Slow-Mo Swim Time

[Kent Frost]

Okay, LAST VIDEO TODAY, I swear! I don't want to flood the board with too many videos, but I saw a bunch of summer and slow-mo videos, so I figured I'd join in on the fun.

I shot this on my birthday in July this year using my GoPro HD Hero 3 Black in 720p mode at 120 frames per second. I used this as my opportunity to play with both the slo-mo function, as well as to FINALLY get some good underwater footage, which I hadn't been able to do with either this OR my previous Hero 2 camera. And, of course, I played with film noise. No idea why, I just like the look. ;-)

The people in the video are my girlfriend and her niece and nephew.

[Dave McElderry]

There's just something about the way underwater bubbles look in slo-mo. A lot of creative shots and editing in that vid!

[momoffduty]

The slomo underwater is very cool! The grain effects gives it an edgy feel along with the music.

[Ron Hunter]

Cool video! Kent, what GoPro watertight case and pole (length) do you use for your videos? And where did that music come from? Do you get all of your video music from the same source, or multiple sources?

Why couldn't you get good footage from your HD Hero 2? That's the one I have.

You do video and photography for a living, yes?

[Kent Frost]

Cool video! Kent, what GoPro watertight case and pole (length) do you use for your videos?

Hey thanks. I use the supplied casing for the GoPro, and I actually didn't use a pole for this, but rather this pistol grip handle from bhphoto.com for $17.

Here's the link for it if you're interested.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8 ... _Grip.html

And where did that music come from? Do you get all of your video music from the same source, or multiple sources?

I just use what I like, actually. Most of it came from online radio stations such as di.fm, which has several downtempo and chillout stations. But I don't use just anything in projects where I make money. In those cases I use music from triplescoopmusic.com, songfreedom.com, or youlicense.com.

Why couldn't you get good footage from your HD Hero 2? That's the one I have.

I got great footage from the Hero 2, but back in May I lost it - actually I thought it got stolen, but then I found it a few months ago and sold it. I replaced it with the Hero 3 Black while it was missing.

You do video and photography for a living, yes?

Sort of. I do work for hire, but I don't do enough of it per year to really consider myself doing it for a living. Really glad I don't rely on my income from photos or I'd be doomed. LOL

[Ron Hunter]

Thanks for the info Kent! I'm not sure my GoPro cases are waterproof but I'll look into that. Will check out BH for GoPro accessories too.

[Kent Frost]

When I bought my Hero 2 and Hero 3, they both came with 2 different backs to the supplied case. One with large openings, and the other completely sealed. Just a matter of popping one off and the other one on.

[momoffduty]

Thanks for the info Kent! I'm not sure my GoPro cases are waterproof but I'll look into that. Will check out BH for GoPro accessories too.

A little over a month ago you mentioned that you didn't have any projects in mind. Sounds like you have quite a list going on now! Be sure to post up your GoPro project.

[Ron Hunter]

You're right Cheryl, I've got some projects now! Swimming pool is too cold now so that will have to wait (darn). Drivelapse should happen soon; unfortunately my commute goes directly into the sun in both directions, so I don't know how I will mitigate that. I plan to start "Just a second" on Jan 1. Current projects include:
- a "timelapse" where I take a picture from the same spot on my property at the same time of day, every week for a year (thanks for the tip Steve!).
- a before/after video of the construction of our current home
- a movie about our new dog, which will include GoPro footage shot while the camera was on the dog.

I'm planning to perform video interviews of my in-laws soon.

Speaking of the timelapse, how do you manage the varying exposures from one timelapse shot to the next? For example, one Sunday it is bright outside and the photo is exposed accordingly. The next Sunday it is cloudy so the exposure changes. I can envision this causing "flickering" when I assemble the project after the 52nd week. I know I can Google this question but if you have a proven remedy, I'd love to hear it.

Kent, my GoPro also came with two "backdoors" for the case but I've read comments from users that say neither is watertight. Has your experience been different?

And to think I once thought a GoPro was only useful for action sport footage. This site rocks!

[momoffduty]

Ron, I am a complete newb at this timelapse stuff. Currently I am shooting a series of timelapses that will string together into one video. Each time I exposed properly for the shot. A few weeks ago I did shoot one where the storm clouds were rolling in and exposed accordingly, but within 15 minutes it was much darker out. In post I fiddled with the exposure & masks and not really happy. That shot will not match up to the two from this week where it was sunny. I don't know how I will fit all of these together to have a cohesive flow. I plan on a little video in between the shots. Won't really know until I have all the shots.

[Kent Frost]

Ron, I just shot a drivelapse yesterday where I drove into the sun for most of the trip and it turned out fine. With as wide as the lens is, the sun only accounts for a small spot of the picture and doesn't really impede the exposure.

[Kent Frost]

Ron, I am a complete newb at this timelapse stuff. Currently I am shooting a series of timelapses that will string together into one video. Each time I exposed properly for the shot. A few weeks ago I did shoot one where the storm clouds were rolling in and exposed accordingly, but within 15 minutes it was much darker out. In post I fiddled with the exposure & masks and not really happy. That shot will not match up to the two from this week where it was sunny. I don't know how I will fit all of these together to have a cohesive flow. I plan on a little video in between the shots. Won't really know until I have all the shots.

Here's a trick you can do: Make 2 versions of the same clip, one where you get the exposure how you like it for the first half before the storm, then another where you get it the way you like it during the storm. Then simply put a fade from one to the other at the moment when the exposure changes.

[momoffduty]

Kent, I sorta did that. In AE I keyframed the Exposure effect. Part of the problem was that the trees became too dark in the shadows so masked them out and keyframed a curves mid point. What I may do is only use a portion of the timelapse. I shot for 40 minutes at a shot per 3 seconds and then since the clouds moved very fast I slowed it down a little.

I am still learning exposure and timelapse. The difficult thing is seeing the screen on the test shot. I use a ND 9 stop filter so my only option is to check the histogram. I think what happened is that I was underexposed to begin with and when the clouds grew very dark it was way underexposed.

Your fade in the 2 clips is a good idea.

Back to Ron's first post on flickering. I don't think you will have flicker combining the shots. What I have read on the Timescapes forum is that the flickering is due to changing white balance that is why not to leave in AWB, but use cloudy or sunny or your own setting. Another thing I read there was flickering due to short shutter speeds. The shutter speed should be for as long as possible and the aperture wide as possible and to use a ND filter.

[Kent Frost]

Kent, my GoPro also came with two "backdoors" for the case but I've read comments from users that say neither is watertight. Has your experience been different?

Yeah, the one backdoor that has no holes is the one you want. Granted, the front half of the casing also needs to have no holes. They make a version that has holes on the side for you to access the camera's ports (USB/mic/HDMI), so as long as those holes aren't there and you have the solid backdoor, you should be good to go.

[Kent Frost]

Ron, in reference again to your concern about driving toward the sun to and from work, I was finally able to get my drivelapse from yesterday uploaded to give you an idea how little the sun will affect your result:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqTwCbl7MIs[/youtube]