New additional filming setup!
Added 2019-03-24 16:04:11 +0000 UTCOne of my goals for getting organized and getting stuff in storage was getting a new filming space. This isn't what I was talking about in the last supporter video where I said I could clean out a whole room. I'm going a bit smaller for right now. This is just maximizing the space I have.
But I'm pretty happy with it and have some test footage for you to check out: https://t.co/ucEzuiHEIP
First I want to say there is a massive difference in lighting between this and my desk. There is much more and better light here because it's an open space. I'm very limited at my desk with where I can put lights. I have a huge soft light above the table here that lets me smoothly light the whole subject. I also have my own DIY lights a bit father back so they are softer as well. And then a small LED fill light. The better lighting results in a lower ISO, tighter aperture, and better processing.
I've received some comments about the white background making the video too impersonal. I had a vision for this setup to intentionally make it stark and completely focused on the subject. But perhaps that that is less desirable to watch. I'm too close/invested to be able to myself so I'd welcome some feedback. I can move the table up against the record shelf instead of a different background would be preferable. I'm probably going to record at least one video with the white backdrop no matter what so I can at least try it out and see how it looks when fully done.
Finally I want to say that this is not a replacement for my desk. This is a second space for me to work on multiple videos at once. The table actually dissembles and stores in about 2m and probably won't even be setup up most of the time. This is for me to record simple videos like the HP-12C video while also working on a big video like the cassette changer repair at the same time. I will admit though, I'm liking the lighting of the new setup a lot so what gets used more may change over time. But the desk is never going away. I don't plan on having a soldering iron at the table ever to give you an idea.
Comments
I think the semi-gloss laminate on it does work well for that. But the back lighting makes some stuff hard to make out. I think I need to play with the lighting more to get a better balance. For example, the HP-12C shot looks stunning to me, but the Voodoo panning shot looks bad. Maybe turning off the lamp on the backdrop could have fixed the Voodoo shot. I'll get better at know how to use this space the more I use it.
Tech Tangents
2019-03-25 16:13:38 +0000 UTCI've received comments about this from different perspectives of video creation. I've been advised to be on camera more and been asked to make videos of things that have already been covered. It has slowly started dawn on me that in addition to the subject of the video, the presenter is also very important. I guess it makes sense, that is what made Top Gear so good before and why Grand Tour was an instant success. It's become apparent to me there is a large social aspect to making videos. You start to know someone through Youtube videos. It's different from something like TV because it's all written, directed, filmed, and edited by one person. So once they have the technical ability to do it, the videos they make are exactly how they think about the subject. And each video creator has their of personality in that video. I don't think that everything needs a personal touch in a video, Techmoan's main set is just a white table, but the video will feel more comfortable with personal touches added in. Another way of looking at it from my own perspective, I am really only interested in the technical nature in videos as well. But there are popular vintage tech channels I don't watch because I don't like mannerisms of the presenters. Anything they cover has usually been already covered by someone else or will be at some point. So I don't really miss out on what they may be talking about. There is a wealth of content on Youtube and lots of the same subjects being retread over and over with the only difference being who talks about it. EDIT: I wanted to expand more on the not watching some channels, it's not that I actively dislike some people. I don't watch a lot of Youtube videos personally. I may sit down to have breakfast or lunch and want to play some videos. There will be X number of videos out by X number of channels. I'll end up watching them in an order that's a combination of time, interest in the subject, and who the presenter is. So it will be more that I choose some channels over others while watching something in the limited time I have available.
Tech Tangents
2019-03-25 16:10:19 +0000 UTCThe table has a neat reflection in it, gives a cool effect to whatever you put on it :)
Eric Siegel
2019-03-25 15:51:10 +0000 UTCI'm going for the same look, to isolate the subject, so the "impersonal" comment is very interesting. I am vested in your work for the technical aspects, but I guess some of your supporters are more interested in... the social aspect? More nostalgia/feels than technical/historical information? What is your impression?
Jim Leonard
2019-03-25 15:46:06 +0000 UTC
