Category: video

cycling, hiking, travel, video

My video/photo editing workflow

Rick Mc

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.

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:

  1. I’m usually shooting solo
  2. 3 cameras (Sony ZV-1, GoPro 7 and iPhone X with DJI OM 4 gimbal)
  3. ZV-1 is primary A roll footage.   It has by far the best audio. 
  4. ZV-1 mode #2 = 1080p / 60fps (60 is better math when slowing for 30fps output)
  5. ZV-1 mode #1 = 4K / 30fps for zoom and cropping  (I’ve switched from 24fps to 30fps for EXPORT)
  6. ZV-1 mode #2 = PHOTOS 4:3 RAW and JPEG both
    1. 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.  
  7. 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. 
  8. iPhone on the gimbal for B roll: slow-mo, time lapse, special effects, etc. (mostly 4K 60fps)
  9. 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.)
    1. 16:9 ratio
    2. low light set on auto
    3. ISO min 100, max 400 (400 might be low)
    4. Protune off
  10. Editing with Final Cup Pro X on a MacBook Pro 2020 with the new silicon chip. 
  11. Export in 1080p
    1. master file using ProRes 422
    2. export ‘Computer’
    3. export H.264 Faster Encode
  12. Shoot 120 fps only for smoke, fire
  13. Shoot 240 fps or higher for fast moving sports, etc. 
  14. As little hand held video as possible.  Use tripods. 
  15. Shorter the better for my videos. 
  16. No ads
Apple, hiking, photos, video

Flash Drive Back-up for iPhone

Rick Mc

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.

Apple, photos, product endorsements, video

Notion note taking app

Rick Mc

I’ve always been a NOTE taker.

Always put together TO-DO lists.

Not always skilled at following through. 😶

For the past few months I’ve been trying NOTION. It’s free for basics.

More complicated than I need. But it is cool.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

It does synch perfectly with iPhone. And I can use the IOS app even when out of service.

NOTION ranked #1 on this list of Best Note-Taking Apps 2021.

I’ve used different notebooks and apps over the decades. Most recently I’ve been trying to stick to the default Apple products:

  • Reminders
  • Text Edit

Love the simplicity and compatibility with the Fruit Company ecosystem of brainwashed.

I’ve yet to find a calendar I like. I’m using Google Calendar — but don’t really enjoy it. Right now I’m trying to switch to Apple Calendar, which I also don’t like.

cycling, hiking, video

I’m a VIDEOGRAPHER

Rick Mc

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.

cycling, video

BEST cycling videos

Rick Mc

For each genre (hiking, cycling, mountain climbing, skiing) I’m looking for technically good video coverage.

Great audio. That’s not easy.

But what makes the good ones GREAT is something that gets you emotionally.

Humour. Inspiration. Personal connection to the people in the very short film

I want to fly to Silverton, Colorado just to meet Avra Saslow, Clare Hamilton, and Delilah Cupp.

“Fame might change us.” 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

video

Mount Royal University pandemic LOCKDOWN

Rick Mc

Police brought me home when I was a kid. Brian and I were caught climbing the construction site of what’s now Mount Royal University in Calgary. We jumped from … 3 FLOORS DOWN, the cops told our parents.

Over the decades, Mount Royal’s been my coffee shop and office. Just 5 minutes walk from my brother’s place in Glamorgan, the neighbourhood where I grew up.

It’s bizarre and eerie to see the huge complex deserted. Unsettling. Like some dystopian science fiction movie.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. Best for me is the audio.

I’m still studying and practicing video editing almost every day.

This one includes several (new to me) techniques:

  • colours: white & sterile, progresses to golds, and finishes with optimistic multi-colours
  • deliberately tilting videos 5-10 degrees to convey … something is wrong
  • rapid zoom introduction montage
gymnastics, hiking, video

Do I need a drone?

Rick Mc

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.

Apple, photos, video

Apple Watch Camera Remote app

Rick Mc

If you want to position your iPhone for a photo and then take the photo from a distance, you can use your Apple Watch to view the iPhone camera image and take the photo. You can also use your Apple Watch to set a shutter timer—this gives you time to lower your wrist and raise your eyes when you’re in the shot.

To function as a camera remote, your Apple Watch needs to be within normal Bluetooth range of your iPhone (about 33 feet or 10 meters).

Apple

I added a QUICK LINK to my Watch Home Screen.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.