Thursday, 19 February 2026

DaVinci Resolve: Blink… and There’s Another Update!


 DaVinci Resolve: Blink… and There’s Another Update!

It feels like every time I open DaVinci Resolve, there’s a new version waiting for me.

Not just a polite little bug fix.

A whole new feature set.

New AI tools.
New grading controls.
New editing workflows.
New audio tricks.

And I find myself thinking:

“I’ve only just mastered the last update!”

The Pace of Change is Relentless

In video production — whether for GCSE science lessons, sailing tutorials for pmrsailing.uk, or YouTube content — software evolves at a staggering pace.

What used to require:

  • Separate compositing software

  • Dedicated colour grading systems

  • Specialist audio tools

Is now integrated into one platform.

That’s extraordinary.

But keeping up? That’s a job in itself.

The Hidden Cost: Learning Time

Every upgrade means:

  • Watching tutorials

  • Testing new features

  • Rethinking workflow

  • Adjusting keyboard shortcuts

  • Updating old project templates

As someone running a multi-camera studio and producing regular educational content, that learning curve is real.

It’s tempting to ignore updates.

But…

The Benefits Are Huge

Each version usually brings:

What once took hours now takes minutes.

That’s not incremental improvement — that’s transformative.

For educational video, that means:

  • Cleaner diagrams

  • Faster turnaround

  • Better sound for online lessons

  • More professional delivery

And that directly benefits students and viewers.

The Bigger Lesson

Technology is not slowing down.

If anything, AI tools inside editing software are accelerating the pace of change.

You either:

  • Resist it and fall behind

  • Or lean into it and grow

Yes, it’s hard work.

But the upside?
Creative freedom, efficiency, and results that were once only possible in major broadcast studios.

Final Thought

Keeping up with evolving technology is demanding — especially when you’re also teaching, filming, editing, sailing, and detailing the restoration of a B-Rater!

But standing still isn’t an option.

The tools are improving.
The possibilities are expanding.
And that’s exciting.


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Wednesday, 18 February 2026

One Camera Only – A 360 Camera or a Smartphone?

 


One Camera Only – A 360 Camera or a Smartphone?

When you’re travelling light – whether that’s filming a science practical in the lab, capturing B-roll on the Thames, or documenting the restoration of a boat– sometimes you just want one camera in your pocket.

But which one?

A smartphone or a 360 camera?

📱 Smartphone

Why a Smartphone Makes Sense

Most of us already carry one. Modern phones shoot:

  • 4K (often 60fps)

  • Excellent HDR

  • Strong stabilisation

  • Surprisingly good audio (with external mic support)

For me, with science education videos, a smartphone on a tripod over a lab bench can produce excellent results, especially with good lighting. For quick GCSE or A-Level clips, it’s efficient and immediate.

Strengths

✔️ Simple workflow
✔️ Great for talking-head or structured shots
✔️ Easy editing on-device
✔️ Social media ready

Weaknesses

✖️ You must frame carefully
✖️ Miss the action outside your field of view
✖️ Limited creative reframing afterwards

If you don’t point it at the moment… you’ve missed it.

🔄 360 Camera

Now this is a different philosophy entirely.

A 360 camera records everything around it.

For sailing on the River Thames or on the coast or filming manoeuvres in a power boat, this is powerful. You don’t have to guess where the action will happen — you capture it all and decide later.

Strengths

✔️ Never miss the moment
✔️ Reframe in post-production
✔️ Incredible dynamic angles
✔️ Great for training and analysis

For example:

  • Reviewing tacks and gybes from every angle

  • Analysing crew movement

  • Creating immersive YouTube or VR content

Weaknesses

✖️ Lower image quality per “normal” frame
✖️ More editing time
✖️ Can look gimmicky if overused

A 360 camera is not about point-and-shoot — it’s about capture now, decide later.

🎥 Which One Wins?

It depends on your purpose.

Choose a Smartphone If:

  • You know exactly what you’re filming

  • You want speed and simplicity

  • You’re creating direct-to-camera teaching content

  • You need reliable audio

Choose a 360 Camera If:

  • You don’t know where the action will happen

  • You’re moving (sailing, cycling, walking)

  • You want flexibility in editing

  • You enjoy creative reframing

🧠 A Deeper Question

This isn’t really about hardware.

It’s about control vs flexibility.

  • Smartphone = intentional framing

  • 360 camera = editorial freedom

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Tuesday, 17 February 2026

Clouds in Infrared and Ultraviolet – Seeing the Sky Differently

The same cloud in UV and IR

Clouds in Infrared and Ultraviolet – Seeing the Sky Differently

When we look up at the sky, we think we’re seeing “everything”. But of course, we’re only seeing a tiny slice of the electromagnetic spectrum — visible light.

With the right filters and camera modifications, clouds become completely different subjects in infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) photography.

And if you enjoy science, sailing, or simply understanding the weather properly, this is fascinating territory.

☁️ Infrared (IR) – The Dramatic Sky

Infrared photography records light just beyond red, typically around 720nm and above.

What happens to clouds?

  • Blue sky becomes very dark (because Rayleigh scattering is reduced in IR)

  • White clouds become brilliant and luminous

  • Water vapour absorbs differently

  • High-altitude clouds stand out dramatically

The result?
A sky that looks almost stormy — even on a pleasant day.

For sailing photography (and yes, this matters when filming at Upper Thames SC), IR can:

  • Enhance definition of cloud structures

  • Reveal moisture differences

  • Make otherwise flat skies look powerful

  • Highlight developing cumulonimbus before the eye really notices contrast

It’s almost like turning up the drama slider on the atmosphere.

🌤️ Ultraviolet (UV) – The Scientific Sky

Ultraviolet photography is much harder.

Lenses, sensors and filters all behave differently in UV, and many modern lenses block UV entirely.

But when you capture it:

  • Sky brightness changes significantly

  • Haze becomes more apparent

  • High-altitude scattering increases

  • Thin cloud layers can show structure invisible in visible light

UV is particularly interesting for:

If you teach GCSE or A-Level Physics, this is Rayleigh scattering in action — not just in a textbook, but in the sky above your head.

🌦 Why This Matters

For photographers:

  • Creative impact

  • Unique landscape results

  • Weather storytelling

For sailors:

  • Better awareness of cloud development

  • Spotting high thin layers before wind shifts

For science students:

  • Real-world electromagnetic spectrum applications

  • Scattering theory made visible

  • Atmosphere physics you can photograph

My Take

Having used multispectral cameras for science and sailing content, I’m always struck by how much information we ignore simply because our eyes can’t see it.

Clouds aren’t just white blobs.
They are complex optical phenomena interacting with wavelength, particle size, humidity, and solar angle.

And with IR or UV?
They tell a completely different story.




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Monday, 16 February 2026

Crisp, Bright and Dry Days – Ideal for Drone Flying

 


Crisp, Bright and Dry Days – Ideal for Drone Flying

There’s something magical about a crisp, bright winter’s day in the UK.
The air feels cleaner. The sky seems bluer. The light has a clarity that photographers and videographers dream of.

For anyone flying a drone, these are the days you wait for.

❄️ Why Cold, Dry Air Makes a Difference

1. Better Visibility

Cold air tends to hold less moisture. Less moisture means less haze.
That means sharper horizons, better contrast, and richer colours straight out of the camera.

For landscape work — especially over water like the River Thames — clarity makes a huge difference.

2. Stunning Low-Angle Light

In winter, the sun stays low in the sky all day. That gives:

  • Longer shadows

  • Greater texture in fields and rooftops

  • More dramatic side-lighting

  • Beautiful golden tones even at midday

For storytelling footage, that texture adds depth and atmosphere without any special filters.

3. Dramatic Contrast

Bright sun + frosty ground = natural high contrast scenes.
Fields sparkle. Roofs glow. Trees stand out against blue skies.

It’s cinematography without the lighting crew.

🌬 The One Caveat: Wind

Crisp often means still — but not always.

High-pressure winter systems usually bring calm air, which is perfect for:

  • Smooth tracking shots

  • Stable hovering

  • Clean reveal shots

  • Slow, cinematic passes

But always check wind speed at height, not just at ground level.

🔋 What About Battery Performance?

Cold temperatures can reduce drone battery efficiency.

Practical tips:

  • Keep batteries warm before flying (inside your coat pocket works well).

  • Don’t launch immediately after taking batteries from a cold car boot.

  • Expect slightly shorter flight times.

  • Avoid draining batteries to very low percentages in cold weather.

If you’re filming regularly — perhaps building content for YouTube, LinkedIn or your sailing blog — planning shorter, focused flights can improve both safety and footage quality.

🌊 Perfect for River & Sailing Footage

For those of us filming on the Thames or around sailing clubs:

  • Water reflections are clearer

  • Mist patches can create cinematic atmosphere

  • Frost outlines riverbanks beautifully

  • Boats stand out sharply against darker winter water

If you're documenting winter sailing, restoration projects, or club life, these days give you footage that looks far more “produced” than it actually is.

🎥 Why These Days Are Content Gold

For anyone creating:

  • Educational videos

  • Sailing content

  • Environmental blogs

  • Property or architecture footage

  • Promotional clips

Crisp days mean:

✔ Less colour correction in post
✔ Sharper imagery
✔ Natural drama
✔ Professional-looking results

All without upgrading your camera.

Final Thought

The best gear isn’t always a new camera.
Sometimes it’s simply stepping outside on the right day.

When the sky is deep blue, the air is sharp, and the wind is gentle — that’s your cue.

Charge the batteries.
Check the airspace.
And go flying.

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Sunday, 15 February 2026

Do I Really Need a New Camera?


 Do I Really Need a New Camera?

It’s the question that quietly creeps up on every photographer and videographer:

Is it time to upgrade… or am I just being tempted by shiny new kit?

In our studio we’re already using solid gear — cameras like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and even older bodies such as the Canon EOS 7D. Both still produce excellent images in the right hands.

And yet… cinema cameras like the Canon EOS C70 sit there whispering:

“Better dynamic range… built-in ND filters… superior codecs…”

So — do we really need a new camera?

1️⃣ The Honest Question: What’s Not Working?

Before spending thousands, ask:

  • Are clients complaining about image quality?

  • Is autofocus genuinely holding you back?

  • Are low-light results unusable?

  • Is workflow inefficient because of codec limitations?

  • Are you losing work because competitors offer something you can’t?

If the answer is “no” to most of those, then the issue probably isn’t the camera.

For example, many DSLR bodies still deliver:

For YouTube science demonstrations, sailing footage on the Thames, and even online tuition content, lighting and audio usually matter more than the latest sensor.

2️⃣ Where New Cameras Do Make a Difference

There are real reasons to upgrade:

✅ Built-in ND filters

Massive time-saver for outdoor filming (especially sailing).

✅ Better dynamic range

Helps when filming bright skies and darker faces simultaneously.

✅ Improved autofocus

For single-operator shoots, this can genuinely change efficiency.

✅ Professional codecs

If you colour grade heavily in DaVinci Resolve, better codecs give more flexibility.

If your work has shifted toward more commercial video production, a cinema body may be justified.

3️⃣ The Trap: Spec Sheet Envy

Camera companies are brilliant at marketing.

But:

  • Viewers rarely know what camera you used.

  • Students watching an A-Level chemistry video care about clarity — not bit depth.

  • A sailing audience prefers a stable shot and good storytelling.

A well-lit scene shot on a five-year-old camera will look better than a poorly lit scene shot on the newest release.

4️⃣ Upgrade the Bottleneck, Not the Badge

Instead of a new body, ask:

  • Do you need better lenses?

  • Better lighting?

  • Better microphones?

  • A more efficient editing workflow?

  • A second camera for multi-angle shooting?

Often the biggest improvements come from:

5️⃣ A Simple Upgrade Rule

Only upgrade when:

The camera is limiting your creativity or income — not your curiosity.

If your current system:

  • Produces clean 4K

  • Handles colour reliably

  • Matches your lens investment

… then it may still be perfectly fit for purpose.

🎬 Final Thought

Sometimes the best upgrade isn’t a new camera.

It’s:

  • Better composition

  • Better editing

  • Better storytelling

  • Better teaching

Technology moves fast.

But skill ages very well.

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