Since I’m fairly new to the world of Mac, I got to participate in my first video iChat ever this week. This ruled, because while I can officially say it was done to facilitate the need for face-to-face communication while working remotely, it was really just an excuse to play to my inner camgirl.
One thing I didn’t realize is how distracted I would be that my own image was in a corner — not so much because of vanity as much as it is being self-conscious. Does my face really look like that? Goddammit, am I gaining weight again? So while my co-workers are talking about deadlines and priorities, I’m trying ever-so-quietly to turn the laptop so it shows the side where I have the least amount of chins. I’m sure the novelty will wear off and I’ll get over it; that, or I’ll buy a backdrop.
(And yes, you might be interested to know that this is exactly how we look during development meetings. We’re a wacky bunch.)
That’s such a hilarious image!
You cam-mate is cute! I suppose he’s in Vancouver *sigh*
“I’m sure the novelty will wear off and I’ll get over it; that, or I’ll buy a backdrop.”
It’s a Mac – it can do this for you automatically. Get iChat running. Go to the View menu and at the very bottom there is a “Set Chat Background…” command.
This is a really cool function that takes a picture of you in front of whatever is behind you. Then it asks you to step aside while it takes another picture of just the background. Using these two pictures, it can “subtract” the background from the video and replace it with anything you want.
For example, the interior of a bathhouse, or a Britney Spears concert. It’s a chance to bring a bit of your own personality into the picture!
Eric in Seattle-ish
I think you lost weight, and while having quit smoking. Wow!
As a (relatively) new Mac user myself, let me say I can relate. Though as a (sometime) YouTuber I get more paranoid by the sound of my own voice.
Ernie,
Welcome to the world of Mac OS X! You need to grab a free program called CHAX. It gives iChat some much needed enhancements, including being able to turn off the image within the image. I use it all the time. Here’s a link…
http://www.ksuther.com/chax/
Enjoy!
That picture kicks ass.
You and your mate look like a lot of fun. Great capture!
And, welcome to the world of Mac. You’re going to like it here!
O.M.G.
i heart the title of your blog and am damned mad i didn’t think of it for my own!
My how the boys (and gals) play with their toys. As it should be.
I almost got a Mac, but ended up with a Sony Vaio. I sort of wish I’d have gone with the Mac as they are better for design… Meh.
I would KILL to have meetings like yours, haha.
Hahaha, that’s a riot. I just got a MacBook last Saturday, has a built-in cam. I’m tempted to put silly-putty over the cam in case it ever comes on by accident. I hate pics of me!
That image SO brightened my day. Both you and Ritchie always crack me up.
I just got my first Mac yesterday, so I congratulate both of us. I’m already having waaaay too much fun with it.