What to Film for Nature POI Videos on Google Maps

Happy 2024 Local Guides! :tada:
New year, new me. As a resolution for 2024, a handful of Local Guides have shared their focus on uploading more videos onto Google Maps. As such, I am delving into another category on Maps where you can capture videos: Nature and Parks.

Nature and Parks is one of the first categories of places on Maps that I focused on filming. It provided a great entryway to get into the flow of adding more video content. For one, it has a lower “barrier” to entry. Sometimes it can feel awkward to film in public places, so it can be nice to get used to filming in a more open and less crowded space. You can build up your confidence from there. :sparkling_heart:

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So what can you film at Nature and Parks locations?

I created a tutorial video that goes over ideas of what elements you can capture with video at Nature spots. I’ve included real-life example clips that I have added to Google Maps. I hope these ideas help and inspire you in adding videos to Nature spots on Google Maps. :blue_heart: :orange_heart:

Below, I provide a text summary of the tutorial video:

Here are 5 ideas of what you can include in your Google Maps videos of Nature and Parks:

1. Trailhead Area
Video can be used to showcase the trailhead area as well as nearby amenities such as trailheads and restrooms. When filming, you can show the trailhead sign, the view from the trailhead, and other amenities nearby. You can also highlight accessibility features such as when panning around the trailhead area/parking lot- you can film any ramps, railing, handicap parking, and more. Additionally you can film the visitor center, if there is one.

2. Bird’s-eye View
With a video shot from a bird’s eye view, you help the viewer better visualize the height of the trail. A bird’s-eye view can also provide that aerial overview of the nature park.
To film that, you will want to position yourself at a higher point in the park. For example, in a mountainous trail, I typically try to walk up closer to the summit (I find even halfway up, I’m able to get a pretty good bird’s-eye POV.)

3. Trail Accessibility
Potential visitors to a park may want to know if the trails are beginner friendly or accessible to walk on. You can capture the scenery along with what the trail looks like to get two birds with one stone. For example, you can show through your video if the trail is steep, flat, rocky, etc.

4. Movement/ Sound
Videos allow you to capture movement/ sound in a nature park. Nature sounds are relaxing, and a photo would be unable to let others hear those sounds. You would also be unable to capture movement with photos.

5. Landmarks
You can use video to capture any major landmarks in the park. Videos allow for a more 3D, immersive feeling and you can showcase multiple angles of a landmark- which can also aid in visualizing size. For example, when filming from the ground up- it can allow a better height perspective of a landmark in a park.

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Excellent topic and detailed insights @AZ_2021

I love all the points and noted them too :+1:

At a nature park in India, the ticket counter was a bit far off from the trail start point.

I included photos and video for this section as well.

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Great advice, I love nature walks and I am definitely trying to capture videos of it all.

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Thank you my friend @TusharSuradkar . You always stand out as one of the most supportive moderators on the forum. I see you cheering Guides on as we write and your encouragement and positivity gives us that momentum to continue sharing to the community. :sparkling_heart:

I appreciate you taking time to read and for your kind words.

Love to see how you were able to take photos and videos of that nature park in India. :clap:

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Awesome @richardoldroyd74 ! We are twinning on enjoying the nature walks. Once I reluctantly get off the couch on the weekends and make it outside, I always feel better in nature- even just a short stroll is a mood booster. :sparkling_heart:

Thank you for your kind comment, and I love to hear you are taking videos during your nature walks. :couple_with_heart_woman_man:

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Another masterful informative video @AZ_2021 thank you so much, You know I have gotten excited about videos and now I can’t wait to hit some trails in the spring time, Unfortunately The harsh Canadian winter weather has put a hold on this. Great video Ash,

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Aw thank you so much @TerryPG for your kind words. So happy to hear are looking forward to making videos and will be exploring some trails in spring. Hopefully the snow goes away soon and you get some better weather my friend. :sparkling_heart:

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@AZ_2021 ,

As always a thoughtful and well organized presentation. I read the post and it nicely summarizes the video. It is so helpful that you included clips as examples.

Thanks for taking the time to create this.

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So much useful information @AZ_2021 !

Thank you for the wonderful and insightful tutorial. Looking forward to your next post already!

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Thank you so much my friend @Rednewt74 .

Your kind words mean a lot, and thank you for taking the time to read the post and watch the video. Happy you found the example clips helpful too! :sparkling_heart:

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Thank you so much my friend @Lukas_1 for your kind words.So happy to hear you found the tutorial insightful. Your encouragement means a lot. :sparkling_heart: :couple_with_heart_woman_man:

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Excellent post with great tips :ok_hand: @AZ_2021

I like all the details you have shared here, I will try to implement it.

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Sadly I am very time poor these days and just don’t have enough time to read and comment on the many great posts contributed on Connect. However, your flashing light bulb caught my attention. Another great post @AZ_2021 , full of well written useful tips. As some will know I have trekked many a trail over the years and can clearly see how your tips would apply. Thank you Ashley.

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Thank you my friend @NareshDarji for your kind words. :heart: It is very motivational to me to hear you found the details helpful. :couple_with_heart_woman_man:

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I love how we twinned @AdamGT . :couple_with_heart_woman_man: I always wish there were 48 hours in a day instead to get more done. It means a lot you took time to stop by and read, and your kind words are motivational to me. :sparkling_heart:

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Excellent presentation @AZ_2021

Thanks for the slideshow of example videos giving us new ideas to pursue.

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Thank you my friend @tony_b for your kind words. :sparkling_heart:

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