The Goods are in here | Stoke-Ness
I’m cutting the intro, turns out I don’t read them myself. Let’s jump straight into the good stuff.
This month I’m sharing the most important book of the year, a YouTube channel that changed my life, and the result of my “Photo as a Reel” experiment that everyone is asking about.
Be stoked,
Isaac
Gear and Tools
Olympus Muji (epic stylus) film camera
I know the price of film is rocketing, but if you are committed to shooting film, then this little camera is a must have.
My favorite film photos are the candids. Unscripted snaps of friends and family that increase in value as the years pass. These are the photos we actually look at 5/10/30 years later. These kinds of photos are best taken on a camera as small and unassuming as a Muji. It creates a sense of intimacy that a big camera or even a phone can’t match.
Another reason to have this camera is the size. It fits in my pocket better than a phone, so I always take it and have it right with me.
Bonus, you won’t take one million photos of the same thing or miss a shot because you are taking a TikTok. You take the photo, get back to the moment, and the images come back from the lab fully ready to go. Everyone should have this camera.
Get one on eBay or Etsy. The current price is around $250 for the 35mm (don’t get the zoom version)
Photo/Video Technique
Using a Photo as a Reel
You may have noticed that I have been conducting an experiment on Instagram. For 14 days, I posted my photos as videos. To make them more “video” like I added a moving zoom/crop called a Ken Burns effect. I tried using the iPhone app InShot, but the footage lost so much quality it looked blurry. Instead, I used Final Cut Pro X on my MacBook to create the video with the Kens Burns effect.
So what are the results of the experiment?
Engagement: The views are higher than a static photo post, however, the likes remain the same. I suspect this is due to how people interact with reels. I share a reel or swipe to watch the next one. I almost never like it.
Follower Growth: My followers did not grow. That’s not what I am aiming for here, so I am not put off by this result.
Fun: This is what I really wanted to experiment for. I am struggling to like the IG app these days and wanted to try something new to hopefully rekindle my interest.
It was fun to post again daily and have a new way of sharing.
I think the “Photo as a Reel” has a place in my toolkit. I won’t always share photos that way but plan to use it more often than static photos, as it seems that is what people might want to see.
I’d recommend you experiment with it yourself and see if you like sharing that way.
Who I am Following
Vlog Brothers
John and Hank Green have been inspiring me for over 10 years on Youtube. They of course have all the other social channels, but the Youtube channel where they share inspiration and opinions with each other (mostly) remotely has been valuable. The videos are fun and wise, and share struggles from a mature perspective. Like an older brother showing you the finer points of life, these guys are real gems.
See their channel here
Music I'm Diggin'
Jose Gonzalez
You know him, you’ve heard him, but you may have forgotten how good he is on his own.
Give this playlist a listen on your next drive and you will remember the goodness
Videos, Movies, and TV
Adventure Buddies is finally live on YouTube!
Why you should watch it: It is an adventure film, but truly is a film about two friends having a conflict and deciding whether it’s worth sticking it out or not.
Hopefully, it will leave you inspired to become closer with your own friends and have bigger adventures despite your differences.
Reads
Put Your Ass Where Your Heart Wants To Be by Steven Pressfield
A book from The War Of Art author Steven Pressfield, this book is a short rallying cry that inspired me to create better rituals to level up my work.
Phrases like “today is the day, there is no other day” will become your mantra.
If you have a desire to make photos, paint, crochet or any other creative pursuit as a carrer, then you need to read this book.
It’s life-changing, even if you aren’t into self-improvement books.
10/10 would recommend.
Find the book Here
Parting Thought:
The most important thing you can work on today is your dream. The procrastination and “one day” is resistance to stop you from reaching your greatest potential. Your dream has steps, even small ones. Work on the steps. Your future self will thank you.
Be stoked and have a great month,
Isaac
This newsletter, my photography and my videos are all free, but not cheap. If you want to help me continue to make things you can buy me virtual coffee.
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