Action cameras have become the faithful companions of many adventurous, traveling and restless photographer souls. If you are one of them, or are thinking of joining, you will surely like this very complete guide on GoPros, which we have prepared for you. Today what I bring you are specific tips to improve your photos with GoPro.
1. KEEP THE LENS CLEAN
It is advice as simple as it is essential. A dirty lens from carrying it in your pocket, taking it out, messing with it, etc., is as normal as it is disastrous. And it's as easy to fix as wiping it with a cloth before photographing, if it's a soft chamois, like those for cleaning glasses, or a cotton T-shirt, the better.
With this small gesture you have already gained a plus in sharpness ? . Let's keep going.
2. READ THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Ok, it may seem just as obvious to you as the previous advice, but… if I asked those who have done it to raise their hands, I am afraid that I would see very few raised.
Reading the instruction manual, whether you have a GoPro Hero 9 or a normal action camera, is what will make it easier for you to know what you can do with your camera, what functions it has and how far you can go with it.
So grab your camera and manual and start knowing your camera like the back of your hand.
3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT CONFIGURATION
Reading the manual also allows you to know the different configuration possibilities and there is no magic configuration for all cameras and all photos. Each camera offers some options and each moment requires some adjustments.
It is important that at all times you establish the most appropriate configuration. For example, if you want to edit your photo, as I'll tell you later, it would be better if you do it in RAW, however, this is not possible if you take the frame of a video or shoot with certain functions.
For example, some models like the GoPro Hero9 allow you to choose (digitally) the lens. That is, you can select from a super wide angle so that most of the scene is seen (with line distortions included) or zoom in and capture less of the scene. You have several options depending on the type of photo you want to take.
Knowing your camera will give you greater possibilities.
In the following video Willy Foxx tells you how to set up the GoPro Hero 9 Black for photography:
4. TIME-LAPSE SELF-PORTRAITS
The next thing I want to tell you about is a trick to take selfies with the GoPro , since you won't always have someone to record your jumps with the skate, the pirouettes with your bike or your ability to break dance , to name a few examples.
It's as simple as using the Time-Lapse function. You place the camera somewhere that captures the full scene of what you're doing, turn on Time-Lapse mode and forget about the camera (or try to ? ) to focus on your activity. The camera will photograph you in the time interval that you set.
5. SEEK THE LIGHT
One of the main weaknesses of action cameras or GoPros is the small sensor they have. This makes them capable of capturing less light, which means that in low light conditions, they can falter a lot. Solution, it squeezes its full potential when there is more light, such as in the central hours of the day or a long time before the sun goes down or after it rises.
If you are indoors, try to get closer to a window or any other source of light. If you are in a shaded area, try to get as close to the sunny area. Although at first glance it seems that there is the same light, it is not.
If you want to take photos at night, I'll tell you a little below.
6. LIGHT AS A CREATIVE ELEMENT
Not only the amount of light is important to achieve good photos, but the quality. That is, depending on what you want to convey with your message, a hard light or a diffused light will be better. In this complete guide that we have prepared for you, you will find tips and tricks on lighting in photography . Here I tell you the main thing you should know:
- Hard light: creates more contrasting shadows and transmits strength and energy.
- Diffused light: it is more homogeneous, works better in automatic and causes fewer shadows. It is more suitable for transmitting calm, tranquility, rest, etc.
The color of the light is also important, the warm light at sunset does not transmit the same as a bluish light from certain types of artificial lights or at dusk. Depending on the emotions you want to arouse, you will use one or the other.
We also talked about all this in the guide that I told you about lighting before, if I were you I would take a good look at it to put your photos at the top, top level.
7. TAKE CARE OF THE COMPOSITION
A good composition, along with lighting, is the foundation for a good photograph. It doesn't matter that you're performing an impressive spin if there are so many distractions that you don't appreciate it, whether it's taken from an angle where it looks like you're at ground level, or it slips through the arm of your clapping colleague. Nor does it matter that you have a landscape of heart attack in front of you if you do not pay a minimum of attention when capturing it.
Thinking about your photography is adding points. Think about what you want to show, what you want to tell and how. From there, choose the right place, the ideal angle and the perfect framing. For example, if you want more dynamism or photograph vertical elements, frame vertically; if you want to transmit calm and stability, horizontal framing is more appropriate.
Use lines to guide the gaze and convey sensations, play with the rules of composition, look for natural frames, include elements on different planes to emphasize depth, experiment with perspectives and be very careful with distracting elements, it is very easy for them to slip through in a wide angle. Keep them at bay.
All our tricks and advice on composition are compiled in this very complete guide .
8. CHOOSE A GOOD BACKGROUND
Speaking of composition, the lenses of GoPro cameras and action cameras in general are angular, which means that they generate a lot of depth of field, that is, all planes are in focus. The background too.
With other cameras, a bad background can be disguised with blur, with these not. So it is super important that you take good care of it. Make sure that the background:
- Don't distract.
- Do not fade with elements that contribute nothing to the scene.
- Follow the story. That is, tell something about the place, what is happening, etc.
Now, I know, it is not always possible to modify the background or move it, what you can do in these cases is to vary the shooting angle to change it.
9. BE CREATIVE
Action cameras offer many possibilities, make the most of their versatility by giving free rein to your imagination, impossible angles, striking perspectives, surprising point of view. Do not cut yourself!
The following is an example of what you can do underwater. Playing with the reflections, with the interior and the exterior, with the flares, the beams of light, etc., are just a few ideas.
10. WALK AWAY
The GoPro camera lens is very wide, something that causes the well-known barrel distortion, the closer you get to the camera, the more distorted your face will look. The best way to take selfies is by placing the camera on a mini tripod (like these) or using the selfie stick .
11. USE THE BURST WITH THE ACTION
When you photograph an action, use burst mode, this way you make sure you can choose the best of the whole sequence.
12. USE THE ACCESSORIES
Action cameras have an infinite number of accessories at their disposal. They are not essential but they are very practical. From different types of support to stabilize or place in the most unexpected places, to filters, through remote release, anti-fog sheets or LED lights. Using them will expand your creative possibilities.
13. USE MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Action camera screens are usually so small that it is difficult to see what is going to be captured and sometimes difficult to get a good result.
The good news is that you have the application to connect your GoPro to your mobile and control it remotely ( GoPro Quick ( Android/ iOS). There are also apps for other non-GoPro action cameras .
14. VIDEO OR PHOTO? LEAVE DOUBTS
If you doubt between recording video or taking photos, opt for the former. There are programs, such as GoPro Quick that I just mentioned, that allow you to extract frames from the videos, so you can choose which image or images to keep from the entire video.
15. NIGHT PHOTOS WITH THE GOPRO
The GoPro is not a camera designed to photograph at night, even though it has a night mode, if you have another option, the better. If this is not the case, try to get closer to points of light, if you are in the middle of nature use a flashlight or any other light to illuminate yourself, if you are in the city, street lamps, shop windows, car lights, etc., can be of help. Also the continuous lights that you can attach to your camera or even a flash for GoPro, like this one.
The other option is to stabilize with a tripod and increase the shutter speed, as long as the main subjects remain stationary.
Be that as it may, keep in mind the white balance.
16. DIVE IN
Don't be afraid of water and take photos under it. The most important thing to keep in mind is light. If you need light out of the water, inside much more, especially if you want to photograph a subject that is not attached to the camera. The closer you are to the surface, the better. And if it is in the central hours of the day, even better. The sunrise and sunset can leave very cool photos, but rather out of the water, if you are going to dive with the GoPro, do it when the sun hits hard.
Keep in mind that the dirt in the water will also affect photography, choose days when the water is more crystal clear, rocky areas where the sand is not stirred or if you don't care about the background or the context, opt for water from a pool.
17. RAW PHOTOGRAPHY
If you do not plan to edit, use the JPG format better, but if what you want is to work on a photograph and achieve a spectacular image, photograph in RAW (provided that your action camera allows it) and finish the job with the edition. By photographing in RAW you will have much more information and you will be able to decide what the final result will be and not the camera. If you need it, here are some basic editing tips.
So far the tips to get better photos with your GoPro. Now what I hope is that you put them into practice, but if you have already found them useful, please do not forget to share this article on your favorite social network.
