Social media and content creation have sparked an opportunity for travelers to make a living doing what they love. Bulky, expensive equipment is no longer required to make stunning travel videos. While some content creators invest in professional equipment, many find success with their smartphones and a few accessories.
Here are some helpful tips on how to make amazing travel videos with basic equipment.
Prioritize Stability
Stability will make or break your video content. Shaky videos degrade the quality and deter viewers from sticking around. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for travel tripods that work with several devices and on unique or uneven surfaces that fit in a backpack.
Look for a tripod with moldable legs that can attach to a tree or light pole when a solid surface isn’t an option. Tripods that have a remote control are also beneficial for capturing travel videos. You can also use your tripod as a makeshift selfie stick when setting your camera down isn’t an option.
Use a Ring Light
Lighting also plays a powerful role in video composition. Avoiding backlighting is a must when creating travel videos of tourist highlights, reviews, interviews, or informational voice-overs. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to avoid shadows and find the perfect light source while on the go.
Invest in a simple ring light or portable LED light to attach to your phone when backlighting is an issue. This investment is also beneficial when recording indoors in dim lighting. Consider the power supply, compatibility, connectivity, coverage area, and color temperature when choosing a light for your shooting style. Size also matters when dealing with limited packing space.
Invest in a Bluetooth Mic
A Bluetooth mic is a must if you plan on recording voice content in your video. This investment is still worthwhile if you do music-only videos or record voice-overs, as it allows you to market your content via social media while traveling.
Avoid using Bluetooth headphones with a microphone feature. These are designed for conference calls and generally don’t have the same quality as dedicated microphones. Look for something compact and clear with background noise suppression.
Practice Editing
Editing videos takes time and practice. During the editing phase, you’ll translate your raw footage into a compelling narrative. Learning how to use a simple YouTube video editor may seem straightforward, but it’s nuanced. The more you know about the system’s features and capabilities, the higher quality content you’ll produce.
Take the time to read tutorials and practice your skills. Don’t hesitate to go back and revisit previous footage as your skills develop. This is a great opportunity for content repurposing.
Learn the Basics of Your Device
Smartphones are capable of taking incredible videos— as long as you know how to use them. Learn about the basics of composition and how to navigate your device. It’s worth investing in creator courses to learn more about shooting with your device and to gain inspiration for angles, styles, and viewer engagement.
Creating high-quality travel videos takes time and practice. Don’t be afraid of being a beginner and learn as you go. With some basic equipment and skills, you can create amazing travel content.
