The Challenges of Travel Videography 

What might seem to some as a dream job doesn’t come easy, and more things could go wrong than I could possibly mention in this article. But I’m going to try and touch on the things that are most important to be aware of, and ways that you can avoid the common pitfalls faced by travel videographers.

On the road
By its very nature, travel videography requires lots of moving around to visit different places in the world. Just getting to the location you want to shoot at presents its own problem, and that’s damage caused in transit. Try not to check in your video camera in during air travel – if possible, just carry it on as hand luggage. If your equipment is too large for this then make sure your use a hard case to protect it, and label it as fragile. There are plenty of specialised video camera soft and hard cases available to buy, so make sure you invest in one before your set off.

Climate
If you are going to shoot in a cold region of the earth, like in the mountains or arctic regions, you need to be aware of the damage the cold can do to your equipment. Frost and ice can be a big problem, as can condensation. Ski hotels are a great place to prepare all your gear before you go out on the mountains to shoot. Having to adjust equipment, change tapes, or attach a different lens cover can expose your video camera to the cold and moisture that could damage it. Always try to use a waterproof cover for you video camera. It doesn’t have to be expensive waterproof housing for your entire video camera, just a protective cover that is water proof will protect your expensive video camera if it suddenly starts snowing. Snow quickly melts after hitting a warm video camera, so it is no different than taking it out in the rain.

Cultural differences
Remember different countries and cultures have different views about photography and videography, as do individuals. So people don’t like having their picture taken, and some do. The important thing is not to offend anyone while you are filming. While you may want to point your camera at everything that moves, remember to ask first if you do want to film someone or something they are doing. The majority of the time you will receive a pleasant response and the whole situation will feel much more comfortable.

Crime and Risky Situations
Always be aware of your surroundings and who is watching you when you film. Travel videography will take you to some exciting places, but could also take you to some dangerous ones as well. Urban environments can be great places to get some lively footage, but these areas also generally have the highest crime rates. Try to keep a low profile and keep your wits about you. You could become a target of crime if you are highly visible with an expensive video camera in your hands. Keep in open areas, avoid getting enclosed by a crowd, and don’t wander off into side alleys or places where no one is around if you do feel threatened. Sometimes the theft of your equipment cannot be avoided, so make sure you have insurance in place to cover you for all eventualities should you lose your equipment.

Getting equipment fixed
One major challenge for travel videographers is getting their equipment fixed while in remote locations. The best way to guard against this problem is by taking as much care as possible to prevent any of your equipment getting broken in the first place. The next best thing is to learn a little about your camera and carry some tools that will help you to fix the problem yourself. This will save you money and time should something go wrong. Also carrying spare equipment is always a good idea if you are able to. If you need to return to a major city to get your equipment repaired you could be looking at a long journey and extra expense, so avoiding this situation is in your best interests. Also it is worth noting that in developing countries you may struggle to find facilities where you can get your equipment fixed. Do some research and make a list of the nearest repair shops from where you plan to go, and check first that they can fix the problem before making the journey there.