These versatile, flexible tripods are in the kits of many photographers and new media creators. Using a tripod is one way to make all your photos and video look tremendously better, so it only makes since to take one with you when you go out to shoot. The GoriallaPod series has flexible legs that can be used like a traditional tripod, but also wrapped around other surfaces, like handrails, seatbacks and more to put your camera where you need it most.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

Subscribed 014: Frieda’s Garden

December 1, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Frieda’s Garden

I met Frieda back in the days of the old Seesmic Video Conferencing service. We were both pretty active and often found ourselves in discussions throughout the day. Frieda is also an avid gardener and regularly posts to here YouTube Channel. As with all the posts i the Subscribed series, I am subscribed to her on YouTube and regularly watch her videos. We are both in the Southern California area and that helps, too, as we are experiencing similar climate and conditions.

Join Frieda in her garden today!

Watch all of the videos in Frieda’s Garden on YouTube and subscribe yourself, too!

What are some of your favorite Subscriptions? Share them here in the comments!

Previously highlighted on Subscribed:

2012 Gift Guide: Sennheiser HD-280 PRO Headphones

November 30, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Sennheiser HD-280 PRO Headphones

Podcasters and other New Media folk spend long hours with headphones on, so quality and comfort are import. Fellow podcaster, Tee Morris, pointed these out in a recent Facebook thread on podcasting equipment. Tee is a novelist, co-writer of Podcasting for Dummies and a pioneer podcaster, so I tend to take his advice whenever it is given. I am looking for a new, decent set of headphones myself and these might fit the bill.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: Desktop Microphone Stands

November 29, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Desktop Microphone Stands

Most podcasters need some sort of desktop microphone stand for their work. Full-sized mic stands don’t work really well if you are recording at your desk, like I do. I highlighted some microphone boom arms earlier in the gift guide, but I wanted to link to a couple of desktop stands for those that are looking for a different setup.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide : Sterling Audio ST51 Large Diaphragm FET Condenser Microphone

November 28, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Sterling Audio ST51 Large Diaphragm FET Condenser Microphone

I started a podcasting equipment discussion on the Facebook Podcast Community Group so that I could start highlighting people’s equipment choices here. This led to a couple of recommendations from my fellow podcasters.

Jack “BoomgoestheDynamite” Heikle gives a good recommendation for these Sterling Audio ST51 microphones as an inexpensive but good sounding microphone for podcasters.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas

November 26, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas

Creativity is an important part of every podcast and new media project, so for the next few days I am going to focus on some of my favorite creativity books. Aha! is all about freeing up your thinking and allowing yourself to think and act creatively. Too often we restrict and confine our own thinking just when we need to be coming up with new, wild, crazy (and sometimes extremely useful) new ideas.

Creating a monthly, weekly or even daily podcast requires you to generate an amazing amount of raw ideas to insure you have enough topics, thoughts and content to fuel your show. Developing your creativity will be an important part of insuring your show continues for many years to come.

“Aha! is a joyful, upbeat survey of ideas for enhancing creativity. Jordan Ayan’s enthusiasm is hard to resist, and every reader will find personally suitable strategies. Aha! is an inspiring yet practical guidebook for freeing the creative spirit.” –Betty Edwards, author of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: Microphones from Giant Squid Audio Labs

November 25, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Microphones from Giant Squid Audio Labs

Small independent microphone manufacturer, Giant Squid Audio Labs is well known to most podcasters. They were one of the first companies to recognize the podcasting market and provide inexpensive, quality microphones to be used with a variety of equipment. Giant Squid specializes in small, lavaliere microphones used for recording interviews and off camera audio for your video productions.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: Podcast Solutions by Dan Klass and Michael Geoghegan

November 24, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Podcast Solutions

Everything you need to know about podcasting, written by fellow LA Podcaster Dan Klass and podcast pioneer, Michael Geoghegan.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: Olympus PEN E-P1 12 MP Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera

November 22, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Olympus PEN E-P1 12 MP Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera

I purchased this camera back in July of 2011 in preparation for a a family trip to Sicily. I knew I had made the right choice when people started commenting on the first photos I posted to my blogs. While their are more capable — and more expensive — cameras you can buy, the balance of price vs. quality in the EP-1 is great. The optics and depth of field alone dramatically improve the quality of your photos above a typical point-and-shoot camera.

The Auto mode of the camera allows anyone to pick it up and use it, but with program modes, and even full manual, settings, you can begin to experiment with all the settings of the camera to take dramatic photos. I also use the camera to shoot video for my YouTube/Podcast series. It only shoots 720p video, not 1080p, but the superior optics make it the best 720p possible.

You can see many example of the photos I have taken with the camera — and videos, too — by checking out any of my blogs at DouglasEWelch.com.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: Rode Podcaster Microphone

November 20, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Rode Podcaster USB Dynamic Microphone

The Rode Podcaster is a very popular microphone among both podcasters and YouTube video producers. It has a deep rich sound that makes nearly anyone sound better and more professional. This USB mic plugs directly into a USB port on Windows or Macintosh computers so no mixing board is necessary.

The Rode Podcaster also has an innovative work around for one of the downsides of a USB mic. Due to the design of a USB mic, you cannot monitor yourself i.e. listen to yourself using headphones, as you can with traditional mic and mixing board combinations. This is due to the fact that there is a delay caused by the computer processing the signal directly. The Rode Podcaster, though, includes an earphone jack directly on the microphone itself. From this you can monitor yourself as you speak without any delay being inserted. A nice touch.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: Apple iPad/iPad Mini

November 19, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Apple iPad and Apple iPad Mini

Much like my experience with my Apple iPhones, I find that the iPads work simply, work well, and are robust computing devices that allow you to accomplish a lot with a device much smaller than a PC or laptop.I think the iPad is an excellent choice for those people who neither want, nor need, a complete PC. In some cases, a Windows or Macintosh PC is more complexity than the user needs, especially if they are doing the typical tasks of email, reading and web browsing.

Like the iPhone I mentioned earlier, the iPad is an even more capable studio in your hands. With Garageband you can record and edit audio wherever you need to be. The newest iPad allows you to not only take HD 1080p movies, but then use iMovie to edit those movies and then send them online to YouTube. A tablet like the iPad can be a great additional to any New Media producer’s toolkit.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: Apple iPhone 5

November 18, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Apple iPhone 5

I am a very happy use of Apple’s iPhone products. I have a 3G, an iPhone 4, an iPhone 4s and soon, an iPhone 5. All of the past phones have been passed down to other family members over the years and, at risk of jinxing myself, I haven’t broken a screen yet.

I am a Mac users for many years now, and I find that iPhone carries the same benefit at as my Mac. As I describe it to my friends and my clients, “The Mac/iPhone works the way that I do.” I understand it. It integrates well into my work flow and daily life and, for me, it works well overall as a piece of ubiquitous technology. it allows me to be productive no matter where I am, which is very important when you are a freelance consultant like myself. I can grab a few minutes with email while I wait outside a client’s house, or sit in a coffee shop and catch up on the latest news and events over my Cafe Americano.

The iPhone 5 can be a New Media production studio in your pocket. You can record audio, shoot and edit video, upload to YouTube and blog the results.

To sum up, it works for me. It might work for you. Check it out!

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

New Media Questions: If you had a Blog, Podcast or YouTube Channel, what WOULD you say?

November 17, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Often, when I talk with people about New Media and how they might use it, their first response is…

“I have no idea what I would talk about!”

The truth is, though, we all have our special interests, hobbies, and topics that cause us to rant at the smallest opportunity.

New Media holds so many benefits to you, your organization or your company. It seems a shame not to use it. So, hopefully, this question will help to draw out your inherent interests.

In my case, each and every one of my blogs and podcasts grew out of an interest I already had. Whether it was gardening, careers, new media itself or technology, once I recognized my interests, it was easy to create the blog and/or podcast.

Over the next several days, think about — If you had a Blog, Podcast or YouTube Channel, what would you say?

As you go through your day, notice what sparks your interest, what makes you rant, what holds a conversation together. These are exactly the topics you should be creating in New Media.

Leave your ideas, thoughts and comments below! I’d love to hear what you come up with!

2012 Gift Guide: Zoom Portable Recorders (H1, H2, H2n, H4n)

November 17, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Zoom Portable Recorders (H1, H2, H2n, H4n)

For a long time now, Zoom has produced a wide product line of recorders which are nearly perfect for podcasters and other New media producers. Whether you go with the entry-level Zoom H1 or up the product line to the Zoom H4, you will find high quality recording capabilities with a wide variety of options in mounting, microphones and file formats. All record to some form of SD card for expandable and replaceable storage so recording everything from an hour long interview to short scenes for your next film are quick and easy.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: Microphone Boom Arms

November 15, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Microphone Boom Arms

I have wanted one of these as long as I have been podcasting, but I have never made the purchase, It would make my recording life a lit easier, as it would clear desk space from the current desktop microphone stand I use now, It would also work better with the Google Hangouts and other video shows I am doing, as it is easier to get it out of my face while still being close enough to record well. Oh well, maybe this year!

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: GoPro HD HERO3

November 14, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

GoPro Camera

When you need to capture HD footage of wild mountain bike ride, that bitchin’ wave or the cool rappel down the mountain side, GoPro has become the “goto” brand for video recording. Shoot in hostile environments and even underwater with their variety of attachments and cases. Search Youtube and you will find no end of video shot with the GoPro over the last 2 years.

If you are crazy active, and want to catch some of your wilder moments on-camera, the GoPro is probably where you need to be looking.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: Blue Yeti Microphone

November 13, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Blue Yeti Microphone

Another great USB microphone from Blue. Like the Blue Snowball microphone mentioned earlier in the Gift Guide, this mic connects directly to the USB port on your computer — either Windows or Mac. The Yeti gives a full, rich sound and is compatible with all the typical New Media uses such as video conferencing, podcasting and recording voice or music. The Yeti is very popular with podcasters and live streamers and can often be seen in these productions. I think its classic styling, unlike the futuristic look of the Snowball make it more popular for video production. Its design harkens back to an earlier day of broadcasting.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

Elsewhere: Camera pan with a mechanical Kitchen Timer

November 12, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Can you make a camera pan using a cheap mechanical kitchen timer? Instrucable member, mikeasaurus, did. A cool, relatively low-tech way of allowing you to create smooth pans which you can turn into time-lapse photos. His example here was created by shooting video and speeding it up in the editing process. If you had intervalometer to trigger the camera shutter, you could create more traditional time-lapse videos.

Links to his post and some sample video below.

wind up camera pan by mikeasaurus

[…]

Using a regular point-and-shoot digital camera I set the camera to video and wound up my timer. Here’s some footage I compiled with my camera pan, these videos were taken over about 10 minutes and sped up to show the slow pan effect:

[…[

Read the entire article

2012 Gift Guide: Podcasting for Dummies/Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies

November 12, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Podcasting for Dummies/Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies

Although podcasting is entering its 8th year, there are still new people discovering it every day.

If you are interested in diving into the nuts and bolts of podcasting, and new media in general, you would do well to look to the second edition of what was one of the first books on podcasting. Learn about microphones, web servers, RSS feeds, iTunes settings and more.

One of the co-authors for this edition of Podcasting for Dummies is fellow Friends in Tech member, Chuck Tomasi, who produces a number of podcasts. You can fund links to all of them over at ChuckChat.com.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

2012 Gift Guide: iPhone Tripod Mount

November 11, 2012 by Douglas E. Welch

Studio Neat Glif Tripod Mount & Stand for iPhone 4 & 4S

It has often been said that the best camera is the one you always have with you. For many people, this means an Apple iPhone. This clever little adapter for the iPhone can help you make you photos even better. Your iPhone 4/4s slips into the clip by friction and then attaches to any standard tripod — large or small. I keep my clip, and a mini tripod, in my bag at all times. I use this to capture quick chats around the table or environmental video when I am out. As an added bonus, the clip acts as an iPhone stand for when I want to watch video over lunch. It stands up the iPhone at the perfect angle for viewing.

Make sure you that you are ready to capture video and photos whenever you need, whether for your own personal uses or for inclusion in your next New Media project.

More 2012 Gift Guide Items:

Careers in New Media

Helping to Build New Careers in New Media

Category Archives: Podcasting

2012 Gift Guide: Joby GP1-A1EN GorillaPod Flexible Tripod

Subscribed 014: Frieda’s Garden

2012 Gift Guide: Sennheiser HD-280 PRO Headphones

2012 Gift Guide: Desktop Microphone Stands

2012 Gift Guide : Sterling Audio ST51 Large Diaphragm FET Condenser Microphone

2012 Gift Guide: Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas

2012 Gift Guide: Microphones from Giant Squid Audio Labs

2012 Gift Guide: Podcast Solutions by Dan Klass and Michael Geoghegan

2012 Gift Guide: Rode Podcaster Microphone

2012 Gift Guide: Apple iPad/iPad Mini

2012 Gift Guide: Apple iPhone 5

New Media Questions: If you had a Blog, Podcast or YouTube Channel, what WOULD you say?

2012 Gift Guide: Zoom Portable Recorders (H1, H2, H2n, H4n)

2012 Gift Guide: Microphone Boom Arms

2012 Gift Guide: GoPro HD HERO3

2012 Gift Guide: Blue Yeti Microphone

Elsewhere: Camera pan with a mechanical Kitchen Timer

2012 Gift Guide: Podcasting for Dummies/Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies

2012 Gift Guide: iPhone Tripod Mount