How to Get the Most Out of Your GoPro
- GRANT HOWARD
- Jul 24, 2016
- 4 min read
GoPro offers amazing action cameras that have the ability to capture phenomenal still shots and videos. But as amazing as these shots can be, if you’re not maximizing the potential of your GoPro, you most likely aren’t getting those awesome shots you see the pros capturing. Follow these quick tips and soon enough you’ll be getting those beautiful shots you’ve always wanted!
Let’s start with the simplest way to step up your shots: your settings menu on your camera. The first thing you want to do is select the highest picture quality available for your camera (different GoPro models differ in options). While maximizing the resolution will take up more memory per shot, this is a simple and often overlooked way to maximize your GoPro’s potential. Next, you are going to want to select the width of the shot you want. The fish-eye lens on a GoPro allows you to take very wide shots that capture the peripherals of a moment. However, this option might not always be best for the shots you’re wanting, so be sure to select a setting that best fits the needs of each capture.
The next way to maximize your GoPro’s potential is accessories. Accessories are the key to a great shot. Here are a few great GoPro accessories to check out.
1. Tripod
A tripod is a great way to get a still photo or video and minimize blur and movement of the camera. Tripods are also amazing for capturing time-lapses of moving images such as sunsets!
2. Dome Port
If you’ve never heard of this, you should definitely check it out. This accessory is awesome; it gives you the ability to capture shots both above and below the water in the same image. If you’re looking to step up your GoPro game, the dome port is a unique and amazing way to do so.
3. Head and Chest Mounts
The head and chest mounts are great options due to their first-person POV capabilities. With these mounts you will have the ability to capture moments exactly how you viewed them!
4. Third Person POV Mount
This accessory attaches to your core and can be placed to face your front, back, or even sides. This mount gives your pictures and videos a view as if taken by someone following you perfectly with the camera. It is an awesome accessory for sports and outdoor activities!
5. Exoskeleton Case
This accessory is so common yet so often overlooked. Many struggle trying to film videos with their GoPro and realizing the sound quality is not what they expect. This is due to the waterproof case the GoPro is inside of. If you need better sound quality from your GoPro, and you aren’t filming in or near the water, definitely pick up this mount.
When using your GoPro outdoors, be sure to carry a clean and dry cloth with you. This is such a simple trick that will help tremendously with your shots. If you’re like me, you have taken so many shots that would’ve turned out amazing had it not been for a water drop or smudge on your lens. Nothing is more frustrating than a picture or video getting ruined by these factors. So if you’re really looking to get that awesome shot, be sure to clean your lens before every shot or series of shots.
Next, be sure to purchase a memory card with at least 32 GB of storage. In my experience, the more storage, the better shots I get. When you maximize your storage, you will take many more pictures and videos and you are a lot more likely to find a shot that you love. I recommend SanDisk for memory cards. Their products are great quality at great prices. Head over to Amazon for the best deals on their cards.
When shooting with high memory, you will also need an abundance of battery life. The GoPro battery isn’t my favorite. It tends to die quickly and not work to its fullest capabilities in certain conditions. While purchasing your memory card, check out the batteries offered by Wasabi. I love their batteries because they tend to last longer and work better overall. You can pick up a two-pack plus a charger for $19.95 on Amazon. This will drastically increase the power on your GoPro and will be sure to get you those awesome shots you want.
Battery and memory are extremely important and often overlooked. Personally, before I purchased my high storage memory card and extra batteries, I ran into countless locations, views, animals, and more that I was unable to capture because I was either out of memory or battery. This is beyond frustrating and is worth the money to avoid. If you really want to get the shots like the pros, you need to use the equipment they are using with their GoPros.
Follow these simple steps, spend very little money, and you will immediately be stepping up your photography game in the GoPro world. Taking shots like the pros just requires a little practice and the right equipment!
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