MAUI, Hawaii--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jim Tierney, digital guru, adventure photographer and Maui resident, is pleased to announce the launch of Exploring Maui.com, a new website providing information and products for Humpback whale watchers. Recent estimates indicate as many as 13 million people go on a whale watching tour each year – nearly half of them in North America – spending more than US $2 billion. In Hawaii alone, 500,000 visitors take whale watching tours attracted by the up to 12,000 majestic Humpbacks that migrate from Alaska every winter.
For the past four years Tierney, who is also CEO of Digital Anarchy, an award-winning developer of photography and video software, translated his passion for whale photography into the Exploring Maui.com site. Designed as a central resource for whale enthusiasts, ExporingMaui.com offers people the chance for a deeper appreciation of the immense and elegant mammals. The site is a wealth of information for Humpback whale watchers anywhere, with a particular emphasis on seeing them in their tropical breeding grounds during the winter months (Maui and Mexico in the Pacific and the Caribbean in the Atlantic). Whale watching on smaller boats in the warm, calm waters of the tropics is a wonderful and different experience than what is usually thought of when considering whale watching. This information helps whale watchers visiting these areas to more fully experience and appreciate their tours.
Over the years, Tierney has also noticed a marked increase of eco-tourists who bring semi-professional or professional DSLR cameras, together with increased use of digital devices and smart phones to access critical information about their tours and the Humpback Whales.
“Whale watching can be enjoyed by the entire family, is as easy and fun as going to the zoo or theme park and shares much of the same excitement as going on an African safari,” says Tierney. “Learning more about the whales before going on a tour can only make your experience more memorable. Photographing humpback whales can be very challenging, and DSLR cameras have become much more affordable and accessible. We’re here to show how to put those cameras to their best use.”
Exploring Maui.com’s inaugural offerings include an iPhone app called “The Humpback Whale Guide” and an instructional DVD set entitled “The Art of Whale Photography”. “The Humpback Whale Guide” provides a portable reference for whale watchers in the U.S. It features expert information from Melissa Meeker, a marine naturalist and whale expert, including important information about whale behaviors and what to look for when out on the water.
“The Art of Whale Photography,” is a 2 DVD set providing both aspiring and experienced photographers with tips and tricks on taking action photos of humpback whales, together with ways to get the most out of their DSLR cameras. The DVD features both Tierney’s photography and that of Michael Sweet, an award-winning sea-life photographer considered Maui’s most experienced whale photographer. Meeker also helps viewers to better understand the world of the humpback whales. {Editors’ note: For a glimpse into the technology used to create “The Art of Whale Photography” DVD series, click here: http://exploringmaui.com/Whale-Watching/the-technology-behind-exploring-mauicoms-the-art-of-whale-photography-instructional-dvd-series.html}
“Anyone who has ever tried photographing the fast moving humpbacks or other whales likely has ended up with many shots of razor sharp water and blurry gray whale shapes,” says Tierney. “’The Art of Whale Photography’ helps photographers understand the best settings and techniques necessary to capture amazing photos, provides advice for achieving the best lighting and even for photographing underwater. Detailed information about typical whale behaviors will also help photographers get great shots.” {Editors’ note: To access Tierney’s “Top Whale Watching Tips”, click here: http://exploringmaui.com/whale-watching-tips-from-jim.html}
Pricing and Availability
“The Humpback Whale Guide” iPhone app, scheduled for release at the end of January, and the two-hour “Art of Whale Photography” 2-DVD set are both available online at Exploring Maui.com.
About Exploring Maui
Exploring Maui.com is a new website geared to the growing trend in whale watching and people interested in photographing these magnificent creatures. Founder, Jim Tierney, is an avid adventure photographer who in recent years discovered the beauty of Maui in winter and has been capturing the elegant power of the plentiful humpback whales in the island’s surrounding waters. Exploring Maui.com’s first products include the release of a new iPhone app, “The Humpback Whale Guide” and instructional DVD training series, “The Art of Whale Photography” focused on photographing the humpback whales and fostering a deeper appreciation of these mammals. Tierney’s whale photography is also on display, and for sale at, http://www.exploringmaui.com/about.html.
Tierney is also president and founder of Digital Anarchy, the award-winning San Francisco-based developer of advanced photography and video plug-ins for software packages such as Adobe After Effects and Apple Final Cut Pro. A pioneer in the development of visual tools for motion design and compositing, Tierney is a recognized and sought-after software expert and developer of training materials.
For additional information please visit www.exploringmaui.com. For press information and to book interviews with Jim Tierney, please contact Vicky Gray-Clark, Ambient PR, vicky@ambientpr.com, 408-243-8880.
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