Adrian's Journal

As a solo traveler in China, these are 3 of my favorite vlogging gear. The Camera: iPhone 17 Pro The most important tool is my iPhone 17 Pro. I love it because the video quality is amazing on both the front and rear cameras. The new camera control button is very convenient. It also has great built-in stabilization, so I don't even need to carry a bulky gimbal anymore. I specifically chose the 1TB version so I never run out of storage space. I picked the Blue version because it looks timeless. I think the Orange one might look a bit "old" in five years! I also went with the Pro instead of the Max. It's smaller and lightweight, which makes it much easier to fit into my other accessories. The Support: Ulanzi MT-85 Next is my favorite selfie stick tripod, the Ulanzi MT-85. This thing is a lifesaver. It has automatic quick-release legs, so I can set it up on the ground in seconds. It stretches up to 1.5 meters tall. This means I can get the camera to my eye level without h...

Look at those legs! No, seriously—look at them. If you’ve ever traveled solo, you know the "photography struggle" is real. You’re either awkwardly asking a stranger to take a photo (and hoping they don't cut off your feet) or you're balancing your expensive phone on a shaky trash can hoping for the best. I just returned from a 9-day solo trip to China, and I made one gear decision that saved me hours of frustration: I brought along the Magnetic Selfie Stick Tripod with Automatic Quick-release Legs. Here is why this became my go-to tool for every vlog and photo I took. 1. Speed is Everything: Automatic Quick-Release Legs When you’re solo, you want to be fast. You don’t want to be that person standing in the middle of a busy street in Beijing fumbling with tripod locks. With this gear, the legs are automatic. One press and they snap open. No more fighting with stiff plastic or—heaven forbid—breaking a fingernail trying to pry a tripod leg loose. It’s professional, it’s ...

We’ve all seen those cool "instant outfit change" videos on TikTok and Instagram. You know the ones—snap a finger, jump in the air, or roll on a bed, and boom—you’re suddenly dressed for the day. It looks like magic, but as a video creator, I can tell you it’s just a simple editing trick called the Match Cut. Whether you are making a travel vlog (I used similar techniques on my recent trip to China) or just a fun OOTD (Outfit of the Day) video, this transition is a great way to grab attention without needing expensive gear. All you need is your smartphone, a tripod (or a steady hand), and the CapCut app. Here is the step-by-step breakdown of how to film and edit this magic roll transition... Phase 1: Filming the Clips The secret to this trick isn't in the editing; it's in the alignment. You need to make sure your body position looks exactly the same in both clips. Step 1: The "Before" Shot Lay your outfit flat on your bed. Position yourself on the bed so you...

  Have you ever wanted to be in two places at once? Whether you want to have a conversation with yourself, act out a comedy skit, or simply add a professional creative flair to your vlogs, the "clone effect" is one of the most effective tools in a content creator's toolkit.  As a professional videographer who transitioned to full-time content creation, I love showing people that you don't need a massive production budget to create "movie magic." All you need is your smartphone and the CapCut app. The Secret Sauce: The Masking Tool The key to this effect is a technique called "masking." By stacking two videos on top of each other and "cutting" a hole through the top layer, you can reveal the layer underneath, making it look like two versions of you are in the same room. Step 1: The Setup (Don't Skip This!) Before you even open an editing app, you need the right footage:  * Use a Tripod: This is the most important rule. The camera must ...

I’m flying to China soon, and my itinerary involves an international arrival followed by a domestic connecting flight. I've been doing my research, and let me tell you, the power bank rules are a little stricter than the usual international standards. If you're planning a similar trip, you need to pay close attention to one specific certification mark to avoid having your gear confiscated! Here’s everything I learned and the products I’m considering buying (using my affiliate links!) to ensure a stress-free experience. Rule 1: Carry-On is the ONLY Way First and foremost, like most global airlines, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) requires all power banks to be carried in your  carry-on baggage  or on your person. They are strictly banned from checked luggage due to the fire risk from lithium-ion batteries. Rule 2: Capacity Limits (The Usual Stuff) The capacity rules are pretty standard internationally: Under 100 Wh (~20,000 to 27,000 mAh):  Perfectly fine...

Just uploaded a new vlog on YouTube about using Tribecar in 2026.  Today, I had to move a bunch of furniture and stuff from my place all the way to NTU. Instead of stressing with taxis or borrowing a friend's car, I just booked a Honda Vezel Hybrid through the Tribecar app. The car was parked right downstairs. I unlocked it with my phone in seconds, loaded everything up (boot space is plenty), and off I went for my 3-hour drive. No monthly fees, just a $100 deposit to join, and you pay only when you use it. The car is clean and well-maintained too – it felt like driving my own car without all the COE, road tax, and parking headaches! Check out the full vlog. It's a casual, documenting style. If you're new to Tribecar, use my referral code below when you sign up – we both get $15 in credits when you top up $50 to your e-wallet (first time only)! There might even be extra perks or promos right now, so check the app/site. Win-win lah! 💸 Sign up here and get free rental credit...

 26 Goals for 2026...  Last year I crushed it! Here's my exact 26 goals for 2026 to take video content creation to the next level! These are achievable, pro-level goals for mobile creators like you and me. Let's dive in! Goal 1: Post 5x a week, no excuses! Goal 2: Master one new CapCut AI feature every month. Goal 3: Daily AI video experiments with new prompts. Goal 4: Hit 250K followers by December. Goal 5: Launch my advanced CapCut + AI course. Goal 6: Collaborate with 10 creators. Goal 7: Upgrade to the latest mobile video accessory. Goal 8: Perfect lighting in every single shoot. Goal 9: Write AI prompts like a pro. Goal 10: Film more epic Singapore street vlogs. Goal 11: Fully monetize TikTok Shop. Goal 12: Study 12 AI Video Generation Techniques. Goal 13: Grow email list to 5K subscribers. Goal 14: Cut my editing time in half. Goal 15: Try vertical 4K live streams weekly. Goal 16: Drop deep-dive YouTube videos. Goal 17: Attend 3 creator events in person. Goal 18: Test ne...