I'm working in the photographer's area of the Main Press Center at the Beijing Olympics. As you can imagine, I'm seeing some beautiful images on Apple 30" Cinema Displays. That's right, Apple has 50 workstations set up with MacPros and 30" screens. The machines are loaded with Adobe Photoshop CS3, Photo Mechanic, Transmit, and of course, Aperture. I'm here to help photographers with as many of their questions as possible. The queries I enjoy the most, however, are Aperture related.

Photographer Bill Frakes (left) talking with Apple Aperture guru and photographer Martin Gisborne in the MPC in Beijing

The days are long here. We work two shifts that cover from 9am to 2am. There are three of us on each shift that keep the workstations tidy and answer as many questions as possible. When opportunity presents itself, we can take time to demo Aperture for interested photographers looking to upgrade their workflow. This is my favorite part of the job.

Well, except for, getting out and experiencing Beijing and the Olympics. If you want to see some of the images from China, take a look at these posts on The Digital Story:

The Night Before the Olympics
http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/2008/08/the_night_before_the.html

Moments at the Opening Ceremony, Beijing
http://www.thedigitalstory.com/blog/2008/08/moments_at_the_openi.html

And on O'Reilly Digital Media...

Off to Beijing - An Interview with Derrick Story
http://digitalmedia.oreilly.com/2008/08/04/off-to-beijing.html

I'm also posting Beijing slices of life on Twitter as Derrick_Story

I'll post more updates the coming week. For now, enjoy the Olympics. And keep in mind that some of those great photos you see were processed in Aperture right before my eyes.