Underwater GoPro Book

By Peter Bucknell

Experienced Film Maker: Pete Bucknell sets out in simple steps the absolute best way to setup a GoPro for underwater use, and covers all the topics on how to safely and reliably get steady, stunning footage, and takes you through the steps of editing.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Irving Waters
• Release date: May 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393971535

Book preview

The Underwater

GoPro Book

A Practical Guide to Using 

the GoPro Camera Underwater

by Peter Bucknell

Copyright

Published by New York Video Service LLC 

New York, New York

Copyright © 2015 by Peter Bucknell

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form on by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the author, Peter Bucknell.

First eBook edition Jan 2015, New York Video Service LLC.

Videos by Pete Bucknell

Still photographs by Michael Rothschild

mike

Contents

Introduction

Goals

1: Pair the GoPro with your device

2: Update your Software

3: Basic Settings for Underwater

4: Settings Explained

5: About SD Memory Cards

6: Extending Battery Time

7: Safety While Shooting Underwater

8: Shaky Footage Explained

9: Shooting Techniques

10: Plan Your Shots

11: Mounts

12: Lights

13: Filters

14: Other GoPro Accessories

15: Macro

16: Boat Diving

17: Care and Maintenance

18: Other GoPro Functions

19: Taking Still Shots

20: Underwater Etiquette

21: Working with a Model

22: Workflow

23: Editing

Closing

About the Author

Links

Community

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Underwater GoPro Book.

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The GoPro has revolutionized underwater video with it’s size, capability and price. Gone are the days when divers were barred from the underwater video world by the bulkiness, the time, complexity and monetary investment that underwater camera rigs involved. Now, anyone can try their hand at capturing a piece of the underwater world with a tiny magic box of camera technology called the GoPro.

There is still a learning curve with the GoPro. It has its idiosyncrasies, especially underwater. The quality of the footage that you capture with the GoPro will depend both on how you tell the camera to behave when you alter the settings and on how you behave as a diver. This book is designed to put everything that you need to know in one place, speeding you on your way to understanding the best practices for use of the GoPro camera.

You'll be taking on information about the GoPro which will enable you to shoot great video underwater. You'll find valuable tips on how to take control of your GoPro, and capture stable, sharp and colorful underwater footage.

Click on the videos, links and illustrations to investigate further and see examples that will aid you in your quest to become a better underwater film maker.

GOALS OF THIS BOOK:

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THE GOALS OF THIS BOOK HAVE ONE THING IN MIND: TO HELP YOU GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR GoPro CAMERA

Teach you how to set up and use a GoPro camera to capture better underwater footage.

Help you to understand the functions and settings available.

Introduce tried and tested safety measures for safe and responsible filming underwater.

Guide you in your search for the appropriate accessories for your GoPro.

Illustrate specific dive skills to improve stability of camera work.

Help you to establish efficient media management habits.

Show you the best workflow for basic video editing.

Chapter 1

PAIR THE GOPRO WITH A DEVICE

During the setup process, the most convenient way to access and control your GoPro is through your mobile device such as a smart phone, iPhone or iPad. Using the powerful GoPro App, you can tell the camera how you want it to behave by adjusting its settings using wireless connectivity, but first you must pair the camera to the mobile device.

The LCD screen on the front of the camera is very small and can be difficult to read. Navigating the menu can be frustrating, so it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the steps needed to control your GoPro from a device with a bigger screen.

Note: You can still access all the menu functions by using the camera buttons without pairing the GoPro with a device.

Also Note: Using the monitor on the back of the Hero 4 Silver, or a Touch BacPac can make menu navigation easier.

Here are the steps for pairing the Hero 4

Note: The GoPro App will take you through the process with clear instructions. Reading the following steps before you pair your device to the GoPro will help to orient you to the process. Feel free to skip this section if you are comfortable with following the App’s instructions on your device.

Download or update the free GoPro App to your device.

With the GoPro switched off, Open the App on your smart device and press the ‘connect your camera’ button when it appears.

On the ‘Connect your camera to the GoPro App’ screen, click‘get started’.

Turn on your Hero 4 by pressing the power button on the GoPro.

Turn on your smart device’s bluetooth to allow GoPro to connect to accessories. On the iPhone you do this by swiping up from the bottom of the screen and clicking the bluetooth icon.

In the GoPro App, chooseHero 4,or your model of GoPro.

On the side of the GoPro, press and hold the settings button until Wi-Fi mode appears on the GoPro screen.

Using the GoPro’s power button, cycle down to GoPro App and select it by pressing the shutter button on the top of the GoPro.

In the App, press‘Continue’.

Your device will search for the GoPro’s signal, and you should see your GoPro listed as GoPro followed by numbers. Select your GoPro

In the App click‘Pair my camera’and you’ll notice the screen on the camera shows a ‘pairing screen’ with a 6 digit number near the top

Enter the code shown on the GoPro into the App and click ‘Pair’

The device should pair now

At this stage you can rename your camera and create a password for your GoPro’s Wi-Fi connectivity (each must be eight characters) and press ‘continue’

Go to your smart device’s settings and choose the Wi-Fi signal that

Reviews for Underwater GoPro Book

[yourdvd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Full of great tips and techniques. Worth reading for any underwater videographer