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GoPro Cameras – a how-to guide for UNICEF Country Offices

Social and Civic Media SectionNYHQ

Introduction

For those of you who are new to the world of GoPro, they are a brand of high-definition personal cameras that have become famous for their use in extreme action video photography. They are known for being lightweight, rugged, wearable or mountable in unusual places such as outside planes, cars, or boats, making them ideal for capturing UNICEF’s work in the field.

They are the ideal tool for capturing photos and videos of your work. Simply strap on your GoPro to your hat, shoulder, belt, or vehicle, switch it on and away you go. Your GoPro will capture all of the events from your day without distracting you from the task at hand.

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Your GoPro

You will be provided with a GoPro HD Hero 2 which includes an 11 MegaPixel image sensor, improved low-light capability and records at up to 120 frames per second.

You can use it for both taking pictures and recording videos whilst it is compact and robust enough for you to take it almost anywhere. For full technical information on your GoPro and how to use it please refer to the official guide included with your camera.

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Creative Content

GoPro cameras are famous for their durability and reliability. You can take them anywhere and strap them to almost anything. They can take knocks as well as endure extreme temperatures and weather conditions without any interruption to your filming.

People the world over have used GoPro’s to capture everything from interactions with lions to firefighters entering a burning building. Take a look at some of these great examples that will inspire you to go out and create your own. As you watch them, imagine the great stories you will be able to share by simply wearing your GoPro in the field...

GoPro: Lions - The New Endangered Species?

Watch the video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNCzSfv4hX8&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLSSPBo7OVSZvo939bLapLX0Zk8mkPmmkS

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GoPro: Fireman Saves Kitten

Watch the video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjB_oVeq8Lo

GoPro: Highest Road In The World

Watch the video -www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwV-Im0kGqg&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLSSPBo7OVSZvo939bLapLX0Zk8mkPmmkS

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GoPro Cameras have even been used to capture weddings...

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Watch more great videos at GoPro’s official YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/GoProCamera/videos?shelf_id=8&view=0&sort=dd

Shooting Modes

Your new GoPro is super versatile and offers a range of different shooting modes that help you capture the moment perfectly. Each mode enables you to capture the world around you from a different perspective so be sure to experiment to get the best results. Change your GoPro’s shooting mode by opening the “Wrench Settings menu” and selecting your chosen mode.  960.48 – This mode is designed for Point of View (POV) footage and is best used alongside a body mount whether on the chest or head. '960' refers to the frame size, is 4x3 and is the widest setting available on your GoPro. Essentially, it works as a 16x9 frame with additional space on the top and bottom. This will enable you to efficiently capture the details of a subject as well as the setting. This mode can be cropped or dynamically stretched to 16x9 with the bundled editing software, GoPro Studio. The '48' refers to the frames per second. Typically, video is played at 30 frames per second but with the extra 18 frames per seconds it allows you to slow the footage down for smoother footage.  720.60 – Recordings taken in this mode are ideal for either shooting in third person or for shooting a particular subject. '720' is the frame size which works out as 16x9. The '60' frame rate allows for both slow motion and smoother handheld footage.   1080.30 – This mode is perfect for using your GoPro with a tripod for interviews or any other kind of static footage. It offers the highest resolution frame rate and turns out an image 16x9. The frame rate is 30 per second meaning that slow motion will not be clear and if the camera is being handheld the image will be shaky.  

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GoPro Tips & Tricks

Plan your story – Sometimes you will just strap on your GoPro and see what happens. Other times it can be useful to plan ahead for what you want to capture. What story do you want to tell? Where do you need to go? Who do you need to speak to? What do you want to show? Consider these things before you head out into the action and you should have no problem collecting great footage.

Wear it well – Whatever you plan on attaching your GoPro to, your belt, your head, your vehicle or anything else, it is best to familiarise yourself with your mount’s movement. Experiment and try to get a feel for different angles and consider what you want to capture and from where. Watch your footage back and make changes to ensure you get the best shot possible.

Keep it traditional – GoPro’s don’t have to be worn or strapped on, you can hold it just as you would any other video camera. Share your GoPro around and see what other people can be inspired to capture too.

Find edit points – Imagine you are making a short movie, which you are! There may be several scenes that you want to capture to tell your story. But you also need a way of stitching these different events together. Try to collect a number of edit points—specific shots that connect the dots and drive your narrative, like zooming out from a medical centre to catch passing action, UNICEF’s logo or a vehicle driving in or out of shot. This

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will allow your main footage to flow seamlessly between shots and will make editing more much quicker and easier.

Practice – Nothing will get you to grips with your GoPro faster than simple practice. Get it out of the box, take it around the office, take it home and simply have a play with the different features and modes. Become familiar with what each of the different buttons do and have a go at using them without looking. The faster you’re able to adapt with your GoPro to your environment the more captivating footage you’ll collect.

POV – For the most natural point of view from a person’s perspective you should mount your GoPro to one side of a full face helmet. Always get a colleague to double check where the camera is actually pointing before setting out.

Shoot and go – Your GoPro is more than your average video camera! Experiment with different modes such as setting your camera to take a photo every second or every minute throughout your day or journey. You can stitch all of your shots together at the end of the day to create a timelapse of your day at the medical centre or a warehouse being emptied of supplies.

High fidelity – Capture stunning audio by connecting a microphone into the built in 1/8” slot.

Play the angles – When considering the different stories or events you wish to showcase keep in mind the different angles you can use. Changing the position of your GoPro from scene to scene can help to keep things interesting and show a more complete view of the environment you are in.

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MountsYou can attach your GoPro to almost anything using a range of mounts. Read about how the different options can support you to capture stunning video before you set out on your adventure.

Head Strap + QuickClick

Fully adjustable to fit all sizes, the Head Strap can be worn over a helmet or directly on your head to capture footage from a headlamp-like perspective. The QuickClip enables ultra-compact, low-profile mounting, and can be used to attach your GoPro to a backwards baseball cap or other 3mm to 10mm thick object.

Head Strap is fully adjustable to fit all sizes

Head Strap can be worn over a helmet or directly on your head in a headlamp-like position

QuickClip allows you to attach your GoPro to a backwards baseball cap or other 3mm to 10mm thick object

QuickClip enables ultra-compact, low-profile mounting

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Chesty (Chest Harness)

Fully adjustable to fit all sizes, the Chesty makes it easy to capture immersive video and photos from, well… your chest. The Chesty delivers a more immersive view than filming from your helmet.

Jaws: Flex Clamp

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Clamp your GoPro to objects ranging in size from .25" to 2" (.6cm to 5cm) in diameter. Attach your camera directly to the clamp for low-profile mounting, or use the optional neck to achieve a wider range of camera-angle adjustability. Jaws securely grips irregular shapes and super slim objects thanks to its innovative design.

Suction Cup

Attach your GoPro to cars, boats, motorcycles and more. This industrial-strength Suction Cup mount is proven at speeds of 150+ mph and engineered for stability and a broad range of motion. Adjustable arms allow for ultra-compact mounting. Includes a standard base and a quick release base for moving conveniently between shots and locations. For maximum holding strength, attach to a clean surface.

BrainstormingGet a group of your most creative staff together for a quick brainstorming session on what it is you want to capture and share in the world. Look back on previous case studies and share memorable stories to inspire you.

Consider the following questions when thinking about what to capture with your GoPro

What story do you want to tell? What is your message to the world?

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What is your most powerful intervention? What do people need to understand about your work? What makes your staff and / or beneficiaries smile and / or laugh? What don’t people understand about your country situation? What challenges do your field staff and beneficiaries face? What is unique about your country situation?

Make notes of your discussion and try to eventually settle on a few of your best ideas to take forward.

Quick Ideas1. Get wet! 

All GoPros come with a waterproof housing so don’t worry about getting it wet. In fact, you

should seek out some water for the ultimate GoPro experience. Your GoPro HD Hero comes

with a waterproof case that is rated for up to 60 meters. With this much protection, there aren’t

many places that you can’t find a use for the GoPro. Remember, the camera is only waterproof

when enclosed in the waterproof housing!

2. Timelapse!

Timelapse is a series of photographs taken over a given period of time. Your GoPro can take a

photo every second, every minute or an interval of your choice. Capture activity at a community

water well, your journey to the field or the busy comings and goings at your local medical centre.

Your GoPro makes it easier than ever before to create inspirational timelapsed recordings.

3. Mount and Go! You can attach your GoPro to pretty much anything with the range of mounts available. Whether

it is a bicycle, motorbike, boat, HGV or plane, you can capture UNICEF’s work in action using

your new GoPro.

4. Strap it on! What better way is there to showcase the work of UNICEF than strapping it on to your own body

and heading out into the field. Mount it to your chest, head, wrist or shoulder, press record and

head out into the field. Don’t worry about the camera, just get on with your day and take a note

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of the time whenever you think you’ve captured something great so that you can easily locate it

the recording when you get back.

There are several ways to attach a GoPro on your body. There are chest straps, wrist straps,

head straps and helmet straps. There is even a mount that attaches to a helmet with an arm

that can allow the camera to look back at you! Try it while skydiving, swimming, hiking, diving,

rock climbing, scuba diving, surfing or parasailing.

Express YourselfWe’re excited to witness the brilliant and creative ideas for content that our country offices dream up. We’ve drawn up a few ideas to inspire your GoPro adventures in your country...

Make a timelapse video by capturing your journey to the field...

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Capture school meals being prepared and served to children...

Show happy, smiling children out playing rather than in domestic servitude...

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Tell the tale of a woman who survived domestic violence...

Demonstrate how economic development has changed lives for mothers...

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Tell the story of how preventative medicines such as vaccines are delivered...

Celebrate how sport can be used to further a child’s development...

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Demonstrate UNICEF’s campaign to encourage handwashing...

Capture the benefits of clean, locally sourced water for all of the family...

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Demonstrate the difference that clean water facilities make at school...

Record a day in the life of a UNICEF worker in the field...

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Capture how UNICEF is supporting disabled children to lead full lives...

Demonstrate the realities of emergency situations...

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Share the lives of children in UNICEF supported child protection centres...

Or just let the children have some fun with your GoPro and see what they create!

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UNICEF – GoPro ChallengeMake your videos more exciting and engaging by taking part in the UNICEF – GoPro Challenge against the clock. Racing against time adds a new dimension and intrigue that will capture your supporters’ attention and help to emphasise the importance of fast action in development situations.

The only rules are that there is a time limit to what you are trying to achieve, the rest is up to your imagination! What can you come up with? The more creative the better and we hope to be able to supply a prize to the country with the best entry to the UNICEF – GoPro Challenge. Do you have what it takes?

Watch this great video for ideas if you’re still not sure how to take part:

GoPro: Combing Valparaiso's Hills

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN-YTcSnE6c

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StillsDid we forget to mention that your new GoPro takes amazing still photographs too? Well it does. Your GoPro is designed to be used in situations that you wouldn’t put a regular camera so be daring, be adventurous and you will be rewarded with amazing images.

You can hold your GoPro in your hand like any other camera or you can strap it on and not have to rush to find your camera whenever there is an opportunity for a great shot. Your GoPro features an amazing super wide-angle lens that will allow you to capture wide shots that would be impossible on a conventional camera.

You can use your GoPro to take a single shot, take three quick shots in succession (Three shot burst) or you can use the Countdown timer to set up your shot. Timelapse mode allows you to set the time interval between each shot. When you press the shutter to take a picture, the camera will keep firing shots off, pausing between each shot based on your setting, until you stop the process, the SD card becomes full, or the battery dies.

MusicNo GoPro video is complete without a powerful soundtrack to accompany your on screen adventures. If you can find a suitable track from your country, even better. Just be sure to get permission first!

What next?Using the software bundled with your GoPro you can quickly and easily edit your footage however you choose. Whether you want to create a quick ten second video loop, a mini documentary or a timelapse of your latest intervention you can do it using GoPro’s intuitive software, GoPro Studio. For advice and tips on how to get the most from the included software visit their dedicated support page (http://gopro.com/support/cineform-studio-software-support).

If you have any problems you can refer to the manual and software bundled with you GoPro, refer to their online help page (http://gopro.com/support) or you can contact Nicholas Ledner on nledner@unicef.org

Going social with UNICEF & GoProUpload your video to your YouTube, Instagram or Vine accounts to share with your supporters online. Increase the reach of your videos by taking the following steps:

Like, Follow & Subscribe to GoPro on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, andYouTube.

Use your GoPro camera and share your photos & videos online using @GoProand #GoPro.

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Submit your best GoPro photos & videos to GoPro for the chance to have your story featured asPhoto of the Day, Video of the Day, a TV commercial, a magazine ad, and more.Photos here: gopro.com/photo-submit.Videos here: gopro.com/video-submit.

99% of the videos we share are shot 100% with GoPro cameras. However, on rareoccasion we will showcase videos that use other cameras to compliment the unique story tellingcapabilities and perspectives made possible by GoPro cameras.

Please respect the copyright ownership of others and only share photos & videos that youshot and for which you have rights to do so.

Declaring ‘Shot with my GoPro camera’ helps us validate the source of the content more quickly and gives your story a better chance to be recognized and shared.Tell us your story. We are suckers for personal and passionate GoPro moments and stories, and we want to share yours. The more information you give us about ‘who, what, where, when, why and how’ the photo or video is special to you, the better we will be able to share your story in an authentic way.

Teach us how you got the shot. What mounts did you use and how? Did you use the GoPro App or Remote Control to set or trigger the shot? Did you edit your piece using GoPro Studio 2.0? Did you make your own mount or contraption to get the shot?

Help us find your GoPro photos & videos. Mention and tag GoPro in your titles, descriptions, @’s andhashtags. Here are some specific tips for each major social site:o YouTube: Mention GoPro in the title and add, “Shot with my GoPro camera” in the description.o Facebook: Tag @GoPro when you share, and post your photos and videos directly on our wall.o Twitter & Instagram: Always use the #GoPro hashtag and tag us directly using @GoPro.

Have questions or want some more advice on how to do it right? Drop us a line: Social@GoPro.com. Have questions about copyright? Check out: GoPro.com/Copyright-PolicyBe a hero and let me know about it too by emailing me at nledner@unicef.org

We look forward to seeing what everyone can produce!

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