snocam: About

snocam: About

snocam: HEADCAM Shooting Tips

AUSTRALIA

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Using a POV camera is simple, you put it on and hit record.
However there are a few things you can do to improve your footage;


             Before Hitting the Slopes

Mounting

Helmet or goggle mount? - On your goggle strap is the easiest,  the mount is adjustable you can alter it’s angle through the day and the camera can easily be swapped between riders.

If you are hitting the park,  jumps or riding at high speed a helmet mount will be more secure in a big impact.  It means using strong double sided tape, cable ties (if feasible).  You can put it on top or the side.  Depending on your helmet find the best place for visibility and mounting method.


Get it Secure

When using the goggle mount - make sure your goggles are as tight as comfort will allow.

Any small movement will be exaggerated and make the video jumpy.  If your having problems getting it secure we have many different ways to mount it effectively.

Make sure the cable is tucked away - over and through your goggle strap at the back,  this will stop it from flapping in the wind or getting caught on anything,  like branches if your going through trees.


Camera angle

Use the LCD screen to see the camera’s view but not while your riding! Setting it up before hitting the slopes is a good idea but that wont give you the desired angle, you tend to look down more when walking or standing still and the only real way to set your angle is to stop during your first run and check the footage. If your on your own footage of your ski’s or board carving the snow looks great but it’s nice to get some scenary as well. With other people you don’t want their heads cut off. So check what you’ve shot.

Having a point of reference is important to make your video more watchable,  a part of your helmet (like a visor) or your ski tips will prevent a feeling of motion sickness when viewed on a big screen.  Even your shadow or arms in shot can provide a good reference.


               On the Mountain

Keep the lens clean

The camera is waterproof so it can be used in any weather.  Snow will fly up off skis and snowboards, the last thing you want is snow and water on your lens, the camera has a lens protector on it so wiping it with your glove or absorbent material is ok. Just make sure whatever you use is dry.

When it’s cold and the snow is fresh very little moisture sticks to the lens, if it does use a hand full of snow to clean it, the snow soaks up moisture and is the most handy thing around.

Get your friends into the habit of checking the camera head is clear every time you stop.

Filming

What you see will be recorded. With the wide lens it almost sees your entire view so even when not angled correct you will get something.

The big tip in taking any video is keeping the camera on your subject, in the real world you are looking everywhere taking in lots of information in milliseconds.  When using a head cam watch your subject for a few seconds - count to 3 before turning away but beware, if your skiing or boarding this will probably mean you will have a great stacks section on your DVD so do be careful.

the big three

  1. 1.Keep head motion smooth and stable, when stopped lean on your stocks or sit down and rest your head in your hands.

  2. 2.Stay close together, the more of the screen that’s filled the better, be aware of your ability and keep it safe as skiing in close formation requires quick reactions and be prepared that you mays cause the odd spill.

  3. 3.Timing


Here are some ways to shoot an effective and entertaining video, I’ll use the example of you videoing another person going off a jump but it can be applied in most situations.

  1. 1.The following shot - it’s the most common one you do and the easiest, Self explanatory you follow them and concentrate on your own riding, naturally your eye-line will stay with the other riders. You don’t have to go off the jump with them in fact it’s nice to mix it up and go around it occasionally, it’s also safer.

  2. 2.Leader - a/ turn the camera backwards and shoot them following you.  b/ You go off the jump first, land and stop. It will place you very close to the landing zone if not right in it so again, be careful, ride a few meters away from were you landed or step up hill. Here you get the best view for the action. You can always not go over the jump - approach and stop on the high side of the landing zone were it’s safe, get stable and watch the other person do their thing.

  3. 3.The air zone - This comes down to the timing both you and another person drop in at the same time but you approach the jump from the different directions, you head for where the jumper will be in the air. (With riders I trust I try to get under them while they air) With practice you can get great shots with this technic, try different approach lines and speeds.

  4. 4.Head On! Hard to get right and can be be very dangerous. Because you are both heading straight at each other, It’s playing chicken on the slopes, just remember the rider doing the jump has right of way it’s up to you get out of the way in time.

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