Today we took the long, windy road trip to Hana. It was my third time and this was the easiest one because there werent many other cars out today. Unfortunately, it was raining and were werent able to go swimming in the Seven Sacred Pools, but at least we got some nice pictures. 
This is from a bamboo forest we stopped at on the way back. I only had a few seconds to get this and was so happy it turned out In other exciting news, I learned tonight that my Canon 40D DVD, the Crash Course has been pirated and downloaded over 10,000 times already. I am not exaggerating.
Its a bummer because it took me a serious amount of time to produce and make and now people are just downloading it for free. On the other hand it is making me take a hard look at myself emotionally, I knew this was part of the game when I started producing DVDs, that people would eventually pirate it (I just had no idea it would happen so fast and to this extent).
The way I look at it is, if people are honest, they will buy it. If they need to steal it, they probably dont have enough money to buy it, I feel sorry for them that they would have to go to that level to get the information they needed- I am happy to teach, but if they can afford a $1500 camera, they can buy the dvd.
I cant let stuff like this phase me or shake me mentally, I am just going to keep on doing my thing and not worry about it. 🙂
Beautiful pictures as always. That is too bad about the pirating thing. But look at the good side, this shows a real demand for your cd! So I guess it is time to to get moving on finding a buyer or two or three :o) If there are that many people who will pirate it there are at least three times more who will purchase it legally.
Great attitude Michael! I am sorry to hear that your DVD got pirated, and I only expect your losses, but for those of us like myself who had a bit more ethics in the matter, really appreciated the value and efforts you put into the project and all your personal efforts to assist people that you don’t even know to improve themselves in photography.
You shall always have us who will support you and your endevours and hard work by purchasing your products "legally" and always having a great teacher and mentor to aspire to be.
You are a great person, don’t ever forget that!!
Gary
That sucks. You put all that time and effort, and there it all goes. I am very sorry to hear about that. I ALWAYS buy my CD’s, DVD’s, etc. I mean, it’s the law…
Your pictures are simply incredible, and I think the school you have created is just marvelous.
Hey Michael, That’s not good about the people that is doing such things with the DVDs. Just know that you will always have us, (your students and friends), supporting what you do.
Thank you.
Hi michael! Love…Love… Love the pictures!!!! Hang in there you have our total support!! I will be buying the crash course here very soon and possibly the lollipops before they go to regular price and I am really interested in the skycam. I was offered to do a wedding in August that is being done on a light budget, maybe i could e-mail you more about this later. Sorry to see you put so much into something that someone thinks is OK to take and pirate. I would be in support of you adding a donation tab on here where people like myself could help support what you do for us on here. You have an awesome attitude and outlook! I know we all appreciate you on here
and would feel lost without you, your like our GPS and Compass. I’m really interested in shooting with you someday. Thanks for you persevierence!!!! Frank D.
Dude, That sucks. Unless you have sold tons the leak has to be from someone who has purchased the DVD, or someone from the manufacturing plant.
I know you will keep an excellent view on this crappy turn of events. Geez I know I would be steamed. I am so sorry man.
In other news for me, I got a 40D tonite!
Thank you for your support everyone, I am just going to focus on what I do best, teaching lessons. I really do want to help everyone….hopefully the ones that download it will feel they benefited and maybe I can win them over. I am not going to change what I do or what my goals are, but I appreciate the kind words everyone has shared. Congrats pete! Its sweet!
You the man Michael, you the man!
I think that Bamboo Garden is sooo beautiful!!!!- I love that shade of green!!!!