Frequently Asked Questions

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Who or what is Scenes By Sevy?

The Scenes By Sevy started out as a YouTube channel, documenting everyday life as we know it in Finland.
Often with translatable subtitles for extra explanation and communication support.

Take a look at my About page for a more detailed look at the scenes.

What is virtual walking?

Virtual walking is a fairly new platform on the internet.
It offers people around the world a way to virtually travel to your favorite destination.
Also considered a form of ASMR (Autonomous sensory meridian response).

You can read a more detailed explanation on the Virtual walking page.

Why did you start creating virtual walks?

You can read this on the About page.

It is a way for me to push myself to get out there and explore new places and see people.
I’ve been coming home from my day job for years and just stay home to go back to work the next day.

I try to change that by forcing myself to achieve something and eventually become a happier person.
It is a certain freedom for me mentally to know that i can do this and possibly help or inspire even more people than myself.

I am originally from Belgium, as is my family, for me this is a way to share a part of my life in Finland, and eventually also create content about Finland for people all over the world.

Finland deserves to be seen.

Can i share photos and videos?

Photo & video material published on Scenesbysevy.com including social media is my own.
It is allowed to share in your personal network, i would appreciate a small mention if possible.
For commercial & business networks, please contact me directly for further notice.

Are you sponsored?

No, i am not financially sponsored or affiliated with any organization related to my virtual walking scenes.
I do this on my own initiative to create walking tours in Finland so that people can travel virtually and also learn about the history of Finland.

It is a great way to see and explore locations before making the decision to travel here on your own.

Is there a way to support?

You already support me by showing an interest in what i do.
Watching my videos and subscribing to my YouTube channel is an effective way to show your support.

I do have an option available if you would like to support me directly.
You can read about it on the Donors page.

Do you film in HDR?

I am currently experimenting with HDR videos through iPhone.

To create in HDR, means you also need HDR-compatible hardware to edit and display heavy files.
It is important to understand that you can only view HDR if your screen supports one of the 4 HDR platforms HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision or HLG.
I look forward to film more often HDR videos in the near future.

Why prefer subtitles to speaking?

My preference is for communication with the viewer through text-based speech.
As a result, the viewer is not distracted by the sound of my voice.

I try to make the video as immersive as possible and in my opinion adding a voice over will ruin the walking experience.
It would also mean that the video is limited to an audience that understands English, while the subtitles can be translated into any language available on YouTube.

How and when do you choose a location to film?

This is arguably the most important part of being a virtual walk content creator.
Selecting a specific location and when to film can be a tedious process that also requires a certain level of patience.

It is up to the creator to decide each shooting session, but for me it comes down to having a subject.
Be it weather conditions, historical sites or touristic attractions.

Before filming, i always explore the area, sometimes a few days ahead, then i will make a decision based on that subject.
For example, will it look best in winter or summer, sunset or sunrise, in rain or sunny conditions, is there enough lighting for a nighttime shoot?
Each scene is based on all these decisions and it can sometimes take a whole year to film one specific area.

How do you find the information read in the subtitles?

I try to give each scene as much information as possible about the specific location or other topics related to it.

I search intensively for data on Google’s index to find as much related information as possible.
After that, i will combine this information in my own writing to make it fit the walking scene in a timely manner.

The combination of information and visual is a great way to focus on what you’re watching.

How can you walk with such a heavy camera?

This is a question i ask myself too.
Choosing your camera gear is essential when it comes to creating virtual walks.

Of course you want to create the best quality, but with great quality comes great weights.
Carrying such a weight for a long time can be a nuisance to the body.

On days when i feel physically unsuitable for heavy equipment i will use a mobile camera, the quality is quite close to that of a dedicated camera these days.
With a weight difference of about 2 KG, it can be a relief to work with a mobile.

On days when i use my main camera, i usually walk for about 20 to 30 minutes in one take in a given location, after which i rest my back and arms.
Going to the gym every week to regain your strength is recommended if you ever want to become a cameraman/woman.

How do you walk and film so smoothly?

This comes down to technique, experience and the use of a gimbal.

Placing the camera on a gimbal will smooth out and compensate for any vibrations caused by walking.
But a gimbal won’t do all the work for you, meaning your walking technique is very important.

While filming, i try to walk as evenly as possible, keeping a straight horizontal line in front of me.
It’s a trial-and-error process where you have to grow the experience over time.

It is an essential part of creating smooth virtual walks and also determines your style of videos.

Will you act as a tour guide during our stay in Finland?

No, i will not act as a tour guide during your stay in Finland.
My virtual walking tours are the information i can provide if you make the decision to visit Finland.

I am not officially licensed to act as a tour guide and my knowledge is not nearly good enough for such work.
Due to my day job and filming, i don’t have much free time.
However, i’m flattered to hear that you really want me as your tour guide.

Have you attended a photography school?

No, i have not taken any courses on video or photography.
It is something i spontaneously decided to do and by doing, learning through trial and error.

I have a good basic understanding of working with editing programs.
I grew up with technology and the internet, i can say it is a part of me.

The closest kind of education is probably the years i spend in IT science classes.

Are you flying a drone?

No, i don’t have a drone.
A certain diploma is required to be allowed to fly a drone.
It is possible to obtain a certificate online, read more here.

Even when licensed to fly, many areas in Finland, especially large cities, have many no-fly zones.
I would like to experience flying a drone and implement these images in the walking scenes.

What is 3D Audio?

I often mention the 3D Audio tag in the title of my videos.
This basically means that the audio was recorded in the same way as your own ears.

This method is called Binaural Recording and provides an enhanced immersive walking experience.
Note: To take full advantage of 3D Audio, it is recommended that you wear a headset or earbuds.

File Compression

Photos & videos hosted on Scenesbysevy.com are subject to compression.
This is a necessary method to minimize internet usage and website loading times.

Photo compression is minimizing the size in bytes of a graphics file without degrading the quality of the image to an unacceptable level.
The reduction in file size allows more images to be stored in a given amount of disk or memory space.

Compressed files improve loading times by up to 24% and will therefore also consume less bandwidth.
This allows people with lower internet speeds (such as mobile networks) to view the site in a comfortable way.

Is there a merchandise store?

Yes, it is possible to purchase merchandise: Go to the store.

Can i request a walking location?

If you would like to see a specific location in Southern Finland that is not on my YouTube channel it is possible to tip me and i will add it to my scouting list.

Can i hire you as a wedding or photo shoot photographer?

Unfortunately not, my hobby consists of photographing landscapes, cityscapes, historical sites and the 4 beautiful seasons that go with it.
It is a very different workflow to work in weddings, performances and large crowds.

*Updated regularly as new questions need an answer.
Can’t find the answer you were looking for? Ask me.

Page last updated: 16/04/2023