Adrian's Journal

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Flying to Pattaya Thailand for Business ' Everywhere on the web, Pattaya Thailand is reviewed as a sunny fun travel destination. However I will be flying there tomorrow for work… To shoot a 3-day training conference in a hotel. All my bags are nearly packed, but I am all ready to go. Though I have little time to enjoy the stay, the thought of working away from home feels exciting. My video equipment are all squeezed into 2 luggages to the stringent requirement of air travel. http://videolane.com/2012/06/packing-videography-equipment-in-a-carry-on-bag-for-air-travel/ Have I brought everything that I need to survive the trip? Let me double check, triple check… Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com PS: My most memorable overseas working trips to date are in 4 Provinces of China and a pineapple plantation in Indonesia. You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/flying-to-pat...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Business Downsizing Pros and Cons ' This is the day. The day I reverse my dream. The dream to create a big business. The big business dream was to have at least 10 staff busily serving clients for their videography and video production needs. I had only two staff. They seem rather busy everyday, yet there is not enough assignments coming in to feed the three of us. I earn twice the current revenue when I was working alone. We have three people, but we are earning less. I analyzed the situation and concluded the following observation. 1. When I was working alone, I work 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. Staff work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. 2. When I was working alone, I deliver fast by working overnight and over the weekends. Staff take a break at night and weekends. 3. I can charge higher when I was the only specialist with a highly honed skill. Staff skill level is not on par with mine yet hence cannot justify p...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Making Strawberry Jam at Home 2012 ' We don’t make jams everyday. That’s why there is a “2012″ in the title. It so happened my mom gave me a pack of fresh bright red strawberries. We decided to turn the lot into jam because they tasted more sour than sweet… Using the same formula I learnt in year 2010. http://adrianvideoimage.com/2010/12/how-to-make-strawberry-jam-part-1/ http://adrianvideoimage.com/2010/12/how-to-make-strawberry-jam-part-2/ Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/making-strawberry-jam-at-home-2012/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Watertown Punggol 23 June 2012 ' You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/watertown-punggol-23-june-2012/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Ramen Review: Spicy Miso Ramen at Daikokuya Serangoon Gardens ' Browsing the menu at the entrance, the first thing I noticed was that for every ramen item, there is a mini version which cost S$3 to S$4 lesser. The waitress was alert to my ignorance to the difference in Miso, Shoyu and Shio. She quickly explained the the three types of ramen available. Miso is fish stock flavored, Shoyu is brown soy sauce and shio is clear salt soup based. There is a choice of curly original, flat or thin noodle. I ordered Spicy Miso Ramen with curly original noodle while Stella went for the mini Shoyu with thin noodle. Is there a difference in the noodles? The preferred original is soft and springy while the thin noodle is a little hard. What’s missing in the photo is the meat slice and the egg. I should have scooped out the meat and placed it on top of the noodles for this photo shoot or otherwise it should have been done that way i...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Bukit Merah Central to Hort Park in 25 Minutes on Foot ' So I have an appointment with a client to recce the multi-purpose hall at Hort Park for an upcoming event videography. I checked my Streetdirectory iPhone app for driving directions and it said only three minutes to get there from my office. Since it is so near, I decided to walk instead of drive. The leisurely stroll took 25 minutes. I walked along Depot Road (see the blue dot in the map, that’s me. The blue pin is my office and the red pin is Hort Park). Though the afternoon sun was scorching hot, the trees along the street were gigantic and shady (like those I keep crashing into in Temple Run). It’s a good break from the computer and concrete jungle. If given an another appointment at Hort Park, will I walk there again? Likely not, I am an explorer at heart, and this path is explored. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the late...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Bukit Merah Central to Hort Park in 25 Minutes on Foot ' So I have an appointment with a client to recce the multi-purpose hall at Hort Park for an upcoming event videography. I checked my Streetdirectory iPhone app for driving directions and it said only three minutes to get there from my office. Since it is so near, I decided to walk instead of drive. The leisurely stroll took 25 minutes. I walked along Depot Road (see the blue dot in the map, that’s me. The blue pin is my office and the red pin is Hort Park). Though the afternoon sun was scorching hot, the trees along the street were gigantic and shady (like those I keep crashing into in Temple Run). It’s a good break from the computer and concrete jungle. If given an another appointment at Hort Park, will I walk there again? Likely not, I am an explorer at heart, and this path is explored. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the late...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Getting Started with Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 ' My first workshop teaching the new Adobe Premiere Pro CS6. http://videolane.com/courses/basic-videography/ I was supposed to teach Sony Vegas Pro, but participants came with their new Macs installed with Adobe Creative Suite, so I thought why not get them started with what they already have. I demonstrated the video editing software on my Windows laptop while they practised on their MacBook Pros. Premiere worked the same on both platforms with very minor differences in the layout. Truth be said, I still prefer Sony Vegas Pro as it is more intuitive in getting things done with much fewer steps. http://videolane.com/2011/11/sony-vegas-pro-11-review/ Furthermore, with Adobe Premiere Pro, I cannot open and work on more than one project at the same time like what I do regularly as in the recent conference videography job. http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/multitasking-m...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Instant Noodle Review: Myojo Lor Mee ' Before I start my overtime (printing notes for tomorrow’s videography class) in the office, let me arrest my hunger with a bowl of instant noodles, Myojo Lor Mee. It felt strange when the first scoop touched my lips… A slimy feeling. So I stirred a little more… But the sliminess seem to get thicker. All my instant noodles have been soupy except for this one. Then suddenly… I remembered! This is LOR MEE! A real dish of Lor Mee comes with thick sticky brown gravy (one of my favorite dishes). Once I realized that, I began to love my instant Lor Mee minus the vinegar and garlic paste. It has bits of cabbage, carrot and crabstick. (3 C’s) That should last me for the night. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/instant-noodle-review-myojo-lor-mee/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Lots of Video Editing Jobs ' Shooting is quick, but editing can take three times or more longer. That’s the life of a Videographer. So tonight I am rushing to complete at least one job. (I don’t have to rush actually, but I have 2 full days of teaching from tomorrow). How about delegating? Yeah, all gurus say that. My colleagues are all up to their necks trying to meet deadlines. (Gurus don’t quite understand what we do for a living) Anyway, let’s get back to work and burn the midnight oil! Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/lots-of-video-editing-jobs/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Father's Day Cards My Kids Made ' It’s Father’s Day and what can kids do or make for their dad? For me, an adorable paper mouse biting a piece of cheese. Lifting the cheese reveals the message behind it. What if you want to keep it simple? Then a meaningful drawing will do. I am a happy dad with lovely kids. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com Lift the You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/fathers-day-cards-my-kids-made/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Mango Pudding Made at Home ' Desert for lunch today is mango pudding… Made by my mother-in-law. I contributed by flipping it over a flat plate and decorating it with chocolate chips. The recipe is simple. Use mango pudding mix. Fill it with fresh mango pieces. Put it in the refrigerator for a few hours to harden. That’s it. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/mango-pudding-made-at-home/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Where to Eat Out with the Kids? Swensens at Vivocity ' The last item on the agenda for the kids’ holiday day out is a surprise dinner. An ice-cream treat at Swensens Vivocity. Of course the ice cream was served after dinner… Seafood platter and spaghetti. What a long day! Swim… http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/where-to-bring-the-kids-to-play-in-singapore-swimming-at-jurong-safra/ Lunch… http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/where-to-eat-out-with-the-kids-jacks-place-at-safra-jurong/ Play… http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/where-to-bring-the-kids-in-singapore-kidz-amaze/ I am so tired that I can fall asleep anytime… But let me finish this blog first. Actually just one more thought… all I wish is for my kids to be happy… and have memorable childhood moments… just like what my dad gave me. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest p...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Where to Bring the Kids in Singapore? Kidz Amaze ' You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/where-to-bring-the-kids-in-singapore-kidz-amaze-2/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' 20120615-235152.jpg ' You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/20120615-235152-jpg/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' 20120615-235008.jpg ' You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/20120615-235008-jpg/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' 20120615-234505.jpg ' You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/20120615-234505-jpg/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' 20120615-234100.jpg ' You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/20120615-234100-jpg/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' 20120615-231402.jpg ' You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/20120615-231402-jpg/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Where to Bring the Kids in Singapore? Kidz Amaze ' The fun continues for the kids. Swimming in the morning. Jack’s place for lunch. http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/where-to-bring-the-kids-to-play-in-singapore-swimming-at-jurong-safra/ http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/where-to-eat-out-with-the-kids-jacks-place-at-safra-jurong/ Next, the giant multi-storey playground with the longest slide in Asia, Kidz Amaze at Jurong SAFRA. http://www.facebook.com/kidzamaze I joined them in everything. Weaved through narrow passages on fours. Climbed up the highest tower. Slid down the longest tube. Shot color balls at insect targets. Had to catch my breathe once in a while. It was all fun though. I was a kid once again. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com PS: One surprise though, it’s a weekday but they charged the weekend price because it’s the school holidays. You may view the latest post at http...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Where to Eat Out with the Kids? Jack's Place at Safra Jurong ' After swimming under the scorching noon sun and getting hungry, it’s time for lunch. Jack’s Place is it. Why? Again it’s kid-friendly. Kids enjoy special price from 1.30 pm to 5.30 pm. We ordered grilled chicken with cranberry sauce, fish and chips and crabstick and chicken baked rice. Really nice cosy place. Cool air-conditioning for a hot day. Great ice cream desert. The kids enjoyed everything… and each other’s meal. Now to the giant playground. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/where-to-eat-out-with-the-kids-jacks-place-at-safra-jurong/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Where to Bring the Kids to Play in Singapore? Swimming at Jurong SAFRA ' As promised, I have to bring the kids out for a day during the school holidays. This year, I chose Jurong SAFRA, a very kid-friendly club. http://www.safra.sg/clubhouse_jr.aspx?pageid=437 First stop, the swimming pool. My kids loved the water play area with water canons, waterfalls and giant random pouring buckets. They loved the bubbly jacuzzi too. We went early in the morning to beat the crowd and stayed there for three over hours. For me, it’s my day off. TGIF. Going to have lunch next followed by the Kidz Amaze multi-storey indoor playground. Adrian Lee http:/:AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/where-to-bring-the-kids-to-play-in-singapore-swimming-at-jurong-safra/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Tasting Singapore Beer Anchor "Smooth" ' So it’s time to unwind before the next big job. This time I will try local brewed Anchor “Smooth” beer. Anchor beer is not usually “smooth”, so I guess this is a special edition. Indeed I feel “smooth” means not as strong a taste as in the Thai LEO beer. http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/tasting-thai-beer-leo/ Though only 4.5% alcohol content, it makes me sleepy faster than the 5% in LEO. YES. Good beer makes me sleepy. Great for slowing down my busy mind. So that I can sleep peacefully. A few more minutes and I am off to bed. Long day tomorrow with the kids. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/tasting-singapore-beer-anchor-smooth/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Uploaded 30 Videos in 3 Days ' It’s done! The editing and uploading of the 2-day PYCON conference with concurrent talks in 3 separate lecture rooms. http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/a-full-saturday-of-conference-video-shoot/ The number of talks total up to 30 videos, each 30 to 60 minutes long. The edit took 3 days. Add titles, add credits, remove distractions and enhance audio quality. Every video is uploaded immediately to YouTube when done editing. Amazingly, the YouTube account is a brand new channel. No more 15-minute limitation. All 30 videos are long form totaling 21 GigaBytes. I can finally get a good sleep tonight… and a beer. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/uploaded-30-videos-in-3-days/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Working Non-stop at My Mobile Video Editing Workstation ' Is it really mobile? At least within the same room where broadband connection is located. In this case, it’s my cozy office lounge. I have been busy editing seminar videos since this morning and uploading them to YouTube as soon as they are complete. Exhausting but satisfying. There is a sense of achievement in every video I complete. I love my work! The mobile video editing workstation is non other than my new baby, the HP Pavilion dv6. http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/comparing-new-hp-pavilion-dv6-vs-old-hp-pavilion-dm3/ At the rate this machine is going, it would have covered its cost by now… And it’s less than a week old! 20 videos down. 10 more to go. Let’s take a break. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/working-non-stop-at-my-mobile-video-editing...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Multitasking Midnight: Rendering 4 Videos While Uploading 5 ' It’s 2 am and I am pushing my new laptop to the limit. Rendering 4 videos on Sony Vegas Pro 8 while uploading another 5 videos to YouTube… and writing this blog at the same time. That’s multitasking at home on a HP Pavilion dv6, the bulky, ugly but power-packed i7 laptop. http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/sony-vegas-fast-hd-render-on-i7-laptop/ http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/comparing-new-hp-pavilion-dv6-vs-old-hp-pavilion-dm3/ I will leave it on overnight to do its work. Am going to sleep. Goodnight. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/multitasking-midnight-rendering-4-videos-while-uploading-5/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Sony Vegas Fast HD Render on i7 Laptop ' 36 minutes to render a 47-minute HD1080 video to HD720 video. That’s fast using the old Sony Vegas Pro 8 on a new intel i7 laptop HP Pavilion dv6. I aim to edit 30 talks (each 30 minutes to 1 hour long) in 3 days. I will be uploading each talk immediately to YouTube as soon as they are edited. Lovin’ my new power packed HP Pavilion dv6. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/sony-vegas-fast-hd-render-on-i7-laptop/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' What to Say in a Business Voicemail Greeting ' I am in the midst of downsizing my business and deciding whether to redirect my business telephone line to my mobile or record a voice message greeting.  If I decide to record a voice message greeting, what would be the most effective way of saying it?  These are some tips and samples I found appropriate for a one-man-show small business like mine. Tips 1. Update Greeting Frequently. An out-of-date greeting leaves a negative impression. Let callers know when you’re available and when you’re not. 2. Ask for Detailed Messages. I get annoyed by messages for me to call back when I am free. Time can be saved if the message is the message, so I can call back with the appropriate information. 3. Elements of Good Voicemail Greetings - Greeting - Your Name - Your Company Name and/or Department Name - Statement that you cannot take their call right now - Invitation to leave a m...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Comparing New HP Pavilion dv6 vs Old HP Pavilion dm3 ' Spent S$1299 at the PC Show on an Intel Core i7 HP laptop. Very much heavier and uglier than my old Intel Core 2 Duo HP laptop. Even the AC power adapter is bulkier. However, bigger and heavier are trade offs for more power. More power is what I seriously need for multitasking. Many times I need to render 2 videos simultaneously while editing another and upload yet another. Yes I can do that with a desktop, but I am a videographer on the move and work anywhere and everywhere. I want churn out videos fast, so that I can deliver them to clients and get my money fast. Now I am working on removing other loads in my backpack so I can travel light with my new baby, the HP Pavilion dv6. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.con You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/comparing-new-hp-pavilion-dv6-vs-old-hp-pavilion-dm3/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' More Blue Skies at Home ' The bright sunny day made my home shine with colors. (enhanced with Instagram) We are leaving for the PC Show at Suntec to look for good deals. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/more-blue-skies-at-home/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Haven't Seen a Clear Blue Sky for Long Time ' Either I have been working too hard indoors or the skies were grey for many days. Today, I see vivid blue up there as I sat on the windy roof top garden of Waterloo Centre waiting for my kids to finish class. Life is beautiful! Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/havent-seen-a-clear-blue-sky-for-long-time/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Tasting Thai Beer LEO ' After two full days of conference video recording, it’s time to chill out at home. This time I will try another brand of affordable beer from Thailand, LEO, made by Singha Brewery. Verdict: Tastes stronger than Chang, but less intoxicating, though it says 5% alcohol. Enjoyed it! Life is short, enjoy it. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/tasting-thai-beer-leo/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Video Editing of Pycon Asia Pacific Conference ' Must get the job done fast. Edit immediately after every talk even before the event ends. You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/video-editing-of-pycon-asia-pacific-conference-2/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' Video Editing of Pycon Asia Pacific Conference ' Must get the job done fast. Edit immediately after every talk even before the event ends. You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/video-editing-of-pycon-asia-pacific-conference/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' iPhone Camera Roll Photo Edit Features ' I am not the type who reads operating manuals. I discover things for myself! Like just now… I never knew the iPhone built-in Camera Roll app can edit photos! All this while I am downloading third party apps to do the same thing. I guess this feature appeared after I upgraded my iPhone to iOS5. When viewing photos in Camera Roll app, there is an “edit” button on the top right hand corner. Click on it to activate the edit function. There are only four functions that I can see at the bottom of the screen. 1. Rotate: Click this and your photo rotates 90 degrees. I have been using other apps to flip my photos. Now this is really convenient. 2. Auto-enhance: Adjusts your picture automatically for better exposure and colour. Very subtle I should say. I prefer other apps for this one. 3. Red Eye Remover: Never needed this function. So far no red eye problem with Asians. May...

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' How to Create a Facebook Greeting Card in 5 Minutes with iPhone ' Today is my sis’s birthday and instead of just greeting her by text on Facebook, I decided to create something special. I was waiting for a seminar to start at the Republic Polytechnic (I was there to video record the seminar), when I came up with this idea. 1. I looked for an interesting scene around me. 2. Took a photo of the scene with my iPhone camera. 3. Added “Happy Birthday…” texts to the photo with Doodle Buddy app. 4. Rotated the photo to landscape mode with Express Photoshop app. 5. Posted the edited image to my sis’s Facebook profile with mobile Facebook app. All that in just five minutes while waiting. I felt so productive. Adrian Lee http://AdrianVideoImage.com You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/how-to-create-a-facebook-greeting-card-in-5-minutes-with-iphone/

Adrian Video Image has posted a new item, ' A Full Saturday of Conference Video Shoot ' You may view the latest post at http://adrianvideoimage.com/2012/06/a-full-saturday-of-conference-video-shoot/