I was wondering how I could do a video for a sketchnote tutorial at my desk.

I started thinking about getting an HDMI in so I could hook up my mirrorless camera, then maybe rig a phone above my desk, perhaps move the screen so the camera could be more in front of me… And then I realised that using continuity camera and desk view would be perfect. I tried it rigged above my monitor and it was too high away which revealed the final truth.

The best (simplest) setup for doing a sketchnote tutorial video is probably a mac laptop with an iPhone doing continuity camera1.

Not just tutorial videos

Of course, this isn’t just about the amazing continuity camera, but many other “defaults” and built in experiences are good enough.

Yes, there are definitely exceptions (the webcam on my 2020 Macbook Air has A LOT to be desired) but the additional complexity comes with a lot of extra resistance.

There’s a reason the smartphone is the most popular camera in the world.

It’s also why even though I can see the value in all the bells and whistles of omnifocus, I’ve never managed to make it stick. Although, it does present a good example of an exception.

Exception: When you love the details

The people who I’ve noticed love Omnifocus find all those bells, whistles and automations to be joyful. Sure, they have setbacks but they never seem to find them frustrating. While I don’t find this the case with omnifocus, there are other tools and systems where I do experience it.

That seems like a good guideline for whether the more or less complex solution is right for you.

  1. I need to make sure it works as advertised, after all, perhaps the desk view falls apart when drawing. ↩︎