GoPro action camera makes probably the best action cameras on the market, which is not surprising given that they invented the product category. Although, no matter how best the camera result is, you are still required to edit that footage into a slick product that will delight and please your audience. So if you are looking for how to edit GoPro videos, here are some of the best and highly-rated apps and resources you can use to make fantastic footage.
What Is GoPro?
What is the main function of a GoPro camera? What are the capabilities of GoPro cameras? Is it really necessary to move from a standard compact to this little device? A GoPro waterproof is a small, compact, and long-lasting action camera that can be attached to your head, helmet, bike handlebars, or surfboard. It is popular with sportsmen because it allows them to take high-quality film without having to hold it. When it comes to photographic equipment in this area, GoPro amazon is by far the most popular brand. In fact, they have established themselves as the leading brand for these sorts of products. There are now multiple varieties of this beauty, with 10 being the most recent addition to the family.
If you haven’t heard of this stuff yet, this is a fantastic place to start.
In this post, I will discuss the following topics:
- What exactly is a GoPro camera?
- Should you get a GoPro?
- How does a GoPro work?
- What activities can it be used for?
We love our GoPro since we can use it almost anywhere, and we don’t have to worry about damaging it because it’s protected by a waterproof casing. We also like how video, time-lapse, and slow-motion capture memories in a more vibrant way than static images. So, if you asked me, “Should I get a GoPro?” I’d reply, “Yes.” Which GoPro is the best? GoPro’s current versions are the Hero11 Black (flagship) and the Hero10 Black.
Is GoPro really that good?
GoPro is a fun, flexible, beginner-friendly piece of technology that is also reasonably priced. But nothing can be that perfect. Let’s take a look at some of the disadvantages of a GoPro.
1. Average low-light performance
Shooting in poor light might result in blurry footage. Color reproduction might also suffer. Although all models, from the GoPro Hero 5 Black to the GoPro Hero 11 Black and even the GoPro Max, have a low-light mode that you can select, it is not always sufficient.
2. There is no optical zoom
Zooming is not an option with GoPro cameras. To acquire a clean photo, you’ll need to approach very close to your subject. This is due to the fact that GoPro cameras have a fixed focus length. There is a limited field-of-view setting; however, it only crops the image rather than zooming in. Digital zoom is available on newer models; however, it can produce grainy photographs.
3. Limited Battery Life
The most significant disadvantage of a GoPro action camera is that you’ll have to constantly manage the battery life in order to acquire all of the photos you desire. In perfect settings, it will function for a couple of hours. That’s why, if you’re planning a day excursion, you’ll need to get multiple extra batteries.
Edit GoPro Videos Directly in the App
Suppose you have recorded your GoPro footage, and now you are ready to edit it. You do not have to go very far to do it. The GoPro App (iOS and Android) for smartphones contains a very basic yet fast & powerful video editor built into it. Furthermore, it will walk you through every step of a standard edit. If you do not know much about video editing or do not care, this is the best option.
Use an Advanced Mobile Editor
The GoPro editor is perfect if you do not have the time or skills to do a proper edit. It allows you to quickly share your adventures with your followers and buddies on social media while adding some attitude & flavor with automated music and cuts.
It is cool but pretty limited. Additionally, the good news is that you can get advanced video editors for mobile devices that give you complete control. For instance, LumaFusion for iOS provides almost as much editing power as desktop video editors. On Android, apps such as Adobe Premiere Rush offer you far more options than GoPro’s app does with a very intuitive touch-based interface.
These 2 apps are our own top choices on each respective mobile platform, but these days you’re spoilt for choice.
- iMovie has a mobile version on iOS that pretty much contains all the macOS edition bells & whistles. You can start your iPhone or iPad project and then smoothly move it over to the macOS version. Besides, iMovie is completely free.
- PowerDirector is the best free Android video editor that’s highly-rated by users. However, ample best features are locked behind a premium subscription model.
- FilmoraGo is the perfect choice for users who do not have much video editing experience. It contains both Android and iOS versions. What’s incredible about this app is that it’s hyper-streamlined and offers you everything from music to unique and elegant effects in one package.
Move Your Footage to a PC
While phone video editors have come a long way, there is still no substitute for proper desktop video editing packages. It means you will have to get your footage onto that PC if you want to work with it there.
With GoPro cameras, you’ve two main ways of doing this. The primary is to remove the SD card from your camera and put it into a computer SD card reader. Most laptops already have these built-in, but you will have to use a USB card reader on most desktop computers. If you have moved your footage onto your smartphone, you can upload it to the cloud & then download it to your PC.
Some newer GoPro cameras can even upload footage straight to GoPro cloud storage. If you have chosen to pay for it, that is.
Top Computer Video Editors for GoPro Footage
Now that you have got your GoPro footage on your computer, you have to get a good video editor to process it. There are many options on desktop operating systems, but we do have some suggestions as to which are great for both newbies and those looking for more robust packages.
On Windows, Linux, & Mac, you would do well to give the OpenShot free & open-source video editor a try. It’s relatively friendly to newbies, costs nothing, & works across multiple operating systems.
Well, if you are willing to spend a little money on a subscription, then Adobe Premiere Pro is the ideal choice to edit GoPro videos. It’s an industry-standard package, contains plenty of support material built into it, and can do just about anything you want from an editing perspective.
Adobe also provides Premiere Elements, which you can buy for a one-off price. It is much more limited, but it’s designed to allow total beginners to create something that rivals professional output, just with less creative freedom. Premiere Elements 2020 does, although, include action-camera-specific features, like color correction, lens distortion removal, and also help to trim your clips for optimal action.
On macOS, you can start with the free included iMovie app. Apple’s own Final Cut Pro is the topmost macOS-specific video editor you can buy, but of course, it’s quite expensive.
DaVinci Resolve is the best option if you do not want to spend any money and want a professional-grade editor. Its free version contains most of what you will ever need, and it runs on Windows, Mac, & Linux. Numerous video editors are jumping ship from Premiere to Resolve. Additionally, its Pro version has a similar price to Final Cut Pro, and it’s a one-off purchase.
Resources for Stock Video and Audio
Your GoPro footage is incredible! However, a complete project probably need more than just the stuff you shot, which is why any GoPro video editor should be aware of extra resources. Maybe you desire some sweet music or cool stock video clips to tie scenes together or build an intro.
Moreover, the good news is that the internet is chock-full of great and incredible resources you can use in your project. Some will not cost you any money; some will be free. All of them come with separate licenses that dictate what you are allowed to use them for, regardless of price.
Basic Process of Editing a GoPro Video
We have gone over all the things you required to edit a GoPro video, but the last piece of the puzzle is your workflow. So, that’s the sequence of events from where you plan your shoot to where you’ve the final video. There’s no such thing as a universal workflow for a video edit, but to give you a rough guide on how you could go about it, I have created some useful guides that can help.
This Adobe Premiere tutorial for newbies includes video editing tips for Adobe Premiere & standard step-by-step guidelines you should follow regardless of the software you use.
Tips for Making Better Videos
When you’re comfortable with your camera, shooting becomes more enjoyable. The default settings on your camera are 1080p (resolution) and 30fps (frames per second), but you can really spice up your results with these tips:
- Create movement: This is simple, whether capturing a snowboarding run or a mountain bike ride—the activity is already there. However, for generally static situations such as a family picnic or a garage band jamming, you may add movement to increase interest. As you film, walk around your subject, moving the camera up and down to generate movement.
- Look for unexpected perspectives: POV (point-of-view) pictures are only the beginning. In the case of a garage band jam, you may go close to the guitarist’s fingers manipulating the strings or shoot a close-up down the neck of the instrument back toward the performer. Be inventive!
- Make a point of view: To boost depth of field and intrigue, place a static item in the front. maintain individual scene lengths brief (every 3 to 5 seconds) to maintain track of video and swiftly get rid of unneeded sequences.
- Make a strategy: Make a brief storyboard so you can shoot with a plan. Capture a lot of video, so you have a lot of options when editing afterwards.
Editing allows you to be creative (GoPro’s Studio 2.0 is a popular tool), but it is outside the scope of this post.
Conclusion
If you follow these essential guides, you should have a pretty decent GoPro video at the end. And the rest all depends on your creativity and, undoubtedly, the quality of the footage you made. Well, if the stars align, your GoPro video could be the next viral sensation. Also, share your experience in the below comments section.