If you've ever used a GoPro, you understand just how versatile and easy they are to use.
Think about it - a tiny box that can help you take videos of your biggest adventures and do so from any manner of perspectives, from on top of your head to attached to your bicycle and various points in between.
Of course just having a GoPro doesn't make you an expert videographer.
But with the GoPro tips and tricks I outline below, you'll have a much better chance of getting the high-quality video you're after!
Editor's Tip: Get the most out of your GoPro with a killer mount that gives you tons of flexibility and ease of use. I use the OctoPad, a weighted, non-slip mount that keeps my GoPro steady and stable, even on the dashboard of my car! You can use it to support lights, your phone, and even a small camera. It's a go-anywhere alternative to mini tripods that you can use to get better shots. Check it out and see for yourself!
Adjust the Field of View
The default field of view for video on a GoPro is the standard wide fisheye view that we've all come to associate with GoPro cameras.
And while that fisheye view allows you to cram as much of your surroundings into the frame as possible, it might not be the most ideal setting for every video you take.
New on the GoPro Hero6 Black, for example, is the option to use SuperView, which offers an even wider and more fisheye-looking perspective.
SuperView isn't available in all shooting modes, but if you find yourself in a situation in which the scene you want to film is ultra wide, SuperView is the way to go.
The GoPro Hero6 Black also has Linear View, which was introduced on the Hero5.
Linear View utilizes an algorithm to correct the distortion that's caused in Wide View and SuperView.
This is advantageous if you want a more natural-looking video sequence in which lines are actually straight.
So, if you want to step up your GoPro video game, be sure to experiment with these different video shooting modes, that way you have the best field of view for the footage you're shooting.
Bonus Tip: Create better GoPro videos by using filters for your GoPro camera, like neutral density filters, which allow you to slow down the shutter speed to create beautifully smooth cinematic-looking videos.
Learn More:
Manually Adjust the Camera Settings
Just like when you shoot photos with your DSLR or mirrorless cameras, when you shoot videos with your GoPro, it's important not to always rely on the full auto camera settings. That's why you should manually adjust the settings, as described in the video above by Alex Robinett.
Will the default settings get you great results sometimes? Sure! But not all the time...
If you adjust things like white balance, for example, you can achieve better results because your eyes understand the quality and color of the light in the scene much better than your GoPro's camera sensor does.
The same goes for exposure settings - though your GoPro can make a really good guess about how light or dark the scene is, ultimately, there's a lot of factors that can cause it to overexpose or underexpose the videos you take.
Likewise, don't rely on your GoPro's default settings when it comes to the resolution of your videos.
Though 4K is the sexy format, it results in huge file sizes. On the other hand, WVGA format is way too low-quality. Sometimes, switching to 1080p might be preferable.
The point is that you can take a lot more control over your GoPro than you might think. Spend some time learning about all its controls so you can use them to your advantage when creating awesome videos.
Editor's Tip: Ready to take your GoPro into the great blue beyond? Don't try creating videos in the ocean without the GoPro Hero6 Black Surfer and Water Adventure Bundle.
Hone Your Editing Skills
Though that sick line you skied through the trees felt awesome at the time, you might find that the video of your adventure isn't quite as exciting as you thought.
That means that you need to develop your GoPro video editing skills, that way you don't bore your audience with dull footage of you doing mildly exciting things.
Where many people mount their GoPro and forget about it, to get the most exciting footage, vary the perspectives from which you shoot.
Take some footage from the GoPro mounted up high and then mount it down low for an alternative view.
Be sure to get close-ups, medium shots, and wide shots as well.
There are tons of editing programs you can use to put all this footage together, too.
If you have a Mac, iMovie does a fine job (and it's free). For something more robust, Premiere Pro is a favorite of many.
For more details about the best GoPro video editing suites, check out the video above by Kyle Martin Tech.
Bonus Tip: Utilize your GoPro's different video modes like time-lapse and video looping (both of which are features of the GoPro Hero6 Black) to create even more interesting footage that manipulates time.