Camera technology is constantly changing and it's about to the point where we're wondering. . . What do we want next? We have ultra-high megapixel digital cameras like the Canon 5Ds R and the Pentax 645z medium format camera, amazing low light cameras like the Sony A7s Mark II, great action sports and underwater cameras with the GoPro Hero 5, high frame rate cameras like the Nikon D5 and Canon 1Dx Mark II... the list can go on and on. More of what we're seeing now comes in the form of one body, multiple functions. Stills cameras that shoot … [Read more...] about Moving into 360-Degree Cameras
GoPro
GoPro Update Eliminates Off-Brand Batteries & A Huge Surprise
A recent update for the GoPro Hero5 firmware (v01.55) makes the camera unable to use batteries made by other manufacturers. This is troublesome because 3rd party or off-brand batteries are typically much cheaper than a manufacturer's batteries. Of course, the off-brand batteries often don't last as long as the OEM units, but they are still cheaper per use than the OEM. On the other hand, many camera manufacturers include smart technology in their batteries that allow them to communicate status with the camera beyond how much power is left. … [Read more...] about GoPro Update Eliminates Off-Brand Batteries & A Huge Surprise
The Ultimate GoPro 5 Kit
I do a lot of shooting with GoPro cameras. They offer a great size to price to performance ratio and really allow for some creative work. The thing is, the more you shoot with GoPros, the more accessories and gadgets you collect. The GoPro camera is all about getting unique angles and point of view shots, so a bit of gear goes a long way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjjiVlmn9wA Here's what's in my GoPro Go Bag, if you're looking for gift ideas or something for yourself, this list is what I take in the field for most projects. Do I … [Read more...] about The Ultimate GoPro 5 Kit
Is the GoPro Hero5 Black any Good for Photography?
My nea rnGoPro Hero5 Black just arrived in the mail and the first firmware update has dropped as well. This made for the perfect time to start testing my camera. I headed out to an aquarium and science center for an afternoon with the kids to test out the camera’s lowlight, burst, and specialty modes. This is a make or break update for GoPro, which saw their stock tumble due to recent errors. The product line has been streamlined to effectively just two cameras. The GoPro Hero5 Black ($399 USD) and the GoPro Hero5 Session. … [Read more...] about Is the GoPro Hero5 Black any Good for Photography?
4K. What’s all the Hubub, Bub?
A while back, I was chatting with Scott Bourne about the emerging 4K acquisition standard and the video camera "arms race" originally started by Red Digital Cinema. At the time, he said "Rich Harrington is always talking about 4K as well. I get it. It's a bigger frame, but I am not sure how that will impact still photographers." Over the last eighteen months, a lot has changed. Panasonic, Sony, GoPro and, most recently, Canon have brought new 4K capable cameras to market. Even our smartphones now capture 4K video. With this in mind, you may … [Read more...] about 4K. What’s all the Hubub, Bub?
GoPro + Periscope = DroneCast
Well, this moves the needle. Lately, GoPro has been taking a bit of a beating as more players like Sony, Nikon and, if rumors are to be believed, Olympus have entered the fray. Yesterday, GoPro and Periscope announced a new integration that allows GoPro owners to connect their cameras to the Periscope app. On the surface, this might seem a bit frivolous; it is anything but. At NAB 2015, GoPro, in partnership with Vislink, announced the HEROCast. At $7,500, the HEROCast turns the GoPro into a compact, wireless remote head for integration … [Read more...] about GoPro + Periscope = DroneCast
GoPro 3-Way: A Unique Camera Accessory
GoPro cameras have become incredibly popular for capturing point-of-view and action shots (both photo and video). They'e also an excellent way for a photographer to get behind the scenes footage or time lapses of a project while working. The camera itself is a little awkward to hold though due to its small size. Hence the need for something to mount it to. Enter the GoPro 3-Way (yes they trademarked it, and I am sure they giggled as they asked their lawyers to do so). What Is It? The GoPro 3-Way offers three ways of holding or supporting a … [Read more...] about GoPro 3-Way: A Unique Camera Accessory
How to Control a GoPro with Your Phone or Tablet
With the release of the new GoPro Session camera, the use of the GoPro app on your phone is even more important. In this tutorial, let me show you how easy it is to set up and use the mobile app. This makes it easy to adjust the camera settings, monitor the shot, or even share your content. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tshp6ksjQ1o This specific tutorial is from the Video Gear Weekly series presented by lynda.com. You can now watch a month's worth of the episodes for free (even if you aren't a member). This will let you check out the … [Read more...] about How to Control a GoPro with Your Phone or Tablet
Improving GoPro Footage and Stills with Vibrance and Saturation
I'm a big fan go shooting GoPro cameras because their size lets me get them in some great places (especially with waterproof cases) But GoPro footage is heavily compressed, which means your images can appear dull and flat. Fortunately its a pretty easy fix using Photoshop or Lightroom. Learn how to improve the look of your images and add life back to the shot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_U4RZCDGSo … [Read more...] about Improving GoPro Footage and Stills with Vibrance and Saturation
Which GoPro Battery Lasts the Longest?
While GoPro cameras offer awesome point of view shots, they don't have the best battery life. I went into the test labs to see which battery lasted the longest. Learn how close the third party (and much cheaper) batteries were to the expensive GoPro batteries. This tutorial will help you decide which battery is best for your setup. Watch the follow-up movies within this series at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JswRVx2q_q8 This specific tutorial is from the Video Gear Weekly series presented by lynda.com authors Rich Harrington and Robbie … [Read more...] about Which GoPro Battery Lasts the Longest?
New GoPro HERO 4 Firmware Updates
GoPro just released major new firmware updates for their popular HERO 4 camera, bringing a few different video frame rates and a new video time lapse mode. Firmware updates allow manufacturers to unlock features in their cameras that were undeveloped at the release and can add value to their customers. It's almost like getting a brand-new camera! HERO 4 Black and Silver Edition Upgrades Time Lapse Video Mode In a world of instant gratification, GoPro added a new Time Lapse Video mode. The HERO 4 will record a time lapse and convert it into a … [Read more...] about New GoPro HERO 4 Firmware Updates
How to Get Steady Shots from a Quadcopter
Are you interested in Quadcopters or already bought one? One of the most important options you can get is a gimbal (think of it as Image Stabilization). Gimbals allow you to rotate cameras in any direction, allowing the camera to stay horizontal even if the support is tipped. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr0fG2Coqao This tutorial is from Photofocus partner lynda.com. You can learn all about the advantages of shooting with one. Be sure to also check out the lynda.com 10 day trial so you can watch the full course and learn more about … [Read more...] about How to Get Steady Shots from a Quadcopter
The Fastest Way to Copy Data from a GoPro
GoPro cameras are a great addition to my kit. They allow the capture unique and adventurous angles, but best of all are really small. Just like the camera, the memory card is small - newer GoPros record to a microSD card. On most shoots, I'm filling 32gb or 64gb cards, then backing up and erasing them quickly. But whats the best way to transfer the files? I'll give you a hint. . . The included USB cable is not the right way. Let me explain: the USB port on the GoPro is meant for charging. It's a low capacity port built with USB 2.0 technology. … [Read more...] about The Fastest Way to Copy Data from a GoPro
Fly Safe with Your Quadcopter
Yes, I know it's supposed to be "fly safely." This post is about flying drones safely and what to do when things go awry. It is a story that happened yesterday for me and might possibly happen tomorrow for you. It is a cautionary tale that ended well. Accidents, like the one I am about to describe are rarely about just one thing that goes wrong. Most often they are a compounding of circumstances that build until the crash happens. Analysis of airline crashes rarely blame one event that lead to a catastrophic failure. Rather a series of them … [Read more...] about Fly Safe with Your Quadcopter
Storytelling with a Drone
I bought my first drone last December. I learned to fly it reasonably well. I bought my second one in March. It had a camera and a first person view (FPV) monitor so I could compose my shot remotely. Over time I've learned a lot about flying, shooting and working with a GoPro Hero 3+ stills and footage. Periodically, I'll post here on Photofocus more about this tool available to photographers who want a higher point of view of scenes planes and choppers can't reach. Parts of a photo drone Modern drones are relatively inexpensive to buy and … [Read more...] about Storytelling with a Drone
The GoPro Field Guide
While they started as first-person POV action cameras, GoPros have become a standard tool in the kits of many cinematographers. Each version of their flagship Hero camera has improved on the design and capabilities of this tiny camera. Now, The folks at GoPro have started putting together a video tutorial series for their flagship product. I've assembled the first three episodes in a playlist for the video above. You can also find the episodes, mixed in with other content, in GoPros's … [Read more...] about The GoPro Field Guide
Say Hello To Your New Hero, from GoPro
We have a new GoPro. In fact, we have three. Like many of you, I have been waiting for these new action cameras to drop. Now that they have, let's take a look at what each offers, where it might fit in in your kit and what the new entries might signal about the future of the line. Three New Options Hero Key Feature: Accessible Entry Level Model Price: $130 The Hero replaces the Hero 3 White Edition as the entry level model. At $130, the Hero puts the power of the Hero 3 White into the hands of everyone. This mix of power and … [Read more...] about Say Hello To Your New Hero, from GoPro
Attaching a Camera to a Car
Take advantage of all that the GoPro HERO has to offer: learn how to get unique, interesting angles for your shoots when working with a car in this tutorial. Watch more at. Thanks to LensRentals.com for the gear support as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVPYykf2KTQ This tutorial is a single movie from the Shooting with the GoPro HERO: Car and Motorcycle Mounts course by lynda.com author Jim Ball & Rich Harrington. The complete course is 1 hour and 28 minutes and shows how to grab dramatic video and photos with your GoPro HERO … [Read more...] about Attaching a Camera to a Car
One Last Morning
Rod Stewart sang the question: "Every picture tells a story, don't it?" Telling stories... Ideally Rod would be right. Sadly, some stories can't be told with a single photo. There are those that take a series. Consider this challenge: Photograph, or more accurately, document the tearing down of one home and the construction of a brand new, custom one. The solution is multifaceted. This post focuses on the last morning of the original home. Future ones will show the process of bringing the new one out of the ground, the actual construction, and … [Read more...] about One Last Morning
Hyperlapse delivers smooth POV time lapse
I love my GoPro cameras. One is a constant companion in my backpack. A few years ago, I had an idea to shoot a behind-the-scenes time lapse of my near constant travel (e.g. coming/going to the airport, planes taking off/landing). I put fifteen or so videos in the can but soon gave up on the project. The reason was simple. They sucked. Why? The camera was always attached to a moving, unstable object like my backpack or roll-aboard. As a result, the image jerked around too much and, at the time, the GoPro frame was too small to give me … [Read more...] about Hyperlapse delivers smooth POV time lapse
Controlling a GoPro Camera Remotely
In this tutorial, see how to control a GoPro HERO camera remotely, using a Wi-Fi network. Watch more at . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU2-pfeT5i4 This tutorial is a single movie from the Shooting with the GoPro HERO: Car and Motorcycle Mounts course by lynda.com author Rich Harrington. The complete course is 1 hour and 28 minutes and shows how to grab dramatic video and photos with your GoPro HERO camera by mounting it to a car or motorcycle. … [Read more...] about Controlling a GoPro Camera Remotely
Creating a Panning Timelapse with a GoPro Camera
In this tutorial, explore the Flow-Mow and Camalapse. These are accessories for the GoPro and compact cameras that rotates the camera 360 degrees. Watch more at . Thanks to LensRentals.com for gear support. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DlX_npbleU You can catch Rich Harrington, Ron Risman, and Keith Kiska for a workshop on Timelapse photography in the Valley of Fire | October 1926th. This tutorial is a single movie from the Shooting a Time-Lapse Movie with the Camera in Motion course by lynda.com authors Rich Harrington and Keith Kiska. … [Read more...] about Creating a Panning Timelapse with a GoPro Camera
Into Shooting Sports? There’s Now A GoPro Mount
GoPro just announced a new mount today primarily designed for those into the "other" kind of shooting. The mount is called the Sportsman Mount but it looks useful to photographers as well. It's designed to clamp to any object that's between 0.4 to 0.9 (10mm to 23mm) in diameter. This look to me like it may be well-suited for light stands and many other common pieces of grip gear in photo and video kits. What's most interesting is that it makes it easy to mount two cameras pointing in opposite directions. When combined with a wide-angle … [Read more...] about Into Shooting Sports? There’s Now A GoPro Mount
Fishing for Photos – Shooting Underwater Aquatic Life with the GoPro Hero
One of my favorite ways to make a break from the normal daily routine is to grab the kids and a GoPro Hero and head for the hills in search of water. Fortunately, here in the Blue Ridge mountains of SW Virginia this is but a matter of choosing a direction and within minutes we're rock-hopping down a mountain stream, exploring the shallow climbs for vibrant color and life. If you have access to a GoPro Hero or similar compact waterproof camera and like the idea of adding a variety of aquatic color to the library, here are a few simple tips to … [Read more...] about Fishing for Photos – Shooting Underwater Aquatic Life with the GoPro Hero
Shoot Video and Photos at the Same Time on a GoPro
Did you know that your GoPro camera can be set to record stills and video at the same time? This means that while you're recording footage you can also have it occasionally shoot still frames too (at a much higher resolution). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UE4fV61Yy7A This workflow is great when you have a camera mounted in a hard to reach place (such as a point of view angle or when flying an aerial quadcopter). This tutorial is part of a from lynda.com on setting up your GoPro camera. Photofocus members can get 10 days free of the … [Read more...] about Shoot Video and Photos at the Same Time on a GoPro
Using a GorillaPod for Action Cams and and Dramatic Angles
I've been shooting a lot with small cameras lately. I've been on a quest to experiment with mounting multiple cameras in many places. This has mainly taken place with GoPro cameras for shooting both stills and videos. My go-to piece of grip gear has been my collection of GorillaPods. From mounting on the ground to wrapping around a tree, this device can handle it all. What I like best is how the units can be bent into position or wrap around a subject, but they're still strong enough to hold the camera in place. Here's a few ideas to … [Read more...] about Using a GorillaPod for Action Cams and and Dramatic Angles
How to Capture a Motorcycle as it Flies Through the Air
I've been working with a great athlete lately Zach DiPaolo. He flies through the air on motorbikes (a skill I can't possibly fathom to develop). To do this I needed some specialty gear. This week, Director of Photography Jim Ball and I set out to really capture Zach in as many ways as possible. I turned to LensRentals.com to supplement my grip kit. After all, how many times have I needed to capture a motorcycle 100 feet above ground before? We want to really put people on the bike with Zach and let them feel the experience of riding. This … [Read more...] about How to Capture a Motorcycle as it Flies Through the Air
Steady As You GoPro
If you'd like to get your camera off the tripod and add smooth-motion capture to your video work, take a look at this modified setup of the Flycam Nano DSLR system adapted for use with the GoPro Hero. If you're not currently shooting with a GoPro system, no worries, the information in this post can be equally applied to any small or mid-size camera on the market today. I do however recommend the Hero for its frame rate capabilities, specifically the ability to capture 60fps (frames-per-second) at 1080p resolution, not to mention its usefully … [Read more...] about Steady As You GoPro
Using a Pole Cam to Get Dramatic Angles and Perspective Shots
I love getting interesting angles and point-of-view shots. One of the best thing about shooting with GoPro cameras is that their size allows for the cameras to be positioned or even held by a subject. I have tried several different versions of GoPro poles (made by different third-party vendors). They all essentially work the same. Features to look for that I find useful. Built-in GoPro mount or a thread mount to attach a GoPro Articulated head to angle the camera Lightweight so its comfortable to hold A wrist strap to avoid … [Read more...] about Using a Pole Cam to Get Dramatic Angles and Perspective Shots
Panning Time-lapse from a GoPro
Note: This is a workflow in progress. I'm going to show the first results. I've lately become fascinated with making time-lapses from hotel windows. I've been trying to figure out ways to create interesting things from the views I get traveling the world. The latest attempt focusses on things I can make that show a wider vantage. https://vimeo.com/87762601 This is the end result. The day is a cold, wet, rainy, winter, day (or what we've been calling Wednesday on the East Coast for the last few months). This is just a technical test of … [Read more...] about Panning Time-lapse from a GoPro
