One of the great things about traveling is being able to share your experiences with friends and family. While some prefer showing photographs or telling stories, most of us enjoy showing videos. This is why we created Friendly Tips -- to help you share your adventures in a more meaningful and visually exciting way. We hope you find these tips helpful on your next vacation.
- Be Prepared
- Remember to pack your camera battery charger in your camera case.
- Make sure to have extra batteries as well as blank tapes for your camera.
- If travelling overseas, you may want to consider purchasing an adaptor for your camera battery charger.
- Clean your camera lens as needed.
- To avoid recording over existing footage, make sure to label your tapes after using them.
- Purchase a head cleaner for your camera.
- Know Your Equipment
- Become familiar with your camera's features and capabilities. This will help you to enhance the quality of your footage.
- Keep the camera manual in your camera case. This may come in handy when trying to solve a minor problem.
- Use a Tripod
- We recommend purchasing a light weight consumer tripod.
- To avoid shaky footage when shooting for an extended period of time, a tripod will be useful.
- If you do not have a tripod, make sure to anchor your elbow against your chest and try to keep your shot steady.
- Record Signs
- Make sure to record signs. This will help you remember the places you visit for years to come.
- Get Establishing Shots
- Try to get some establishing shots (exterior shots) of the places you visit. For example, museums, hotels, parks, etc.
- Avoid Shaky Footage
- Keep in mind that the tighter you zoom into an object far away the shakier your footage is going to get.
- Make sure your camera's image stabilizer feature is on.
- Change Angles
- Avoid recording an object from the same angle for an extended period of time. Try to change your angle to show a different point of view.
- Change your shot composition -- Be creative... zoom, pan, tilt, etc.
- Take Turns
- Let your children record a little. It is always fun for them to see their own point of view.
- Make sure to have your spouse record too. This way you can be on the video.
- General
- Nice and easy.
- You may want to consider purchasing some postcards to include on your vacation video.
- You may also want to consider purchasing a CD that has traditional songs from your travels.
- Never leave your equipment unattended.
- Remember... if you are having fun, so will your viewers.