All posts tagged: michael maes

sharks

Epiphany: How A Family Of Explorers & Conservationists Overcame Their Fears

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  View Epiphany Movie Trailer A popular definition of epiphany as defined in the Oxford Dictionary is: “A moment of sudden and great revelation or realization.  For me, an epiphany is a sublime moment.  It is an awakening, when your thoughts come into focus and there is a moment of clarity.  The opportunity presents itself as an illuminating thought.  A moment of such great revelation can bring forth incredible things. I have had the privilege to get to know award-winning filmmaker and wildlife cinematographer Michael Maes and his wife Ellen Cuylaerts, an award-winning wildlife photographer.  They are truly two of the most amazing people I have ever met.  They are inspiring, compassionate, kind, generous, brave and humble people.  I am grateful to know them.  As a family they live intriguing and extraordinary lives as explorers and conservationists.  They explore the world and use their gifts and talents in film and photography to share their passion for conservation with the world.  An underlying message in their documentary Epiphany is the power of film and photography.  I …

“And the heart must pause to breathe”

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  Photo Credit: Michael Maes “And the heart must pause to breathe,” words of the legendary poet Lord Byron. These poetic words capture the experience of watching the artistic work of Michael Maes short film “Byron Beholds Kona.” This short film will capture your heart from the start, as you will become immersed in the purity and the spellbinding beauty of the ocean and the wildlife. Most importantly, you will become enthralled by the poetic connection between the ocean and film. Maes, has chosen the words of Lord Byron’s So We’ll Go No More a Roving to accompany the stunning cinematic journey viewers are taken on in the waters of Kona, Hawaii. It’s safe to say Mr. Maes, has created an interesting genre of film called “Poetry eMotion.” Poetry eMotion: How it came to be… Michael Maes says, his wife, Ellen Cuylaerts, told him that “some of his footage is poetry in her eyes” and she, “encouraged him to reach out to poems through his films.” Through the diligent process of filming and editing, Maes …

Sharks In Hot Water: Combating The Negative Perception of Sharks

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Photo Credit: Ellen Cuylaerts Sharks are not only swimming in an ocean that is literally heating up- and melting icecaps but “hot water” due to the negative representation the media has created around sharks. More than ever, sharks find themselves in hot water because of the damaging affects of the negative image the media portrays of sharks as well as the constant targets placed on their backs as they are hunted for their fins. It is said that tens of millions of sharks are killed every year, creating a rapid decline in shark populations. In comparison, only 5-8 people are reported as being killed by sharks per annum. Primarily, sharks are killed for this fins, to make Shark Fin Soup. The practice of killing sharks for their fins is abhorrent. Thankfully, many countries have united together to standup for sharks and place a ban on shark fin soup, and ban the cruel practice of shark finning altogether. There are many conservation organizations working to protect sharks such as Fin Free, Shark Savers, Wild Aid, Shark …