© Gunther Deichmann - Mumbai India April 2008
for more on my recent travels click the image above or this link.
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/blog.html

New plug-ins from Nic software for Aperture 2.1 next month...and how they can be useful for our underwater photographers in the feature...Apple made it possible with the release of Aperture 2.1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© Tony Wu - Australian sea lion, before correction

© Tony Wu - Australian sea lion, after correction in Aperture 2
Applied correction
Exposure -.50
Recovery +.40
Black point decrease from 3.00 to 1.00
Shadows 12.7

I also mention to him during our skype call the new All Projects button, ha, ha… he tried it out while we where still online, he just couldn’t wait... after I had explained the function and how to use it, all I can hear was… Wow… wow… that is really awesome… if I had know this last night I could have saved my self a lot of time looking for some images during a small presentation.

There you have it straight from Japan, from one of the very best underwater photographer in Asia and beyond.

Check out some of Tony’s underwater images @ http://www.tonywublog.com/

I said all along from fossils to BMW, Ferrari’s and marine life, Aperture 2 can handle all of it and a lot more… I guess this is another vote for Aperture 2 and this time from Japan.
Thanks Tony, for sharing this with us.
GD

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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From left to right: Rhea Richardson newly trained and now in charge of operation,
Arnold Munoz, Sam Scott, Dermot Keane and Gunther Deichmann the first day of operation.
All Photos: Hermes Singson

Now back to Sam's Tours:
When we arrived we had to unpack, install and fine tune all the six iMac's including the installation of the additional RAM, oh boy... we though all of it had been done prior shipment but to our surprise well... we had to do it.
Installation of the RAM was easy and went through without a glitch, then we upgraded all the iMac's to Leopard since the operating system was all on Tiger, now that was fine too, however we encountered some real problems in upgrading all six(6) iMac's due to the internet connection, that took us about 3 days to finish.
Then we setup all the external hard drives for a perfect back-up system, not to forgot upgrading Aperture to 1.5.6 which was a little cumbersome, the latest update does not work via the 'Software Update', due to a glitch, we had to get it direct from the Aperture site, and after hours of downloading we were finally up and running.
Sam's Tours made available two staff for the training, Rhea a Filipina and Alex a Polish divemaster are now running the Digital Photo Center, after receiving a crash course on the operating system we went straight to Aperture for the remaining days.
The system at Sam's Tours was set up in such a way that customers can give the Compact Flash (CF) cards after the dive to the DPC and the staff will import the images direct into the database of Aperture.

Setting up time- left : GM Dermot Keane, Sam Scott and Arnold Munoz,
right: Gunther Deichmann and Sam Scott
All photos Hermes Singson, thanks Hermes

Since most of the diver photographers come to Palau for about a week or two, the images are uploaded every day and by the end of the week the staff will prepare a CD/DVD for them to take home.
But now comes the good part, if for what ever reason the customer looses his or her CD/DVD up on returning home, they only have to send an email and request a copy.
This is where Aperture comes in very handy, all images are stored as a project (the project name in this case is the name of the Customer/Diver) as reference files and further backed up again to another drive which is independent.
Customer files are usually kept for about 60 to 90 days, but upon request special arrangements can be made for longer storage, in the DPC two iMac's are set aside for photographer who like to use Aperture themselves, a similar back up and storage system is in place.
All six (6) iMac's are connected in the same network via the Airport Extreme Base Station for file sharing, perfect for photo workshops, we put a lot of emphasis on the back up system, so no matter what happens to your great underwater shots they'll be safe even after you leave Palau.

Aperture installed including your own back up X2
All Photos Hermes Singson, thanks Hermes.

All iMac's are wi-fi connected and have dedicated access to the internet, thanks to Arnold our I.T. guy making the DPC a virtual internet Cafe as well, a Video station is soon to be implemented as well, separate printing via an Epson printer is also available plus external CD/DVD burner with labeling ability.
But there is a lot more... small Canon digital cameras with underwater housings are for rent and some new video cam's are available also, there you have it, diving with Sam's Tours has just gotten a lot better, thanks to the new Digital Photo Center, now you can leave your laptop at home, you are in good hands at Sam's Tours.
To round it up, this is the most complex and efficient Digital Photo Center in Palau, Micronesia, the Pacific and I believe a first in the diving industry, in this part of the world.
Stay tuned for this real great news and info, you won't believe the one from Chuuk Micronesia, the things I came across during my travels....
the title will be "The forgotten ones"
GD

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Photography is light... light is Photography.

Festival of Lights, Berlin


The site is in German and English

Fancy some real night photography, then this article in English and German may be just right for you. I have received this interesting info from my brother Bernd in Berlin, Germany.
Berlin lights up during the month of October, the next light show is in 2008, if it happens and you travel in Europe why dont you swing by Berlin, watch the show and if you feel up to it try your skills on some real night photography. There is also a photo competition, check out the website for all the details, see the provided links. or click on the image above, the site in in English and German. Thanks a lot Bernd for sharing this with us, cool shots.
GD

Photo Courtesy © 2007 Bernd Deichmann - Berliner Dom

The Festival

Also this year, the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS™ turned Berlin into a sparkling metropolis with a firework of illuminations and events for two weeks from 16 to 28 October. World-famous historical landmarks and spots in Berlin, e.g. the Brandenburg Gate, the TV or radio tower, was staged impressively by means of light, events, projections and fireworks. Complementary to the festival there were numerous cultural events dealing with the subject “light”.
The City Foundation Berlin, the Union Investment Real Estate AG, the light artist Andreas Boehlke and the festival director Birgit Zander with her agency Zander & Partner Event-Marketing are the initiators and organisers of the festival.

The lights of the festival are extinct for this year, but next year they will enchant Berlin again in the last weeks of October (from 14 to 26 October).

Visit Berlin! Enjoy this unique festival!

Here you can find the best hotels and low priced rooms.
www.visitBerlin.de

Festival of Lights site:
http://www.city-stiftung-berlin.eu/index.php

Gunther Deichmann's website::
http://www.deichmann-photo.com/

Photo Courtesy © 2007 Bernd Deichmann - Oberbaumbrücke

Das Festival

Mit einem Feuerwerk an Illuminationen und Veranstaltungen verwandelte das FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS™ auch 2007 wieder die deutsche Hauptstadt zwei Wochen lang in eine einzigartige Glitzermetropole. Weltberühmte historische Wahrzeichen und Orte Berlins, wie das Brandenburger Tor, der Funkturm, der Berliner Dom und der Fernsehturm, wurden spektakulär mit Licht, Events, Projektionen und Feuerwerk in Szene gesetzt. Begleitet wurde das Festival von zahlreichen Kunst- und Kulturveranstaltungen rund um das Thema Licht.

Initiatoren und Organisatoren des Festivals sind die City Stiftung Berlin, die Union Investment Real Estate AG, der Licht-Desginer Andreas Boehlke sowie Festivalorganisatorin Birgit Zander mit ihrer Agentur Zander & Partner Event-Marketing.

Für dieses Jahr sind die Festivallichter erloschen, aber im nächsten Jahr werden sie wieder in den beiden letzten Oktoberwochen vom 14. bis 26. Oktober Berlin von Neuem verzaubern.

Besuchen Sie Berlin! Erleben Sie dieses einmalige Festival!

Die besten Hotels, die günstigsten Zimmer finden Sie hier.

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


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© Gunther Deichmann, Palau... pearls of the pacific

Just picked up this Blog from our friends at Fins Magazine.

Photography Workshop in Palau

Join FiNS Magazine Associate Editors Gunther Deichmann and Tony Wu from 22 to 27 April 2008 for a fun-filled, action-packed and unique photography workshop in the Micronesian paradise of Palau.
This special event will be hosted by Sam’s Tours, and will include opportunities to learn about both topside and underwater photography.
Palau is world-renowned for its spectacular scenery both above and below the waves, so there’ll be no shortage of subjects to pick from, and both Gunther and Tony will diligently devote all their attention to addressing your questions. :-)

More details on the workshop to come shortly. In the meantime, email Dermot Keane of Sam’s Tours for booking information.

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From 30,000 feet above (my last Blog)to 100 feet below or more...
the ugly things I have to shoot sometimes.

We are again at the end of the year, wow how fast this one past... but then not as fast then the disappearance of our animal species.

The species extinction rate has increased to one species a day.
Lets make the coming years more greener and protect our environment.
Think!
Mother planet is showing us the red warning light. Be careful, she is saying.
To take care of the planet is to take care of our own house.
Dalai Lama

Confiscated shark fins... eating the soup...yuk...
when the slurping stops... the killing will too.


Embryo shark... mother and child got killed... for?
Nothing!

An endangered animal or plant is a species that is considered in immediate danger of becoming extinct. Its population is very small and it needs active protection to survive. In many countries, hunting of endangered animals is not allowed. Neither is importation of their meat, fur, tusks, blubber, or other products.

Extinction has happened throughout history, but in modern times the rate has increased dramatically. There is a link between the increase in the extinction rate and the growth in human population. The worldwide human population was 1 billion in 1600, 1.5 billion 100 years ago, and is over 6 billion today. At the same time, the species extinction rate has increased to one species a day. If this continues, it will cause a dramatic drop in the diversity of life on our planet, which will most certainly have serious effects.
If you have any interesting images related to the environment or stories to tell, please let me know and I try to incorporate these in my Blogs, thank you.

For other recent related environmental issues, please click these links below:

http://marinebio.org/Oceans/History/

http://www.samstours.com/blog/

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© Gunther Deichmann - Aerial from about 30000 feet,
near the Russian and Polish border, Feb. 2005


© Gunther Deichmann - Aerial near Lhasa Tibet, August 2006
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450 Million Years ago... A Fossil.
450 Million Years later... Aperture!



© Concept/Photography Gunther Deichmann - meet the fossils.

Maybe my background in Paleontology has something to do with it, I really dont know, but now and then they keep coming back to me... the old days, when roaming the quarries for fossils.
Looking for fossils during my teenage years and even up to now I keep an eye out for them when traveling in remote places. Recently announced, we fired up our new commercial photography website and under the category Ad's & Campaign's there you find a fossil (Ammonite) been used in one of the Ad's see below. Click here for the commercial web site.

Today I like to talk about a giant Trilobite which had been recently discovered, oh boy this one is a real whopper, see below the complete story, a bit from the past and you might ask what have fossils in common with photography? Actually not that much, but gauging the images below and above, maybe they do have something in common, hence the old and antique (not fossilized yet) camera.
We used one of my Ammonites before in an Ad for light switches and now the Trilobite from my old collection is in Aperture, commercial photography and fossils, read the story which I have picked up from the BBC below, "million of years ago," very interesting dont you think.
GD


© Gunther Deichmnn - The Ad from before and now the Trilobite
from my old collection.



Giant trilobite discovered
Trilobite Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature
About twice the size of the previous record holder
By BBC News Online science editor Dr David Whitehouse

The largest trilobite yet discovered has been identified by Canadian palaeontologists.

Trilobites were very widely distributed, the creature, which dates from 445 million years ago, measures 72 centimetres in length. This is about twice the size of the previous record holder.
Trilobites are an extinct group of sea-dwelling arthropods (animals with an outer skeleton and jointed body and limbs) that are distantly related to crabs, scorpions and beetles. They are probably the most common fossils of the Paleozoic Era (about 545-250 million years ago) and scientists use them to help date different layers of rock. "A trilobite of this size really is an amazing discovery," said Dr Graham Young, a member of the team that discovered it.

Both images courtesy of the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature

The specimen is an example of a previously unknown species, and was found by researchers studying ancient tropical coasts, of the Late Ordovician and Early Silurian geological periods (458-408 million years ago), in Manitoba, Canada. Trilobite Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature
The team found the specimen just outside their intended search area, when the fossil was unearthed, most of its segmented exoskeleton was missing and only the rear most portion of the tail shield was present.
Scientists realised just what a monster they had when they started to clean up the specimen. The fossil is now on display in the Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature in Winnipeg.
Most trilobites are between 3 and 10 cm (1 - 4 inches) in length. The creatures evolved quickly and were widely distributed, making them useful tools to compare the ages of rock strata in different parts of the world.

Colder climates
"There is nothing familiar about this particular specimen! It is an important and amazing find," says Manitoba Museum's Dr Bob Elias.
Trilobite Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature
The fossil is now on display to the public Dr Graham Young said: "We have found a very unusual specimen that illustrates some of the diversity and weirdness of ancient life. A trilobite of this size really is an amazing discovery."

In July 1998, a team of scientists set out for northern Manitoba hoping to find fossils similar to those uncovered by previous digs, like the 43-cm (17-inch) long trilobite excavated in the area a decade before. The team struck lucky just outside their original search area. The trilobite's size contradicts the idea that larger animals are more commonly associated with colder climates.

Although northern Manitoba is now sub-arctic, hundreds of millions of years ago it would have been submerged in salty seawater located on the equator.

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20+ Simple, Useful, Clever, Fun Ways to Get Better Photos

PopPhoto.com the online home of Popular Photography & imaging and American Photo, they have just published a small article/tip of mine on photography plus a lot more. Read the whole story and many tips from other pro Photographers,
20+ Simple, Useful, Clever, Fun Ways to Get Better Photos

A Tips & Tricks Special! Pros, readers, and Pop Photo editors share their secrets for taking your photography beyond the ordinary.

By PopPhoto Staff
December 2007

When it comes to great photo tips, we find them everywhere. In our daily shooting. In interviews with pros. In our e-mails from you, our readers.
On the web. In books. And, of course, on our blog, Pop Photo Flash. Here are some of the best we've come across lately.

10) Reflection on You.
When pro Gunther Deichmann (www.deichmann-photo.com) makes portraits in areas where the subjects might be shy, such as a remote village in Tibet,
he doesn't use large, intimidating reflectors.... click here to read the whole story.

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