Capturing the excitement of your adventures is easier than ever with an action camera like a GoPro. These compact, rugged cameras are designed to go anywhere and endure almost anything, making them perfect for documenting your experiences.
However, getting great photos with an action camera requires some know-how; it’s not just a matter of aiming it at whatever you’re photographing and taking a photo – some skill is involved. Whether you’re new to action cameras or looking to improve your skills, these beginner tips will help you take better photos with your action camera!
Table of Contents
- Action Camera Tips: Use Protune Settings
- Action Camera Tips: Take Advantage of Burst Mode
- Action Camera Tips: Use a Tripod or Mount for Stability
- Action Camera Tips: Shoot During Golden Hour
- Action Camera Tips: Use Filters to Enhance Your Photos
Action Camera Tips: Use Protune Settings
One of the first steps to getting better photos with your action camera is to learn how to adjust its settings (which you can do in the video above by David Silberhorn). This includes utilizing the Protune settings. Protune is a feature available on GoPro cameras that gives you more control over the camera’s settings, allowing for higher-quality images.
Protune allows you to manually adjust settings like ISO, white balance, and sharpness. This level of control lets you fine-tune your camera settings to match the lighting conditions and your creative vision.
For example, adjusting the ISO setting can help you manage noise in low-light situations, while setting the white balance can ensure accurate color reproduction.
When you enable Protune, your camera also records at a higher bitrate, capturing more detail in each photo. This is particularly beneficial if you plan to do post-processing, as it provides more data for adjustments without degrading image quality. While Protune files are larger and take up more storage space, the trade-off in image quality is often worth it.
Action Camera Tips: Take Advantage of Burst Mode
Photo by anatoliy_gleb via Shutterstock
Action cameras are designed to capture fast-paced activities, and burst mode is an essential feature for this purpose. Burst mode allows you to take a series of photos in rapid succession, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of the action.
Whether you’re photographing a skier flying down a slope or a mountain biker navigating a tricky trail, burst mode helps you capture the perfect shot. By taking multiple photos in quick succession, you increase your chances of getting a sharp, well-composed image even in fast-moving scenarios.
After shooting in burst mode, you can review the sequence and select the best frame from the batch. This is especially useful when capturing unpredictable moments, as it gives you a range of options to choose from. With burst mode, you can be confident that you won’t miss the crucial shot.
Action Camera Tips: Use a Tripod or Mount for Stability
Stability is key to achieving sharp, clear photos regardless of the type of camera you use. This is especially true in action-packed environments. Using a tripod or mount can significantly reduce camera shake and help you capture better images.
Handheld shooting often results in blurry photos due to camera shake. To minimize this, use a tripod or mount your camera securely. There are various mounts available for action cameras, including chest mounts, helmet mounts, and handlebar mounts, each suited for different activities.
One of my favorite action camera mounts is the Octopad. I’ve had an Octopad for years, and it has come in handy on more occasions than I can count.
On the one hand, I can use it to stabilize my GoPro for a low-angle image when I’m shooting outdoors. Being able to explore using different perspectives and angles like that would be challenging to achieve by hand. On the other hand, I can use the Octopad as a mount for various other accessories, including lights and microphones, which is advantageous for recording videos in my studio and in the field.
No matter what I’m doing, the high force ballhead on the Octopad ensures that my action camera or other accessory stays put. Speaking of staying put, the anti-slip base keeps Octopad right where I need it to be – even if the surface is slippery, wet, or steeply angled. Nice!
When discussing action cameras, one of their best features is their rugged durability. Octopad fits the same bill. I’ve put my Octopad through its paces in all sorts of environmental conditions, and it’s done its job and done it well each and every time.
If you’re ready to level up the quality of your action camera photography, I can think of no better accessory to add to your kit than Octopad. It offers the stable base you need for your photography and offers loads of versatility for using other accessories, too.
Action Camera Tips: Shoot During Golden Hour
Photo by maxim ibragimov via Shutterstock
Lighting plays a crucial role in photography, and one of the best times to shoot is during the golden hour—shortly after sunrise and just before sunset. The light during these times is soft, warm, and diffused, creating ideal conditions for photography.
Golden hour light enhances colors and reduces harsh shadows, resulting in more flattering and visually appealing photos. It’s a great time to capture the natural beauty of landscapes, the vibrant hues of a sunset, or the warm glow on your subject’s face.
Shooting during the golden hour can add a magical quality to your photos, too, making them more dramatic and engaging. The low angle of the sun creates long shadows and a rich, golden light that adds depth and dimension to your images. Plan your shoots around these times to take advantage of the best natural light.
Action Camera Tips: Use Filters to Enhance Your Photos
Filters can be yet another valuable tool for enhancing your action camera photos. They help manage exposure, improve color balance, and reduce unwanted reflections, making your images more professional and polished.
As Vic Barry discusses in the video above, Neutral density (ND) filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens, allowing you to use slower shutter speeds even in bright conditions. This is particularly useful for capturing motion blur in action shots or achieving a balanced exposure in high-contrast scenes.
Polarizing filters are another good option. As you can see in the video above by MicBergsma, they can reduce reflections from water, glass, and other reflective surfaces, enhancing the color and contrast of your images. They are especially effective when shooting landscapes, as they can make the sky appear more vibrant and the colors more saturated.
By following these beginner tips, you’ll be well on your way to capturing stunning photos with your action camera. Remember to experiment with settings, angles, and lighting conditions to find what works best for you.
With practice and creativity, you can create dynamic, engaging photos that truly capture the essence of your adventures. Now, grab your action camera, get out there, and take your best shot!
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