GoPro Software Dilemnas--Help!

[Seatan]

Okay, so I did a lot of firsts today--first true tail swim with finished tail, first GoPro video, first swim with the mergoggles... So when I came home and tried to download the (really UGLY!) video I had taken (how come I look so pale and ugly under the water? Totally not pretty like you guys. I need some serious makeup and maybe like a new face), the GoPro editing software let me spend 45 cutting out pieces then BAM, crash. I'm on a Mac, and everytime I open it, it freezes up again--now I can't edit at all! Is there some trick to this? Do other Apple users have problems? Also, should I go ahead and convert every few pieces I cut out so if it freezes I don't lose ALL MY HARD WORK like I did today? Any and all suggestions welcome!

Also, why does the water usually look blue but sometimes turns green? Lighting?

[Seatan]

Okay, think I figured it out... It stopped crashing, anyway, LOL. Though ANY helpful hints on good editing of GoPro image would be VERY welcome... I have never actually edited video before.

[WillowAnne]

I think Iona posted something, somewhere about editing her videos... I know she had issues with making the color of her tail show up correctly in the photos and videos, though I can't remember the thread.

[Blondie]

I dislike the gopro editing software. I've had a lot of problems with it. I just don't recommend it over all. What you need is a lens for your camera. The blue shade of water is keying out any orange/red/pink/skin tints in your skin. That's why you look pale underwater. I have cheap red lens I use on my gopro to avoid problems like that. It makes a major difference. You can get them off of amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Acrylic-Filter-Tropical-Correction-Scuba-Diving-Hero3-Accessory/dp/B00B2PHSIY/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1383628581&sr=8-11&keywords=gopro+lens

I suggest getting the red for blue waters and the magenta lens for greener waters (lakes)

Here's a good video show how it looks underwater with the lens and without it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijZBC5Tov_4

And here's a GREAT comparison of the magenta and red lens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHs-9SzpeSg

[Winged Mermaid]

I don't even use the GoPro editing software anymore :P I just upload the raw files directly to my video editor instead of converting them. Just a waste of time and space, as as soon as I put it in the editor (instead of directly playing back) it smooths out. Then again I do all my trimming and color correcting in my video editor.

The color issue you're describing is called vignetting. It's a known issue with the gopro :/ I get it in my videos too and it drives me nuts! There are tons of products for the gopro that claim "no vignetting" or "free of vignetting". I've done some research recently though, and apparently me relying on the Auto White Balance is the issue. According to others, the best thing is to use Protune RAW for your white balance. It's better than trying to color correct the auto WB footage, and it and won't even look as good as if you would have used RAW, according to others. Which is great to hear, cause I've can use 6 different types of color correction for one clip and it still looks bad to me. So I'll try the protune RAW next time. Maybe you'll have more luck with it as well!

Another tip I read was not to shoot above 30 fps if you have poor lighting (often the case underwater unless you have full sunshine) and it will allow more light to hit the sensor.

The red and magenta filters are great, but as I understand it it's only useful if you're taking video at deeper depths. It won't help in a 10 foot pool :/ Just a waste of money unless you go on dives, IMO.

[Winged Mermaid]

Also as far as manual color balancing goes in editing, I find if you take the green and blue down and bump up the red it comes out nicely :) I always bump up the brightness and contrast as well, as underwater, especially in indoor pools the footage can come out dim. Honestly a lot of the color of the footage has to do with the pool you're swimming in. I've swam in several different pools and they all had their own color balance issues to overcome. Depends on the color of the pool itself, depth, how far you are away from the camera, the color of the walls/ceiling if it's indoors, and the lighting. Sometimes it's just a b!#ch to color correct. I've ragequit before. Just, if you get too frustrated save it and come back to it later. Also if you can't figure out how to use the editor you have, Google and YouTube tutorials are amazing. I couldn't have learned to use editing tools without them.

[AniaR]

Winged- what editing program do you use? I have a feeling what we use won't load gopro footage lol

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[Merman Dan]

I'm on a Mac, and everytime I open it, it freezes up again--now I can't edit at all! Is there some trick to this? ?

If you use a Mac, have you given iMovie (http://www.apple.com/mac/imovie/) a try?

[AniaR]

No Mac.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[Winged Mermaid]

I've used iMovie for my very first video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsOE8alJEBU), but I found that it knocked 1080 or 720 down to a mere 480, and that was not acceptable to me. After that I started using Adobe Premier Pro.

[Seatan]

Thanks for the tips! I do plan to buy a red lens for my summer blue water scuba trip, so I could get it earlier and see if it makes a difference in shallower water. Is the protube a software? <--is video stupid

[Merman Dan]

To be fair, the new iMovie is a far cry from the old version.

[Winged Mermaid]

Protune is a color balance option on the camera. Basically it gives you raw video without any adjustments that the camera makes when it records it, so it's way easier to color correct in post production. They call it Pro because most pros prefer to get raw footage and adjust things themselves. When in Protune mode, you can also chose the raw option in white balance, which from what I've read is the issue with colors underwater (presets just aren't good for it). Read about it in the manual: http://cbcdn2.gp-static.com/uploads/product_manual/file/50/HERO3_UM_Black_ENG_REVD_WEB.pdf :)

[Seatan]

Okay I love you forever simply for giving me a link to that manual. I have been reading the TINY book it came with, lol.

[Winged Mermaid]

No problem! I prefer reading PDF manuals as well- zoom and search capabilities, plus if you lose it you can just go download another one!