When I started making YouTube videos, I went in with the resolution that I would use what I have as much as possible. I would film with my phone (iPhone 13); I would edit with stock apps (iMovie); I would figure out if I even enjoyed this before I spent any money. The first vlogs I made in 2017, I didn't even have a tripod. I filmed with my iPhone 5 balanced on its long flat side.

The first vlogs I made weren't vlogs in today's definition of the word—the kind of videos that document a day or a trip and lots of B-roll—but an actual video blog: me, in front of a camera, talking about my day, the same way I'd write a blog post. I didn't edit out ums or ahs. I left all the mistakes because they weren't actually mistakes. It was natural speech, not a script. I would film, add a title in the form of the date, then post. I didn't even make a thumbnail.

It was a rather naive attempt at YouTube for the time. 2017 felt late to start, after many evolutions of what a YouTube video should look like. But I keep those videos public on my channel to show where I started. You can start there, too. 2024 isn't too late either.

I did finally buy myself a tripod. It's the DJI Osmo Mobile 6. I'm still using my phone to film (it's an iPhone 13 now), but this tripod—which is more than a tripod—makes me feel like I can do so much more. It's a gimbal, so I can make those real YouTube vlogs. It's telescopic, so I can film myself. It makes me feel like a tourist, yes, but who cares? I live in a tourist city; I blend right in.

Back in May, my parents docked downtown between two cruises. Most passengers were getting off, but they would stay on the boat for a few more days. Usually when they do this, I'll meet them for lunch, then carry home a bag or two of their souvenirs to help lighten their load. This time, when I got off the Skytrain, I sat in front of the convention centre and set up my phone in the gimbal.

The tourists swarmed me. Mostly seniors, in pairs, they all wanted to know what this thing was. It makes some beeping noises, and then the gimbal turns to balance itself. The guy sitting next to me perked up. "Now what the heck is that?"

So I did a demo. I showed off the features. I probably could've sold 4 of them right there.

And then I set off along the seawall path, vlogging the whole time. This part of the city is called Waterfront, where the cruise ships dock, the seaplanes take off. There are numerous hotels and one giant convention centre. (It's also where the 2010 Olympic torch lives.) So we're all vlogging down here. We're all taking selfies with the water and the skyline in the background. We're all filming and shooting and documenting our memories.

You don't need my fancy gimbal, of course. You already have the best camera, amiright? It's the one in your pocket. Take a day, an afternoon, and explore your city like a tourist. Hold up your camera, and let the embarrassment roll off your back. Maybe you'll see something new. Even in the place you call home.

This post is part of the IndieWeb carnival. July's theme is tools.