Hey everyone! Just joined ShortVi – here's my story and what I hope to learn

Introduce Yourself Created: 02.08.2026 11:28 1 Views

Hi all! I'm a long-time photographer who recently made the jump into video creation. I've been shooting stills for about 8 years, but over the past few months I've been experimenting with short-form video for my travel and outdoor content. I'm excited to join this community because I feel like I've hit a plateau – my editing is basic (just cutting clips and adding music in CapCut), and my YouTube Shorts and TikTok views are stuck in the low hundreds.

I'm hoping to learn more about storytelling, color grading, and how to grow an audience without burning out. I also have a full-time job, so I'm looking for efficient workflows that don't require hours of editing each day. I'm happy to share my photography knowledge in exchange for video tips!

Looking forward to connecting with you all and learning from your experiences.

Replies (5)

02.08.2026 11:40

Welcome to ShortVi, lensmaster50! Your photography background is a huge advantage – you already understand composition, lighting, and storytelling, which are 80% of video. The transition is easier than you think.

For editing efficiency, I'd recommend learning DaVinci Resolve (free version is incredibly powerful). It has a steep learning curve, but once you set up your workspace with custom presets for your typical cuts and color corrections, you can edit a short in under 30 minutes. Also, using proxies for 4K footage will save you tons of time.

What camera are you using? That might help us give more specific advice.

Always testing the YouTube algorithm.

02.08.2026 11:56

lensmaster50 yazdı:

I'm hoping to learn more about storytelling, color grading, and how to grow an audience without burning out.

Great goals! For storytelling in short-form, focus on the 'hook, build, payoff' structure. In the first 2 seconds, you need to show something visually interesting or pose a question that makes people stop scrolling.

For color grading, start with simple adjustments in CapCut or Resolve: set your white balance, adjust contrast, and use a subtle teal-orange look for outdoor scenes. Don't overdo it – natural is better for travel content.

As for growth, consistency beats intensity. Post 3-4 times a week at the same time, engage with your niche community, and use trending audio but with your unique spin. It's a marathon, not a sprint.

Always testing the YouTube algorithm.

02.08.2026 12:13

Welcome! I'm an audio engineer, so I have to chime in: don't neglect your audio! Even the best visuals can be ruined by bad sound. For travel videos, you might not have a lav mic, but you can use your camera's built-in mic and then clean it up in post. In DaVinci Resolve, use the 'Voice Isolation' effect (it's free) or in Audacity (also free) use noise reduction.

Also, consider recording ambient sound separately with your phone – it adds so much depth. And always, always keep your music level lower than your voice (if you have any). Aim for about -18 LUFS for online video – you can check that in Resolve's loudness meter.

02.08.2026 12:35

Hey lensmaster50, welcome! I specialize in Shorts growth specifically. Your low views might not be because of your content quality, but because of the algorithm's initial testing phase. For Shorts, the first 100-200 views are crucial – if the swipe-away rate is high, the video stops being pushed.

To improve that, make sure your first frame is a close-up of something intriguing, and add captions (even if you're not talking) – many people watch on mute. Use 3-4 hashtags max, and post when your audience is most active (check your analytics).

Also, don't ignore YouTube Shorts' 'Shorts feed' – it's different from TikTok. Reply to comments with video replies – that boosts engagement a lot.

Write, shoot, edit, repeat.

02.08.2026 12:58

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and amazing tips! editormaster14 – I'm using a Sony A7 III with a 24-70mm lens, so I'll definitely try Resolve with proxies. focuscraft39 – the hook structure makes a lot of sense; I'll work on that. audioguru78 – thanks for the audio advice, I never thought about recording ambient sound separately! shortsflow44 – I'll start adding captions and test the hashtag strategy.

I feel much more motivated now. I'll start implementing these tips right away and let you know how it goes. This community is awesome – glad I joined!

Focus on retention, the rest will follow.

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Hey everyone! Just joined ShortVi – here's my story and what I hope to learn

Replies (5)

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