All posts by Randy & Joyce Meyer

Joyce has 30 years in the field of education, currently a substitute teacher, farm gopher and photographer specializing in art and image restoration editing. Randy has a degree in studio art / art education and runs a corn/soybean farm along with a Seed dealership.

2022 Camino Frances Travel & Day One: Getting there is half the battle.

First video in a series documenting our experiences hiking the Camino Frances in July 2022.

Travels with Randy & Joyce: Travel days plus hiking day #1

Southwest MN Corn Harvest at Sunset

Corn Harvest at Sunset ~ Joyce Meyer

In spite of strong wind with gusts up to 30+ mph, the DJI Mini 2 drone was able to capture this Southwest Minnesota corn harvest in action. Manual setting ISO 100/2.8 /1/500. My heart stopped a couple of times when gusts of wind severely tilted the drone but I felt great relief when it quickly recovered. The sky image was captured with a Canon Mark 3 later that same evening. Composite image edited with Photoshop and Topaz.

Photoshop Drone Composite

Oh, wow… Have my eyes been opened to a whole new world of possibilities!

I have to say, I am excited to have discovered the panoramic features of the DJI Mini 2 drone. Manual settings to keep exposure stable, click the shutter and 9 full size images go into a folder. Downloaded the folder|opened Photoshop|File automate|Photomerge-checking all the boxes for fill, etc. and “BOOM!” This is the result after some tweaking in Photoshop along with Topaz edits to finish it off.

There is also an option for a 180 degree panoramic composite that I accidentally clicked on and was pleasantly pleased with the potential of those results. Both features have really possibilities and I will be working with them again.

Bird’s Eye View: Gary, South Dakota 150th

Passed my drone license test so here we go… DJI drone image featuring the Gary, South Dakota 150th Celebration Fire Fights.

Camino Finisterre: The End of the World

Here is the link to my YouTube playlist which consists of three videos culminating our Camino experience as we tackled the Camino Finisterre. Buen Camino!

This was my first experience editing with Final Cut Pro and I see many YouTube tutorials in my future. Experience with Imovie was helpful but I have a long ways to go to be considered proficient in Final Cut Pro. Audio voice-overs were recorded with a H1N1 recorder.

The tiny, lightweight DJI Pocket 2 is a great travel camera. I brought along the ND filters but didn’t use them as I stuck to auto settings since the lens wouldn’t go in the case when I shut the camera off with a filter on. The filters were also too fiddly when switching back and forth for quick shots and I was afraid of losing or damaging them. Oh well, another time.

Much to my dismay, the filters seem to have been lost in transit so I guess there won’t be another time. Oh, well… things happen.

Looking ahead … Rodeo Days.

Patiently waiting for summer as I edit on a cold, blustery day.

Bird’s Eye View of Gary, South Dakota

DJI Mini 2 | Joyce Meyer | Two images merged and edited in Photoshop and Topaz

Drone photography has caught my interest and I’ve debated whether it’s worth getting a Part 107 Drone License. So far, I’ve been shy and stealthy when flying the tiny DJI Mini 2 drone for recreational purposes only. Research tells me that anyone wanting to sell aerial photography, monitor their farming operations with a drone, or do any other business related work with a drone must have a Part 107 license. Hmmm…?

Training & Running a 5K

As a former runner/jogger I’ve completed my share of 5K, 10K and a couple of marathons throughout the years. Life happens and the running went by the wayside leaving me walking merrily along my way.

30+ years later, my daughter decides to become a certified running coach and was willing to set up a training plan just for me. Embracing the challenge, my training plan began last June and, to be honest, it wasn’t a pretty start. I followed the plan, adapted when necessary, and stuck with it. The short exercise videos were extremely helpful to avoid knee pain and other injuries.

I really thought my 5K running days were in the rear view mirror and the idea of a running coach was a foreign concept. In the end, I found the process to be exceptionally helpful by keeping me accountable and safely focused on the goal. Thank you to my personal running coach, Elizabeth Meyer!

Here is a short video trailer of my family supported 5K:

Still photogray by Angela Meyer, drone photography by Randy Meyer, Imovie by Joyce Meyer.

First Attempt: DJI Mini 2

First attempt at using the DJI Mini 2 drone midmorning with diffused lighting. I think we’ll have to resort to auto settings until some ND filters can be purchased. It’s a little nerve wracking since we don’t want to lose or crash the drone! Tips, anyone?

Video edited with iMovie