On a recent trip to the US I was browsing around a surf shop and came across a GoPro stand. For those that don’t know what a GoPro is it is a small “wearable” waterproof and shockproof camera that can mounted on helmets, handlebars, roll-cages, surfboards etc and is targeted at adventure photography to record action video of snowboarding, base jumping, mountain biking, scuba diving and the like. Wikipedia reports that video from GoPro camera’s have appeared in 60 television shows ranging from Mythbusters to Sarah Palin’s Alaska. The cameras have been used to film inside of the mouths of alligators, sharks and polar bears.The story of how this camera evolved amongst the camera giants such Canon and Panasonic is truly amazing and inspirational. Basically on impulse I purchased a GoPro camera with a view that I would use it in the surf and on my motorbike helmet.
The great attributes of this camera is that it is small, light, waterproof, shockproof, single button start-stop, wide-angle, standard MP4/JPG output and has a large range of mounting kits so you can mount it to virtually anything. Oh yeh, it is relatively inexpensive at around $300.
In researching this camera what I found fascinating was the story behind the camera and its founder/inventor, Nick Woodman. Woodman said he was inspired to start the company following a 2002 Australia surfing trip in which he was hoping to capture quality action photos of his surfing, but could not because amateur photographers could not get close enough, or obtain quality equipment at accessible prices. His desire for a camera system that could capture the professional angles inspired the ‘GoPro’ name. Woodman initially raised money for his company by selling bead and shell belts out of his VW van. While making the belts he came upon the idea of providing a fashionable strap to attach a camera. At the time most straps were rubber wrist straps that awkward, painful or easily broke. A comprehensive story on Nick Woodman and GoPro can be found here (article and photo courtesy of Malakye.com :: Action Sports Industry Career Opportunities Website)
So how good is the video? Check out my footage below of the GoPro mounted on my motorbike helmet.