Master Winter Sports Footage: Essential Action Camera Guide

Calling all action enthusiasts! We’re teaming up with our buddies at DJI to give you the Osmo Action cam for free when you sign up for a Premium plan on Vimeo. (Offer ends December 20, 2019) Over the last decade, action cameras have changed the game when it comes to sports videos. These compact, wearable, waterproof cameras have given athletes and filmmakers the ability to capture wild tricks with ease, offering unique angles like never before. Today, we’re sharing tips for getting started with your action cam, including tricks for getting prime shots out on the slopes — just like the pros.

1. Shooting modes

Hi-res: Filming at HDR resolution up to 4K gives you the flexibility to zoom into a shot in post-production without sacrificing resolution on the final video. RockSteady stabilization: With this feature, you can leave the gimble at home. Cams like the DJI Osmo Action now offer incredible stabilizations inside the camera body itself. (Learn more and see RockSteady in action in our DJI Osmo Action gear review, here.) Slow-mo: With a range from 24 frames per second to 120 frames per second, DJI’s Osmo Action cam lets you vary both your shot angles and the speed at which you’re filming, so you can really slow things down.

2. Mounting your camera

Head mount: Adhering the camera to your helmet or hat and pointing it forward captures an excellent POV perspective, showing your audience exactly what you’re experiencing — hitting jumps, riding rails, or jumping off hundred foot cliffs during avalanches. Chest mount: Wearing the camera on your chest offers a similar POV perspective to wearing the camera on your head. But by filming from a lower angle, you can capture more of your arms and legs, offering another unique vantage. Plus, unlike your head, your chest offers a steadier vantage point. Boot shot: Wearing the camera on your boots facing either forward or backwards can offer an amazing angle for when you’re grabbing your board or skis in mid-air. Make sure you get that grab though. No tickling! Steady pole shot: Mounting the camera to the end of a pole pointing back at you is a great way to get the camera far enough away to get most of your body in the shot. If you’re feeling less vain, you can point the camera forward and get it extra close to someone else as they’re performing a trick.

3. Taking photos

Vertical: Vertical shots are great if you’re planning on sharing vids to Instagram Stories — or elsewhere on social. Go ahead, turn that camera sideways and snap away. Auto mode: Setting your DJI to automatically take a photo every half second before you drop into your run is great for two reasons. First, it’ll ensure that you have tons of different photos to choose from for your video’s thumbnail; second, it’ll remove the stress of physically taking photographs while shredding. That way, you can focus on performing your tricks.

Master Winter Sports Footage: Essential Action Camera Guide

1. Shooting modes

2. Mounting your camera

3. Taking photos

More Video School lessons