Carucci - GoPro® cameras for dummies®

John Carucci has written about technology for more than 20 years and has published several books on the subject, including Webinars For Dummies and Digital SLR Video and Filmmaking For Dummies.

John has written more than 100 articles on photography, video, and technology. His work has appeared in many publications, including American Photo, Popular Photography, PDN, Shutterbug, Photo Pro, PC Photo, and others. He was also a contributing editor to Popular Photography Magazine from 2000 to 2002, writing about digital image and video technology. In addition, he was a contributing writer to Photo Insider, for which he wrote a bimonthly called Digital Bytes from 1998 to 2002.

Currently, John works as an entertainment news producer for Associated Press Television, where he covers music and theater. Those responsibilities include arranging and conducting studio interviews, covering field assignments (red carpets, news events, interviews, and so on), script writing, and editing both television packages and online segments. In addition to his television work, John also writes general news stories on the entertainment beat. Prior to that appointment, he was a photo editor covering sports, national, international, and features.

To my usual suspects, who make their way on stages, sets, and boats.

Although its always fun, its not always easy to use a GoPro camera effectively. Its even more complicated when you try and explain how to do it. It takes a lot of support to get it done, so I need to thank some folks.

Lets start the folks at Wiley Publishing, starting with executive editor Steve Hayes for continuing to provide challenges, and for having the patience to continually modify the plan to accommodate my busy schedule. Thanks to editor Sarah Hellert for piecing this ever-evolving set of words and pictures together in a cohesive form.

I would also like to extend a great deal of gratitude to the folks at GoPro. Theres nothing like getting sound advice from the people who make the camera. Special thanks to Kevin OLeary and Jim Geduldick.

Thanks to my agent Carol Jelen for continuing to find great projects for me. Appreciate all your help.

And once again, thanks to Jillian, Anthony, and Alice for the necessary grounding.

Publishers Acknowledgments

Executive Editor: Steve Hayes

Sr. Project Editor: Sarah Hellert

Copy Editor: Kathy Simpson

Technical Editor: Robert Correll

Editorial Assistant: Paige Newman

Sr. Editorial Assistant: Cherie Case

Project Coordinator: Melissa Cossell

Front Cover Image: iStockphoto.com/Paolo Cipriani

Chapter 1

In This Chapter

Discovering GoPro

Finding out what GoPro can do

Comparing models

Working with the GoPro App

Youve probably heard the old saying, Good things come in small packages. Sometimes its true, as in the case of a diamond ring. That sparkly rock is definitely small, and many people would agree that its good. But a mosquito, which is smaller than a diamond, isnt good at all, especially on a warm summer evening.

Small cameras rarely solicit as much disdain as mosquitoes do. Most of us accept the compromise of function for size, understanding that its acceptable for a camera to have less quality and fewer features in exchange for traveling well.

The GoPro, however, shatters that compromise like a rock on a plate-glass window. This pint-size wonder not only fits in the palm of your hand, but also easily mounts anywhere. Put it on a bicycle helmet to capture the riders perspective. Mount it on a surfboard and not worry about frying the electronics, thanks to its watertight housing. How about mounting it on an inexpensive remote-control drone (more appropriately known here as a quadcopter) and recording overhead footage something that was out of the realm of possibility for consumers a few short years ago? (Check local ordinances first so you dont fly your airship too close to a restricted area or violate privacy and security of others. More on that in Chapter .)