Why edit video at all

[Steve Stepoway]

-move the camera. whenever possible. It gives a nice 3D effect.

This is possibly the funniest thing I have read in any post here, ever.

To be fair, this needs clarification. If by "moving camera" you mean "wave the camera around" (firehosing), that's absolutely a bad idea. That's a quick way to motion sickness.

But if you mean "slowly (usually) move the camera in the scene", that's actually a good idea. A slowly moving camera is a common film technique that helps to liven the scene up a little, and it does help give depth to the world. Watch films carefully and you'll see cameras commonly circling people who are talking, or otherwise moving through a scene. If you are trying to make really good video, that's something to do: get the camera moving. But slowly.

--Steve

[SpectateSwamp]

For those that were bored with my previous trapline video.

Not to worry. I have replaced it with some more crap you
may not want to look at.

5 video clips from the trapline today.
the first 4 video clips of 24 from last night's town hall forum.

I may not be very good with the camera. I'm trying.

But I got the law of averages on my side.
I'm probably shooting 10 to 15 times as much video
as any of my "editing" detractors.

Another fact:
People are buying camcorders to take video and display it.
Not so they can spend an inordinate amount of time learning
more software.

[mattso]

This thread is stupid.

[lordsmurf]

A few good reasons not to edit is $ money, the time require to learn the software and the re-rendering itself.

Translation: I am cheap and lazy.

And that's plenty fine. But be honest about it. Don't go on long tirades about how inferior and pointless editing is. You find it expensive and time consuming. Fine. Now move on with your life.

I find it ironic how you don't want to waste time editing, yet you waste time talking about it.

[SpectateSwamp]

Chinese Ping Pong Ball like changes, in camera views, are tiring.

Smooth uninterruped video is a pleasant change from overedited
compressed movies of today.

[gadgetguy]

... 5 video clips from the trapline today... ...the first 4 video clips of 24 from last night's town hall forum...

Clips? How come you didn't post the whole thing? What don't you want your "viewers" to know? What are you hiding?

[SpectateSwamp]

Hiding?? (More like laying in the weeds)
I do hide the camera when driving about.
People are often traveling where and when they shouldn't

The site allows 10 two minute videos
I keep one that I like and changed out the other 9 today.

Some of these first 4 forum videos could have ran longer than that?

Unedited video exposes it all.

[guns1inger]

So you only shoot in 2 minute segments, or do you cut out two minute segments for posting ?

[SpectateSwamp]

I do a quick breaks around the 2 minute mark.

It only takes a couple seconds to stop and restart the camcorder.

If the action is headed, I don't stop videoing.

The 2 minutes is mainly to accomodate the dropshots.com limits.
But 2 or 5 doesn't make much difference.

More Camcorder tips:
-Shoot at the highest resolution possible, except when shooting
politicians. They just arn't worth it. Even though, it only costs pennies.
-Practice shooting, by aiming down the barrel of the camera.
A lot of shots are missed trying to open the view screen or find the
subject in the viewfinder.
-If you are shooting from a tripod. Use the remote control to start
and stop the video. Eliminating the jiggle at the beginning and end
of the video.

[guns1inger]

Professional camera people shoot with both eyes open.

How can you tell, by looking down the outside of the barrel, if you are in focus or framed correctly ? Earlier you said you use manual focus - you can't seriously expect us to believe you can manually focus without looking down the view finder.

[jtoolman2000]

Please, do me a favor and LOCK this stupid thread!!!!!

[SpectateSwamp]

I leave the camera on auto 99% of the time.

I look down the barrel of the camera, if the subject is
moving by very quickly. At least that way I capture some
of the action. Trying to focus and center would be impossible.
I videoed chuckwagon and chariot races and used that technique
as they passed close to my position.

When I am moving with the camera, I only use the view screen
if I don't need to worry about my footing. In the bush there are
far too many tripping hazards, to not watch your step.

I shoot a lesser amount of video with the camera held over my
head. In a crowd you get to capture more than just the person closest
to you. It isn't as intimidating to people around you either.

Another video tip.
Turn the "record led" off for wildlife. It sometimes scares them.
When doing a forum make sure it is on. So people know recording
is happening.

By keeping recording times short. You will lose less if that
particular clip had problems. I have shot thousands of clips
and had a handfull of videos that just wouldn't play.

We all know practice makes perfect.
So you have the option, shoot shoot and shoot.
you'll get plenty of good video footage,
or you could become a edit freak and get a lot less.

I'm surprised, so few have come out on my side, in this issue.
The forum bullies, must have them intimidated?

I may be taking this non editing stance to the extreme a bit.
It sure has enlivened the discussion.

[Noahtuck]

My suggestion for SpectateSwamp is to check out the following two links as they contain information that I think he/she will find extremely interesting:

Here is the first link ---> CLICK HERE

Here is the second link ---> CLICK HERE

I think those links sum up my feelings.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

Ahhh... been awhile since i've seen that one used
The person that finally brought this back out should be proud of themselves 8)

[SpectateSwamp]

About closing this thread.

No need.

There isn't much more experience I can pass on.

[Noahtuck]

About closing this thread.

No need.

There isn't much more experience I can pass on.

Damn!!! and i missed most of it!!










But from the couple of things i did read,

[lordsmurf]

Your camera advice blows. I hope nobody reads that non-sense and takes it seriously.

Constant auto focus is a sure sign of being a complete novice. There are many shots that cannot be done auto. It's physically impossible, the technology has its limits.

The only point that was valid was the one about LED lights, but only at night. Black electrical tape fixes that. Of course, at night, you won't really be shooting too much.

There are actually ways you can shoot both stills and video from holding a camera over your head. But you need to be looking up into a re-directed viewfinder. Better yet, move to a better location.

[guns1inger]

I'm surprised, so few have come out on my side, in this issue.
The forum bullies, must have them intimidated?

No. It's just that you don't make any sense, your advice is very poor, and you contradict yourself over and over.

No-one is siding with you because your side is just, well, wrong. If you are happy doing what you are doing, by all means go ahead. Just don't expect a huge following.

[SpectateSwamp]

I can't talk for everybody else in this forum.
But I'm sure the know-it-all bullies have had an impact.

What contradictions? Must have been a typo.

It's easy to learn where the camera is pointing without
looking in the view screen or viewfinder.

I don't need to look down my finger, when I'm pointing.

[jimmalenko]

* This is my first and last post in this thread *

I will say that I'm glad that SpectateSwamp does not feel the need to edit. Whilst I personally do not share the same opinion, that's his/her choice and if it works for him/her, then so be it. However I must point out that the "this is the best (only) way to do things" attitude from both sides is a bit tiresome to read. Maybe I shouldn't watch this topic any more I guess.

Everyone has their own favorite methods, and when asked, have every right to share these methods if they so wish. However, to come here straight off the bat and tell the vast majority of people here that they're all going the wrong way about things is a bit rich IMHO. In fact, it's almost bordering on the fanatacism normally associated with the KVCD crowds.

The other thing that I'm a little suspect of is that SpectateSwamp's only involvement at this fine establishment is in this very thread, which IMHO is bordering on trolling, or creating conflict just for the sake of it due to boredom, lack of attention or otherwise. As a tip, roll up your sleeves and help out a bit around the site and I'm sure your ideas will be received a lot better.

/End rant

[SpectateSwamp]

The great thing about this forum is that video
can settle the issue.

This summers fastball video will show you how
fast I am with the camera. I'll dig them out and
upload some. The chuckwagon races are another

The fast ball shots were from just down from first base
I followed the ball from the pitcher to home base in a
very close frame. By looking down the barrel.
(I shot from the 3rd base line to get the sun at my back
or if there was nowhere to shoot from.)
In daylight it is almost impossible to see anything in
those tiny little poorly lit screens.

I probably should use quotes when responding. But
I'd sooner attack the idea of having to edit edit and edit.
than anybody in particular.

Im saying you can not edit and get a h*** of a lot more video.
Again the law of averages is at work here.

Those that do quote and try discredit what I'm saying are
revealing more by what they don't "quote" and strongly disagree
with.

[Supreme2k]

I work for the SpectateSwamp.

So I am really getting a kick out of most of these replies.

Some of you guys are very good at making it sound like you know what you are talking about.

But trust me.... You don't.

I think you just want to make yourself sound smart, when in reality you dont know what you are talking about.

This is how bad info gets passed around.

If you dont know about the topic....Dont make yourself sound like you do.

Cuz some VideoHelpers belive anything they hear.

[guns1inger]

I'm guessing you two come back from a long day on the trap lines, watch your unedited 2 minute clips, and play your banjos on the porch together.

[SpectateSwamp]

Now you are picking on the Banjo players.

Thanks for the support supreme2k.

More camcorder tips:
-when it's cold out. wrap the camera, with both bare hands.
It works well for short periods at -20 F. (then hands freeze)

-with snow on the trees above me. There is a possibility
of that falling on the camera. When moving through the
bush, I am bent forward with the running camera, held under my
chest protecting it from snow or rain.

-check the zoom setting, once in a while. Make sure you arn't
zoomed out more than a factor of 2. When holding the camera
like I do. The zoom button sometimes gets touched. More or less
ruining the clip, when the magnification is to high.
That is about the only drawback with this method.

Fishing tip from my trapper friend:
-To get the fish to bit. Tease them and make them mad.
That seems to work with forums.

[SpectateSwamp]

couple of typos

If the action is headed. I don't stop videoing
heated

To get the fish to bit. Tease them and make them mad.
bite

I'm sure there are more.

[dcsos]

Stop bothering us EDITRS and get this prgram

AUTOMATIC EDITOR SOFTWARE

http://www.sony.jp/ProductsPark/Consumer/PCOM/Software/PCQ-MV1/

[SpectateSwamp]

But it is fun bothering editrs

More Camcorder tips and hints.
-When recording events, people may want to attack you.
quote: "Joggins ok, if sombody is after you" (My Dad)

-cover microphone with cotton and tape to eliminate some
wind noise, during windy conditions.

-When videoing sporting events.
ask if the camera can be on the field of play.
use the "manual zoom" option of getting in close to the action
you will get better shots than next weeks Super Bowl crew.

There is only so much time in a day.
If you shoot video ,like I suggest, you won't have the time
or energy to do any editing. But you will have the footage.
Less editing = More video

Now to drive the Resolutionists completely Mad Mad Mad.
Use your camcorder to capture other video format playbacks,
computer demonstrations or TV programs.
It's a great temporary fix for transformations, synchronicity and
those other nasty editing problems, that seem to arise all the time.

[Supreme2k]

guns1inger,
If you're not happy with my comments, then you need to do some research.

[SpectateSwamp]

I thought, I could troll for a little more help on this topic.

But it doesn't seem like, there is much agreement their either.

http://www.videoforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=7375

They might come up with some good points, to improve my case.

I have updated my personal web site, trying to entice those that
come to watch video, for a little support!!!

To edit or not to edit that is the question

[DeadLily]

I take this same non-editing approach to sculpting. Everyone says I just have a block of marble here, but it's really a horse.

[guns1inger]