, GD Photo Workshop, Weird, Boxing, Muaythai, Lumbini, Bizarre, Bangkok

"I have seen colors which I thought
didn't exist, but they do." - GD -

Self Portrait in Cupertino US, out side my Hotel at night.
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A short break from my usual travel photography coloring yours and my world today, below is a selection of photos from different places, representing colors around us everyday.

There is one more article coming from my recent trip to Sri Lanka and I post that one in about a week prior my departure for Bangkok, Thailand.

Then in September we start our GD PhotoWorkshops to Laos - Cambodia and Myanmar and I be on the road for some four weeks.
After the workshops a short break before leaving for Palau and of course in between I have some Aperture 3 Seminars and workshops - Digital Darkroom for Photographers- with the Power Mac Center and the Filipinas Heritage Library in Manila Philippines.

Then I am invited again in December for the "ONE ASIA" in Singapore as a Guest Speaker and Judge for the Images of Asia Festival starting on the 9th until the 12th of December 2011.

Now enjoy the colors around us with a final citation by:
- Jack Wilkinson - "Seeing simply is seeing significantly." -

"Color Steel" some time ago in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
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Pedestrian Crossing, Los Banos, Philippines
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Just around the corner...running paint. Manila Philippines
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Outside the Dress shop, Nepal
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View from my Hotel room, Boracay, Philippines
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The Cat and colorful door Nepal
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Color hair pieces, Lhasa, Tibet
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Batik in Indonesia.
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Nano T-shirt in Bangkok Thailand, I did ask the Guy
if I can take a photo of his chest
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Car park colors at Werdenberg Corp., Manila Philippines
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"No strings attached" Phnom Penh Cambodia
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Colorful Table setting...Battambang, Cambodia
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Just one more...

Mall colors, my son Brandon getting a paint job...
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Tags: Colors, Colours, Graphic, ABSTRACT

This little multimedia presentation above was created to announce a new Gallery on PhotoShelter while in the background huge file transfers took place, moving Terra Bytes of photos from one Hard drive to another, a yearly maintenance but ever so important. Back-up and more back-ups, and as a reminder that I be giving a talk at Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3 on the 25th of June starting at 6:00 PM. "Back-up solutions for your photos."
GD

GD Photo Workshops & Power Mac Center

Back-up Your Photos: One of the most important things...
if not, the most important part after every shoot.

Very often overlooked and disregarded...why should I buy another Hard Drive? We spend thousands of Dollars on camera and computer equipment but trying to skip on a backup system, which is very affordable these days.

Well,... until disaster strikes, but then it is to late, years of important travel images, family snap shots and even wedding photos gone for ever.

Join me for simple solutions and a proper back-up of all your Photos...believe me, you sleep a lot better at night, besides it is really not that expensive.

Basic Back-up Solutions for Your Photos with Gunther Deichmann @ Power Mac Center Greenbelt 3, Saturday, JUNE 25, 2011. Session starts at 6:00 PM.
For more info pls. contact Power Mac Center http://powermaccenter.com/services/training/learning_series

GD

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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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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Totally bizarre.....Kathmandu, Nepal
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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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Movement during the Manandhab Ceremony celebrated after the Holi Festival
at the Monkey Temple, Kathmandu Nepal
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The colors of Nepal...
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Culture and Tradition, Kathmandu, Nepal
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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
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The latest images from Delhi & Varanasi are now residing in my
PhotoShelter Archive and Gallery...
The stories behind some of the images.

The latest images from Delhi and Varanasi, India March 2011 are now uploaded in my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries to view them click on the Images or this LINK. Below are samples from my last Journey and stories behind some of the images. I am still editing Nepal, but soon also uploaded on my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries.

In the streets of Varanasi India
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Nikon D300swith the new Nikkor 24.0mm to 120.0mm f:4 lens. ISO 400

One night traveling on a Rickshaw from the Ganges River in Varanasi back to our Hotel, I decided like so many times before to continue taken photos. Using a slow shutter speed and working my Nikon in manual mode and occasional using my popup flash on a rear curtain mode shooting many frames in the crowded streets of Varanasi. It was after all, the day after the Holi festival and people still roaming the streets intoxicated and having fun celebrating one of India's most important festivals.
I spotted these two boys from the distance and before my Rickshaw pulled level with them I had my camera adjusted shooting in burst mode hoping for at least one image. The above image is the outcome...almost like a painting, NO other treatment in Photoshop or any other software, using Aperture 3 and adjusting only the exposure by about one stop.

A boy playing in one of the areas of the Jama Masjid Mosque in Old Delhi, India
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Nikon D700 with the new Nikkor 24.0mm to 120.0mm f:4 lens. ISO 200

I was watching this little boy for a while playing at a fence inside the Mosque grounds while his mother taken part in a prayer. After a few other images he all of a sudden pushed his body and his face right on to the wire.

The Railway station in Varanasi, India
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Nikon D300s & the new Nikkor 24.0mm to 120.0mm f:4 lens. ISO 200

Visiting the Varanasi Railway station is another experience, super crowded with local vendors and pilgrims coming and going. For this shot I picked a high vantage point using an Aperture of f:20 to get a slow shutter speed to achieve the motion blur, now I just had to wait patiently for an incoming train. Again, NO other treatment in Photoshop or any other software, using only Aperture 3.

Jama Masjid Mosque in Old Delhi, India
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Nikon D700 with the new Nikkor 24.0mm to 120.0mm f:4 lens. ISO 200

The full moon rises of the Ganges River in Varanasi ,India
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Nikon D700 with the Nikkor 50mm f:1.4 lens. ISO 800

Aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges River,Varanasi, India
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Nikon D300s with the new Nikkor 24.0mm to 120.0mm f:4 lens. ISO 400

The Railway station in Varanasi, India
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Nikon D300s & the new Nikkor 24.0mm to 120.0mm f:4 lens. ISO 400

GD

Excerpts below from Wikipedia on Delhi (Jama Masjid Mosque) and Varanasi, India.
According to legend, the city was founded by the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva, around 5,000 years ago, thus making it one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the country. It is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. Many Hindu scriptures, including the Rigveda, Skanda Purana, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata, mention the city.
Varanasi is generally believed to be about 3,000 years old.Varanasi was a commercial and industrial centre famous for its muslin and silk fabrics, perfumes, ivory works, and sculpture. During the time of Gautama Buddha (born circa 567 BCE), Varanasi was the capital of the Kingdom of Kashi. The celebrated Chinese traveller, Xuanzang, attested that the city was a centre of religious, educational, and artistic activities, and that it extended for about 5 km along the western bank of the Ganges.
It was at this very place where an unusual incident was observed, an indian crocodile seized a sleeping indian tiger on the bank of the river and dragged it into the water.
More @ Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varanasi
The Masjid-i Jahān-Numā (Persian: commonly known as the Jama Masjid (Hindi: is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal, and completed in the year 1656 AD, it is the largest and best-known mosque in India. It lies at the origin of a very busy central street of Old Delhi, the Chawri Bazar Road.
The mosque also houses several relics in a closet in the north gate, including an antique copy of the Qur'an written on deer skin.
More @ Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jama_Masjid,_Delhi

The story behind the photos...
One beautiful morning on the Ganges River in Varanasi - India,
an interesting mix of Man’s construction and Nature.

Ganges reflections, Varanasi India
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Man and Nature: Man and his constructions … sometimes ugly and sometimes nice…however Nature can make them all look very beautiful, in this case it was Water the source of all life, that created these amazing reflections on the Ganges River in India.

Ganges reflections, Varanasi India
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It was indeed a beautiful morning with blue skies and calm waters, with the exception of a slight ripple now and then creating amazing colors in front of me, little evidence of the normally polluted Ganges River.
The colors of India reflecting right before my eyes… maybe it was this beautiful play of light and color that people have seen for hundreds of years, drawn them to it and worshiping -– The river Ganga Ma, "Mother Ganges."

As for me… it left an everlasting impression, not only on this day but also from previous visits to India.
I just hope that man can and will control the pollution which has taken its toll on the environment, so that we can cherish this mighty river and it's amazing reflections for many more years to come.

Ganges reflections, Varanasi India
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PLEASE NOTE: These reflections are the product of nature and man made objects and NO manipulation, Photoshop or any other software of any kind has been used. All images have been processed using only Aperture 3 Raw conversion and some very basic adjustments.

Soon on PhotoShelter - the complete collection from my recent trip to Delhi-Varanasi in India and Nepal.
Images from Central India are available on my PhotoShelter Archives and Gallery already.@ http://gdeichmann.photoshelter.com/

Let me use for todays post and images a quote from my good friend Pete Turner - "Ultimately, simplicity is the goal - in every art, and achieving simplicity is one of the hardest things to do. Yet it's easily the most essential". - Pete Turner,

GD

Ganges reflections, Varanasi India
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Ganges reflections, Varanasi India
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"The Ganga, especially, is the river of India, beloved of her people, round which are intertwined her memories, her hopes and fears, her songs of triumph, her victories and her defeats. She has been a symbol of India's age-long culture and civilization, ever changing, ever flowing, and yet ever the same Ganga." - Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India, born in Allahabad on the Ganges.
More detailed info on the Ganges The Water Page@ http://www.africanwater.org/ganges.htm


See below some excerpts and useful LINKS on the Ganges River from various sources:

This river that runs for 1,560 miles from the Himalayas all the way to the Bay of Bengal is more than just flowing water. This river is life, purity, and a goddess to the people of India. The river is Ganga Ma, "Mother Ganges." Her name and her story is known all throughout the land. It is the story of how she poured herself down from heaven upon the ashes of King Sarga's sons. Her waters would raise them up again to dwell in peace in heaven. Not only that, but anyone who touches these purifying waters even today are said to be cleansed of all sins…more @
The Ganges by JulieDunn
http://www.csuchico.edu/~cheinz/syllabi/asst001/spring98/ganges.htm

Also check Wikipedia @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges

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

Special Easter Report from the Philippines…

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Warning!
Some of the photos from this event can be very disturbing due to their graphic nature, I advise to view them at your own discretion.

If you like to view the images at your own discretion please go to my PhotoShelter Archives and Galleries and click this LINK or the image above.

A quick change from India and Nepal… I have posted today photos, a few hours after the event from the Easter “celebration” this Friday in Pamapanga about an hours drive from Manila. (Provided there is no traffic)

It was an interesting trip to say the least, another Idea, which came about in our good old Cave Wine Bar a few days ago. My good friends Hubert, Arj, Pierre and myself set of for Pampanga early this morning, just in time for this all day event.

But after a few hours I had some mixed feelings when I saw very young children taken part in this long traditional event, I don’t like to go into more details now, but this was one of the things I found very disturbing.

Please Note: Non of the Photos have been manipulated in Photoshop or other software in any way or form, using only Aperture 3 for the processing.

GD

From Dawn to Dusk...
Varanasi & the Ganges River.



Sadu at night, Varanasi-India
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Nikon D700 - 50mm f:1.4 G lens at 400 ISO

I am slowly getting ready for my trip home but before I depart Thailand and I still have a good connection let me share with you some images from Varanasi and the Ganges River.
Varanasi the most Holiest and oldest City in India, is an amazing Kaleidoscope of Color and activities along the River Bank of the Ganges...a photographers nightmare or paradise which ever you prefer. Choosing and isolating the right subjects amongst the hassle and bustle of this city is certainly a challenge.

First light on the Ganges River, Varanasi, India
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Nikon D300S - and the new 24.0 - 120.0 mm lens f:4

Reflections on the river Ganges, Varanasi, India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Nikon D300S - and the new 24.0 - 120.0 mm lens f:4

In the coming weeks I am going to report a lot more from this truly amazing city which was also one of our destination for this years GD Photo Workshop where we also celebrated the Holi Festival on the 20th of March.

Aarti ceremony on the Ganges River, Varanasi, India
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Nikon D700 - 50mm f:1.4 G lens at 400 ISO



Morning light on the Ganges River, Varanasi, India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Nikon D300S - and the new 24.0 - 120.0 mm lens f:4

Colors along the Ghats, Varanasi India, Varanasi, India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Nikon D300S - and the new 24.0 - 120.0 mm lens f:4

Worshipping the mother Ganges,Varanasi, India
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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Nikon D300S - and the new 24.0 - 120.0 mm lens f:4

Moonrise over the Ganges River and the start of the Holi Festival,Varanasi, India
Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Nikon D700 - 50mm f:1.4 G lens

Please note: All images have been processed in Aperture 3 using only the basic Raw conversion and adjustments, see also below some excerpts from Wikipedia:
GD


The Ganges, above all is the river of India, which has held India's heart captive and drawn uncounted millions to her banks since the dawn of history. The story of the Ganges, from her source to the sea, from old times to new, is the story of India's civilization and culture, of the rise and fall of empires, of great and proud cities, of adventures of man…

Varanasi
Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and is an important place of worship for Hindus. The city is situated between two rivers Varuna and Asi, which join the River Ganges. Varanasi has hundreds of temples, including Kashi Vishwanath Temple along the banks of the Ganges which often become flooded during the rains. Mentioned as 'Maha smashanam' (or 'Great cremation ground') in Hindu Vedic Rituals, the city assumes special significance as the cremation ground for devout Hindus.
Hinduism
Situated on the banks of the river Ganges, Varanasi and Haridwar are considered by all Hindus to be the holiest cities in Hinduism. The Ganges is mentioned in the Rig-Veda, the earliest of the Hindu scriptures. It appears in the Nadistuti sukta (Rig Veda 10.75), which lists the rivers from east to west. In RV 6.45.31, the word Ganga is also mentioned, but it is not clear whether this reference is to the river. Also, people scatter ashes of loved ones here. George Harrison of The Beatles had his ashes scattered in the Ganges by his family in a private ceremony soon after his death.
Many Hindus also believe life is incomplete without taking a bath in the Ganges at least once in their lives. Many Hindu families keep a vial of water from the Ganges in their house. This is done because it is auspicious to have water of the Holy Ganges in the house, and also so that if someone is dying, that person will be able to drink its water. Many Hindus believe that the water from the Ganges can cleanse a person's soul of all past sins, and that it can also cure the ill...for more info go to Wikipedia

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

Interesting colors and light...plus some cool
applications for the iPad, iPod & iPhone.

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
A Farmer scooping up the top layer on a small pond near Angkor Wat
later on he will dry it and feed it to Ducks.
Late afternoon, Nikon D2X

Only a few words today...two images, one from Cambodia and the other one from Palau Micronesia and a little intro into some interesting Applications for your iPad, iPhone 4 or iPod.

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
A salt water Crocodile resting in the Mangroves, Palau Micronesia
and the green leaf was there all along, indeed proof that these reptiles don't
move for hours on end.
Nikon F5, Fuji Velvia 50 ASA

My Journey continuous next week...I am leaving for some exciting destinations plus our GD Photo Workshop in India and Nepal, so my Blog post's will be a bit thin for the next few weeks.

____________________________________________


iPad, iPhone 4 & iPod App worthwhile looking into.

Screenshot... my iPad
Tip...did you know how to take a screenshot from you iPad? Just like on the iPhone 4,
very simple... just press the Home button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time.
The screen flashes white quickly and plays a camera shutter sound.
Your image will be saved in the Saved Photos album of your photos.





The excellent Portfolio App called FolioBook, is very cool and slick.Foliobook
is the clean and minimal iPad portfolio app for Photographers, agents, \designers,
models, architects, and anyone who wants a simple and clean way
to present photos and visual artwork.





FolioBook features customizable home page that works in portrait or landscape
orientation and many other customization options.You can also create you own custom
made background, edit and add text, email images add Copyright,
adjustable text color, 30 selectable fonts etc.,etc.





I highly recommend "Definition" a very cool and useful App when you need to find the
meaning of a word in a hurry. An excellent dictionary for your iPhone, iPad or iPod.
Suggest words as you type of up to 10. Compare two words (iPad Only) and a lot more.





Perfect for the iPhone and featured as a New & Noteworthy Photography app in iTunes!
Perfect for photographers of all skill levels, My Shot List for Travel by Ralph Velasco is the
Ideal tool for developing and tracking a well- rounded collection of images that truly captures
the essence of a place. Check it out and give it a try...you pay more for a Beer.

GD

Media Press Release - Nikon Singapore -

NIKON announces the release of the following 9 new digital compact cameras – COOLPIX Series that will be available in Singapore soon!
 

• COOLPIX  L23 
• COOLPIX  L120 
• COOLPIX S2500
• COOLPIX S3100
• COOLPIX S4100
• COOLPIX  S6100
• COOLPIX  S9100
• COOLPIX  P300   
• COOLPIX P500   

Yes, time has changed for all of us over the years, and I often get ask how I have adopted to the digital age. My answer is quiet simple; I shoot the same way I always have, it is not the equipment, but your eyes, feelings and mind that creates the ultimate image.
Essentially, I have made no changes on how I approach and create images today. My approach and my soul are the same, and as is my philosophy about light and color. - GD -

Is this the last Fish?
The story behind the image...



Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
"Is this the last Fish?" Manila - Philippines

A recent assignment took me to the Fish port of Manila...I visited the place many years ago and not much had changed over the years...except for the catch!

A lot less fish...amongst them juvenile species like Tuna, etc. not like before, mountains of fish...I started to think if this was just a bad day or the fish stocks getting depleted, but that we can figure out some other time.

Then of a sudden... I slipped, landing almost on my butt...oops...I looked around and there was this squashed fish right behind me...the culprit for me loosing my balance for a moment.

Hmm, this looks interesting, I took a few frames giving me the headline Idea..."Is this the last Fish?', now you might think this is a real fishy tale but it is indeed very true and you better believe me.

It was an interesting night, working only with available light and the Nikon D700 at ISO 400 plus the Nikon 50mm f:1.4 Lens. No Flash... no Photoshop! A few hours later I edited all the images in Aperture 3.1 and uploaded them into my PhotoShelter Archives & Gallery, check out (only 69 Photos) from the evenings take and CLICK this LINK or the Image above.

Besides the smell outside the loading area which was out of this world...WOW!!!. We had an interesting evening, finishing the night off with Hubert and Arj over some cold beers at the Cave Wine Bar.

BTW...my rubber shoes I wore that evening still getting fumigated...
GD

The story behind the Image...


Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
"The Wild One" Queensland, Australia, Kodachrome 25 ASA

“The Wild One”, Queensland, Australia 1984. I had been assigned to cover Australia’s National Parks for a publisher to do a book called “Australia’s National Wonders”. On the way to this amazing rock formation I picked up this hitchhiker. We started a conversation and I told her that I give her a lift to the next town but had to go first to this Park with this rock formation.
I ask her if she would mind posing as a model for some additional shots…sure, that’s OK!” she said, but what am I going to wear? I only have my Jeans and T-shirt on me and there are no stores out here.
Then I had this idea…we pulled up on gas station and I bought some leather chamois for cleaning the windshield.
Once we arrived at my location a few hour later (remember vast distances in Australia) I sat down and started to work ripping the chamois to pieces, roughed it up with some rocks and used my trusty Swiss army knife for the final touches creating a brand new outfit for her.
A true story and the image is the outcome of that effort.
Kodachrome 25 ASA, 200mm f:2.8 lens
GD

Your Camera
Doesn't Matter
© 2009 Ken Rockwell

In respect for Ken Rockwell and the rightful owner of the copyright of this article I am only posting today the LINK to this fantastic article...it is some thing I firmly believe in and I totally agree with...check out the complete and cool article including quotes by Ernst Hass, Ansel Adams and many others.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/notcamera.htm

Thank you Ken for the excellent and very open no thrills article! I totally agree.
GD

Delicious Colors...the Journey continues.

The Journey Through Color & Time continues in 2011 and I am looking forward to some exciting workshops in India and Nepal, followed by some other interesting and colorful destinations.

We have also just published the latest Calendar dates with new destinations for 2011 and 2012 and performed a major overhaul on the GD Photo Workshop site, just in time for the NEW YEAR.
Click this LINK for all the details.

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Running paint...Malate, Manila, Philippines

But I managed to find some time in between to see some good friends and share a glass of wine...or was it more than one...
of course never leaving home without my little Leica D-Lux 4 camera; today's featured images are all from the past few days and I like to share them with you on my last post for 2010...simply "Delicious Colors."

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

The Blue Wall on the Roof-deck at Werdenberg "high above the Cave Wine Bar"

Now I like to wish everybody a colorful and very Happy New Year and please remember to take care of Mother Nature in 2011 and beyond... A Journey Through Color and Time continuos...
GD

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

The elevator wall on the Roof-deck at Werdenberg
"high above the Cave Wine Bar"



Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

The last light on the Roof-deck at Werdenberg
"high above the Cave Wine Bar"


Just arrived...a few minutes ago.


The Philippines, made it on the Cover.

Cover and double page spread in the Jan. 2011
issue of "Faces" a children's Magazine from the USA.

In search for Colors...

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




Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

"Colorful Rain" through the Car window, Manila

2010 is slowly coming to an end; I have selected some images taken on my travels with my small Point and Shoot Leica D-Lux 4 using only available light, on planes, during functions, taken the kids to the Mall, in taxis, cars and airport stop overs.

As mention many times before...never leave home without it...the camera that is, you never know what you might encounter and having this small "baby" with me, I get never bored or "lonely". When it comes to color, well... it is my passion, I am obsessed and even dream about it.

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Stop over Changi Airport, Singapore, using my iPhone as a model.

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

"The Taillight", Manila Philippines

During my earlier days, I never thought much about B&W...color has and always will be my true passion, we're living in an amazing colorful world from nature to modern architecture, it is all around us...I remember only to vivid the beautiful creations by nature in autumn or the stark but ever so colorful outback of Australia, the amazing colors in India or the colors of Santorini.
Now I am looking forward to my next Journey's in 2011...exploring and searching for colors I might not have seen.

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Nano T-Shirt in Bangkok

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Inflight delight on Singapore Airlines.

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

With the kids in the Mall, Manila, Philippines

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Inflight entertainment on Singapore Airlines

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Colors in the Mall, Manila, Philippines



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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Color & Glass... during a party, Manila, Philippines

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Just after my arrival, self portrait in Cupertino

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Abstract reflection of a silver Garbage Bin at a Mall, Manila, Philippines

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

Arj using my Camera during the Aperture 3 event in Bangkok, Thailand.

Just one more...please be kind to
Mother Nature in 2011 & beyond!

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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

"Nature is weeping" - Manila, Philippines

Wishing YOU all a very colorful and Happy New Year!
GD

Season Greetings & "A Tropical Winter"
It is this time of the Year again...a sincere and special
THANK YOU
To all my friends and supporters,
have a great time and take good care. GD

Snow and tropical colors, Germany

"Some of us like the Tropics this time of the Year...
& some of us like to roll around in the snow...
so I give you both this year."
- GD -



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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

"Frozen Trees" Germany -18 C



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© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com

"Tropical Colors" Palau +30 C

The story behind the images.

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Rainbow Valley - Northern Territory Central Australia

I was living at the time in Alice Springs and like many times before checking the weather pattern in the sky…hmmm, maybe if I am lucky and drive down to Rainbow Valley I get some nice cloud formations over the colorful rock face.

But nothing prepared me for what the weather had in store for me that day, I jumped into my 4X4 wheel drive and set off on jet another visit to Rainbow Valley.

A visit like so many times before to one my favorite locations south of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory of Australia, located in the Dessert where temperatures can soar into the 50°C. During the month from November to February this region of Australia is getting the occasional rain storms, when wildflowers appearing out of nowhere and dramatic skies above adding yet another dimension to this desert region of Australia.

Copyright all Rights reserved. Mandatory credit with image use:
© Gunther Deichmann - www.deichmann-photo.com
Near Rainbow Valley - after the rain Wild flowers on red
sand dunes, Northern Territory Central Australia

I arrived around 3:00PM waiting patiently and watching the sky, then all of a sudden about an hour or so later, all hell broke loose and this time luck was on my side, an amazing weather spectacle unfolded right in front of my eyes in the beautiful late afternoon light.

The rock formation is called Rainbow Valley, but the weather condition that day added certainly a rare touch to it…there I was, the perfect rainbow (double) unfolded right in front of my eyes over this amazing rock formation. A first for me... and as I found out later, one of the first Rainbows ever recorded over Rainbow Valley.

Once the storms have past Central Australia is returning to clear blue skies where wild flowers grow on red sand dunes for only a few month of the year. A tough time to travel for sure... but for me it is the best time for Photography in the Australian outback.

It was my lucky day for sure, I "burned" one roll after the other, shooting vertical & horizontal images, bracketing the exposure...no LCD them days.

I might add…no Photoshop…no manipulation…no Digital Camera…just plain and simple Kodachrome 25 ASA film and a bit of luck on my side.

Rainbow Valley is located about 75 km south of Alice Springs along the Stuart Hwy, and about 22 km east of the highway along a dirt road. In the summer temperatures commonly rise above 50°C .

The main features of the Rainbow Valley Conservation Reserve are its spectacular red sandstone bluffs and cliffs. These free standing cliffs form part of the James Range, and are particularly attractive late afternoon when rainbow-like bands of differently colored rock are highlighted.
(hence the reason for its name Rainbow Valley)

GD

New make up and changes to my PhotoShelter site...
plus overhauled my Bio & added some
publications on my Main Website.

New Home page look and the new Portfolio button (see red square top left)
once you click on the Portfolio a drop down menu appears with the categories.
Click on this LINK or the Image above and go direct to my PS site.

Like with anything sometimes we have to make some changes, small or big, PhotoShelter announced the other week some additional functions and improvements. I had a good look and decided to implement a very nice new edition, called the Portfolios,
I also changed the look of my PhotoShelter Home page completely.

Portfolios will give me now the option in displaying some Galleries in a different way, this is also very useful in showcasing some new material now and then or specific projects from time to time, instead going trough thousands of Gallery Images.
Plus you have the option to check on the Info and Captions as well, of course these are only selected photos if you looking for something specific just go to the Galleries or select the search options which is found on the top bar.

Screenshot of the new Portfolio option, showing one of the photos,
check it out its pretty slick.
The navigation arrows will appear once you move your Mouse

The search and all other function including the main Galleries are still the same and work just like before, I have already put up three Portfolios (marked with a red square on the new looking Home page screenshot) there is the Main Portfolio of about 160 Photos a selections from all the Countries I have visited.

Screenshot from the Mumbai Portfolio, from the car window selection.

Then there is a small collection of rare and historical images from Australia, some of those are in B&W, and finally another small Portfolio, show casing Images taken from the car window in Mumbai India a couple of years ago. I might add all photos from Mumbai are taken in one day without ever leaving the car.

Screenshot from the Rare Historical & Tribal Images, first images of
galloping fresh Water Crocs ever taken, etc., etc. in the Australian Portfolio.

At the same time we updated also my Main Website added some New Publications and overhauled the Bio completely.

See the above screenshots with the new PS Home Page look and samples of the new Portfolio options, or click on the links and check it out.

GD

Singapore goes all the way... the passion for Photography!

My spread in the current Asian Geographic Magazine.

I arrived in Singapore on the 19th of October and greeted at the airport by the nice and charming Leslie Quek from the Asian Geographic Magazine.
Then to the Hotel…well not really a Hotel but super cool Apartments called Fraser Place, I had to be early in Singapore due to the Judging of the "Life at the Singapore River Competition" that was sponsored by Frasers.

I checked in my room…wow, now that is what I call living, an extremely nice and very spacious apartment and my home for the entire week.

The view from my Apartment window, Frasers Place Singapore

Thanks to Fraser and Asian Geographic for providing such a cool accommodation, a couple of days later Manuel Librado arrived who was also a Judge for "Life at the Singapore River" including John Thet and Diego Garcia from the Asian Geographic Magazine.
A few days on and we announced the lucky winners and had a nice evening at the Fullerton Hotel.

The next day, I think it was the next day... I was part of a TV Reality show appearance for MediaCorp as a Judge for the Big Shot competition sponsored by Nikon Singapore with a grand prize of some 20,000.00 Singapore Dollars…Wow what a prize!

See below some excerpts from Nikons website,more @ The Big Shot
A reality TV series for amateur and semi-professional photographers where we let your photos do the talkingTHE BIG SHOT of Singapore is about the moving stories behind that photography which often at times, when taken well, can speak a thousand words. Our reality tv series is about stories of seven aspiring photographers and their quests to take the BIG SHOT of Singapore. Each week, the seven aspiring photographers will do their best to stay in the competition by overcoming the different challenges that await them in each episodic challenge...

GD and Alex Soh in the studio, judging and taping for the the Big Shot

Even Michael Yamashita commented on this super prize and said in his Twitter...

"You heard right. That's 16,000 US dollars. We could use a few more contests like this one in USA. Singapore is absolutely contest crazy!"

It was during the recording of the show that I met Alex Soh a super cool and nice Singapore Photographer who was also on the Judging panel.

After the Judging and elimination of one or two participants we were done and Alex took me for some great lunch eating something called... Duck Rice. Yummy….thanks Alex.

Thursday, the day my “Sister” Jamie arrived…wow so cool had not seen Jamie in a while and we had a real great evening out catching up with all the latest gossip.

Jamie had arrived... our first night out...lots of Sake & Japanese food.
from left: Michael Yamashita, Alex Soh, Jamie Rayer Keet,
Gunther Deichmann & James Whitlow Delano.

Then I got ready for the big Event “One Asia Celebrating the Images of Asia” organized by the Asian Geographic Magazine.

Saturday the first day of the show was interesting, meeting other Photographers and Celebrity Speakers like Michael Yamashita, James Whitlow Delano (James still shoots B&W film which is so cool these days) Manuel Librado and many others.

Now the fun starts...in front of the green wall at the event

OK Guys... lets make my "Sister" Fly... 1, 2, 3 go...
don't you like the movement part, sorry can't show you the scream, he, he.
from left: Manuel Librodo, GD, Michael Yamashita, Alex Soh James Whitlow
Delano & flying Jamie.

A full Program awaited all the visitors with Live Judging, Seminars and Talks.
Unfortunately Steve MacCurry had to cancel his trip due to some other urgent matters and last minute commitments.

Exhibitions of some excellent Photos where on Display and of course Nikon and Canon showed their presence too.

I had two Seminars/Talks:
On Saturday:
Over 30 years: A Journey Through Color & Time… a one and half hour journey through my Photography.

The other on Sunday with the Title:
Are We There Yet? - Post production tips, focus on Apple software and
Multimedia presentation.
No need for Photoshop, if you have Aperture 3. Image manipulation does not belong in Nature and Photo Journalism.

In between all of this I was also one of the Judges in the Live Photo Competition Contest by Asian Geographic, a prestigious event and marathon judging of two hours plus.
More info @ http://www.oneasiafest.com/

Asia Without Borders Live Judging at the Event...

Who is going to have the next highest score?

Some of the entries where excellent and made our decision not easy at times, but a fair and good organized scoring system was in place. Results and winners you find on the Asian Geographic Website http://www.oneasiafest.com/images-of-asia.phtml or in the Magazine.

Excellent Photos on display.

What a week… three different judging sessions, Seminars/Talks and of course our evening outings in good company during the week.

It was a lot of fun, plus an interesting and learning week, meeting old and making new friends like Alex Soh from Singapore who looked after me like no one else, thanks for everything Alex.

Now I like to take this opportunity and thank John Thet and his entire Team for making all this possible, bringing people together who love their craft and showed their passion for Photography.

To celebrate this inaugural event, an Images of Asia Reception took place at IndoChine Empress Place (close to Suntec, on the river). The finale kicked off on Sunday night with a super party with everybody, unwinding after all those long hours from the days before, some of the Guests included:

Lunita Mendoza Editor Asian Geographic, Leslie Quek from AG, John Thet Publisher AG, Daren Tan Nikon Singapore, Rod Andrewartha and friends, Diego Garcia, Elysee Tan AG, Lester Ledesma, Annamarie Blight CNN, Discovery Channel, Philippine Airlines, Silk Air and so many others, I be here all night if I list them all... so please forgive me.
And there were of course all those Photographers mention earlier plus so many others.

Good Photography is NOT dead…maybe a bit sleepy at the moment… but soon to be awaken again.
From all the talks and discussion I had…the trend is defiantly going back to the non use of PhotoShop even the new trend in HDR was frowned upon by many Pros last week.

Long time ago...the Ernst Haas Book “The Creation” was entirely shot on film, the images represented Nature and the sheer beauty of our Planet. Lets not mess it up with some crazy and weird effects.
Remember… NATURE is the most beautiful thing mankind has got… lets keep it that way!

GD

Just one more...

PS. I am also leading an expedition into Nepal for the Asian Geographic for more details please contact them direct @ http://www.asiangeo.com/events.html


This one is entirely different from my other advertised GD Photo Workshops in to India and Nepal in March/April 2011 and to Cambodia/Laos in September/October 2011.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/gdphotoworkshop/

Straits Times, Singapore, Celebrating Images of Asia

The diversity of the Asian region will be celebrated in this weekend’s exhibition with photographs and films

Photography and videography enthusiasts will gather this weekend in Hall 402 at Suntec Convention Centre for Images of Asia, an event that showcases the wonders of the Asian continent.
The exhibits come from different galleries and there are also screenings of still photos and films. To be held tomorrow and on Sunday, the inaugural event will also include talks and workshops by renowned photojournalists such as Steve McCurry and Michael Yamashita.

Mr McCurry is best known for his photograph “Afghan girl”, which was first published on the cover of National Geographic magazine.
The Images of Asia is the first event under the umbrella of OneAsia Festival organized by Asian Geographic. The festival traces its roots to the Asian Geographic Photo Competition, which was organized by the small team that started the Asian Geographic magazine eight years ago.

The competition evolved under the guide of the current publisher John Thet and five years later, it took on the name Asia Without Borders Photo Competition. Since then, the competition has attracted over 9,000 entries from over 100 countries.

Today it has blossomed into AsianGeographic’s OneAisa Festival, where various programmes and events including the Images of Asia, will lead the way to the grand finale in 2011 (OneAsiaFestival.com).

The two-day Images of Asia event will end with an exclusive party at the IndoChine waterfront on Sunday.
Besides photo exhibitions, video screenings and workshops, there will also be more than 70 companies showcasing the latest products such as cameras, lenses and filters, travel-related accessories, and computer software.
A highlight of the event is a “live” judging of the Asian Geographic Asia Without Borders Photo Competition between 4pm t0 6pm on the main stage. This event will be streamed live on the magazine’s website AsianGeo.com.

This year’s prizes will include the Canon EOS 5D Mk II (EF 24-105mm) worth $5,800, Canon EOS 50D (EF-S18-55m) worth $2,099 and watches from Tissot. There will also be an additional $5,000 cash for the grand prize winner.
Canon Singapore, which has been the major prize sponsor since the days of Asian Geographic’s Asia Without Borders Photo Competition, has played a significant role throughout the years in the competitions.

The OneAsia Festival will also be graced by legendary photographers Gunther Deichmann and James Whitlow Delano.

Excerpts by the Straits Times

© Gunther Deichmann - The Bamboo Train,
near Battambang, Cambodia Oct. 2010

GD

• Performance when opening large libraries
• Performance when exporting heavily-adjusted images
• Importing iPhoto Libraries
• Relinking to referenced images after importing an iPhoto Library
• Importing photos and videos from iPhone or iPad
• Upgrading libraries with images containing Spot & Patch adjustments
• Duplicate detection of audio and video files
• Face detection on RAW+JPEG pairs
• Rendering of thumbnails used in Faces view
• Rendering of images scaled to below 100% in Viewer
• Image quality on straightened images
• Applying Red Eye correction
• Rendering thumbnails when reprocessing masters
• Searching libraries containing a large number of keywords
• Applying photos to GPS track paths
• Export of GPS data when using Export Metadata command
• Handling of color profiles in Print dialog when using Loupe
• Applying and removing slideshow Photo Effects
• Slideshows containing video clips
• Tethered capture
• Library database reliability
• Library repair
• Updating vaults

Through the Classroom Window
"The Shy One"

© Gunther Deichmann - A student from the Public High School in Chuuk Micronesia, 2008.
From the article "The Forgotten Ones."

© Gunther Deichmann - Chuuk Micronesia,
High School Grounds

It is not known when the islands of Chuuk were first settled, but, based on archaeological evidence, these islands had originally been settled more than 2000 years ago. It is also not known with certainty where the original inhabitants came from. Based on archaeological evidence, it seems that, after about 200 AD, there was no continuous settlement until about 1300 AD.

More at Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuuk

Map of Chuuk: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Map_Chuuk_Islands1.png

© Gunther Deichmann - a Chuukese blowing the Shell as a welcome sign - the language of Chuuk belongs to the enormous Malayo-Polynesian family, one of the major branches of the Austronesian language phylum.

Chuuk is also with its vast, shallow, beautiful lagoon a Mecca for wreck divers. A major shipwreck site from WWII, Truk Lagoon is unquestionably the world's best shipwreck diving destination. Here, more than 50 hulks have been transformed into ship-reefs, holding the very best of the undersea world and maritime history at one site.

GD

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

My Tribute to Kodachrome...

I am glad it is Steve McCurry who has taken the last roll of Kodachrome on the road for its final Journey, who else could do it better justice then him. Kodak gave the last roll ever produced to McCurry. Read the article on the last roll of Kodachrome

Of course there where so many others who loved, treasured and created some amazing images with this extraordinary film, legends like Ernst Haas, Pete Turner and Eric Meola used it all.

© Gunther Deichmann - Bathurst Island NT Australia 1980



© Gunther Deichmann - Outback Cattle Muster Tennant Creek
N.T. Australia1983


© Gunther Deichmann - Tennant Creek N.T. Australia 1983

© Gunther Deichmann - Thorny Devil near Alice Springs
N.T. Australia1983

I can't remember how many rolls I have shot prior the digital age, thousands I guess and the slides which are still with me look as good then ever. I used Kodachrome exclusively in Australia and in many other parts of the world, on my Magazine assignment covering the Mekong River in 1992 I carried no less than 300 rolls with me.

© Gunther Deichmann - APSARA Dancer Phnom Penh,
Cambodia 1992


© Gunther Deichmann - Outback Railway station, Australia 1982


© Gunther Deichmann - Spain 1991

Sydney Australia 1995


© Gunther Deichmann - Paris France 1991 shot with
Kodachrome Tungsten film 40 ASA

Would I shoot Kodachrome again if I had the chance? The answer is yes...I just love this "canvas." Unforgiving... but so true to its saturation, performance and stability, in my opinion it was the best film ever made.
The images on this post are all shot on Kodachrome 25 ASA except for the photo of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, here I used the hard to get Kodachrome Tungsten film at 40 ASA.
GD

Mystical Asia QT 2:51min. - Best viewed in Safari Browser
File size: Approx. 18MB - DSL Broadband connection recommended.

I have been flood out the past few days with Photography and Aperture 3 workshops at the Power Mac Center at Greenbelt 3 Makati. Tomorrow I have another session the whole day at the University of the Philippines Diliman sponsored by Power Mac Center Educational Division, all this prior my departure for the US on Tuesday.

But I promised on my last post that I share with you yet another cool Multimedia Demo/Presentation and here it is, "Mystical Asia" a 2.56 min. QT file, using Photos from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma (Myanmar) Nepal and Tibet.

I finished this demo only a few days ago, amazing stuff you can create using a MacBook Pro and of course the cool Aperture 3 slideshow with GarageBand and my new "Girlfriend called Motion" from Final Cut Studio.

Endless possibilities...with a touch of Motion your Multimedia demos or presentations can look so different and really come alive.
Now sit back and enjoy "Mystical Asia".

Please note the video is best viewed using your Safari Browser we experienced recently that in Firefox some script codes appear underneath the QT window, the video will still play correctly but it looks a bit strange.
Hopefully this issue is disappear soon.

GD

Aperture 3 essentials & basic Photography,
using your camera and understanding the
work-flow after the shoot.

July 23-25

Doing it right from the start and avoiding problems later, using your camera and Aperture 3 is really not that complicated.
Switching from iPhoto to Aperture 3 the easy way, organizing all your photos the correct way, create Aperture 3 slideshows, import and edit video (movies) in Aperture 3.
Correct your photos the professional way without the use of Photoshop, export your photos to Facebook with a click of the button...plus tips, tricks and techniques on photography.
This course is for amateurs and semi pros.

Course fee: Peso 8,500.00 per participant for 3 days
1 to 4 PM except on the last day there is an additional 1 hour (1 to 5 PM)

For details: www.powermaccenter.com

For registration: workshops@powermaccenter.com

See a basic course outline below:

Day 1. Short introduction and presentation on basic photography
3:00 hours.
Lecture on your camera and problems you’re facing
How to use your equipment and make the most out off it, hands on and learning the basics.
E.g. basic operation of your camera the a-b-c. tips and tricks.
Short walk around Greenbelt 3 with GD using your camera in the field.
Setting up your computer for Photography and uploading images.
A. The first upload to the computer using Aperture 3 or iPhoto ’09
Basic lessons on digital photography.
Q&A

Day 2.
3 hours
Another short walk in Greenbelt with GD implementing the lessons from day one.
Hands on and advise including some critique after the shoot and upload of images.
B. The digital workflow after the shoot, Aperture 3 or iPhoto more advanced training,
plus backing up your images the correct way.
Q&A

Day 3.
4 hours
Final lessons learned and discussion, plus more tips, tricks and techniques from GD on Photography.
Participants go out alone for about 30 minutes and shoot some simple assignments given by GD.
After they return evaluation and lessons learned, final editing and fine-tuning with Aperture 3 or iPhoto.
What to do with your photos after the final shoot and edit;
integration on the Mac e.g. creating slideshows, presentations with iWork etc,.
Q&A

Soccer fever in Manila, Philippines?

© Gunther Deichmann - from the car window, street vendor
selling soccer balls near Makati. Leica D-Lux 4

Today on my way to Makati this happy street vendor came up to my Taxi window trying to sell me a soccer ball, I can't recall seen a street vendor selling soccer balls. Must be connected to all the action in South Africa at the World Cup.
GD

The Idea about this short environmental clip came from my last trip to Palawan, when the first rain and the Monsoon arrived for this season.

Running around in the rain at El Rio y Mar capturing the freshness of the vegetation around me, I decided later to put a few images together to create this clip called "WATER" using the Aperture 3 slideshow, Motion & GarageBand.
The actual rain sound was recorded on location with my Nikon D300s and mixed together with another soundtrack in GarageBand.

Motion and final assembly: In this case I used a template from Motion modified it and added the rain drop images.
(two images one with the drop and one without it)
After this was done I imported the Motion Clip and soundtrack into Aperture 3, added text plus photos... export and it was done.
GD

Also on:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uG9DwR_tLIQ
Vimeo: http://www.vimeo.com/12789048

Manila Day... & Fireworks over Manila Bay..

A quick shot with my small Leica D-Lux 4 from my window,
then into Aperture 3 and it was done, about 5 min. ago.

A little spring-clean the other day revealed an old treasure from some 24 years ago.
Securely tucked away I spotted this old Calendar, which I produced many moons ago for the Northern Territory Tourist Commission in Australia. (the Calendar was a bit creased and crinkled but ok otherwise)
Wow …memories starting to buzz in my head… oh boy, do I remember this one!

24 years later…technology brings an old project back to life; sometimes it is nice to go back in time.
“This is like a 25 year anniversary for me since the project started in 1985.”

To cut a long story short we did some reproduction of this long forgotten marvel and after some cropping and adjusting the pages were ready for an update.

I used Aperture 3.0.3 for the editing and the final slide show, Motion from Final Cut Studio for the intro, and the Soundtrack I created again in GarageBand.

In the good old days we had no computers, everything was shot on Kodachrome 25 ASA with the exception of the moon, and in two other layouts I added the clouds manually via duplicating the film, adding the elements.

All Photos taken on locations in the Northern Territory of Australia…with some places extremely remote and difficult to reach.

At Ayers Rock we used an old fashion pushbike that we had repainted and restored, at the Olga’s the parachute setup looked simple, but the Girl almost drifted away as the wind picked up.

On the first day at Rainbow Valley the Camels didn’t arrive on time, so we had to come back the next day and get the Job done. The dresses for the girls (BTW Identical Twins) in this shot had been specially designed and tailored for this setup.

Devils Marbles…setting up a Hang Glider on these two Rocks proved to be dangerous and a real challenge, crossing our fingers that no wind gust blowing the hang glider of the rocks including our model. To top it off, the ladders we used to get everything on top of these two balancing rocks where about 2 feet to short; solving these problems on location can be quiet a challenge in the outback miles from nowhere.

Then to Palm Valley… the track to Palm Valley is only accessible with a 4WD vehicle, following the usually dry bed of the Finke River. Within the Finke Gorge National Park, is an east-west running valley in the Krichauff Range 123 km (138 km by road) southwest of Alice Springs.

Kings Canyon… a tough climb and a long walk, Kings Canyon is part of the Watarrka National Park in Northern Territory, Australia. Sitting at the western end of the George Gill Range, it is 323 km southwest of Alice Springs and 1,316 km south of Darwin.

Kakadu National Park… getting the Girls into the Kayak at Yellow Waters proved to be exciting but also very stressful, there are plenty of very large Saltwater Crocodiles around. My assistant kept a lookout with binoculars just in case, of course we had a larger boat right next to the Kayak where I was shooting.
BTW…the original color of the Kayak was white, I had it re-painted in red just for this shot.

Another cool location was Katherine Gorge, walking for hours to get to the 7th Gorge. Katherine Gorge is not just one spectacular Gorge but a series of 13 gorges along the Katherine River.

At Fog Dam we transported a complete dinning set into the swamp, another extreme, timing was of the essence here. I also flew in an Aboriginal friend of mine from the island of Bathurst just of the coast of Darwin, and the fish for dinner…that is another story.

The Gove Peninsula was some how difficult, far away at the top end of the Northern Territory, but luck was on our side. A Coast Guard Plane was parked at the airport so
I ask the pilot if he could do a few fly over for us…. which he did.

At the Arnhem Land Escarpment and Twin Falls we used Helicopters due to their remoteness. Getting into the Twin falls proved even difficult by Chopper, bringing the Crew down one by one.

More or less that was it…of course I had a small but very efficient crew; all the Girls locals from the Northern Territory were absolutely great and comfortable in the Australian Outback. Shooting over four-month off and on, covering some enormous distances.

These were the days of film…no computers existed with Photoshop, but then that was the challenge…would I do it again? Of course… any time.
GD

Also on:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMEJOURNEY#p/a/u/0/iMIjYGN4OcU

Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/guntherdeichmann

Guess who came for dinner...



© Gunther Deichmann - El Rio y Mar dinner time...

As promised here is the photo from my last day at El Rio y Mar…amazing this Lion fish arrived just in time for dinner.

If you read Part 3 from my recent Palawan trip then you might remember I was talking about my last night and dinner at the pier at El Rio y Mar.

Our group was sitting at the dining table at the end of the pier when suddenly one of the staff caught my attention. He was pointing at the steps at the end of the pier, so I walked over to him and to my amaze there was this Lion fish cruising around.

© Gunther Deichmann – almost like a painting... a Lion fish.
No need for Photoshop…
Nature provides all the texture and colors.

Maybe attracted by the light, or was he going to join us for dinner…we never know.
I instantly grabbed my camera, which was parked on the dining table only a few meters away.

To get more light onto this fellow I used the build in flash on my Nikon D700 this time…wow the light and the texture of the steps created this cool abstract image of a Lion fish.

© Gunther Deichmann – even he was not invited
I am so glad he dropped by.

What else can I say…never leave your camera behind, even if you have dinner with your friends.
BTW…there is some cool muck diving at El Rio y Mar and the Dugong Dive Center has a Dive Center right at the resort.

However in my case there was no need to take the plunge…the fish came “right to me,” or did he came for dinner?
GD

"Nature's gift to man, so easily abused,
yet seldom appreciated." GD

Strangely no tech or Aperture 3 talk today...you might wonder why? Actually very simple...going through my PhotoShelter files the other day organizing my latest Photos from India and Nepal when I ended up in my other Galleries and got stuck somehow in Australia.

© Gunther Deichmann - Whistling Ducks at Sunset, Kakadu National Park

Photos I have taken long ago, a stark reminder that we should take care of our Planet before it is to late.
Images from one of my favorite places...the wetland of the Northern Territory, immense rich on fauna and flora, but if you ever venture to this part of the world you need time.

The best time for Birds for e.g. is just before the onset of the wet season when large groups of different Birds congregate at the remaining water holes or at the edges of swamps.
White-bellied Sea-eagles, Black-necked Storks or also called Jabirus (Aboriginal word) Whistling Ducks by the thousand and huge flogs of Magpie Geese and the ever present Kingfishers and Cockatoos. (see photos below)
The end of the dry season is just buzzing with life but not only with Birds there are Reptiles and interesting insect all around at small Billabongs and water holes.

© Gunther Deichmann - left: aerial over wetlands Kakadu National Park.
right: a single flower in a swamp during the wet season with
a storm brewing on the horizon

Keep an eye out also for the Frill-necked Lizard and if you lucky enough he might just run like you have never seen a Lizard run before... on his hind legs upright almost like a human posture, comical and amusing. (see him in action below)

Then of course the ever so impressive Saltwater crocodile who makes his home just about anywhere in the Top End of Australia...so beware where you go for a swim... you never know where one of these guys is waiting.

I am leaving next week for Palawan in the Philippines, another Natures Paradise getting a break from Manila it be interesting to see what awaits me on Dimakya Island also the Home of my good friend Dirk Fahrenbach from Dugong Dive Center.

Dimakya Island undoubtedly one of Asia’s Eden, the Philippine’s Last Frontier and the Calamianes group of Islands is perhaps one of the world's best-kept secrets among travel destinations and at the same time the Home of Club Paradise.

My Blog posts and Tweets will be a bit thin starting next week, but I make up for it after my return in about a week,reporting more from this great destination in the Philippines.

See below some excepts from Wikipedia & more photographs with Links to the wetland and wildlife of northern Australia in particular Kakadu National Park and surrounding areas.
GD

Kakadu's flora is among the richest in northern Australia with more than 1700 plant species recorded which is a result of the Park's geological, landform and habitat diversity. Kakadu is also considered to be one of the most weed free national parks in the world.
The name Kakadu comes from the mispronunciation of ‘Gagadju’ which is the name of an Aboriginal language spoken in the northern part of the Park. Kakadu is ecologically and biologically diverse. The main natural features protected within the National Park include:
four major river systems:
East Alligator River,
West Alligator River,
Wildman River;

and the entire South Alligator River;

Kakadu National Park is also UNESCO World Heritage Site

The environment referred to as ‘the Stone Country’ features ‘resurrection grasses’ that are able to cope with extreme heat and long dry spells followed by periods of torrential rain. Monsoon forests often develop in the cool moist gorges dissecting the stone country. The southern hills and basins support several endemic plants that are only found in Kakadu such as Eucalyptus koolpinensis near Jarrangbarnmi (Koolpin Gorge). Lowland areas form a large proportion of Kakadu National Park and are mainly covered in eucalypt-dominated open woodland with the ground layer consisting of a large range of grasses including spear grass, sedges and wildflowers.

© Gunther Deichmann - Water Lily at sunset

The floodplains, which are inundated for several months each year, feature sedges such as spike rush as well patches of freshwater mangroves (itchy tree), pandanus and paper bark trees (Melaleuca). Varieties of water lilies, such as the blue, yellow and white snowflake, are commonly found in these areas. Estuaries and tidal flats are populated with varieties of mangroves (39 of the 47 Northern Territory species of mangrove occur in Kakadu) that are important for stabilizing the coastline. Mangroves serve as feeding and breeding grounds for many fish species including the barramundi.

© Gunther Deichmann - Salt Water Crocodile at yellow waters
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory Australia

On the tidal flats behind the mangroves, hardy succulents (samphire), grasses and sedges grow. Isolated pockets of monsoon forest grow along the coast and river banks. These forests contain several impressive trees, among them the banyan fig, which can be recognized by its large, spreading aerial roots, and the kapok tree, which has a spiny trunk, large, waxy red flowers and pods full of cotton-like material.

© Gunther Deichmann - left: White-bellied Sea-eagle Kakadu National Park
right: Jabirus at Yellow Waters Kakadu National Park

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), also known as the White-bellied Fish-eagle or White-breasted Sea Eagle, is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae.
It is resident from India through southeast Asia to Australia on coasts and major waterways. It is a distinctive bird. The adult has white head, breast, under-wing coverts and tail. The upper parts are grey and the black under-wing flight feathers contrast with the white coverts.
The White-bellied Sea-eagle is one of the largest raptors in Southeast Asia, and the second largest bird of prey in Australia after the Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax) which stands up to 1 m.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-bellied_Sea_Eagle
Black-necked Stork
Scientific name: Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus- Family: Ciconiidae- Order: Ciconiiformes
The Jabiru isn't just a large stork, it's the only Australian stork. Often seen at yellow waters in Kakadu National Park Northern Territory Australia. More on Jabirus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jabiru


The frill-necked lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii), also known as the frilled lizard or frilled dragon, is found mainly in northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Its name comes from the large frill around its neck, which usually stays folded against the lizard's body. The lizard's diet consists mainly of insects and small vertebrates. The frill-necked lizard is a relatively large lizard, reaching up to 91.4 cm in length.

© Gunther Deichmann - almost human like posture,
a Frill-necked Lizard on the run

The frill-necked lizard is so called because of the large ruff of skin which usually lies folded back against its head and neck. The neck frill is supported by long spines of cartilage which are connected to the jaw bones. When the lizard is frightened, it gapes its mouth, exposing a bright pink or yellow lining; the frill flares out as well, displaying bright orange and red scales. This reaction is often used to discourage predators or during courtship. The lizard is also capable of bipedal locomotion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipedal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frill-necked_Lizard

Tags: Kakadu National Park

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.

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/

More NEW Photos in my
PhotoShelter Archive & Gallery



© Gunther Deichmann - a very cool & colorful look, Elephant during
the Elephant Festival in Jaipur Rajasthan Feb.2010

News...I have just updated again my PhotoShelter Archives with some additional Photographs from India 2010, more images from Varanasi in India and Nepal by latest next week.
View the photos & click this LINK or the Images.

© Gunther Deichmann - the night before the Holi Festival, spectacular
Bon fires are lit all over the city, Jaipur Rajasthan Feb. 2010

The Students Work...
a Journey Through Incredible India

© Gunther Deichmann - Incredible India, Elephant Festival
in Jaipur Rajasthan March 2010

It is done, I have uploaded the work from the students in the Gallery 'The Students Work" a selection of six images each from their recent GD PhotoWorkshop in India Feb./March 2010.

Note: If you don't see the new images right away you might have to refresh your Browser, please enjoy the Photos and refrain from copying them, they are all protected by © copyright to each individual Photographer.

Congratulations to all participants for creating such nice Photos and I am very proud of you all. India had been a tough one from the chaotic streets in Old Delhi to the long Journey in Rajasthan by Mini Bus.

Shooting from early morning until dusk then back to our Hotels for a quick meal and shower, then we started our work on our Computers, uploading the images and working with Aperture 3 (except for two who used Lightroom).
Feel free and read some of the comments in the Testimonials from some of the participants.

Interesting everybody jumped into the cold water and worked with Aperture 3 (installed on our first night at the Hotel in Delhi)which was only released a few days prior our departure for India. No one encountered any problems and everything went real smooth, even our Lightroom Guys where very impressed with Aperture 3.
But now I rather let the images from the students do the talking, everyone done an incredible Job under sometimes very difficult circumstances. Thanks again to all Participants & I hope to see you again one of those days... happy shooting.

Please note: I have also updated my Home Page on my Main Website and changed some Photos from India in the Gallery section.

In due time I am going to replace my Photos in the Galley on my Blog called..."A Small Taste of the Latest" with a new selection of Photos from India and Nepal, currently it is still Cambodia.
My special thanks to Shroff International Travel for making the Journey to India an enjoyable one.

GD

My Love affair with Aperture 3 deepened.

Another very cool new feature in Aperture 3 is Presets found when you open the Adjustment panel, not only easy accessible but with a nice preview. Now you can see immediately the effect you might like to apply. Great for quick adjustments, just click on Presets and a menu appears, the only thing left to do move your cursor over the various adjustments options, and every time you move your cursor over a different effect/adjustment a nice size thumbnail appears along side of it, showing you the changes. There is plenty to choose from; all your Black &White and color adjustments are at your fingertips now.
A superb new addition and something I am going to use a lot from now on.
Try it out and I am sure you’re going to be impressed just like me.
GD

Screenshot from the new and updated Apple Aperture Site.

Only one out of 200 new features:
Advanced Slideshows
Create spectacular multimedia shows with photos, HD video clips, titles, layered soundtracks, and professionally designed themes.



Use familiar iPhoto ’09 slideshow themes. And more.
If you’re moving from iPhoto ’09, the slideshows you created with themes such as Snapshot and Shatter are preserved in all their brilliance. Aperture 3 includes all iPhoto themes and two new themes: Watercolor Panels and Photo Edges. Each theme gives you a professionally designed layout, title treatment, and transitions to create a distinctive backdrop for your photos. Choose a theme, drop in some photos and HD video clips, and produce amazing slideshows in seconds.
Combine photos, audio, and video clips in one show.
If your camera records video, you can import it into your library along with your stills and include it in your slideshow. Just drag a video clip into the slideshow as easily as you add a photo.
Create and edit layered soundtracks.
To personalize your slideshow, just add music from your iTunes library (DRM-free only). Then drop in audio clips stored in your Aperture library — voiceovers, narration, or other sounds recorded on location — for a multilayered soundtrack. If you’re including video in your slideshow, you can add the audio from the video, too.
Tap out the time of your fades and cuts.
Talk about fingertip control. With Aperture 3, you control the pace of your slideshow with the tap of a finger. As you watch the slideshow, press the Return key to determine when each slide begins and ends. As you tap out each slide change, Aperture 3 records your custom timings.
Add titles, borders, and colors.

When using the Classic and Ken Burns themes, you can add titles anywhere in the slideshow in your choice of font, size, and style. Choose borders and background colors. Scale photos. Even control fades and adjust transition times.

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/