It doesn’t snow often in Parksville on Vancouver Island. So when it does, I rush out with a camera.
This is Top Bridge park. Fantastic for hiking and cycling.
Category: video
Best GoPro Mounts
I’m using the GoPro Hero 7. Stabilization is quite good for an action cam.
I don’t need to upgrade to the Gopro 10.
I tried using different mounts while cycling.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
EASIEST is the handlebar mount. Turn on the GoPro whenever you might want to show the trail. Quickly remove it to use off the bike anywhere along the road.
BEST is the selfie stick. But you end up riding with only one hand. Or trying to connect a tripod to the bike.
I’m planning to use the Blendr system for the handlebar mount. Rock solid.
Re-editing my OLD Videos
My main HOBBY during pandemic has been video editing.
When I go back to watch some of my old edits, I’m usually unhappy 😕 with some decisions I made at the time.
A couple of times I’ve gone back and improved them. Satisfying. 🙂
For example, I was quite happy with some parts of my 2021 video cycling around Parksville. But a few things BUGGED me.
It didn’t take long to make the changes. Here’s the NEW shorter version. I posted it on a different YouTube channel to avoid later confusion.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
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.
Notion note taking app
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.
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.
Advice for Content Creators
If you REALLY want to do something, you must practice.
A lot.
Possibly 10,000 hours to become excellent.
As a sports coach, I’ve learned that already.
It’s the reason I try to STUDY or PRACTICE video creation every day.
Click PLAY or watch this video by Daniel Sax on Vimeo.
BEST cycling videos
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.
Peter McKinnon X NOMATIC V2 camera bag
I bought the NOMATIC 3-7 day Travel Pack bag in 2017.
Love it.
Looks like I’ll be buying another — this time their dedicated V2 camera bag.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
Mount Royal University pandemic LOCKDOWN
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
Rick McCharles 