So my big new years resolution was to get on YouTube and start a channel.
Surprisingly, I actually did it… well sort of!
I’ve got a grand total of two videos up on my channel… it’s a start (don’t forget to subscribe!). I was pretty pleased with how they turned out, the videos are kind of travel highlights with a few occasional shots of myself and on some of my girlfriend. The one thing I’ve struggled with is putting myself in the shot and actually talking on camera too.
Here’s my first video effort from Barcelona, Spain.
I Need A Cameraman
Vlogging or putting yourself in the video isn’t as easy as it looks. For one, if you’re traveling alone it’s hard to get shots of yourself crossing the road, catching a bus or eating at a market without falling over or taking a shot that looks like it’s under earthquake conditions (I need to invest in a tripod, suggestions welcome!).
My Mirror Image
But this isn’t the hardest aspect of this whole video thingy, putting yourself in front of a camera and talking to it is just incredibly difficult, it feels unnatural, strange and a little awkward. What troubles me is that when I see myself on video, I’m actually seeing what everyone else sees, not the fake mirror image that I see everyday and it’s a little bit bizarre.
There’s a short but interesting TED talk about how people find it difficult to tolerate photos of themselves. In a similar way this is true if not more so of video, especially considering you have to hear your own voice too.
My girlfriend has a tendency to make me delete all of the photos I take of her with my phone unless it’s up to her required standard, perhaps I should just mirror the image and see if that works?
Watching yourself back on video is strange and not quite what you expect, my voice is pretty deep and has this weird Northen accent that I hardly even realise I have in my own head!
Early Vlogging Career
However, strangely enough I was a Vlogging pioneer, or “Video Blog” pioneer as I called it in the titles! Sadly, not a very good one.
Before I set out on my two year trip round the world way back in 2006 I filmed myself talking about what I was doing and where I was going, along with some sleep inducing chat about what I was packing for the trip. I found it almost impossible to upload videos consistently to the internet whilst traveling, so the video coverage stopped pretty much as soon as it started.
Needless to say I found it quite difficult to record these videos in the first place and they never quite saw the light of day, they were kept private on YouTube… until now… or perhaps in the next blog post!
Technology has changed, it’s so much easier to upload and to edit these days that I really dont have a good enough excuse not to be attempting this type of media. Especially as I’m so lucky to get such amazing travel opportunities, they need to be shared or at least preserved in some way.
Singing Practice Makes Perfect… kind of
It’s understandable that if you’re not used to seeing yourself on screen that it’s going to take a bit of time and lots of practice, which is something I tried when faced with a similar problem in the past.
Most of you probably don’t know that I once played guitar/vocals in a band and penned all of our biggest hits, you’re also lucky I no longer have a copy of our first demo or I’d happily let you download (whilst cringing heavily).
In reality we were an ear bleeding fusion of mid-nineties indie post grunge mainstream rock that was so bad that we never made it out of our Manchester Northern Quarter rehearsal room. If it wasn’t for the musical differences and the bassists insistence on finishing his degree (how selfish!) we could have hit the big time.
we were an ear bleeding fusion of mid-nineties indie post grunge mainstream rock that was so bad that we never made it out of our Manchester Northern Quarter rehearsal room
Watching yourself on video is the same kind of shock reaction I had way back when I was only 18, when I decided to record myself singing (I think everyone should do this!). I’d bought a 8-track recorder and mic for the band to record demo versions of the songs I was writing. I wasn’t used to hearing a recorded version of myself talk, let alone sing, so I went through a whole lot of cringing. Once I got over the initial shock and when there was no one was around, I tried again… and again and again. Slowly over weeks and months I got better, I got used to hearing my own voice and actually improved the way it sounded. Eventually I reached the point where it was so familiar that I wasn’t even cringing anymore and it kind of sounded… ok.
I realised that actually taking on board feedback, getting used to hearing yourself and practicing over and over again can be really powerful…
That and the fact that you really do have to start somewhere, anywhere and at first it’ll be far from perfect but over time you’ll get better and improve. After a while you’ll look back and be able see the incremental steps of improvement until you get to the point where you’re actually quite good.
It’s simply starting somewhere and somehow that is usually the hardest step to take. But once you’re beyond the initial steps it’s all about learning and improving.
I just need to take that first step…
So I’m guessing I’m not the only person to face this awkward situation, looking down a camera lens and thinking “what am I doing?”, “who am I talking to?”?
How did you get over it? Do you have any tips for getting in front of a camera and delivering?
I must admit getting in front of the camera for the first time is a daunting experience. I’ve spoken many times at marketing events, but there is something that sends a shiver down the spine when you watch the videos back.
BUT, when you’ve filming yourself for travel purposes, it feels slightly different. It’s simply about two things – taking that first step, and confidence. Since I got my GoPro, shooting travel videos is the best thing I’ve done, and showcases properties and destinations in a completely different light, compared to text and images.
Once you get over the fact you do look a bit of a tit walking down the street either filming yourself or being filmed, you have to remember why you’re doing it in the first place. To educate, inspire, showcase and many other reason why you travel blog.
Plus, everyone loves it when your personality comes through the camera. For most of your audience (who you’ve probably never met), they can say “OH, that’s what he sounds like!”. In a good way 🙂
Be confident in yourself and your travel knowledge. Go on, dive in!
Ah, I completely agree! As a new vlogger myself I am still struggling with this. The only thing that helps is knowing that, even though I hate the way I look and sound on camera, that’s actually how I look and sound, and it’s how everyone else already sees and hears me! So it’s not weird to the people watching, just me. And I know I’ll get over it if I do it for long enough! Just dive in, give it a try! And good luck!
Thanks Elle, that makes complete sense. It’s so funny that we all have this different perception of ourselves… I think it can only be a good thing to see ourselves as everyone else does! 😀
Yeh it’s definitely a great way to connect with people I think… But Yeh always feel a bit of an idiot taking to a camera walking down the street but need to get over that!
Also, I need to be in situations where it’s possible, sometimes trips don’t allow muchh time to get the right shots etc.
I’m exactly the same. The few videos I’ve made have no spoken words. I don’t mind short clips of me off in the distance doing something active, but I cringe at the thought of anyone hearing me speak!
Maaaate, nothing to worry about! Great Barca vid. The one thing you should have done different is looked into the camera and given the viewer some love in the end of that scene with the footy shirt dummies. 🙂
Yep I guess it’s all in the practice!:)
Haha thanks Peter… Next time I’ll give you lots of love! Haha
I think everyone deals with the same issues like when you hear your voice for the first time. I think the key is acceptance of that is who you really are and it’s not good or bad, it just is.
I also find the first take is usually the best unless you totally destroyed it; the more you do it the less natural it seems. Also, the more time you spend in front of a camera the more comfortable you get so that plays a role as well.
Looking forward to more videos, good sir.
Acceptance…Yeh I think that comes from getting used to seeing and hearing yourself. Yeh think you’re spot on with the first take! So much harder sometimes to replicate.
Completely with you on the cameraman thing, it doesn’t help that I just discovered Macca’s channel either so now I have unrealistic dreams or grandeur I’ll never be able to have 😛
Yeh Macca’s cameraman is clearly skilled! Although I think there’s a lot of room for imperfect video, I think people want to see stuff that is more real and not polished. It’s something that brands find difficult to do but should come naturally to bloggers in terms of authenticity… think that’s where the value comes from rather than producing stuff that’s extremely professional.
That has been one of my new year’s resolutions since..uh..i can remember. Funny thing is – on each vacation i bring on my camera and take loads of videos – Still got roughly 3 terabyte of material scattered about on different hard drives.
That being sad – great job with that video. I, apparently, am unable to do that 😀
Thanks for the comment Norman!
Yeah it’s one of the hardest things… I’ve made a start but don’t know whether I’m getting better or worse at it! 😀
https://www.youtube.com/user/mrtravmonkey/videos
I think you just have to jump in… I think I’m used to seeing my own face now too!
Much better than my first attempt at any rate lol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9ScarSkJ4A
then again I really have to thank you for finally getting started. That _has_ to count for something after all.
Good work! Be great to get yourself in front of camera too! Adds a bit to the video! But otherwise, nice … loved the sampled music too.
Haha – thank you. Am quite reluctant to do that – Feel like my person has little value to add. Besides i am not trying to become the next youtube star. Just trying to add some more details to my blog posts lol.
I think it’d be good, let’s your audience get to know you a bit! Anyhow, keep up the great work! 🙂