HOW TO MAKE STAND-OUT TRAVEL VIDEOS

No matter where you’re traveling or how long you’re staying, you’re sure to have a story to tell when you come home. And there’s no better way to share your experience with others than by creating a unique travel video.

How do you ensure the post production on your travel footage is pain-free when you get home? Here are a few things to consider.

 

Plan your kit list

Before you head off on your trip, you should think carefully about the equipment you’ll need.

Whether you’re a lifestyle content creator or just have a few travel video ideas in mind, you’ll likely want a combination of motion and photography in your final video. You’ll need to consider both of these when putting together your kit list.

But what equipment do you need to film a travel video? Generally speaking, there are five essentials, which you can refine based on the type of footage you’re after.

• Camera

The camera you choose largely depends on your destination and activities planned. A versatile DSLR makes a great general-purpose choice, while for adventurous outings, an action camera could be more suitable. Check out our review of the best cameras on the market here (link to camera blog post).

If packing light is key, don't overlook the advanced cameras built into today's smartphones, which can often deliver stunning results.

• Lenses

If you’re an avid photographer, lenses can have a significant impact on your final product. For versatility and convenience while traveling, a superzoom or megazoom lens is an excellent choice.

These lenses provide a wide angle range similar to a standard zoom lens, but with an extended focal length, capturing a broad spectrum of scenes from sweeping landscapes to detailed close-ups.

• Microphone

Built-in microphones can serve for basic needs, but their quality often falls short. For crystal-clear audio that matches the caliber of your visuals, invest in a portable microphone.

This compact piece of equipment can significantly elevate the sound quality of your travel video, making the overall experience more immersive for the viewer.  

• Tripod/stand

A stable shot is essential for capturing professional-quality video and a lightweight tripod or stand can help achieve this.

Make sure it's compatible with your camera of choice, to avoid any filming disruptions. With this simple accessory, you avoid shaky footage and significantly improve the quality of your travel video.

• Chargers

Never underestimate the importance of including chargers in your kit. Being proactive and bringing extra batteries or power banks will ensure you can enjoy uninterrupted filming.

Remember, you can't record or document your travel adventures with a drained battery.

 

Get inspiration

Considering your kit isn’t the only pre-shoot planning you should do to ensure it runs smoothly.

There is so much travel content on social media that it’s worth seeing what else is out there. That way, you can determine the styles you like and don’t like.

You can also consider different shot types and decide whether you want point-of-view, wide, close-ups, or low-angle shots.

 

Create a plan

If you’re wondering how to make a travel video go smoothly in post production, planning out how you want your final video to look, maybe even storyboarding the process, can be a big help.

This should be in a logical order that keeps the viewer interested. You might even want to split your footage into more than one video. For example, you could make a separate video for the local food you ate.

 

Ensure you capture the best raw footage

This is where you’ll be thinking about not only the perfect shot to capture but also the overall narrative you want to create. Consider how each scene fits into the broader context of your video.

Be mindful of the types of shots you capture, ensuring a mix of landscapes, close-ups, and dynamic action shots. Keeping aware of the different compositions you’re recording will be pivotal in making your travel video work cohesively in post-production.

• Set up your camera

Preparing your camera settings in advance means you can instantly film or photograph as soon as something catches your eye.

• Shoot as much as you can

Once you’ve reached your destination and are ready to shoot, get as much footage as possible. It’s always better to have too much content that you can edit later.

• Be careful with lighting

Whenever you pull your camera out, check the lighting and adjust your settings to suit. You don’t want to film something beautiful and then later realize the lighting was terrible and the footage is unusable.

• Consider transitions

It’s important to maintain consistency with your transitions when filming. This is so that your clips move smoothly from one to the next when editing.

• Change up your shots

If you’re creating a travel video of a big trip, you should diversify your footage to keep the viewer engaged. Try different angles, talking heads and scenery to break up your content.

 

How to make a travel video with a phone

Making a travel video with a phone will use the same steps as outlined above. The difference is you can use apps to edit your video on the go.

This is great if you don’t want to wait until you get home. Some of the most popular apps include:

• inShot - this free app is one of the most popular video editing apps, enabling users to create videos, trim, cut and merge sections, and adjust audio on the move.

• Quik - if your travel videos are filmed using an action camera, this app enables you to add new themes, graphics, and transitions before exporting seamlessly to social media.

• InVideo - this app allows you to quickly and easily create travel videos with minimal effort. You can edit and cut, add text, and include voice-over audio or background sounds.

When it comes to equipment, it’s worth investing in a mobile microphone, stand, and small lighting cube.

To ensure cinematic quality, you should film your content in 4K at 24 frames per second. However, consider upping this to 60 frames per second for a more documentary style and immersive finish to your video.

 

How to make a travel video with just photos

Travel videos usually include a combination of motion and photography, but it’s still possible to create a good video using only photographs. Most of the work will be in the editing process as you select and connect your shots.

Here are a few things to consider to elevate a regular slideshow into a cohesive and engaging travel video.

• Image order

There are a few things to consider when editing. It’s important to pay attention to your image order, ensuring your photos are organized to tell a story and make sense to the viewer.

For example, photos from a day trip you’ve taken should be connected in the final video, without random images from another phase of your trip appearing in the middle of the sequence.

• Filters and effects

Image effects and filters are also considerations in the editing process. If you’ve used filters or effects on some of your images when taking them, you may need to edit other photos in the final video to ensure there isn’t too much contrast between them.

You can also add effects and filters to your images in the editing process, adding different colors or creating dynamic movement in some of your shots. For example, you might want to add motion blurs or light streaks to still images to create the illusion of movement.

• Transitions

Once you’re happy with the order and effects of your video, you can add transitions. These are particularly important for videos made with photos as they will create the motion in your final piece.

There are several types of transitions to choose from, whether you like fades, cutaways, or something more creative.

Using photos for your video enables you to record or add audio afterward, without having to manipulate or remove background noise. You can also be more selective with your music choice without worrying about conflicting audio.

 

How to edit a travel video

You should spend plenty of time editing and refining your video to ensure it delivers everything you intend it to. Here are some top tips for editing:

• Review your footage

The first thing to do is watch and view all your footage or photos to see what’s worth keeping. Remove any poor-quality footage, accidental images, or anything that won’t add value to your final piece. At this point, if you find something is missing, you can always look for some stock videos.

• Use good editing software

It’s important to use video editing tools that will help create a high-quality video. The best software enables you to edit large volumes of footage, without piecing every clip together.

• Tell a story

With your footage ready to go, you can start putting your video clips together. Consider the story you want to tell, and if you created one, remember to consult the storyboard you set out at the beginning to help guide you.

• Consider music or audio selection

When you’ve done a first draft, consider the audio. You should already have an idea of the type of experience you’re trying to convey and music can help with that.

Don’t only choose your favorite songs though, always think about what your audience will relate to.

• Export in high quality

Once your video is complete, you must export it in the highest quality possible. There’s nothing worse than uploading your content and seeing it distorted or blurry because you’ve exported it in a low-quality format.

 

What music is good for a travel video?

Selecting the perfect soundtrack is crucial in creating a captivating travel video.

Music isn't just background noise. It's a powerful storytelling tool that shapes the emotional journey of your viewers.

The right tune can heighten your narrative, evoke specific emotions, and ultimately, transform your travel video into an immersive, sensory experience.

Many travel videos inspire people, so upbeat music is always a good choice. Think dance music, pop songs and anything that sparks joy.

If your travel video is more of a vlog with lots of dialogue, your travel vlog songs will become more like background music. You could consider something from the ‘relaxing’ genre or use instrumentals to avoid conflict with your dialogue.

If you’ve created a travel video that showcases new cultures you’ve experienced, a softer sound might work best. You could choose soulful music that is both calming and uplifting or acoustic versions of well-known songs.

Creating a stand-out travel video

Embarking on the journey of creating a travel video is an adventure in itself, a testament to the world's wonders through your lens. Your video is not just a chronicle, but an inspiration that transcends borders and cultures.

As you refine your storytelling in the editing process, remember the power of music in enhancing your narrative.

 

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