Savour a canoe or kayak adventure memory on video

BY ALLEN MACARTNEY

Within weeks of a canoe or kayak trip, memories start to fade like a gorgeous northern sunset. But it’s an unnecessary loss. Few paddlers even consider making a video of that adventure, but with today’s technology it’s never been easier. So lay down that great trek in bits and bytes to savour them in the depths of a cold winter. It will make you yearn for a repeat next summer. Here are some ideas to get you started.

It’s an easy five-step process: choose the equipment, develop an idea/ script, shoot, edit and upload to YouTube

Equipment

You don’t need an expensive video camera with shotgun microphones and recorders. A smartphone comes with both a video camera and a spacious hard drive to store the images. Just keep in mind this is not a dedicated video camera with its attendant high quality. If you do work with a video camera, set the shooting quality to the highest level and use a tripod to ensure a stable image.

Ideas and script

What do you want to portray in the video? Terrain? interactions among paddlers? Gear? campsite life? Do some thinking, and write down your ideas in a story line. Just like a good meal doesn’t just involve the roast beef, but also potatoes, gravy, vegetables and more, the video can incorporate different facets of the trip, told as a story from start to finish. Show paddlers launching their boat(s), setting off down a lake, heading into a storm, setting up tents in rain or afternoon sunshine, making supper/breakfast, heading home.

Watching a range of YouTube videos to get those creative juices flowing. Look

for interesting camera angles (e.g. at water level), and decide what type of music (if any) you want as theme background.

Shooting the video

Make sure you have plenty of light so faces aren’t in shadow. In addition to shots that follow your script story, take lots of short clips (e.g. loons fishing, rain dripping off your tent, a paddle dipping into the water). Drop these shots into the final video to build interest. Keep the background “clean” of distracting colours or shapes (e.g. a branch that appears to be growing out of someone’s ear).

Editing

After transferring images onto your computer, look through what you have and start putting it into a rough time sequence. This speeds up editing. If you’ve never done this video before, watch

instruction videos online for the “how to,” and start experimenting. Free video editing software is available, or you can buy software that creates more elaborate productions.

First time out, keep it short – maximum three to five minutes – and fast-moving to maintain viewer interest. Cut any footage that is out of focus or doesn’t add to the overall quality.

Finally, go online for non-copyrighted music for background. It gives a threedimensional quality to your work. Always credit the music composer at the end of your video.

Uploading onto YouTube

Before uploading, edit your video creation one more time, thoroughly, to make it as professional and interesting as possible. When you’re happy enough with it (don’t let a goal of perfection get in the way of the good), upload onto YouTube or wherever else you want to display it. Then start making plans for your next outdoor video! •

1. Use a tripod 2. Don’t use the iPhone digital zoom 3. Light your video 4. Use the exposure lock 5. Get your microphone close to your subject 6. Slow-motion and time-lapse 7. Edit on your computer