Whether you’re setting off on a fun family road trip or traveling solo to the other side of the world, it can be fun to document your journey in the form of a travel video. And in today’s world, when almost every phone has a decent camera built into it, shooting travel video is easier than ever.
However, many people still struggle when it comes to making their videos look professional. So, in this guide, we’ll take a look at some super travel video shooting tips you can keep in mind to make it easier when shooting travel video indoors or outside. Whether you intend to invest in a nice travel camera or use your phone, get ready to step up your travel photography game!
Table of Contents
Never Underestimate the Importance of Lighting
If you take a professional photography or filming class, one of the first things your instructor will talk about is the importance of lighting. Lighting matters so much when it comes to shooting videos or taking photos, and this is what separates a great-looking video from a basic one.
Especially when shooting travel video outdoors, it’s important to get the right angle so that you make the most of the natural light. You can get the very best footage when the sun is a little lower in the sky, near sunrise or sunset. So, if you’re looking for travel video ideas, consider making a sunset video.
Play Around With Settings on Your Phone
These days, a lot of people film videos of all kinds on their smartphones. Today’s phones often have excellent camera technology. They may not all be quite as powerful as DSLR cameras, but one big advantage that phone cameras have is a huge range of settings.
Usually, you can find numerous settings, options, filters, and more included in your phone’s camera menu. Make sure to play around with the settings and research what each one does so you’re able to take advantage of your phone’s full range of video-recording features.
Use Accessories With Your Camera
If you prefer using a DSLR camera to make a travel video, you may be able to get even better-quality shots. And one of the best ways to make the most of your camera is to invest in some additional accessories to add to your videography equipment.
A tripod, for example, can be a huge boost to your travel video-making efforts. It allows you to set your camera down on a flat surface so it isn’t shaking in your hands while you film. Extra lenses can also help you zoom in on far-away items for some spectacular shots.
Think Ahead to Make Smart Decisions
When it comes to how to make a travel video, you also need to think ahead about how your video will be used. Are you planning to share it on a platform like Instagram, for example? If so, quick clips filmed vertically will work best and help to engage your followers.
On the other hand, if you’re shooting travel video for personal reasons or to share with your family, you may prefer more of a long-form style of video, complete with your narration. Having an audience in mind should help you make better decisions while making your film.
Invest in Editing Software
The simple fact of the matter when filming travel video is that things will go wrong from time to time. Your hands might be shaky, the image might be blurry, or you may film moments that you want to get rid of later on. This is where editing software comes into play.
There are plenty of video editors out there to choose from. You can use desktop software like iMovie for Windows and VSDC Free Video Editor or online tools like FlexClip and Clideo. You can invest in a good quality editor and then load your video into the application to make the changes you need like adding special effects or cutting away unwanted sections from your final video.
Add Some Background Audio
Remember that in any travel video, the images are only half of the story; you also need to think about the sounds. Good quality audio can elevate a travel video in a range of ways, while poor or fuzzy audio can ruin the viewing experience.
So, when filming, make sure to speak clearly and don’t block the microphone on your device, if you wish to provide narration. For landscapes or panoramic shots, you may want to add some background music later on to help set the scene and give your audience time to enjoy the moment. You could even record narration later on in a quiet room and add it over the top of your videos.
Do Your Research
Before you set off on your trip or vacation, you might do some research about places you want to visit and the things you aim to do. Well, it’s also a good idea to do a little research about the best ways to make travel videos, too.
Guides can help you learn more about making great videos, and you can find articles online sharing lists of online video trends to inspire you with some fun ideas, as well as photography and filming blogs with professional-level tips. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be for making great videos on your next trip.
Film Often and Film Well
The last and perhaps most important tip when shooting travel video indoors or outdoors is to film as much as you can. There’s no harm in filming often and getting lots and lots of footage, as you can always use an editor later on to get rid of the parts that you don’t need.
And when you’re creating your video, make sure to film well. Get the framing right, think about the lighting, adjust your device’s settings before you start, and so on. Try to avoid shaky movements or sudden jerks which could ruin the visual experience for your audience, and get into the habit of being slow, deliberate, and focused on all that you film.
Great Travel Video – Wrapping Up
Making a great travel video takes some effort, but it’s worth it when you can look back on your trip and share the experience with others. By following the tips listed in this article, you should be able to shoot and edit a top-quality travel video that you can be proud of and that your friends and family will love watching. And who knows? Maybe your film could even inspire others to visit the same places that you did. So get out there, have fun, and start shooting!
