I just now uploaded this.
This is an outdoor rumford designed to replace a campfire. People can circle around, not get smoke in their eyes and stay dry and warm even when it is raining.
This is at "The Homestead" in Oregon, right next door to "cobville".
http://www.youtube.com/paulwheaton12#p/u/0/0DY4lsTPabQ
Kind of interesting, but it would be so much better if whoever does those videos would take at least one lesson on how to take a video. d*
Actually, lessons aren't necessarily needed; just keep the damn camera somewhat steady and don't move it around so fast. It's basic; it's video 101; it's not that hard. Even at my advanced age, I can do it. ;)
So improve the video method or for God's sake, get someone else to do it.
I have a hard time taking these videos seriously because they are so hard to watch.
Sorry about the rant, but it's just not that hard to properly use technology.
I think the real problem comes from taking 50 videos before looking at the first one.
If you look at my 500 hot showers video - that was with a new camera and a fair bit of experience under my belt.
So I went to this video and added the notation "another in the series of 'crappy video is better than no video.'"
Quote'crappy video is better than no video.'"
Sorry Paul, I don't agree. For example, this last video on the outdoor Rumford didn't really show anything that made a video useful. A slide show would have made more sense. I don't recall seeing any flames or smoke going up instead of in someone's eyes; in other words, no motion was shown except the eratic motion of the camera. :P
As a side note, it really bugs me when I click on a YouTube video link and instead of getting a video, I get a slide show.
If a video is called for, do a video. If a slide show is called for, do a slide show.
I don't think Poppy realizes that the video was taken by you Paul. :)
It's tough being a giant and having to use all these gadgets made for midgets isn't it?
Do you have a special cell phone with big buttons? Or do you dial with a pencil? lol
FWIW, I would rather watch a crappy Paul Wheaton video any day over most anything
on TV.
Well, Shamrock76, you seem to know who I am!
Thanks for the mighty kind words! I was beginning to wonder if I might be scraping the bottom of the barrel of what I have and maybe I should stop pushing stuff up to youtube until I get better raw footage.
I would like to have seen more of the structure, like how is it arranged that rain can fall in the center of the group but the seating is sheltered around the perimeter.
I agree with poppy's critique, in a constructively critical way. That video has too much herky jerky camera motion. Moving picture shows, as they were once called, are better when the subject does most of the moving and the camera is steady, or at the most performs pans, zooms, etc. in a deliberate measured manner. Somebody once said, "If a thing's worth doing, it's worth doing well".
Part of it was that I was trying to not hold up the group. And I didn't know what I would do with the video.
Then somebody asked if I had any more pictures of a cob rumford fireplace. They also asked why the rumford is better than other fireplaces.
So I cobbled together what I have.
Travelling four days to get better footage so I can have a better youtube video isn't really an option for me. Sorry about that.
I suppose another tack that I could take is to ask folks here to upload their examples of rumford cob fireplaces. Apparently this is the only one on youtube right now.
Paul, I like the crazy camera work! It combined well with the Super Bowl buzz I have going on! Now I know I left some heavy equipment to operate around here someplace!
Kinda like passing out free hot dogs at a park and and having two old farts bitching cause there's no mustard. >:(
"It's basic barbecuing 101"
"Passing out burgers would have made more sense"
"If you're gonna pass out free hot dogs, you need to learn how to do it."
I'm a fairly new poster here, but I've been reading this forum for about 3 years now and have come to respect your opinions and comments about many things, but I think the way you've treated Paul here is not only very disrespectful but quite rude.
Cool! Somebody is sticking up for me! Spiffy!
Don,
On that same bit of video, I wandered over to a larger, similar structure and managed to get some footage of the roof bits. No rumford. It also includes some footage of a chair that is carved from a tree - all on big piece of wood. And a basin that is one big piece of wood.
But it is made with the same crazy-cam and I have no smooth-cam footage. I went on the tour and happened to remember to turn my camera on. There was so much, I thought I would just turn on the video and hope to capture it all as I went by.
I'm already pushed a youtube up that features a water heater there that is heated by micro hydro, solar and a rocket stove.
I think I have a little more footage that shows their ... uh .... "toilet". A non-jenkins style humanure like thing.
Shamrock76, I did not mean to be rude. I meant to be helpful. I hesitated making a comment at all for several hours. However, the camera motion makes it very difficult for me to be sure what the focus was supposed to be on. As I stated, my criticism was meant, is meant, in a constructive manner. Good pictures or videos do make it easier to understand a concept. I'm sorry if this old farts attempt to offer some insight on how that video could have been better is taken as disrespect. It was not meant that way.
You mean you didn't set up a tripod and lighting? I think you should have asked your tour group to wait and help you set up, it's basic video 101 I'm sure they would have understood. I think you should have also picked some pretty gal from the tour group and had her demonstrate and model the subjects being filmed. My wife does voice acting, you could have hired her to narrate your film for a few hundred dollars. Next time do it right, or don't do it at all.
Shamrock w* to the forum.
So let me get this straight: if it's free then it doesn't have to be good. OK there may be a valid point there, but I stand by what I wrote and if you have followed any of my posts on other threads where I have been equally critical, it was certainly not out of disrespect or being rude for that matter.
I have complimented Paul on other things that he has posted and it doesn't matter to me who did the video. Again, I stand by what I wrote.
It reminds me of a new restaurant (fast food) getting ready to open up near us a few years ago. It is a national chain, but I won't name them here.
They had a booth set up at Home Depot and were giving away free sandwiches. I got one and after one taste, threw the rest away (out of sight of the booth). I simply didn't like the taste and I don't go to their new restaurant as a result (except when they mailed out coupons for free ice cream ;)). I was glad I didn't pay for that sample.
I clicked on the video for two reasons: 1. I respect the info. that Paul provides. 2. I am a big fan of the Rumford fireplace design.
If I don't get a chance to complain once in a while, I get really crabby. ;D c*
OK Shamrock, Don and I are old farts, we admit that, and if you want to have the last word then we will stop this thread drift.
But I'm not so sure that Paul needs so much backup. As a matter of fact, he seems to be taking the criticism in stride and seeing it for what it is.
I hope your last post was all in fun, but without any smilies it's hard to tell. ???
Don't post angry! Don't post angry! Sorry if I came off a little strong, I've had a hell of a morning with my twins and I've got them down for a nap and finally got my coffee. The world seems a much brighter place right now.
BTW, I found Poppy and Don on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhmjnYKlVnM
rofl [rofl2] :-X
Hi Shamrock76. w* to the forum and thanks for the humor. I also agree and like criticism to be posted in a tactful manner. Let's not kill the messenger. I know that at this very moment, Paul is improving his movie making skills just so those of us at the Countryplans site will enjoy it more. :)
Twins --- one at a time was enough for me and my wife did all of the work. I was rather allergic to urrp and doodoo.... they (the kids - not urrp and doodoo... I hope....) are still alive though... [ouch]
Thanks, Paul. A production with special effects would be great, but if information is all you can get I will study that too. ::)
Sorry I am not here a lot lately - work is interfering with my forum time....
(https://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k167/PurpleSpringer/welderdude.gif)
Note - not actually me - an impostor.... heh
Good information. Beats doing the "outside fire spinning dance" that I generally do because I just have a circle of stacked rocks next to an old log.
Glenn,
I've organized my collection of info about oehler's ridge top house. I have some stuff from my old camera last spring and some stuff from my new camera last fall. And ..... you have to be extra forgiving of the photographer for all of it.
I also have footage of what oehler calls a "sleeper" - an above ground oehler structure with a cedar tree growing on the roof. And another he calls a "shelter" for when "the big one" is dropped on north idaho.
So far, there are 19 replies to this post. I'll make it an even 20.
Paul, while I agree with the herky-jerky complaints, criticisms, etc about some of the videos,
And while I have also made video commercially, and understand how difficult it is to get everything just right,
And darned near impossible to get a great video "on the fly", like you are trying to do.
I also appreciate all the information and ideas that you present to those who otherwise might not get to see them at all.
So, keep on doing what you're doing. People who can't stand amateur work done by an amateur, don't have to watch your videos.
OK I've had my coffee and reread my first and second posts.
I can definitely see how they can be construed as without tact and were a little over the top for a public forum.
And I saw that I used a couple of words that I have never used here before.
I have had one PM from a respected member who basically supported my views, however, and that reminded me that it would have been better if I had used the PM feature myself instead of the public rant.
I love this forum :-* and learn much from it. I try to contribute where I can. :P
I had a really rough week end (don't have twins though), but that is no excuse for beating up on friends. :-[
I just uploaded a new video. I took this video last fall. New camera and, I think, a steadier hand.
What do you think:
http://www.youtube.com/paulwheaton12#p/u/0/5U1JgAkW-xY