"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. ~ Abraham Lincoln.
This is the third in a 3 part series: Top Tools for Writers, Bloggers & Vloggers. We hope to make it a 4 part series to include Top Tools for Podcasters later on.
In the first two parts of this series we covered tools for writers and bloggers, both of whom need the right set of tools to succeed in 2018.
Vloggers are a special case. When you start it is perfectly possible to run your vlog from your iphone or smartphone. However as your vlog grows, most vloggers seek more flexibe, professional tools.
Which is why we here at Write to Done we have put together this resource for the serious vlogger. To lead you safely through the minefield of tools out there.
The Write To Done team have included all their favorites, many of which they use on a daily basis. The list is not exhaustive, we'll add to it as we go.
If you have a favorite tool not listed here, add it in the comments and if we can, we'll get hold of it and give it a test run. If it measures up, we'll add it to the next update.
In the meantime help your fellow vloggers and share this resource around.
VLOGGING
Creating videos is a great skill for anyone who wants to gather an audience. You can use the videos for Youtube, or Vimeo, or for webinar. You can embed them on your site.
It’s a great way to speak directly to your audience.
Below, I’ve collected two different gear packs. The first one is a starter option with a good webcam and LED lights. And then I’ll show you the gear I use at present which is a lot more expensive but gets brilliant results.
Gear Pack 1
Features
Widescreen Video Calling and Recording, 1080p Camera, Desktop or Laptop
Reviews
A great little inexpensive webcam
PAID
$49.93
TIP: I suggest attaching it to a tripod (see below) and not to the laptop so that you get a better view and no laptop running noise. f you’re planning to use a Logitech webcam, make sure you get a lighting kit (see below) otherwise you may get horizontal bands on your video!
Features
3x 216 Barndoor Continuous LED Video Lighting kit Dimmable Panel Camera, for Canon, Nikon, Sony and DSLR Cameras, Li-Ion Battery and Charger,Color Filters,Premium Carry Bag.
Reviews
Excellent for stopping those horizontal lines and improving lighting.
PAID
$129.99
TIP: If you’re producing video on a shoestring, get the webcam first and, at first, use natural light plus any desk lamps you can get your hands on in your home! Get the LED lights next.
Features
Lightweight tripod with adjustable-height legs and rubber feet .
Available as 1 or 2 pack.
Reviews
The tripod above is great.
PAID
$18.79
TIP: Do not buy lightweight $12 aluminium tripods. I bought three for travelling and they all bent out of shape the first time I used them… argh!
Gear Pack 2
It’s taken me a while to gather the gear that has boosted the quality of my videos to a new level. The main thing that made a HUGE difference is getting a good video camera.
I bought a Panasonic GH4 a few months ago and I wish I’d had the courage to invest in a good camera some years earlier. I suggest getting this camera from Amazon. I made the mistake of getting one for a bit cheaper which was supposed to be shipped immediately from Hong Kong. It got to me six weeks later and I realized belatedly that they didn’t have a refund option. Luckily the camera was fine, but I would have gladly spent a bit more to have the sense of security Amazon offers.
Features
16 Megapixels, 3 Inch Touch LCD, DMC-GH4KBODY
Reviews
The Panasonic GH4 Lumix has a 4K Mirrorless Camera, 16 Megapixels, and a 3 Inch Touch LCD. It’s quite an investment at $1,497 (When I bought it!!). But for me it’s been a game changer! I just wish I’d had the courage to make this investment earlier.
PAID
$897.99
Check out the difference the Panasonic has made. Taken with my old camera:
Features
12-35MM, DUAL I.S. 2.0 with power opticals I.S., MIRRORLESS MICRO FOUR THIRDS
Reviews
I can't exaggerate the difference this lens (along with the camera) has made to the quality of my work
PAID
$897.99
The great thing about using the Panasonic isn’t just the camera, it’s Panasonic Image App that you can download for free onto an iPhone or Android. You can connect it with your camera and you can operate your camera remotely. That is, you can change setting and stop/start your video or shoot stills. This is awesome!
Features
45W 5500K Day-Light Bulb w/ Bag Photo Video Studio Camera Shooting
Reviews
These lights work a treat with the Lumix. These lights are for photo or video studio shots. I particularly like the skin tone you can achieve with these lights!