To see part one of this series on GoPro video click here.
Where fast forward and slow motion melt into one. Where memories and still photos collide. Shooting video is fun and also rewarding on so many levels. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are out shooting video with a GoPro/POV camera.
Tell a story. Think about shooting video in a way that tells a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Try and make it interesting for more reasons than just fishing or whatever you are doing that particular day. Think about your audience while you are shooting and the results will make your footage that much better for everyone.
Steady. The good thing about wearing a camera like this, is that for the most part your body maintains very steady motion. So attached to your melon or chest, your shots will be fairly stable. Especially if you stay aware of what the camera is doing. It’s when you are holding it in your had that things can get really ugly fast. Just like a handgun, be ultra aware of where you are pointing it, and take care to make smooth and steady movements. One way to achieve great motion and smoother pans is to attach it to something large, even a something like a willow stick will work wonders! The additional mass of a pole or stick will stabilize your shots, as well as add all that additional extension for elevated and long swinging shots. Play with it, you’ll be glad you did!
Explore. There are so many creative ways to use such a small camera, and it’s a ton of fun playing around with shots from perspectives never before possible. It’s easy to attach it to anything, or jam it in a small space. One way to achieve great motion and smoother pans is to attach it to something large, even a stick will work wonders!
Edit. First off as you go through your raw footage, identify the shots that contain worthy content. Keep in mind that visual is only part of a video, so keep your ears tuned for interesting audio or dialogue. Clip your shots down to the bare essentials, and establish a feel, tempo, or atmosphere by arranging shots in similar fashion. In most cases, it’s best to keep a video on the short side of things, unless there is a clear and deliberate journey the video is taking the viewer on.
