TechCamerasGoPro & Action Cameras3 mistakes everyone makes with their GoProYour GoPro can capture stunning footage… if you dodge these common pitfallsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

TechCamerasGoPro & Action Cameras3 mistakes everyone makes with their GoProYour GoPro can capture stunning footage… if you dodge these common pitfallsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Your GoPro can capture stunning footage… if you dodge these common pitfalls

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Man wearing GoPro on head mount

GoPros are incredibly powerful action cameras. Used correctly, they can capture stunning footage and stills in the most extreme situations. While we’re starting to see some excellentGoPro alternativesappearing on the market, as we speak, it’s still today’sbest GoProsthat dominate the top half of ourbest action cameraguide.

If you’ve bitten the bullet and bought your first HERO (perhaps via a hotGoPro deal), there are some key things to know to help you capture great footage from the off. You don’t want to ruin an otherwise perfect outdoors moment due to poor camera knowledge, so it’s a good idea to get clued up before you embark on your adventure.

These tips are applicable to the full current GoPro lineup – so theGoPro HERO 10(the current flagship), as well as theHERO 9, andHERO 8– but also older models that are now only available through third party retailers, such as theHERO 7. So whichever cam you’ve got, you should find something useful here.

5 GoPro Beginner Mistakes and 5 tips to improve your videos (Hero9, Hero10, Hero8 & 7) - YouTubeWatch On

5 GoPro Beginner Mistakes and 5 tips to improve your videos (Hero9, Hero10, Hero8 & 7) - YouTube

5 GoPro Beginner Mistakes and 5 tips to improve your videos (Hero9, Hero10, Hero8 & 7) - YouTube

5 GoPro Beginner Mistakes and 5 tips to improve your videos (Hero9, Hero10, Hero8 & 7) - YouTube

1. Shooting in bad light

While GoPros are impressive cameras, they can’t fix everything, reminds Werner. And that includes poor lighting. While you can capture stunning images, you won’t automatically get this quality of image in any lighting condition.

“Many people… underestimate that the GoPro has a very small sensor, and this small sensor is very dependent on good lighting condition,” says Werner. “The fact is, that the GoPro can only show its full potential in good lighting conditions.”

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2. Not making use of different mounts

One of the benefits of GoPro is the sheer number and variety of mounting options available to you. Don’t underestimate the creative potential of switching up your mount. A chest strap can create dynamic first-person footage, while a telescopic pole lets you film yourself going about your activities.

People tend to stick to one or two mounts – often, a helmet mount and perhaps a handlebar mount – says Werner, but there are loads of other possibilities. TheGoPro storehas plenty of options, but it’s also easy to pick up cheaper, non-branded alternatives for the more common mounts. One of the most exciting options is thenew Volta mount, which is essentially a tripod / grip that also includes a battery pack and control buttons for single-handed capture.

3. Forgetting the GoPro has a fish-eye lens

The GoPro has a fish-eye lens with an extreme wide angle, which works well for things like POV, time lapses and landscape shots. However, you shouldn’t forget that you’re not working with a standard lens, and with those special properties come certain limitations, says Werner. It’s not great at close-ups of people, and you can’t do things like blur the background. You might also end up with a curved horizon in your wide landscape shots.

“Personally, I consider these special properties to be great strength of the GoPro,” says Werner. “The only decisive factor is that you are aware of them and try to deal with [them].

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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

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