Put a green screen up, and light the area behind the talent so that there are no strong shadows and it is evenly lit. I have been using the Manfrotto 9.5 x 13 foot green screen, with a rigid frame.

Using Premiere, select Effects, choose the Keying effects, select Ultra Key and drag that effect onto the clip. If using Final Cut Pro, choose Effects, Keying, and select Keyer. Drag the Keyer effect on the video clip. Beneath the chroma key clip, place a still or moving background. The green background disappears, and the image or video behind that is merged in the composite video image.

View of the San Rafael – Richmond Bridge, from Tiburon.

Thank you to Free Music Archive https://freemusicarchive.org/

Everyone knows that YouTube has videos and is a good platform for live streaming. Did you know they have a Webcam feature also? Here is a video using the Webcam selection in YouTube Studio.

I am using a Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro to add the lower third, and the PIP Weather Ad, which is displayed from Keynote on a Mac mini. Perhaps the PIP will become a sponsor spot, or I will roll in promotional videos. I am still looking for a good royalty-free background audio track source or radio station.

One of the practical things that I appreciate about my Panasonic AG-AF101E video camera, is that it has built-in ND filters.

Neutral Density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light entering the camera in measured amounts. This allows for more control in selecting shutter speed and aperture combinations in various conditions.

There is a manual dial on the front of the Panasonic AG-AF101 camera body that has four ND filter positions, from clear to darker filters. ND1 has a clear filter that is the default position. The camera will flash a visual text display on the screen to suggest the ND2, ND3 or ND4 filter be applied, as the light changes. If I used this same Panasonic 45-175mm lens on my Panasonic GH5 or BMPCC 4K, I would have to manually screw ND filters to the front of the lens, and it would take time to switch filters.

I am experimenting with a “Day on the Bay” Webcam, featuring a view of the San Francisco Bay, the Richmond Bridge, and Red Rock Island. Depending on your timing, you may see Anna’s Hummingbirds at the feeder. I have a good HD video image, and I have a graphic lower third.

My biggest problem has been how to include an audio track that is royalty-free, and doesn’t give me a copyright strike from YouTube. I am trying the YouTube audio library now, as they say that it is appropriate for this use. The audio being included is causing the live stream to buffer, so I am going to have to remove it for now. I started the video again, with lower quality streaming settings.

I had to remove the live stream recording because some copyrighted music was on it, and I received a warning from YouTube.

I have enjoyed using the Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro video switcher, but have found it lacking in the audio output area. Users have widely panned Blackmagic Design for omitting a headphone audio jack in the ATEM Mini series. Any time that someone wants to live stream, they would want to check the outgoing audio quality. Blackmagic Design added the audio port to their newer ATEM Mini Extreme series after many reviewers requests.

I have been using the HDMI out port for MultiView, or Program View, to a Blackmagic Video Assist 7 inch monitor/recorder, or a Lilliput 7 inch monitor. Each of theses monitors has an audio port that allows me to plug in headphones, but I don’t always have these monitors in the workflow. Sometimes I use an HP 20 inch monitor, or a Samsung 28 inch monitor, and neither one has audio ports or speakers.

I just received this HDMI Audio Extractor below, that passes the HDMI through the unit, and has various audio output options. This solves the issue of not having an audio out jack from the ATEM Mini Pro, and allows me to monitor the sound quality. I also got it so that I could use the Optical SPDIF port with my Bose 5 Solo soundbar, and to put my Sony headphones in the AUX Stereo Out audio port. This saves me from constantly switching the audio out ports from my two computers that I use as input sources to the ATEM Mini Pro. I can always just route the audio out from the Macs to the BMD HDMI output, and hear the results on the Bose soundbar or the headphones.

I recommend this pass-through HDMI dongle for monitoring audio. I was previously having to route through a Blackmagic Video Assist or other device with a headphone jack to be able to hear the outgoing audio quality and volume.

The avedio links 4K HDMI Audio Extractor, HDMI to HDMI + Optical Toslink SPDIF + 3.5mm AUX Stereo Audio Out, HDMI Audio Converter Adapter Splitter Support 4K@60Hz HDCP1.4 Full HD 1080P 3D

If you use a Mac mini, or some kind of computer that doesn’t have a video camera and a microphone, adding an inexpensive USB web camera will extend your capabilities. A Logitech USB webcam is a good consumer option. I have the Logitech C910, an older version, and it works fine on the Mac mini. The current shipping models are the Logitech C920, and the C922. There are other USB webcam options, depending on what your budget and application is.

In Zoom, Skype, OBS and other applications, the Logitech USB audio and video inputs can be selected and used with the application.

On the Mac, under System Preferences, select Sound, and Input. The Logitech USB camera shows up as Unknown USB Audio Device. There is Logitech software that can be downloaded, but it may not be needed on the Mac.

On Windows, installing the Logitech software allows you to enable the option for the camera to follow you as you move in front of it.

Have you considered getting a green screen? Are you living life on Zoom, and want to have a great virtual background that doesn’t flicker or show background gaps?

A lighting set may also be needed to properly light the green screen. Having the subject be at least a couple of feet in front of the screen reduces the shadows. An LED light on the left, and and LED light on the right will help reduce those shadows behind the subject. An LED light in front of the subject lights them for the camera. Additional lighting like hair lights may help enhance the image.

If you would like to like at some types of green screens that are available, click this link.

If you could get only one camera, which would you choose, a Panasonic GH5 or Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K? Both cameras are great for video, and they both use Micro Four Thirds lenses. Both cameras can also use a Viltrox or Speedbooster to use EF lenses and other lens mounts.

I have the Panasonic GH5 and the BMPCC4K. The GH5 is more versatile for photo and video. The Panasonic GH5 is known  for good battery life, the IBIS and the form factor is small and lightweight. Panasonic has many native MFT lenses, including two wide angle and power zoom lenses that work with it. The GH5 can also be controlled remotely with a smartphone app.

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has easy-to-navigate menus, with a touchscreen interface. The BMPCC4K works best for me in the studio, with an XLR audio input. I like using the BMPCC4K with the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro, because it can be controlled remotely by it. The BMPCC4K can also be controlled remotely with a smartphone app. This camera is great for me, because I can use all of the MFT lenses from Panasonic, Olympus and other brands.