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GoPro Hero 4: What You Need to Know First
Before you start shooting with the GoPro Hero 4, it helps to get familiar with the basics. Sure, it’s an older model in the GoPro lineup at this point, but the Hero 4 still holds up well for action photography. It’s got a solid set of features that can produce great results if you know how to use them.
Here’s what you need to know about handling and using it properly.
Do’s and Don’ts While Using the GoPro Hero 4
List of Do’s
- Keep the camera housing on during video or photo capture.
- Make sure the rubber lining of the housing is clean before using the camera underwater.
- The locking bolt should be securely tightened at all times.
- Use the provided USB cable to transfer videos and pictures to another device without removing the Micro SD card.
List of Don’ts
- Do not switch on the GoPro when it’s wet.
- Avoid removing the battery in wet or icy conditions.
- Don’t let the camera fall from heights during shoots. Keep it secured.
- Do not remove the Micro SD card from the device, as they are small and easily lost.
What’s in the Camera Kit
The GoPro Hero 4 package comes with several accessories alongside the camera itself:
- Durable plastic housing
- Monopod
- Locking bolt
- Head-mount
- 32GB Micro SD memory card
- 2 Batteries
- Mini USB cable
- Wall charger
Modes and Settings on the GoPro Hero 4
The Hero 4 gives you several shooting modes to work with, each accessible from the mode menu screen:
- Video mode (top right of the mode menu screen)
- Photo mode (top center of the mode menu screen)
- Multi-shot mode (top left of the mode menu screen)
- Playback mode (bottom left of the mode menu screen)
- Setup mode (bottom right of the mode menu screen)
Video Mode
Video mode gives you four different options for recording: Video, Time-lapse, Photo + Video, and Looping. Each one works a bit differently.
- Video is your standard recording mode for capturing footage.
- Time Lapse captures video at set intervals without audio. It’s available in 4K and 2.7K 4:3 resolutions.
- Photo+Video lets you snap photos at intervals while you’re recording video.
- Looping records continuously but only saves the last selected interval (5, 20, 60, 120 minutes, or Max). If you don’t stop it, the camera will write over the oldest footage.
Photo Mode
Photo mode has three options for taking pictures:
- Single mode is the default setting for standard photo capture.
- Continuous shooting mode fires off multiple shots as long as you hold the shutter button.
- Night mode adjusts for low-light conditions by slowing down the shutter speed.
Final Thoughts on How to Use GoPro Hero 4
The GoPro Hero 4 is a great entry point for action photography, and it’s simple enough to pick up quickly. If you run into any questions about its operation, the guidelines above should point you in the right direction.
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