One #COVIDgoal was to improve my video editing skills. And get a LOT of practice.
That is going well.
Click PLAY or watch the most popular of the recent edits on YouTube.
Subscribe and/or see the rest of the videos.
Category: hiking
Pixelmator Pro photo editing
With Kraig’s encouragement I tried and then bought ($29.39 CAD) an Apple only photo editing package.
I’ll continue to use free built-in Apple photos to organize my many pics. BUT switch to Pixelmator Pro for editing the best of the best.
I started posting daily to Instagram. My best hiking photos.
Instagram.com/BestHikeVisuals
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I HATE Running
But days are too short in November – January in Canada to do multi-day hiking or cycling trips. I’m stuck with it.
Right now I’m alternating:
- Runs up to an hour. Up to 10km.
- Stairs series
- 100m sprint intervals
For runs I head off from home towards my favourite park. Turn around at the half way point in time / distance.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
RELATED:
Click PLAY or watch running Parksville in the Spring on YouTube. Flowers!
Click PLAY or watch running Bermuda on YouTube.
Happy March 193rd
#ManPlansGodLaughs
I had big plans for 2020. All postponed.
Instead I’ve spent most of the year in small town Parksville B.C. at my parent’s home. All is well with me and family. We have had very few COVID positive cases in this part of Canada. Almost everything is open.
We’re staying safe as possible in these troubling times.
Since March I’ve made about 15 overnight bikepacking trips. And now feel very confident in this new-to-me hobby.
As days grow short I’ll cycle less, run more. Add more playground conditioning. Add basketball. Perhaps add Golf.
I’d hoped to get to Nepal for November. But they can’t get the virus under control.
I’m now looking at Hawaii.
Stay safe.
My Hiking YouTube channel
We love YouTube. My first upload was Mar 28, 2006.
Google bought the startup November 2006 for US$1.65 billion.
I spun off a hiking YouTube channel Jan 17, 2018.
Finally got it looking good October 2020. I’m studying how to post better videos in future. #CovidGoals
Click PLAY or watch the trailer on YouTube. Subscribe to be notified of future updates.
The best YouTube uploads have dedicated thumbnails like this. The rest show a somewhat random frame of the video.
YouTube thumbnail
My video/photo editing workflow
A #CovidGoal is 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.
It’s working. But so far I’m only up to the stage of knowing now what I don’t know yet.
Mostly my videos are for outdoor recreation, but I also hope to get back indoor soon shooting Gymnastics.
Click PLAY or watch a sample on YouTube.
It has more editing magic than I’ve used in the past: Sound effect, Color balance, Slow mo, Intro flash, Ken Burns pan, Speed ramp, Focus blur, Zoom, Directional blur, Gausian blur, Radial centre. 3 cameras.
Audio the most time consuming part, however. I’m starting to enjoy background track music selection and audio editing.
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 #1 = 1080p / 120fps
- ZV-1 mode #2 = 4K/24fps
- ZV-1 mode #3 = for photos (9×16) saving RAW and JPEG
- RAW editing requires free Sony Imaging Edge software Nov. 2020. But it’s pretty ugly.
- 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.
- X on the gimbal is for B roll: slow-mo, time lapse, special effects, etc. (mostly 4K 60fps)
- GoPro is for B roll: action, water, mimic drone, etc. (mostly 2.7K 60fps as that’s the highest it can go with stabilization. I’d only put it on 4K if on a tripod.)
- Editing with Final Cup Pro X on a MacBook Pro 2020 with the new silicon chip.
- Export 29.97 frames / second
- Export in 1080p
- Any video with vocal audio shoot in 24 fps
- Timelapse 60 fps
- 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.
- Target length of my final edit is 4min or less
- No ads
UBeesize 54-inch Selfie Stick Tripod
For hiking I’m not often going to be carrying a full tripod. Too big. Too heavy.
But for cycling, I’ll often bring this one along.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours videotaping from tripods. But — until now — have never used one as an extended selfie stick.
Of many similar options, I got the Selfie Stick Tripod, UBeesize 51″ Extendable Tripod Stand with Bluetooth Remote for iPhone & Android Phone. I won’t be using the Bluetooth Remote.
- CAD $33
- 610 Grams
- suggested max weight is about 2.2 lbs/1Kg.
- 1/4” screw thread (fits my GoPro, Sony camera, OM 4 gimbal)
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Click PLAY or watch some of my tests on YouTube.
MAP – driving Calgary to Vancouver
Update. I ended up driving only about 2000 km. in 4 days. The plan below was WAY TOO MANY HOURS behind the wheel.
I skipped the backtracking to Jumbo Pass.
I have 4 days, up to 3000 km in my rented CanaDream Camper Van.
Short hikes and bike rides along the way.
Here’s my itinerary, so far. Of course I’ll change this on a whim once on the road starting Friday August 21.
Dreaming of Senja, Norway
I loved my trip to Lofoten, Norway in 2018.
What’s next?
Senja, even further north of the Arctic Circle.
Norway’s second-largest island, rivals Lofoten and Vesterålen for natural beauty yet attracts a fraction of the visitors.
Norway is the most expensive place I’ve ever been.
So I’d fly in with a bike and camping gear. Sleep most nights outdoors. Norway has a freedom to roam law so you can tent almost anywhere for free.
The weather is frightful, of course.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
my Quad Lock phone accessories
What’s cooler than a man wearing a HIP pack with a phone belt clip?
A man wearing a fanny pack with two phone clips! 😀
My trusty Otterbox case has served me well. And saved me many, many times. I’ve never broken a phone. The belt clip is … OK.
When I got a second phone I tried, instead, the Quad Lock belt clip. It’s better than Otterbox, overall. Quad Lock was rated #1 on Wirecutter.
There’s a cheaper alternative called Nite Ize Wraptor.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
I only tried that belt clip because I was looking for a way to mount my new phone on the handlebars of my touring bike. The belt clip is compatible.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
