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Traveling to a resort destination gives you the opportunity to create captivating travel videos. Whether you’re an aspiring videographer or want to capture your holiday memories, understanding how to make travel videos can benefit you greatly.
Here are our top tips for taking vacation footage and making cinematic and exciting travel videos.
Draw Inspiration From Other Travel Videos
First, you should start by watching a variety of travel videos. Note how professionals frame their shots, the pace of their edits, and the type of content they include. This research will give you creative ideas and a better understanding of different video styles and techniques. Remember, imitation is the sincerest form of learning in the early stages of video creation.
Diversify Your Shots for Visual Interest
Variety is key to maintaining the viewers’ interest. Mix wide shots of landscapes with close-ups of details of the local cuisine, flora, or architectural elements. Include medium shots of people interacting with the environment. This mix of perspectives makes your video more engaging and provides a comprehensive overview of your destination.
Use Simple Camera Movements To Create Motion
Adding motion to your shots dramatically increases their cinematic quality. Use simple camera movements like panning (moving the camera horizontally), tilting (moving the camera vertically), or tracking (moving the camera along with a moving subject). These techniques add a unique dynamic to your videos, making them livelier and more engaging.
Plan Your Shots in Advance
Before filming, plan your shots and think about the story you want to tell. You should identify key locations and moments you want to capture. This planning doesn’t need to be rigid, but having a rough idea will help you film the best moments.
Use Stock Videos To Fill Any Gaps
Like many travel videographers, you may run into a situation where you think you have all the footage you need to make the perfect travel video. However, in the editing room, you discover your video needs a particular shot or does not flow the way you would like. In these situations, it is perfectly acceptable to look for stock videos that can fill in any gaps in your footage, especially when you do not have the option to travel back to your location immediately.
Adjust Your Camera Settings When Needed
One of the basics of video production is learning how to adjust your camera settings for different conditions. You can adjust settings like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to suit the lighting conditions. Making these adjustments will help you get the best possible footage. After all, you don’t want to spend your time shooting at a sunny beach only to discover in post-production that you cannot use any of the footage.
Leave Room for Spontaneity and Exploration
While planning is important, you should always leave room for spontaneity. Some of the best moments in travel videos are unplanned—a spontaneous festival visit, a chance encounter with a local, or an unexpected natural event. Be ready to capture these moments. They often add the most authentic and memorable aspects to your travel video.
Making cinematic and exciting travel videos requires a mix of inspiration, technical skills, and openness to new experiences. By following the tips mentioned above, you can create travel videos that preserve your memories and tell an accurate and captivating story of your journey.