Video Adventurer.(videotaping backcountry)

10 TIPS FOR SHOOTING VIDEO ON THE TRAIL

Taking your video camera on a hike or into the backcountry can be an especially rewarding experience.

Photos are nice, but with video you not only capture beautiful scenery, you get sound to go with it. The chirping of birds, the roar of waterfalls and the story you tell is what makes video different than an envelope of pictures.

When it comes time to hit the trail, your photographer friends don't know how easy they have it. They load a fresh battery in the trusty Nikon (with its built-in flash), toss ten rolls of film in the bag, grab a few filters and they're ready. Their whole kit only weighs a couple of pounds and fits right into a fanny pack. Your commitment to bring back video is a little more involved. But with careful planning and the right equipment, you can capture great footage and keep your expensive camera safe and sound. The following tips tell you how.

1) Know your Destination

Your destination will impact the way you prepare for your shoot. Are you taking a six-hour hike, boating on the lake or riding horses? You won't want to lug a heavy tripod on that six-hour hike, but a lightweight monopod might be nice. Neither will be of much use on that boat, but you will want to take your camera bag to keep your camcorder safe and dry when it's not in use. Once you're on that horse it's not easy getting the camera out of your backpack. You'll need a strap so you can hang it around your neck so you can get cool shots while you're sitting in the saddle.

If your trip will be more extensive, do some research. Talk to people who have visited your destination. Get a guidebook, a map or contact a local so you'll know what to expect. Know the conditions and prepare for them.