Night Vision Camcorder = Late Night Video Blogging

Filed under Night Vision Camcorder by on February 6, 2011 at 3:13 pm {no comments}

The other night I was playing with an old Sony HDV camera that I own. I had completely forgotten that it is a so called ‘night vision camcorder’ – in other words it can see in the dark. The way this actually works is that the camcorder  has a small infrared light that is beamed at the subject – in this case me.

Because of the limits of this infrared flashlight as it were, you can’t get too far away from the light source. This is perfect if you are using it to video blog or video journal but something to keep in mind if you want to record something at night that occurs at a distance from the camera itself. These aren’t military grade passive infrared units! That is a whole different system. Military units (and high-end night vision goggles) use a photocathode tube that amplifies available light up to 50,000 times. They don’t need to beam infrared light, they magnify the light that is already there.

My night vision camera only works in monochrome mode so it’s kind of eerie looking (ever see the Blair Witch Project?). There is also a Super NightShot mode that adds a bit of color but slows the frame rate down to a ridiculous degree. Maybe it would be good for a special effect but it didn’t work for me.

But the night shot was cool. Here I was sitting in pitch darkness making a video entry and then when I played it back, I could see myself perfectly clearly (though with the above-mentioned Halloween factor). Hey, if you are at all camera shy I can’t think of a more comforting way to work!:)

Why would you want to shoot your video blog or video journal with night vision?

First, let me be clear. I’m not suggesting that you rush out and buy a night vision capable camera. Unless you already own one or plan some other use for a night vision camera it’s likely not worth it. For most people the novelty of making a video entry in the dark will remain that – a novelty. But if you are feeling a bit stuck in your video blogging process and are looking for something to dislodge creativity, making a Midnight entry under the covers might do the trick.

Did you ever stay up late with a flashlight and a book under the covers when you were a kid? It has that cool, secret fun feeling to it. Or if you are someone who gets nervous when you sit in front of a video camera (and you already have a night vision model) give this a try. It just might be the breakthrough that you seek.

Video soon! In the meantime have fun and feel free to post yours.

What is Video Blogging?

Filed under Video Blogging by on February 5, 2011 at 2:53 pm {no comments}

The first question might be ‘what is a blog’? According to wikipedia, “a blog is a personal journal published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete entries (i.e. posts) typically displayed in reverse chronological order so the most recent post appears first.” Expanding on that definition, the broad, simple (and relatively safe) answer is that video blogs (or vlogs) are any form of user created video regularly posted online. Then again, many large media companies post video content specifically created for the online world.

So aren’t they video bloggers too?

Passionate early video bloggers such as Adrian Miles remind us that video blogging is more than just video in a blog. It is a new mode of communication, a new means of self-expression. Video blogging is perhaps best compared to the early days of film. It is a period where we’re still playing with what it can be, could be, will be.

Zooming through the hundreds of thousands of personal YouTube videos posted since YouTube began in 2006 conveys part of the story, but just a slice. The best case scenario may be that the rapid evolution of video technology keeps us in this state of flux. A state where just as we define video blogging it changes and becomes something unexpected.

That’s my definition of sorts. Well, at least for now, as I sit writing in this little Brooklyn Cafe on a crisp, sunny winter day. By the time I get home my definition will probably be different. I’m sure I left at least a few thousand things out.

What’s your definition?

If you can’t explain it in words, post a v blog of your own – it could be one you created or one that defines it for you – even if it’s just a definition for this one moment in time.

Video Blogging Limits?

Filed under Uncategorized by on May 3, 2010 at 4:26 pm {no comments}

Former beauty queen, Eva Markvoort, fought a long battle with cystic fibrosis that she ultimately lost. What is unique about her story is that her lengthy struggle with the devastating disease was captured through her very public video blog.

Recently I wrote a posting about Eva Markvoort on the Yahoo! Video Blogging group and I was intrigued by the reactions I received.  One user wrote:

“Hi I’m dying on the internet!! I want everyone to know I’m dying! I love anonymous internet people that post on my blog!!  Holy christ. Save something for only yourself and your close ones dammit. Not everything needs to be shared. Fuck. I’m not a heartless bastard. Give me a break though. There comes a point when you need to turn that shit off.”

Personally I found Markvoort’s vlogging inspiring. It takes courage to show weakness, pain and suffering publicly. What’s more, she initially started her vlog because she realized that patients with cystic fibrosis are often isolated. Her video blogging efforts helped connect people and gave them support in knowing that they weren’t alone in their struggle.

My opinion is that there is no subject that is taboo when it comes to video blogging. (UNLESS you are exploiting or including someone against his or her wishes of course.) Let’s face it. No one is is prying our eyelids open and inflicting our retinas with images against our wishes.

But yet on some level I understand where the above commenter is coming from. To be honest, I don’t feel much like video blogging when I have a bad head cold. In general I’m a pretty private person. If I were terminally ill, I might keep a video blog about it if I felt others would benefit, but it would be a very difficult choice to make. It certainly wouldn’t come naturally.

I guess I admire those who are able to let it all hang out though. No matter what. Markvoort was obviously one of those people. There are plenty of others videotaping ridiculous and/or disgusting things (I was recently shown a site featuring pudding farts – I’m not going to link to it – it’s just too gross! but you can find it if you want:)) who are perhaps sharing “questionable” content. But even in these cases I don’t think there is any line to be drawn. Hey, they are making people laugh!

What do you think?

Is there a video blog that that got under your skin? A video blog that challenged your definition of what should or should not be video blogged? Is there anything in life that should remain private?

If you’ve read my book you’ll know that I often recommend keeping a private video journal for some topics. But what remains private and what becomes public should be defined by each one of us. It’s going to be different for everyone.

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