PointOfViewCameras.com

Combat Rescue Afghanistan 2009 - ContourHD

2010-03-10T18:36:22+00:00

[VholdR Contour HD & Available Mounts]

I edited this final footage/montage from my deployment to Afghanistan in 2009 of Air Force/Air National Guard Combat Rescue/Medevac/Casevac operations in the Helmand Valley area. Responding at a moment's notice via the HH-60G Pave Hawk, CSAR is an advanced and highly capable rescue system for the coalition forces fighting in Afghanistan.

I wasn't able to arrange for a RED this time around, but have been able to record some decent HD footage on a new Sony Handycam. This was a very sobering deployment and probably my last in an "operational" capacity as I move on with my military career.

I will continue to push for a dedicated high quality filming team, and a "prime time" outlet for the public to maintain it's connection with our service-members.

Corresponding articles:
afcent.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123157644
michaelyon-online.com/pedros.htm

Camera = Sony HDR-XR500 w/ Wide Angle Adapter & VholdR ContourHD Music = Weezer - The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived

MrGlory
http://vimeo.com/mrglory

GoPro HD Hero Mounting and Filming Tips

2010-03-09T18:34:38+00:00

The GoPro HD Hero is a revolutionary camera because of it's size, weight, price, and last but not least it's quality. It's capable of creating amazing results in many different environments, but ending up with the best results isn't always as easy as you think.

Over the past 10 years I've been creating extreme sports videos. I've learned a lot about shooting and editing and the most important thing to know is that video creation is a trial and error process.

Here is how I use the GoPro to create my videos.
Before I even begin shooting I try to create a vision in my mind of what I want the video to look like. The clearer the picture of the final project, the better, so if you have a particular song in mind then include that in the vision.

Try to think about the location you are going to and what features stick out. Are there any jumps, gaps, untouched powder, obstacles that will make the video more interesting? If so, figure out how you can incorporate them into the video and what angles will make them stick out the most. One of the best pieces of advice I can offer is to always shoot multiple angles at each spot you ride. Showing one angle doesn't always give off the best view of the location but if you can edit together a sequence of the same trick with different camera placements, you're set.

With the GoPro you not only have the option of placing the camera on the ground or on a tripod, you also have tons of self-mounting options. I tend to stay away from the helmet cam (although this seems to be the #1 camera placement for amateurs) because it doesn't show what you're doing. My favorite mounting options for Snowkiting are on the board using the suction cup mount [See figure 1.1], on the bar using the seat post mount [1.2], on the lines using the KiteHero Mount [1.3], in the hand [1.4], and on a tripod or the ground [1.5]. You'll notice from my videos that the angle I use most is with the camera on the ground because it shows a full-body view of where I am and what I am doing.

Click on thumbnails to enlarge photos

Now that you have an idea where you're shooting and know what angles you'd like to get, you're ready to go out and ride. Of course you're going to explore new spots to shoot each time you ride and sometimes you'll be hitting a spot for the first time, but at least you'll know exactly what's possible and which angles will turn your vision into reality.

Since the GoPro doesn't have a screen, you need to become familiar with it's field of view and keep framing in the back of your mind at all times. Although there are no set rules for framing shots, there are some general guidelines to follow to make your video more viewer friendly.

Headroom: When shooting yourself, keep in mind how wide the lens is. If you point the camera directly at your face, you're probably going to have too much headroom. [Figure 2.1] Point the camera down a little bit to ensure that your head is near the top of the frame rather than in the centre.

Leadroom: When shooting yourself from a profile perspective, try to frame the back of your head against one side of the frame so that the direction you are looking has empty space in front. This space shows that you are moving in this direction. [Figure 2.2]

Click on thumbnails to enlarge photos

Proximity: To make the video more editing friendly, always try to shoot multiple proximity's so you can edit from one to another. It always looks better cutting from a wide shot to a close up rather than a wide shot to a wide shot. Variety is priceless.

Now that you've shot all your footage, you're ready to begin the edit. Stay tuned for my next blog describing the editing process I follow using footage from the GoPro.

Check out one of my latest snow kiting videos featuring GoPro HD footage using some of the mounts mentioned above like the suction cup mount

The Ordinary Days of Winter from Big Fall Productions

Thanks for tuning in.

-Brendan Schnurr
Big Fall Productions

Call of Duty: Paintball Warfare (GoPro HD Hero)

2010-03-08T20:34:47+00:00

[GoPro HD HERO & Available Mounts Shot on the tall 4:3 1280x960@30fps setting]

This is the first time I've used the Hero to play paintball (or Real Action Marker) and the results are amazing...
I Attached onto my helmet and sometimes clamped at the stock of the weapon to get that Call of Duty feel. OK, I'm a video game geek.

Shot on the tall 4:3 1280x960@30fps setting so you can see more of the top and bottom.
So here's a quick montage of me in action and more importantly to show off the power of the Hero. I just wish I shot more people up close to show you the detail of the powder smashing against someone.

RAM is pretty much the same as paintball although you get to use replica weapons and use clips that hold 20 rounds each, resulting in a more realistic feel of actual combat. Although I must say the RAM guns right now are not very accurate.

One peculiar thing about wargames in Hong Kong, and unlike paintball, gamers love to dress up and probably wear better equipment than most real soldiers!
You could call it 'combat cosplay'.

Filmed at Training Camp, Hong Kong: trainingcamphkcoltd.com/ Weapons courtesy of APS Paintball Limited: apsram.com

Edwin Lee
http://vimeo.com/10026762

ContourHD Helmet Mount Tutorial

2010-03-05T19:26:05+00:00

Is your VholdR ContourHD video super shaky, while your friends videos look great?

Prompted by some of our less-than-perfect videos, and by many of our friends & customers asking why some of the videos they took are turning a bit blurry and shaky, we decided to investigate.

Talking with some of the camera users and directly with VholdR we have found the most likely offender and a simple fix. This simple tutorial will show you how to properly mount your Contour HD or ContourHD1080p on your helmet using the flat surface mount.

Stop your video vibration troubles with these super easy to follow VholdR ContourHD Mounting tips

Irnieracing.com Mountain Snowmobile Video w/ GoPro HD

2010-03-03T20:54:47+00:00

[Irnieracing.com Okanagan Sled Challenge. Marcel Irnie films his first time sledding ever! 2009 BRP Ski-doo Summit Rev XP 800cc 2 stroke.
GoPro HD Hero angles. Location: Mabel Lake, Enderby BC / Grey Stokes, Kelowna BC]

Irnieracing.com Mountain Snowmobile Video

We’ve posted videos by motorcycle road racer/filmmaker Marcel Irnie before which have generally chronicled his exploits in the Parts Canada Superbike Series. This time around, Marcel has made a snowmobile video. Over Christmas, Marcel borrowed a 2009 Ski-Doo Summit 800R, for his first ever sledding experience. Marcel and a friend took their sleds out to the renowned riding area at Mabel Lake near Enderby BC which provided a spectacular backdrop. Marcel’s new high definition GoPro camera captures some splendid angles mounted on various locations on the sled and his helmet.

We look forward to seeing more of Marcel’s work in 2010 as he films his assault on Parts Canada Superbike Series with several on-board GoPro Cameras.

Underwatercamerashop.com - Waterproof Camera Buying Guide

2010-03-02T22:54:06+00:00

I found a nice underwater camera synopsis on the different brands including the Liquid Image we sell along with some great buying tips! Here’s a preview..

How To Shop for Underwater Cameras
“Extreme photography and underwater photos are great … as long as your digital camera is useable underwater. If you aren’t sure whether your camera is rated as waterproof, read the user manual or visit the manufacturer’s Web site. Ignoring the user manual and testing the digital camera in a full bathtub to determine whether it is waterproof is not recommended.

If you’d like to take these types of photos, you’ll either need an underwater digital camera, as specified by the manufacturer, or you’ll need to purchase an underwater housing for your digital camera”.

VholdR Releases it’s First of Waterproof Cases for the ContourHD

2010-03-01T17:34:28+00:00

The long awaited waterproof case from VholdR was finally released this past week in limited numbers. The next rollout is anticipated to be mid March.

This ContourHD waterproof case keeps your favorite functionality like the single record button, laser alignment, and TRail mounts. In addition to that, there are two safety latches on the back of the case to lock it onto any of the VholdR TRail mounts. This underwater case also works with the VholdR Wearable Camcorder, but with limited functionality on the record switch and power button.

Specs
* Waterproof up to 10 meters
* Compatible with TRail mounts and/or standard 1/4”-20 mounts

With the waterproof case you can capture Lifelike HD video while surfing, river rafting, kayaking, or any sports going less than ten meters deep. “We are excited to introduce the first waterproof case for the ContourHD camera lines,” says Marc Barros, VholdR’s CEO. “Now we can bring our crisp HD video and easy to use camcorders underwater!”

We are very excited to see this waterproof case in action, so excited in fact, that the best waterproof case submission will be given a $50 credit towards anything from the store. Just simply send us a link, subject line: waterproof case video entry—for your video to be entered. Deadline for entries is April 15th, 2010.

The winner’s video will be showcased on our blog. So hurry and get out there and start filming!

Motorcycle Ice Racing, a Truly Canadian Sport

2010-02-26T20:10:00+00:00

Motorcycle Ice Racing is truly a Canadian Sport, on a 1/4mile oval that is plowed. Motorcycles, Sidecars, & Quads Race 6 Laps to a checkered Flag.

Races are a 3 heat series, 6 laps, each race is about 3 minutes, Racers can reach speeds of 120km/h in a corner, dragging their footpeg & sometimes handlebar on other racers & inside banks.

Our bikes use Full Fender Guards on the rear & front to protect other racers when in tight quarters on the track, I myself have been hit in the leg by another racers handlebar when in a corner going hard, its nothing but tight racing! If you get tagged by a tire, you are not going to have a good year.

Our tires use 1/4” screws designed only for one thing, Ice Racing. The rear tire can have upward of 350 screws, 2-3 Per Knob. The inside carcass of the tire has a road race tire to give the screw stability, keep it from ripping the tires knobs and to keep it from hitting the tube. Most tires used are made in Quebec or in Alberta By Jim Titmus of Skylark, a multiple Champion of Ice Racing.

The 1st Part of the Video video you will See The 2008 & 2009 Champions of Modified Sidecars Race , Drive Scott Coonfer, son Matt Coonfer. These guys are one hell of a team, they do not let off, and I have been in it hard with this team all year!

The modified Class was brought to life by the Racing team MRSI, pioneered by Monty Brown & son Mitch Brown (myself) We were watching traditional sidecars one day and we somehow thought we could do better. With some research & design, we brought to life our Leaning Sidecars.

The 1st Part of the Video video you will See The 2008 & 2009 Champions of Modified Sidecars Race , Drive Scott Coonfer, son Matt Coonfer. These guys are one hell of a team, they do not let off, and I have been in it hard with this team all year!

The modified Class was brought to life by the Racing team MRSI, pioneered by Monty Brown & son Mitch Brown (myself)
We were watching traditional sidecars one day and we somehow thought we could do better. With some research & design, we brought to life our Leaning Sidecars.

I myself am on the MRSI 2008 Winning Rig a 2007 Honda XR650, A Baja winning Bike, This thing is heavy, it charges hard, and oh man does it throw the power down! My driver multiple Single Bike Champion Jim Titmus and I the monkey are fighting to take the Championship This year From our Prior Teammates Coonfer.

The MRSI Team owner, Monty Brown has a Husaberg 650 sidecar rig, after a bad crash last year he is taking up the rear on the podium.

This video is a VERY Controversial one in that it shows myself in a position that a monkey is rarely seen in, on the seat & sidecar. I always wish to follow the rules of all my racing and race fair. I admit that what I had done was an advantage to other teams, however in my eyes it was well within the rules stated and not an UNFAIR advantage to other teams, more so our new sister team, Coonfer.

Our Ice Racing brings hundreds of racers across Alberta & some from BC & surrounding provinces, we have had racers come from Washington state as well.

I am head of all Marketing/Promotions/Sound/Media of the Second Gear Club, check out our second gear club website for photos, helmet cam, videos & more!

With our ice racing this year we have http://www.easystems.ca coordinating all our announcing & sound systems to bring the announcing straight to our spectators vehicles with our FM transmitters & big sound systems. Truly bringing our amateur sport above the rest.

Spectators can literally feel the snow roost coming off the bikes around the corners, walk through the pits & be 1 on 1 with National Canadian Champions of Ice Racing. Your $5 gate fee gets you an experience that no supercross ticket can get you!

The ContourHD camera was mounted on our New Rival Team’s Monkey for Sidecar Ice Racing.
Normally I use a goggle strap & some gorilla tape to stabilize the mount however i just had a circular mount and i used gorilla tape on that mount to the helmet and it worked perfect.

Mitch Brown

C R Johnson, X Games Medalist in Free Skiing, Dies at 26

2010-02-25T18:23:52+00:00

Ref: C. R. Johnson, X Games Medalist in Free Skiing, Dies at 26

Matt Higgins wrote:
C. R. Johnson, an innovative figure in the young professional sport of
free skiing and a medal winner in X Games competitions, died Wednesday
while skiing on treacherous terrain at Squaw Valley resort in
California. He was 26 and lived nearby in Truckee, Calif.

Johnson had returned to ski professionally four years ago after
recovering from a life-threatening head injury. He had learned to ski at
Squaw Valley, on the north shore of Lake Tahoe.

The development of twin-tip skis during the 1990s allowed skiers to ride
forward or backward, and it kicked off a revolution in the sport.
Johnson adopted twin-tips early and was the first to perform many
maneuvers, including a bio 1260 - a spin of three and a half rotations
while grabbing his skis - at the 2002 U.S. Freeskiing Open.

The same year, at the Winter X Games, he won a silver medal in the
slopestyle discipline, in which tricks are performed off obstacles and
terrain features on a downhill course. At the 2001 X Games, he won a
bronze medal in big air, a discipline of high-speed, high-altitude
maneuvers performed off enormous ramps of snow.

“Only the things that you truly love will you pursue with that energy, and for me, my family, my friends, and skiing, that’s it for me, that’s my life. The joy I get from skiing…that’s worth dying for.” - CR Johnson

GoPro HD Hobby Town Fun Run from Mark Empey

2010-02-24T18:00:17+00:00

Hobby Town Fun Run

We started the race season off with a fun run. The weather was beautiful and we had a blast. Filmed exclusively with the GoPro HD Hero in r3 mode 720p at 60fps.

Our local hobby shop hosts races in their back parking lot on weekends. We kicked off this racing season with a fun run. I have filmed the action with the GoPro HD Hero in r3 mode, 1280 x 720 at 60fps. That makes for great slow mo. I made a custom mount for the camera out of a piece of scrap plastic that is attached to the battery retainer in the center of the truck.

The truck is a Traxxas Slash, short course truck modeled after the TORC Series Trophy trucks seen on ESPN. Traxxas is a manufacturer of RC vehicles but also the owners of two of the TORC series trucks. The two brothers that drive the full size trucks are the masterminds behind Traxxas RC vehicles. As owners of Traxxas, they incorporate knowledge from real racing into the design of the RC vehicles and vice versa. During the TORC races, they use GoPro Hero cameras to record the action. I wanted to do the same with my HD Hero. I cut out the windshield and mounted it under the body to give it the feel of actually sitting in the driver’s seat.

I hope you enjoy the video.
Mark

Special thanks go to Mark Empey for his video and write up!
You have an RC story for us? We’d love to hear from you. How do you mount your GoPro HD?

Hobby Racing w/ the GoPro HD Hero

2010-02-23T16:44:52+00:00

RC Heli over Mini Bike Track from Tristan Twisselman on Vimeo.

Using a 450 sized rc helicopter with Go Pro HERO helmet cam, rookie pilot, ends in crash…to be continued!

Buggy Hero ! from louky on Vimeo.

GoPro HD Hero @ 720p

Team Associated SC8e at Hobby Center Track GoPro HD from Dung Le on Vimeo.

My first Video with my GoPro HD at the track. This camera is slightly bigger and heavier the the original Standard GoPro so the camera fell off of my RC car pretty quick.

Front mounted: Camera fell off around half lap
Side/rear mounted: Camera fell off a little after the first lap.

After that i just placed the camera on the side to record a few laps.

Video edited with Pinnacle Studio Ultimate Collection

Whistler Skeleton w/ Helmet Cam

2010-02-22T18:55:35+00:00

Whistler Sliding Centre Skeleton Helmet Cam
Get a taste of how the athletes feel! Training skeleton run at the Whistler Sliding Centre

Experience Speed Skating w/ Anthony Lobella
Experience short-track speed skating from the perspective of Olympian Anthony Lobello! A digital camera was attached to his helmet during this training session in order to get this shot. (Thanks to Anthony for his help.) Watch for Anthony in the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver!

Note: The video shows the team practicing relays, hence the pushing. But whenever it’s Anthony’s turn in the relay, he really turns on the SPEED!

Bobsled Ride - Olympic park
John does the fastest trip possible going down the Corin Forest Alpine Slide with NO BRAKES. Now you can join in the fun! Recorded on a Canon IXUS 70.

Would love to see some footage in HD of these sports. Perhaps there’s some GoPro HD or ContourHD 1080p video out there?

Avalanche Skier POV Helmet Cam Burial & Rescue in Haines, Alaska

2010-02-19T21:01:31+00:00

Avalanche Skier POV Helmet Cam Burial & Rescue in Haines, Alaska from Chappy on Vimeo (2008).

This was a decent sized avalanche. 1,500 feet the dude fell in a little over 20 seconds. The crown was about 1 - 1.5m. The chute that he got sucked through to the skier’s right was flanked on either side by cliff bands that were about 30m tall. He luckily didn’t break any bones and obviously didn’t hit anything on the run out.

He was only buried for 4 and a half minutes which is incredibly short. I cannot stress these next sentences enough; that in and of itself to be unburied in ONLY 4:28 is miraculous if you have any understanding of being caught in an avalanche and what it takes to be found. It could literally be some kind of “world record” just on how good the guide and supporting cast of other skiers was in getting to him. It also shows why you should ALWAYS be going with people trained in avalanche rescue / first aid….as well as why you’d want to be going with a guided heli operation. Sure this was terrifying for him, but he would’ve probably been dead if not for going with a guide.

read more

GoPro HD HERO True HD Highlights

2010-02-18T23:54:56+00:00

GoPro HD HERO Camera: True HD Highlights from GoPro on Vimeo.

A beautiful display of everything the GoPro has to offer. Shot in 1080p, 960p, and 720p at 60fps.

Music by: This Will Destroy You

Bodyboarding on the Great Lakes

2010-02-16T21:25:32+00:00

Flat as a lake? (GoPro HD) from Corchero on Vimeo.

Filmed 12.19.09, Lake Ontario
Camera & settings: GoPro Surf HD @60fps, 720p.
Song: “Edge of the ocean” by Ivy
Conditions: Not too shabby for a lake!
A little ice on the face never hurt no one.

(note to self: use Rain-X on the lens next time, and adjust camera angle)

Bodyboarding, Lake style (GoPro HD) from Corchero on Vimeo.

The Cove delivered some surprise surf Sat Dec 19/09. Conditions: clean & cold. Riders: Corchero. & The Reds. Filmed at 720p, 60fps, slowed down to 0.5x, downgraded to 30fps for Vimeo.
This quite possibly could be the very first Great Lakes body board GoPro HD video!

Intro to Bodyboarding

Body boarding is a kind of wave riding (sometimes called Boogie boarding). The average board consists of a small, rectangular piece of hydrodynamic foam. The board can be shaped and adapted to different riding styles, and size of rider. Bodyboarding has been growing very rapidly over the last couple of decades and has now developed into one of the fastest growing.

“ But a diversion the most common is upon the Water, where there is a very great Sea, and surf breaking on the Shore. The Men sometimes 20 or 30 go without the Swell of the Surf, & lay themselves flat upon an oval piece of plank about their size and breadth, they keep their legs close on top of it, & their arms are us’d to guide the plank, they wait the time for the greatest Swell that sets on Shore, & altogether push forward with their Arms to keep on its top, it sends them in with a most astonishing Velocity, & the great art is to guide the plank so as always to keep it in a proper direction on the top of the Swell, & as it alters its direction. If the Swell drives him close to the rocks before he is overtaken by its break, he is much praised. ” —James King, Journal, March 1779

Prior to 1971, body boards were made from wood or fiberglass and foam, and called paipo boards (pronounced PIPE-OH). Paipos made from wood do not have fins, but fiberglass/foam boards usually have fins.[1] Modern popularization of the sport was made possible by Tom Morey who designed the first mass-produced body board coined the “Morey ‘Boogie’ Board”. Though the initial rider for Morey was Ben Field, as the years progressed and the sport went to higher levels, competing became a larger aspect of the sport.
ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodyboarding