GoPro is a camera company founded in 2002 and I’ve had the pleasure of using these cameras for over ten years now. The company manufactures tiny action cameras that are often used by athletes and action videographers to create exciting, adrenaline pumping videos. Since their creation, these cameras are now more widely used by all sorts of videographers. While they may be small, these cameras manage to pack in a ton of functionality. Especially when combined with the right accessories, they can be used to capture a wide variety of shots and modes, ranging from slow motion, to time lapse, to hyperlapse, and even 360 degree video. The diverse functionality of these cameras has allowed many people, from videographers to agricultural surveyors to general contractors, to use them in their work. Read on for a summary of each of the four video shots you can get using a GoPro!
Slow Motion
Using slow motion is a great way to create suspense. If you’re trying to build up the tension in a particular scene, using slow motion can be a great tool. For example, if you are unveiling an object like a car or revealing a fantastic view, using slow motion to gradually bring the object or view into frame will create a feeling of suspense for your audience, making the ultimate reveal a much more exciting and exhilarating experience. Slow motion is also a great way to add drama and emotion to the video. It’s a great way to appreciate the weight of a particular moment. Showing a bride walking down the aisle or the demolition of an old building in slow motion can communicate to the audience the importance of the activity being videoed.
Time Lapse
A time lapse video is a great way to show the progression and growth of an object. For example, if you are shooting a video for a farmer, you could do a timelapse of a plant or even a whole field of crops growing over the course of several months. Or if you are doing a shoot for a construction company, you could create a time lapse video of the construction of a building. Time lapse videos are a great way to provide perspective to other shots in the video. You can use a time lapse to explain how the shorter, more detailed shots fit into the bigger picture. For example, you can have a series of close up shots of a construction cutting wood, hammering nails, and assembling drywall. You could then use a time lapse to show how the wood and drywall were used to construct the building.
Hyperlapse
Hyperlapse video is similar to time lapse, except it involves moving the camera. Hyperlapse is best used for videos that involve lots of movement and traveling, like road trips and walks. Hyperlapse shots are a great way to show transition between different scenes in your video. For example, if you are creating a video about a road trip, you can use a hyperlapse video to show you driving from one city to the next. Or you could also mount your GoPro on a drone and get a beautiful hyperlapse of the surrounding geography. It’s a great way to help your viewers understand that the next scene takes place in a different location and, depending on where you are shooting, can also provide some nice shots of the surrounding geography.
360 Degree Video
Another great use of the GoPro is the 360 degree video. While it’s not always the most aesthetic video shot, it is still a cool function of the camera and can be used in some interesting ways in your videos. A 360 degree video is what it sounds like: you can see a 360 degree panorama all around the camera. This can be a great option for livestreams. For example, if you are filming a livestream of something like a construction site or an animal exhibit, viewers can see everything that’s going on at the video location. 360 degree video shots are also always a great addition to action and sports videos.
Helpful Resources
As you can see, there are many different kinds of shots you can get using your GoPro. The massive capabilities of these amazing cameras can be a bit overwhelming at first for beginners. Just remember that it takes time to get the hang of these cameras. Make sure that you dedicate an hour or two every day to using the camera and learning how it works. Also, don’t hesitate to make use of the many resources the interest has to offer. There are countless YouTube videos and blog articles (like this one) that are full of great information on how to use your GoPro. As long as you make use of these resources and consistently invest your time in learning about your camera, you’re sure to be a pro in no time.
Conclusion
In this article, we had a brief discussion of four of the coolest shots you can get using your GoPro. These shots are (1) slow motion video, (2) time lapse video, (3) hyperlapse video, and (4) 360 degree video. All four of these shots can be captured using only one GoPro video camera. It’s important to remember that it takes time to learn how to use these cameras. While it can be a time-consuming and frustrating process, it’s important to stick with it. Set aside at least one to two hours every day to practice using your GoPro. Also, make use of the vast resources the internet provides. Watch videos, read articles, and ask questions. Before you know it, you’ll be making your own amazing videos!