How to Shoot Video on a Long Road Trip

Start at the beginning. This sounds basic, but many people forget to do it. Get the video camera out before you leave on your long road trip. Show the preparations, the packing and the itinerary. Talk to the camera, and reflect on how excited you are about your journey. Have the camera rolling as you drive away.

Keep the video camera handy. Many precious moments are lost because people don't want to dig out the video camera. Keep it in a place where you can grab it every time you get out of the car. Get in the habit of keeping the video camera with you. A few seconds of video at each place is all it takes to immortalize the experience on tape. Video on a long road trip is about the passage of distance and time. If you shoot a lot in one place and nothing in another, your video will give a warped perception of how long you spent in each. Shoot a little every day, and you will feel the passage of time.

Shoot chapters. Any long road trip can be broken up into sections. It usually involves long stretches of road punctuated by stops at memorable landmarks. At these landmarks, make a point of saying that you are entering a new phase of your road trip. Breaking the video into chapters makes it easier to digest. Consider a reoccurring theme to divide chapters. This could be a skyline, signpost or a title written on a piece of paper.

Always remember that it is all about the journey. Don't forget to videotape time on the road. Some of the most memorable moments are out in the middle of nowhere. Shoot video of funky rest stops, interesting people and bizarre meals you eat. Shoot yourself driving, listening to the radio and reading a map. Most of all, shoot the scenery as you drive by. All these things give your video a feel for the miles you drove.

Edit in the camera. Shooting everything from the same perspective and focal length gets boring fast. Every scene requires wide shots, medium shots and close ups. Mix these up while shooting. For example, start with a wide shot of a scene to establish where you are. Follow with a close-up of something unusual. Next, shoot a medium shot showing the unusual thing in context with its surroundings. Mix it up and repeat. Avoid zooming, panning and tilting the camera. It is usually shaky and makes people dizzy. Use a tripod whenever possible, especially when you are shooting yourself or something far away. Steady shots are much more compelling and take the focus off your camera work.

Pay attention to seemingly mundane details. A funny sign, unusual accent or ridiculous price can be just the detail that makes your video memorable. If you find something unusual, take some video of it. You can laugh about it later.

Reflect on your experiences. When you do or see something memorable, be sure to tell the camera how it made you feel. Emotions are fleeting. It is difficult to remember them accurately, even a short time later. Reflecting to the camera preserves your emotions for all time. Years later, you may be surprised how your memory and the tape differ.