I spent the day in the Cairngorms on Sunday shooting some video with the lovely Emma, Jamie and Sam. I had a great day in the snow, the sun was blaring and, based on the tiny camera LCD, thought I had some pretty sweet shots.

I was wrong. Although a couple of the shots are really sweet the majority are overly shaky and unusable or out of focus. I put together a (very, VERY) quick cut and, honestly, felt sick after watching it - just too damn shaky.

It’s really taken the wind out of my sails, I really want (need) a powerful video to compliment my project, to tie everything together. I just don’t have that at the moment. Perhaps some clever editing will fix things but I’m not very good. I don’t have a vision you see. I have nothing to work towards. I DON’T HAVE A CLUE WHAT I’M DOING. So it means everything I try is trial and error, with a lot of error.

If I’d planned things a bit more then maybe it would have been worthwhile going up, but today I can’t help that although I had a brilliant time, I wasted a day by going up North.

I’m really beginning to freak out about how everything is going to come together, especially as we were planning out the Degree Show space - I, again, have no vision. I feel pathetic.

In slightly more positive news Martin Lisle (of SNO!zone) phoned me up today about the email I sent him regarding filming at the indoor slope. Think I may go and completely reshoot everything.

Video

As it turns out a friend of mine works at the SNO!zone in Braehead - an indoor ski slope. I have been thinking that it may be best to angle my project towards an indoor centre as it allows for more control over the environment in which the cameras operate. I know the scope of my project doesn’t really cover all these details but it also means I am not limited by there being snow or not as to whether I can film.

However, filming at the centre is strictly forbidden (even taking photos of your kids requires a photo release form and even then only from the balcony). I have been in touch with the centre and am waiting on a response from the PR and Marketing director as to whether I may be granted special permissions. Here’s hoping.

Other news

I spent a little time today working on the new code for the camera which I received from johnnyonthespot (at the Arduino forum). I had hoped that I may be able to apply the logic of the new code to my hardware setup but as it transpires my servos may be fatally flawed.

Johnny’s approach uses continuous rotation servos, I (think) I have standard servos. I manipulate mine by telling them which angle to go to - I can’t manipulate speed, etc. I fear that to be able to use Johnny’s approach I will need to rebuild the hardware.

I know I had thought of this, but I had hoped to be able to rejig my setup and fix my issues using code. So, the decision here (assuming I do need new servos) is whether a build a second unit (at cost and time) or modify my current unit (at a lower cost and shorter time but more risk). Why is life never simple?