How to Put Your Summer Vacation Up On The Web

 The Secrets of Shooting, Editing and Posting Your Summer Vacation Videos

By Mark Shapiro

So you are off on the big trip… or maybe you are planning the big trip; or maybe you just returned from the big trip. How are you going to document, edit and then share your vacation fun times with your friends and family?

This is your guide for what you need to do before you go on your trip, how to capture and document it, and then, how to share it via the net.

Get ready to go

Preparation is the secret for every erstwhile video and filmmaker. This goes for professionals as well as for family moviemakers and total amateurs.

If there is something you are going to need while you are shooting, for sure it will be something that you left at home and forgot. However, unless you are traveling in a van or a car with a big trunk, you simply don’t have room to carry ALL your various video accessories and extras. So lets start with the “got to haves”… 

Don’t forget your camcorder. I know it sounds stupid but it happens.

Make a video check-off sheet and make sure taking the camcorder is number one on the list. And by the way, if you haven’t used it lately, make sure it works. You won’t be happy to discover that after arrival, to find that your camcorder has died. Maybe it’s a consequence of old age; maybe a component inside broke, maybe your girlfriend or kids dropped it while playing outside and didn’t tell you. (hint, hint). 

Before you leave, shoot a minute or two of video, play it back, and make sure it all works.

Tape and Batteries 

The two most important supplies to bring are videotape and batteries.  If you are shooting on tape, go online or visit your local electronics store and buy a 10-pack case of DV tape.   

If you are using a DVD camcorder, make sure you get a box of the right type of recordable DVD disks for your camcorder. If you are using a camcorder that records to flash or to a hard drive, make sure you have a way of backing up that video so that you can clean it out and shoot some more. That might mean bringing extra memory cards; that might mean bringing transfer cables and your laptop computer.  You don’t want to be in the situation where the camcorder hard drive or flash memory is full and you can’t shoot anymore. 

You should also have at least one extra battery. Hopefully two. Also, if possible, bring along a battery charger so that you can be charging one battery while using the other in your camcorder. Personally, I use two back-up batteries. While shooting, I have an extra charged battery in my pocket while the second back-up battery is in the hotel room, getting charged. 

By the way, batteries just sitting on the shelf slowly discharge and loose juice. You need to charge them up right before you head off on your trip.

Tripods

Everyone “knows” that using a tripod is best way to reduce shakiness and to make your videos look better. But then again, no one wants to lug a tripod around on vacation. It is a classic dilemma. The best solution is to find the smallest tripod that will work for your camcorder.

I recommend getting a basic $50 or less camcorder from an online video outlet or local department store. Good brands include Impact, Slik, Sunpak, Velbon, etc.  These models should be good enough for most camcorders and if it gets lost or damaged, you are not out a lot of money. Make sure it has a camcorder head that allows you to smoothly pan and tilt your camcorder.

By the way, if possible, get extra Quick Release Plate adapters. That is the part that connects to your camcorder and enables you to quickly attach it to the tripod. These get lost very easily - especially if you have kids.

And if are serious about your video, you should also pack your various other accessories like filters, wide angle adapters and audio gear – remembering to bring the cables and extra batteries that your microphones may require.

Speaking of filters and adapter, if your camcorder lets you attach filters, you should invest a few bucks and get an inexpensive UV or a ND filter that can provide protection for your lens. This is especially valuable if you are traveling to a windy, dusty or sandy location, it makes a lot more sense to get the cheap filter scoured by the blowing particles instead of the camcorder lens itself which would be very expensive to fix or replace.

Finally, bring plastic bags to keep moisture away from your camcorder and accessories. In addition wrapping the gear for travel, you ought to bring extra bags just in case. I have found that a clear full size trashcan bag can be very helpful for travel in destinations with lots of rain and storms. Punch a hole for your head and hands and you got an instant rain poncho.

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How to get there with all your gear

There are numerous challenges in traveling with camcorder and video gear. In addition to breakage, it is easy to misplace your gear or have it stolen. Before you leave your house, you might want to put adhesive stickers on your camcorders and other stuff with your name and cell phone number, and what hotel you are staying at. Do not include your home address or home phone number! You don’t want creative thieves figuring this might be a good time to visit your abode and pick out other goodies you left behind.

 I am a firm advocate of the ugly bag theory.

 If you are too fashionable to travel with an ugly bag, at least travel with an anonymous bag. A bag or a carrying case that says Sony or Canon on it readily translates worldwide as “steal me please”

My preference is a diaper bag. Not only does it provide you with enough space to pack your camcorder and accessories, but no one steals a diaper bag! Especially if you use a few clothe diapers as padding across the top and along the sides.

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