Effective camera usage

JMuck

JMuck

Registered User
Silver Member
What is the most effective way or process to utilize my new video camera with my laptop in rebuilding my pool playing foundation?Considering the capabilities of my equipment,apparently nothing in real time is possible.For starters I my have to revert to a mirror.I have to drive 45 miles to a quiet corner of my local pool room.This may not be very practical.
If I can see myself, I can fix myself.

I'm 50 years old.I laid off for five years.Started practicing again in the last year.Now that I have seen myself play for the first time, it's ugly.I'm ready to hit some balls but its for none if my technique is poor.I don't want to miss out on what might be an early and simple procedure recommended by the many experts here.

Thanks to who all respond. Jim
 
While most every instructor will agree that the video camera is the very best training tool we have, it is of little value if you don't know what you are looking for in the video. We use video and slow motion/stop action to identify every little aspect of what is happening during the shooting process. You need to identify things like initial set up, forearm movement, wrist movement, the alignment of your knuckles, proper finish position, how the cue is moving, eye patterns, timing of contact with the cue ball, and more.
It might be well worth the effort to work with an SPF instructor who uses video and have them analyze your stroke with you. Once you know what you are looking for, you will be able to get the best use out of your viideo camera.

Steve
 
That's the best advice I heard in a long time.

The goal of SPF Instructors is to give you the tools so that you can improve your own game....SPF=randyg
 
pooltchr said:
While most every instructor will agree that the video camera is the very best training tool we have, it is of little value if you don't know what you are looking for in the video. We use video and slow motion/stop action to identify every little aspect of what is happening during the shooting process. You need to identify things like initial set up, forearm movement, wrist movement, the alignment of your knuckles, proper finish position, how the cue is moving, eye patterns, timing of contact with the cue ball, and more.
It might be well worth the effort to work with an SPF instructor who uses video and have them analyze your stroke with you. Once you know what you are looking for, you will be able to get the best use out of your viideo camera.

Steve
Click to expand...

I,myself,would like to analyze my stroke.First person use of a camera is my question.If any anybody has this information on their DVD I would be happy to pay for it.
 
OK. Make sure you set your camera up focused on you, not the balls and table. It would make more sense to video the same shot several times than several random shots.

If you are going to analyze yourself then I assume you already know the ten points to look at in the video.

Good hunting....SPF=randyg
 
randyg said:
OK. Make sure you set your camera up focused on you, not the balls and table. It would make more sense to video the same shot several times than several random shots.

If you are going to analyze yourself then I assume you already know the ten points to look at in the video.

Good hunting....SPF=randyg
Click to expand...

Point taken.I don't have a refined ten point list,But maybe I should.Thank you.
 
JMuck said:
Point taken.I don't have a refined ten point list,But maybe I should.Thank you.
Click to expand...

That is why I suggested getting a professional video analysis done. Video is a great thing, if you know what to look for. This isn't a knock against you, just a suggestion that you might want to learn how to use a video effectively.

Steve
 
You might find some the information you're looking for on Vol 1 of our instructional dvd series "Play Better Pool", Mastering the Basics. It's available on amazon.com, through Meullers (poolndarts.com), bebop.com, or other outlets. You can also buy it directly from me, for less than you'll find it online. PM me if you're interested.

As Randyg noted, you need to set your camera up so that you can clearly see a sideview of you shooting (especially your stroking arm). You should have the camera set so that you can see the entire movement of your shooting arm, and the entire range of your cue movement, including the tip. Shoot the same shot several times, at different speeds and tip positions, and take a look at your fundamental mechanics. Are you smooth and rythmic, or jerky. How's your grip pressure...does your cue go up in the air? These are just some of the things we look for, when we do a video analysis with a student.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

JMuck said:
I,myself,would like to analyze my stroke.First person use of a camera is my question.If any anybody has this information on their DVD I would be happy to pay for it.
Click to expand...
 
You can use both (cam and camera)- and both are extremly useful. It often helps the instructor a lot, if a point is reached where a student for example to imagine what the instructor told him (not often *grin* but this happens^^). For example in the case if it s about stroke and stance- a cam is helpful and much cheaper than a very good camera with expensive upgrades (cam always less expensive than a very good camera with upgrades you would need). U usualy need views from front, side and from the back- only then you could see that you re stance,stroke etc is correct to detect and show perfectly the errors a student perhaps doin constantly. And if he then is able to see it, it will it much easier to understand :-)
cam is super-and much more priceless than a camera with an expensive motor etc.

lg
ingo
 
Scott Lee said:
You might find some the information you're looking for on Vol 1 of our instructional dvd series "Play Better Pool", Mastering the Basics. It's available on amazon.com, through Meullers (poolndarts.com), bebop.com, or other outlets. You can also buy it directly from me, for less than you'll find it online. PM me if you're interested.

As Randyg noted, you need to set your camera up so that you can clearly see a sideview of you shooting (especially your stroking arm). You should have the camera set so that you can see the entire movement of your shooting arm, and the entire range of your cue movement, including the tip. Shoot the same shot several times, at different speeds and tip positions, and take a look at your fundamental mechanics. Are you smooth and rythmic, or jerky. How's your grip pressure...does your cue go up in the air? These are just some of the things we look for, when we do a video analysis with a student.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
Click to expand...

Thanks for getting to me.I may be purchasing your DVD in the future.
 
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Thank you for the tips everyone.Today is practice day.Can't wait to see what I can see.
 
I just had just one of the most productive ten hour days in my pool life.Thanks to each and every poster here,and to those who PMed me.I took something from each one.One of the strongest things I learned was that I could hook up an RCA cable from my camera to a portable big screen TV and place it directly in my line of sight and see my image in real time.The camera can be placed at any angle and operated using my remote.I'm correcting right at the table as I'm watching and recording myself execute a simple straight-in shot.A mirror image type drill but way more flexible.The spirit of the forum seems to be alive.Thanks All,JMuck P.S. I WILL be buying a DVD Scott.
 
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The dvd from Scott + co :grin-square: is really good. I m collecting *teaching* dvd s, because each instructor has another way to transport something- even if 2 instructors teaching somethin with the same idea, they both have different ways to try and transport it to the student. So, for me it s alway nice to see different guy teaching- and perhaps insert it into my lessons for other guys.
The dvd you re now gettin is really great! Especially all fundamentals are shown up, which is not normal for products from other ppl.


have fun with it,

Ingo
 
Ratta said:
The dvd from Scott + co :grin-square: is really good. I m collecting *teaching* dvd s, because each instructor has another way to transport something- even if 2 instructors teaching somethin with the same idea, they both have different ways to try and transport it to the student. So, for me it s alway nice to see different guy teaching- and perhaps insert it into my lessons for other guys.
The dvd you re now gettin is really great! Especially all fundamentals are shown up, which is not normal for products from other ppl.


have fun with it,

Ingo
Click to expand...



Thanks! Scott & I think it may be one of the best DVD's on the market.....SPF=randyg
 
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