For example, you could plan a trip to Paris with all of the different shots you want, such as clips of a street market, food, exploring the city, and looking up at the Eiffel Tower at night. If you’re traveling to India and you want to focus on local cuisine, plan out some of the main places you’ll be eating at and what order they should go in. You could start small with street food and work your way up to a fancy full meal.
You’ll need a camera with a front-facing screen so you can tell where you are in the frame.
You’ll probably want a higher quality camera, as the quality informs your authority as a guide. Viewers are less likely to watch a travel guide filmed on a cell phone camera.
Make sure you know any specific shots they want and whether they want product placement. This could involve you using the product or otherwise incorporating the product into the shot. You should also find out how you’ll need to brand the video. For vlogs, some companies ask that you give them a verbal thank-you and acknowledgment. For promotional content, they may ask that you include their logo at the end of the video.
This option works best with vlogs, as they’re more informal and personal. Make sure to set your video quality to its highest setting, such as “1080p HD at 60 fps” on an iPhone. Smartphones generally don’t capture low light well, so try to film during the day as much as possible.
Some of the most popular point and shoot cameras are currently the Canon Powershot G7 X and the Sony RX100. These are around $400-600 USD and also have front-facing screens that are perfect for vlogging. This type of camera will record quality video as well as take great photos. You should also pack a case so the camera doesn’t get damaged.
Some of the most popular DSLR camera bodies for videoing are the Canon 70D for around $600 USD, or the Nikon D3300 for around $375 USD. For lenses, some great options are an 18-35 mm lens or a 70-200 mm lens. These will allow you to film a variety of shots, whether far away or up close. You’ll also need to bring a case to protect the camera.
The basic GoPro model starts at $150 USD, but the company also makes a wide variety of accessories and higher-end GoPro cameras. GoPro footage tends to look more washed out, so make sure to bring back the colors when you edit the video.
You can find a simple drone for around $50-100 USD, or a high-end model for $1,000-1,500 USD. You’ll definitely want to bring a case for your drone to protect it.
For example, if you’ll be traveling to somewhere windy or a destination that requires shaky transportation such as boats and jeeps, you may want to bring a monopod or tripod. These will help keep your footage steady and smooth. You may also want to bring a microphone cover to protect the audio and block the microphone from strong wind, or a water-tight case for your camera if you want underwater shots. If you’re traveling across the border, you’ll need proper documentation and identification. Check ahead of time for what you’ll need, such as a travel visa, driver’s license, or green card. Pack some snacks like granola bars, veggies and dip, chips, and cheese sticks, as well as a water bottle.
Including people in your shots may also help show the scale of the place you’re exploring. For some dialogue, ask people how they feel looking at a location. Try to capture their genuine reaction—ask them if it’s like how they imagined or different. You could also ask “What are we doing right now?” and have them narrate activities or excursions. For interviews with locals, ask them for some basic information and what an average day would look like for them. In some cases, the language barrier may make this more difficult, so stick to questions in basic English like “What is your name?” and “What do you do?”
For the spin transition, move the camera so it pans or spins quickly to the side at the beginning and end of your clips. This will create a blurred effect, which will give the illusion that your clips are blending together. For the high-five transition, use your hand to block the lens at the beginning and end of each clip, as if you were high-fiving the camera. If you cover the entire lens and the frame is completely dark, it will create a fun and exciting transition from one location to the next. You can also manually add in transitions when editing, such as a fade to black or dissolve. However, having your own signature transition can make your video look even more professional and add some personality.
YouTube is a great resource for learning how to use these different programs. Watch tutorials to learn basic use as well as specialized skills.
The FMA Archive also has an extensive library of songs you can browse by genre and use for free. [5] X Research source Consider the content and goal of your travel video when choosing music. If your video is full of adventure and excitement and your goal is to get people excited and active, choose an upbeat, fun song with a good beat. If your video is calm and thoughtful, featuring shots of fog, the ocean, or religious locations like monasteries and temples, use slower, more introspective music. Some simple strings or guitar can create a really beautiful effect.
Adding narration after the trip is over can be helpful. You can wait and see how the narrative forms as you edit, then fill in any gaps with voiceover audio. [7] X Research source
An easy way to internalize this advice is to remember that your video should generally be the length of a song or shorter.
To publicize your video, tell your family and friends about it and have them share it with their followers. This is a great way to build an audience if you plan on making more videos!
