My First Shot at a YouTube Video Adventure: From India Fumbles to Parisian Triumph

Blimey, where do I even start? Picture this: me, a wide-eyed dreamer, stepping off a plane in India, all set to make a splash with my shiny new YouTube channel. The plan? To capture the vibrant chaos of the country and launch my vlogging career with a bang. But life had other plans, and let’s just say my first encounter in India left me feeling less like Casey Neistat and more like a deer in headlights. Filming got put on the back burner, and I scarpered back home with barely a frame of footage to show for it.

But every cloud has a silver lining, innit? A couple of weeks later, I was back home, mindlessly scrolling through Sky Scanner like it’s my second job, when I stumbled across an absolute bargain: round-trip tickets to Paris for a measly £34. That’s cheaper than a decent night out in London! I thought to myself, Oi, the universe is giving you a do-over here—don’t muck it up this time!

The Perfect Plan: Paris with a Spooky Twist

Halloween was right around the corner, so naturally, I thought I’d give my Paris trip a bit of a spooky edge. The Catacombs? Perfect. Nothing says Halloween quite like wandering through tunnels lined with centuries-old bones, right? Along with that, I decided to tick off the big hitters: the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, and Notre Dame—or at least as much of it as you can see these days without all the scaffolding.

Friends kept chirping in my ear, “Oi, where’s the India footage? We wanna see the adventures!” So I figured a Paris vlog could be my redemption arc, and I set my sights on uploading a belter of a video before October’s end.

This time, I wasn’t going to leave anything to chance. I drafted a shot list, scribbled out a mini-script, and made a proper plan. No faffing about.

Getting Stuck In: The First Day of Filming

At first, I was bricking it. There’s something dead awkward about pointing a camera at your own mush in public. But once I got past the initial cringe, I found myself having a proper laugh. I strapped my GoPro Hero 8 to my bag and started filming as I mooched about the Parisian streets. My mate even chipped in to get some shots that weren’t all shaky point-of-view stuff—teamwork makes the dream work, eh?

I chatted away to the camera, interviewed a few random strangers, and generally tried to channel the vibes of those mega-popular travel YouTubers. You know, the ones who always seem effortlessly cool while I’m over here sweating like I’m in a Greggs queue during a lunchtime rush.

By the end of the day, I was buzzing. It felt like I’d finally cracked it.

The GoPro Mishap: Time-Lapse Trouble

Then came the dreaded editing stage. I got home, organised all my clips like a proper pro, and sat down, cuppa in hand, ready to piece together my masterpiece. And that’s when disaster struck. Turns out, I’d been holding down the GoPro’s power button a bit too long at times, which switched it into time-lapse mode. Nearly all my footage was sped up like some dodgy 90s sitcom montage. My carefully planned vlog now looked like it was filmed by the Road Runner.

Talk about gutting. Hours of walking, filming, and trying to look like I knew what I was doing—all gone faster than you can say “sacre bleu!”

Lessons Learned: It’s About the Journey

I’d had the GoPro knocking about for ages, always intending to start vlogging but putting it off because, let’s face it, the thought of saying, “Hey guys, welcome to my channel!” when no one’s really watching feels a bit naff. But you know what? That’s not the point.

Recently, I read a cracking book called Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. One line hit me right in the feels: “You are allowed to create things and not have them be perfect.” That’s it, isn’t it? It’s not about smashing it out of the park on your first go; it’s about having a laugh, learning as you go, and enjoying the process.

So yeah, my first real attempt at a YouTube vlog ended up looking like it was edited by someone after one too many pints. But I had an absolute blast, and that’s what counts.

Why You Should Give Vlogging a Go

If you’re thinking about starting a YouTube channel but you’re feeling a bit iffy about putting yourself out there, let me give you a nudge: just crack on with it. You’ll probably mess it up the first time (I certainly did), but that’s half the fun. Plus, you’ll come away with some hilarious stories to tell.

Here are a few quick tips for any budding vloggers:

• Plan ahead: A shot list or script can be a lifesaver when you’re nervous.

• Test your gear: Learn from my mistake—make sure you know how to use your camera properly before heading out.

• Don’t stress about perfection: Your first video doesn’t have to be award-winning. Just enjoy the ride.

• Get a mate involved: It’s always more fun with someone else along for the journey.

If you’re in the market for gear, I’d recommend starting with something simple like the GoPro Hero 8 (despite my time-lapse blunder, it’s a cracking little camera). And if you’re feeling fancy, grab a handheld gimbal or tripod to steady those shots.

Looking Ahead: Morocco Awaits

The good news? My Paris “practice run” has given me the confidence to go all out on my next adventure. In December, I’m heading to Morocco, and this time, I’m determined to nail it. The markets, the desert, the vibrant colours—I can’t wait to capture it all.

Maybe I’ll even splash out on a bit of new gear before I go. I’ve got my eye on a DJI Osmo Action or maybe a lightweight drone to add some fancy aerial shots to the mix. If you’re thinking about getting into travel vlogging, now’s a great time to snag deals on cameras and accessories—Black Friday’s just around the corner! (Keep an eye on Amazon for some bargains.)

Final Thoughts

So there you have it: my first attempt at a YouTube video adventure. It was messy, chaotic, and didn’t quite go to plan, but I wouldn’t change a thing. If you’ve been toying with the idea of starting your own channel, I say go for it. You’ll make mistakes, sure, but you’ll also have a laugh and learn loads along the way.

And hey, who knows? Maybe your next trip will land you a viral video and a million subscribers. Or, at the very least, a cracking story to share down the pub. Cheers to that!