I have an iMac with a built-in camera, and I use QuickTime Pro. The result comes from using very basic equipment. It's just a typical lo-res "webcam" look. And I can't even think how you'd go about focusing on the edges of the picture.
IN THE COMMENTS: Trevor writes:
Well obviously the bhtv commenter is just riffing on Ann's discussion of composition during the American Idol vlog. Ann, not being stupid, knows that. That comment was a joke. This post was also a joke. Did none of you people watch the episode?
Actually, I didn't read it that way, but it's possible. If I've wronged "Leggs Bataglia," he/she should let me know. But I get so much criticism over there for things like "posing" and using "cheesy" feminine wiles, that I wasn't inclined to see subtle cleverness.
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19 comments:
that is dumb. actually ann is kinda a hottie. she doesn't need soft focus.
I no longer assume that this kind of a "critique" is intended to do anything other than distract and smear. On Dr. Helen's blog, I was piled on by two anons who at one point criticised me for commenting on other comments in the discussion! "This is a private conversation, quit butting in" they posted in the comments section. Unreal.
So reason not as to why. This type of thing is to distract and annoy you in the hopes of silencing your opinion. It is not reasoned to do anything other than that.
Trey
What do I do to inspire such ideation?
Gee, do primping and preening ring a bell?
They ring a bell inside your head.
To the extent there is overlap between your critics and George W. Bush's, it's interesting how they see you both in the same way: Stupid yet fiendishly intelligent.
Maybe this sector of the netroots sees everyone they don't like as having these paradoxical qualities. (See your next post about the Newsweek story. "We're just too smart and logical! Waaah!") Perhaps that's why the netroots so cranky -- always being bested by their prey. Like the coyote in the Roadrunner cartoons, who is also not a happy guy.
But a denial is an admission---for someone as passive-agressive as Althouse.
The fact that Althouse would go to the trouble to issue a formal denial of the charges means there must be something there.
Even if true, why is it noteworthy that people who broadcast themselves out to the world try to make themselves look better??
You are the morbidly obese person who has had your stomach stapled. Others, especially those who are still obese, can't stand that you are now thin and have left the fold (perhaps because you were ashamed of the fold?), and they think you took the easy way out.
The whole idea about blogging was that there wasn't supposed to be vanity, and you were supposed to effect a sort of come-as-you-are look.
And so, for Althouse to so strenuously deny that she's ready for her close-up....
Something fishy.....that Althouse goes to such lengths to deny her own obvious vanity....
Althouse has issues...
Well, "the whole idea" about blogging is pretty subjective. Ann has stated in this blog before that she is not averse to people trying to look good, aesthetics, etc.
Although I must say even though I believe Ann that she couldn't control the focus, it is a bit odd she went out of her way to deny it.
My first thought is that it is such a ridiculous comment she's ridiculing it by point it out.
The result comes from using very basic equipment. It's just a typical lo-res "webcam" look.
I've noticed that cheap equipment can actually leave one looking better than high-quality equipment when videocalling. I have two webcameras -- one for my laptop (a cheap detachable one so I can use it on my work laptop when I'm on a trip) and one for my desktop (a slightly more expensive cheap one). The image quality on the slightly more expensive one is far, far superior. But it also makes me look far, far worse. Brings out all my flaws.
They're just jealous.
PWS: "it is a bit odd that she went out of her way to deny it"
Yes, Althouse's portion on Bloggingheads keeps getting more and more blurrier with each new wrinkle, er, uh I mean each new episode.....
Hey Althouse: Smearing the lense with vaseline doesn't seem to be working. Maybe shoot it through tile.
Can you imagine the conniptions and convulsions when Althouse is forced to be shot in the High Definition format?
And little does she know: I've got a program that allows me to freeze each Bloggingheads frame, and then close up, zoom way in on each lovely freckle, tepid blemish, glorious discoloration, and rosy demarcation of Althouse's darling face.
No wonder Althouse was forced to stop doing Vlogs. Not enough vaseline in the world for Althouse and her vanity!
Fondly, Maxine
Holy crap, Maxie, issues?
Just how fat are you? Do you have a party hat on?
Well obviously the bhtv commenter is just riffing on Ann's discussion of composition during the American Idol vlog. Ann, not being stupid, knows that. That comment was a joke. This post was also a joke. Did none of you people watch the episode?
Trevor: That's an interesting idea, but I hadn't thought that and don't believe it. The commenters at bhtv continually go on -- in many episodes -- about how I'm somehow doing things that I'm not. Like our "primping and preening" friend in this thread. What is that about?
Really? That was my immediate thought when I read the comment. You spent a fair amount of time discussing how you carefully composed the Idol vlog and nobody noticed, so when I read the comment I thought "Ha! (S)he is intentionally over-reading the composition of this shot!" which I thought was pretty clever, especially given bhtv's charmingly low production values. I think there's a lot of mock-serious discussion of the significance of its visual quirks. I guess if I'm the only one seeing this nobody's stupid for missing it, but it really did leap out at me when I first read it.
More broadly, I don't recognize the name Leggs Bataglia so I couldn't tell you if (s)he's known for personal animosity of just dry wit. As of for your commenters here, I don't know what they're on about. I assume they're different people. They seem to be regulars.
Trevor, I think your point is really smart. I was reading it in the context of having been criticized so much over there. You may be right about the commenter's intent, but to me, it looked like one more commenter accusing me of -- horrors! -- trying to look good.
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