MINI - TIPS
FOR BEGINNERS
HOW TO RECORD HOLIDAY VIDEOS
especially for you
RECORDING TIPS
WITH US YOU WILL RECORD YOUR DREAM TRAVEL MOVIE TO DISCOVER THE SOUL OF A FILMMAKER
1. BEFORE TRAVELLING - LOCATION SCOUTING
Every journey, and even a lazy vacation, begins much earlier than the moment you arrive at the airport. In the case of trips or expeditions, we have planned attractions and places to visit. Each of these activities is an ideal opportunity for both souvenir photos and the beginning of a FILMING adventure.
Your journey begins the moment you buy a plane ticket or pay an advance for a trip or vacation organized by a travel agency. Preparing for the trip is one of the most important elements of the whole. That is why we decided to help you in this process. Things that seem obvious, but sometimes in a hurry they tend to slip out of your mind 🙂
At the location scouting stage, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the place you are going to. Thanks to this, the first ideas for the frames you want to take will appear in your head and you will determine approximately what equipment you will use, which will save you a lot of time on the spot and allow you to enjoy a stress-free trip.
To start your filming adventure, you just need to think about it a little and press the red „RECORD” button at the right moment.
TIP: Conduct Location Scouting before every trip at home. You will certainly minimize surprises, unless you love travel improvisation 🙂
LOCATION SCOUTING ONLINE Use simple and free tools that will help you conduct thorough location scouting without leaving your home.
Location: google maps, street view, maps.me
Photos and surroundings: google image search engine, instagram, pinterest
OPENING HOURS They are often variable and can seriously disrupt plans, especially when a given attraction or museum is closed on certain days. Some locations exclude the use of a drone, gimbal (Mexican Mayan ruins), professional cameras and camcorders (except phones) or there is a total ban on filming (Sistine Chapel). Location scouting will help you avoid disappointment and a few unnecessary kilograms in your backpack.
PARKING Check the exact location and possible parking space. It can be crowded during the season and the number of spaces is often very limited. Elsewhere, there is simply no parking, which causes unnecessary stress and loss of time wasted looking for a free space when there is plenty to choose from 100m away. TIP: Choose a parking lot in advance and mark it on your Google Maps.
EQUIPMENT SELECTION Determine what set of equipment you will need – camera, GoPro, drone, gimbals, tripods or just a smartphone. The choice of equipment depends primarily on your plans, the type of leisure and travel, luggage limit and the purpose of the trip. In some countries, trying to bring a drone may have serious consequences.
WEATHER You have to be prepared for all conditions. The weather can be changeable in the Polish mountains as well as in exotic places, which does not mean that you cannot take pictures or film in such conditions. An umbrella, capes, lens covers will make it easier to record frames and protect your equipment from water. Don’t worry about the lack of color and grayness of recordings and photos. We will take care of everything at the post-production stage.
TIME TO REACH THE LOCATION We have no influence on road incidents. Especially in Asia, traffic jams can be astounding the first time, and it would be best to follow the travel plan, especially when we are limited by opening hours. Sometimes you have to walk to the selected location, which is a bigger time and logistical challenge. TIP: Check the road conditions at least a day in advance and ONLY during rush hour.
SUNRISES AND SUNSETS Be sure to check the sunrise and sunset times during the trip. This will allow you to organize your day better. Especially in other latitudes, depending on the season, the sun may not set or rise at all. In addition, the possibility of immortalizing these phenomena in photos and film is an unforgettable experience. When recording sunrises/sunsets, sit comfortably with a drink and turn on the TIMELAPS function.
2. PREPARING YOUR DRONE BEFORE TRAVELLING
Drones are wonderful, and the footage they produce is downright magical. We strongly encourage you to try out the role of a UAV operator, especially when traveling abroad. However, it should be remembered that a drone is not a toy and that you must always comply with the aviation regulations and laws in force in a given country. Each country has its own regulations, even in the EU the regulations have been unified, but local national regulations still cause a lot of confusion. Never fly in the airport zone, near prisons, military bases and other strategic facilities to avoid unpleasant consequences. Even a novice operator can record wonderful drone footage that will certainly enrich your travel film.
Always check the local regulations regarding flying a drone a few weeks before your trip.
Don’t fly! – if you don’t feel confident in a given location – too many people, unfavourable weather conditions, short distance from strategic facilities and airports. You are the operator and you are responsible for each flight.
Which drone to choose for a start? Definitely up to 249 grams. They are easier to use and you only need basic knowledge that you can quickly learn. In addition, fewer formal requirements must be met to fully enjoy the possibilities of operating your equipment. We fly DJI. Obtain the required license for EU countries. Detailed information on how to obtain a license and register your drone can be found on the website of the Civil Aviation Authority: www.drony.ulc.gov.pl
UPDATE BEFORE DEPARTURE Start the drone with the controller for a few minutes and check if you have the latest software update and database. You will avoid an unpleasant situation when after a break of several months you start your equipment in a wonderful location without the possibility of starting the flight due to an update… in the exotic, mobile data costs a lot and WIFI can be unavailable. You will save time, nerves and money.
BUY INSURANCE Annual third party liability insurance for flights in airspace for UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) is not a big expense, because the amounts start at around PLN 100. In many countries, it is ESSENTIAL in order to conduct an air operation, and the lack of it exposes us to unpleasant consequences. On our part, you can find proven and inexpensive aviation insurance on the website www.finansowachata.pl
CHECK THE CONDITION OF YOUR EQUIPMENT After returning from a trip, you usually put your equipment away in the closet, waiting for another opportunity. Now that you have started preparing for your next trip, it is worth spending 1 minute on a technical inspection of your drone: tightening the propellers, cleaning the camera, blowing sand, pollen, dirt out of the housing openings using compressed air.
CHECK LOCAL REGULATIONS It is mandatory to check the local regulations for drones in force in the country of your next trip. It is best to do it a few weeks in advance, to gain time to take care of any formalities such as consents, permits, licenses, fees, and insurance.
Use trusted sources on www.uavcoach.com or www.drone-laws.com
DRONE LICENSE As a drone operator in the EU, you are required to have the appropriate authorizations according to specific categories. Even if the target country does not require it, it is much easier to justify your actions to local services in the event of an inspection. In addition, a drone is a powerful filming tool, and its use requires basic knowledge of operation. Details www.drony.ulc.gov.pl
PLAN YOUR DRONE FLIGHT BASED ON THE WEATHER Drones are equipment that is particularly susceptible to stronger gusts of wind and rain and snow. We recommend using proven applications that can predict the upcoming weather conditions with great accuracy. A short preview will help you plan your flight and choose the best time of day.
Download the free UAV Forecast application to your mobile device.
3. PREPARING YOUR EQUIPMENT BEFORE TRAVELLING
It seems obvious, but even professionals sometimes make simple mistakes when, in the rush of preparations, they forget about obvious things: no card in the camera, uncopied material from the previous trip, unrecognizable card in the device, no charger or appropriate adapter, no required drone markings, etc. Sound familiar?
Especially for you, we have prepared a short checklist that will help you properly prepare your photographic and filming equipment before your trip. Our experience shows that packing at the last minute is the worst possible solution. It is best to start preparations in the last week before the trip. A dozen or so batteries also need time to be fully charged. 48 hours before departure, a quick checklist and 100% and you can safely say that you are 100% prepared.
Before each trip, prepare your equipment a few days in advance and check if it works 🙂
LOCATION SCOUTING Determine what equipment you will be using and what will only become an unnecessary burden on your luggage. In addition, in some situations our location will exclude the possibility of using professional equipment, a gimbal or a drone. In the case of significant luggage limits, choose only the equipment that is necessary.
EQUIPMENT TRANSPORTATION CONDITIONS We place electronic devices (i.e. anything that runs on a battery) in hand luggage, but… Drone transport – always check the guidelines of the given airline. Generally, a drone is transported in hand luggage as an electronic device in most cases. However, some airlines such as: FlyDubai, Emirates, etc. require the drone (without batteries and controller) to be placed in checked luggage.
BATTERIES Charge each device before travel. You have to be prepared for every eventuality. Don’t let anything surprise you. Sometimes in hotels (especially in exotic locations) the number of sockets may be limited and then the dilemma arises of what to charge and the equipment you need right away.
CABLES are light and take up little space. We can’t predict exactly when they might be needed. Especially since these days plugs are universal for many devices. It’s worth getting one universal USB cable with several plugs for each device.
ADAPTER A universal multi-plug socket adapter is a must-have for every traveler. Thanks to it, we have 100% certainty that the local power standards in a given country will never surprise us. In addition, in the case of a limited number of sockets, it allows you to charge several devices at the same time.
MEMORY CARDS
1. Always check whether a memory card is in the device before the trip. This is obvious, but sometimes one card is used for several things or after the previous copying of materials it was not put back into the slot.
2. In addition, make sure the card has the right capacity and speed. Recording movies increases the demand for free space on the medium.
3. Check whether the card works… especially when transferring to different devices, it may happen that the card has become unrecognizable. In such a case, a format is necessary.
4. Check whether you have copied the material from the previous trip to protect it from accidental loss or to provide enough space for new material.
OTHER ACCESSORIES Take your accessories that you want to use to film and take photos.
- Tripods, selfie sticks
- Lens filters
- Waterproof cases and equipment transport cases
- Reflective glass
- Sports camera with accessories, and there are quite a few of them 🙂
- Other
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS THE MOST IMPORTANT. It may happen that you forget one of the above items, but without travel documents there will be no travel 🙂
4. HOW TO RECORD TIMELAPS
Most modern cameras, camcorders and phones have a timelapse function, which allows you to record images at an accelerated pace. This is a great solution used to diversify a film. You can record automatic timelapses with any device equipped with this function.
What to record with a timelapse? Timelapses are an ideal solution for recording sunsets and sunrises. However, the procedure is much longer than recording crowded intersections, car traffic, etc. Be prepared for up to a 20-minute session.
- Get a suitable picnic set.
- Choose a secluded place so that no one accidentally disturbs your frame or disrupts the composition with their presence.
- Check the settings carefully (we encourage you to experiment to find your filming path).
- Press RECORD.
- Sit back, relax and admire the view while waiting for the final result.
Timelapse length. In the case of a travel video, it all depends on the vision, subject matter, and type of film. In our experience, 1 timelapse per 1 minute of film, 6-8 seconds long, is more than enough to diversify the final material.
Suggested settings for recording sunrises and sunsets with sports cameras:
Nightlap 4K, Bitrate: High, Wide, Shutter: Auto
Interval 10 sec (you can experiment by 1 range down or up depending on your preferences.
Provide the recording device with appropriate stabilization, using a tripod, or improvise by resting the device on a makeshift structure made of stones, on a wall, table, chair, etc. in a way that prevents vibrations.
5. HOW TO RECORD SLOWMOTION
Find the option to record in slow motion mode on your camera, camcorder or phone and start having fun. You can record a slow motion clip in a very simple way and everything happens automatically. It is important that the recording is done at a minimum of 60 fps.
Slow motion is best for situations and objects that naturally happen quickly. Thanks to slow motion, we can take a closer look at a given scene in its most interesting fragment.
At the stage of editing the film, we use slow-motion effects to highlight a given moment or speed up the timeline to give memories more dynamics.
6. PREPARING YOUR EQUIPMENT BEFORE TRAVELLING
The best equipment is the one you have at hand
Time always flies when you travel. We often change locations and don’t have enough time to settle in one place, set up the equipment and choose the right parameters, and the shots and moments fly by. Sometimes it’s better to capture an event even in unfavorable lighting or from a moving vehicle than to count on luck that a similar opportunity will come up again.
You DON’T NEED expensive equipment to start your adventure with filming. Nowadays, most standard phones are equipped with a resolution that allows recording in 4K, stabilization, powerful cameras, including telephoto lenses. Check the capabilities of your phone, and you will certainly discover many functions that you haven’t known before. Over time, when you discover a passion for filming your own journeys, you will know exactly what equipment you need to develop further skills.
Take photos with the equipment you feel confident with.
Advanced SLR cameras can often make you dizzy and it takes a long time to get to know your equipment well. Sometimes the „Auto” mode is not such a bad solution, however… isn’t it worth choosing equipment that you use intuitively, confidently, and that doesn’t require a few minutes of setting parameters?
Travel – this is your time to discover, learn and learn. We strongly encourage you to experiment with your own equipment and develop your own skills.
Film the same frame that you are taking.
This is the easiest way to start your adventure with filming your holiday travels. Everyone takes photos – not everyone films. If you have decided to capture a given moment in a frame in a photo, what is stopping you from creating a short video material? A moving image can convey much more information, and properly edited into a whole is the perfect summary of the trip and an unforgettable souvenir for life. Just as you take photos, record what is most important to you.
Record short shots of 3-10 seconds. If the main subject of the frame is not your several-minute-long statement on the subject of the Vlog, try to record short films between 3-10 seconds. At the post-production stage, each material is appropriately trimmed, sped up or slowed down to give the final version the right atmosphere. If you record longer events (a performance, a race, a cruise, a descent, a jump, etc.), also try to record only the most important parts of it to save space on the memory medium.
Your film is your story and memories.
You are the director of your film. You record the events that are most important to you and your loved ones, so that you can return to them at any time with a single click. However, do not forget about the details that diversify the recording and draw attention to details that are invisible on a large frame. Record emotions, smiles, joy. Show local culture, tradition, life.
Record only good quality background sound.
Of course, this is not about recording in studio quality. When recording the surroundings or your own speech, however, you should avoid distractions that pollute the audio material – wind noise, people passing by the microphone, engine noises, horns, bells, etc. drowning out the speech. If you care about recording ambient sounds, it is worth considering investing in an external microphone, which will certainly do better than the one built into the phone or camera. At the post-production stage, we try to extract as much as possible from the recorded ambient sounds, but digital correction cannot compare to the original clarity of the recording.
Pay attention to the lighting, because it is the light that makes the recordings unique. Both when taking photos and recording a video, pay attention to the lighting of the frame and shadows. Sometimes it is better to change the location two steps to the side, which allows for much better lighting of the character. Avoid recording in extremely dark or overexposed conditions. This light allows the appropriate amount of information to be saved in the file and affects the final image quality. The most beautiful photos always come out at sunrise and sunset – be sure to check out why.
7. YOUR FILMING PROGRESS
The appearance of the final film after post-production depends largely on the material you sent. It is important that the travel shots are varied. That is why we have created an example range of shots for you in the table below. Of course, you decide on the final proportion and the lack of any position in it will not affect the quality of the film. It can only increase its attractiveness and improve your filming skills. At the same time, you will awaken in yourself the need to get to know your own equipment.
We believe that in addition to photographing travel, just like us, you will discover a passion for filming. Experiment with your equipment and discover its new possibilities. Discover its power. Turn on the camera on your phone, check out different modes and hidden functions. Surprise yourself. You will certainly discover something new. Do you have a Samsung Galaxy series? Have you already recorded a timelapse in Astrophotography mode? MAGIC… and on your phone.
Record in AUTO mode if you are not yet comfortable with manual exposure, aperture, exposure, etc. Focus on the frame, the surroundings, emotions and the right moment to trigger the shutter… And we will take care of post-production for you.
Did you take a photo? Record a video based on the same frame. Since you have already made the decision to reach for the equipment and to trigger the shutter for the photo, it means that you have also found an interesting frame for the MOVIE.
FAQ How to record videos on vacation?
What are the optimal settings on your phone?
Resolution: 4K, 2.7K, 1080p
The higher the resolution, the better. Most modern cameras, camcorders and phones offer the possibility of recording 4K images as standard. All the more, films recorded in the 4K standard look much more impressive on a large screen and please the eye of the recipients.
Number of frames per second: 30fps, 60fps
A higher number of frames per second means better smoothness of the image. Particular differences are visible for objects in motion.
Aspect ratio: 16:9
The most universal recording format, and at the same time providing the most possibilities in post-production.
For more mini-tips, we invite you to our channels and social profiles:
Record videos horizontally or vertically?
How long should single videos be recorded?
Record short clips of 3-10 seconds. If the main subject of the frame is not your several-minute-long statement on the subject of the V-log, try to record short videos between 3-10 seconds. In post-production, each material is appropriately trimmed, sped up or slowed down to give the final version the right atmosphere. If you are recording longer events (a performance, a race, a cruise, a descent, a jump, etc.), also try to record only the most important parts to save space on the memory medium.
For more mini-tips, visit our channels and social profiles:
What movements should I perform with my camera/phone?
First of all, the movement of your equipment must be varied. Otherwise, the shots become monotonous despite the frame variations. Avoid recording from the same angle. Experiment, and we are sure that you will gain practice very quickly. Below are some simple movements for beginner filmmakers:
up-down
down-up
from left to right
from right to left
static in standing position
static in the lower position – from the ground level
This is more than enough to give your materials the right dynamics when editing your travel video.
For more mini-tips, visit our channels and social media profiles:
How to stabilize image?
First, check your equipment settings. The latest models always have image stabilization features. Get to know your equipment.
Keep your equipment steady.
Do not change directions abruptly.
Do not make sudden movements with your phone – the recording will be blurry and unstable.
Avoid moving quickly – it’s better to stop for 3 seconds than to record a shot while running.
In addition, we will apply software stabilization during the post-production stage of the film where the work requires it.
For more mini-tips, please visit our channels and social media profiles:
Is it worth using zoom on your phone, and how to do it?
It’s not worth it as much as it is NEEDED. Of course, sensibly and not necessarily with every frame 🙂 Thanks to the zoom, we gain greater possibilities of setting the frame without having to change our own position. In addition, we are able to take so-called Discreet photos, without interrupting the work or rituals of the people being photographed. Remember that everyone has the right to privacy.
Optical or digital zoom? We always use optical zoom, because only then do we get a sharp and lossless image. Digital zoom causes a significant loss of quality, which is why later use of photos becomes very limited at higher magnifications.
Tip: In photo mode, do not use two fingers to enlarge the frame (which is usually done when browsing photos in the gallery), because then the digital zoom is used. Select the optical zoom that your smartphone supports by clicking the magnification option displayed on the screen: 2x, 5x, 10x. Only then will you discover the magic.
Be sure to check the parameters of your phone to better use the capabilities of the telephoto lens. Zoom in on the surroundings… And you will certainly discover the charms of the world from a new perspective.
For more mini-tips, please visit our channels and social media profiles:
What filming equipment should you choose: camera, camcorder or smartphone?
Two golden tips:
1. Choose the equipment you have at hand
Time always passes too quickly when traveling. We often change locations and do not have enough time to settle in one place, set up the equipment and choose the right parameters, and the shots and moments pass.
Sometimes it is better to capture an event even in unfavorable lighting or from a moving vehicle than to count on luck that a similar opportunity will happen again.
2. Take photos with equipment that you feel confident with
Advanced SLR cameras can often make you dizzy and it takes a lot of time to get to know the capabilities of your own equipment. Sometimes the „Auto” mode is not such a bad solution, however… isn’t it worth choosing equipment that you know how to use and that you feel confident with, and the operation of which does not require you to set the parameters for several minutes?
Travel – this is your time to discover, learn and learn. We strongly encourage you to experiment with your own equipment and develop your own skills.
For more mini-tips, please visit our channels and social media profiles:
What is location accounting?
Conduct Location Scouting before every trip at home. You will certainly minimize surprises, unless you love travel improvisation 🙂
At the location scouting stage, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the place you are going to. Thanks to this, the first ideas for the frames you have chosen will appear in your head and you will determine approximately what equipment you will use, which will save a lot of time on the spot and allow you to enjoy a stress-free trip.
Location scouting includes, among others, familiarizing yourself with the place of travel, opening hours, parking location, choice of equipment, weather, travel time, sunrise and sunset times.
For more mini-tips, we invite you to our channels and social media profiles:
How to fly a drone to take photos and record videos?
However, it should be remembered that a drone is not a toy and that you must always comply with aviation regulations and the law in force in a given country. Each country has its own regulations, even in the EU the regulations have been unified, but local national regulations still cause a lot of confusion. Never fly in the airport zone, near prisons, military bases and other strategic facilities to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Flying a drone: REMEMBER
- Always check the local regulations regarding flying a drone a few weeks before your trip.
- Don’t fly! – when you don’t feel confident in a given location – too many people, unfavorable weather conditions, short distance from strategic facilities and airports.
- You are the operator and you are responsible for each flight.
- Update your drone software before your trip
- Buy insurance
- Check the condition of your equipment
- Check local regulations
- Get a license
- Plan your flight based on the weather
For more mini-tips, visit our channels and social media profiles:
How to prepare your equipment before traveling?
It seems obvious, but even professionals sometimes make simple mistakes when, in the rush of preparations, they forget about obvious things: no card in the camera, uncopied footage from the previous trip, unrecognizable card in the device, no charger or appropriate adapter, no required drone markings, etc. Sound familiar?
Especially for you, we have prepared a short checklist that will help you properly prepare your photographic and filming equipment before your trip.
For more mini-tips, visit our channels and social media profiles:
How to record timelapse?
Most modern cameras, camcorders and phones have a timelapse function, which allows you to record images at an accelerated pace. This is a great solution used to diversify a film. You can record automatic timelapses with any device equipped with this function.
Timelapses are an ideal solution for recording sunsets and sunrises. However, the procedure is much longer than recording crowded intersections, car traffic, etc. Be prepared for a session that is even 20 minutes long.
Provide the recording device with appropriate stabilization, using a tripod, or improvise by resting the device on a makeshift structure made of stones, on a wall, table, chair, etc. in a way that prevents vibrations.
For more mini-tips, visit our channels and social media profiles:
How to record slowmotion?
Find the option to record in slow motion mode on your camera, camcorder or phone and start having fun. You can record a slow motion clip in a very simple way and everything happens automatically. It is important that the recording is done at a minimum of 60 fps.
Slow motion is best for situations and objects that naturally happen quickly. Thanks to slow motion, we can take a closer look at a given scene in its most interesting fragment.
At the stage of editing the film, we use slow-motion effects to highlight a given moment or speed up the timeline to give memories more dynamics.
For more mini-tips, we invite you to our channels and social profiles:
How to choose the right film card?
Film the same frame that you are photographing.
This is the easiest way to start your adventure with filming your holiday trips. Everyone takes photos – not everyone films. Since you have decided to capture a given moment in a frame, what is stopping you from creating a short video material? A moving image can convey much more information, and properly edited into a whole is a perfect summary of the trip and an unforgettable souvenir for life. Just as you take photos, record what is most important to you.
You are the director of your film. You record the events that are most important to you and your loved ones, so that you can return to them at any time with a single click. However, do not forget about the details that diversify the recording and draw attention to details that are invisible on a large frame. Record emotions, smiles, joy. Show local culture, tradition, life.
For more mini-tips, visit our channels and social media profiles:
How to join the -5% / - 10% loyalty program?
You don’t have to do anything. We don’t require a declaration of participation in the program or signing consents. We only verify your order history. Orders with a loyalty discount should be placed directly by email or phone.
For more mini-tips, please visit our channels and social media profiles:
FAQ How to take better photos on vacation?
What are the optimal settings on your phone?
Resolution: 16-20 Mpix
Nowadays, it is not worth taking photos below 12Mpix, because the captured image will be saved in our camera in very low quality, which will limit the possibilities of using the photo and subjecting it to further processing.
16-20 Mpix is the optimal value, which is completely sufficient to obtain sharp and clear photos, satisfactory both on the phone screen and in standard prints for home use. The same range provides good quality with a relatively small file size.
And what if I have 200 Mpix? That’s even better! Perfect for night mode (reduces noise) or when you intend to print your photos in a format larger than a photo album. Unfortunately, high resolution has one significant disadvantage… the size, which can exceed the file size several times over than the optimal resolution. In the case of a longer trip, be sure to check whether you have enough space for data on your device and have a sufficiently large storage unit at home. Over the years of traveling, you’ll accumulate quite a bit of it 🙂
Format: 16:9 or 4:3?
In the 4:3 format, we are usually able to set the highest resolution of the matrix. Personally, we recommend the 4:3 format, although in this matter it all depends on individual preferences.
The 16:9 format looks best on smartphones and TV screens, because the image is presented in its entirety without cropping. The card is then more elongated.
For more mini-tips, we invite you to our channels and social media profiles:
What is the photo retouching service?
Photo retouching in short means improving photographs using advanced digital tools, thanks to which we are able to improve details and remove unwanted objects that disturb the aesthetics.
It is a time-consuming process that requires at least basic knowledge of photography and many years of trial and error methods.
The basic post-production work when editing a photo includes primarily improving the color by setting the white balance and shades, contrast (blacks, whites, burns, shadows) or color temperature, saturation and brightness.
If you lack the time or knowledge in the field of photo post-production after returning from a trip, just choose one of our packages… And we will take care of the rest.
For more mini-tips, visit our channels and social profiles:
Can night photos be improved?
Of course YES. However, the scope of action is limited due to noise (image interference), which reduces the quality of the photo.
To get rid of the undesirable effect, a noise reduction method is used during photo processing, which reduces the „snowing effect” at the expense of sharpness. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the right balance between both parameters so that the photo retains its aesthetic value.
For more mini-tips, we invite you to our channels and social media profiles:
Which photography equipment should you choose: camera or smartphone?
Two golden tips:
1. Choose the equipment you have at hand
Time always passes too quickly when traveling. We often change locations and do not have enough time to settle in one place, set up the equipment and choose the right parameters, and the shots and moments pass.
Sometimes it is better to capture an event even in unfavorable lighting or from a moving vehicle than to count on luck that a similar opportunity will happen again.
2. Take photos with equipment that you feel confident with
Advanced SLR cameras can often make you dizzy and it takes a lot of time to get to know the capabilities of your own equipment. Sometimes the „Auto” mode is not such a bad solution, however… isn’t it worth choosing equipment that you know how to use and that you feel confident with, and the operation of which does not require you to set the parameters for several minutes?
Travel – this is your time to discover, learn and learn. We strongly encourage you to experiment with your own equipment and develop your own skills.
For more mini-tips, please visit our channels and social media profiles:
Can you take good photos with a smartphone?
And what kind! Modern mobile phones are equipped with increasingly powerful cameras year by year, enabling users, above all, intuitive and automated operation, as well as a wide selection of lenses: main, front, wide-angle, telephoto (zoom)
A major advantage of using smartphones in photography is, above all, their small size and availability „always at hand”.
Mobile phones are relatively discreet, so they attract „unwanted glances” less than large and expensive SLR cameras with long and heavy lenses.
For more mini-tips, visit our channels and social media profiles:
Is it worth using zoom on your phone, and how to do it?
It’s not worth it as much as it is NEEDED. Of course, sensibly and not necessarily with every frame 🙂 Thanks to the zoom, we gain greater possibilities of setting the frame without having to change our own position. In addition, we are able to take so-called Discreet photos, without interrupting the work or rituals of the people being photographed. Remember that everyone has the right to privacy.
Optical or digital zoom? We always use optical zoom, because only then do we get a sharp and lossless image. Digital zoom causes a significant loss of quality, which is why later use of photos becomes very limited at higher magnifications.
Tip: In photo mode, do not use two fingers to enlarge the frame (which is usually done when browsing photos in the gallery), because then the digital zoom is used. Select the optical zoom that your smartphone supports by clicking the magnification option displayed on the screen: 2x, 5x, 10x. Only then will you discover the magic.
Be sure to check the parameters of your phone to better use the capabilities of the telephoto lens. Zoom in on the surroundings… And you will certainly discover the charms of the world from a new perspective.
For more mini-tips, please visit our channels and social media profiles:
What is location accounting?
Conduct Location Scouting before every trip at home. You will certainly minimize surprises, unless you love travel improvisation 🙂
At the location scouting stage, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the place you are going to. Thanks to this, the first ideas for the frames you have chosen will appear in your head and you will determine approximately what equipment you will use, which will save a lot of time on the spot and allow you to enjoy a stress-free trip.
Location scouting includes, among other things, familiarizing yourself with the place of travel, opening hours, parking location, choice of equipment, weather, travel time, sunrise and sunset times.
For more mini-tips, visit our channels and social media profiles:
How to fly a drone to take photos and record videos?
However, it should be remembered that a drone is not a toy and that you must always comply with aviation regulations and the law in force in a given country. Each country has its own regulations, even in the EU the regulations have been unified, but local national regulations still cause a lot of confusion. Never fly in the airport zone, near prisons, military bases and other strategic facilities to avoid unpleasant consequences.
Flying a drone: REMEMBER
- Always check the local regulations regarding flying a drone a few weeks before your trip.
- Don’t fly! – when you don’t feel confident in a given location – too many people, unfavorable weather conditions, short distance from strategic facilities and airports.
- You are the operator and you are responsible for each flight.
- Update your drone software before your trip
- Buy insurance
- Check the condition of your equipment
- Check local regulations
- Get a license
- Plan your flight based on the weather
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How to prepare your equipment before traveling?
It seems obvious, but even professionals sometimes make simple mistakes when, in the rush of preparations, they forget about obvious things: no card in the camera, uncopied footage from the previous trip, unrecognizable card in the device, no charger or appropriate adapter, no required drone markings, etc. Sound familiar?
Especially for you, we have prepared a short checklist that will help you properly prepare your photographic and filming equipment before your trip.
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Can I send a selected photo for a free trial?
We strongly encourage you to do so. If you are not convinced whether our offer is for you, you can always send 1 photo for free photo retouching.
Even if you do not decide on one of our packages now… it does not matter 🙂 Treat the photo as a non-binding gift from Bring Back Memories.
Delivery time: up to 3 business days. Materials should be sent to: studio@bringbackmemories.pl
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How to join the -5% / - 10% loyalty program?
You don’t have to do anything. We don’t require a declaration of participation in the program or signing consents. We only verify your order history. Orders with a loyalty discount should be placed directly by email or phone.
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