Must-Have Rigs for Bloggers
India Outbound
September-October 2018
Beyond writing creative text, bloggers must develop attention-grabbing topics, create eye-popping visuals, and promote their posts on social media. Travel bloggers require a lot of equipments/tools necessary for their work, thus it is important to have light-weight, affordable rigs for better and efficient work.
Light-weight laptop
Light-weight laptop
When it comes to travelling, less is more and the same concept applies to a laptop. While changing accommodation every few days, and hauling gear on every manner of transport possible – from buses, planes, trains, trams and maybe even horseback – it’s prudent to have a machine that is a perfect balance of lightweight and powerful.
A portable charger
A portable charger
Bloggers need their phones/laptops handy almost all the time and while travelling, it is extremely essential to have a portable charger because the latest phones unfortunately do not have a long lasting life and the battery dies in just a few hours. This is an important kit for not just bloggers but every traveller in general.
A powerful camera
A powerful camera
When it comes to documenting and sharing your travels, a powerful (and lightweight) camera is a must-have in one’s media-kit bag. After all, in the age of Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook, we’ve hardly ever been a more image-focused and image-conscious society. And, on the most basic level, readers are more likely to understand the stories you tell when a blogger has photos to accompany their writing. It’s therefore important to have a camera that is quick to deploy, can take razorsharp video, and also snaps crisp photos.
A microphone for smartphones
A microphone for smartphones
It is not wise to rely on the in-built microphone of a smartphone while making tutorial videos for vlogs or while shooting a travel video. A microphone for smart phones is feasible and ensures a solid built quality and excellent performance.
A travel-friendly drone
A travel-friendly drone
Drones are the latest and greatest travel accessory. These are aerial vehicles that are operated with the help of a remote and are extremely essential to capture aerial photographs/ videos. For a blogger/ vlogger who needs to travel regularly, this tool is a must and it is important to buy a small size drone to prevent cramming in the luggage.
A selfie stick
A selfie stick
This is one of the most common travel tools. A selfie stick is extremely important for a fashion blogger who is travelling solo because it helpsto capture a full length selfie.
A smartphone/camera stabiliser or gimbal
A smartphone/camera stabiliser or gimbal
YouTube videos, vlogs and live feeds can be more beautifully shot with minimal production with the help of consumer-grade gimbal handheld stabilisers for entry- to-mid-level cameras and smartphones. It lets you take photos and videos, switch views, tilt up and down and zoom in and out with just a touch, thanks to its convenient thumb control. But more importantly, it stabilises videos to minimise unwanted movement and shaking, uses facial recognition to automatically follow the subject around and even offers full rotational control.
Remote shutter release
Remote shutter release
A blogger/influencer’s tool that really comes in handy is a remote shutter release. It has a multitude of uses: taking self-portraits, long exposures and low-light pictures, to name a few. The idea is to keep the mobile and hands as free as possible while still having practically limitless access to the camera’s shutter.
