In February, we spent three weeks exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Thailand. From stunning beaches and ancient temples to vibrant cityscapes and mouth-watering street food, we captured as much as possible to create lasting memories of this trip.
These days, we usually film our travel videos using a combination of our Sony mirrorless camera and smartphone. However, this time, we decided to create a travel video filmed entirely with the iPhone 13 Pro.
Not interested in the full story? Click here to watch the video directly.
Why We Didn’t Use Our Sony Camera for This Travel Video
Our Thailand trip was meant to be both a photography and videography journey, with a strong focus on photography. Since we started making more travel videos, we’ve done less creative photography, so I was eager to get back into long-exposure photography. My backpack was already quite full when I decided to bring my large tripod—something I hadn’t packed for years. I even swapped out some clothes to make room for it. Off we went, with my trusty ND 1000 filter for my Sony A7III.
On day three, we visited the stunning Erawan Waterfalls. Half asleep but determined to beat the crowds, I rushed up all seven tiers of the falls. At each level, I quickly captured long-exposure shots to create that silky water effect. I planned to get more creative on the way back, but for now, I was focused on taking photos before the area filled with people in bright orange life vests.
By the time we reached the top, we were exhausted—it was a tough climb in the heat! We relaxed in and around the waterfall, even crossing some rocky sections in the water. It was all going smoothly—until it wasn’t.
One of the last pictures I would take with my Sony system camera.
The Moment Everything Changed
Just as we were about to leave, two girls were sitting on the rocks in the water, blocking my usual path. I had to manoeuvre around them, which wasn’t ideal but manageable. Despite wearing water shoes, I slipped, partially falling into the water. The worst part? My camera bag was submerged, and my beloved Sony was completely drenched.
I immediately opened everything up and placed the camera in rice, hoping for the best. But the next day, water spots were already visible in the viewfinder. Four weeks later, we got the final verdict: the camera was beyond repair. R.I.P.
Our photography and videography plans took a drastic turn. At that point, I had almost given up on capturing content—I decided to simply enjoy the trip with my own eyes. My dream of creating a photography-focused travel documentary had quite literally fallen into the water.
Filming with Only the iPhone 13 Pro
Of course, I still had my iPhone, so I kept filming. Luckily, we had brought the DJI Osmo Mobile 6, a smartphone stabiliser/gimbal that I had only briefly tested in Tenerife.
Initially, I found it tricky to set up quickly, so I often skipped using it. But towards the end of the trip, I became more comfortable with it, and by then, it only took me a few seconds to stabilise my phone. The shots taken with the DJI OM6 turned out beautifully stable. This little gimbal allows for more creative movement, requiring some effort but delivering impressive results. For the rest of the trip, I simply filmed handheld.
Watch Our Thailand Travel Video
And here it is—the Thailand travel video, shot entirely with the iPhone 13 Pro. Filming with a phone feels much less serious than using a big camera, but I’m quite pleased with how the video turned out. Would I leave my main camera at home next time? I’m not so sure—but I’m definitely impressed by what a smartphone can do.
This video features footage from Kanchanaburi, Krabi (Ao Thalane & Railay), Khao Sok (Cheow Lan Lake), Koh Phangan, Ang Thong National Marine Park, and Bangkok.
Want the best viewing experience? Set the video to 4K and turn up the sound. Enjoy!
Want to See More of Thailand?
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We also collect all our Thailand travel tips on this website. Click here to read more about the amazing places we visited.
