Fun and Alternative Use of GoPro

*This is a collaborative post on the subject of alternative use of GoPro technology

It’s really quite fun to ponder on the alternative use of GoPro, don’t you think?

If you’re an extreme sports enthusiast then no doubt GoPro is a brand you’re aware of. Perhaps you’ve experimented yourself or maybe you’ve seen footage online or on the television taken from one of these cameras. These popular point-of-view cameras capture action spectacularly without the need of a cameraman.

Personally, I have very little enthusiasm or care for extreme sports!

You won’t catch me surfing, mountain climbing and certainly not base jumping.

That’s SO not me.

I’m a tech guy but not a sports fan or adrenaline junky, that’s for sure. This doesn’t mean that the tech behind GoPro doesn’t hold some interest to me though. You see, GoPro is a digital camera. It’s so much more than the one you find in your mobile phone though! These cameras capture high-resolution footage but are small and lightweight. This of course, is not all. The mount and housing options coupled with the cameras themselves make for robust and versatile recording options. Perfect for family days at the beach, underwater, bad weather or whatever else comes to mind.

It’s really quite exciting to think about some of the more alternative use of GoPro technology.

Here are three uses that immediately come to mind:

Aquariums

The idea of this comes from my Dad.

My father is in a position where he can find himself stranded in bed for months at a time. He also has an outdoor raised fish pond that he has missed seeing come to life a few summers. An obvious compromise to this would be a camera mounted inside broadcasting to the house.

So, this is what was done!

In this scenario, it offered a very obvious advantage. It allowed a disabled man to engage with one of the things that relax him and ease the feeling of missing out. What it offers generally though is the option for aquatic enthusiasts to get a rare perspective of their tank/pond and the residents. Very therapeutic and very interesting.

Weddings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbRqaPHo4YA

No, seriously this is a thing.

I’ve not been to one yet, or if I did, I was too busy feeling uncomfortable to notice but having a guest or two, the bride or the groom with a mounted cam has been done. It’s also growing into a bit of a trend.

What this allows is very natural footage of the day from multiple points of view that can be edited later into an awesome, unique and special take on the big day.

Animals

I say this with hesitation and the expectation that any reader considers the wellbeing of any animal in question and not do anything that should be left to trained professionals.

However, GoPro technology offers a range of animal friendly mounts and for the right price even bespoke ones are possible.

The reason that I mention this and keep it separate from the fish and aquarium setup is that the versatility and portability of this tech means that you could capture point-of-view footage of a horse running, dog swimming, cat skulking, or eagle flying. It’s humbling and majestic to think about seeing the world from these perspectives, even seeing how we as people look from these angles.

So, naturally (of course) I’m curious. That’s National Geographic and Discovery Channel levels of awesome.

In conclusion, GoPro and the wide range of products and accessories make it a useful and fun toy but also a practical and versatile camera that allows new and unique captures. In my experience, they’re worth having for the aquarium option alone.