You need to try this in the winter | Stoke-Ness
This month
The game-changing backcountry access vehicle, a new photo set I am proud to share, and my choice for video editing software.
Be stoked,
Isaac
New Photo Set
Cake X Amundsen
In October, I met up with my friend Joel Hypponen in France. He is also a professional photographer, and my favorite way to work is collaborating with other talented creatives. We shot this Cake X Amundsen set together with Joel as talent and me behind the camera. Shoot me an email if you have questions about the shoot isaac@isaacjohnston.co
Gear and Tools
Snow Bike
Alright, I know this one is unlikely to be a recommendation you all run out and buy, but this newsletter has always been about sharing my stoke on what I am using and doing, so here is this month’s gear recco:
I recently installed a snow bike kit on my dirt bike and holy heck, it is great. I had been using older snowmobiles for forest road access to the mountains in the winter for backcountry snowboarding. It was okay, but taking them off the trail guaranteed to get them stuck and having at least 30 min of digging and lifting while wondering why I thought I could ride in deep snow.
New snowmobiles are insanely capable but are $15-20k. I wasn’t going to be buying one anytime soon. A snow bike can be as cheap as $3500, but you get nearly the same access in the deep snow as a new snowmobile. That’s bang for your buck.
If you have ever tried a snowmobile, you will have learned that it takes skill. A snow bike is so much easier. I am blown away. On my first day out, I was climbing hills and weaving between trees and never got stuck. Find me in the mountains for the rest of the winter. I even built a snowboard rack to bring my snowboard to ride lines I haven’t reached before. Stoke is at an all-time high.
Photo/Video Technique
What video editing Software?
Nowadays, everyone edits video, with the ability to edit inside Instagram, Tik-Tok, and apps like InShot. If you find yourself wanting to step up to editingvideo with a more powerful tool or even looking for a more efficient way to edit than tapping your phone screen like a maniac, here are a few options:
Final Cut Pro. This is the software I use and have for the last 5 years. It’s made by Apple and costs $300 for a lifetime license. In my opinion, it is the easiest and fastest to create stories with. It lacks a built-in plug-in for motion and color grading, but there are aftermarket plug-ins for most everything. Finally, it’s optimized for Mac, so it is much faster to load than every other software.
DaVinci Resolve. It seemed like everyone switched from Adobe Premier to Davinci Resolve in the last couple of years. For good reason: it has the best color grading suite and is free to use the basic software with a $295 one-time cost to use the full software. While not as fast for story assembly as Final Cut, it is much better than other software. I haven’t switched fully, but wish for the color grading power. If you want to make beautiful videos, this is the software for you.
Adobe Premier. This was the software of choice a few years ago. It made sense with most folks using Adobe Lightroom and adding this to your monthly subscription for only another $20. I learned how to edit on Premier, and it was hard going. It’s not very reliable or fast, and the controls are clunky. Most everyone I know has made a switch, but I know and work with professional editors who still use it and swear by it.
Pick your favorite and know that you will have a years-long learning curve ahead of you. It is worth it in the end, the litteracy of our modern era.
Who I am Following
Paul Johnson
Besides having a last name that is only one letter from being great, I love Paul’s IG. He shares things that are unique to what he does, and he does really unique things. From exploring the midwest in arctic conditions to pack rafting unseen canyons in the desert, I find whatever he posts to be surprising and delightful. It's different than the trends, same old jokes, and thirst traps of IG today.
Listen
Tired? Distracted? Burned-Out? by The Ezra Klien Show
I have felt one or all of these in the last couple of years, and this podcast episode dives deep into what is happening and how you can regain your focus. It is one of those bits of knowledge you knew already but didn’t have the words to explain.
Videos, Movies, and TV
The Spain No One Sees by Alex Strohl
Alex has continued the “No One Sees” series, this time in Spain with his friend Steve Booker. I edited the film and wish I had been along for the ride.
Reads
Fire Weather
I just finished this book about the historic Fort MacMurray fire and the increasing frequency of large wildfires. I am a big fan of John Vaillant’s books The Tiger and The Golden Spruce. This book is different than my usual read and brought me into a discussion about climate change I had never heard. Honestly, it’s not a book I would have started had I known how heavy it would be, but it might be one of the most important books I have read.
If you feel up to the task of learning about our future climate while being told the story of a historic wildfire, this might be the book for you.
Parting Thought:
Too often, I find myself feeling committed to a path or choice because, in the past, I made a decision and now don’t want to look foolish for doubling back. Life is one big experiment, and framing most choices, like careers or places you choose to live, as experiments based on results gives me the air cover to adjust without feeling the shame of being a flaky person for changing my mind. Give yourself room to craft the life you really want.
Be stoked and have a great month,
Isaac
This newsletter, my photography, and my videos are all free but not cheap. If you want to help me continue to make things you can buy my all new Pitch Deck Kit HERE or buy me a virtual coffee.
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