advice of go pro setting for diving

[rhettsc1]

i just need advice on what are the best video settings for diving? thanks for your response!

 

[Scubanoobi]

Which version of the Gopro?

 

[OCTAC]

720p/60 frames

 

[socaljohn]

Why not 1080?? (Looking to learn as my videos are not great)

 

[anklefoot]

Really need to know the version. If you have a fairly recent GoPro, then you want to set it to Protune, which will allow you to better adjust the colors in post-processing. Resolution-wise I set mine to 2.7K video at 30fps. The reason I like the higher res video is two-fold: 1, even when down-rezed to 1080p, it will look sharper than video shot in 1080p, and 2, at 2.7K, if I grab a frame for a still, it is a fairly useable still frame. Otherwise I spend a lot of my time switching back and forth between video and still. I believe the latest and greatest GoPro can do 4K video at 30fps; mine can only do 4K at 15fps, which is too choppy.

 

[DaleC]

Why aren't your videos great? Is it a settings problem, a technique problem or an editing problem?

 

[Scubanoobi]

Protune
WB set to camera raw (Protune is horrible with AWB - at least on my 3 black)
1080 60
Red filter

You'll have to make some adjustments in post but this will give you really good results.

At 60 fps you can also slow down the footage by 50% to reduce camera shake.

 

[socaljohn]

Why aren't your videos great? Is it a settings problem, a technique problem or an editing problem?

Don't mean to hijack thread, but a little shaky, and latest one seems to indicate that I need a filter or lights for 50 fsw. Originally hero (no number) loaned to me by buddy who bought a newer one. So wondered if lower resolution will help with shaky and kinda dark.

 

[anklefoot]

Protune
WB set to camera raw (Protune is horrible with AWB - at least on my 3 black).

Good point- I forgot to mention the Camera Raw. AWB is terrible on these when deep

 

[DaleC]

Don't mean to hijack thread, but a little shaky, and latest one seems to indicate that I need a filter or lights for 50 fsw. Originally hero (no number) loaned to me by buddy who bought a newer one. So wondered if lower resolution will help with shaky and kinda dark.

Shaky is a problem with gopro because the small size doesn't create enough inertia to dampen the natural shake of the hand, especially if using a stick. I googled DIY land steady cam rigs to see some different tray ideas. The other part is really working at holding steady shots and not fire hosing. I continue to work on this.

Lighting is also an issue. Most fabulous gopro footage you see is shallow ambient light in the tropics. Once you lose the light you need to augment. I started out with the focused beam of a dive light (UK Light Cannon) but that creates a hotspot that washes out the subjects. I tried a lot of different DIY diffusers with limited success but eventually bought a dedicated video light. Makes a big difference. Best case is two sources, usually key (front) and fill (side) if you can afford it. At least I would say look at one fair quality VL.

Then its really a matter of learning basic video technique.

I have an original hero and a hero 3. There s definitely a difference in picture quality between the two.

Here's a video using the H3 with one video light in poor dark vis.
[video=youtube;fGRoa1kmhI8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGRoa1kmhI8&list=UU5zvhnU0XYpf_cadpYJYkhQ[/video]

And the same site 1.5 years previous using the original hero and a dive light with DIY diffuser.
[video=youtube;F3HznO_frTc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3HznO_frTc&list=UU5zvhnU0XYpf_cadpYJYkhQ[/video]