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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This is an update on my Adobe Photoshop purchase at a huge discount.

Earlier I posted here on Bloggerlens about how you can buy Adobe Photoshop Cheap.

I’m happy to report now that I have made my purchase and saved around $1000.

I did it and so can you.

It’s not a secret, it’s quite easy and anyone can buy Adobe products at a discount.

How do you do it? Become [...]]]>

This is an update on my Adobe Photoshop purchase at a huge discount.

Earlier I posted here on Bloggerlens about how you can buy Adobe Photoshop Cheap.

I’m happy to report now that I have made my purchase and saved around $1000.

I did it and so can you.

It’s not a secret, it’s quite easy and anyone can buy Adobe products at a discount.

How do you do it? Become a student.

Adobe offers large discounts on their products if you are a student.

It’s an awesome offer from Adobe and I recommend that you take advantage of it.

I enrolled in a photography course at my local community college. That one course qualified me as a student.

I started an account at Adobe.com.

I sent in my registration to the college as academic proof of being a student.

The whole proces took just a few days and I was approved by Adobe.

I downloaded Adobe CS5 Extended and also their Lightroom 3 software.

I saved $1000 and you can too by simply enrolling as a student at your local community college or university.

Check out my video below as I explain exactly what I did. Good luck!

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We made our first significant budget cut this year and in the process we are saving $840.

Last year I started to simplify and de-clutter my life.

As part of this process, we rented a local storage building to store our junk.

When I look back at 2011 it’s amazing and stupid at the same time that I even needed a storage building.

Over the course of the year, I made countless trips to [...]]]>

We made our first significant budget cut this year and in the process we are saving $840.

Last year I started to simplify and de-clutter my life.

As part of this process, we rented a local storage building to store our junk.

When I look back at 2011 it’s amazing and stupid at the same time that I even needed a storage building.

Over the course of the year, I made countless trips to the landfill hauling junk from both houses. I made countless trips to Goodwill donating stuff we no longer use.

I sold a ton of stuff on Craigslist.

We took a very large truck filled with goods to a local auction.

Granted, I was dealing with 2 homes full of stuff but after all of this, I still had a need to rent a 10 x 10 storage unit for all of the other junk as I call it.

When I say junk, it might as well have been. I haven’t physically touched any of the stuff I stored for over 6 months.

How bad do you really need to keep something when you don’t touch or use it for over 6 months yet continue to keep it?

I’m not talking about keepsakes and heirlooms. I’m talking about crap out of your garage and closets.

Last year we started moving out of one house and re-modeling and moving into another.

As part of the process, I rented a local storage unit for $70 per month.

Over the last 2 weeks I have been steadily clearing out the storage building.

No more monthly payments after this month. That’s $840 per year back into our family finances.

This financial move was simple and painless and obvious.

Sometimes the easy things are right in front of your nose.

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I have joined the ranks of the Juicers.

Here is my story.

Over Christmas 2011, I happened upon a Netflix documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.

I love to watch documentaries, so I gave it a try.

I couldn’t believe what I was watching. This is the story of a man who was morbidly obese and sick with an uncurable disease. Doctors couldn’t seem to help him.

His name is Joe Cross [...]]]>

I have joined the ranks of the Juicers.

Here is my story.

Over Christmas 2011, I happened upon a Netflix documentary called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.

I love to watch documentaries, so I gave it a try.

I couldn’t believe what I was watching. This is the story of a man who was morbidly obese and sick with an uncurable disease. Doctors couldn’t seem to help him.

His name is Joe Cross and he felt as if he was going to die.

He made a decision to try and fight his health issues through his diet and specifically, by going on a 60 day vegetable juice diet.

What followed was a complete transformation of Joe’s health and his body.

If you haven’t yet watched then documentary, I don’t want to give it all away by writing about it.

You owe it to yourself to watch this film.

Here is what happened after we watched this film.

My son started juicing and in a couple of weeks lost 15 lbs. My son has an athletic build and is muscular. He didn’t need to lose the weight but he reports to me that he feels much better.

As for myself, I can stand to lose 20 lbs. I had already cut my carb intake by 70% about 4 months ago because all of my pants were starting to fit too snug.

Juicing seemed to be healthy addition to my daily diet.

Breville Juice Fountain Plus

When I started vegetable and fruit juicing, I bought a Jack LaLaine juicer from Wal-Mart. It only lasted a week before it broke.

I decided to buy the same brand of juicer used in the documentary made by Breville. The Breville Juice Fountain Plus.

Check out my Breville Juice Fountain Plus review video.

After we used this juicer for the first time, I decided then that it’s probably the best juicer to buy. I want to save you the trouble of shopping and trying to decide.

The Breville just screams quality. Just buy one and you can thank me later.

The Juice Fountain Plus is affordable and it’s industrial strength. It is quality through and through.

If you have been considering making healthy changes to your lifestyle, you may want to give juicing a try.

My daily diet now consists of a protein shake in the morning along with my coffee. I juice at lunch.

In the evenings, I eat a normal meal.

This routine gives me a lot of energy in the afternoons. My pants are fitting better also.

I’ll give you more progress reports as time goes on.

If you are going to buy a juicer, don’t waste your time on the others. Go ahead and buy a Breville.

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Ok folks, you CAN make some money in this shitty economy.

If you are willing to stretch a little beyond your comfort zone, you can cash in.

Last week I made $885 after expenses and it was a little out of my comfort zone.

I actually made more than that total, but this was the figure from a single client.

How did I do it? I took on a local client and built them [...]]]>

Ok folks, you CAN make some money in this shitty economy.

If you are willing to stretch a little beyond your comfort zone, you can cash in.

Last week I made $885 after expenses and it was a little out of my comfort zone.

I actually made more than that total, but this was the figure from a single client.

How did I do it? I took on a local client and built them a WordPress website.

I did not seek this client. This client called me.

The phone call went something like this…

Me: Hello?
Them: Hi Steve, My name is ____ and I understand you build websites. I need a website for my business.
Me: Yes, I do build websites but I only build sites for myself.
Them: We really need some help and ____ told us about you.
Me: Yes, he’s a good friend, what do you need?

I reluctantly agreed to help. Had a friend not been involved in the referral, the call would have probably ended soon.

Call me crazy, but I just prefer to build my own sites and content. The money is great with clients, but you have to earn it.

Don’t get me wrong, I love money and I need money very badly like everyone else. The difference in my life now is that I don’t chase the almighty dollar like I used to in my younger day.

If you are one of my 8 readers here, you understand that I have made a lot of effort into simplifying my life, not complicating it any more than it already is.

I am very selective about who I work with these days. I recommend that you use your gut feelings when selecting a client to work with.

In this case, my gut feelings were pretty good after I learned the scope of the project and I moved forward.

Let’s cut to the chase and explain what I did.

Knowing that I may only work with this client for a short time, I found a local web hosting company that offered good technical support as part of their hosting package.

I explained to my client that I can build them a site but I’m NOT their tech support. I will not take a call on Sunday afternoon that their website is down.

I also explained that I used pre-built WordPress templates. I am not a designer or a code guy. I am a simple dude. If they want fancy, they will have to look beyond me, I can’t go there.

The client agreed.

I LOVE the web hosting company I am dealing with. They bought the domain name and set me up a WordPress test site for the client.

I built the entire site “offline”.

The test site was accessible to the client and we were able to design it together.

Once the site was built, the hosting company took it “live”.

I can walk away from this project now knowing that I have left my client in good hands with a good web hosting company and technical support.

I can collect my paycheck and move on.

There is a high probability that I will remain for some time as a content creator and SEO guy for a monthly retainer.

How did I determine my fee?

Truth is, I didn’t. I let the client determine my fee as I always do. I’m working with more than one client right now and I let them determine the fees.

My process is simple. When a client asks how much do I charge, I ask what their monthly budget is?

I never give a price. When a client gives me a budget, I will then determine what I’m willing to do for them and I lay it out. If they agree, we move forward.

If a client insists that I give them a price, I simply tell them to call me when they have a budget. It’s that simple.

I advise you hold firm however you price your services. You will get the follow-up call.

I also advise that if it just doesn’t feel right, walk away. Trust your gut.

Ok Steve, now how can I get a client or how do I get more clients and earn more money. Simple my friend.

Whatever your talents or skills are chances are there is a demand for your services.

How can I get clients?

• Evaluate what you can do that people will pay you for.
• Stay local.
• Use Craigslist.
• You WILL get referrals.
• Rinse & repeat.

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My 365 Photography Project continues.

I have no idea how I will be able to take 365 photos with me in them and somehow remain creative but I will try.

The goal of this project is to take a photo each day and I have to be in the photo myself in some form.

I can appear in the photo as a shadow, a body part, a reflection etc.

Yesterday I did something [...]]]>

My 365 Photography Project continues.

I have no idea how I will be able to take 365 photos with me in them and somehow remain creative but I will try.

The goal of this project is to take a photo each day and I have to be in the photo myself in some form.

I can appear in the photo as a shadow, a body part, a reflection etc.

Yesterday I did something that I have never done. My family went on a photo-walk around our property.

My daughter purchased a Canon 60D for Christmas and she came down for the weekend.

We decided we would take a photo-walk around our 6 acre property and practice with our new cameras.

We are both in the beginning of learning stage for still photography and understanding our new DSLR cameras.

We had a blast. We both took a lot of great photographs, in our opinion of course.

It’s fun when 2 people look at the same thing but find a way to photograph it differently.

Some of our photographs were good enough that we plan to frame some and put them in the house.

I took the opportunity to try and place myself in one of my photographs for my project.

One of the things I want to try and accomplish is to make photographs that are real and relate to my everyday life.

I’m watching a lot of other photographers that are participating in this 365 project.

Some of the others I’m really drawn to and others I am not remotely interested.

I find myself watching those the most who are making photos that seem to chronicle their surroundings and their lifestyle.

Others who are being artsy-fartsy, I’m not caring about those at all.

I see a lot of photographers trying to create shots that in no way relate to their everyday life and I’m not into that style of photography right now.

I just want to keep it real and realistic.

I captured the photo below on our family photo-walk.

Can you find me in this photo? I promise I am there, look hard.

If you find me, can you also find my eyes?

Click the photo for a higher resolution and larger photo to help you find me.

It’s not too late if you would like to participate in the 365 Project yourself. It’s free. Just sign up at Michael Andrew’s forum here.

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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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Day 2 has passed and I have struggled to take yet another photo that is worthy of the contest.

Well, actually, it doesn’t matter how good or bad your photos are. It’s just important to get out there and start snapping away.

Trying to compose an interesting photo by yourself is difficult for me up to this point.

The contest rules state that you have to take the photo yourself. You have to push [...]]]>

Day 2 has passed and I have struggled to take yet another photo that is worthy of the contest.

Well, actually, it doesn’t matter how good or bad your photos are. It’s just important to get out there and start snapping away.

Trying to compose an interesting photo by yourself is difficult for me up to this point.

The contest rules state that you have to take the photo yourself. You have to push the shutter another words.

Right now, I can only use the timer on my Canon 60D to take a shot unless I’m holding the camera.

A remote is on my list of accessories for my 60D wish list.

Today I just wanted to get a good depth of field shot.

I pre-focused the shot on the column on my front porch.

I set the timer for 10 seconds and then I stepped in front of the column while I was hoping it would focus on me and blur out my background.

Once again, it took around 30 shots before I took one I could live with.

I can already tell that I am going to learn my camera inside and out. I had to refer to my manual a couple of times to figure out what I wanted to do.

That’s the purpose of this photography contest. I’m not too crazy about taking photos of myself however. I get to see all my flaws up close and personal.

Take better shots and learn your camera.

Here it is.

Day 2.

Day 2

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