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GoPro The Complete Manual
The independent handbook for GoPro users
sixth edition
Digital Edition
100% UNOFFICIAL
For all models
Contents What you can find inside the bookazine Introducing GoPro
8 Introducing GoPro Why GoPro is better
14 Camera guides Find the best GoPro for you
Getting started 44 Capture great photos Use your GoPro to capture those random moments 46 Take burst-effect photos Get that ultimate shot with continuous snapping
24 G oPro mounts Shoot it your way 30 B atteries & chargers Keep your battery full 36 Setup your GoPro Take your GoPro out the box and get ready to shoot
32 L ens & filters Allow for wear and tear 33 C ables & Memory Store your media and get connnected
40 Use the Manual settings Get to grips with the manual settings
34 C ases & doors House your GoPro
42 Shoot epic GoPro videos Take amazing video footage with your GoPro 6
48 Get to know the menus Learn the ins and outs of the GoPro menus 50 Cleaning your GoPro Keep your camera in good running order 52 Stay safe using your GoPro Make sure you stay safe doing outrageous activities
For all GoPro cameras 54 Introducing the GoPro apps Capture and edit your footage remotely 58 Control your GoPro with Apple Watch Start your adventure with the tap of a wrist 60 Use your GoPro on the water Get wet when filming 66 Stay on piste Capture footage straight from the piste 72 Take it to the extreme Take amazing footage of adrenaline pumping sports 76 Take it up a gear Capture your bike-fuelled adventures on GoPro
© GoPro
Using your GoPro
Going further 98 GoPro Studio Learn how to use GoPro Studio 100 Import to GoPro Studio Get your footage onto your computer
114 Edit with Quik Edit and share your videos with the Quik mobile app
102 Edit in GoPro Studio Edit your video footage
116 Edit your photos Improve your photos with simple edits in Photoshop
104 Use GoPro’s templates Insert your footage 106 Correct colour casts Correct a video’s colour
80 Film on the run Get your running shoes on
108 Use advanced editing effects Take your editing further
84 Hit the road GoDrive with your GoPro
110 Create a time-lapse Make a time-lapse video
90 Film man’s best friend Find out what your pets do when you’re not looking 94 Strike a chord Film gigs from more interesting perspectives
112 Export your video Prepare to share your video by exporting
118 Retouch your images Use Photoshop to ensure your shots are perfect 120 Correct exposure Get the exposure right using Lightroom 122 Adjust in Photoshop Adjust and perfect your images in a flash
124 S haring GoPro footage Send your work into the world • Share on YouTube • Upload to GoPro • Use social media • Get video views 7
Introducing GoPro
© GoPro
GoPro mounts
GoPro mounts
Multipurpose GoPro has a variety of uses, making it the rugged camera of choice for sports professionals, enthusiasts and gadget-lovers alike © GoPro
Customise the way you wear your camera and keep shooting the moments that matter most
© GoPro
GoPro cameras, by nature, are rugged and versatile little things. Just because they’re compact in size, however, doesn’t mean they’re not for serious action shooting. The accessories that are available for the GoPro systems are just as versatile as the cameras themselves, and reflect the wide range of uses that they were designed to handle. Whatever your passion, there’s bound to be a GoPro mount that will help you achieve the desired shot and, more importantly, the best point of view. You could wear your camera on your head, mount it to your pooch, or attach it to your surfboard. Whatever your purpose, check out all the different mounting and holding options to make sure you capture all your adventures in the most immersive way.
Record everywhere What sets the GoPro apart from its rivals is the huge array of mounts that enable you to take it anywhere © GoPro 24
Introducing GoPro
GoPro mounts
© GoPro
Handheld Keep your camera to hand and increase stability and control with versatile handheld options The Handler
Far-reaching El Grande is perfect for extending your reach and capturing more interesting angles © GoPro
© GoPro
This floating handgrip is perfect for stabilising your footage when you’re in and out of the water, and it’s super buoyant, keeping your GoPro afloat so you can shoot worry-free. It comes with an adjustable wrist strap for greater camera security, and because it’s waterproof to 10m, it really is the perfect water sports accessory. It can provide some really interesting points of view – depending on where you choose to hold the mount.
© GoPro
3 Way
© GoPro
This ultra versatile mount is a little pricier than many of the others on offer, but because it can be used in three main ways: as a tripod, extension arm or simple grip. Given all this functionality, the 3 Way mount really is a worthy investment. For those who love a selfie, the folding arm makes it easy to capture one without the mount appearing in shot. By detaching the handle from the arm, it becomes a camera grip in its own right. Even more useful is the mini tripod that’s stored inside the handle, which is lightweight but extends to 50.8cm tall. The whole mount is waterproof, so you can be sure it’ll be durable in adventurous shooting conditions. It’s versatility means to can give you some really different points of view depending on how you choose to angle it.
El Grande This 38-inch extension pole will help you to capture new perspectives closer to the action and is compatible with all GoPro cameras 25
Getting started
Set up your GoPro
Set up your GoPro Everything you need to get started with your GoPro The great thing about the GoPro range is that there is something for everyone. No matter the budget, your level of experience, or whether you’re into full-throttle, actionadventure pursuits or simply making music, there is a GoPro model to suit you. The brand offers three main cameras, each with different selling points: Hero5 Black (topof-the-range camera with 4K video and voice control), Hero5 Session (lighter weight and compact size with 4K) and the Hero Session (a back-to-basics and lightweight offering with single button control). Alternatively, you might have stored away one of the older models: the Hero (for entry-level users); Hero+ LCD (comes with a screen and Wi-Fi); Hero3 White (you can change the housing); Hero3+ Silver (captures larger images) and Hero4 Session.
Fantastic extras After you’re set up, you may find these bits of kit useful
What’s a GoPro without a mount that’s able to get those shots you just can’t reach? The Gooseneck is a bendy option, compatible with most models. 36
Smart Remote (£79.99/$79.99) A boon for photographers who want to fire up the camera hands free. It’s not compatible with the Hero.
Chesty (£39.99/$39.99) There are harnesses and mounts for all activities, but this chest harness is likely one of the most versatile out there. There’s a Junior version, too.
© GoPro
Gooseneck (£24.99/$19.99)
Getting started
Set up your GoPro
What’s inside a typical GoPro box? Discover the important bits supplied with your camera This is the Hero4 Silver, but whatever camera you buy you’re in for a treat
L et this manual help you through the intricacies of your new kit
T he housing keeps your camera protected and waterproof to 40m
Use these sticky pads to stick your camera somewhere unusual
T he battery can be charged independently of the camera
T his mount can be used as a grip, extension arm or a tripod
37
You can transmit files via USB, which also lets you record while charging
This white rubber prevents accidental release of the quick release buckle
Getting started
Get to know the menus
Get to know the menus Get to grips with the GoPro menus, where to find the different functions and what each of the symbols means
Key Auto Low Light
Continuous Photos
Field of View
Looping
Auto Off
Date/Time
Frames Per Second
Megapixels
Beeps
Default Mode
Interval
Night Lapse
Burst Photos/ Multi-Shot Mode
Delete
ISO Limit
Night Photo
Color
Exposure Value Compensation
LEDs
On-Screen Display
48
Getting started
Get to know the menus
Orientation
Setup Mode
Time Lapse
Video Resolution
Playback Mode
Sharpness
Touch Display
White Balance
Protune
Shutter
Video Format
Wireless
QuikCapture
Single Photo/ Photo Mode
Video + Photo
Rate
Spot Meter
Video/Video Mode
49
Using your GoPro
Xxxxxxxxxxxx Take it up a gear
SSChoose your attachment Depending on your preference for content, the helmet or the bikemounted options will work best for you, so weigh up the options of practicality with what you want to see in your footage Š GoPro 76
Using your GoPro
Take it up a gear
Take it up a gear Top technical tips © SanDisk
Get on your bike and capture great moments from your cycling routes or off-road adventures GoPro action cameras are notoriously used for extreme sports and crazy outings, but sometimes you might just want to document a new cycling route. The first thing to consider with any outing on a bike or near a road is safety. So make sure you wear a helmet, fix some lights to your bike and load up with food and drink before heading out. You will need to make sure you have the right attachment to hand, so question what kind of footage you’re after. Do you want to capture the cyclist’s point of view? Would you prefer a bike-mounted view? Perhaps you’d like both. As there are a number of different attachments available for the GoPro, you really can choose what suits you best. A bike-mounted bracket is great to capture a street view of your ride, but then again so is a chest strap. As these two are static once attached, there is really just one set view, so it’s fine for documenting the route, but for more drama and a cyclist’s perspective, a helmet attachment will give the best results.
With your GoPro mounted on your bike – either on your head, chest or bike attachment – never forget the technical adjustments at hand within your camera. The main technical aspect to consider is the size and speed of your storage. As the GoPro accepts micro SD cards, make sure the card you have will store your ride’s duration, but also handle the amount of data being pushed on it. When editing footage, it’s easier to convert to a lesserquality format than what you filmed in, rather than up-scaling lesser-quality footage to HD. To avoid this, keep your camera set to 1080p/60, meaning you get HD footage at 60 frames per second. Then, most importantly, add a high-capacity card. Depending on your budget, go for a 64GB micro SD card or higher. But size isn’t everything, so make sure you are getting a UHS-1 rated card. This refers to Ultra High Speed and is the datawriting speed your card is capable of writing to. Anything lower and your card won’t write the data being received fast enough, leading to potential quality issues.
TTAttach a sticky pad to your helmet The GoPro comes with a sticky pad for helmet attachments, which is simple to apply. When attaching, make all efforts to keep it firm, straight and central to avoid any skewed views
77
Going further
Use advanced editing effects
Use it to‌
Use advanced editing effects
Create a blank template
Edit from scratch and create a truly custom show
Add a transition
The editing templates used in the previous spread are useful, as they automatically trim the duration of your clips to fit a music track in the Storyboard. Although templates help you process your raw footage into a shareable product, you can do a more effective job by editing your programme from scratch using a blank template. For instance, you can decide precisely where a speed change will occur, and you can also access extra post-production assets such as transitions, so that you can mix gently from one shot to another instead of using a jarring jump cut. Read on to find out some of the more advanced techniques a blank template can open up to you.
Make your project your own with a custom template from start to finish Use the in-built dissolve template
Add movement
Make the camera zoom and pan on your GoPro clips
Split a clip
By using the Split Clip tool to cut a shot into several sections, you can speed up or slow down part of the action during the shot
Add a dissolve
By default we cut between clips. If you click on this + icon you can swap a cut for a dissolve transition
108
Adjust duration
By default a dissolve lasts for just a second. For a longer, slower mix drag this slider to the right
Add movement
By adding keyframes you can make the camera zoom, pan and tilt as a clip plays. This works well when using 4K source files
Going further
Use advanced editing effects Top editing techniques
Take your post-production to the next level
Create blank template
Let’s split
Retime a section
1
2
3
Download this project’s files. Launch GoPro Studio and choose File>New Project. Choose File>Save Project. Name your project and save it. Click on the Step 2 Edit button. Click on Blank Template and Create. Click the Add Media Button. Browse to select the project source files and click Open. They’ll appear in the Add Media panel.
Drag the Deckchair.mov clip to the Storyboard. Drag the yellow Storyboard Time Indicator to 04:14 (just as the chair’s cloth begins to billow). Click the razor blade Split Clip icon to cut the clip into two sections. Scrub forward to 05:36 as the material rises up and click the Split Clip icon again. The clip has now been chopped up into three sections.
Click on the middle section of the split clip to select it. Toggle open the Video panel at the right. Drag the Speed slider left to 45% to slow down the clip’s middle. Untick the Flux box – this creates smooth movement but it takes a long time to process. Play back the sequence. The clip will slow down during the middle section then revert to real time.
Animated camera moves
5
Extend dissolve duration
4
Add the Pier clip to the Storyboard. Click the + icon between the Deckchair and Pier clips to replace the default cut with a smooth transition that mixes from one shot to the next. To extend the default duration of the one-second dissolve, click to select it in the Storyboard. Drag the diamond-shaped in and out points below the Player window further apart. The dissolve icon will stretch horizontally in the Storyboard.
Add Wheel Still.mov to the Storyboard. Scrub to its first frame. Go to the Framing panel and click the + shaped ‘Add New Keyframe’ icon. Scrub forward to around 23:00. Click the Framing panel’s ‘Add New Keyframe’ icon again. Drag the Zoom and Vertical sliders to get a closer look at the wheel. Play the clip. The camera will now zoom in and tilt up between the two keyframes.
By shooting at 4000 x 3000 (4K) you can zoom in on a still or clip without adding any fuzzy compression artefacts 109
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