Film Your Art & Techniques with my 5 Top Recommendations

Do you want to video tape your art for online classes? I'm frequently asked what I use to film my online classes and other videos so I thought I'd compile a list of what I use.  Not everything is the newest model as I only tend to upgrade every couple of years.  I'm almost ready to upgrade this year adding on new microphones and MAYBE a new camcorder. I'm debating getting one with 4k but honestly, it's not really necessary for what  I'm doing.  I'd be curious to hear if anyone has one they use and would recommend.

(This post does contain links where I'll get a referral commission at no cost to you if you purchase. Your support helps me keep my content and classes developing for you!)

1. With live video becoming such a hot thing for spreading the word about what you do, having a tripod that can hold your phone/camera easily is a must.  Here's one that's affordable for most.  I'll also share one that is a little more top of the line.   Create your Facebook Live posts or Instagram stories with ease!



A little more top of the line:




2. This lighting kit is probably more than you need, but a bargain with all the extras!  I found it to be a good starter set, the tripod lighting stands aren't the sturdiest I've seen but for occasional filming, they do the job.  I've had the same bulbs for  2 years now.   The only thing I might add is a table top light, but that's just me.








3. After working with the 39.99 standard tripod you find at most electronic stores, I finally invested in a much sturdier product that also had an overhead arm.   I purchased this a few years ago and it's made all the difference in the world to me.   My filming angles are much better, set up options are infinite with the Vanguard model.  There may be newer models out there but if you can catch this on sale,  snag it up!



4.  Probably the most asked question is what camera do you use. I suggest getting a camcorder that is the best you can get within your budget.  Mine is middle of the road, it is a bit more pricey but not super expensive. One of my main requirements is great audio and super clear picture (haha, who doesn't want that), but you'd be surprised at the difference in sound and picture clarity between brands.  I wish this bundle was available when I made my purchase-it has everything you need and more to get filming!




5.  Now that you have the equipment, you need some software to edit with.  If you have a mac-well you are already taken care of with imovie, but I am a PC hold out (and in no hurry to change over), so additional software was necessary.

 I chose a program for me that has more than I will probably ever use,  because as I grow in my own understanding of more complex editing options, I want a program that can grow with me.  There are a lot of video tutorials on the manufacturers website that should be more than enough to get you started.   

Honestly though, in addition to having a robust program, you really need a fast computer to render your files.  If your speed is too slow, you'll find producing your videos akin to stirring molasses.  Very thick molasses!

  Internet--well suffice to say you need to have lightening fast service to upload your video files as well.   Trust me on this one, after spending 4 hours uploading a 10 minute video on DSL--upgrading to the turbo charge cable internet surface was a HUGE blessing, that same video size now takes me about 7 minutes or so to upload if not faster.

   I'm not an expert on how fast is optimal for your computer/internet, but my method is to get the fastest you can afford.  You'll be glad you did!





I hope you found some of these suggestions helpful as you get started filming your craft or hobby.  It's a big investment,  but you are worth it!

As I find new things or think of additional add on items you could use, I'll update this post.  Until then, hit record and have fun!

Gratefully yours,

Jodi Ohl

On Breathing....

I just returned this week from my first ever "Workcation" in the Outer Banks. I've been there once before, last year when I took a trip with some of my friends to prospect gallery opportunities, but this was the first time I was able to stay put and firmly put my feet in the sand for several days and just soak in the beauty in between more gallery hunting,  photography, and creative inspiration.
The best part was I was able to share that time with 7 other like minded friends and artists.

Talk about peaceful.

I'm not sure at what point my worries and stresses started to fade away into the wind.

I know there are some people (one or two of you) who just aren't that impressed with the beach.  But those who get it, really get it.  Especially if you grew up around the water as I did along the shores of Lake Erie.   Moving to North Carolina and experiencing the expanse of our coast just brings my love and reverence for the water to the next level. 

I really needed this break in the routine I to refill the well if  you will.  I know it may seem like if you work for yourself, that you have all the freedom in the world to do what you want to do when you want to do it. And in some respects, you do.  But then there is that part of you that also feels like if you aren't locked up in your studio all day creating and managing that creative business, your whole life and world is going to crash down around you because after all, the business is you. There's no time for a break.
At all.
Hmmm.
I fall into that trap all the time and will work weeks on end without a break and then when I finally do have time to take a break, all I want to do is sleep. sleep. sleep. 
The well gets mighty empty when you go on down that path.

Relax.
Reinvent.
Rejuvenate.
Renew.
A theme I will be sharing with you more and more as the year progresses as it is also part of a bigger plan that some of my friends and I are working on to bring to you in an exciting ways!

 From an early morning walk on a windswept beach  or an early evening rest with a glass of wine watching the sunset.  There's something to be said about reconnecting with yourself, the ground, and others in a way that heals and comforts you.

During the week I did manage to make time for art but not as much as I thought I'd do.  Perhaps it was that reconnection I really needed, that break, the time to fill myself back up with ideas and inspiration before I moved on.

Perfect timing for that much needed dose of inspiration as I will be having an exhibit in Carolina Beach at the Artful Living Group for the month of June.  My show is "Coastal Reverie", it's a melody of life both realistic and mystical along the coast from where I grew up to where I'm at now in NC. Memories, romantic ideals,  whimsical interpretations and soft moments are all apart of the experience just as it is when you visit any coast. 
The artist opening will be June 6th from 6:30-8:30 so if you are in the area, please stop in to enjoy the opening or visit anytime throughout the month.  I'll also be teaching a class there Friday June 7th (morning) on journaling, love to see you there.


So yes, the week in OBX was a lot of fun, but it was so much more.  It was an investment for the future, and by that I mean, it was that time away that gave me what I needed to continue creating from a place that is authentic and experience driven, rather than just a need to survive and make a living driven.  It's easy to go down that path when it's all on you.  You forget that taking time out is as much a part of the process as actually creating.

Try it.  It's good for the soul.

Renew.
xoxo
Jodi
******


Be sure to stop by my sale page over at Creative Workshops and take advantage of my special going on from now through Mother's Day!!

A Day in the Life Of....

A day at the beach....ahhh the relaxing sounds and smells of the ocean.  I'm taking a quick break from work to chill out for awhile.

Take a walk and let the sand melt between our toes.

Discover hidden treasures....living and breathing ones as well as the ones that can only be felt once you experience them.

Allow the wind to toss up our hair and sun shine on our faces....

Stopping to read after getting my feet with the water of the earth...

Enjoying  some sea food....definitely recommend the Bang Bang Shrimp at Pier 14

Remembering it's the Birthday of our Army and all the soldiers that fight for our freedom....

It's time to come out of my shell and enjoy the life that I have worked so hard for....Letting moments go by aren't a way to live, experiencing the world around us is a far better way travel this journey.  I hope you have some time to enjoy the fun in the sun and take time to slow down a bit and just...ENJOY it all. :)

Stop....

 

Sometimes I need this reminder too.  I thought I'd share one of my photos from my afternoon explorations of my yard the other day. There's a few weeks a year that I can pretend I have a green thumb and have designed amazing creations.  Truth is...I moved here and it was already done for me. I'm doing my best just to maintain all the flowers and blossoms that continually pop up every here and there on the property. I wish sometimes though, I could just slow down and really smell the flowers, stopping long enough to remember why we do what we do.  Not stopping means I let the days, weeks, months pass by in a blur where I can barely remember what I did the day before.  

I don't want the rest of my life to be like that, sometimes it takes gentle reminders like this to reel it all back in for a moment and enjoy everything we've been blessed with.

 On the paint front...wanna guess what my color of the month is??  Pics of my new creations coming up in my next post!

Question of the day, what is it that you want to stop and be able to go back and enjoy? Anything you've been meaning to make time for but have left it to the wayside for longer than you would like? Is there a way you could incorporate it into your world again??

Out to Sea Reflections of a January Day

I've been away for awhile.  Let's just say that January has not been a month at the beach for me.  It did end at the beach and for that I'm grateful.  Isn't amazing that in a blink of an eye, an entire month has passed.  Gone. In an instant.   Like most people, I enjoy reflecting on the year  early on in the month, and for the most part I did do that, just didn't really put my thoughts into words.  I missed my window of opportunity before the chaos of the month commenced for me early on.  I have thought about lots of things that I want to do in 2011.

Lots of things I want to differently so that moments don't rush out to sea or at least as quickly, before I have a chance to catch my breath and run  after them.

I really want to take a closer look and pay attention to the little details. The details like this that would be easy to miss if you walked to quickly by without taking notice of how wonderfully weathered and textured this object is.    Maybe more photography is in store for me, that would be one way that I could force myself to slow down and soak the world around me in.  In fact, I know it will be. I just bought myself a present for my 'art biz'...a Canon Rebel--and I love it.  Today was the first day I had an opportunity to take it out and play around with it since I bought it a month ago.  A MONTH ago??!!  Normally it would have been the type of gift that I would have rushed right and used it before it barely was unwrapped from the box.

I waited though until I had a day where I could just stop and breathe without rushing from one thing to another. Rush rush rush rush. I'm falling into a trap again. One that I said I would never do after I left retail. I'm choosing work over home and family life again...a lot.  Even my own health, I'm opting to let forgo until there is a 'better time' to take care of things I need to take care of. How did I let things get out of control?  How come I'm choosing one thing over another?  It's no one's fault but my own, truly. I could do things differently but I haven't. Or I couldn't, or perhaps I didn't see another way to do what I've had to do. Some of it's because I'm trying to establish myself as an artist while working full time and then some and take care of my son and the house...it's a lot but not impossible.  I just need to make better choices with my time and energy.  

I think you see things more clearly when you step back and look from a distance and then back around again looking closely if that makes sense.  Be objective and then analyze it all...then make a decision on how to change it all up. I need life to be a little less chaotic. I want to focus on things that make a difference. Not just making a difference for today and then gone again.

 I want to take more early morning walks.

 I want to breathe again and take time to be thankful for the smallest of things that make our world a better place.

I want to pursue things that make me want to wake up in the morning and smile...before it's too late!

I do know what I will continue to do....I will continue to find ways to communicate all the things  I need to say but find it hard to do and do so through art and photography.  This is what makes me smile and be happy. Truly.  Hopefully next time we talk, I will take my own advice and do all of this before another month washes away to sea.  It would be a shame if I let that happen again.