I need a Gopro crash course....

makejetskiinggreatagain

makejetskiinggreatagain

Brandon
Ok guys, I read through the manual a little bit and since I've seen millions of gopro videos I thought I would be a pro, right? WRONG. My footage was so bad....I mean it was so so so bad. Give me a crash course and any beginner tips, specifically for jet ski footage. I do have a few questions but feel free to throw anything my way. I am so lost its not even funny. If there was ever an award for the biggest gopro fail it would be awarded to my attempt a videography.....

First, what setting do you guys use? I think I used 960p because that is what the handbook said was best for action footage. Not sure if I really liked it

Second, I have a MacBook pro. When I played back the MP4's it was really jumpy. It was almost like watching a slideshow of stills. I cant imagine that my computer really cant handle the resolution, although that is the only thing I've found on the web about what could cause that. Any other ideas?

Third, what free editing software for macs do you find most user friendly. I don't need to go crazy, just add some slowmo, throw a song in there, ya know the basics.

Fourth, this may be really dumb but I have the floating back door on mine right now and wanted to use the headstrap. I couldn't figure out how to mount it with that added 2" of cushion on the back. Is there an attachment I need to buy to make this work or do I just have to go without the floaty on and hope it doesn't fall off?

Fifth, I tried taking stills...every single one was so blurry that you couldn't even make out what was going on. Tips? Am I not focusing somehow?
 
Rtrask14

Rtrask14

Location
Waterford, Michigan
Yes I like the 960 as well, second download flv media player, the standard windows and Mac programs that play the video (insert highly technical talk here) make it choppy, no idea I have windows :), NEVER go without the floaty, ever, really? That's weird, you sure your lens is clean? Also, are you using the 30 frame burst stills? Or just a single photo?
 
makejetskiinggreatagain

makejetskiinggreatagain

Brandon
I was using single photo. WEhen I was taking stills I wasn't even near water... It looked like it does when you take a photo with a long exposure and you move the camera. I'll try FLV media player and see if it helps.
 
iangdesign

iangdesign

Cats, lots of cats!
Location
United States
Get the bag of mounts...it's like $20. There will be an extension in there that will let you extend the boom out enough to get the float back door onto the head strap.

I use Premiere Pro for editing, but not everyone has access to it. Download a stabilizing program and run the mp4 files through it before you try and edit it...it will clean up a lot of the shakiness.

I have tried AVS, Go Pro Editor, and a few others and was not happy with them. But they are good for beginners. AVS was about the best for free stuff. If you are on the facepage like this page, they have a lot of great tips.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/GoPro-Mount-Tips-Tricks/183636661715212

Also just spend time going through how to vids on youtube. It's worth it and you get a ton of tips.

Look up MicBergsma YouTube channel as well...he is deaf and has a 1001 tips for the Go Pro, he is hilarious as ballz too!

Hope this helps...I just got a GoPro for Christmas and have been filming everything from jetskiing to strapping the cam on my dog just for different angles. Have fun and good luck!
 
SuperJETT

SuperJETT

So long and thanks for all the fish
Location
none
If it's jumpy just playing back, then make sure your memory card is fast enough for what you've shot. It may not be able to read fast enough to play without stuttering.

Shoot higher resolution with at least 60fps so you can zoom/slow down in editing if you want, otherwise you're stuck with what you shot.

Make sure to clean the camera lens and case inside/out before shooting and if it's wifi-enabled use the GoPro app to frame your shot.
 
High Speed Industries

High Speed Industries

Your one stop shop for quality parts @highspeedind
Location
Lake Havasu City, AZ
Reading this thread makes me want to step up my gopro usage. These are some pretty good tips. My riding has progressed enough to where I actually do something cool enough to make it worth filming. Maybe I will try an make a video of the pismo freeride for everyone to enjoy.

Have any tips on taking good shots while walking around with the camera? I'd like to get some pictures/video of the other shenanigans (not riding) at pismo. Is there a cool handle mount for the gopro? Or should I just hold it by it's case to take some shots?

So far I have found this thread very useful and I'm stoked to learn even more about my camera.
 
myusername2013

myusername2013

Location
s.w. Fl
SuperJETT said:
If it's jumpy just playing back, then make sure your memory card is fast enough for what you've shot. It may not be able to read fast enough to play without stuttering.

Shoot higher resolution with at least 60fps so you can zoom/slow down in editing if you want, otherwise you're stuck with what you shot.

Make sure to clean the camera lens and case inside/out before shooting and if it's wifi-enabled us the GoPro app to frame your shot.
Click to expand...
^^^this right here. Make sure it's a class 10 uhs card. I had to swap my SanDisk for a samsung 32 gig. Been fine ever since I switched.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
 
iangdesign

iangdesign

Cats, lots of cats!
Location
United States
I made my own boom stick out of an extendable feather duster...the head angles 180 degrees and locks at 45 degree angles!

I turfed the handle and DAP'd a go pro mount on the end. Jetskiing has taught me so much :)
 
High Speed Industries

High Speed Industries

Your one stop shop for quality parts @highspeedind
Location
Lake Havasu City, AZ
iangdesign said:
I made my own boom stick out of an extendable feather duster...the head angles 180 degrees and locks at 45 degree angles!

I turfed the handle and DAP'd a go pro mount on the end. Jetskiing has taught me so much :)
Click to expand...

So it's like a knock off go pole? Sounds pretty cool. Maybe I'll get one made up for the pismo freeride. Can you post a picture of it so I have a better idea of what I'll be making?
 
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