Top 10 Items Every Travel Filmmaker Needs
For those days that you just want to focus on capturing those amazing shots while on your adventure, what do you need?
Picking what to pack on your travels will determine how much you enjoy your trip. In my opinion, less is more. You don’t want to be carrying a suitcase around with you everywhere you go. You want to be lightweight and free to be adaptable. But when you add camera gear to the mix, things can get tricky. I’ve put together a list of 10 items to pack that will bring your next travel vlog to the next level all while keeping it in one small backpack keeping you free to enjoy your adventure, all while creating a stunning travel adventure video.
*Click on the pictures or highlighted text to see more about (or purchase) the product through Amazon.com
I am an Amazon affiliate. This means that if you purchase any one of these products by clicking on the links, I make a small profit which helps me continue the main channel. So if you do, thank you for your support and jump over to the channel!
*This is a list of what I personally use. Everyone is different, so do the research on what is a best fit for you.
Picking what to pack on your travels will determine how much you enjoy your trip. In my opinion, less is more. You don’t want to be carrying a suitcase around with you everywhere you go. You want to be lightweight and free to be adaptable. But when you add camera gear to the mix, things can get tricky. I’ve put together a list of 10 items to pack that will bring your next travel vlog to the next level all while keeping it in one small backpack keeping you free to enjoy your adventure, all while creating a stunning travel adventure video.
*Click on the pictures or highlighted text to see more about (or purchase) the product through Amazon.com
I am an Amazon affiliate. This means that if you purchase any one of these products by clicking on the links, I make a small profit which helps me continue the main channel. So if you do, thank you for your support and jump over to the channel!
*This is a list of what I personally use. Everyone is different, so do the research on what is a best fit for you.
1.) The Bag:
First thing’s first. The bag. Believe it or not, this is arguably the most important piece of gear on this list. If you don’t have a bag that fits right or doesn’t do the right job, none of the rest of this list matters. Either your gear is going to get damaged or you are going to be in pain for the rest of trip. Either way, you aren’t getting a good travel video. So invest in the right bag for your needs. For me this means having a bag that both works as a camera bag for day excursions and also doubles as my main backpacking pack for traveling. This video will focus on packing it for my day trips with its main focus on transporting my camera gear safely.
I use the Osprey Talon 33L pack. It is one of my favourite day packs out there. I’ve backpacked overseas for months with this being my only bag. But you’ll notice that it has no padding at all. On one hand, this keeps it lightweight and fully adaptable for whatever I want to use it for like backpacking. But for when carrying fragile and expensive camera gear, I tend to keep my gear packed in their own padded bags that will absorb their own drops or bumps as the backpack wouldn’t be enough.
If I plan to be close to an open body of water or the forecast calls for rain, I make sure to waterproof my bag. A cheap way to do this is by lining the inside of the bag with a plastic garbage bag and tying it off at the top once the bag is packed. For added protection, a rain cover can be fashioned in the same way or purchased for the outside of the bag.
When picking a bag, try to find one that has a hip belt. This will take the weight off your shoulders and back making it easier to move around and carry. Also, they usually have pockets which come in handy for carrying batteries and snacks.
I use the Osprey Talon 33L pack. It is one of my favourite day packs out there. I’ve backpacked overseas for months with this being my only bag. But you’ll notice that it has no padding at all. On one hand, this keeps it lightweight and fully adaptable for whatever I want to use it for like backpacking. But for when carrying fragile and expensive camera gear, I tend to keep my gear packed in their own padded bags that will absorb their own drops or bumps as the backpack wouldn’t be enough.
If I plan to be close to an open body of water or the forecast calls for rain, I make sure to waterproof my bag. A cheap way to do this is by lining the inside of the bag with a plastic garbage bag and tying it off at the top once the bag is packed. For added protection, a rain cover can be fashioned in the same way or purchased for the outside of the bag.
When picking a bag, try to find one that has a hip belt. This will take the weight off your shoulders and back making it easier to move around and carry. Also, they usually have pockets which come in handy for carrying batteries and snacks.
2.) The Camera
Your main camera will be the camera you use for vlogging and getting nice artistic shots of your environment. There are so many great vlogging cameras on the market today, it really depends on what you want from your camera. For travel vloggers, I really recommend going with a small mirror-less camera that shoots in HD and has the ability to shoot in slow motion. Being small and light-weight is super important if you are backpacking. You have all your cloths, food and personal gear already in your pack, having a big, heavy camera will be cumbersome and a pain.
I am currently using the Sony A6300 as my main shooter. It shoots 4K, up to 120fps and is incredibly small and lightweight. The only downside to this as a vlogging camera is that the screen doesn’t flip around to selfie-mode. This means that I cannot check to see the frame when talking to the camera, which brings us to our next item on the list.
I am currently using the Sony A6300 as my main shooter. It shoots 4K, up to 120fps and is incredibly small and lightweight. The only downside to this as a vlogging camera is that the screen doesn’t flip around to selfie-mode. This means that I cannot check to see the frame when talking to the camera, which brings us to our next item on the list.
3.) Lenses
Different lenses will allow you to get different looking shots from the same place. A wide lens is great for vlogging and landscape shots. I use the Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS. If you use a longer lens like my 16-70mm, this will allow you to see closer to your subjects. Get close ups of animals or get a closer look at the peak of a mountain.
Lenses can get heavy too, so invest in the smaller lightweight ones if you plan to travel with them a lot. If you are really wanting to up the production value of some of your shots, find a lens that has a low f stop which means it lets more light in. This means there will be more blur in the background putting the focus only on what you want the audience to see. This lens will also help you shoot in lower light situations. Make sure to bring a lens cleaning cloth with you!
Filters for your lenses allow you more control over the images you capture by allowing control of how much light is let in to the camera.
Lenses can get heavy too, so invest in the smaller lightweight ones if you plan to travel with them a lot. If you are really wanting to up the production value of some of your shots, find a lens that has a low f stop which means it lets more light in. This means there will be more blur in the background putting the focus only on what you want the audience to see. This lens will also help you shoot in lower light situations. Make sure to bring a lens cleaning cloth with you!
Filters for your lenses allow you more control over the images you capture by allowing control of how much light is let in to the camera.
4.) The Mic
What does good visuals mean if we can’t hear what you are saying? Most cameras don’t have good microphones built into them. This means that if there is even a little bit of wind blowing while you are talking, the mic will make it sound like there is a hurricane when you watch it on the computer later. A mic with a windsock will eliminate this and pick your voice up much better. I use the Rode VideoMic GO with a windsock on it. It is in the mid range for price and quality. Personally, I’m very happy with its performance so far.
If you're not sold on investing in a good mic, imagine you were sitting in a movie theatre and the image started cutting out a bit. It would be annoying, but you can still hear exactly what is happening and wont miss any story elements. Now imagine if the video kept playing, but the audio started cutting out. Without hearing what the characters are saying, you are left in the dark and miss important story points. In my opinion, good sound is more important than video in some cases.
If you're not sold on investing in a good mic, imagine you were sitting in a movie theatre and the image started cutting out a bit. It would be annoying, but you can still hear exactly what is happening and wont miss any story elements. Now imagine if the video kept playing, but the audio started cutting out. Without hearing what the characters are saying, you are left in the dark and miss important story points. In my opinion, good sound is more important than video in some cases.
5.) Sidearm Cameras
Your sidearm cameras are the cameras that you use to get shots that your main camera can’t get. This could mean a GoPro for underwater or action sport activities, a drone for aerial shots or an DJI Osmo gimbal for that smooth shot following your friends walking up to the edge of a cliff looking out at a beautiful vista. These are the beauty and specialty shots of your film that will bring your production value and adventure points up to the next level.
I make sure that I have a GoPro with me at all times. It is so small and lightweight and I can pull it out of my pocket and start recording instantly. I'm also not afraid to take it into dangerous scenarios as they are almost indestructible. I'm on my 6th GoPro now and I can't say enough good things about them!
I make sure that I have a GoPro with me at all times. It is so small and lightweight and I can pull it out of my pocket and start recording instantly. I'm also not afraid to take it into dangerous scenarios as they are almost indestructible. I'm on my 6th GoPro now and I can't say enough good things about them!
6.) Camera Support
If you want smooth pan and tilting shots or are interested in getting time-lapse shots, you will need a tripod. This will be one of your biggest and heaviest items coming with you. You can opt for going with a gorilla pod, but you don’t get the easiest pan or tilt action with this. If you want that, I suggest buying parts from a few different tripods to keep it as small and lightweight as possible. I decided to get a set of small carbon fibre legs which weigh next to nothing and add a great fluid head for those smooth shots I’m looking for.
I went with the ProMaster XC325C Carbon Fiber Tripod (you can find this tripod cheaper elsewhere) and switched the head out for a Manfrotto MVH500AH fluid head (buy the head separately unless you want the whole tripod). The head is currently the most affordable video head that uses actual ball bearings and fluid cartridges to provide smooth panning and tilting action.
I went with the ProMaster XC325C Carbon Fiber Tripod (you can find this tripod cheaper elsewhere) and switched the head out for a Manfrotto MVH500AH fluid head (buy the head separately unless you want the whole tripod). The head is currently the most affordable video head that uses actual ball bearings and fluid cartridges to provide smooth panning and tilting action.
7.) Extra Batteries & Media
Next up will be extra batteries and cards for all your cameras. If you are out filming all day, you are going to need more than a couple batteries for your camera! If you can, bring along a solar-powered battery charger so you can charge your batteries on the go.
Battery power banks are a very valuable piece of gear to keep your batteries and devices charged.
In colder weather, keep your batteries warm. If they get too cold, their performance will be greatly compromised. Keep them close to your body to keep them warm (inside pockets are a great place).
Battery power banks are a very valuable piece of gear to keep your batteries and devices charged.
In colder weather, keep your batteries warm. If they get too cold, their performance will be greatly compromised. Keep them close to your body to keep them warm (inside pockets are a great place).
8.) Accessories
Extra accessories for your gear can make getting the shots you want easier. GoPro mounts can come in handy for POV shots or environments that you need both hands to navigate.
One of my favorite GoPro mounts is the suction mount. I use this in my travel videos when I am on a road trip. I can either get a great hyper-lapse (moving time lapse) or I can mount this on the inside or outside window to just show a great transition/travel shot. The reflections in the window of your surroundings can be a very cool perspective.
Other smart items to bring along are; a small towel (backpackers towel) to dry off damp or wet gear, a lens cleaning kit and a plastic bag for your camera while shooting in the rain.
One of my favorite GoPro mounts is the suction mount. I use this in my travel videos when I am on a road trip. I can either get a great hyper-lapse (moving time lapse) or I can mount this on the inside or outside window to just show a great transition/travel shot. The reflections in the window of your surroundings can be a very cool perspective.
Other smart items to bring along are; a small towel (backpackers towel) to dry off damp or wet gear, a lens cleaning kit and a plastic bag for your camera while shooting in the rain.
9.) Light
When filming in low light situations, it always helps to have an extra kick of light. An LED panel could be mounted right on your camera for vlogging or on a tripod to light the background of an environment. Bring extra batteries for this as well.
I like to use the Chroma from Litepanels. The LED light produces a shadowless soft light at variable color temperatures adjustable by a dial on the side of the panel.
This is a great light for travel videos as it doesn't give off heat, it is small and lightweight and it is coated in a rugged rubber housing.
*The LED from Amazon is not the same light as the Chroma. For that light you will need to visit the Litepanels website.
I like to use the Chroma from Litepanels. The LED light produces a shadowless soft light at variable color temperatures adjustable by a dial on the side of the panel.
This is a great light for travel videos as it doesn't give off heat, it is small and lightweight and it is coated in a rugged rubber housing.
*The LED from Amazon is not the same light as the Chroma. For that light you will need to visit the Litepanels website.
10.) Personal Gear
On top of your camera gear, there are a few things that you should always carry in your pack. First being extra food and water for being out longer than expect. An extra layer for warmth is always a wise weight investment, a first aid kit, headlamp and a communication device (do your own research on this as this is dependant on where you are going) incase you get hurt and need help.
You don't want to be caught unprepared in any situation. So pack accordingly and be safe. When making a travel video, us filmmakers tend to push the limits to get the perfect shot. It is important to get great looking shots, but at what cost? Make sure you plan you adventure and know what you are getting into before you go so you know what you will need to pack.
You don't want to be caught unprepared in any situation. So pack accordingly and be safe. When making a travel video, us filmmakers tend to push the limits to get the perfect shot. It is important to get great looking shots, but at what cost? Make sure you plan you adventure and know what you are getting into before you go so you know what you will need to pack.
