Shooting Video in the Field: Top GoPro Video Tips
- How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro
- The DSLR Filmmaker's Handbook: Real-World Production Techniques
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Your new GoPro HERO 8 is an extremely versatile action camera for still imaging and video. Shooting video is a new practice for many new action cam users, here are some tips for shooting video with GoPro cameras.
Some of the GoPro video tips cover the different camera modes, other tips for shooting video will list some helpful GoPro HERO 8 accessories and a few methods and techniques that I have found useful for anyone shooting video for the first time.
GoPro Video Modes
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A lot of vital extra instruction and GoPro video tips can be found on the GoPro community pages. This is a fantastic resource for beginners and experienced users alike, I wish more camera manufacturers had something like this.
A few of the video modes of the GoPro HERO 8 are Quick Capture, Timelapse, and Video Presets.
Quick Capture is the simplest mode there is. One press of the shutter button will power up the camera and start recording with whatever settings you last used. No lost footage of swiftly appearing video subjects, just pick up the camera and shoot.
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Timelapse is a whole lot of fun for me. This allows you to capture a short video of things that may take a while to unfold. Some beautiful videos I’ve seen from others are of nature trails, sunrises and sunsets, and ocean views.
The 4 preset video modes for the GoPro are Standard, which records 1080p at 60 fps with the lens in Wide. Activity, 2.7K at 60 fps with SuperView lens, an ultra wide view. Cinematic, the highest quality mode with 4K at 30 fps and the Linear lens. Finally Slo-Mo, 1080p at 240 fps which captures motion 8 times slower.
Even though there is mode labeled Standard, I find myself using Activity and Cinematic most often. Activity because it gives the GoPro look and ultra wide SuperView lens. Cinematic because it provides the absolute best quality video available.
Recommended Videography Reading:
Keep It Steady
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Let me be perfectly honest here. Even though the GoPro HERO 8 is an action cam, and is designed to be used in motion, shaky camera footage will take me right out of viewing a video, even my own videos.
You can capture motion smoothly, without that shakiness in so many videos. Camera mounts are the key. Here are two I found useful.
OctoPad Camera and Accessory Mount
One of the most useful and inexpensive camera accessories for shooting video with GoPro I have is the OctoPad Camera and Accessory Mount. It is a weighted semi rigid pad with a non-slip bottom and an accessory mount on top. I usually use mine with a small ball and socket head, an articulated arm is another idea.
The mount simply sits where you place it. No suction cups, no clamps, no extending legs. It stays put on surfaces of many types and at angles of up to 45 degrees. You can use it to hold the camera, a microphone, or video lighting.
Learn More:
HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount
Sometimes shooting video, you just have to hold the camera in your hands. The HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount can be used in a variety of ways but I like it as a hand grip.
The GoPro cameras and other action cams are small and kind of oddly shaped compared to our regular cameras such as a DSLR or mirrorless camera. This makes them a little difficult to hold in our hands.
One of the configurations for the HandlePod is similar to a pistol grip, so this puts the camera and us in a very comfortable position to hand hold.
Light It Up
A primary consideration for any video production, regardless of camera, is exposure and lighting. For a good looking GoPro video, you will do the same as you would for another video you shoot. Sometimes that will mean adding a video light.
Since the GoPro is portable and versatile, you want a lamp with similar characteristics. Litra makes a portable, battery powered, rugged LED video light that fits those requirements. The Litra Torch 2.0 is also very small and lightweight, another plus for pairing with your GoPro HERO 8 accessories.
Other GoPro Video Tips
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Shooting video with a GoPro action cam will open up your creative thoughts. That will result in videos that viewers will enjoy. They will want to see more from you, so you might want to think about creating your own YouTube channel.
Basic video production methods and ideas will work with your GoPro camera. You will want to compose your videos in a way that is viewable. Since shooting video with GoPro cameras already gives you awesome features such as SuperView, use that to your advantage.
The Cinematic mode is super high quality. Use it as your prime footage or add it to your video from other cameras as B-Roll footage. You can even shoot your B-Roll at the same time you're filming A-Roll.
A tried and true method that really makes for good videos whether or not you’re adding in B-Roll is storyboarding. A storyboard is an outline, more or less, of what you’re going to shoot and in what order you will be shooting video.
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In your storyboard, plan out all your shots, close ups, establishing shots, A-Roll and B-Roll, so that when it’s time to start actually shooting video, you can do so efficiently. This will also save you time when it’s time for editing.
Keep Your GoPro Ready All The Time
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A great feature of the GoPro cameras and the GoPro HERO 8 accessories is that they are small and simple. They can be ready to shoot in a moment, and that video is very high quality.
Keep your GoPro and the accessories charged up, with media ready to record, and you will be shooting video that others will want to see again and again.
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