So, I’ve gotten a USB kb, and a cheap webcam with mic. I’ve learned how to set a BG picture in OBS Studio, but haven’t worked with resizing and centering, yet, so I’m not camera facing, yet, which is irrelevant, and I will get to that in a minute. I have been experimenting with black and silver on a temporarily necessary black background (table covering on an antique sewing table without the machine), with a plastic placemat under it to blunt reverb from bumps. I know I have to speak up, because using the laptop mic creates reverb, when loud enough to make voice hearable. I have only the overhead light, but it makes a glare. I thought by offing the light, I was doing well, according to what I saw on the monitor, both recording and watching, yet when uploaded, it’s entirely too dark, which kinda annoyed me since I fumbled through with vision challenges.

I need some help, comrades. I really want to make videos, and proper cam, lights, mic and sound/light diffuser isn’t a thing right now. Can I tack up a white tee on the ceiling between a naked LED bulb and me for effective diffusion before my hopalong ass climbs an bistro chair to experiment, bc I stay alone and would be risking a bit to do it (I’m still waiting on an initial consult with an ortho).

I could really use and will certainly appreciate suggestions and help, and would appreciate suggestions for workable light and sound. I’m not particularly enthusiastic about facing the cam for a few reasons, not the least of which is political climate, but I’ll do it, because fuck it. I just really want to have these challenges sorted before I’m returned to work, because regardless of multiple physical challenges, income is imperative.

I already don’t want to ask for necessities when other comrades have more pressing needs, so I don’t want to mutual aid post asking for equipment.

  • Maeve @lemmygrad.mlOP
    2·
    2 days ago

    The tee-shirt works! I left the door open and overhead light on in the adjacent room, as well. It’s not perfect, obviously, but it’s a vast improvement. I’ll look at the thrift store for other lighting when I go into town, while also being attentive to personal finances, which is probably a good idea for anyone of any means.

    It occurs to me that life force is probably our most precious resource, so I intend to be attentive to that, as well. I slept a lot yesterday, and it felt good. There are always things to do, but we do them more clearly and efficiently with proper rest, don’t we? We deserve rest, let’s not tell ourselves we don’t. The body and mind aren’t tied for no reason. I think that means rest from endless worry, when we do our honest best.

  • Jabril [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    do you have any budget at all?

    do you have any kind of lamp? I would just turn off the overhead light and use the cheapest lamp I could find, maybe one of those clip on ones with the necks that you can move. if you had one (or preferably two : a key and a fill )on the subject and one behind it pointing up it will separate subject from background and make subject clearly lit enough to be fine for now. getting three total would be more ideal but for beginning this kind of content you’ll probably be fine with one or two. craigslist or resale stores could be places to find cheap or even free lamps. otherwise yes, putting something between the light and the screen will at least remove the glare but it may not be “good” lighting. this could be done closer to the camera as well it doesn’t need to be close to the light as long as it is out of frame. so if climbing and attaching things high is a challenge maybe you can figure out something rigged between the light and camera that is closer to the ground to just block the glare

    for mic I would just find the cheapest mic that you can afford, maybe a headset one could be ideal in your situation. these can be found for less than $10 online and will put a mic close enough to your mouth that it will be an easy and cheap upgrade from your current situation until you can get a higher quality mic and a stand.

  • FishLake@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
    4·
    3 days ago

    An old photography/videography trick is using a shower curtain as a light diffuser. Works really well. A lot more light will pass through than a t-shirt and it’ll be more uniformily diffused.

    • Maeve @lemmygrad.mlOP
      2·
      3 days ago

      Thanks so much! I looked this up, and learned it’s primarily used for natural light and ring lights, light bars, etc. None of that applies in my situation, but it’s still helpful.

      I’m using an overhead light. Using a bed sheet or shower liner would make getting about in the space difficult, I’m not even supposed to be on my feet, let alone climbing. But climbing would (hopefully) be one and done, and more importantly, the tee is an undershirt, not active wear, and it’s been laundered for several years, so it may do the job. Idk though, I’ll take aspirin and give it time to kick in and maybe give it a try maybe tomorrow. For sure I’ll be disgruntled if it fails, but I’ll just have to try something else like a pillow case, if it does. I had a thin white bandana I felt would be ideal, but when I looked this morning, I found cobalt, camo, and black. -_-

      Thanks again, I hope you realize that even though the suggestion isn’t immediatly workable, it may be at a later time, and gave me other ideas, so I really appreciate it. Wachoo got for sound? 👀

      • FishLake@lemmygrad.mlEnglish
        2·
        3 days ago

        I got diddly for sound. That’s a hard one to get right with a laptop mic. You could try using the mic on some earphones. They’ll do a pretty good job of picking up your voice but not so much for any ambient sound.

        Some thoughts for overhead top lighting. If you just have a single LED fixture, it might not actually be bright enough with a diffuser to get good results. But definitely play around with it, changing the orientation of your camera/subject, different diffusing materials, the ISO if that’s possible, things like that. You can also try “bouncing” the light onto your subject from a different angle using various materials. I literally use a tin roasting tray to bounce light off of for photographing artwork. Lamps come in handy too.

        • Maeve @lemmygrad.mlOP
          2·
          3 days ago

          ISO?

          All really useful ideas, thanks! The roasting pan is an especially useful idea. I’ll def. play around with positioning and diffusing, I’m just a little bit constrained physically, at the moment. I’ll have to see about getting a lamp later. Thank you!

  • Sanya@lemmygrad.ml
    3·
    3 days ago

    Sadly I have no knowledge on the technicalities of video making, but I’d be interested in checking them out. What kind of videos would you like to make?