Always wanted to improve the quality of your vacation photos and videos but didn't know where to start? In this post I will go over my journey with travel photography and information on the equipment that I currently use.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
When I first became interested in travel photography and video, I had no idea how to begin. Knowing nothing about photography, I started to look into professional cameras. I researched every camera on the market, yet I never understood the lingo and they all looked the same to me. Then I changed the direction of my research. Instead of reading blogs online, which could or could not have been genuine, I went to Instagram. I went on the pages of travel influencers, whose pictures I liked (and was once jealous of), and began asking them what kind of equipment they used. I couldn't understand why their videos looked so much clearer than mine, and figured that they used some incredibly expensive camera. To my surprise, a majority of the people I asked had the same answer, which leads us to item number one in my camera bag.
1. Apple iPhone 13 Pro
If you're planning on only investing in one item for your trip, I highly recommend that it be a new iPhone. Nowadays, the quality of the iPhone cameras are just as good some professional cameras on the market. Not only is the quality of the images and video footage great, but a phone is also more portable and will most likely be with you at all times. The only equipment I had in hand when I started was my trusty iPhone. It wasn't even the newest model at the time, but it was enough to get by. I recently purchased the new iPhone 13 Pro, and let me tell you, this device is on a whole different level. This model comes with 3 cameras that are dramatically better than previous models. What really drew me to buy this new phone, though, was the clarity and quality of the videos that were being shot with this device. The iPhone 13 Pro allows you to shoot in 4K (like the previous ones), but it also has a cinematic mode which lets you shoot with a shallow depth of field. The images taken on this phone are just overall better, sharper, and much more detailed. According to Apple, this new iPhone also has an improved battery life, which we always welcome. So far, I have loved everything about the iPhone 13 Pro and highly recommend it for travelers who are looking to get better quality images and videos, but don't want to invest in fancy and bulky equipment. If you want to do some research for yourself, check out my Instagram page. My most recent videos have been filmed with the new iPhone 13 camera, and they are noticeably different from the older ones which were filmed with an iPhone 11 camera.
2. Canon EOS Rebel T7
If you're hoping to up your game and go a little further than the iPhone, consider getting a DSLR camera. With so many out there to chose from, how do you know which one is the best? Honestly, I've been trying to answer that question myself for a while now. Like I said before, I spent days researching different types of cameras before realizing that there's way more to them than just pointing and shooting. Having no previous photography knowledge and experience, I had no idea what people were saying when they started talking about things like "aperture" and "fps". I figured if I was going to own a fancy camera, I had to figure out how to use it. So, I borrowed my mom's old Canon EOS Rebel T7 (and by old I mean it's not the newest model) and started to familiarize myself with it. It turned out to be a really great camera. The photos that were taken with it came out incredible, and I definitely saw the difference that it made. With a 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, this camera captures sharp and detailed images. I was so impressed that I now use it to take most of my photos. The video quality is also good, but if you're going to be filming a lot during your trip, I recommend getting a different one. One thing that I found to be incredibly important when filming travel videos is image stabilization, which this camera does not have for videos. We will go over what that is and why it is important in my next recommendation. If you're looking for something that you get can great photos and videos with, here are the most recommend cameras by professionals and influencers all over the internet in order from most to least expensive:
3. GoPro Hero 10
Have you ever noticed when you're shooting a video on your phone, that the entire image will shake when you walk? For a lot of cameras, you need to keep the device pretty still, use a gimbal, or use other types of camera stabilizer in order to get a smooth recording. Other cameras, such as the GoPro, have built-in image stabilization. Image stabilization, a.k.a. vibration reduction, is a family of techniques that reduce blurring associated with the motion of a camera or other imaging device during exposure. For people who do a lot of activities during their travels, and even for those that just want to film short videos or vlog, getting a camera with built-in image stabilization is key. That's why I invested in the GoPro Hero 10. The quality of the footage that you can get with a GoPro is unmatchable, and the device is pretty small and portable. When I first started filming with it, I was so impressed by how smooth the footage was, and that I could walk around with it and the image would still come out great and not shaky. One downside to this camera, however, is its battery life. Compared to any regular DSLR camera, the GoPro Hero 10 (and its predecessors) die pretty quickly. If you are planning on getting one, I also recommend getting a few extra batteries or a portable charger. If you're debating between getting a GoPro or a regular camera, think about what you are going to be filming with it. If you are an adventurer who loves to do extreme sports or outdoor activities, the GoPro is the better camera. However, if your intention is to mainly point and shoot, and maybe do some vlogging, consider getting one of the cameras mentioned before and listed above. They can all shoot pretty decent footage in addition to taking photos, and also come with the image stabilization feature.
4. Adaptable Tripod
If you're traveling on your own for the first time, you'll soon find out that it's not that easy to get pictures and videos of yourself without some sort of tripod stabilizer. Even if you aren't alone, having a tripod handy will allow you and your travel companion to take pictures together, without bothering some nice man or woman out on the street to take it for you. Not to mention the peace of mind of not having to worry if that person is going to run away with your phone. Since I have 3 different types of cameras with me when I travel, I really wanted a tripod that could be used with all of my equipment. That's why I was really happy when I found this 62" tripod by Sensyne. I had previously purchased a bendable tripod from them before and loved it, so I chose to purchase from the same brand. This specific tripod comes with adapters that can be used with a cellphone, a professional camera, and a GoPro. It extends up to 62" and can also be used as a selfie stick. Another bonus to this tool is the wireless remote that comes with it, which can be really handy when you're traveling alone. The wireless remote shutter allows you to take pictures and videos from your phone by clicking the button on the remote. I've used this feature countless times and believe me when I tell you that it makes things so much simpler. The 62" Sensyne tripod was definitely a great investment, and I got it from under $30 on Amazon.
If you think that carrying around 3 different cameras and a tripod is too much, don't worry, you don't necessarily need to own all of this equipment. I recommend it if you are trying to take travel photography and video seriously, or want to make blogging your full-time job. If you're just looking to have a little fun and improve your content, however, a decent iPhone camera and a tripod may be all you need. I hope this helped you get more insight on the world of travel photography and video. I know it can be confusing and hard to decide what to invest your money in. Hopefully this helped you be a little more confident with your decision. Until next time!
Comments