How To Use GoPro HERO 3 Cameras: The Adventure Sports Edition for HERO3+ and HERO3 Cameras

By Jordan Hetrick

UPDATED FOR ALL EDITIONS of HERO3+ and HERO3 CAMERAS.
This is the perfect guide book for Adventure Sports enthusiasts who want to learn how to use their GoPro HERO3+ or HERO3 cameras to get great videos and photos.

Snowboarders, skiers, bikers, hikers, kayakers, travelers, skateboarders, standup paddlers, boaters and more will find valuable knowledge with the lessons in this book.

With more than 100+ images, this book provides clear, step-by-step lessons to get you out there using your GoPro camera to document your adventures.

This book covers everything you need to know about using your GoPro HERO3+ or HERO3 camera. The book teaches you: how choose your settings, tips for all of the GoPro mounts, vital photography knowledge, simple photo, video and time lapse editing techniques and how to share your first edited video and photos.

Through the SIX STEPS laid out in this book, you will understand your camera and learn how to use FREE software (you probably already have!) to finally do something with your results.

This book is perfect for beginners, but also provides in depth knowledge that will be useful for intermediate camera users.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jordan Hetrick
• Release date: May 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301076291

Jordan Hetrick

Jordan Hetrick is an internationally published action sports writer and professional photographer, specializing in ocean sports. His work has been featured in numerous surfing, standup paddling, windsurfing and bodyboarding magazines over the last 15 years. Since earning his Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Queensland in Australia, Jordan has traveled the world photographing professional athletes with expensive water housings while also writing stories for magazines. He loves the newfound freedom these point of view cameras bring him. He currently lives back in his hometown of Encinitas, California with his wife and three-year-old son.

Book preview

HOW TO USE

GoPro® HERO 3 CAMERAS

the adventure sports edition

The Essential Field Guide for GoPro®

HERO3 & HERO3+ Cameras

by Jordan Hetrick

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2013 Jordan Hetrick

HOW TO USE GoPro® HERO 3 CAMERAS

the adventure sports edition

Photo taken in Time Lapse Mode at 12 MP WIDE with the HERO3 Black Edition camera using the Backpack Pole Mount. Learn how to make your own in the Custom Mounting section.

PUBLISHED BY

Kaisanti Press

Copyright © 2013 by Jordan Hetrick

Book Design by Debs Marie

FIRST EDITION: May 2013

SECOND EDITION: October 2013

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Copyright

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without written consent from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. You may print out one copy for your personal reference.

Trademarks

This book is in no way affiliated, authorized, sponsored, or endorsed by GoPro or any other companies mentioned in this book. All references to GoPro and other trademarked properties are used in accordance with the Nominative Fair Use Doctrine and are not meant to imply that this book is a GoPro product for advertising or other commercial purposes.

All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. The author cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in the book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.

GoPro®, HERO®, SuperView® & Naked® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Woodman Labs, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Warning and Disclaimer

This book nor its author does not endorse any of the dangerous sports/activities shown in this book. If you choose to participate in these activities, do so at your own risk. This book does not guarantee that by following the advice in this book, your camera will not be damaged. Always refer to your camera’s user manual. Always check with your camera manufacturer and follow recommendations before getting your camera wet. The author accepts no liability for any harm done to your camera or selves.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

GET TO KNOW YOUR HERO3+ / HERO3

STEP ONE - THE SETTINGS

VIDEO SETTINGS

HERO3+ & HERO3 Black Edition Video Settings

HERO3+ Silver Edition Video Settings

HERO3 Silver Edition Video Settings

HERO3 White Edition Video Settings

OTHER USEFUL VIDEO SETTING OPTIONS

Wide, Medium, or Narrow Field of View

SuperView

Upside Down

Protune

One Button Mode

White Balance

4k

Cinema

Auto Low Light

PHOTO SETTINGS

OTHER USEFUL PHOTO SETTING OPTIONS

Wide or Medium Field of View

WiFi Remote

Continuous Photo

Simultaneous Photo and Video

ADDITIONAL SETUP TIPS

STEP TWO - MOUNTING TIPS

HOUSINGS

Standard Waterproof Housing

Anti-Fogging Technique

Skeleton Housing

The Frame

BACKDOORS

Standard Waterproof Backdoor

Skeleton Backdoor

Floaty Backdoor

BUCKLES

Horizontal Surface Quick Release Buckle

Vertical Surface J-Hook Buckle

ADHESIVE MOUNTS

Adhesive Mount Mounting Instructions

Curved Adhesive Mount

Flat Adhesive Mount

Surfboard Mount

Camera Tethers

HELMET AND WEARABLE MOUNTS

Helmet Front Mount

Side Mount

Vented Helmet Strap Mount

Head Strap Mount

Wrist Housing

Chest Harness (aka Chesty)

NVG (Night Vision Goggle) Mount

VERSATILE MOUNTS

Handlebar/Seatpost Mount

Roll Bar Mount

Suction Cup Mount

Base Plate Mount

Tripod Mount

DO IT YOURSELF MOUNTS

How To Make A Clamp Mount

How To Make An Egg Timer Time Lapse

How To Make A Polecam/Monopod

How To Make A Backpack Polecam (Third Person Mount)

RECOMMENDED MOUNTS BY SPORT/ACTIVITY

STEP THREE - CAPTURE YOUR ACTION

LIGHTING

ACTION

EXPOSURE

UNDERSTAND YOUR LENS

PUSHING THE SHUTTER

STEP FOUR - CREATION

EDITING YOUR VIDEO

EDITING A TIME LAPSE

PULLING FRAME GRABS

EDITING YOUR PHOTOS

STEP FIVE - SHARE IT

SOCIAL MEDIA

GATHERINGS

PHOTO PRINTING

STEP SIX- BEYOND THE BASICS

MORE TIME LAPSE TIPS

MORE WIFI REMOTE TIPS

THE GoPRO APP

LCD BACPAC

BATTERY BACPAC

OFF THE GRID HERO3+ / HERO3 SETUP

FILTERS

STEADICAMS

MICROPHONES

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

INTRODUCTION

GoPro cameras are the perfect complement to our active lives because they have taken technology that used to be out of reach for most people and put it right into our hands (and on our helmets, vehicles, bikes, and boards). Anywhere you turn, you will see people using GoPro cameras in tons of different ways to document their own journeys through life.

Whether your path leads you into the ocean, a lake, the mountains, the street, the desert or the sky, this Adventure Sports Edition gives you the knowledge to get the shots you want.

The Adventure Sports Edition is written for people who want to use their GoPro cameras for a variety of outdoor activities and for general use, like travelling and recording friends and family. Activities included in this edition are snow sports (snowboarding and skiing), water sports (wakeboarding, kayaking, boating, surfing, and SUP'ing), air sports (hangliding and paragliding), travel (airplanes, cars, and boats) and land sports (biking, motocross, skateboarding, hiking, and rock climbing)

This easy-to-use guide will help you understand how to use your GoPro® HERO3+ or HERO3 camera with confidence from the initial setup, during filming and finally into an edited video clip or photo gallery.

ABOUT THE CAMERAS COVERED IN THIS BOOK

This book covers all editions of GoPro® HERO3+ and HERO3 cameras, including the HERO3+ Black and Silver Editions and the HERO3 Black, Silver and White Editions.

With the HERO3+ Black Edition, GoPro built upon the HERO3 Black Edition, which was the most technologically advanced point of view camera to date, and added more features all in an even smaller, lighter case. While most of the video settings remain the same, GoPro did introduce a new super wide angle video setting called SuperView, which you will learn about later (and you will learn how to get a similar shot using ANY of the HERO3 cameras). GoPro also added Auto Low Light Settings, increased the battery life, sped up the WiFi and added a new, sharper lens.

The HERO3+ Silver Edition is a big step up from the HERO3 Silver Edition, with higher frame rate settings, which means better slow motion footage for you. The HERO3+ Silver Edition also features better WiFi, a sharper lens that performs better in low light and high quality photos at up to 10 photos per second.

The HERO3 White Edition is the entry-level camera in the line, but it is still a great camera in its own right. The White Edition records high quality HD video and is compatible with all of the GoPro mounts and WiFi devices.

All of the HERO3 and HERO3+ cameras include built-in WiFi (so you don't have to plug in a WiFi BacPac), a flat lens port (so your photos and videos are now in-focus on land and underwater) and an ultralight compact design.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

Now that you’ve decided to really learn how to use your GoPro® camera, the information in this guide will teach you everything you need to know to get the shots you’ve always wanted.

If you still need to learn how to use the buttons on your camera, refer to Get To Know Your HERO3+ / HERO3 before Step One in the beginning of this book. This section includes the essential information to familiarize you with your camera and to get you started. The HERO3+ cameras come with a printed User Manual that you can refer to as you move through this book. If you are using a HERO3, you can download the complete HERO3 User Manual from GoPro’s Support page on their website to be used in conjunction with the information in this guide. Your specific edition’s User Manual (Black, Silver, or White Edition) tells you all of the little details about every setting option, while this guide provides you with the vital knowledge to understand what you really need to know to use your HERO3+ or HERO3.

If you just bought your camera, before you buy the wrong mounts for your lifestyle, check out the Mounting Section in Step 2 to see which mounts are right for you!

Take your time, go step by step and by the time you finish this book, you will finally know how to use your GoPro® camera to record, edit and share your unique point of view!

Also, check out HowToUsePOVCameras on YouTube for video tutorials and tips.

GET TO KNOW YOUR HERO3+ / HERO3

WHAT ARE THESE BUTTONS AND PORTS FOR?

Note: The button configuration is exactly the same for the HERO3 & HERO3+

1. Status Indicator