tips & tricks – gopro and action cams - video & filmmaker magazinevideo & filmmaker magazine

6/2/2015 Tips&TricksGoProandActionCamsVideo&FilmmakermagazineVideo&Filmmakermagazine

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A ction cams have become one of the staples of modern videography and it has to be said that the most popular of all theaction cams isthe GoPro.So versatile is this handy little camera that itsbeen used in everything from an eagle inflight(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWEdqXoiJeo)to Jerry Seinfelds Comedians in Cars GettingCoffee(http://comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com/). As good as action cams are these days they still require a little bit of savvy in orderto produce truly outstanding videos.

Anthony Gordon

Nothinbutshorts(http://www.nothinbutshorts.com.au/)Anthony Gordonhas always been our go-to man for action cinematography,hehas all the savvy and know-how to produce phenomenal videos AND hes willing to share his knowledgewith us (check outAnthonysearlierarticle forV&F on shooting live sports Lights, Action, Action(http://videoandfilmmaker.com/wp/index.php/features/lights-action-action-shooting-live-sports/)). Here are Anthonys tips & tricks so you can get the bestout ofyour action camera.

T U T O R I A L S ( H T T P : / / V I D E O A N D F I L M M A K E R . C O M / W P / I N D E X . P H P / C A T E G O R Y / T U T O R I A L S / ) /J U N E 1 5 , 2 0 1 4

TIPS & TRICKS GOPRO AND ACTION

CAMS



Steve McQueen with a full camera taped to his head during the shooting of the 1971 film Le Mans.

Tape and tie itThe fancy (and expensive) mounts are great, but simple old cloth tape and cable ties do the trick, and in many instances allow for farmore mounting options. They also offer great vibration dampening if built around a mould of tape.

3 is the magic numberGet the GoPro 3 rather than the 3+. The 3 is nearly identical to 3+ in functionality save your money and put it towards accessoriesthat will make a difference.

Anthony Gordon & crew out for a day of shooting for Wild Racers (pic by Andreas Strand).

Take chargeIf youre planning to go somewhere for multiple days, get a car charger and multiple batteries so you dont run out of power.

Set up rightFor the GoPro Hero 3, stick with 1,080px (HD) and either 25fps, or 50fps for slow motion but bear in mind the 50fps needs to beconverted in order to view as slow motion. GoPro claims its cameras have 4k capability but it is only 15fps and not very usable. Whenmounting the camera on a bike, use the wide setting, or the super wide setting if you have a 3+, although note that there is qualityloss with the super wide setting.

Stick itGet spare sticky mounts because once they are stuck down they are there forever. Also keep that in mind if youre mounting on a nicenew bike or helmet.



Show your cardsThe GoPro uses a Micro SD card its best to stick with a max of 32gb as the larger ones can cause reliability issues after long periodsof time. Get multiple 32gb cards (or smaller) instead and keep your data safe.

GoPro ND Filter kit from ProPhotoUAV

Light to brightA cheap ND (Neutral Density) filter for the front lens is a great addition. In extremely bright conditions, an ND filter will help slowdown the camera shutter speed for smoother footage, and will help reduce banding on the footage. The better ones fit over theoutside of the camera lens.



DIY Cablecam for GoPro (diygopro/youtube)

Get creativeUse simple tools to get better angles as opposed to the expensive accessories. For example, tape the camera onto the end of a broomor long PVC pipe, or cable tie it onto a glove. When mounting onto a bike, use areas with least vibration such as the seat post or underthe handlebars.

What to avoidThe add-on LCD back screens are a quick drain to the battery. With the field of view so big anyway, the lens will capture nearlyeverything in front of it.

GoPro sporting the Polar Pro mic (pic from reddit user hankuti)

Sound adviceWhile GoPro audio isnt an option when in its waterproof housing, the out of housing sound quality leaves plenty to be desired. Ifyoure chasing some sound, angle the camera with the wind, as otherwise that wind noise will just sound like static. Taping externalmics to the unit is an option, but far from ideal. Another option is Senas Bluetooth Audio

M O R E S T O R I E S(#)

(http://videoandfilmmaker.com/wp/index.php/news/movidiam-



pack(http://www.sena.com/product/cameras/bluetoothaudiopackforgopro/) either way, good sound comes at a price. [PolarPro(https://www.polarprofilters.com/shop/gopro-microphone-professional/) mic pictured above]

Edit for creditMake sure you have enough hard drive space, HD footage mounts up very quickly. There is no need for a separate card reader, justconnect the camera with the supplied cable. Depending on your edit software you may need to conform the footage to go with otherfootage a great piece of software for this is MPEG Streamclip(http://www.squared5.com/).

Want More? Check out Douglas Spotted Eagles Ultimate Action CamShootout(http://videoandfilmmaker.com/wp/index.php/reviews/cameras/ultimate-action-cam-shootout/) and Anthony Gordons Action(http://videoandfilmmaker.com/wp/index.php/features/lights-action-action-shooting-live-sports/) articles.

(http://videoandfilmmaker.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/whale.jpg)

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A new online platform for filmmakers is set tolaunch in the UK later this year Movidiam,

which aims to bring together a

(http://videoandfilmmaker.com/wp/index.php/news/movidiam-

connects-filmmakers-collaboritive-works/)



S H A R E O N : F A C E B O O K ( H T T P : / / W W W . F A C E B O O K . C O M / S H A R E R . P H P ?U = H T T P : / / V I D E O A N D F I L M M A K E R . C O M / W P / I N D E X . P H P / T U T O R I A L S / T I P S -

T R I C K S - G O P R O -

A C T I O N -

C A M S / & T = T I P S &

T R I C K S G O P R O

A N D A C T I O N C A M S )

T W I T T E R ( H T T P S : / / T W I T T E R . C O M / I N T E N T / T W E E T ?O R I G I N A L _ R E F E R E R = H T T P : / / V I D E O A N D F I L M M A K E R . C O M / W P / I N D E X . P H P / T U T O R I A L S / T I P S -


A C T I O N -

C A M S / & T E X T = T I P S

& T R I C K S G O P R O

A N D A C T I O N

C A M S & T W _ P = T W E E T B U T T O N & U R L = H T T P : / / V I D E O A N D F I L M M A K E R . C O M / W P / I N D E X . P H P / T U T O R I A L S / T I P S -


A C T I O N -

C A M S / & V I A = V I D E O

& F I L M M A K E R

M A G A Z I N E )

P I N T E R E S T ( H T T P : / / Y O U R U R L H E R E . C O M / / P I N T E R E S T . C O M / P I N / C R E A T E / B U T T O N / ?U R L = H T T P : / / V I D E O A N D F I L M M A K E R . C O M / W P / I N D E X . P H P / T U T O R I A L S / T I P S -


A C T I O N -

C A M S / & M E D I A = H T T P : / / V I D E O A N D F I L M M A K E R . C O M / W P / W P -

C O N T E N T / U P L O A D S / 2 0 1 4 / 0 6 / S H O O T -

E M - U P - H D - A C T I O N -

C A M E R A S -

G E A R B O X - T O P -

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4 3 5 1 7 7 - S -

O R I G I N A L . J P G & D E S C R I P T I O N = T I P S

& T R I C K S G O P R O

A N D A C T I O N C A M S )

G O O G L E +( H T T P S : / / P L U S O N E . G O O G L E . C O M / _ / + 1 / C O N F I R M ?

H L = E N -

U S & U R L = H T T P : / / V I D E O A N D F I L M M A K E R . C O M / W P / I N D E X . P H P / T U T O R I A L S / T I P S -


A C T I O N - C A M S / )

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content/uploads/2014/06/GoPro-1.jpeg)


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(pc from NY Times)

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L A T E S T P O S T S

( H T T P : / / V I D E O A N D F I L M M A K E R . C O M / W P / I N D E X . P H P / N E W -

(http://videoandfilmmaker.com/wp/index.php/news/bts-

( H T T P : / / V I D E O A N D F I L M M A K E R . C O M / W P / I N D E X . P H P / N E W S / B T S -

(http://videoandfilmmaker.com/wp/index.php/features/interview-tomorrowland-cinematographer-claudio-miranda-asc/)

T O M O R R O W L A N D I N T E R V I E W W I T H

C I N E M A T O G R A P H E RC L A U D I O M I R A N D A ,

A S C ( H T T P : / / V I D E O A N D F I L M M A K E R . C O M / W P / I N D E X . P H P / F E A T U R E S / I N T E R V I E W -

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F U R Y



T O M O R R O W L A N D -C I N E M A T O G R A P H E R - C L A U D I O -

M I R A N D A - A S C / )

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