10 Tips For Shooting POV

Shooting POV (point of view) videos is something kind of new to me. I have used them before, but basically just clipped them on. Since receiving my MeCam, I have been paying more attention to what I am doing so that I get a better shot. While I do have a GoPro, it is mostly for evidence collection and it is aimed a certain direction. My MeCam is geared towards documenting my investigations and getting some behind the scenes videos. Today, I'm going to share with you some tips I have found for getting the most out of using your POV camera.

1. Get To Know Your Camera

Different cameras have different strengths and weaknesses, they also have different settings. Getting the most out of your POV shooting experience depends a lot on getting to know your camera. 

2. If Needed, Have The Appropriate Mounts

One thing I love about the MeCam is that it pins on (like a lapel pin) and can also be worn on a lanyard. That makes mounting simple. However, many other POV cameras require mounts. I have several for my GoPro, and use them for different reasons. If there is going to be a certain thing you mount your camera to a lot, make sure to invest in a good mount for that. For instance, my backpack mount is my favorite. I can clip it to my backpack strap or my hat. 

3. Keep It Short

No one wants to watch 30 minutes of you skiing down a mountain or walking through an abandoned house. I mean, I don't even want to watch myself doing that. Keep your video to just a few minutes of footage- keep the good stuff, of course!

4. Do Something Exciting

Walking around your house is generally not youtube worthy (although there are exceptions). Make sure you catch the excitement in your life. 

5. Try Different Mounts

Although I have my preference, I have tried out many different mounts. One that you didn't think would work may shock you- the head mount shocked me! 

6. Try Different Angles

The angle can make all the difference in your video. I have tried walks through the woods with mine pointing up and even behind me. The views are breathtaking- we usually don't look at things this way. The same goes for other activities as well. 

7. Narrate

Tell your audience what is going on- pretty simple. 

8. Use A Pole

Can't get the right angle? Enlist the help of a pole attached to your mount, or even a selfie stick and you can control what shot you get. 

9. Check Your Shot

Make sure your angle is right- it would be horrible to get that perfect experience only to find that your camera didn't catch it. Also, try your camera out before you are depending on it. 

10. Have Fun

Your audience knows if you aren't having fun- show them some fun! 

I Caught The Bug: My First Bigfoot Expedition

I have been interested in Bigfoot since I was about 8 years old. A teacher sent me home with a book about mysterious animals to read. The book was about the Kraken, Bigfoot, Nessie, Chupacabra, and many more. From that time on, I would read or watch anything about these mysterious creatures, especially Bigfoot. In all honesty, I never thought I would get the opportunity to look for Bigfoot. I thought they were all in the Pacific Northwest. I didn't think there was any way they were in South Carolina.

On June 1st, 2013, the team decided to have a sort of training exercise to get everyone used to being in the woods and learn how to look for oddities. This was just an exercise in case we needed to look for cryptids or investigate haunted forests. We also decided to take this time to do a live broadcast that was a discussion with the team.

We found a good bit of interesting evidence and even had some experiences that couldn't be explained. After this night, our research took off and gained the attention of the local news stations. Some of these stories were even picked up by international media outlets.

This is my journal entry after that night- I have caught the bug and jump at every opportunity to look for Bigfoot.

Bigfoot Hunt: June 1, 2013 To be honest, I did not expect to have any experiences, especially since I was assigned command central for the night. At the most, I thought we may hear some sounds that we were unsure of and hear from the team if the habitat was likely to be the home of a Bigfoot. However, the evening started out with a bang- literally. Inspector Cryptid, Marty, and a couple of other members went for a preliminary walk in the woods and that left Lisa and I alone at command central. 

At first, we hear a rock hit the building behind the home on the property. A few minutes later, we hear a rock hit the building behind the neighbor's house. A few minutes after that, a rock hits a bag of charcoal behind where we are seated. At this point, we decide that it is not coincidence and decide to go check out the woods. 

We radio the field team and tell them what we experience, grab the camera, and head towards the woods. We get to right before the woods start and stop to listen. Within a couple minutes, we hear a distinct "woop." When we heard the woop, we realized the woods were completely quiet. A bird started singing, but stopped in mid song- I have never heard anything like it. We radio the team to see if they had made the woop. They had not. After we finished talking with the team, we heard a very distinct wood knock from pretty close to where we were. This was not a branch breaking. We decided not to radio the team again- they would never believe us. 

We then headed back to command central so we would not scare anything off. After the team returned, we learned that they had heard woops as well. They had also found some trees that had been pushed over and footprints at the base. We were going to cast them the next day, as it was already about 2am. However, storms came in that night and washed evidence away. 

A Geek Meets Fall and History Of The Jack-O-Lantern

I was looking for this post earlier and couldn't find it. I finally found it on my old NighLon blog, so I decided to repost it here. I hope you enjoy! Are you already dreaming of Halloween, although it's only March?

I ♥ FALL

I really do… I mean I really, really do

Look here… this proves it!

This is me and the hubby carving pumpkins.

This was a first for me!

I grew up painting pumpkins, because my mom is a hippie! [I ♥ you mom]

My design will come later… Its a surprise,

but first, a little history of the Jack-O-Lantern!

Even though the Jack O’Lantern was brought to America with the Irish, The  legend actually did not begin with a pumpkin. Here’s the legend: Stingy Jack was quite the miserable, old drunk who enjoyed playing trick on everyone; even the Devil, himself! Once, Jack decided to trick the Devil. He convinced him to climbing an apple tree. Once the Devil climbed up, Stingy Jack placed crosses around the truck of the tree, so that he could not get down. Stingy Jack made the Devil swear to not take his soul when he died. After this exchange was made, Stingy Jack moved the crosses so the devil could descend.

Many years went by, and Stingy Jack finally died. He went to the Pearly Gates, but was disappointed to learn that he could not get in. Saint Peter told him that because he lead such a miserable and worthless life, he was not allowed into Heaven. He traveled to hell but was once again disappointed. Devil kept his promise, and would not let him in.  He would be forced to wander forever in the darkness between Heaven and Hell. Jack became scared.  He asked the Devil how he was supposed to leave when there was not light. The Devil gave Stingy Jack a ember from the fiery pits of hell to light his way. Because turnips were one of Stingy Jack’s favorite food, he hollowed out a turnip and placed the ember within. From that day on, Stingy Jack roamed the Earth lighting his way with his “Jack O’Lantern.”

The Irish would hollow out Turnips, Rutabagas, Gourds, Potatoes, and Beets. The placed a light inside to ward off evil spirits on All Hallow’s Eve. This also kept Stingy Jack Away. These were the original Jack O’Lanterns. When large waves of Irish came to America in the 1800s, the immigrants soon discovered Pumpkins. The immigrants began using Pumpkins because they are bigger and easier to carve out!

Grab your pumpkin carving stencils here

This is your surprise!

A free set of 19 stencils

directions:

1.  For easy clean up, place protective covering on the area you will be working.
2. Cut a lid large enough to reach your hand in so that you can clean out all the pumpkin brains. Angle the knife toward the center so that you have created a ledge for the lid to rest on.
3. Using a scoop clean out all the seeds and stringy pumpkin brain. On the side where you will be carving, scrape the pumpkin until it is about an inch thick.
4. Print the pattern, and tape it to the pumpkin.
5. Using a pin or a poking tool, poke holes along the design lines. Once you make sure the whole design has been transferred, remove the pattern. (hold on to it for reference.)
6. Using a saw, gently, cut out the pattern (the black areas). Work from the center of the design out, and from the smallest to largest holes.
7. If the stencil you decide to use has grey areas: use a chisel, or other carving tool, to “shave” the peel of the pumpkin. Shave off 1/2 inch of the pumpkin’s skin. This will allow the light to shine through.
8. Clean up your design and place a candle inside

9. ENJOY and HAVE FUN

Let me know how it turns out!