My GoPro Hero5 Camera

Step-by-step instructions with callouts to the GoPro HERO5 Black, HERO5 Session™, or HERO Session™ camera. Photos and sample images show you exactly what to do.

Help when you run into problems or limitations with your GoPro camera in specific shooting situations.

Tips and Notes to help you get the most from your GoPro camera when taking pictures or shooting HD video in a wide range of shooting situations.

Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping your GoPro camera working just the way you want in order to shoot the absolute best photos and videos possible. Learn how to:

• Set up your GoPro camera and prepare for any type of shooting situation
• Take awesome first- or third-person videos just about anywhere, including underwater or in low-light situations
• Select and use the best camera housing, mount, and accessories to capture the perfect shots
• Take detailed and vibrant high-resolution, digital images with your GoPro camera
•  Shoot stunning HD video using your GoPro camera 
• Record high-quality audio in conjunction with your videos 
• Choose the best resolution and camera settings for each shooting situation you encounter 
• Wirelessly transfer your digital content from your camera to your smartphone or tablet using the GoPro Capture™ mobile app 
• Transfer content from your camera to your computer to view, edit, enhance, archive, and share it using photo editing software or the GoPro QUIK Desktop™ and GoPro Studio™ video editing software 
• Learn strategies used by the pros to achieve your own professional results
  

    Chapter 1: Overview of the GoPro HERO Cameras 3
    An Entirely New Shooting Experience .......................................................5
    Understanding Digital Camera Resolution .............................................7
    Choosing the Right GoPro Camera ................................................................9
        The GoPro HERO Session ............................................................................12
        The GoPro HERO5 Session .........................................................................14
        The GoPro HERO5 Black ...............................................................................15
    Getting the Best Results with a Mount....................................................18
    Using GoPro Accessories .....................................................................................20
        The GoPro Mobile Apps ...............................................................................20
        The GoPro QUIK Desktop Software ...................................................22
    Start Gathering Your GoPro Equipment ................................................23
Chapter 2: Getting Started with Your GoPro HERO5 Black 27
    Ten Improvements to the HERO5 Black ..................................................27
    What Comes with the HERO5 Black ..........................................................29
    Choosing an FOV ........................................................30
        Narrow ................................................................................31
        Linear .................................................................................................31
        Medium .....................................................................................32
        Wide .....................................................................................................32
        SuperView ..................................................................................................................32
    Overview of the HERO5 Black’s Body ........................................................32
        The Front of the Camera ...............................................................................33
        The Back of the Camera ................................................................................35
        The Right Side of the Camera ..................................................................36
        The Left Side of the Camera ......................................................................37
        The Top of the Camera ...................................................................................41
        The Bottom of the Camera .........................................................................42
    Exploring the LCD Status Screen ...................................................................42
    Exploring the Camera’s Full-Color Touchscreen ..............................43
    Setting Up the Camera for the First Time ..............................................46
        Customizing Your HERO5 Black ..............................................................47
    Using Voice Commands .......................................................................................51
    Updating Your Camera’s Operating System ........................................53
        Update Using the GoPro Capture Mobile App .........................53
        Update Using the QUIK Desktop Software ..................................56
        Update the Camera Manually ..................................................................58
Chapter 3: Getting Started with Your HERO5 Session or HERO Session 61
    Pros and Cons of the HERO Session and HERO5 Session........62
        Pros ..................................................................................................................................62
        Cons .................................................................................................................................63
    What Comes with the HERO Session and HERO5 Session .....64
    Turning On or Off Your Camera ......................................................................66
    Overview of the Camera’s Body .....................................................................67
        The Front of the Camera ...............................................................................67
        The Back of the Camera ................................................................................69
        The Top of the Camera ...................................................................................70
        The Bottom of the Camera .........................................................................71
        The Right and Left Sides of the Camera .........................................74
    Setting Up the Camera for the First Time ..............................................77
        Set Up the Camera .............................................................................................78
    Using Voice Commands .......................................................................................78
        Turn on Voice Control .....................................................................................79
    Viewing or Playing Back Your Content .....................................................79
    Updating the Camera’s Operating System ...........................................80
Chapter 4: Overview of GoPro HERO Mounts 83
    Using the Proper Housing ..................................................................................84
        Use the GoPro Quick Release Buckle and
    Choosing the Best Mount for the Situation ........................................87
    Planning Your Shots and Choosing the Best Equipment ........88
        Attaching Mounts to Yourself or Your Equipment ................90
        Accessories that Enhance Shot Stability ........................................91
    Overview of GoPro Mounts ................................................................................92
        Mounts Available from GoPro .................................................................93
        Popular Third-Party Mount Options ............................................... 102
    Finding and Purchasing Mounts and Accessories ..................... 106
Chapter 5: Must-Have GoPro Camera Accessories 109
    Using The GoPro Smart Remote ............................................................... 110
        The Anatomy of the Smart Remote ............................................... 110
        Charge the Smart Remote ...................................................................... 111
        Pair Your HERO5 Black Camera with the Smart Remote ............ 112
        Pair Your HERO5 Session Camera with the Smart Remote .............. 114
        Working with the Smart Remote ...................................................... 116
    Using the REMO for Voice Control ........................................................... 118
    Using a Quik Key to Transfer Your Content ...................................... 119
    Hitting the Road with the Seeker ............................................................. 121
    More Useful GoPro Accessories .................................................................. 122
    The Floaty Won’t Let Your GoPro Sink .......................................... 122
Chapter 6: Choosing the Best Memory Cards 125
    The Importance of Speed ............................................................................... 126
    Storage Capacity ...................................................................................................... 128
    Where to Shop for microSD Memory Cards .................................... 130
    Inserting a Memory Card into Your GoPro Camera .................. 131
        Insert a microSD Memory Card in the HERO5 Black ....... 131
        Insert a microSD Memory Card in the HERO5 Session .....133
        Format a microSD Memory Card That’s Inserted in the HERO5 Black.......... 134
Chapter 7: Keeping Your Batteries Charged 139
    Estimating Battery Life ...................................................................................... 141
    Using Compatible HERO5 Black Batteries ......................................... 142
    Inserting a Battery in Your HERO5 Black ............................................ 143
    Connecting Any GoPro Camera to an External Power Source ............... 145
    Increasing Battery Life While Shooting ............................................... 146
Chapter 8: Controlling Your Camera 149
    Analyzing Your Shooting Situation ......................................................... 149
    Choosing How to Control Your Camera .............................................. 151
        Voice Commands ............................................................................................ 152
        The Smart Remote ......................................................................................... 152
        The Capture Mobile App ......................................................................... 153
    Preparing to Shoot ................................................................................................. 154
    Adjusting Your Camera Mode, Shooting Mode, and
        Related Settings ............................................................................................... 155
        Work with the HERO5 Black’s Touchscreen ............................. 156
        Select Advanced Options on the HERO5 Black ................... 158
        Adjust Settings on the HERO5 Session........................................ 159
    Getting Acquainted with Your Camera’s ShootingModes and Settings ........ 162
        Camera Modes ................................................................................................... 163
    Understanding Advanced Shooting Features ............................... 169
        Aspect Ratio ......................................................................................................... 170
        Auto Low Light .................................................................................................. 170
        Color ............................................................................................................................ 171
        Exposure Control with Auto Exposure ......................................... 171
        Exposure Control with Locked Exposure ................................... 172
        Exposure Value Compensation (EV Comp) .............................. 172
        GPS ............................................................................................................................... 172
        ISO/ISO Minimum/ISO Maximum .................................................... 172
        Manual Audio Control ................................................................................ 173
        Protune ..................................................................................................................... 173
        RAW Audio ............................................................................................................ 174
        RAW Format ......................................................................................................... 175
        Sharpness ............................................................................................................... 175
        Video Stabilization ......................................................................................... 175
        White Balance ..................................................................................................... 176
        Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) ................................................................ 176
Chapter 9: Shooting High-Resolution Photos 179
    Comparing GoPro Camera Models for Taking Pictures ......... 181
    Working with Protune ....................................................................................... 183
        Access the Protune Menu Using the HERO5 Black ........... 183
        Adjusting White Balance .......................................................................... 187
        Adjusting Color ................................................................................................. 188
        Adjusting ISO Minimum and ISO Maximum .......................... 188
        Adjusting Sharpness .................................................................................... 190
        Adjusting EV Comp ....................................................................................... 191
    Using the QuikCapture Feature .................................................................. 192
    Setting Your HERO5 Black’s Default Mode ....................................... 192
    Options for Viewing Your Photos .............................................................. 194
        View Your Photos on the HERO5 Black’s Touchscreen .....195
Chapter 10: Strategies for Taking Professional-Quality Digital Pictures 199
    Don’t Forget to Prepare ..................................................................................... 200
    Choose an Interesting Subject .................................................................... 201
        Shoot Action from a First- or Third-Person Perspective .......................... 203
        Take Interesting Pictures of People ................................................ 205
        Capture the Perfect Selfie........................................................................ 206
        Photograph Animals and Pets ............................................................. 208
        Capture a Fast-Moving Subject .......................................................... 209
        Shoot Visually Interesting Objects................................................... 209
        Take Vivid Underwater Photos .......................................................... 210
    Set Your Camera to the Best Mode ........................................................ 211
        Using Your Camera’s Time Lapse Photo Option .................. 212
        Taking Advantage of WDR ...................................................................... 212
    Use a Viewfinder with Your Camera When Taking Photos ...214
    Select the Most Appropriate Mount ...................................................... 215
        Purchase Mounts That Offer the Most Flexibility ............... 215
    Pay Attention to Your Primary Light Source ................................... 216
    Use the Rule of Thirds