Everything You Need to Record Awesome Videos on Your Travels

A video is the best way to remember every detail of your adventure and share your travel experiences with friends and family. Do you want to create professional-quality travel videos that are truly worthy of Instagram?
Here are all the tools you need to record amazing videos no matter where you’re travelling.

Portable Camera

The first and arguably most important video essential is a high-quality portable camera. It’s best to ditch the camcorder—just use a regular digital camera so you’re able to take photos and videos with a single device.
There are two main types of digital cameras: DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. Mirrorless cameras are easier to carry on a trip because they’re more compact, and there are some models that you can even fit into your pocket. DSLRs are definitely “portable” but they’re bulkier and less ergonomic, which makes them ill-suited for backpacking, hiking, or general wandering.
Since mirrorless cameras are easier to carry, they’re the go-to camera of most casual travelers who simply wish to document their experiences during their trips. They’re high-quality cameras that are also more user-friendly than DSLRs, which require some level of expertise.

READ: 5 Things Influencers Always Do To Get Complimentary Travel & Upgrades

Now what makes a camera “high-quality?” If you’re only trying to take some cool vacation videos, then just find a camera that’s capable of doing 4K video recording. You should also look for a camera that has some sort of night vision or low light mode (in case you’re exploring a haunted castle or taking photos at night).

Stabilizer

Do you want to take videos while you’re on-the-go? Consider packing a camera stabilizer. A camera stabilizer is a handheld device on which you can strap your camera. It keeps the camera steady so you can shoot smooth video while you’re in motion, and it’s a great tool to have if you plan on shooting videos while you’re hiking, trekking through a city, or sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle.
You can bring this equipment during your travels if you want to create vlog-type content or simply don’t want to end up with shaky footage. Just take note that some stabilizers are heavy and can be bothersome to use while you’re filming. If you don’t want to carry heavy equipment every time you go sightseeing, purchase a smaller and lighter stabilizer.

Action Camera

An action camera is a camera that’s ready to accompany you on your most daring adventures. They’re much smaller than standard cameras, allowing you to carry them with one hand without any trouble. GoPro is the most popular action camera on the market because it’s easy to pack, easy to strap onto your gear, and shoots quality videos. No matter which brand you choose, make sure that your action camera has some sort of waterproof shell (important for shooting snowboarding videos or for recording marine life while you scuba dive). You can also purchase a protective case if you’re worried that your camera will get scratches during your travels. 
Don’t use your primary camera for activities that involve speed, heights, possible collisions, or water. DSLRs and mirrorless cameras aren’t built for those kinds of activities. They’re also very expensive and you don’t want to put your investment at risk.

READ: Supremo 4K Plus: Why it’s a Great and Cheap Alternative Action Camera | Review

Attachable Lens

It’s safe to assume that most people shoot videos on their smartphones. And your smartphone is a perfectly fine alternative if you don’t have the money to buy a digital camera or action camera. You can always get an attachable lens for your smartphone if you want to spruce up the quality of your mobile videos. These usually clip on your smartphone, or they’re built into a smartphone case.

An attachable lens basically amplifies the light that enters your smartphone lens so you can record sharper images. One of the best things about an attachable lens is that it’s small and can be easily stored in your luggage, camera bag, or pocket. Furthermore, the videos will already be on your smartphone so you can easily share them on social media.
Some attachable lenses you can get include wide, zoom, or fisheye lens. You can use a wide lens to capture sceneries like sunsets at the beach or broad landscapes. If you want to take more close-up videos during your travels, you can use a zoom lens with your smartphone. On the other hand, the fisheye lens allows you to take aesthetic shots with a hemispherical effect. 

Editing Bay

You don’t have to wait until you get home to edit all your videos together. When you’ve got some downtime at your hotel room, splice your videos together so you can share the day’s adventure with your friends and followers.
You don’t need a mobile workstation to do basic video editing. Just bring a laptop with you that’s strong enough to cut together video clips—most laptops with Windows 10 will suffice. On Windows 10, you can edit videos in the Photos app. On Mac, you can edit videos on iMovie. Adobe Premiere is available on both platforms for more advanced editors. There are also beginner-friendly smartphone applications like InShot or VivaVideo you can use to edit your videos. 
Final Thoughts 
Taking good-quality videos of your travels shouldn’t be difficult. You can use a reliable camera or your smartphone to capture special moments during your trip. You can also purchase additional equipment like a stabilizer or attachable lens if you want to ensure the quality of your travel clips.