Throwing a Bowl from My Perspective - GoPro test

[@staygoodtom]

I like the stillness of your shots, it’s creates a calm viewing experience. The GoPro feels more restless. However the overhead angle from the GoPro is nice. A birds eye shot centred over your wheel would be nice to see more of.

[@runklestiltskin_2407]

I would ditch the GoPro and put an overhead camera or over shoulder camera in the mix, the unstable footage isn't great.

[@floriangadsby]

It shall be so by the looks of things - I could rig one up to the wooden beams above the wheel - anything to help me spend less time fussing over the tripod and moving that around.

[@marktaylor865]

@@floriangadsby mount it to the bowl under the wheel for an extreme close up?

[@Peperjackchese]

I like it 🤷

[@ceramicsbydaniel]

There are camera gear for that mate. Typically a C-stand with a adjustable bar. Usually we use them for studio lights but you can easily attach a camera to them.

[@birotomodachi]

I really appreciated the additional perspective - occasionally looking down into the bowl / work but was also going to suggest a top mounted camera like others use in cooking videos.

[@checkers65477]

Switching back and forth was a little jarring to me, too, but the GoPro shots helped me see two things I was having trouble with--how you use the rib on the inside of the bowl to stretch the shape, and how you lift the bowl off the wheelhead without causing damage to the bottom of the bowl. Thanks for sharing!

[@islandgirrrl1]

I appreciate seeing the top view of what your fingers are doing during each step! Thanks for sharing your pottery skills!

[@florianboon4738]

I think the GoPro footage is great for connecting frames, we get to see a little more of your studio and it feels very smooth frame-to-frame! For actions like wedging it’s too unstable but it adds a lot for some details when trowing. Really like the experimentation and you trying new things to improve :)

[@floriangadsby]

Cheers Florian! Precisely, it makes for some good B-roll to add life to the videos I think, but it'll be in tiny snippets in the future I think, or only used for filming in portrait, as that media will generally be consumed on phones, where the footage is seen on a smaller screen, so the poor quality isn't as noticeable, but we'll see. Thank you!

[@katekramer7679]

@@floriangadsby "as that media will generally be consumed on phones" I see you're on to us. Does KZbin analytics know how we watch videos? Do they know where I live? What level of paranoia is appropriate here?

[@roguetune03]

Love both views! The go-pro is like, the teaching camera seeing the POV I would see at the wheel. The fixed camera is the beauty shot. Seeing the depth perception, and top-down perspective really help me better understand how to make my hands do what you are doing, and how it goes from A to B along the way. Appreciate you Florian. I'm new to this, but I'm very passionate. You've taught me a lot and continue to teach me more all the time. Thanks man!

[@AkilahOsa]

This was super satisfying to watch. 😆😁

[@pammartin7160]

I am very new to pottery. I appreciated the view of both your hands and how they work together to pull the sides of the bowl.

[@haretyper4954]

Love the GoPro views thank you. I think when people are walking with it on it does give a nauseated feeling. But sitting as you are is great!

[@fishballnoodle5048]

I agree with the bulk of the comments! However, if I could elect another use for it, it would be interesting to see Ciro's perspective as he scampers and dozes around the studio.

[@floriangadsby]

Haha! It shall be done.

[@canete_h]

I get a bit nauseus as well... but the most important is you having fun making your videos. The balance between gopro takes and stable takes was quite good anyway, i woud not stop watching your videos :)

[@floriangadsby]

Pleased to hear that! Yes, I think sparingly is the way forward - glad to have you onboard for good! :)

[@GoogleyMoogley]

@@floriangadsby For me, the reason for the nausea stems from the ever so slightly inwards angled perspective. The brain is so used to seeing things from very particular angles; down-and-in is most certainly not one of them.

[@clarissachao5702]

The GoPro perspective is very helpful! Whether you decide to use it or not, I still enjoy watching your videos and I learn a lot of tips to use in my ceramics class!

[@idontkarenn]

I absolutely love the gopro footage even if it's shaky! It gives me so much information and perspective as a beginner potter.

[@ngaireoleary7486]

Depending on your editing package, you may well have image stabilization available: It's definitely included in Davinci and in After Effects. This may assist with getting the type of image you are looking, although that willrequire more time in post-production. The other possibility is looking at different mounts for the gopro. Anything that gives you counter-weighting will reduce the stabilizarion issues.I am enjoying the new angles.

[@hollyn8470]

Perhaps the go pro would be good for shorts?

[@SteveRamsey]

Great suggestion!

[@floriangadsby]

Good idea and I agree, it does look better in portrait mode and viewed on a smaller device, it lends itself to the content produced for shorts/reels and TikTok I think, as opposed to the slower pace of KZbin.

[@hollyn8470]

@@floriangadsby exactly. I think it's a good tool for a different medium. Although I did enjoy the view

[@happypotter1138]

Thank you so much for sharing.

[@stephaniebart-horvath1382]

The go pro makes me dizzy, too. I agree it would be add to your videos but only if used sparingly, it is very helpful to see what you see, especially the way your hands are inside or out. Thanks again!

[@marilynhiggins2785]

I do like the GoPro footage added in.

[@billiondollardan]

the go pro angle is interesting because it really highlights the physical nature of working with clay

[@floriangadsby]

Interesting, I agree! You can really see how much my body moves to handle the clay, also, how much I wiggle my head around when throwing.

[@HomeOnTheEdge]

/i don't know if the GoPro is the right tool for the job, but I really love the first person perspective. I learn a lot being able to watch your work from those angles.

[@nileshwangdu.1049]

Amazing vlog 😀😀

[@vzeimen]

Very nice! As a potter myself, I find value and appreciate a "potters view" but it does cause a motion discomfort. I more appreciate seeing your outside hand and the voice over explaining what you are doing and why. One thing I never hear potters explain on their KZbin channels is what shape they are going for on the inside bottom of their vessel. If I'm throwing a bowl, I always start with a bowl shaped interior where if I'm throwing a cylinder, I always aim for a flat interior bottom. Just wondering if this is your method as well?

[@David-uv7hz]

You really do produce fantastic videos - thank you. They are so full of useful information - I'm throwing bowls tomorrow and have taken notes to read through before starting. Agree that GoPro probably isn't up to quality of your other camera work... that said, I really liked having a peek at your working setup which was thanks to the GoPro! :) Seeing where the mirror is placed, your throwing guides, where ware boards go, bucket, tools etc was really interesting... in fact a video on your setup would be really useful!)

[@jaggederest]

I film with a gopro sometimes, and it can be challenging to get exactly the effect you want. Gopro has an ISO limit you can set - that will help with your graininess in the footage, though it will require more light. Great lighting is the #1 thing for good video. ISO 400 should be pretty similar to what you get through the DSLR camera. You should also make sure you film on linear with horizon lock, and frame your shots so that you can crop them down significantly which will improve the field of view issue and also hopefully the nausea. Gopro footage should have enough pixels you'll be able to crop down to about the middle third to achieve 1080p, so frame with that in mind. Third, as far as DoF goes, you can get a depth of field effect in editing tools pretty easily, you just need to mask 1 or 2 layers of distance and apply a blur filter manually if it doesn't have an automatic DoF filter (like e.g. Premiere does) - depth of field is not that big a deal usually anyway for a video focused on action more than still shots, as most of your gopro footage will be. Just using a little bit of very light gaussian blur in areas you don't want focused can be enough to draw the eye away from distractions.

[@floriangadsby]

All fantastic information - thank you so much for taking the time to write all that down, shall screenshot it and go over all of it again at the studio tomorrow! Thank you VERY much, Jaggederest!

[@amandanance919]

I think the most jarring thing about the GoPro footage is the field of view. It's such a wide angle lens compared to your main camera that it becomes very obvious you're using a GoPro. I'm not sure if there is any way to change that on the GoPro though. Also, you might want to try a chest mount rather than a head mount. You might miss some angles when you move your head to look at the side of the pot, but it should be more stable and offer a mostly similar view compared to the head mount.

[@floriangadsby]

Exactly how I feel - and this is the most cropped in view the GoPro offers, there are much wider angles! Chest mount is a good idea, the head is a bit too far forward I think. Thanks for replying! All very useful information for moving forward.

[@huda7219]

When I look at you while you work, I feel that the clay loves you

[@BassMonsterTiff]

I think the angle is great. The footage is a bit wobbly, but it could still be used. Maybe you don’t have to splice it in smoothly since its jarring anyway, just slide in a card between shots like “go pro angle” “side angle” etc so we can mentally strap in for the ride

[@EmilyKirkegaard]

I agree with everyone else that the GoPro footage isn't as nice aesthetically and can be quite jarring - BUT the overhead view of the wheel is really helpful for a pottery student. Looking forward to seeing more overhead views with whatever camera setup you try next!

[@Neostapfia]

I've used GoPros from 1 to a recent edition for aerial photography/videos. I've always had problems (you can't fix one of the many glitches when it is out on a wing). I am very pleased with my Garmin Virb though it doesn't have as many features. The video quality is so much better and it does much better correcting for fisheye.

[@katekramer7679]

I agree it's a bit jarring compared to the stable footage from your mounted camera. It was helpful to see an overhead view when you were opening the bowl, but otherwise I think there are more negatives than positives.

[@chrzzzzz]

Go pro was an interesting change, it gave some new perspectives that I enjoyed. Your usual footage has a much nicer aesthetic

[@andreas3904]

The gopro angle is fkn incredible.

[@floriangadsby]

Glad you like it, it certainly opens up a whole new world.

[@MINDFULHOUSEWIFE]

Amazing video great work 👍

[@pillowprince]

I love your videos, first of all. The calm and informative narration mixed with your usual cinematography make for a wonderful viewing experience. Then, of course, most importantly, the astonishing artistry of your creations! The overhead shots are great, but I agree that they're not as professional as your usual tripod shots. There maybe very affordable tall tripods for over-the-shoulder shots from online stores that you can use for the go pro as your secondary camera to make the shots not as shaky :)

[@SluggerTheGrape]

Howdy! I think the go-pro footage in the video was a nice addition. I think it's best that you keep it to a minimum since it can be very disorienting. I wanted to ask about the metal kidney. Would the head of a spoon be a good substitute for beginners who don't quite have the money for a the proper tools?

[@floriangadsby]

Thanks for saying so! I agree! A spoon might work, hammer it flat and cut the handle off and it'll be perfect. Those kidneys I use are very affordable though, here in the UK at least, I get mine here, www.bathpotters.co.uk/search/kidney?search=kidney cheap as chips!

[@EC-te9fc]

You can also just do an overhead cam over your wheel! It would give a unique perspective on what your had are doing and what you are making.

[@kellydiver]

The iPhone 14 Pro has cinematic depth of field, image stabilization, and low-light filming - pretty much everything you want.

[@soniasilva1139]

The gopro footage is really difficult to see, although this angle from above gives us another interesting detail of the process. Thank you

[@prlily]

Since you asked... Honestly, I'm not a fan of the GoPro. It takes away from everything I love about how you usually film making pots. Perhaps it's new and I need to get used to it. I'm not sure I would think anything differently if this was the very first video of yours I watched. So, there's that to consider. I understand that it must be a pain to constantly have to stop making a pot, wash up, change the camera angle then restart filming. Would it be a better investment to add 1 or 2 additional cameras and leave them in various filming locations? I guess you would have to do the math on that - the cost of the cameras vs the inconvenience. Just a thought. I love your pots. You have inspired me to learn wheel throwing!

[@aljaslenc]

I love your videos either way, but I do think the GoPro footage was a bit jarring at times. Shots that are stable and well lit such as when you move the first bowl (5:27) can be great, I think the transition there was very nice. Shaky or grainy shots, however, bother me because they take my focus off the content, as I notice the difference in video quality instead. I think the ones making you (and possibly others) nauseous were those where your head tilted and/or moved lower, such as when throwing the second bowl (7:51), because the change to a very dynamic perspective is startling and makes the viewer feel somewhat unstable. I really appreciate how beautiful your videography is usually and I think it's great that you're experimenting with new ideas. Maybe just keep the really best of the GoPro footage - the parts that match the rest well. I would also agree with other comments to maybe try mounting it to your chest or filming with a static bird's perspective camera to get similar shots. Thank you for all the effort you put into your videos (and pottery of course)!

[@Zeldur]

As someone who is very sensitive to motion sickness, I appreciate the go-pro footage being used sparingly. I haven't made any videos but I have some ideas: 1- Have the go-pro footage in a corner for important bits. 2- There might be a way to fake blurring the background in the software? 3- I think there's a way to capture with as wide of a video as possible (with a gimble method as well), then crop in to smooth out the frames more dramatically. 4- Use a different camera but the same method with a head/ high chest mount gimble to smooth things out. I'd say it's worth testing out more before giving up entirely.

[@-Tholos-]

You could try the one of the MFT lens models bij Black Magic Design as a GoPro alternative. If I remember correctly the older models are even more compact and have a good quality image.

[@potterywithme]

It really works so beautiful and awesome. i'll use your style to make pottery✔️👌🏼

[@georgesampson4714]

I like that the overhead view gives another perspective but I agree that having the GoPro attached to your head leaves a lot to be desired. Perhaps you could affix the GoPro to some sort of overhead bar or beam that would eliminate the nausea producing motion.

[@M4x1m1l14nn]

Maybe the issues with image stabilization could be resolved with a gimbal?

[@nangrey7262]

I like the gopro!

[@micah06v8]

I definitely think an overhead camera rig with a God's eye view would be a much better way to go. It allows you to use the higher quality camera, you don't have to have all the lighting gear, and you don't have to worry about stabilization.

[@floriangadsby]

I've been thinking about this! There are some beams above my wheel I could theoretically attach a permanent camera rig too, I'd get a remote for it and that way, if I used a long enough lens, it wouldn't interfere with my setup by adding a giant cage around my wheel, which I'd like to avoid if possible. Thanks for the suggestion, and for watching along of course.

[@mamiesmith1089]

I think what I find disconcerting about the Go Pro footage is when your head tilts it tilts the angle of the video. I feel a bit of vertigo from this tilt. I do love that you can see the inside of the vessel as you’re working but I think, as some suggested, an overhead stable camera might work a bit better than the Go Pro. The depth of field changes don’t bother me much since there is a lesser depth in the overhead view anyway. Great idea though.

[@Socke0611]

no to the go pro :) love your videos as they are usually edited

[@floriangadsby]

Good to hear - I'm almost in the same boat, I just love the cinematic angles my normal camera provides.

[@yaarobmohammad1020]

I love this ; can teach my self do it or I need some lessons?

[@floriangadsby]

Like anything, you can teach yourself but lessons definitely help.

[@kinn11]

the gopeo footage doesn't look too bad if you're looking at the clay. It's quite close and the floor is plain so it kind of works with your look (but walking parts do look weird

[@fluffycritter]

GoPro footage always makes me super-nauseous when watched for any long duration, so I'm glad you're not going to be going to that as a long-term/every-shot thing. Something you might consider is getting an overhead camera mount for your better camera, such as a Manfrotto clamp or the like.

[@cassandranoice1563]

I much prefer the stable side views over the GoPro.

[@rainyperson]

GoPro footage is good for some angles and little snips but definitely isn't cut out to be the main camera with the unsteadiness and video quality. On the contrary, I watch a streamer who bikes around and uses a GoPro, and her footage is really smooth, though I'm not sure if that's a camera based thing or how she's mounted it, but that could be something to look into.

[@floriangadsby]

Wonderful to know! I agree wholeheartedly - this is as stabilised as it can be, without running it though some kind of software, makes me realise how much I move my head when throwing!

[@Alex_0Z]

wow that’s is kinda weird or maybe just different? it’s really cool tho! i think it would be good for shorts or insta

[@floriangadsby]

I like both weird and different - I agree though, it works better for shorter, portrait content. Thanks for watching, Alex! :)

[@kirillch]

I like a peace and calm in your videos so some fasten or unstable footage not so much. However the pov might be an interesting idea if in harmony with the rest of the video.

[@jenniferapollonio4696]

I prefer your regular camera angles. The quality is crisp and I’m able to focus on your pottery and techniques, as opposed to the GoPro that makes me feel like I’m too close and unfocused.

[@paata110]

👍👍👍👍

[@marktaylor865]

Mount the gopro for some close ups. Will be super great for the asmr version.

[@stephaniebart-horvath1382]

I like seeing the footage from your point of view, but, as you said, only sparingly, as it sometimes does make me feel dizzy. Maybe you could edit out the times when you show footage when you swing your head, for instance, when you look from the wheel to the ware board. I did find it very useful to see a top and inside view that let me see what your inside hand is doing alone with your outside one. This provides information that is otherwise difficult to ascertain. I hope you will continue to use this angle along with your other footage. I’m sure you will get better at it as you use it more often, again sparingly. Thank you for letting us weigh in on this aspect of your video production.

[@shawnsg]

I don't watch that often so I may not be the best person to listen to lol. That said I can see the appeal of it. I was watching one video the other day and you were attaching a handle to a mug/cup thing. It was hard to see far off then you had to walk over to the camera, if I remember, to try and show it. Plus the angle was awkward. GoPro may be helpful in scenarios like that. As someone else pointed out, you can basically crop the video in to remove the movement/wobble like during the wedging. Maybe do a side by side. On the negative side, I get motion sickness really easy though so I'm not typically a fan of the head mounted GoPro shots. Also, it seems like on your end it may not be worth the effort. It seems like diminishing returns for the amount of extra time you spend editing and contending with your own motion sickness symptoms.

[@deefdragon]

I think the go-pro is awesome when you are throwing, but when you were wedging there was too much movement. Walking from table to wheel I think it worked well. Honestly, I think the video would have been better with *more* go-pro footage of you throwing. The cuts to it did feel a tad jarring because it was so short. I suspect there are stabilization libraries that you may find beneficial to the entire experience.

[@kierenkowe]

I would love to see a process of throwing something with no cuts to other angles, just the go pro all the way through. If you're not comfortable with it being in a video, maybe try uploading something like that as a story?

[@xbaczewska4197]

After reading more comments here than when i posted, i agree with @micah06v8 and would add his assessment to my critique. A permanent second camera with an overhead perspective could provide you with the views you feel you have been missing (though as a potter i have never felt the lack), while retaining your lighting setup and image quality. And without the roller coaster ride. I can tell that you strive perpetually for improvement, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Xxx, X

[@amandaflack3779]

I really liked the go pro. I was so focused on the bowl and what you were doing that I had to skip back several times to see the change in quality. I'm sorry it made you seasick while editing.

[@floriangadsby]

Haha! The seasickness was unexpected and I really had to take a good break when editing together a few shorts/reels for Instagram and KZbin. I wish the quality was just a touch better but it did seem to improve massively once I switched some more lights on later in the day. I suppose they're generally made for filming outdoors with so that's to be expected. Thanks for following along and taking the time to comment, means a lot.

[@chrisvos2721]

Try a stationary camera above instead of on your head.

[@robfoxanim]

I am brand new to pottery so I Love the view overhead where you can see exactly how to give the rim a clean edge with the chamois as I ended up ruining a pot during the process wither because the wheel was too fast or the position of the chamois or maybe both ..☘️IRISHINLA#💚

[@nandi123]

Late comment, but a second camera centered directly over your wheel, preferably tethered, would be very nice.

[@pardesi_babu1]

Please support guys ❤️

[@avb754]

thank you for this video is it possible to translate in french?😊

[@williamblack4611]

I know that I continue to bug you about the Bison tools, but have looked everywhere I know to find them. Could you please list any contact info you may have. Thanks so very much.

[@floriangadsby]

I was about to say you can find his email address on his website but it seems he’s deactivated it! So, I can only presume he doesn’t want anymore business at the moment? There was a year long waiting list last I heard so perhaps he’s just inundated. I’d just keep checking back on bisonstudios.com and once it’s live again I presume he’s actively taking orders again. I’d love to share his email with everyone but I imagine he’s turned the site off for a reason-I’ll ask!

[@MrLewooz]

well..... the go pro does not really add an interesting angle the quality is not that bad but the "mirror angle" id the most useful...

[@cindybarowsky9068]

I actually like the GoPro to see the inside of what you are doing. Don’t think it’s necessary for the whole video tho.

[@MrIbib]

M hear for the calming nature of these videos and your narration. The GoPro footage doesn’t add anything to it. Even in the transition shots, seeing someone walk from A to B from a steady shot is much better than a shacking., distorted POV shot.

[@iswaryaakashini2779]

🤩😍🥰❣️✌️

[@jhawarrohit21]

Thanks so much for sharing such beautiful videos. I have been wanting to buy one of your beautiful bowls but everything on your website comes up as sold out for sometime now, sent a contact email as well. I imagine you are busy. Thanks for reading this.

[@orana03]

I'm not a fan of the go pro. The angle does nothing for me but I can see it's value. It's the lack of stability and lack of quality that ruins it for me, the video loses some of its normal professional feel

[@aklimaimrannagarpal3533]

Plzz 🥺 make recycling video 💖🥰

[@CookbooksonRepeat]

I believe he has! If you’re talking about recycling clay.

[@floriangadsby]

I've made a few :)

[@wadewoehrmann2835]

Go Pro is over rated and is very hard to watch at length as it makes me feel ill ( motion sickness ). You do great work across the board so I figure you will figure it out.

[@faenethlorhalien]

Wow. POV porn isn't what it used to be, but fair deuce.

[@shellylipman5465]

Made it to the end. But honestly not a fan of the GoPro on your head.

[@xbaczewska4197]

Love your beautiful quality videos. GoPro footage is too weird. And kind of unprofessional looking--as if someone else came in and said, "Move over, Florian. I wanna get my footage in there." And it is visually pretty intrusive and inconsistent. I agree with your early comment: it felt kind of nauseating--changing perspective so drastically. I think if you want to maintain your quality and (for me) serenity, you might want to table the GoPro until you really test it comprehensively. Don't want to be an automatic nay-sayer, but i do not think i will repeat-watch this otherwise informative video. Sad face.

[@pardesi_babu1]

First view

[@floriangadsby]

🥇