As I quickly approach my 5000th published review, I thought I ought to share how I do all my reviews. Over the years, the way I do things has evolved. In my first video, back in 2015, I was using much different equipment. In 2017, I was using much different equipment as well, and using different techniques. Now in 2023, things have changed slightly as I’ve concentrated quite a bit on even more streamlining of workflow. I’m always trying to streamline things and making the stuff I have to do more efficient so I can take less time on the technical side and more time on the creative side of the process.
Here’s my presentation – really happy with how it comes out and I’ll list some of the things I use to do what I do below. Hope you enjoy a peek behind the curtain!
The Ramen Rater Presents: How I Review Instant Noodles v3.0
TIMELINE
EARLY AGE
- 2002-2005 – Started reviewing instant noodles on non-blog website
- 2005-2009 – Switched to reviewing hot sauces as Sauce Rater
- 2008 – Converted original site to Blogger
- 2009 – Switched to WordPress.com
- 2009 – Changed reviewing format to include more images. more ‘review’
GOLDEN AGE
- 2010 – Dedicated much more time to blog as I moved near to Asian grocery stores within walking distance; sourcing issues nullified!
- 2011 – First top ten list, switching camera used multiple times
- 2012 – 400 reviews, visit to Nongshim America
- 2013 – Media presence via Top Ten 2013 – big Taiwan kerfuffle, birth of mobile app, switched from WordPress.com to WordPress.org
- 2014 – Visit to Malaysia, started collecting packaging in binders, starting including bar codes at review #600
- 2015 – Visit to Thailand
- 2016 – Visit to Taiwan
- 2017 – Visit to Taiwan
MODERN AGE
- 2018 – Photography done with DSLR and copy stand, reached 3000th review, started daily Instant Noodle Recipe Time show
- 2019 – Introduced more Top Ten lists, The Big List data used by students, professors to teach data modeling in colleges and universities
- 2020 – Changed Top Ten list format due to COVID; kids at home all the time made using green screen impossible
- 2021 – New site facelift, re-introduction of standardized top ten videos, image sizing upgrade starting at review #4000, Ramen Junkies facebook group inherited
- 2023 – Experimentation with AI generated backgrounds for ramen as well as thumbnails/etc for top ten lists and Instant Noodle Recipe Time intros/outros
HOPES FOR THE FUTURE
- iOS mobile app
- More travel
- Ramen machine to attempt my own noodles possibly
- Collaboration with company on The Ramen Rater edition instant noodle products
WHAT I USE
HARDWARE
- Nikon D5500 DSLR Camera
- GoPro 7 Black (retired)
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
- Sony sound recorder w/Sony lavalier
- HP 7740 All-In-One Printer/Large Scanner
- Various tripods/articulated arms
- Copy stand with daylight bulbs
- Anker Soundcore Pro – music for Instant Noodle Recipe Time Episodes
- Samsung Galaxy 7 – – Music for Instant Noodle Recipe Time / Video for timelapse / this video
- Rotato – the rotating platform everyone loves
- Chiba Green onion slicer
- Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker
- Zojirushi BBCC-V20 Bread Machine (replaces Toastmaster Bread Machine)
SOFTWARE / SERVICES
- Adobe Photoshop / Photoshop Beta
- Nikon Camera Control Pro
- Adobe Premiere Elements 2023
- Gear 360 Action Director
- WordPress
- Epidemic Sound Library / Videoblocks footage library
- OBS – To record screen
…by the way
