| How to Shoot Cooking Videos with a Phone Posted: 17 Jun 2021 01:00 AM PDT Whether you have your own YouTube channel or an Instagram following, knowing how to film delicious-looking videos can gain you a wider audience. Fortunately, you don't need a lot of equipment to shoot eye-catching clips. The key to filming cooking videos is to be prepared before you start! We'll walk you through the process with these easy-to-follow tips. [Edit]Use a phone with a high-resolution 1080p camera. - The high pixel count makes your cooking video clear and detailed. Since a lot of food videos rely on crisp, detailed images of delicious food, a quality phone camera is really important. The easiest way to find out your camera resolution is to do an online search of your phone's camera specifications.[1]
[Edit]Set your phone on a tripod with a swing arm. - This keeps the phone from shaking and lets you get overhead shots. You've probably seen the really popular cooking videos that are shot directly above the food. To film this way without dropping your phone, you attach your phone to a mobile rig that has a swing arm.[2]
- Securing your phone to a tripod also makes it easier if you'll be the one preparing the food.
[Edit]Diffuse your light source. - Film in bright light with a diffusing screen to soften the light. Whether you're using natural light like a window, a house lamp, or a lightbox kit, it's important to diffuse the light so you don't get harsh shadows in your video. To do this, place a diffuser screen in front of the light to soften it.[3]
- Don't have a diffuser? Hang a sheer white sheet over your window or in front of your light.
[Edit]Storyboard your video. - Make a list of all the steps and shots you want to film so you're prepared. You're essentially breaking down the recipe steps into smaller clips that you'll film and edit together. For example, if you're filming a video where you make a simple chocolate mousse, your list or storyboard of frames might show:[4]
- Chopping chocolate
- Melting chocolate
- Pouring cream in a bowl
- Whipping the cream
- Folding the chocolate into the cream
[Edit]Prepare the food to save time while you're filming. - Measure or chop foods so you're not wasting time. Sometimes, a recipe has a time-consuming step like marinating something or chopping a lot of an ingredient. Instead of filming all of that or waiting, do these things in advance so you can streamline the shooting process.[5]
- For example, measure out all of your ingredients and place them in bowls on your workstation. Try to prep anything that you think would be boring for the viewers to sit through.
[Edit]Practice the steps in your video before you start filming. - Do a walk-through where you make the food and set up the camera. By doing a practice run before you film, you'll be able to make adjustments if something doesn't work out. You'll probably make fewer mistakes when you film, too![6]
- You might find that you need to change a camera angle to show action like pouring, for example.
[Edit]Play around with different shooting styles. - Shoot directly above the food for the most popular angle. If you position the phone right over the food, you'll get a fresh, modern style for your video. If you'd rather have a classic cooking show angle, arrange the phone on the tripod so the lens points to the food at a 45-degree angle. For a little variety, shoot clips in both angles so you can edit them together later.
- If you really want to show the texture on food, get a few extreme close-up shots.
- Have fun with your shooting style! Try filming in slow motion to capture sizzling or steaming food, for instance.
[Edit]Keep your video clips short. - Shoot each step in 15- to 20-second clips so you have less video to edit. Refer back to your storyboard and keep the overall length of your video in mind. For instance, if you're aiming for a 2-minute cooking video and you want to show 15 steps, each clip will only be around 8 seconds. Instead of editing down lots of footage, spend 15 to 20 seconds filming each step so there's less to cut down.[7]
- Using shorter clips to create your video gives it a sense of energy so it's more interesting to watch.
[Edit]Record the audio after filming. - You'll get better sound quality and won't be as distracted. This is a great trick if your phone doesn't have a very good microphone. By waiting to record your description of the food or cooking process until you can be in a quiet space with the microphone close to your mouth, you'll get the best audio possible.[8]
- If you'll be filming someone speaking while they cook, you may want to buy an external microphone that plugs into your phone. This can make the sound quality a lot better.
- Keep in mind that a lot of trendy cooking videos skip narration altogether. It's perfectly fine to stick to background music and informational text.
- Want to add music to your cooking video? Sounds great! Just ensure that the background music doesn't drown out narration or distract from the video.
[Edit]Edit your videos using a video maker or phone app. - Check if your phone has an automatic video maker or download an app. If you're new to filming cooking videos, try out an automatic video maker, which will turn your clips into a film with music and transitions. For more control, use an editing app that lets you select which clips to use. You can also add music or voiceovers, and trim the video to the length you want it.[9]
- Need some editing app suggestions? Try Quik by GoPro, Apple's iMovie, or Adobe Premiere Rush to polish your video.
[Edit]Add informational text about the food. - Give your viewer the recipe details for each step. When you're editing the video, add text to the shots where you give measurements, temperatures, or cooking times. Most editing apps have a template that you can use to type out the information. This way, the text shows up with the step it matches. Informational text is a great way to make your viewers feel like they could follow the recipe and make it themselves.[10]
- If you're not including narration, go ahead and give short, easy-to-follow text along with the ingredients. For example, after putting butter in a skillet, put the text, "Gently melt, but don't burn it!"
- If you're filming with audio, don't forget to turn off background music, turn off loud appliances, and close doors and windows.[11]
[Edit]References |
| How to Make a Time Out Stool Posted: 16 Jun 2021 05:00 PM PDT If you're a parent or caregiver, a special time out chair might be a positive addition to your home or workplace. You can create your own makeshift hourglass chair with some wooden circles, dowels, large soda bottles, and sand or salt to serve as a timer. With a few basic tools and some woodworking skills, you can craft a pretty and functional time out stool in a few hours. [Edit]Cutting the Stool's Base - Sketch 2 identical circles on a thick plank. Arrange a large, thick slab of wood on a flat work surface. Attach a pencil to a compass, then arrange the device in the center of the wood. Rotate the compass in a complete circle so a circular sketch is visible on the wood's surface. Before you continue, use the compass to draw a second, separate circle.[1]
- These circles will serve as the top and bottom of your hourglass.
- Plywood is a great option for this part of the project.[2]
- Ideally, use a plank that's at least long and wide.
- Cut out both circles using a jigsaw to form the bases of the stool. Position about ⅓ of the plank off of your flat workspace, so you can cut out the circles. Place the edge of this plank in between a vise, then tighten the clamp into place. Next, use a jigsaw to cut around the circular sketch in the wood. Once you've successfully cut out 1 circle, reposition the plank so you can cut out the second shape. Clamp the wood into place again, then cut out the second circle with the jigsaw.[3]
- Don't worry if your cutting job isn't exact. You can always make adjustments later!
- If you don't have hardware tools on hand, try purchasing 2 pre-cut, wide wooden circles from a hardware or home improvement store.[4]
- Smooth away any splinters or imperfections with coarse sandpaper. Take a coarse, 40- or 60-grit piece of sandpaper and work around the curved edges of each base piece. If you notice any rough or uneven edges, focus on those areas first. Continue sanding around both wooden circles until they're both free of splinters and rough spots.[5]
- If you don't need to do any extensive sanding to your wooden pieces, try using a smoother, higher-grit sandpaper instead.
[Edit]Building the Hourglass - Cut 2 soda bottles in half lengthwise to serve as the hourglass. Draw circular lines around the middle of two bottles. Next, use a pair of scissors to cut around this line, dividing both bottles in half. Once you're finished cutting, set aside the 2 spout pieces, as these are what you'll use to make your stool.[6]
- Consider rinsing out and air-drying the bottles before using them to make a stool.
- Hot glue the tops of 2 bottle caps together to connect the soda bottles. Locate both of the caps that were used for the old soda bottles. To connect the 2 caps together, apply a small ring of hot glue on the outer surface of 1 cap. Next, press the other cap onto the hot glue for several seconds. Once you stop pressing both items together, hold the caps in 1 hand to ensure that the glue is dry.[7]
- These caps will help connect and support the center of the "hourglass."
- Hot glue dries within a few seconds, so be sure to apply and use it quickly.
- Drill a ¼ in (0.6 cm) wide hole through the bottle caps. Attach a thin drill bit into your electric tool to create a smaller hole, which allows the sand or salt to travel smoothly between both halves of the hourglass. Next, drill in the center of these glued caps, applying enough pressure so the drill bit creates a hole through the center of the plastic.[8]
- You don't want the hole to be too big, or else the sand will pour too quickly.
- Wear safety glasses and a face mask as a precaution whenever you work with power tools.
- Screw the bottle-nosed halves of the cut bottles onto the glued caps. First, arrange the narrow end of each bottle onto the connector by rotating each bottle-nose clockwise. Once the soda bottles are connected, double-check the spouts to ensure that they're tightly attached.[9]
- If the soda bottles are too loose, then the sand might not flow through them correctly.
- Make sure that the hot glue is dry before you drill into the caps.
- Sketch 2 wooden circles that fit snugly into the soda bottle base. Take a thinner, ½ in (1.2 cm) plank of wood and clamp it to your work area with a table vise. Arrange the wider end of your soda bottle spout on the plank, then sketch around it in pencil. After drawing 2 circles onto the wood surface, use a jigsaw to cut out the shapes.[10]
- Plywood is a good option for this.
- Be sure to trace the wider end of the bottle instead of the spout.
- Sand the edges of the smaller circles with medium-grit sandpaper. Use a piece, block, or circle of sandpaper to work away any splinters or uneven edges from the outer rims of each circle. As you sand, arrange the wide end of your bottle spout over the circle to ensure that it fits snugly. Continue sanding both circles with short, even motions until the edges are completely smooth.[11]
- The wood needs to fit inside the wider end of the bottle.
- This part of the process ensures that the hourglass will be sturdy once it's attached to the larger bases.
- Attach 1 circle to the center of each wooden base with wood glue. Before glueing anything into place, arrange each circle in the middle of a larger wooden base. Once you've centered the circle, extend a tape measure from the outer rim of the base circle to the edge of the small, central circle. Perform this measurement from all edges of the base to make sure that the wooden circle is centered. Next, apply a circle of wood glue around this central area, then press the smaller wooden circle into place for several seconds.[12]
- Both wooden pieces need to be centered for the stool to function correctly.
- Read the glue's label to see how much time it needs to fully dry.
[Edit]Decorating and Assembling the Finished Product - Saw 3 dowels to provide structure for your stool. Use a tape measure to calculate the approximate height of your plastic hourglass. Keeping this measurement in mind, trim the height of your 3 dowels to match your bottle hourglass. Since the dowels aren't especially thick, you can use a handsaw for this part of the process.[13]
- Use 1 hand or a table clamp to hold the dowels in place while using your opposite hand to maneuver the handsaw.
- Spray paint 1 side of the circles and dowels in the color of your choice. Arrange a piece of newspaper or drop cloths in an outdoor or well-ventilated area. Place your 2 wooden circles and 3 wooden, 1⅛ in (2.9 cm) thick dowels on this surface. Spray an even coat of paint over all 5 wooden pieces until they're all completely covered.[14]
- Before you start painting, slide on a face mask or respirator to prevent you from inhaling any paint particles.
- Wait for the wooden pieces to dry completely. Read the instructions on the spray can to see how much time your paint needs to dry completely. Wait several hours, or whatever amount of time is specified in the directions. During this time, don't touch or move the wooden dowels or circles.[15]
- You won't be able to paint all sides of the wooden pieces. Instead, you'll have to wait for them to dry fully.
- Paint the opposite, unpainted sides of the wooden items. Flip or rotate the wooden pieces so you can spray paint the opposite sides of the circles and dowels. As you work, apply a thick, even coat of paint over the dowels and circles. Let these wooden pieces dry completely before moving them to your workspace.[16]
- Make sure there's no rain in the forecast if you plan on spray painting your items outside.
- Glue the hourglass to the base wooden piece. Apply a thin stream of wood glue around the border of the small, central circle. Next, arrange 1 end of the spout over the ring of wood glue. To secure this half of the hourglass, hold it in place for several seconds.[17]
- Don't glue the other half of the hourglass into place yet.
- The wide, cut end of the plastic bottle needs to fit snugly around the small wooden circle.
- Pre-drill 3 holes into the circular wooden base. Measure around the large, wooden base to find suitable placements for your wooden dowels. Lightly mark where each dowel will go, checking that all 3 points are equidistant from one another. Next, drill into these marked areas, so you can keep track of where the dowels are supposed to go.[18]
- You'll be using both screws and glue to secure the dowels in place on the stool.
- Use wood glue to attach the dowels to the base. Squeeze out a bead of glue on the bottom of your dowel. Next, arrange the dowel over 1 of the drill holes, then press it into place for several seconds. Repeat this glueing and pressing process with the other 2 dowels.[19]
- About half of your stool should be constructed at this point.
- Funnel in ½ cup (150 g) of salt into the spout. Pour at least ½ cup (150 g) of white salt or sand (191 g) through a funnel into the bottom section of your hourglass. Note that every ½ cup of sand or salt is equal to 1 minute of time in the physical hourglass.[20]
- If you don't have sand or salt on hand, you can purchase it at a craft or grocery store, respectively.
- Salt can provide a lighter contrast to the bright paint color of your stool.
- When interacting with young children, try to keep the minutes of timeout equal to their age. For instance, if you're dealing with in a 2-year-old, consider adding 1 cup (300 g) of salt into the stool, which will take 2 minutes to funnel through the hourglass.
- Secure the top wooden base to the dowels and hourglass with wood glue. Squeeze another dot of glue onto the center of each dowel. Additionally, add a thin ring of glue around the small wooden circle attached to the base. After applying the glue, position the base over the dowels and open hourglass spout, then press it into place for several seconds.[21]
- The glue provides an extra layer of stability to your stool.
- This only applies to the top portion of the stool.
- Screw 6 screws into the base of each dowel after the glue dries. Read the instructions on the wood glue to see how long the product takes to air-dry. Once the adhesive has hardened, drill 1 screw into the base of each dowel. After the screws are in place, you can use your timeout stool whenever you'd like![22]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - thick wood panel
- ½ in (1.2 cm) thick wood panel
- 3 wood dowels, 1⅛ in (2.9 cm) thick
- Table with vise or clamp
- Compass
- Wood glue
- Pencil
- 2 large soda bottles,
- Sand
- Jigsaw
- Medium-grit sandpaper
- Salt
- Spray paint
- Face mask
[Edit]References |
| How to Cut Tennis Balls Posted: 16 Jun 2021 09:00 AM PDT Tennis balls can be used for more that just playing games. When they're cut open, you can slide them onto furniture legs or walkers to protect your floors and move them around easier. If you cut a tennis ball in half, you can use the halves as massagers to help alleviate foot and back pain.[1] Cutting a tennis ball is an easy process as long as you're careful not to cut yourself! [Edit]Cutting Tennis Balls for Furniture - Hold the tennis ball firmly against a solid surface. Set the tennis ball on a surface that's knife-safe, such as a cutting board. Grip the tennis ball in your non-dominant hand so the rounded edge of the seam faces up. Use your ring finger and pinky to support the back of the ball so it doesn't roll away.[2]
- If you don't feel comfortable holding the ball while you cut it, secure the ball in a vise grip.
- Poke the blade of a utility knife through the middle of the ball. Hold the knife with your dominant hand so your index finger is along the top edge and pointing toward the blade. Carefully poke the end of your knife in between the seams until it breaks into the center of the ball.[3]
- Make sure the blade isn't pointed toward your fingers or you could accidentally cut yourself if the knife slips.
- You may also use a craft knife, but it may not be as strong as a utility knife.
- Cut a slit in the ball. Move your blade up and down to saw through the ball's rubber. Make a straight horizontal cut parallel to the seams that's about long. When you're finished with the cut, pull your knife out of the ball.[4]
- Don't make your slit any longer or else it could easily fall off of furniture legs.
- Rotate the ball by 90 degrees and make another slit. Turn the ball so the slit you cut is vertical when you look at it. Press the tip of the knife to the left of the first slit near its midpoint. Make a horizontal cut that crosses the first slit so it forms an X-shape. Once your second slit is long, take your knife out.[5] perpendicular cut. Then, rotate the ball 180 degrees and make another cut that lines up with the other.}}
- Leave the ball near a window or well-ventilated area for 1 day to dry any moisture. Sometimes, tennis balls have a small amount of moisture inside them that could damage furniture legs. Set the ball on a windowsill so the cut faces down. Let the ball dry out for about 1 day before putting it on anything.[6]
- Once the ball doesn't have an odor, it's ready to use.
[Edit]Halving a Tennis Ball - Trace a line around the circumference of the ball. Hold the ball steady on your work surface with your non-dominant hand. Draw a straight line in the direction you want to cut on top of the ball with a pen. Rotate the ball when you need to continue your line around its surface. Make sure the ends of your line meet so you know it's straight.
- If a pen doesn't work on your tennis ball, use a marker. The marker line will be noticeable when you finish your cut.
- Hold the ball from above against a hard surface. Set the ball on a cutting board or another surface where you can easily use a knife. Hold the ball with your non-dominant hand so all of your fingers are gripping it. Keep 3 fingers on the front of the ball, and support the back side with your pinky and thumb. Make sure your cut line is between your front and back fingers.[7]
- Imagine your hand is a claw so you're only grabbing the ball with the ends of your fingers.
- Start your cut with a serrated knife. Feed the blade of your knife underneath your hand so it's between your front and back fingers. Use firm pressure as you saw back and forth along the cut line. Continue cutting until you're halfway through the ball before removing your knife.[8]
- Stay attentive while you make your cut so you don't accidentally hurt yourself.
- Rotate the ball to finish making your cut. Turn the ball by 90 degrees along the line you drew and hold it firmly again. Stick the blade of your knife into the cut you started and continue working along the line you drew. Keep rotating the ball by 90 degrees and cutting until it's halved.[9]
- Turning the ball makes it easier to cut and helps ensure you're halves are the same size.
- Finished.
[Edit]Warnings - Never cut toward your fingers or else you may hurt yourself.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Cutting Tennis Balls for Furniture - Cutting board
- Utility knife
[Edit]Halving a Tennis Ball - Pen
- Cutting board
- Serrated knife
[Edit]References |
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