Category: Making Videos

Focusing on all of my efforts around the art of making videos and social media. Camera, lens, and equipment reviews. I also share tutorials on anything I have learned over the years.

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Get More Views With Better Thumbnails! Here’s How….

Picture of Joey Lombardi with yellow background

My YouTube thumbnail game was terrible. After watching several videos on how to improve my site, I realized I needed a better method to make thumbnails.

I found a site called Canva and I am very impressed. The site makes thumbnail generation much easier than the other tools I have been using (like GIMP).

Canva is free, but there are several premium services you need to pay for. I share some other tools and tips to make due with what is available for free with Canva, but I do recommend the premium service, it makes workflow so much easier.

Tools Referenced:

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PGYTECH MantisPod 2.0 Review

I have been using the original PGYTECH MantisPod Pro for several months and liked the flexibility and ease of going vertical, but I felt that it was a little… structurally unsound for bigger cameras.

After buying the small PGYTECH remote for the Sony ZV-1, I learned about the MantisPod V2 which features a spot to house the remote. The combination reminded me of the Sony vlogger tripod (GPVPT2BT) but the MantisPod is cheaper and does more things.

This video compares the differences between version 1 and version 2 and why V2 is perfect for the ZV-1. It also highlights how this tripod fits perfectly in my 3L man-purse.

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Neewer 18MM Adapter for Sony ZV-1

I purchased the Neewer 18MM adapter for the Sony ZV-1 last month.

At first I wasn’t sure if the adapter made the lens 6MM wider, but after a few tests… it really does work as advertised!

Check out the video to see the differences.

Link to the Adapter: amzn.to/3GiVHet
It happens to be on sale today for $55 – and I am not getting paid or any kickbacks for that!

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Sony ZV-1 First Impressions

The Sony ZV-1 arrived last Friday and I have been taking it with me to understand the camera’s benefits and limitations.

The size makes this camera a winner, but it is not without issues. The small 1-inch sensor struggles in dark situations and there are some questionable design choices.

PS: I mentioned a clamp-style wide-angle adapter in the video, it can be found here: https://amzn.to/3B628yx

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Playing with Nanlite Tube Lights

This is not a full review. I purchased (3) Nanlite Pavotube II 6C tube lights this week tested how they looked distributed in key places in my basement.

I liked the results, but I think I need a few more.

This video was filmed using the Sony A7IV with the 20MM 1.8 and I also used the 35MM 1.8

If anyone watching this has ideas on better placement, if I should dim the lights more, whatever… I would love some feedback/ideas!

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Google Pixel 7 Pro Review

I bought the Google Pixel 7 Pro on day one and have been using it for over a month. This video covers my thoughts on the phone using T-Mobile service. I address:

  • Screen performance
  • Signal performance
  • Thoughts on the Pixel UI.

I also purchased the peak design mobile case for the phone with a few additional goodies, which I also review.

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