GoPros are a favorite travel companion and can record up to 2 hours of video at 4K resolution. They’re also small, lightweight, durable and can be used in any weather conditions, unlike most regular cameras. But, can you use a GoPro for taking pictures, and is it good for photography?
You can use GoPros to take pictures, and the latest versions even allow you to capture images in RAW format. GoPros are a great replacement for traditional cameras when traveling. They have decent picture quality and a wide range. You can even use your GoPro to take pictures underwater.
So, unless you’re planning on taking professional-quality pictures, you can certainly substitute your camera for a GoPro when traveling. Let’s take a closer look at how GoPros can be used for taking pictures and which features are available to get the most from your camera.
Can a GoPro Take Photos?
While GoPros are well known for their video quality and durability in any weather, you can also use them to take photos. All GoPros can be used as regular cameras to take photos, and the newer models can even take high-resolution pictures.
Some of the latest GoPros can take photos in RAW format, while all other models take photos in JPG format.
If you always travel with your GoPro and don’t want to carry around a large DSLR camera, you can always use your GoPro as a regular camera. While they don’t have as many features as more traditional cameras, GoPros can take decent pictures, especially if used correctly.
GoPros are also helpful in situations where you can’t use your phone to take pictures, such as when swimming, camping, or undergoing other outdoor activities.
While GoPros only take photos in still mode, newer models have settings that make it easy to take photos in any situation. The durability of GoPros — and the fact that many models are waterproof — also makes them a great alternative to a regular camera for travel.
However, taking successful photos with a GoPro takes experience, so practice at home before using your GoPro out in the field.
Are GoPros Good for General Photography?
While a GoPro isn’t made for photography, you can still take decent pics with it. GoPros also have other advantages over regular cameras, such as their durability, scope of use, and cost.
Once you get to experience taking pictures with a GoPro, you can use it better than many cameras.
Some of the benefits of using a GoPro for photography include:
Durability
GoPros are the perfect travel companion since they can handle almost any weather conditions. You can use your GoPro in snow, dusty areas, and even up to a distance of 10m underwater (depending on the model).
This can be useful if you’re traveling and taking pictures in conditions that would damage any regular camera. In short, GoPros are all about capturing the moment, wherever it may be.
Ease of Use
Have you ever seen a professional DSLR camera? While they do shine in terms of features, they aren’t exactly beginner-friendly, and you’ll need some time and experience to master them.
If you’re looking for a camera that’s beginner-friendly, try using a GoPro.
Even though the latest GoPro models have a range of settings that include automatic pictures, timers, night mode, and other features, most GoPros have just two or three buttons to take photos with. Even the latest models are much easier to use than your typical DSLR camera.
If you don’t have time to understand the settings of specialized cameras and just want to take decent travel photos, the GoPro is perfect for you.
Decent Picture Quality
While you can’t compare the picture quality of a GoPro with a specialized camera used for professional photography, GoPros produce decent-quality pictures that are on par with the latest iPhone cameras. The scope of a GoPro’s lens is also much wider, allowing you to capture pictures of large monuments and forests or even take a selfie with a wide background.
Even with all the features present in the latest GoPro models, they still have limitations.
For example, GoPros can’t zoom in or out to take pictures, and they don’t have the same responsiveness as most cameras. They also have poor light adjustment and color balance, and they don’t work too well indoors.
So, while GoPros are great for taking pictures in outdoor scenarios where there’s a lot of lighting, and you don’t need to focus on something very close, they aren’t made for professional photography.
How to Take Good Pictures With GoPro
Even though GoPros are beginner-friendly for photography, it may take some time before you can get high-quality snaps consistently. The photo quality will often depend on the features of your GoPro, lens quality, camera angles, and placement.
While you can’t adjust zoom and other settings, you can use the existing lens placement to take a range of photos with your GoPro.
Here are some tips to help you take good pictures with a GoPro:
Expand Your Range With GoPro Accessories
GoPros are designed with a limited lens range, which could limit your options when tracking pictures in certain settings. To expand the range of your GoPro, make sure that you use all its accessories effectively.
If you’re looking to get a steadier shot, try using a tripod. If you want to expand the range of your camera, get a GoPro stick or connect your GoPro to a selfie stick (on Amazon). The Jaws Flex Clamp Mount (on Amazon) is also a useful accessory that allows you to do much more with your GoPro.
And don’t forget to carry a battery charger or extra batteries if you’re going to be taking a lot of photos.
Use Night Lapse for Continuous Shooting
Continuous shooting allows you to take several pictures in a given time frame. This is helpful since it allows you to choose from several shots. However, you can’t take high-quality RAW photos with continuous shooting unless you turn the settings to night lapse mode.
You can also adjust the duration between clicks, giving you the option to take several photos of a single pose or several different photos in a short timeframe. If you need to capture photos when you’re moving, try burst mode.
Use the Wide Lens Effectively
While the wide lens may be seen by some as a downside of the GoPro, it’s also an advantage if you use it effectively. A wide-angle can give you much more background when taking photos outdoors.
If you’re looking to take a selfie in a scenic location, make sure you’re in the middle of the photo and that you fully capture the scenic background.
Take Pictures in Well-Lit Areas
If you’re taking pictures indoors, you can adjust the lighting for better snaps. The best photos are usually taken in the early morning or at sunset when the lighting is perfect for your GoPro.
Experiment With Different Settings
While you can read the GoPro manual to get an idea of the settings and options available, you won’t be able to perfect your pictures without practice. Try out different settings and angles, and adjust to get more experience before you head out on your next adventure.
Can GoPro Take Pictures Underwater?
Most GoPro models are waterproof and can take pictures underwater, making them perfect for snorkeling, pool parties, and other water events. The quality of GoPro photos underwater is also unmatched, and all GoPros can also record video underwater.
However, GoPros aren’t made for scuba diving and can only handle depths of 5-10 meters, depending on the model. If you’re planning on scuba diving and want to capture the experience with a GoPro, you can use an underwater dive housing (on Amazon) for your camera.
While the latest GoPro models can produce amazing shots underwater, you can improve your photo quality by taking pictures in clear water and sunny weather. Fine-tune the settings before you dive to get clearer shots and make use of accessories such as the Handler (on Amazon) or El Grande (also on Amazon).
Also, don’t forget your hand strap — unless you want to search for a missing GoPro at the bottom of the ocean!