Trying to do everything in a timely fashion this week. Like remembering to create a blog entry after uploading and making public a new Youtube post. This week I focused creating something different for the intro to the video. I got to work with overlays, transformations and keyframing. It took quite a bit of time but finally got something I was happy with. Unfortunately, while I was learning how to do that I wasn't spending as much time filming. Hope you enjoy.
In the studio this week I was able to get a new sketch done for a painting and worked on prepping the canvas panel for that work.
Always forget to post my weekly progress here. I uploaded the Island Times episode 10 on Saturday. This past week I chose a little different tack on putting together the video. I spent a little time evaluating the clips and then scripted a theme for the video. Following that script, I built each of the scenes separately into component videos which I composited with transitions into the final product. Seemed to produce a little better story of the week. Wishing that I had a way of improving the quality of the video some. Trying to combine footage from several different types of cameras makes it feel like I am working too hard in post.
Some progress to report from the studio as well. I finished "A New Best Friend," 9x12 inches, acrylic on canvas panel. I am pleased with the outcome but not so much that it is only the first work for 2021. It was a painting that I started over a month ago and then never went back to it until this passed weekend.
Late in posting about having put up my Island Times 009. It went up on Saturday. On Sunday I got the second dose of the COVID vaccine and have been struggling with some minor reactions to it. Can't imagine suffering from full blown COVID. Was able to learn some picture in picture video techniques, although I don't pull it off very well in the video. Still it was fun to learn. Also have improved at getting my drone through some difficult places.
Weather has been typical and spring-like. Equal measures of clouds and sun with temps living in the 40's. The cold wind off the bay still lets you know that we are nowhere near summer yet. Weekend crowds tell a different story with day-trippers having returned as well as seasonal cottage owners checking on how their places have done over the winter. Enjoy.
Well I have officially kept up with this for 8 weeks now, as I have posted the 8th edition of Island times. This week I did some hiking and worked on honing my drone skills. The latter has been a lot of fun.
I recently purchased a used DJI Spark from eBay. It is a 5 year old model so video is only 1080p. The still shots that I got today (not in this video) were quite good quality. I didn't want to obtain the latest and greatest fearing that not being of the gaming generation, I wouldn't be coordinated enough to be able to fly it. Still haven't worked out enough of the kinks yet to get good video and fly it at the same time but I am told that that comes with practice. Even started a Part 107 course to see if I want to pursue a certificate from the FAA. Hope to have better content from this gear in next weeks post. Enjoy.
I posted a new Island Times yesterday. To prepare this video I spent most of the prior week trying out a host of new video techniques, some of which didn't actually make it into this particular post. I had way more content than would fit in a 10 minute video. Quite a lot to learn about making quality video content to come up with a watchable post. I will make use if the unused content next week....maybe.
Birds and Bikes. I recently purchased a GoPro mount for my bicycle. I had heard about how shaky video was, riding with a camera mounted to the bike frame or handle bars. Most YouTubers recommended using a body or helmet mount. Not something I was interested in using on a small island populated by "noticers". I did place my mount on the wrapped portion of the handle bars in hopes that the wrap would cushion some of the vibrations. I was pretty pleased, for the most part, with how stable the footage turned out. All of what is in IT 007 is not stabilized. I also learned how to do some "speed ramping" in Final Cut, changing the speed of the playback. Quite a powerful tool.
I also put the GoPro into my bird feeder and filmed at 2.7K @ 60fps. Settings I wished I had used on my bike ride. At 60 fps your ability to apply slow motion FX achieves much better results. I got some interesting shots from the feeder and was able to find out which bird was the neighborhood bully. Enjoy!
Another Island Times story is posted. Can't believe that I have stayed with this for 6 weeks. It has been quite a creative outlet for surviving the COVID sheltering. I am starting to become better at finding my way around the editing software and becoming much more experienced in understanding the capabilities of my different cameras.
Weather on the island has started to improve so I have taken several opportunities to take a sketch pad out and about with me. That has been fun to take some small steps towards falling back in love with painting. Trying to make sketching a part of my every day schedule exercising mind and muscle memory.
Today, the first day of spring, is a top ten weather day with temps in the 50's and plenty of bight sunshine and most importantly, no wind. This past week it was more like winter than spring with high winds, cold grey skies and snow squalls. Any way enjoy this weeks story.
I did post an "Island Times Story 005" this past Saturday. Not your usual video log about the island. But a memorial to my wife in the form a slide show of my soulmate who shared her life and introduced me to the island that she loved so much.
