Filming Outdoors
Thanks for suggesting that we take some time to talk more about filming outdoors. Here are some of my favorite low-tech and high-tech methods for capturing work and products outside. One important thing to remember is that, while I’m sharing a lot of different tools and gadgets here, I didn’t just go out and buy them all at once. That would have been quite a luxury - but it would not have worked with my business model, which has been almost entirely dedicated to growth without debt (aside from our mortgage and a partial loan that I took out to finance our tractor). I’ll share more soon about how we determine which tools we want to invest in, and how we consider the costs and the income produced by our investments.
The first tools I look for are close at hand, easy, and simple.
Carpenter’s Clamp
A carpenter’s clamps ($9.99) or other hardware and office supplies can be great simple tools for pinning up a phone for quick video shots. I filmed the video for this post by pinning my iPhone to the rim of one of our black plastic flower buckets with a carpenter’s clamp. I put a couple of miscellaneous objects in the bucket to keep it from tipping over. These were literally the first things I saw when I looked around to set something up. You could also use a clamp to attach your photo to a low tunnel rib, t-post, bulb crate, a branch- whatever is near you and steady. Carpenter’s clamps are some of the most helpful simple tools I own. I also use them when I’m working alone or short-handed on low tunnel and caterpillar tunnel construction projects.1.
2. Then I consider clever, versatile tools designed for the task at hand.
Joby Flexible Phone Tripod
I’ve had a Joby flexible phone tripod ($23.87) in my camera bag for a long time. They come in a variety of sizes. I’ve seen professional photographers using huge ones with their large cameras. My little Joby holder has been through the wringer, but it still works fine. The iPhone mount can also be removed and attached to a traditional tripod.
3. Lastly, if I have some momentum in an area (like video) I might look into a more technical tool that will help me improve the quality and pace of my work.
DJI Mobile Gimbal
I’ve used a number of different models of DJI mobile gimbals. My first introduction to them was while teaching innovation and design courses in a sort of STEAM (science/technology/engineering/arts/mathematics-based program. I was lucky to have access to some amazing tools and am fortunate to carry over a sort of confidence from having used these tools for a number of years. Remarkably, this tool is quite affordable, considering its features. The DJI Mobile Gimbal in this video is just $159.
DJI gimbals coordinate with their own filming apps on your phone for added functionality. There are some DJI-specific filming features on the gimbal and lots of resources available through their app.
DJI is the same company that produces many of the drones that are in popular use right now. We use one to capture overhead photos and videos of our farm and I’d be happy to show how that works and talk about it and its features and limitations if there is interest. Let me know. :)
When considering whether a tool is worth bringing to your business, think not only about where that cost fits into your bottom line, but also whether or not it will help you grow your bottom line. Can this tool help you earn MORE money? That is perhaps the bigger question than how much will it take away from your current earnings. The goal is for the tool to pay for itself (and then some) quickly.
I hope that was helpful. Please share your questions and comments and ideas for future topics below.
