Guides — GoPro

By Jacques Viljoen

When I first used my GoPro Hero 3 Black I was bowled over. I couldn’t comprehend how such a small camera, can capture such amazing quality video. I wanted to record everything I do with it because I just could not get enough of it. There simply wasn’t enough time (and memory cards) in a day to record everything that happened. After one late afternoon mountain bike ride, I discovered one of the GoPro’s Achilles heels. It did not like recording in low light situations. Even with just less-than-ideal lighting, the video became grainy and adding artificial light was also tricky, as it had to have gradual light, like the type you find in a studio.

So when they announced the release of the Hero 4 Models that had improved 'Auto' Low-Light capabilities, I was a very happy guy to say the least. They also added a Night mode to the photo settings.

I will admit, you will need some practice before getting that perfect night time photo. A good way to start is to take the same photo more than once, with the different settings to see what works best for you in different situations.

Protune is also now available for photos which allows you to set various parameters such as White Balance, ISO limits and more. Since this guide is about using night mode I won’t be using Protune in any of the photos.

The part that makes the biggest difference to photos in night mode, is the shutter speed. The following shutter speeds are available:

Shutter speed / What to use it for: 

• Auto - Sunrise, Sunset, Dawn, Dusk, Twilight, Night
• 2 Seconds, 5 Seconds, 10 Seconds - Daw, Dusk, Twilight, Traffic at night, Ferris wheel, fireworks, light painting
• 20 Seconds - Night sky (with light)
• 30 Seconds - Night stars, Milky Way (complete darkness)

Watch this video to see how to get to night mode on your GoPro Hero 4:

Or follow this step-by-step guide:

• First, switch on your camera and go to photo mode
• Press the settings button on the side
• Once you’re in the settings menu, press the shutter button until “Night” appears. You will notice that the menu layout has slightly changed, bringing in the shutter speed menu.
• Press the mode button to move down to the shutter speed.
• Press the shutter button to select the required shutter speed depending on the application.
• Once you selected the desired shutter speed, press and hold the Shutter button to return to the main screen.

I found that the shutter speed set at 2 Seconds is a good ‘go-to’ mode.

Here are some examples of photos I took using Night mode:

One of my favourite features to use Night mode for is called light painting. If you are the creative type then you can have a lot of fun with this mode.

Here are some examples:

And this next one is by far my favourite:

Some quick tips for Night mode photography:

• Choose the right shutter speed. If the shutter is open for too long, it will let in too much light, resulting in over exposed photos, which does not look nice.

• Always have the camera resting on a solid non-moving object. For most of my photos I used a tripod, but a chair, table or rail will work just as well, depending on where you are. Even slightest movement, as I discovered to my frustration, will result in blurriness.

• Night mode is not ideal for capturing moving objects (apart from light painting). If you for example try to take a photo of yourself running, you will look transparent and blurred at the same time, much like my arm in that one photo.

I hope this guide helps you to get that perfect shoot.

We would love to see what photos you guys can create. So tweet me your photos using the following handles: @ActonGearSA and @jacquesv569 pop in #NightMode and we will put together a blog featuring your photos

Written By Douw-Steyn Lessing

Today's post is all about learning how to shoot amazing long exposure photos with your GoPro camera. We'll start off with a quick intro into what long-exposure photography is, and then we'll get into the fun stuff - shooting your own photos and impressing your mates with those new found skills. With the GoPro it's simple and straight forward, but these tips and tricks will definitely help get you started! Remember 2015 is your year for adventure, so go outside and get involved!

#adventure2015 #getinvolved

What is long exposure photography?

Long-exposure photography or time-exposure photography involves using a long-duration shutter speed to sharply capture the stationary elements of images while blurring, smearing, or obscuring the moving elements. Long-exposure photography captures one element that conventional photography does not, time. The paths of bright moving objects become clearly visible. Clouds form broad bands, head and tail lights of cars become bright streaks, stars form trails in the sky and water smooths over. Only bright objects will form visible trails, however, dark objects usually disappear. Boats during daytime long exposures will disappear, but will form bright trails from their lights at night. (Wiki)

Night Lapse with the GoPro Hero 4

Examples of Night Photo

This is very easy to do with the new Hero 4 cameras. The two modes, Night Photo and Night Lapse both allow you to change the shutter speed. The slower the shutter speed, the more light and movement you can capture into one photo when you’re in Night Photo mode. If you're wanting to create a timelapse switch to Night Lapse mode.

Let’s start on shooting one photo with an exposure time of 10 seconds.

1. 1 - Change your shutter speed to 10 seconds.

2. 2 - Put the GoPro on Night Mode

3. 3 - Go to somewhere really dark and take a flashlight with you

4. 4 - Place the GoPro on a counter, or use a mount,  press the shoot button and start swinging around the flashlight 

Make sure you shine the flashlight in the direction of the GoPro’s lens.

If you still have the ancestor model, don’t worry. Someone made a “hack” file that allows GoPro Hero 3 Black and 3+ users to capture photos at a maximum exposure time of 8 seconds. 

Here are some examples I shot with my 3+ Black at 8 Sec exposure:

I placed thin steel wool in a whisk with a rope attached to the whisk, set the steel wool on fire and started swinging the rope.

Here is a link to the hacked file with a guide on how to use it.

Please email me at douwsteyn1994@gmail.com if you have any queries about long exposure photography or anything about the GoPro cameras.

I hope you've enjoyed getting to know your GoPro a little more intimately!

#adventure2015 #getinvolved

Written By Douw-Steyn Lessing

Time-lapse videos are simple and a great way to practice using your gear. "Time-lapse photography is a technique whereby the frequency at which film frames are captured (the frame rate) is much lower than that used to view the sequence. When played at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster and thus lapsing. For example, an image of a scene may be captured once every second, then played back at 30 frames per second; the result is an apparent 30 times speed increase. Time-lapse photography can be considered the opposite of high speed photography or slow motion." Wiki.

Here are 2 great examples of time-lapse videos.

Suikerbos bushveld time lapse with GoPro Hero 3+ black

Victoria West Timelapse 720 HD

Keep reading to get a break-down of how to do your own time-lapse video, with Douw-Steyn Lessing!

Good day fellow adventurers

Today I’m going to take you through the basics of making a Time Lapse with your GoPro.

When you see a video of the sun rising in 30 seconds, it’s most probably a Time Lapse video.

A Time Lapse video shows you life the eyes don’t catch – it’s truly amazing.

Let’s get to it!

Here are the different GoPro icons you'll see.

1. Switch on your GoPro and press Power/Mode until you get to Settings.

2. Go inside settings and press mode until you find the Time Lapse Settings.

3. All you need to choose here is the interval at which the GoPro will take photos.

4. Press mode until you’re on the 5sec option and select.

5. Exit the settings and go on Time Lapse mode!

For the Time Lapse video you’ll be shooting clouds, sunrises, sunsets or thunder storms.

Mount your GoPro somewhere steady, press the shutter (top button) and leave it for an hour or two.

That was the difficult part.

Below is a video of how to edit your photos into a Time Lapse video with the GoPro Studio which can be downloaded on the GoPro website for free

This is this the basics of a Time Lapse video and there’s so much more you can achieve once you know your GoPro better and start playing with all the effect in the GoPro Studio.

To get the most out of your Time Lapse videos I’d recommend the following:

• Shoot with either the 3+ Black or the new Hero 4 Models for best resolution.

• Buy a tripod for your GoPro that’s available on Action Gear.

• Practice makes perfect. Keep on shooting!

#GetoutStayout   #GetInvolved

Written By Thato

Experiencing our beautiful country via road tripping is a breath taking experience not many South African get to have. With vast sea like valleys, long winding dirt roads or the odd looking mountains tops, South Africa has some of the world’s best scenic routes. Now if you add the element of open motor bikes and a few biking club buddies, you have yourself a road trip worthy of ‘Harley Davison Club’ status.

But Harleys aside, there are a few things you will need to do before you can get out to hit the open road.

Remember that unlike a car, motorbikes have limited storage space. You will have to decide exactly what you want to take and what you will need. Good questions to ask yourself are, how long will I be gone? Where do I indent to go? What type of accommodation will I make use of? How many people are coming with me?

Baggage

Unless you are a proud owner of a touring bike, you will probably need to have a set of saddle bags (and backpacks don’t count) or a tank bag to carry your stuff in. You can choose the option of hard case or soft case bags. Hard cased bags offer much better weather protection but are harder to install. A good option is the ATG Overlander, which is 100% waterproof and durable but is also light weight and foldable.

How many people are coming with you?

Have a list of the people who are coming with you. This will help you keep track of all the participants and will also help you add fun activities for a larger group of people to do. Add a section with everybody’s connected details and details of people to contact in case of an emergency.

Check your bike

Next you will need to do an inspection of your bike. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends the T CLOCS guidelines.

• Tires – Make sure that your tires are properly inflated by using your air pressure metre or one made available at a filling station.

• Controls – Make sure that your clutch and brake cables are working.
• Lights – Check that your headlights, taillights and indicator lights work correctly.
• Oil – Check your oil and cooling fluid.
• Chassis – ensure that your frame, chain, suspension and fasteners are all in working condition.
• Stands – Make sure that your bikes stand is not cracked or bent and that the springs work correctly.

Communication

Being able to speak to your fellow riders is a great way to add an extra fun element to your trip. A biker to biker communication headset will help you quickly relay details to your co- riders. A good option is The Cardo G9, which allows you to connect and speak to up to 9 other riders (4 rider, cross-communication). Another one is the Scala Rider Q3 which also has built in FM radio and GPS audio out.

Packing

Packing all the right items without over stocking can be tricky. A good idea is to make use a good touring suit that can keep you comfortable during your rides. Pack a good selection of thin clothes rather than heavy, bulky clothes. Its far better to stop and add layers of clothes than to sweat through what would otherwise be a fun, scenic route ride.

When packing your saddle bag, remember to but heavier, more solid items at the bottom, with lighter items at the top. Roll your clothes instead of stacking them to save space.

Because you’re riding in a group, comparing packing lists to see if you have duplicate items that you can save space on. If your traveling will your ‘special someone’ ask yourself questions like, can we share toothpaste or shampoo?

Be sure to pack energy drinks and snack bars in case you find yourself far from any store during your trip.

Action Tip! : Zip lock bag also offer you an excellent way of organising smaller items in your sable bag.

Ride using a full faced helmet. Not only because they more protection and safety but they also offer more protection against rain and cold winds. A well ventilated helmet will also give you some comfort in warm weather too.

Though it's tempting to hit the open road and simply follow your nose, don't forget that you're more vulnerable to the elements, fatigue, and potentially serious injury on a motorcycle. Prepare yourself with clothing appropriate for the weather. Plan a route and, if you don't have a portable GPS system, do whatever it takes not to get lost, even if it means taping directions to the top of your fuel tank. 

Written By Thato

Every now and again, we at Action Gear get this question. Why is my GoPro fogging up and how do I prevent it.

Why does it fog up?

Simply speaking, there are times when your GoPro, when inside the waterproof case, will fog up. The camera and case have a level of moisture on them received from air. When the environment around the two are hot or humid and if the camera heats up to a considerable level, the air turns into water vapour and sets onto the coldest surface it can. This is usually the inside of the case or on the surface of the lens.

How to prevent it?

Avoid opening the waterproof housing unnecessarily. This lets in moisture which will later turn into vapour and fog up the case.

Store your GoPro in a dry place. This will keep moisture from getting onto the camera. You can store it with the housing on to better keep moisture off.

Anti-fog inserts are a good way to prevent fog. These inserts are made of a material that adsorbs and stores moisture without becoming wet. GoPro makes specialist anti-fog inserts that work on all GoPro Hero versions. Each set (3 pairs included), can be used up to 4 times after which have to be oven baked in a preheated oven for 3 minutes.

If you are not using your GoPro near water, try to use it without with the open backdoor to help regulate inside and outside temperature.

Getting and using GoPro can be a thrilling and rewarding experience but every now and then problems can arise to ruin the fun. Using anti-fog inserts will greatly reduce chances of your camera fogging up. For those problems that you can’t fix yourself, Action Gear offers repairs and maintenance on ay GoPro camera whether or not you purchased it from us. For repair inquires drop us a mail at info@actiongear.co.za. Log on to the Action Gear online store to see our excellent range of GoPro cameras and accessories.

How do you prevent fogging? Share your wisdom with the Action Gear community @ActionGear or Action Gear on Facebook.