YouTube these days is cluttered with bikers, snowboarders, and other athletes who strap a GoPro on their head, go for a ride and upload a 20-minute video filled with shaky shots and weird noises which no one really wants to see. While that may be fine for some people, riders who want to attract an audience need to put a little more work into it.
That does not necessarily mean buying the latest cameras and equipment, but understanding how to film, edit, and create an interesting video with good angles and insights. Here are some important tips to understand what is needed to create a film before, after, and during the shot.
Have a Good Reason
Why do you want to record yourself?
Answering this question should be the first and most important part of filming yourself. Is there an interesting location you want to show to others? Do you want to tell an interesting story? Or do you just want to record your entire travels and have no real interest in showing your videos to anyone outside of close associates? Knowing “why” matters because it will help you know what to emphasize and will help you visualize the final product. It also helps get you excited for the film as well as the outdoor expedition itself.
If you are not sure of what you want to film, hop on YouTube, check out GoPro’s channel in particular, and look for videos which you find particularly interesting. Do not think you have to be totally original and cannot ape other successful videos. No one ever came up with an original idea without being influenced by something else.
Fiddle with your Camera
GoPro and other cameras carry automatic settings which will adjust depending on your conditions. But if you want to get the most out of your camera, you should take the time to experiment with different settings so that you can potentially try a different look.
For example, you may want to explore different shooting resolutions in order to balance quality and frame rate, though 1080p at 60 frames is normally best. Other things to look at are the light settings, how fast Burst mode activates, and other aspects relating to taking pictures. You may want to take multiple videos with different settings and resolutions until you find one you like instead of just accepting that the auto settings are the best.
Consider Different Mounts
The countless shaky, grainy GoPro videos out there are proof that many outdoorsmen do not know where to put their cameras. There are many different mounts which you buy to place your camera and I would recommend a chest mount. A camera on a chest mount will not be shaky and allows a wide range of view. You can buy an official GoPro chest mount off of Amazon for $40, and there are cheaper options.
If you have a mount located somewhere else such as on the bike or snowboard and it is moving around too much, break out the duct tape to keep it in place. You may have to get different mounts until you find the one you like the most.
Film with Friends
Getting good shots is an important element of creating a good video, and that requires multiple angles. While you can move your GoPro to different spots, you should consider filming with a friend. Your friend can capture your own face while a chest mounted camera cannot, and they may be interested in appearing in an outdoors video. This technique will make you look great, especially for those using Kavinace.
Furthermore, two heads are better than one, and a partner participating in filming can give new perspectives which can help you make a better film. Working together to make a video is an enjoyable activity which will keep both of you interested in your outdoor activity and physically fit.
Edit your Film
If you, some random nobody YouTuber, uploads a 10-minute long video, nobody is going to watch it. The marketing blog Buffer points out that “Videos up to 2 minutes long get the most engagement” and that most people who watch the first three seconds of a YouTube video will not watch for up to 30 seconds.
This is slightly different for GoPro outdoor videos, as those videos are about a journey and thus can get a little more leeway from viewers. But once you have shot your footage, you should take care to edit out all irrelevant content. The viewer should be able to instantly see whatever interesting thing you are showing them at the very beginning of your video.
These are some of the lessons you would learn attending film school. Many people are put off from further education because of the long hours and all that homework you have to do. Also if you intend to use music, put the song in your editor before you edit the video. The video will have to fit the song, not the other way around (this is why I don’t like putting in music.)
