I'm changing how I make videos. For the better.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ส.ค. 2024
- Adopting a monopod filming setup with the iFootage Cobra 2 Strike II and Canon EOS R5
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I need to make some changes. For the better.
For this week's video, I'm testing out some new gear and also making a few announcements for the channel going forward. First of all, I'm introducing a monopod to my filming setup, to change the style of how I produce my videos. After a lot of self-analysis, and taking inspiration from movies I love, I've discovered that I really enjoy when my frames are filmed static and stable. Something about the stillness to it really accentuates the quality of the image and emphasises the composition.
I'm also making a commitment to publish new videos every Wednesday, in an effort to make it easier for you to know when I have new content to watch. I've been making weekly videos for years, but always fluctuated massively with the day things are posted. Hopefully, it'll now be more predictable and will also help to grow the channel and community!
As always, I really appreciate you watching my videos and leaving your thoughts in the comments - see you next Wednesday!
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I couldn’t agree more mate I love the look of vlogs with a set tripod shot/angle. That’s what I do in my landscape vlogs, I have tried the “walk and talk” but find it removes the background and landscape from the shot and primarily show my face… which isn’t the topic of the content. Good luck with the regular uploads 👍 I found your channel through Thomas and enjoy your videos.
Looking forward!
Would love to see you go back to the monopod in a month or so and update us on how useful you've found it since then, how stable it's felt in windier conditions/how safe you've felt with your equipment on it. Are you still rocking a 24-70 on the camera? I didn't realise you'd moved over to the EOS R5, but I imagine the flip screen's really helpful again
I’ve got the iFootage Cobra II and it’s pretty solid as long as you don’t go overboard with the size of camera and keep everything nicely balanced!
Oh, and ‘Hi JDB’ fancy seeing you here! 👍
Hey Jon and Rich! Yep, hoping to share more thoughts as I build up experience with it. Overall I’m pretty pleased with it and surprised how stable it’s been. I’ve even tested it with my fully loaded C70 on a video head with battery rig and matte box. At full height it was super steady, given that it’s a single pole.
Been with the R5 & RF24-70 since launch in 2020, definitely enjoying the new aesthetic to the picture quality, although I did have a flip screen on my GH5 previously, so ergonomically it’s similar.
@@RichardSibley hiya pal!
It makes completely sense !
Jordan Drake would approve of this message!!! Love the static style so much, thank you for the great content.
Haha! I actually came across his video amongst a few others when researching monopods!
I have the SmallRig Lightweight Fluid Video Head 3457 on a monopod. Such a nice setup for just about anything. LOVE the smallrig fluid head for those quick Smooth pans and tilts. You can get some really great stuff with a short to medium telephoto. I don't think there is a lighter rig.
TH-cam must be watching, the video auto upscaled to 4K this time YES!!!
Also total buy in with what you said Joe, you do take more notice of the background, definitely gets adds to the feel of the shot 👏 👏 👏
Great video Joe :) Been thinking to get some sort of monopod for video work so thanks for the tip. Looking forward to your wednesday uploads.
Enjoyed that and yes, I too am a little tired of the whole “vlogging” shooting style.
Definitely this isn't a bad full time work right? It does get exciting while travelling and seeing new locations. Especially as a couple. Bravo.
Wow I didn't even realize there are monopods with feet on them. Makes me want to get one, if nothing else to have a way of putting up an extra camera in my "studio" without it taking much space at all.
Yep! I've had my eye on a Manfrotto one for years, but then I used one in person once and the joltiness of the ball joint to the feet was really weird, so I never looked again. Happy to discover this one and realise that the design of the foot section is actually one of its strongest assets. iFootage also make these round base light/camera stands that could be more suitable for you
Hey Joe, nice video as always! Just to echo some of the other comments here, I much prefer a locked-off camera shot and I believe it suits with your style of delivery and production. I too have had the same monopod for a while now and use it mainly for weddings and it is one of the toughest ones out there. The Sirui and Manfrotto have all become a cropper but this iFootage has been bullet proof - just one note and this is with all monopods, just keep an eye on the load and wind conditions if you're leaving it unmanned! Look forward to seeing you in your next video!
Cheers! Glad to see it appears to be a natural step in the right direction for the channel. If I'm honest, I was surprised to see this level of response about a monopod, but perhaps its inline with the level of surprise I had for how sturdy this thing would be! I'm not planning on standing too far away when hands-free, but close enough to grab it if anything blows over. Happy to hear it's got longevity in its sturdiness though!
If you’re choosing a location purposefully and then framing with the background in mind then perhaps stopping down and capturing more depth of field would be beneficial?
Interesting, I really like that handheld vlog style because of how organic it looks and feels. I also find hand held vlog style has an energy and dynamism which I enjoy. Personally not a fan of static as I like energy but who knows, I might change my mind down the line. Keep up the good work 👍
Whenever I see handheld vlog style video, it just seems less professional. Sometimes, it even feels cheap and lazy time to time. It is just me though.
@@BLEEJazz This is probably one of those subjective things. Personally I just hate carrying tripods and other stuff but I guess if you can handheld and static can coexist. Would love to see how Joe feels after a month or 2.
Yeah, I agree with you on the organic feel to the vlogs, but then I also think it comes down to having a good balance of all shot types. I'm definitely not planning to use the monopod for every single shot, but definitely thinking it will work in the vast majority of the shots I already take that are just static handheld anyway. I also like the challenge of finding energy with subjects moving in frame and edit pacing rather than relying on camera movement to "dress up" a mediocre scene. All depends on what naturally captures your eye as a filmmaker I suppose…
@@joeallam True indeed, if anyone can energise a static frame you can. Really looking forward to seeing the new content on Wednesdays. I will be taking a new direction with my channel as well, new year new beginnings 👏.
Awesome Joe! Really looking forward to seeing the weekly Wednesday videos! I use a (photo) monopod sometimes when shooting wildlife and birds, which helps with stability while still being mobile enough to catch larger moving birds at a distance, but I have not found it very useful for the limited video work I do. That monopod you have looks like its a great solution!
For wildlife I can imagine it being a huge bonus, especially when you start investing in bigger and heavier lenses! I'd tried using my photo monopod a few times in the past for video, and the results were "meh." but a single day using this video specific one has completely changed my opinion on them!
Ive noticed since drones have come out there is a huge tendency for rapid shots at the moment and I am trending to really enjoy the more simplistic and intentional locked shots that play with the background but also the timing of a piece
Sounds good Joe and a little refresher to your content will always spark some new inspiration with in yourself
Absolutely! I love making little tweaks and keeping it fresh and interesting. Good to see your name pop up again, by the way - hope you’re well!
Cheers @@joeallam & yes all is good thanks.
I completely agree with your views on moving the camera around and missing so much information and detail etc. There’s been a trend to move the camera around by professionals for some time now, when it doesn’t always have a desirable effect. I’ve even felt a bit dizzy watching it! It’s great when the person behind the camera knows what they’re doing and can add to the story. The same thing happened with the ‘toy’ effect as it seemed it was just a popular and fashionable thing to do. I’m looking forward to seeing how your changes pan out for you. Good luck!
I’ve been using the iFootage Cobra II for quite a few years now and it is a great bit of kit. It can hold a decent weight for just plonking down and filming yourself, as long as everything is nicely balanced and secure.
The ability to quickly detach the ‘feet/legs’ and use as a tabletop tripod is an added bonus. 👍
Yeah I’ve been super impressed with the weight it can steadily handle! Not sure how I’d overlooked the idea of them previously… maybe I just thought they still required a hand to hold them upright?
I have a similar conundrum (the Gorillapod doesn't always do the trick). I have that monopod, but haven't used it that much. You inspired me to start using it more.
That’s a nice shift in your production! For me, it is much easier to focus on the topic, when the background is more static. Besides, it really elevates the overall quality.
I agree! It's also a lot easier to focus on the topic when talking too. It gives me a bigger sense of what I'm trying to say and allows me to get my words out better. It does however limit the cuts I can make when editing, as they're more noticeable when the framing is the same...
Love the regular uploads every week!
I drew a lot of inspirations from your videos since I discovered your channel. Especially the aesthetic of static shots. Not necessary tripod shots per say but just holding still and letting the scene unfold… thank you
Cheers! Hoping I can keep this Wednesday format going! In some ways, I'm anxious of time involved to edit and post frequently, but in other ways I think the regular schedule may actually open up more time for me... Let's see how it goes!
Been genuinely thinking about a solution like this for the vlogs and you bloody beat me to it! Didn't come across this particular model though, love how it breaks apart and has added functionality to be used as a low tripod. Super useful. Will have to investigate further.
One day i was curious to see if you guys have been to the Philippines and ended up binge watching your Philippine vlogs from 5 years ago. I started watching and subbed in 2020 when i got my x100f n truly enjoyed you guys’ videos n travels. After watching the videos from the Philippines, i feel like so much have changed in your videos and kinda wished you had that style back then when you visited home. Excited to see a new change and i know it will be fire.
Ahh, thank you po! The Philippines still holds a very special place in our hearts, as the friendliest place we’ve ever been. I can’t believe it was 5 years ago now! Would definitely love to return and capture things differently now…
@@joeallam i recommend doing it without a tour group. a lot of vloggers has travelled around the Philippines on their own and truly enjoyed the Philippines. Hopefully we are really now getting back to normalcy for travel.
Well done for identifying the aesthetic, and technical, improvement to be gained by having a shot locked off so the viewer is not distracted by overall movement in the shot. It also makes it a better image, without compression artefacts, revealing the capabilities of the camera. I don't find moving bokeh backgrounds particularly attractive!
Being old school I hated the hand held roaming camera 'action' work that infected feature films. This video demonstrates all your observations clearly. The first thing I noticed is that the odd stance of one arm at length has gone and both your hands can be in the shot 🤣
That monopole looks capable can we have a fuller review after you have had some experience of it's capabilities?
Yeah, it’s something I’ve been slowly implementing into my videos for a few years, but always felt limited to just my small tripod as I hate carrying a big one around. Glad to have found a solution that sits in the best of both worlds! Definitely hoping to share more thoughts about the monopod as I use it in more videos going forward
Great video also the monopod looks ace. Looking forward to Wednesday’s. Keep up the great work 👍📷
Love the aesthetics of your videos!!!
i use a IFootage monopod and have found using a ball head that I didn't like the fact that you loosen the camera and it can drop down, doesn't feel as secure as using a fluid head. I found the Manfrotto 561 BHDV (or equal ) for me is more of a winner combo. I have a swiss arca adapter on the head that make changing the camera easy on & off.
Ooh, very interesting! I have always wondered why more more video/photography vloggers haven't embraced monopods.
Brooooo peak design tripod would be the way to go! Plus in theory it can work as monopod in a way but anyways great video like always 🔥
The irony is funny as I had this same thought yesterday morning while watching the secret life of Walter Mitty. I love the locked off shots in the beginning of that movie and how the sound plays into them. I quickly jotted down the idea to shoot more like that for environmental story telling shots.
Well I guess I will be watching the secret life of Walter Mitty 👍. I tend to like the hand held chaos of Vlog style but intrigued enough about locked off shots as of today 😁
@@RawkustvOfficial Awesome yes do check it out!
Ahh yes! I still haven’t finished that movie! Frustratingly, I was sat in in the exit row of seats on a flight and the cabin crew made me fold my screen away more than an hour away from landing 😐 I do remember thinking this would look better on a larger screen anyway, ha!
Very interesting video Joe, I was at Vauxhall with my group, as always I enjoyed this and wish you all the best with this concept.
Ahh what a coincidence! I always enjoy that part of the riverside, although I usually find myself on the Pimlico side rather than Vauxhall.
Love ❤️ London 😍
Good choice of monopod
Awesome Joe! I just started uploading weekly as well, on Saturday’s… I notice a lot of TH-camrs choose the midweek for uploads, not sure if it matters. Love the content as always! Also, the monopod is very good for self defense 😅😂👊
Saturdays were my go to for a few years, but eventually I just found myself tired of frequently having social plans and feeling rushed with the final process of export, upload and promote across social media. Friday is the only day I’d say is a big no no. People just rarely have time for TH-cam and the videos get lost in the chaos…
@@joeallam agreed! Maybe I’ll switch to Wednesday of Thursday eventually, we’ll see! Anyway, I am exited to see your weekly content!
Change can be good. This is good.
Love your video ❤️ can I asking where I can buy the ART IN THE HEART t-shirt?
Cheers! I’m hoping to re-release the new Art in the Heart T-shirts sometime this year. I just need to get a supplier that I’m happy with regarding quality first. I’ll post it on my channel when things are ready, for sure!
@@joeallam haha, I’m looking forward to seeing the T-Shirts release
How do you track/record/list your upcoming vlogs? Written journal or what?
I use an app called TickTick to plan out video ideas and then depending on the weather, time available and mood/vibe I’ll then usually decide which idea to pursue
@@joeallam Have you ever looked at Evernote? Has real benefits for content creators.
I was watching this video as a pop up for this video came on. That’s how early I am.
Cheers for the promptness! 😀
I feel like this style just works so much better with travel content as well. Cause even I've gotten tired from having to deal with the X100F and a a7iii/iv juggling them around. Might have to trade in the tripod for that monopod once I'm flying again 👀
Yeah it’ll be interesting to see how it fits into my travel style for sure!
I really like great video. Thank you for your sharing video. 👍
Dont want to argue with you on style, but I think you should check out some films by Cassavetes. You may change your mind on locked up perfect shots.
i feel the same about gimbals.. i just sold my one today actually haha
Ha, such a coincidence. I still have my Ronin-S, but disappointed they didn’t provide firmware support for the R5 until well over a year after it was released, so I’ve just never used them together.
Hi Joe. I see that you can extend the monopod so the camera is on your eye level (1:30). If you dont mind me asking, how tall are you? I thought the monopod maximum extended length is only 150 cm?
Been eyeing the same monopod for months. But since I'm 178 cm tall, I'm afraid it won't reach to my level 😅
Good observation! It was a concern I had as well. I’m 183cm and with a ball head and the feet slightly angled to a raised position it brings the lens to just about eye level. Since filming, I’ve actually replaced the ball head to a Smallrig mini fluid head which is slightly taller and that makes it much more comfortable to be eye level.
how you carry it around? i always found monopod are too long for backpack's tripod slot
Glad you find your way how to improve your estethic style and workflow.
A Monopod sounds interesting and less cumbersome than a tripod. But how is the tripod on uneven ground (not a issue in the city though)?
Yeah, it's definitely less cumbersome for sure! It doesn't quite fold down as short as my tripods, but at least it's not as bulky and far quicker to set up/take down. I'm not sure how well it would do in nature or on rocky areas; the ball joint at the bottom would help keep the pole upright at least. I guess the other factor is that in nature you often have more space, so a tripod is likely less of a problem compared to the city anyway...
@@joeallam true, it is less of an issue in nature. I am just a sucker for everything that makes things faster for shooting
Perhaps shooting at 24fps would help the aesthetic too?
Glad you are finally rid of that funny baseball cap! 😂. Keep up the good work.
p̷r̷o̷m̷o̷s̷m̷ ?
Footage looks good but it looks like it could fall over easily
Cheers! The monopod is actually far more stable than I imagined it would be. I've tested it freestanding with a video head and my C70 rigged out massively and it works really well. Of course walking into it could knock it over, but I don't intend to stand far away from it. As an inbetween handheld and full tripod shooting setup, this seems like a great compromise.