DSLR video is all the rage right now in case you didn’t know.

I guess I’m one of the sheep and I have joined the ranks myself.

DSLR’s have developed to the point where many film makers have included high end DSLR’s into their films.

I have a Canon 60D that produces pretty damn good video and I’m learning the ropes.

Shooting video on a DSLR is a little bit different than using a [...]]]>

DSLR video is all the rage right now in case you didn’t know.

I guess I’m one of the sheep and I have joined the ranks myself.

DSLR’s have developed to the point where many film makers have included high end DSLR’s into their films.

I have a Canon 60D that produces pretty damn good video and I’m learning the ropes.

Shooting video on a DSLR is a little bit different than using a video camera. The capabilities are not the same and that can be good or bad depending on how you look at it.

The main thing that I can see as a major difference between a DSLR and a video camera, is the ability to autofocus.

The best way to shoot video on a DSLR is to shoot subjects that are not moving very much.

Frame your shot, focus and hit the record button. Stop. Do it all again for your next shot.

If you want to do a bunch of zooming, fagetaboudit!

Let me say thats not a bad thing. If you really want to look like an amateur, which I’m good about, do a lot of zooming in your videos. Just say no to zooming unless it’s really appropriate for your video.

I just finished editing a video I shot for a local insurance company. I had to do a couple of zooms to get the shot. Some zooms look just fine, my zooms in this video don’t. Maybe it’s more of a personal preference of mine, but I like to frame my shot and hit the record button and forget the zooming.

This week I went outside to practice some video with my 60D. In particular, I wanted to do some depth of field tests. Depth of field is where you focus in on your subject and everything else in the video is blurred.

Depth of field gives your videos and photographs more of a professional look sometimes.

The Canon 60D produces awesome high definition and depth of field.

Check out the 3 DOF YouTube videos below. For the best quality, click the 1080p setting. These are short clips, but you will get the idea very fast.

These clips are straight out of the camera with no editing whatsoever. The quality is pretty spectacular if I don’t say so myself.

Very crisp and clean HD and great depth of field.

Once again, focus on your subject. Hit the record button. Stop.

I hope you enjoy the videos. If you have a DSLR camera with video capabilities, go out and practice. What are you waiting on?

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My friend Harlan over at The Render Q posted yesterday about his most viewed YouTube videos of 2011.

Harlan’s post got me to thinking about my own experience with YouTube in 2011 and my plans for 2012.

If you are one of my rare 8 readers here, you know that I have committed to making more YouTube videos in 2012. Not that anyone will watch them, but my family may fondly remember me long after [...]]]>

My friend Harlan over at The Render Q posted yesterday about his most viewed YouTube videos of 2011.

Harlan’s post got me to thinking about my own experience with YouTube in 2011 and my plans for 2012.

If you are one of my rare 8 readers here, you know that I have committed to making more YouTube videos in 2012. Not that anyone will watch them, but my family may fondly remember me long after I’m gone.

Since I’m being blunt today, I am strictly looking at this from a financial view point. More video views means more clicks and more money in your account at the end of the month.

One of my problems, if you want to call it a problem is the fact that I’m not planning to make videos around a particular niche or topic. I’m Johnny Random.

The video I’m posting today has no real value. I’m not teaching you anything. However, if you want to sip a cup of coffee and watch me ramble on for a few minutes about myself, well then I guess it’s good for that.

Now I’m not totally stupid. The more topics I create videos around that has paying advertisers, the more money you will earn.

If I make a video and rant about the state of politics in America, it’s doubtful that I will serve anyone’s needs and that relevant ads will be served.

However, if I make a video about how to fix a leaking toilet, it would be useful. It would serve up relevant ads and over time I can earn money from my video.

Some people feel that to be a YouTube success you must focus on a particular niche. I tend to disagree with that. Have you seen the crap channels that are random and have a few million views? That shoots that theory down.

I do feel that covering a broad niche about a particular subject can make you successful much faster. Another words, I could make videos forever talking about photography. However if my channel was based on the Canon 60D camera, I would eventually burn out and have nothing to talk about.

I like making videos. I enjoy watching videos. Some evenings I find myself watching more online videos than TV. If you could look in my back window at night and you better not, you will find me with my laptop in my lap, one ear bud in one ear, the TV on and I’ll be multi-tasking like a mutha-#%&#@%.

The future is video so fire up that camera and be a part of it.

Oh shit, I just sounded like some kind of cheerleader, what just happened?

My 2011 YouTube stats are pretty pathetic. I only uploaded about 20 videos. My total views were in the 60K range.

My most successful video was about my Roku Player. A very simple video I shot by placing my Canon 60D on a tripod in front of my TV and reviewing the Roku. No editing. I shot it and uploaded in about 20 minutes. It’s close to 40,000 views now and a ton of comments.

That video is proof that you do not have to be a video expert or even have to show your face to have a successful video.

Based on my 2011 YouTube videos and views, now I have a baseline in which to grow and measure.

My personal YouTube Channel is very un-focused. A lot of the very successful YouTubers are niche focused. I don’t have enough talent in any one area to buld a YouTube channel around.

I’m positive that my videos will continue to be completely random and not make any sense at all.

The point is, you don’t have to be a photography expert or funny, or make jewelry or be a make-up artist to join in the fun.

I subscribe to quite a few channels on YouTube simply because I like the person who’s making the videos.

As a matter of fact, I want to point you to a Youtube Channel called Flecktonesrock. This is a young guy I found while looking at nature photographers. What I really like about his channel are his nature videos. He takes canoe trips through swamps with a friend and they handle snakes, climb trees and they are just plain likeable to watch. Find his nature videos and give him a watch.

I made a video blog below about this article and I also give you a mini tour of my little country shed. Do people still use the term video blog?

Over time I will be lucky to get 200 views on this video. I know that. It’s just me rambling. Have I wasted my time this morning making this video? Time will tell, but it’s all about experimenting and 2012 looks to be one big experiment.

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Ok, I said I was going to make more videos in 2012.

I never said I was going to make great videos, I only said I was going to make more videos.

Today is a perfect example.

Let me set this video up.

We live on a pond and we have 3 Geese that think they are pets.

The problem is that these geese are attracted to my back patio because of my bird [...]]]>

Ok, I said I was going to make more videos in 2012.

I never said I was going to make great videos, I only said I was going to make more videos.

Today is a perfect example.

Let me set this video up.

We live on a pond and we have 3 Geese that think they are pets.

The problem is that these geese are attracted to my back patio because of my bird feeders.

The geese stroll up several times a day and eat the seed that has fallen to the ground.

They crap all over my backyard and my patio in the process.

Goose shit is very nasty and I have to hose off my patio 3 or 4 times a day.

I don’t want to move my bird feeders, I just want the geese to feed somewhere else.

I have tried scaring them, running at them and spraying them with a water hose. Nothing seems to work.

Geese have very short memory recall.

Today I set up a video camera at the back door and I’m going to shoot my .32 cal revolver to see if the noise may scare them away.

If this works, I’ll continue my efforts with some firecrackers.

You can see if it worked by watching the video below.

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I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions. I prefer to call it something like a change of course.

My change of course for 2012 is to make more YouTube videos. There is a reason for that.

A few months ago, Youtube made me a revenue share partner. When people view my videos and click the ads that appear on the video or my page, I earn 55% of the revenue.

I have more than [...]]]>

I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions. I prefer to call it something like a change of course.

My change of course for 2012 is to make more YouTube videos. There is a reason for that.

A few months ago, Youtube made me a revenue share partner. When people view my videos and click the ads that appear on the video or my page, I earn 55% of the revenue.

I have more than one channel and all of my channels are in the revenue share program.

I am not what they call a full partner. Full partners in the YouTube program get a lot more benefits. However, I’m happy to be revenue sharing.

If you have a YouTube account that has a few videos, there is a good chance that you have been invited into the program also.

My challenge for 2012 will be video content creation.

It’s amazing to me the crap you see that has millions of views. Crap or not, those videos make the owner a pretty good income stream.

There are some things that you need to do when you upload videos to Youtube that will increase your chances of more views. Remember, more views = more money in your pocket.

It’s a numbers game.

In my research and out of the YouTube playbook, I want to share a few things that will help your videos get more views.

It’s actually very simple SEO that you need to apply to your videos.

• Make the first 15 seconds of your video compelling.
• Review the information in the analytics and take action.
• Write optimized Titles, Tags & Descriptions.

If you follow those 3 steps, you will be well on your way to some degree of success, but let me go into just a further bit of detail to help you.

I’m so guilty of not doing the things I know I should be doing.

Title of your video:
Place your keywords at the beginning of your title. Example How To Grow Organic Carrots And Save Money.

Your keyword phrase is “How To Grow Organic Carrots.” The rest is fluff.

YouTube is actually a search engine and you have to tell it what your video is about.

If you are trying to drive traffic to your website, at the very beginning of your description place a link to your site by using the “http://” first. Such as http://bloggerlens.com. This makes the link an actual clickable hyperlink.

Description:
Write a lot of good information in your description using your keywords and related keywords. Include links to your site, other videos or anything that would be considered helpful to your viewer. Make sure that it is all accurate.

Tags:
Tags are where most people really hurt themselves in my opinion. Your tags should include the exact keyword phrase you are using in your title. Example: Your first tag should be placed like this. Use quotes for phrases. “how to grow organic carrots” “organic carrots” “save money growing produce” carrots, grow, “home garden” money, organic, fertilizer

Get the idea? Be generous with your tags. Don’t go crazy, just be relevant. I believe there is a limit on tags, but I’m not sure what the limit is. Don’t stuff it with crap though.

YouTube uses an algorithm that takes all of this information and decides where and when your videos will show up.

More YouTube Tips:
You should place a link to your YouTube channel page in the description of every video you upload.

You should place links to your Social Media accounts.

Need help with YouTube keywords? Use this awesome YouTube keyword tool for help.

When I typed in “organic carrots” it gave me these related keywords.

• growing garlic
• snacking on carrots
• potatoes
• grow carrots
• vitamins and minerals
• aeroponic carrots
• organic gardening
• gardening montana

Find a way if possible to use these words in your description and tags, just be truthful and relevant.

Frequency of YouTube uploads:
The more frequently you upload videos, the more you will please the YouTube algorithm. YouTube actually states that you should upload at least one video per week. YouTube wants regular content and they will reward your efforts.

I’m so guilty of not taking the extra time to optimize my YouTube videos. My videos aren’t that great but neither are a lot that I watch that get incredible amounts of views.

You can always go back in and edit the information about your videos to optimize them.

I recently uploaded 3 videos that are very similar in nature. On 2 of the videos, I didn’t put a lot of information about it.

The 3rd video however, I took my time to optimize it. It’s my own personal experiment. I can report that video #3 is getting more views.

If you want to get in on the game, start uploading now. If you are not a revenue partner now, you can increase your chances of being invited into the program by starting a channel and working it hard.

The day will come when you get that email from YouTube.

YouTube pays under the Google Adsense program. If you do not have an Adsense account, start researching and go get one. Be prepared when the opportunity comes your way.

I hope these tips help. These are straight from YouTube.

Once you create and upload a video, any income you earn as time goes on is passive income. That’s the best kind.

Remember, do as I say, not as I do. Good luck in 2012.

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I ran across a website that offers free stock video for you to use in your video projects.

The site offering the free stock footage is bottledvideo.com.

There are no strings attached.

There is no membership required.

There is a ton of HD stock footage as well as DV stock footage.

Simply find a clip you want to use, agree to the terms and download the footage for free.

I like the fact [...]]]>

I ran across a website that offers free stock video for you to use in your video projects.

The site offering the free stock footage is bottledvideo.com.

There are no strings attached.

There is no membership required.

There is a ton of HD stock footage as well as DV stock footage.

Simply find a clip you want to use, agree to the terms and download the footage for free.

I like the fact that the clips are searchable by keyword.

To test the footage, I downloaded an HD time-lapse clip of a Colorado mountain with clouds flowing over it. The clip downloaded to my laptop in just about a minute and the footage was outstanding in beautiful HD.

Apparently, the owner of the site has a vast library of stock video and has decided to give back to the community.

There have been many times when I’m working on a video that you need a clip of something that you haven’t shot.

You either have to hijack a clip from somewhere on the internet or buy some stock footage.

Bottled Video claims to have over 10,000 free video clips for you to download.

If you make any videos and you use any of their clips, they will even help you promote your video. That’s a pretty good deal.

If you are making a video and need some B-roll or just want to add a little spark to your project, head over to Bottled Video and check out what’s available.

Oh, by the way, did I mention it’s FREE!

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If you own a Canon XH A1 video camera, this post may be helpful to you sometime in the future.

Just in the last week, I discovered that my XH A1 was not downloading full HD video files into my editor.

Something about my footage just didn’t look right and when I checked the actual file, the size being output from the camera was 720 x 480.

My Canon XH A1 normally outputs [...]]]>

If you own a Canon XH A1 video camera, this post may be helpful to you sometime in the future.

Just in the last week, I discovered that my XH A1 was not downloading full HD video files into my editor.

Something about my footage just didn’t look right and when I checked the actual file, the size being output from the camera was 720 x 480.

My Canon XH A1 normally outputs HD video 1440 x 1080.

I checked my setting on the camera and everything looked ok. In the menu, you check the settings of the video you want to take. My settings were correct at HD and 60i.

Nothing I could do would correct the problem.

I started searching the internet for a possible solution.

After an exhaustive search, I found one entry in a forum that fixed my problem.

I was on the verge of calling Canon because I thought my camera was broken.

Ok, here is the solution for all of you Canon XH A1 owners who find that your video camera is not outputting HD video.

Put your A1 in the VCR Play mode.

Push your Menu >> Signal Setup >> Playback STD >> Make sure it is in AUTO or HDV. Make sure it is not set at DV.

Also check Menu >> HD Down-Conv >> OFF. Make sure it is set to OFF.

If you do not set this to OFF, the XH A1 will down-convert your video to DV which is 720 x 480. This was the problem I was having.

It is probably rare that you will even go into your menu settings in the VCR mode. I have no idea how my settings were changed.

I was extremely frustrated for a couple of days and the forum at dvinfo.net got me out of a jam.

What I was doing was downloading my video into my editor at 720 x 480. When I finished editing, I converted my video at 1280 x 720 to prepare it for uploading to the internet.

When I viewed my video, it looked pixelated and stretched. This was my first clue that I had a problem. Your HD video should look clear, sharp and a high resolution.

I started back-tracking and it led me to my camera.

One of the reasons I posted this article was to help other Canon XH A1 users out there in the hopes that Google will show this result. It took me a couple days of searching to find the solution.

Good shooting to all of you.

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YouTube is making it easier for everyone to become a video editor by offering cloud based video editing.

That’s a good thing.

No more worries about installing fancy video editing software on your machine.

You now have access to a free online video editor.

I think a lot of people are intimidated when you say the word “video editing software”.

This alone keeps people from creating videos and preserving memories.

If you are into video at most any level, (and you should be doing some video at any level) you have most likely heard of Izzy Video. IzzyVideo.com is run by Israel Hyman.

While looking at my Twitter feed today, (rare occasion) I noticed a link by Izzy. Free Final Cut Pro X Tutorial. I thought, WOW! Very cool.

Final Cut Pro X is Apple’s macosx latest version of the worlds most popular video editing [...]]]>

If you are into video at most any level, (and you should be doing some video at any level) you have most likely heard of Izzy Video. IzzyVideo.com is run by Israel Hyman.

While looking at my Twitter feed today, (rare occasion) I noticed a link by Izzy. Free Final Cut Pro X Tutorial. I thought, WOW! Very cool.

Final Cut Pro X is Apple’s macosx latest version of the worlds most popular video editing software. I still use the old version but I’m planning on upgrading very soon. There are a lot of mixed reviews about this new software. Some good, some not so good.

I think the naysayers will eventually come around. I am an Apple Fanboy and being such, I tend to move forward with Apple as they do.

Apple may not get everything perfect right out of the gate, but if you are patient, they will eventually create a masterpiece with eventual upgrades.

I suspect Final Cut Pro X will be the same. Might as well board the train now as it departs. Currently, I’m using Final Cut Pro 7 and I’ve been watching the evolution of this upgrade and the blogs to see what everyone is saying about this new version of Final Cut.

Final Cut Pro X

Izzy’s free Final Cut Pro X Tutorials consist of 2 hours and 39 minutes of video training. I don’t know how he can give this away for free but he does. He’s very generous.

Below is one of his training videos explaining the new Final Cut interface. As you can see, the training you will receive in his free course is outstanding.

Free Final Cut Pro X Training

If you would like to take advantage of Izzy’s generous free Final Cut Pro X Training Course, you can find it here. Final Cut Pro X Tutorial.

If you have not entered into the world of video editing, now would be a good time. If you own a Mac, you most likely have at least iMovie on your machine. iMovie is a great program but it has it’s limitations.

If you have never experienced the creativity of editing your own video that you personally shot, you are not fulfilling your own human potential. That’s right. I said it. There is a potential outstanding video editor inside you.

You will never know your potential unless you give it a try and I am personally setting you free to begin your own personal experiment in the world of video editing.

You can purchase Final Cut Pro X for around $300. Izzy is saving you a ton with free tutorials. It’s basically a wash.

Don’t allow any more excuses to get in the way of something that you really want to do.

If you have ever wanted to learn how to be a video editor, let Izzy teach you Final Cut Pro X.

Explore your own human potential in video editing with Final Cut Pro X.

There is an update since I first published this post. Apple has released it’s first upgrade to Final Cut Pro X and now they are offering a free 30 day trial of Final Cut Pro X.

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Today I will show you how to stream your own media and watch it on your TV through a ROKU Box.

Have you ever wanted to watch your own videos through your TV but couldn’t find an easy way to do it?

One of the many features I really like about my new ROKU XDS box is the ability to stream my own media through it and watch it on my own TV. [...]]]>

Today I will show you how to stream your own media and watch it on your TV through a ROKU Box.

Have you ever wanted to watch your own videos through your TV but couldn’t find an easy way to do it?

One of the many features I really like about my new ROKU XDS box is the ability to stream my own media through it and watch it on my own TV. It is very similar to Apple TV, but I think it’s better.

You can stream your own videos, music and photo’s through the ROKU Box.

The ROKU Box is great because it is now my Netflix player and also my Amazon Video On Demand player.

A lot of the media players available will not play both of those services through the same box.

The ROKU XDS comes with a USB plugin and it allows you to plug in an external hard drive. ROKU will scan your hard drive and play your selected media.

Below is a video I made showing you how to stream your own media through the ROKU Box.

Stream your own media through the ROKU Box

You can view my first ROKU XDS Review video here where I take you through the many channels that are available to you.

ROKU Box gives me free TV

The ROKU Box has really changed the way my wife and I watch TV. I am now enjoying full seasons of shows that I had never watched. I joined Amazon Instant Video and that gave me thousands of more TV selections to watch either free or paid. Seriously, I was starting to go crazy over the channel selections that my local cable TV provider was giving me. Most of it is crap except for a few stations. I just don’t understand why cable TV does not allow me to build my own menu of stations and only pay for what I want to watch. Do they really think I want to watch 3 or 4 jewelry channels??

Get yourself a ROKU box and start breaking free from your local cable TV provider.

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This is pretty big news from Vimeo. Until now, Vimeo has never allowed commercial accounts.

Now, a business can open up a special PRO account and promote their business.

Vimeo is even offering commercial websites with many templates available.

From the Vimeo website: Portfolios allow PRO members to create unique, stand alone, fully customizable websites, without any Vimeo branding, to promote and showcase their videos and service. Need a website? With Portfolios [...]]]>

This is pretty big news from Vimeo. Until now, Vimeo has never allowed commercial accounts.

Now, a business can open up a special PRO account and promote their business.

Vimeo is even offering commercial websites with many templates available.

From the Vimeo website:
Portfolios allow PRO members to create unique, stand alone, fully customizable websites, without any Vimeo branding, to promote and showcase their videos and service. Need a website? With Portfolios you can create one in minutes without having to type a line of code.

For all of the juicy details and pricing, visit the Vimeo Pro Page.

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