Make Money on YouTube?
January 31, 2007 by Kim · Leave a Comment
I just read an article from PC Magazine. Apparently, YouTube is planning to share advertising revenue with their video contributors. This is great news for contributers as long as the site doesn’t get bogged down with advertisements. I’m anxious to see how this plays out.
You can read the article here.
Windows Vista is Here!
January 30, 2007 by Kim · Leave a Comment
Microsoft officially launched Windows Vista today. I just did a Google search on news articles and blogs to see what people are saying. There are some really mixed reviews! Some love it, some hate it, some are undecided. The jury is still out for me since I haven’t had a hands-on experience yet.
I plan to buy a new laptop in the next few months. I decided to wait a little while to let all (or some) of the kinks get worked out. I’ve heard that it’s an imitation of Mac OS. Now I love my iMac. That will be a hard act to follow if that’s the case.
I’m really anxious to see how Vista handles video editing. If you’ve used Vista for your video editing, please leave a comment and let us know what you think about it.
A Tribute Video for Mrs. Nancy
January 29, 2007 by Kim · Leave a Comment
I just completed one of the most difficult videos I’ve ever done. My dear sweet neighbor, Mrs. Nancy, went to be with the Lord yesterday after a long battle with cancer. Mrs. Nancy has been my neighbor the last 6 1/2 years. She was one of those people you could always count on. She was an amazing Christian and she loved everyone. And everyone loved Mrs. Nancy.
When her husband came to my door yesterday afternoon with a pile of Mrs. Nancy’s pictures, I was honored. I quickly scanned all the pictures into my computer and created a beautiful tribute video scrapbook of Mrs. Nancy’s life. This video will be shown at her funeral and her memorial.
I kept the video simple with some music, a title page, photos with dissolves in between, and a closing Bible verse. I hope this is something her family will cherish for years to come.
Using Special Effects on Your Video Camera
January 28, 2007 by Kim · Leave a Comment
If you plan on editing your video on your computer, DO NOT use the special effects (fades, dissolves, wipes, etc.) built into your video camera. You can easily add these special effects using your video editing software. You will be able to better control where these effects are placed and be able to time them better if you are adding music to your video.
I used to love to use the special effects on my video camera. However, I usually ended up cutting a lot of it out and wasted a lot of good footage.
The Rule of Thirds
January 27, 2007 by Kim · Leave a Comment
One of the most popular rules in videography and photography is the Rule of Thirds. When using the Rule of Thirds, you place the subject away from the center of the frame (off center), which results in a more interesting picture.
To do this, imagine a grid of two horizontal and two vertical lines in your viewfinder, dividing your view into nine equal parts. This is an option on some video cameras and digital cameras. To apply this rule, line up your subject with the grid lines, placing the horizon on the top or bottom line, not the center.
Jim Shorts provides an excellent example of how to use the Rule of Thirds in his video tutorial. Check it out.
Great Book for Digital Video Beginners
January 26, 2007 by Kim · Leave a Comment
I purchased The Little Digital Video Book by Michael Rubin on Amazon last year. This is a great little book for those who are brand new to digital video. This book teaches you how to shoot well, organize easily, and quickly edit your own footage. This book is not filled with jargon like so many of the digital video books are. This book is truly for beginners and comes highly recommended if you are just starting out your digital video hobby.
Mount Your Camera to Your Car with a Sticky Pod
January 25, 2007 by Kim · Leave a Comment
Check out this cool video gadget I just stumbled across. It’s called a Sticky Pod. This gadget mounts your camera in or on your vehicle using strong industrial cups. This would be a fun gadget to use on vacation. You could mount it to your car to record your trip.
For more information, click the image below to visit the Sticky Pod website.
Here are a sample of the Sticky Pod in action. It’s a little pixelated… but you get can get the idea.
Experience Memories with Windows Vista
January 24, 2007 by Kim · Leave a Comment
I received an email from Microsoft this morning with information on their upcoming release of Windows Vista. Vista will let you import, organize, and correct your images easily. You can also easily save them to CDs and DVDs. You can also create slideshows from your pictures.
I currently use iPhoto on my iMac to manage all my digital pictures and LOVE IT! I can’t wait to see if Windows Vista can even compare to iPhoto.
Windows Vista will be broadly available on January 30. For more information, go to the Windows Vista website.
If you’re one of the first to try out Windows Vista, please leave a comment and let us know how you like it and let us know if it really can manage your photo library as easily as Microsoft claims.
Using the Date/Time Feature on Your Camera
January 23, 2007 by Kim · Leave a Comment
Be cautious when using the date/time feature on your camera. If you have it turned on while recording, the date and time are imprinted on the tape and cannot be removed at a later date.
I use this feature when preparing to shoot a video. I turn the date and time on and record for about 10 seconds. Then, I turn it off before I start shooting the actual video. This 10 seconds will give me enough information about the tape if I have to come back to it a later date.
How to Video Your Pet
January 22, 2007 by Kim · Leave a Comment
Here’s a great tip I once learned for videoing pets. Get down on their level. See the world as your pet sees it. Set your camera at their eye level or below to get their point of view. This will add a lot of interest to your video.






