Tools and Accessories to recording your trip

You book a Halong party cruise. You want to record the memorable moments of the trip. In this post, we're going to focus on some of the tools and accessories you might want to pack along. All of them is essential for recording video and take photos, and they can help you record better video, and that's why we're here, right?

1.Nice To Have Tools

Tripod

The first nice to have tool is a tripod or other stabilizing device. Shaky video is one of the hallmarks of amateur video. So anything you can do to make yoủ shots smoother and steadier will improve the quality of your images. Tripods come in a wide range of sizes.

Some tripods are designed specifically for travel. They fold up small, usually less than two feet long, and they're often made of carbon fiber or titanium so they're light and strong. Some tripods have bendy legs so you can attach your video camera to things like tree branches or fence posts.

You could even get little tripods like this, how cute is that.

If you're a photographer, you may have a monopod, which you can use to stabilize your camera for capturing video as well as still images. A popular tool for smartphones and action cameras is so-called selfie stick. These don't take up much room and they are a great way to get yourself in the image. These also come in handy if you want to record video from a higher angle, like when you're in a crowd.

Flash

External light

One Tool that you might want to pack along is an external light. Think of all the times you've relied on your camera's flash when you're taking photographs. Most camera flashes don't perform very well in low light conditions. Our shots end up looking dark and grainy. Little battery operated lights like this attach directly to your camera or your smartphone, and can improve the quality of your picture in dim or dark locations and you can take a photo shot at night as well.

2.Choose the right gear for your journey

Camera Gear

If you're recording video with a DSLR and you plan to visit a national park full of wildlife. You'll probably want to take a long telephoto lens. But you may not want to bother with this extra bulk and weight if you're staying in the city.

GoPro and Accessories

If you're recording video with a GoPro, you know that there are tons of accessories you can get depending on what you want to attach the camera to. There are mounts for dashboards and helmets and handlebars, surfboards, you name it, pretty much and kind of sport or adventure you can think of.

Lens For SmartPhone

Same goes for recording video with a smartphone. A whole industry has sprung up in the past few years based on creating accessories for these devices. I'm constantly amazed at the little gadgets you can get to help you capture better images. Everything from macro and wide angle lenses that will clip right onto your phone to sliders and dollies. It's up to you what you take along.

3.Some other things you might want to consider packing

First off, a lens cloth.

Lens Cleaner

Not just for cleaning the lens, but also for cleaning fingerprints off those LCD screens. And as a special bonus, you can also use it to clean your sunglasses, and in my case reading glasses.

Spare batteries and memory cards.

Memory cards case

You might be touring all day with no opportunity to recharge your batteries or recharge your camera. I always pack as if I will find no video supplies on my trip, no matter where I'm going.

Cords or USB cables

USB cables

You'll also need to pack any cords or USB cables that you use to charge your camera. One thing I've learned to take because I always have more than one device that needs charging is a small power bar.

Electrical Surge Protection

Surge Protection

Look for one that has surge protection, especially if you're traveling to developing countries. This will protect your expensive gear from any spikes in voltage.

And of course, you might need to pack an adapter for the electrical outlets as well.

Laptop

I alway bring a laptop

If you plan to capture a lot of videos, photo or you'll be traveling for a long time, you might very well want to bring along a laptop and an external hard drive to transfer your video and photo to. Media files are huge and you're gonna find you'll need the extra storage space.

Daypack backpack

Daypack backpack

I also like to take a small daypack for carrying my camera and a few essentials ưhile I'm out touring. This one is water resistant and hardly takes up any space at all.

Pack polarizing filter

If your camera can use filters, you might want to pack a polarizing filter. These can decrease reflections and glare and increase the color saturation in your images, especially if you're traveling to bright sunny locations like the beach or a ski resort.

Ziploc bags.

Waterproof by Ziploc bags

What i like to do is organize all my cords and accessories with Ziploc bags. These are great because they come in all different sizes. You can see what's in them and they seal up so that nothing falls out.

They can also protect your electronics from the elements. I'll have more on that in a later post.

Backpack

My Backpack

When it comes to packing, it goes without saying that you'll want to take anything of value on board with you if you're flying.

I use a backpack like this as a carry-on for my camera gear and my laptop. This holds all of my gear snugly and keeps it from bouncing around. There's even a compartment at the back for my laptop. All the expensive stuff, cameras, lenses, computer, goes in this and it stays with me. The rest, tripod, cables, extra batteries, goes in my checked luggage and I hope and pray it arrives.