I took the first step to setting up a “social media platform”. Or maybe the third, or the fourth or even the fifth ‘first step’. The FIRST first step was deciding to set up a simple Blog, then I realized I could have an online store, so I decided to set up a website to host that and the blog ... my second step. Then I remembered I have over a thousand people who like the inspirational images and influences I pin enough to follow me over on my Pinterest page, so I decided to link it somehow, which is sort of a baby step. Then I remembered that all the people I actually know are already friends on my Facebook page and I really should include them, and that’s another step… Then I saw those YouTube gardening channels I was looking at, and thought, “Now THAT is what I want to do,’ and suddenly those few steps have turned into a hike!
Whatever step of this hike I’m on, I took the next one. I bought a camera. For you camera geeks I specifically selected a vlogging kit setup, the Sony Alpha ZV-E10 – APS-C Mirrorless Camera with an E PZ 16–50 mm F3.5–5.6 OSS APS-C Wide-angle Power Zoom Lens with Optical SteadyShot. For everyone else, I went online and looked at endless reviews, read any number of reports, looked at video and still images side by side, then reviewed the features versus my budget, and picked the one I liked best. Not long ago I was lamenting that I had to spend my camera money on some dental work. Then I remembered I had begun to set aside some money to take a purely self indulgent week-long recovery getaway to the beach after my mother passed. I still might do that, but for now this feels like a better use of those funds. Now that I have a camera, I have to get the video editing software I’ll need to make viewable videos. I already have selected it, I just need to go online and purchase it. I have some Photoshop experience already, so I’ll be going with Adobe out of familiarity.
With all this pointing and shooting and videoing and editing, what will you see? Probably some rather bad stuff at first. Until I learn to use the new camera, figure out the editing software, and develop my cinematography skills, I expect much of what I produce will be pretty rough. Maybe even laughably so.
It should should be a fun and amusing experience. For now I’ll just leave you with a few basic phrases and concepts that might pique your interest.
- Technology in the service of simplicity.
- Are you a Human Being, or a Human Becoming?
- Small steps can bring big change.
- New is good, but not always best.
- Seek continual improvement.
- Live a creative life.
- Make improvement a habit.
- Sentimental modernism.