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Photographic Cloning

Through the use of GoPro, the creation of photographic cloning is greatly simplified. Using the burst setting, you can take a certain amount of photos in a given time. For the GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition, the photos can be taken in the following amounts and time periods:

3 photos/1sec

5 photos/1sec

10 photos/1sec

10 photos/2sec

30 photos/1sec

30 photos/2sec

30 photos/3sec

Choosing the appropriate burst speed depends upon the speed of the activity being photographed. A person moving at a walking speed would require less pictures per second, while a running individual would need more pictures per second. Experiment with different burst speeds to find one that works.

After successfully capturing your photos, you must know how to properly edit them. Using a photo editing program such as GIMP is a quick and easy way to "clone" yourself in still photography. Hopefully in a future post, I will create a how-to-video that will explain the exact process with more detail, but for now I will talk you through the simple 2-step process of cloning yourself.

1. Upload Photos

Uploading photos can be accomplished in multiple ways, but the simplest method is to click and drag the photo to the empty space within the work area of GIMP. After the first photo is uploaded, drag the next photo in the sequence directly on top of the first photo.

2. Crop Photos

Select the rectangular selection tool from the tool menu, click and drag until the desired area is surrounded by a dotted-line. Next, drop down the Layer menu tab and choose "crop to selection."A tip to keep in mind is to make sure your photos are separated so they do not over lap. In this simple form of cloning, overlapping images will not look convincing.

Below are a few examples of easy-to-make "clones" of myself. Please leave your comments, concerns, or questions below.

GoPro Interview

For this post, an interview was conducted through email with GoPro Support personnel, Lauren E., who was kind enough to answer the following questions. I would also like to express my gratitude toward GoPro for their efforts to provide answers to inquiries with amazing speed. Let’s look at what Lauren said in response to my questioning.

1. How old is the GoPro Company?

GoPro created their first camera in 2004, when Nick Woodman wanted a camera he could wear on his wrist while surfing.  

2. What was the inspiration behind the creation of such an awesome device?

Nick is big into extreme sports, specifically surfing and wanted to film the action with a small, light, waterproof camera.

3. How many cameras have been sold since the company’s founding?

We do not have specific numbers to provide to the public, but let's just say that we have released several models of our cameras and our company has definitely blossomed more in the last few years!

4. What is the most extreme environment a GoPro has ever endured?

Although we do not hear everything that goes on with people and their cameras, our new cameras are heat resistant to the point where firefighters are using them in action. A shark tank owner once told me he had a few cameras eaten in his tank. We've also had reports of cameras falling out of airplanes and surviving in great condition. One customer lost their camera in the ocean and months later someone else found it in great condition and posted the video of the ocean floor on YouTube. 

5. What is the most common mounting method?

Mounting depends on the sport- many people love the Chest Mount Harness (that you can wear around your chest) or the Head Strap Mount (a mount to wear on your head), but our first camera was made only for your wrist, so that is popular as well.  

6. What is the most creative mounting method?

If you do a Google search for GoPro mounting you would find endless ideas. People are mounting these things to their dogs, kids and a variety of things. I've heard of customer's creating their own plastic mounts to custom fit exactly where they want it.  

7. What is the most sold mounting accessory?

Oh man, I wouldn't say we have a "most sold" mounting accessory - we have such a large variety of people who purchase these and for such a variety of different reasons - but here are some common ones: Chest Mount Harness, Suction Cup Mount, Handlebar/Seatpost Pole Mount, Head Strap Mount, Tripod Mount.

8. How was the name “GoPro” created?

When Nick Woodman was coming up with his product, he wanted a camera that was professional but usable by the general public... and you always want something catchy, right? Hence, the name GoPro. 

9. What creative and new ways things are GoPro users capturing with their GoPros?

When you are thinking of the list of things people do with their cameras, the list is endless and the sky is the limit. I can't even begin to tell you!  

10. How does (or should) GoPro plan on expanding into new areas?

We are always looking to expand and improve our world-class product. We love customer's suggestions and we take those into consideration. I apologize but we don't make all of our plans public. Sign up for our newsletter to be made aware of new announcements. Check it out here: http://gopro.com/newsletter/

Thanks once again, GoPro, for your willingness to share about your amazing cameras. Now let’s hear how the rest of us love to use our GoPro cameras!

Here is video of an interview with Nicholas Woodman, GoPro's Founder that more clearly explains the founding, growth and success of GoPro.

Creating a Time Lapse: GoPro Style

Time Lapse videos are super fun to make and relatively simple provided the proper equipment. GoPro cameras are perfect for shooting time lapse footage due to the small size. Because they are so small, they can be easily hid and left in one spot for a lengthy period of time without worry of someone finding and stealing the camera. In this post 5 tips for making a time lapse with a GoPro will be discussed. Please leave comments on how you enjoy shooting time lapse footage with your GoPro!

1. Movement Matters

The focus of your video should be on an area of terrain with objects are consistently moving. The whole purpose of time lapse footage is to capture long progressions of movement in a short period of time. Good subjects would include sunsets/sunrises, densely populated areas, automobiles, and changes in weather. In the end, make sure the movements of your subject are numerous enough to keep the attention and interest of your audience.

2. Vary Variety

Keep a healthy variety within in the kinds of footage you shoot. The general theme of the video should be consistent, but at the same time not boring. Be creative in the locations from which you film. Once again, you need to make your time lapses unique and created, otherwise they will put your audience to sleep.

3. Placement Pointers

Where you put your GoPro is very important. You want to make sure the very is good, but if you plan on leaving your camera unwatched, try to disguise the location of your camera. One of the advantages of using a GoPro is that they can be disguised very easily. When disguising your camera be sure the blinking red light which signals when the camera is recording is turned off. I have seen that there are several websites that offer camouflage skins which can be placed on the GoPro housing to increasing its invisibility.

4.Musical Magic

The music you use in your time lapse video should be appropriate for the theme involved with your video. For instance, scenery time lapse videos usually contain a piano accompaniment. Make sure the music promotes feelings similar to the visuals being shown. The music needs to compliment the time lapse instead of detracting from it.

5. Blending Blurs

A cool feature which some people put in their time lapse videos is called Tilt Shift. It involves inserting horizontal blurs on the top and bottom of the shot using editing software. The result creates an illusion that the picture is farther away the subject seems to be smaller.

Snowboard Coach, Jeff Boese, hanging out on the mushroom.

What's This All About?

Hello and welcome to uGoPro. Here you will find creative and inspiring tips for using "the world's most versatile camera," the GoPro Hero. Whether you are an amateur GoPro user or a sponsored GoPro fanatic, this blog will benefit you by providing unique and various mounting techniques. Ultimately, the goal is to inspire new and innovative uses for GoPro cameras. Please subscribe to get email updates on daily posts.

Cloning Photos

Jeff Boese