Launched in October 2019, The Hero 8 Black is one of the latest action cameras by GoPro. It’s loaded with various upgraded features including HyperSmooth 2.0, built-in mounting clip, TimeWarp 2.0, NightLapse Video mode, and so on. However, to make the most of your action camera, you should learn some basic tips and tricks to operate your GoPro Hero 8 Black.
In this article, you’ll learn GoPro Hero 8 tips and tricks (for beginners) that will help you turn your videos into masterpieces!
8 GoPro Hero 8 Tips and Tricks for Beginners
Here are the eight tips and tricks that might come in handy for GoPro Hero 8 users to begin with:
- Use the right GoPro Hero 8 Mount/Accessory
- Use Red Filters for Quality Underwater Shots
- Adjust GoPro Settings for the Activity you’re Shooting
- Eliminate Lens Fog by using Anti-Fog Inserts
- Maximize Your GoPro Hero 8 Battery Life
- Use a Fast Memory Card with your GoPro Hero 8
- Stabilize your Shots
- Use the GoPro Hero 8 Recommended Low-Light Settings
Use the right GoPro Hero 8 Mount/Accessory
There’s a wide ecosystem of GoPro accessories which makes the GoPro Hero 8 Black one of the most desirable action cameras in the market! These mounts and accessories let you use your GoPro for almost everything and take it anywhere you want. When you use them, you’ll understand how easy and better these things make your overall filming experience.
Here are some of the best and must-have accessories for the GoPro Hero 8 Black camera:
GoPro 3-Way
Ideal for Travel & Vlogging
- 3 in one design: Can be used as a camera grip, extension arm or tripod for ultra...
- Handle doubles as a grip: The handle can be detached from the arm and used as a...
- Tripod stored inside handle: Inside the handle is a small tripod that can be removed...
Learn what is this versatile mount for in the following article: GoPro 3 Way Grip Extension Arm Tripod.
GoPro Protective Housing
Great for Water Sports
- Protects your HERO8 Black from mud, dirt and debris during extreme activities
- Waterproof down to 196ft (60m)—perfect for deep-water diving
- Includes a skeleton backdoor for improved audio capture and easy access to the...
More GoPro Hero 8 underwater cases: Top 8 GoPro Dive Housings & Underwater Cases.
GoPro Performance Chest Mount
For Hiking, Motorcycling, Biking, etc.
- Lightweight, flexible construction balances comfort and performance
- Padded and breathable materials stay comfortable during any activity
- Fully adjustable to fit a wide range of body types and over heavy winter jackets
More chest mounts: 7 Best GoPro Chest Mounts for Hands-free Shooting (Adult/Kid).
GoPro Suction Cup Mount
Best for Capturing Scenic Views from a Car
- Attach your GoPro to cars, boats, motorcycles and more
- Industrial strength suction cup proven at speeds of 150+ mph
- Engineered to provide a broad range of motion and stability
More suction cup mounts: 7 Strongest GoPro Suction Cup Mounts for Steady Shots.
GoPro Handlebar / Seatpost / Pole Camera Mount
For Biking, Motorcycling or Skiing
- Light and durable aluminum construction
- Lets you rotate your GoPro camera 360° for unlimited capture options
- Features an ultra compact footprint for mounting in tight spaces
GoPro Hero 8 Black Media Mod
For the Perfect Vlogging Experience with the Hero 8 Black!
- Built-in directional mic delivers crystal-clear audio and reduces wind and ambient...
- 2 cold-shoe mounts to attach your favorite lights, mics or LCD screens
- 3.5mm mic port lets you add an external mic for enhanced audio
Use Red Filters for Quality Underwater Shots
For truly vibrant underwater shots with your GoPro Hero 8 Black, you must use GoPro Red Filters. These filters help enhance your underwater shots by re-introducing the reds into the scene, which are lost as you dive deeper. They do this by enabling color correction of your footage and covering up the washed-out green or blue color.
To understand how to use underwater red filters, it is important to know about the three major kinds of dive filters and their purpose.
- Light Red filter (for color correction in clear freshwater at shallow depth: 2-15ft),
- Red Filter (for color correction in blue/tropical water at depth: 15-85 ft), and
- Magenta Filter (for color correction in waters that appear green, like in lakes and reservoirs at depth: 8-75 ft).
I recommend that you use the following accessory with your GoPro Hero 8 for perfect underwater shots:
FitStill Waterproof Housing Case for GoPro Hero 8 Black + 3 Filters
- Includes: 3 Filter Set, Waterproof Case, Quick pull movable socket, Screw & 12 Pack Anti-fog Inserts
- Filter Type: Pink, Red & Magenta Filters
- 【LIFE-TIME Warranty】 30-Day money back guarantee, LIFE-TIME Warranty and friendly...
- 【SOFT BUTTONS】 Soft buttons will not damage the camera buttons, and the touch is...
- 【DESIGNED FOR】Go Pro Hero 8 Black
Adjust GoPro Settings for the Activity you’re Shooting
GoPro Hero 8 does a pretty job in Auto mode! But, you should also learn its settings and adjust them according to what you are filming. Enable GoPro Protune from the camera settings menu to unlock GoPro’s manual settings. It will surely help you increase the recording quality.
Lear more on GoPro Protune: GoPro Protune: Best Settings Explained [Photo & Video].
Here are some of the best settings for capturing your favorite activities with the GoPro Hero 8 Black.
Air
Here are the settings to use to capture incredible aerial shots, be it from a drone or any other aircraft.
Video Settings
- 4K60, Wide Lens
- 1080p120, Wide Lens
- 15x TimeWarp 2.0 Video
Photo Settings
- Time Lapse Photo (1-second interval) 1080p120, Wide Lens
- Burst (30/3 Rate), Wide Lens
Car
Mount your GoPro Hero 8 Black on the hood of your car, and as you drive, set up your camera with these suggested settings:
Video Settings
- 7K60 4:3, Wide Lens
- 1440p60, Wide Lens
- 15x TimeWarp 2.0 Video
Photo Settings
- Time Lapse Photo (5-second interval), Wide Lens
Bike
These are some useful GoPro Hero 8 settings to capture amazing shots of beautiful scenery on your biking trip:
Video Settings
- 7K60 4:3, Wide Lens
- 1440p60, Wide Lens
- 15x TimeWarp 2.0 Video
Photo Settings
- Time Lapse Photo (5-second interval), Wide Lens
Indoor Use
At home, you can still have fun and capture some great shots with these GoPro Hero 8 indoor-use settings:
Video Settings
- 1440p30, Wide Lens
- 1080p30, Wide Lens
Photo Settings
- Photo or Continuous Photo, Wide Lens
Selfie Shots
Here are the GoPro’s recommended Hero 8 video and photo settings for perfect selfie shots:
Video Settings
- 4K60 4:3, Narrow Lens
- 1440p60, Narrow Lens
Photo Settings
- Photo, Narrow Lens
- SuperPhoto, Photo Timer
POV Shots
Tweak these settings on your GoPro Hero 8 Black camera for some fabulous POV shots:
Video Settings
- 1440p60, Wide Lens
- 1440p120, Wide Lens
- 15x TimeWarp 2.0 Video
Photo Settings
- Time Lapse Photo (2-second interval), Wide Lens
- Burst (30/3 Rate), Wide Lens
Water
Whether you are snorkeling, diving, or surfing, here are the underwater video and photo settings for the GoPro Hero 8:
Video Settings
- 4K60, Wide Lens
- 1080p240, Wide Lens
- 1440p60, Wide Lens
Photo Settings
- Time Lapse Photo (2 or 5-second interval), Wide Lens
- Burst (30/6 Rate), Wide Lens
Snow
The GoPro Hero 8 Black can capture some amazing snow shots when you use these recommended video and photo settings:
Video Settings
- 4K60, Wide Lens
- 1080p120, Wide Lens
- 15x TimeWarp Video
Photo Settings
- Time Lapse Photo (1-second interval), Wide Lens
- Burst (30/3 Rate), Wide Lens
Trail
If you’re planning to go for a hike with the GoPro Hero 8 Black, make sure that you use these settings:
Video Settings
- 4K30 4:3, Wide Lens
- 1440p60, Wide Lens
- 15x TimeWarp Video
Photo Settings
- Photo, Wide Lens
Slow Motion
Find all the settings: GoPro Hero 8 Slow Motion Settings.
Eliminate Lens Fog by using Anti-Fog Inserts
Although GoPro Hero 8 is a waterproof camera, it’s prone to moisture issues. This is especially true if you plan to use it underwater. Fogging of the GoPro lens is a real problem especially when you use your GoPro with a housing. This is because humidity inside the housing gets trapped inside if the outside temperature drops significantly or if the air inside the housing case is very humid.
A fogged GoPro Hero 8 lens can potentially ruin the shots of your underwater adventures like scuba diving, snorkeling, etc. Therefore, Anti Fog inserts are essential to eliminate the lens fog as they absorb moisture.
You can buy the GoPro official Anti Fog Inserts. I’ve personally used these inserts with the GoPro Hero 8 Black and it worked pretty well – no fogging whatsoever!
GoPro Anti-Fog Inserts: Fitstill
- NO MORE FOG - Using our anti-fog inserts will help prevent excess moisture forming on...
- REUSABLE - These inserts can be used multiple times before they need to be thrown...
- HIGH QUALITY ABSORPTIVE MATERIAL - Made with high quality moisture absorbing silica...
Maximize Your GoPro Hero 8 Battery Life
The GoPro Hero 8 Black sports a 1,220mAh removable battery, similar to the Hero 5, 6, and 7 cameras. It lasts roughly 70 minutes when recording at 4K resolution. However, the runtime of your GoPro on a single charge depends upon various factors. For example, you won’t get the full 70 minutes of recording time if you have enabled all the features on your camera. However, you can significantly extend the GoPro Hero 8 Black’s battery life if you use your action camera wisely.
Follow these tips to maximize your GoPro Hero 8 battery life:
- Keep the GoPro Off When Not Recording
- Keep the Batteries Warm in Cold Weather
- Turn Off the LCD Screen
- Keep Protune Off
- Use a Wall Charger
- Update the Firmware
- Avoid using the Extra Settings (WiFi, GPS, Voice Control)
- Reduce the Recording Resolution / Frame Rate
- Use Spare Batteries
Find more tips on battery life: How to Maximize Your GoPro Hero 8 Battery Life.
Use a Fast Memory Card with your GoPro Hero 8
The GoPro Hero 8 Black doesn’t come with built-in internal storage. You have to install a microSD card into it to capture and save your memories.
However, not all SD cards work well in this action camera. You need an SD card that’s fast enough to record and store the high-bitrate, 4K videos, and burst photos captured with your camera. I suggest using a microSD card with a speed rating of Class 10 or V30 with GoPro Hero 8.
Here’s the memory card that I find super-reliable when used with the Hero 8 Black. It’s one of the best-rated MicroSD cards on the market and is almost always readily available.
SanDisk Extreme UHS-I micro SD Card
- Brand: SanDisk
- Speed Class: UHS-I (U3), Class 10, V30
- Maximum Read Speed: 160MB/s
- Maximum Write Speed: 90MB/s
- Storage Capacity: 32GB, 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Up to 160MB/s read speeds to save time transferring high res images and 4K UHD...
- Up to 90MB/s write speeds for fast shooting; Requires compatible devices capable of...
- 4K UHD and Full HD Ready with UHS speed class 3 (U3) and video speed class 30 (V30)
Stabilize your Shots
A smooth and stabilized shot always looks appealing to the eye. After all, nobody wants to look at a video that looks as if it were shot during an earthquake! HyperSmooth – GoPro’s trademark image stabilization technology does just that – stabilize your shots. It is even better in the Hero 8 Black as it comes with an advanced version: HyperSmooth 2.0. Make sure that you use it when shooting your adventures, especially during situations that involve rapid movement of your action camera.
However, sometimes the in-camera stabilization does not perform particularly well! This happens mostly in low-light situations. The camera produces an annoying jello effect in such situations. So, try to avoid Hypersmooth if low-light is an issue, and use a gimbal stabilizer instead.
A gimbal ensures that you is camera stabilized and there’s no vibration in the resulting footage. This is done through 2 or 3 brushless motors that smooth out any camera shake. Unlike EIS (Hypersmooth on GoPro), which is done in-camera, a gimbal prevents those camera shakes to happen beforehand. This results in better stabilization.
Here’s a gimbal stabilizer that I recommend you use:
Zhiyun Smooth 4 (3-Axis Handheld Stabilizer)
- 👍👍【Filmic Pro】The official APP for Smooth 4 is called ZY play. But Filmic...
- 👍👍【Control Panel】Integrated control panel design,Focus Pull & Zoom...
- ✅✅【MUST KNOW】Balance the gimbal before use: Slide the smartphoone in as close...
Use the GoPro Hero 8 Recommended Low-Light Settings
Capturing quality footage in low-light is no easy feat! There are a lot of settings, like ISO settings, shutter speeds, movement blurs, etc. that you need to take into consideration. While the GoPro Hero 8 Black is capable of providing exceptional night footage, you need to use it with all the recommended night mode settings.
Here are the Best GoPro Night Mode Settings for Low-Light:
Recommended GoPro Night Mode Video Settings
- Resolution/FPS: 4K/24fps
- Lens: SuperView
- HyperSmooth: On
- Bit Rate: High
- Shutter Speed: 1/48
- White Balance: Auto
- ISO Min: 100
- ISO Max: 800
- Sharpness: Medium
- Color: GoPro
Recommended GoPro Night Mode Photo Settings:
Dark Sky Without Moon
- Mode: Night Photo
- Shutter: 30s
- ISO Min + Max: 1600
- Output: RAW
Dark Sky With a Dull, Waning Moon
- Mode: Night Photo
- Shutter: 30s
- ISO Min + Max: 1600
- Output: RAW
Dark Sky With a Bright Moon
- Mode: Night Photo
- Shutter: 20s
- ISO Min + Max: 1600
- Output: RAW
More tips on Night mode: GoPro HERO 8: Best Night Video Settings for Low Light.
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you learn eight simple tips and tricks (for beginners) to turn your basic GoPro Hero 8 videos into masterpieces! 🙂
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Related Articles:
- GoPro Settings Explained: Definitive Guide [ + Cheatsheet ]
- ProTune: Everything You Need to Know to Master the Advanced GoPro Settings
- GoPro Slow Motion: Learning to Use Slow Motion
- GoPro Low Light Tips: Learn How to Improve Your Low Light Footage
- Time Lapse: Creating Stunning Time-Lapse Shots with GoPro