Welcome to Michael’s blog. Michael Andrew, (aka Michael The Maven) is a freelance producer, photography instructor, tech innovator, and when needed, disaster aid specialist. Disclaimer: Michael is a participant in Bhphoto & Amazon affiliate programs that provides an advertising commission if you purchase through links on this website.
Hollywood has been cranking out these cookie-cutter-formula movies for the last decade and it is getting really boring. (I believe the 80’s and 90’s were the last great movie era and we are in a cinematic recession for the most part.
Wes Anderson has so completely differentiated himself in filmmaking that I am ready to see anything he makes. Moonrise Kingdom is a perfect summer movie. Not for kids, or younger teenagers and I think adults will enjoy it the most because there is something in here that everyone can relate with. See it in theaters if you can.
Canon has announced a firmware update for the Canon 7D that will be available sometime in August . This update adds a lot of new useful features for shooting pictures and video. Canonrumors.com has more information on the announcement. Here is a list of new features:
• Improved maximum burst for RAW images (up to 25)
• In-camera RAW image editing
• In-camera Image Rating
• In-camera JPEG resizing
• Maximum Auto ISO setting (ISO 400-6400)
• Manual audio level adjustment in movie recording
• GPS compatibility
• File name customization
• Time zone settings
• Faster scrolling of magnified images
• Quick control screen during playback
Canonrumors.com has more information on the announcement. Here is a list of new features:
• Improved maximum burst for RAW images (up to 25)
• In-camera RAW image editing
• In-camera Image Rating
• In-camera JPEG resizing
• Maximum Auto ISO setting (ISO 400-6400)
• Manual audio level adjustment in movie recording
• GPS compatibility
• File name customization
• Time zone settings
• Faster scrolling of magnified images
• Quick control screen during playback
I can’t tell you how many times Ive been driving along, and I see something that makes me say to myself ‘this would be an awesome picture’. Sometimes I keep on driving, and sometimes it doesn’t exactly work out shot wise, but it usually does. In fact, I don’t think there has ever been a time I have regretted pulling over and at least made an attempt to capture the moment. This is what it means to ‘stop and smell the roses’, I work too much anyway. I really strongly encourage all photographers that if you get that impression to pull over and take a moment, DO IT! (Just be safe about it).
On Monday afternoon we were doing some test shots with the Canon T4i up near Haleakala Crater, and at one point in the road there was a MASSIVE cloud creeping up on the mountain. I would estimate we were at about 7-8 Thousand feet, but it was such a strange sight to see a cloud with such wonderful cotton candy textures at eye level. Adam and Leah were both with me, so we had Leah hop out right at the point before we entered the cloud, and Adam and I turned around and went back as far as we could. That little speck next to the sign is Leah. I can’t tell you how many times Ive been driving along, and I see something that makes me say to myself ‘this would be an awesome picture’. Sometimes I keep on driving, and sometimes it doesn’t exactly work out shot wise, but it usually does. In fact, I don’t think there has ever been a time I have regretted pulling over and at least made an attempt to capture the moment. This is what it means to ‘stop and smell the roses’, I work too much anyway. I really strongly encourage all photographers that if you get that impression to pull over and take a moment, DO IT! (Just be safe about it).
On Monday afternoon we were doing some test shots with the Canon T4i up near Haleakala Crater, and at one point in the road there was a MASSIVE cloud creeping up on the mountain. I would estimate we were at about 7-8 Thousand feet, but it was such a strange sight to see a cloud with such wonderful cotton candy textures at eye level. Adam and Leah were both with me, so we had Leah hop out right at the point before we entered the cloud, and Adam and I turned around and went back as far as we could. That little speck next to the sign is Leah. We also followed up with a fun shot of Leah on the side of the road, jumping. Because the sun was to her back (see shadow) we just used a Canon 600 Ex for fill and it came out great. The technique is covered on my Canon Speedlite 600 Ex-RT Crash Course DVD. It was then processed with Michael Andrew Lollipops ® Action Set! Gear Used: Canon 5Diii , Canon 24-70 2.8L , Canon 70-200 2.8 IS L
Here is a short video on most of the new features you can perform using the Canon Rebel T4i’s Touch Screen Monitor. It is just one lesson from my new tutorial training video manual which should be available for download in the next 1-2 weeks. Enjoy!
Are you guys tired of hearing about all the great new Crash Course Videos we have coming out? Me neither! 🙂 Ive been testing and shooting with the Canon T4i since I got my hands on one of the very first available last Monday. As I mentioned in my mini-review, the Canon T4i for the most part is very, very similar to the T3i with the exceptions being the touch screen monitor and the new focusing systems. We have even already shot a quick over view of what the T4i’s monitor can do, why it is such a big deal and what you can expect if you were to purchase it.
If you own a Canon T4i and are interested in purchasing this video, we expect that the downloads should be available sometime next week, probably around Friday, with the DVDs shipping about 1 month after that. Why fumble around with a users manual when you can sit back, relax and learn your camera in just a few hours, with a quick, easy to learn training tutorial video? You will be glad you did!
I was asked this morning what sets my videos apart from other training videos, and the answer is simple: I am both an instructor, as well as a photographer. I taught at the University level for many, many years winning several awards for my teaching technique. I was eventually promoted to teaching full size lectures for freshman Biology classes. I was one of the only non-professors to do this during my time there. I have also been shooting on a professional level for nearly 9 years.
I know there are many other training videos out there. I have seen some that are taught by excellent photographers, who lack teaching skills and are not capable to convey their messages effectively. I have also seen very good teachers who are not skilled photographers. Because I have refined my teaching techniques and know what works, as well as knowing the art and technical aspects, it puts me in a unique position to connect with beginning photographers and get them on the fast track to using their gear. This is what makes Michael The Maven videos effective.
I also want to say thank you to everyone out there who has been supporting me through the years- none of this would be possible without you!
Hollywood has been cranking out these cookie-cutter-formula movies for the last decade and it is getting really boring. (I believe the 80’s and 90’s were the last great movie era and we are in a cinematic recession for the most part.
We also followed up with a fun shot of Leah on the side of the road, jumping. Because the sun was to her back (see shadow) we just used a 
Gear Used: 
Ive been testing and shooting with the 