I want to tell God about my PLANS … 
We’re hiking a section of the Pacific Crest Trail out of Tuolumne Meadows, CA starting Aug 5th.
Nothing could possibly go wrong.
Gone HIKING — mostly offline in August
Category: hiking
My video/photo editing workflow
Updated June 2021.
A #CovidGoal was to improve my video editing.
A secondary goal, to improve photos and start sharing them more. I started an Instagram account for my hiking pics – BestHikeVisuals.
Mostly I’ve been disappointed with the many limitations of Instagram. Not yet a fan.
After posting my French Creek tribute, I declared I was GOOD ENOUGH at video editing for my purposes. Approaching “Concious Competent”. I could sit down at a table with a professional video editor and understand 75% of what they were talking about. 😀
NEXT STAGE = STORY
Story. Story. Story.
Every edit should contribute to the STORY.
I threw this one together quickly as a teaser for upcoming West Coast Trail videos. But in some weird way, it’s evocative of that wild and challenging hike.
I’m particularly happy with the audio.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Mostly my videos are for outdoor recreation, but I also hope to get back indoor soon shooting Gymnastics.
Here are the BASICS for upcoming shoots:
- I’m usually shooting solo
- 3 cameras (Sony ZV-1, GoPro 7 and iPhone X with DJI OM 4 gimbal)
- ZV-1 is primary A roll footage. It has by far the best audio.
- ZV-1 mode #2 = 1080p / 60fps (60 is better math when slowing for 30fps output)
- ZV-1 mode #1 = 4K / 30fps for zoom and cropping (I’ve switched from 24fps to 30fps for EXPORT as it’s a little clearer, though less cinematic.)
- ZV-1 mode #2 = PHOTOS 4:3 RAW and JPEG both
- Apple’s free Photos app is not great, but I’m still using it for organization. I’ve switched to Pixelmator Pro for editing the best of the best photos for Instagram.
- I quit trying Sony S-Log2, S-Log3, and other HLG profiles used by the cool kids as it was way too much hassle for dubious gains in quality. I often shoot photos in RAW and JPG both as colour correcting RAW pictures is much easier.
- iPhone on the gimbal for B roll: slow-mo, time lapse, special effects, etc. (mostly 4K 60fps)
- I’ve started experimenting with the Moment – Pro Camera App on the phone.
- GoPro is for B roll: action, water, mimic drone, etc. (mostly 2.7K 60fps as 2.7 is the highest it can go with Superview (16:9 aspect ratio) enabled. I’d only switch to 4K if on a tripod.)
- 16:9 ratio
- low light set on auto
- ISO min 100, max 400 (400 might be low)
- Protune off
- Editing with Final Cup Pro X on a MacBook Pro 2020 with the new silicon chip.
- Export in 1080p
- master file using ProRes 422
- export ‘Computer’
- export H.264 Faster Encode
- Shoot 120 fps only for smoke, fire
- Shoot 240 fps or higher for fast moving sports, etc.
- As little hand held video as possible. Use tripods.
- Shorter the better for my videos.
- No ads
Flash Drive Back-up for iPhone
For my purposes, an iPhone X (for example) is better in many ways than a dedicated camera like the Sony ZV-1.
I want 4K video at 60 frames / second. The iPhone does that. The Sony doesn’t.
One BIG downside of using your camera for video is running out of storage.
But I solved that with the purchase of a tiny SanDisk 256GB iXpand Flash Drive Go for iPhone CAD $82.
It works well and quickly to back-up all your photos and videos, freeing space to take more.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
West Coast Trail after the pandemic
For the next couple of weeks I’ll be mostly disconnected from the internet attempting a West Coast Trail YOYO.
Hiking the trail. Resupply. Then hiking back to where I started.
June 10 starting SE from Bamfield.
June 15 starting NW from Port Renfrew. UPDATE – I quit after my first crossing, due to minor injuries and gear problems. Rescheduling part 2 for July.
I’m a VIDEOGRAPHER
As a coach, I KNOW you need to practice to improve at anything.
I’ve been studying and editing most days during the pandemic. It’s been my #1 new hobby.
For my purposes — outdoor YouTube videos — I’m good enough now at the mechanics.
Here’s my latest. A terrific tune supported by a pretty montage.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
It’s not nearly as good as the best. But that video would cost you at least $50k.
I work for free. 😀
At least I now understand how the BEST videographers create those works of art.
In my mind, I’m moving NEXT to a focus on STORY.
Story is most important, in the end.
Over the summer I’ll be looking for good (short) video stories. Shooting a lot of content. Might not do much editing until winter.
Here’s my favourite video of 2020.
An IMPORTANT MESSAGE … and very creative video editing.
… I wonder what Nike paid for this. 😇
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Wonders of the World in 4K
I’ve visited many of these wonderful places, but not all.
#dreaming
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. (36min)
I’m fully vaccinated
😀 Send me ALL the vaccine passports.
I got dose #1 of “Covishield”, the Indian version of Oxford–AstraZeneca, March 18th. NO — I’m not worried about blood clots.
I was in the first 7.76% of Canadians to get jabbed.
When Alberta started allowing the second dose of AstraZeneca after only 4 weeks, I signed up. Got jab #2 on April 16th.
Sounds like Vaccine Passports are a terrible idea.
But it’s inevitable that something like this will become required for international travel for many months. Or years.
Do I need a drone?
Tried it once. Found it too complicated. LAWS too restrictive.
BUT — what about indoors?
Gymnastics Clubs would allow it. Of course I’d need an expensive one — something like the new DJI FPV ( $1,299 plus accessories).
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Here’s some indoor footage.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Top 10 Hikes on Earth
My most important hiking video, so far.
I’d say it’s one of the two best top 10 videos online.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
My 1st SERIOUS Tripod
The MeFOTO RoadTrip Air. Weight 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg)
It get’s well deserved GREAT REVIEWS.
I got the RoadTrip rather than the Backpacker — even though it’s a half pound heavier — mainly for the superior ballhead.
I’ll use this day-to-day at home. And on bikepacking trips.
Won’t likely carry it on long hikes because of weight, though the detachable selfie stick is an option.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Looks great. But — in reality — I use my Fotopro uFO 2 tripod 90% of the time.
I like it better than the GorillaPods I’ve used. You can attach to things more reliably.
And it’s only .5 lbs (227 gm)
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
