Monday, June 30, 2014

Displaying Your Geocaching Skills By Creating Your Own vLogs - Part One

Back around the year 2008 you could do a query on YouTube using the word geocaching and you would find a couple thousand videos based on this amazing  activity. Today there is close to 200,000 geocaching videos ranging from a few exciting moments of the find to complete tutorial examples of what to do and not to do while geocaching. With the convenience of modern technology including smartphones, geocaching applications using built in GPSr signals, video cameras and the willingness to explore geocachers can now document their adventures with ease.


So what is a geocaching vLog and what are some of the basics you would need to know to create one?

A geocaching vLog is a Video Log showing one's details while out geocaching. This can take many forms and impressions based on the person making the vLog. So for starters let's go over some of the back themes a geocaching vLog might take. For example:

* Try to make your vLog as entertaining as possible. You want other viewers to enjoy your experiences as much as you do.
* Informative - There are several tutorial based geocaching series on YouTube like GeoSnippits that give needed help and advice to geocachers.
* Funny - If you really want to pump up the views try being funny in your vLogs, viewers love episodes like The Geocaching Vlogger or The Geocaching Doc. It's one thing to show the geocaching experience from a normal point of view and another when you can really make someone laugh doing it.
* Interesting - Geocaches bring the opportunity of acknowledging history, scenic points of interest and other fun facts. When you make your vLog and come upon these examples be ready to show them to your viewers as well.
* Something to catch your viewer's attention - Always try to start off with something of interest that will pull your viewers into wanting to watch the rest of your video. This will help with viewer retention.

Now that you have an idea in the back of your head of the theme to your geocaching vLog let's take a quick look at the equipment you may need to create repeat watchable videos. The main concern will be your budget and what you can afford. If you can come up with some of the basics you can start making your vLogs with a minimal amount of cash.  <-- Note pun and did not spell it cache.... just saying.

Starting out, if you can get either a smart-phone with a good camera/microphone built in or a single shot camera with video mode you are on your way with starting your vLog career. Most modern day smart-phones come with a camera or even a front/back camera with built in microphone. These are great - not perfect of vLogs and we will explain why in a moment but good enough to get your video shot at least. The reason we do not say they are not perfect is because most smart-phones have a poorer quality camera and sound quality than say a single shot or digital SLR based camera that also usually does not have the best steady-cam feature which keeps the video from shaking when you hold the camera. Many smart-phones do not have a tri-pod shoe which is a huge help in certain shots you may want to take. Again smart-phones are at the very least a good start.



Quality of a vLog can make it or break it. Here are some examples you may want to consider:

Video Quality (16:9) HD Resolution (720 or 1080 for best)

* Smart-phone video - poor quality, shaky, sound problems, but is a camera that is always with you.
* Single shot camera - varies in sound and video quality, can have steady shot, other features available like wide angle. Portable.
* Video-Cam - Extra equipment to carry. Usually requires tripod, sound quality better. Not great for just holding the camera up in front of you.

Audio Quality

* Smart-phone - poor quality
* One Shot Camera - fair to good quality
* Video Recorder - good quality
* Portable Microphone - best quality - A Zoom Recorder with lapel mic or boom pole with mic help tremendously

Other Equipment Things To Consider

* Batteries - Depending on your equipment and how much you want to shoot. Having spare batteries are a must. Even if that is keeping your smart-phone topped off.
* SD Cards and extra storage when on trips or longer shoots. Depending on how much you really get into creating vLogs will determine how much storage you are going to need. If you are doing a standard four to seven minute vLog you can get away with a 16Gig SD card in your phone or camera but to be safe I would go 32Gig or higher these days.
* Tri-pods, gorrilla pods (holds onto trees, etc.), mono-pods. When you need more than just holding your camera out at arm's length a good tri-pod can save you a lot of aggravation.

Part Two - Conducting Your vLog Shoot - Coming Soon

This is part one of a three part series for Creating Your Own vLog from geocacher HeadHardHat. You can watch or listen to his complete podcast based on this subject by going to http://geosnippitsreboot.com/gsrp-ep-062-creating-your-own-geocaching-vlog.

-------------------------------------------------------


Where Technology and Geek Meet
http://www.headhardhat.com

Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

Get our RSS feed for this blog here:
http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright/

The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast
http://www.geosnippits.com

GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat


Sunday, June 29, 2014

HeadHardHat's Geocaching vLog - Geocaching The Pond

In today's geocaching vLog,

HeadHardHat and Wife Amy the Headhardhatress do some geocaching in an area around a newly constructed mall. Even with all the parking lot spaces, modern lighting and the sounds of traffic they still find a tranquil pond of which to explore. Come now and see what hidden caches they can find.



If the viewer is not above please use this link to YouTube:
http://youtu.be/MJi9M2S7kok

 -------------------------------------------------------


Where Technology and Geek Meet
http://www.headhardhat.com

Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

Get our RSS feed for this blog here:
http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright/

The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast
http://www.geosnippits.com

GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Attending A Geocaching Whereigo Event

Had an amazing day helping to create a little history for the up coming North Carolina Civil War Geocaching Trails. The event was designed to get information in key areas around the Battle of Bentonville. Which was the largest battle in North Carolina during the Civil War. The actual whereigo cartridge will be a part of the state wide trail system.

Thanks to Tatortott for putting this all together.

Friday, June 27, 2014

GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast: Ep. 068 - June Mish Mash Episode

TONIGHT on the GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast it is our June Mish Mash Episode! So anything geocaching is up for grabs. What fun, controversial, interesting and or need to know subjects will be part of the discussion?  Our wonderful viewers and listeners chimed in and you can too when we record the show LIVE!

We record the GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast on Thursday nights at 8:30pm ET with our Patron Pre-Show at 8:10pm ET. You can see it all recorded live and join in with our world wide chat-room all during the show. Be sure to bring you geocaching subjects and they just might make the show!  Head on over to www.geosnippits.com and join the GSREBOOT PODCAST by clicking the menu link.



If the video does not appear above please use this YouTube link:
http://youtu.be/-Av_phnbF7k

Our Audio Podcast Version:

-------------------------------------------------------


Where Technology and Geek Meet
http://www.headhardhat.com

Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

Get our RSS feed for this blog here:
http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright/

The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast
http://www.geosnippits.com

GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Episode 356 - Geocaching Rants

Streamed live on June 18, 2014

Tonight the gang at The Geocaching Podcast take the lead from host Scott Berks as they voice out some geocaching rants. Scott was recently a guest on the Oh Beep Podcast which brought on tonight’s theme..

We meet up on Wednesdays at 9:30PM ET at www.geocachingpodcast.com/live to record LIVE. Come view our YouTube live stream and join in our chatroom to take part in the show.



If you cannot see the video above please use this YouTube Link:
http://youtu.be/4ekpynb3_EM

Our Audio Version of the Show:




-------------------------------------------------------


Where Technology and Geek Meet
http://www.headhardhat.com

Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

Get our RSS feed for this blog here:
http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright/

The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast
http://www.geosnippits.com

GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Episode 355 - Geocaches We Wish We Could Hide

Tonight on the Geocaching Podcast. The gang kind of take a devil's advocate approach to geocaching hides.  In other words they discuss all the different types of geocaches they would LIKE to legally hide but for one reason or another cannot at this point in time. What inventive and reflective ideas will they come up with? What are some geocaches you would like to be able to hide?

Find out tonight at 9:30PM ET and watch us record live by going to www.geocachingpodcast.com/live and see the Live YouTube feed and join the chat room as we discuss this interesting topic.

See you there!







If you cannot see the video above please use this YouTube link:

 http://youtu.be/JWFyHc523ck

The Audio Podcast:


-------------------------------------------------------


Where Technology and Geek Meet
http://www.headhardhat.com

Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

Get our RSS feed for this blog here:
http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright/

The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast
http://www.geosnippits.com

GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Monday, June 9, 2014

HEADHARDHAT FEATURED ON EPISODE #160 OF THE GADGET PROFESSOR

HHH on Gadget Professor
 Hey Fellow Geocachers,

Here is the episode of which I was featured on The Gadget Professor with Don Baine.



If you cannot see the video above please use the link provided below:
http://www.techpodcasts.com/gadget/130305/tgp-160-geocaching-with-andrew-smith/

Here is the audio podcast version:

It gives a really nice overview of our favorite game, sport and obsession in which I hope we get a whole new audience interested in our activity. Want to thank Don for having me on and looking forward to being on the Gadget Professor in the future.
-------------------------------------------------------


Where Technology and Geek Meet
http://www.headhardhat.com

Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

Get our RSS feed for this blog here:
http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright/

The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast
http://www.geosnippits.com

GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat


Sunday, June 8, 2014

HeadHardHat's Geocaching vLog: WWFM XI - World Wide Flash Mob

Andy HeadHardHat Smith and Wife Amy attended the WWFM 11 Flash Mob in Raleigh, NC on June 7th, 2014. Where they enjoyed meeting up with many local geocachers, received very cool pathtags and participated with all the coolness of this very special geocaching flash mob event.

This particular event was GC54W26 - USA NC WWFM XI: Dragon Flash.
The geocaching event was duplicate all around the world and is the project child of Sonny and Sandy from the Podcacher Podcast.



If you cannot see the video above, check out the YouTube video link here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4iBmcFue1M&feature=share&list=UUGpb47bmcMcqafCdlUwFusg

 -------------------------------------------------------


Where Technology and Geek Meet
http://www.headhardhat.com

Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

Get our RSS feed for this blog here:
http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright/

The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast
http://www.geosnippits.com

GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat

Friday, June 6, 2014

Doing Some Geocaching In Apex, NC

Had to drop something off to wife Amy at her work. Decided to go out and do some geocaching while still in Apex North Carolina. Doing fairly well with a couple of DNFs but having a great time anyways.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Episode 354 - Geocaching Apps for Beginners

Streamed live on Jun 4, 2014

Tonight on the Geocaching Podcast. HeadHardHat and the gang go over different geocaching applications available to new geocachers. There have been rumblings about the Geocaching Intro App, did the GCPC find out something you should know about?

Be sure to Tune in at 9:30PM ET on Wednesdays at www.geocachingpodcast.com/live to watch the live recording and join in with our chat room.



Here is the audio version if the podcast:



-------------------------------------------------------


Where Technology and Geek Meet
http://www.headhardhat.com

Our award winning, geocaching based blog:
GeoCache: I'm NOT Obsessed... Right?
http://headhardhat-geocache.blogspot.com/

Get our RSS feed for this blog here:
http://feeds.feedblitz.com/geocacheimnotobsessedright/

The GeoSnippits Reboot Podcast
http://www.geosnippits.com

GeoSnippits Geocaching Tutorial Videos Website at
http://www.geosnippits.com

Twitter me at
@headhardhat

Friend me at Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/HeadHardHat/

Google+
http://gplus.to/headhardhat