GoPro: Big things come in small packages!

If you have been around YouTube or watched any sporting events in recent years, you may have heard of the little camera that could; the GoPro. GoPro cameras are a line of small, durable, easily wearable and mountable cameras. They were originally invented by Nick Woodman following inspiration on a 2002 surfing trip in Australia. His aim was to make a small, affordable camera that would allow for the shots that only professionals could get until that point.

Originally, the cameras were based in 35mm film, but now they are fully digital systems. The first digital GoPro camera could only record 10 second clips at 3 megapixels. Now, the GoPro offers a range of fixed-lens cameras that can capture video ranging from 5 megapixels on the $200 HERO3 White Edition to the 18 megapixels, 30fps 5.2K30 video capture on the GoPro Fusion retailing at $599.99. The GoPro Fusion also captures 360 video and Virtual Reality. The camera comes with video stabilization technology for steady shots. Spherical surround sound and voice commands are also part of the features the small but very mighty camera packs. All these features along with its ability to withstand water at up to 16ft make the GoPro Fusion a very good choice for budget cameras. All GoPro cameras still maintain Woodman’s original aim of ease of filming, flexibility in shooting angles, high quality picture, rugged construction, and low cost compared to other digital cameras.

Since the GoPro’s original release, it has been quickly adopted by amateur photographers and filmmakers alike. Professionals especially enjoy using the GoPro due to the wide range of shots they can get out of the camera. Thanks to the 170-degree view angle and tiny size (no GoPro camera weighs more than 8oz. with the battery and housing included); it is easy to mount a GoPro in places that other cameras could not fit. If a particular mount doesn’t exist that would allow you to get the shot you want, you can make a mount yourself fairly easily. This makes it easy to get shots that follow along with the subject of the shot, such as Snorricam GoPro shots like those used in Requiem for a Dream and The Martian. Snorricam shots previously required heavy equipment and unwieldy mounts that made it hard on the actors and expensive for production. Now, you can get this kind of shot easily using a tiny GoPro camera and mount. These shots give viewers an amazing way to see an actor’s or athlete’s reactions. Darren Aronofsky put this effect to amazing use.

In recent years GoPro has been used to shoot entire movies or specific scenes. Face2Face, a movie available on Netflix was shot on a GoPro camera. The film’s story line is about childhood friends that are reconnecting via smartphones and computers and the picture quality of a GoPro camera helps to fit the context of the movie. A GoPro camera was also used in Hard Core Henry, delivering a unique perspective as the movie was shot in first person and the portability of the camera helped fit the context of the film.

Movies like The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug and The Martian have seen the use of the GoPro camera to capture certain scenes. The change in quality helped create a type of disconnect from the film’s main storyline. However, the disconnect helps to fill in gaps that exist as the story goes on.

Additionally, Live events such as the 2015 ESPN X Games in Aspen were broadcast using a GoPro camera and the use of the HeroCast transmitter allowed for unique live HD coverage of the event. The same was used in the 2015 NHL Honda All Star Weekend.

Similarly, filmmakers like the way a GoPro can be used to capture high-action sequences. Again, thanks to its small size, a GoPro can easily be mounted in a number of ways to capture footage that deeply immerses the viewer in the action. Maybe you want to film a skier outracing an avalanche? Just mount the GoPro to his helmet. Perhaps you need a BASE jumping sequence? You can even use a GoPro to capture a wide variety of perspective shots placing the viewer in someone else’s shoes for a bit, seeing what they see. GoPro is the go-to camera for when being a spectator isn’t enough; you want to be part of the action!

So, how would you use a GoPro (or, if you have one, how have you used it)? What new perspectives could you offer the world either professionally or personally? Would you go high action? Would you document your journeys in life? The possibilities are limitless, and your GoPro is ready to capture every moment of it. Share your thoughts and personal links showcasing your GoPro camera work in the comments section!