Category Archives: Uncategorized

2022 Camino Day 5: How Tough Can it Be? Up and over the mountain…

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

Day 5 Camino de Santiago

2022 Camino Frances Day 2: Where there’s a will there’s a way.

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

Day two we meet the friendliest Texan in El Acebo…

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.

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.

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

Canby Area Arts Council Kiln Reveal Part 2

Check out this short video of the glaze and kiln firing process featuring pieces created by the participants of the CAAC Play with Clay Youth and Adult Workshops held in Central Park, Canby, MN, on August 21, 2021. The classes were taught by Sarah Bednarek of Blue Barn Traveling Art Studio.

The Bird Lady of Lac qui Parle County, MN

Salt Lake is the only alkaline lake in the state of MN (1/3 as salty as sea water) and attracts a remarkable variety of birds. Located in Lac Qui Parle County, this 312 acre lake is known as one of the state’s top birding spots, supporting a large diversity of shorebirds and waterfowl.

It was through Mae Nisbit Peterson’s interest in birds that Salt Lake, was preserved as she brought this area to the attention of naturalists.

Click on the video link to take a virtual tour and learn about “The Bird Lady” of Lac qui Parle County, MN.

Video by Joyce Meyer. Research and narration by Rachel Croatt.

2020. It is what it is.

2020 life and travel plans may have changed, but that doesn’t mean life stops – it merely adjusts itself.

What a great opportunity to supervise the grandkids’ remote learning program:

Excitement filled the air as we stealth traveled to the mountains of Colorado. Cooler with food and wine-check, hand sanitizer-check, rubber gloves-check, multiple face masks-check, GoPro camera that I need to learn to use-check. A few days in Colorado provided wonderful adventures:

I had fun dressing up for Trunk & Treat in our local community. The kids seemed excited to catch candy from the chute and spooky music added to the fun!
Randy spent many hours working on converting this granary to a pottery studio.
Our pandemic chickens have added personality to the yard. (Along with a few other “treats.”

Another goal has been learning to use GoPro features like time-lapse:

…and time-warp. I am quite awkward in my attempts and have a lot to learn:

Here’s to looking back at 2020 knowing we played it as well as we could.

Game on 2021…