As photographers we generally only shoot still photos while traveling or abroad. Why not shoot both video and still photos while traveling abroad, or perhaps just in general?

The Hybrid Photographer-Videographer

The strange thing is that there seems to be a bias:

1. Photographers don’t shoot video
2. Videographers don’t really shoot still photos

I think in life you can have your cake and eat it too. Why not shoot BOTH video AND photos?

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Different experiences

I like shooting both videos and photos. Why? Both are a unique experience which are similar, yet different. I feel by embracing BOTH still photos and video, we become more complete visual artists.

You already have a YouTube account/channel

Our modern digital cameras (and phones) have fantastic video capabilities. Why not use it? If you already have a Google account, you already have a YouTube account. All you have to do is go to YouTube.com and upload your videos directly (top right corner there is an upload button), or you can upload photos to your own channel/account from your YouTube app on your phone!

And also considering that nowadays almost everywhere has wifi– you can upload your videos from a coffee shop, or back at your hotel room/airbnb apartment.

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A deeper travel experience

For me, the reason I love to travel is to have the chance to interact with strangers, learn more about foreign cultures, and open up my mind and heart with others.

Generally speaking, when I am abroad in a foreign country, I am actually more open-minded, more friendly, and I’m generally in a much better mood (than when I am back in the states).

Why am I happier when living abroad or traveling?

My theory is that when I’m in a foreign country and trying to learn a new language (Spanish in Mexico City) — I become more child-like. I ask more questions, I indulge more of my curiosity, and I learn at a much more rapid pace.

Furthermore there is a lot more chaos, randomness, and novelty in terms of visual stimuli — which is obviously beneficial to my photography.

The differences and similarities of shooting video and photo while abroad/traveling

I’m currently traveling and living abroad with a Lumix G9, Ricoh GR II, and a GoPro Fusion (360 and virtual reality camera).

The benefits of photography

Photo shoot on RICOH GR II, high contrast positive film color preset, JPEG:

1. Quicker to look through your photos (especially when shooting JPEG)
2. Higher resolution images, and still photos will generally last longer than video, and furthermore– for the most part, we as photographers still see still photos as our art form.
3. Cameras are generally smaller and more convenient (if using point and shoot compact cameras like RICOH GR II for travel photography).

The benefits of video

1. Ability to better document experiences (both moving videos, and audio)
2. YouTube, vlogging is definitely a strong trend– which I don’t see going away anytime soon (I have built much of my fame through YouTube)
3. Sometimes photo isn’t good enough to capture a super interesting or deep experience you have. Thus, to let the shutter keep rolling– you can capture MORE information and interest. I like to even think of ‘video street photography‘ — framing a street photography scene, and keep on just recording the scene.

Upside of micro 4/3rds

I think micro 4/3rds is the future of BOTH still photos AND video.

This is the cool thing with Lumix Cameras like the G9 or the LX100:

You can shoot still photos WHILE shooting videos!

Thus if you’re recording a video, you can click the shutter button to capture still photos as well — which is the ultimate hybrid of both.

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Just try it out for yourself!

You don’t need to shoot both video and photo while traveling or living abroad. But I encourage you– just try it out for yourself! I think the ultimate benefits will be:

1. More courage and bravery: Gives you the opportunity to linger and interact with others
2. Record a deeper depth of information (moving images and audio is more of an intense experience than just still photo)
3. Our digital cameras can handle it (you can also shoot great videos on your iPhone or smartphone!)
4. Even older digital cameras like RICOH GR II still shoot good video!
5. More options: Sometimes videos aren’t interesting and still photos are more interesting. And sometimes still photos aren’t interesting, yet video is interesting. When you can shoot BOTH video AND photo — you have far more opportunities to express yourself creatively!

SHOOT ON!

ERIC