Travel footage has a property no other kind has: you cannot go back. Every other shoot can be redone. This one cannot, which makes the list of what to film before you leave more valuable than any technique.
Film these on day one
- The arrival — stepping out, first look, genuine reaction
- Wide establishing of the skyline, coast, or main street
- The most recognisable landmark, wide and close
- The view from where you are staying
- Street level from a fixed spot while life moves past
Establishing shots on day one, not the last day. Leave them and the weather makes the decision for you.
The texture that makes it feel like somewhere
- Local signage and typography
- Markets, produce, colour
- Transport specific to the place
- Doors, paint, architecture detail
- Hands exchanging money or food
- Weather — rain on the ground, heat haze, wind
What people always forget
- 01The journey itself — transport interiors, windows, walking
- 02Yourself in the place. Solo travellers systematically under-film this and always regret it.
- 03The ordinary. Everyone films the landmark; almost nobody films the walk to it.
- 04The departure — the place from the leaving train, the last wide.