Backing tracks

 

More videos being worked on means more backing tracks need to be recorded. Creating original scores that match the video is challenging and time-consuming. It's something that the AI can't do well at present.

Access

 New Pavement creates a few problems with getting the students here today. The workmen are very helpful, so we should manage ok.

working on Sailwave

This is Paul, and I sailing Sailwave in the clubhouse, working out the scores for Bourne End Week . We did manage to get out in the Camera Boat and on the bank taking some 8000 photographs and hrs of video footage recording each of the 36 Races.
 

Bourne End Week

 Getting ready for a big Sailing Event - Bourne End Week, when many of the Thames A-Raters gather together near Marlow to compete for the oldest River Racing Cup - the Queens cup. These A-Raters are the fastest sailing boats on the River Thames and a sight to see.

Cost of replacement cartridges

I can print posters and photos up to A1 size. I haven't replaced the cartridges in a while, and I've noticed that each cartridge now costs about £250. There are 12 different cartridges that I will need to replace over the next few months.

Admin

 Printing out named event tickets on different coloured paper and then sorting them out and putting into envelopes. Admin is sometimes so much fun!

Pursuit Race

In the Pursuit Race. You may just spot the sailing boats in the extreme distance. We weren't chasing them they had overtaken us. We finished a lap down and in last place by a very significant distance.
 

ChatGPT Deep Research

ChatGPT Deep Research: We used the full power of the Internet to gather all the possible information on the A-Rater boats and compile it into a useful reference document. The time taken was 14 minutes, but the time saved was hours—maybe days.

Filming

 I'm out in the Camera Boat on the River Thames, capturing some action as the sailing boats go by. The electric motor cuts down on the noise, so we really only hear the noise of the boat moving through the water.

Portrait

 Focusing too much on the subject and not enough on the backdrop and you notice that the green screen was not entirely flat. The lighting was good for the girl but not so good on the backdrop.

Wedding Season

 The Wedding season is in full swing and couples look for either very traditional photographs or something completely different.​

Positioning Cameras in boats

Placing cameras in boats relies more on where you can put the camera rather than the shot you might like. Using suction fittings and physically tying the camera to the boat in case of a capsize is essential. We use the 360 camera on the boom and others fore and aft.

 

Unexpected Safety Boat duty.

 This was an unexpected Safety Boat duty. One of the boats capsized, and although a safety boat was there to help, the Officer of the day decided to dispatch another boat to aid with the boat and crew's recovery, and I was available.

Getting the picture

 Trying to get the photo of the sailing boat, sailing in front of the Upper Thames Sailing Club

Getting the shot

Trying to be in the right place at the right time — and actually getting the shot you need. It’s part planning, part instinct, and a lot of luck.

Practical Exams Completed

 That's all the A-Level Practical exams done for this season of exams. Completed the Physics, Chemistry and the Biology Practical Examinations for the students. Good luck with the theory papers.

Halo

 

No rain, bright sunshine, with a cloud near the sun, sailing at Bourne End, Bucks - produced not a true rainbow but a halo. This is ice in the upper atmosphere refracting #loveukweather @metoffice @StormHour

FPOV

 I'm working on a first-person POV. The camera works well, apart from my son's height. As he walks around, we get a slightly different POV compared with what I am used to.

Not so good in the wind

 

The wind was all over the place, bouncing off the houses, coming in all directions and gusting, so we only managed one lap, then I learnt how to used the Sailwave program so that I can score the races for the sailing club, and spent time hunting mayflies.

Photographing A-Raters

 

The A-Raters are probably the fastest River boats in the world. Several are based at the Upper Thames Sailing Club, giving me an excellent opportunity to get some photographs of these magnificent boats out on the water.​

Macro Photography

 The weather is good, and spring is here, with all the plants coming out attracting insects, so it's time to get out the 100mm Macro lens and capture a few pictures of insects.

Piano

Getting a good piano sound for background music is essential. The sound is very versatile, from loud Boogie Woogie to sad reflections. It fits most soundtracks and is the sort of thing that the audience doesn't notice.
 

Portrait or Landscape

Do I film in Portrait, Landscape, or Square, or do I have to do all three? With all the different Social Media platforms, all the different formats are needed. The Canon R5C does have guide marks, and if I can keep all the action inside these, then I only have to film once.