Exploring Pietarsaari through Virtual Streetwalks

Today I’m diving into a fun little project I kicked off back in 2021, inspired by one of my favorite YouTube channels, @Rambalac. If you haven’t checked it out, Rambalac creates these incredibly calming virtual streetwalks around Japan—especially Tokyo—that are so immersive you almost feel like you’re actually strolling through Shibuya yourself. Seriously, his videos were a huge influence on me.

So, I thought, why not give this concept a go in my hometown of Pietarsaari? I mean, it’s no Tokyo, but it definitely has its own charm. Walking around lets you notice quirky little details you’d never spot from a car. Like that hidden café tucked between buildings, funky street art popping up around town, or the quirky architecture that surprises you around each corner. Plus, let’s face it—walking lets you access some cool spots cars just can’t reach, even if Google Maps insists otherwise!

Starting out, I went all-in on budget gear hunting—because, let’s be real, who wants to blow a fortune on their first try? Initially, I grabbed an Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark 2, thinking I was all set. Turns out, my heart soon got stolen by the Panasonic Lumix G9, which offers some wicked video capabilities. Paired it up with a fully manual Laowa 7.5mm f2.0 lens and slapped on a Marumi DHG ND64 filter, perfect for those bright sunny days that mess up your exposure faster than Finnish weather changes its mood.

Of course, shaky footage can ruin even the best views, so investing in a DJI Ronin RSC 2 gimbal was a game-changer. Let me tell you—carrying that gimbal around was basically my daily workout. And don’t even get me started on audio! Good audio makes videos feel alive, so I grabbed a Zoom H1n recorder, strapped it onto the camera’s hot shoe, and crossed my fingers. Audio and video recorded separately, then merged them later in DaVinci Resolve. Easy enough, right? Wrong. My old computer had an absolute meltdown every time I tried editing 4K footage. Let’s just say patience became my middle name.

Honestly, though, the whole thing was a blast. Not only did I get to showcase Pietarsaari’s hidden gems, but I also inadvertently signed up for a fitness regime I didn’t know I needed. But let’s face it—Pietarsaari isn’t exactly sprawling. After a while, I’d covered most of the interesting spots, leaving me wondering what’s next. Maybe branching out to nearby cities or revisiting favorite routes across different seasons. Imagine Pietarsaari under fresh snowfall or vibrant autumn leaves—sounds tempting, doesn’t it?

Who knows where this path will lead (literally)? In the meantime, swing by my project’s YouTube page and experience Pietarsaari for yourself. Bring comfy shoes—virtual blisters not included!