I Stopped Over-Capturing My Weekend Trips

Last week we spent two nights away on a project in Cadaqués.

It was right as the heatwave began, and if you read last week’s ‘brief’ newsletter, you’ll know the ordeal it took to get there.

And although I was there working, I captured this trip in a much simpler, lighter way than I ever have.

It got me thinking that this might be the method for me moving forward.

Let’s dive in.

As photographers, we’re suckers for a new piece of equipment.

A lens, a vlog camera, something you certainly need.

Now, upgrades are necessary along the journey, but last week I shot all of my ‘personal’ content on my film camera (the Nikon L35 AF2) and a smartphone (the Xiaomi 17 Ultra).

And here’s the thing:

• My bag was light,

• I never faced analysis paralysis choosing what to shoot with,

• I could enjoy the trip without becoming occupied with capturing it.

It was annoyingly elegant, and it helped create shots I hadn’t thought of before.

With all of my travels, content has always been a big part of the equation.

It might be the same for you, that internal drive to capture and take creative advantage of your surroundings.

But it always ends up causing a dichotomy in the trip.

Early wake-ups for sunrise shots = missed breakfast with whoever you’re travelling with.

Heavy camera bag to lunch = cumbersome, or a salty mood later.

There’s always a balance to how you approach your art.

But for me, especially on these work trips, documenting needed to be effortless, otherwise I basically wouldn’t do it.

Even my trusty DJI Osmo Pocket 3. It’s a great piece of tech in the right hands. But in the end, the limited focal lengths, the constant gimbal footage and the awkward shooting style have become cumbersome.

So turning to a smartphone from a video perspective was the best thing I did.

On this trip, I leaned on the Xiaomi 17 Ultra’s multiple lenses.

Unlike the DJI, smartphones have the capacity to capture a variety of focal lengths, and with the Xiaomi, these focal lengths are optical zooms, not digital.

This meant I was able to capture typical shots with the main camera and then details and compressed shots with the zoom lenses.

I understand not all smartphones carry this level of tech.

However, any brand that lets you shoot 4K 30FPS on the main camera, I’m finding, is enough to document.

Just like this video I posted earlier in the week: Summer Shoots.

Now, accepting a noticeable drop in quality is a hard pill to swallow as a creative, especially when you’ve got a better piece of kit sitting right there to do the job.

I feel it every time I watch a cinematic YouTube vlog.

They’re using similar cameras and lenses to me, so why would I compromise on the visuals when I can clearly match them?

And honestly, that’s something I’ve started to weigh up against my personal shooting style.

Is S-Log3 essential when I’m having brunch with my girlfriend?

Do I need a high level of production value for a YouTube vlog or a weekend wrap?

You might be screaming at your screen saying, YES, IT DOES… and to you, I’m sorry, because for me it ain’t.

Accepting these trade-offs has become key. It’s helped me enjoy my trips while still capturing them.

Here’s a breakdown of the kit I use to capture a weekend trip.

On this project, there was a mix of client work, and for that, I used my Sony A7IV with the 24-70mm GMII.

One body. One lens. A couple of batteries and my laptop. No NDs, no cages, no mics.

My new method for capturing work trips. The big cam is the work cam.

Next, your travel camera.

This might be your only camera, and if you’re in your hobby era, ignore the previous paragraph.

The mentality holds: one body, one lens.

From there, when it comes to video content (and you’re not interested in creating a high-end visual piece), your smartphone. Preferably one with multiple focal lengths.

One of the drawbacks of cameras like the DJI Osmo or Nano is the fixed wide focal length.

Not bad for vlogging, but I’ve found the lack of range leads to a very limited batch of b-roll.

They’re great options, but this is just my take.

I’m still figuring this out.

But Cadaqués reminded me that the heavy bag had been quietly costing me. The frustration carried into the trip, and ultimately into the work.

So expect more smartphone content from here. I’ll still chase beautiful visuals on my cameras when it counts, but the everyday capturing needs to be effortless, or I just won’t do it.

A trade I’ll keep making.

Happy shooting,

Matty.