1. Pay attention to the safety and protection of your equipment along the way—guard against dust, moisture, and theft. Carry your DV camera with you as much as possible to avoid bumps and knocks from vehicle vibrations. Recharge batteries promptly. In remote areas where power is scarce, you can turn off the LCD screen and use the viewfinder for framing and shooting. After finishing a clip, don’t forget to stop recording—sometimes you may think you’ve pressed the stop button, but actually haven’t. This wastes both tape and battery, and can even lead to some embarrassing moments. Always confirm whether the DV is turned off via the viewfinder or LCD screen.
2. Try not to film while walking. It’s okay in open spaces, but on stairways or uneven roads, it can be dangerous, and the footage will likely be shaky and unclear. This is especially true in mountainous or wild areas, where safety should be a top priority. In crowded places, filming while walking increases the risk of bumping into others, which can ruin the shot and even cause unpleasant encounters.
3. Avoid filming videos and taking photos simultaneously whenever possible. Generally speaking, video focuses on process while photography captures moments. Trying to do both often leads to neglecting one or the other. You can share the workload with travel companions—each handling one aspect and sharing the creative results. If you’re traveling solo, make sure to alternate between the two types of shooting in an organized manner.
4. Seek out unique shooting angles. Add a personal touch to well-known scenic spots. Don’t aim to cover everything or shoot broadly—instead, discover perspectives and backdrops that most people overlook. Shoot with restraint; aside from interviews, try to keep each shot under 60 seconds. Capture fascinating details and close-ups to highlight the most captivating aspects of a place and time.
5. Be mindful of shot duration. It’s essential to keep some key points in mind when filming during travels—for example, avoid filming any single shot for too long. Switch shots roughly every 5–10 seconds to keep viewers engaged. Also, capture some clear landmarks. If none of your footage includes identifiable markers, you may forget where a particular scene was shot after some time.
6. Take the initiative to talk and connect with locals to build friendships and document the most authentic aspects of daily life and society along your journey. Respect local customs and ethnic traditions. Don’t use your DV to intrude on or disrupt others’ normal lives—use it instead as a tool to foster mutual understanding. While filming, focus on capturing the most representative sounds of the area, such as local folk music or opera. The diverse tones of dialects, rhythmic street vendor calls, and simple melodies of folk songs are all essential elements of a “DV travelogue.” And the sounds of mountain winds, streams, pine waves, and birdsong recorded in serene nature are nothing short of soul-cleansing music.
7. Regularly check your equipment. Use short breaks to ensure your camera is recording properly. If you find that you haven’t recorded anything or the quality is poor, take steps to fix it immediately. Keep an eye on remaining battery and tape levels—don’t use them all up. Leave a bit of power and tape in reserve for unexpected events when you might need to capture something important on the spot, as you could be the first to record a historic moment. It’s been reported that the person who filmed the first plane hitting the World Trade Center on 9/11 won a major journalism award that year. Being prepared to capture meaningful content might lead to unexpectedly rewarding results.