If so, how did you set the camera up (mount it)? I’ve had a lot of success (and made a lot of money) videoing/analyzing videos I filmed by mounting the camera on long-ish pole that I used to comfortably hold in front of the swimmer while I walked along beside them while they swam, but I can’t seem to find a good way to get a decent camera angle without having someone else do the same for me. My goal is to get a couple videos spaced out throughout a workout so I can analyze exactly how my technique breaks down when I get tired. I’ve tried sticking the camera on the wall at the end of the pool to get a frontal view, but all I can see is splashing. Putting the camera on the bottom works decently well, but only in a shallow pool. It’s almost impossible to get a good size view I think, but that’s why I’m soliciting ideas…
Here’s my latest attempt, filmed in about 4 1/2 feet of water with the camera sitting on the bottom of the pool at an angle. Feel free to critique my technique, but I don’t need as much help analyzing my swim technique as I do analyzing my cinematography skills. There are random shots of swimming throughout, mixed with long pauses where nothing happens (too lazy to edit at the moment). Skip to 1:00 or 1:40.
If so, how did you set the camera up (mount it)? I’ve had a lot of success (and made a lot of money) videoing/analyzing videos I filmed by mounting the camera on long-ish pole that I used to comfortably hold in front of the swimmer while I walked along beside them while they swam, but I can’t seem to find a good way to get a decent camera angle without having someone else do the same for me. My goal is to get a couple videos spaced out throughout a workout so I can analyze exactly how my technique breaks down when I get tired. I’ve tried sticking the camera on the wall at the end of the pool to get a frontal view, but all I can see is splashing. Putting the camera on the bottom works decently well, but only in a shallow pool. It’s almost impossible to get a good size view I think, but that’s why I’m soliciting ideas…
Here’s my latest attempt, filmed in about 4 1/2 feet of water with the camera sitting on the bottom of the pool at an angle. Feel free to critique my technique, but I don’t need as much help analyzing my swim technique as I do analyzing my cinematography skills. There are random shots of swimming throughout, mixed with long pauses where nothing happens (too lazy to edit at the moment). Skip to 1:00 or 1:40.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-V5Fq-kELU
Just an idea:
If you can mount it to a pole, then create some sort of a hook so it can hook onto the gutter. This way you can move it to the front view, side view etc. You could even bolt piece of fabric on to the pole and then put a weight on the fabric like the diving brick. Either way, you should be able to work it out.
Why not just ask a lifeguard or someone at the pool to walk next to you for three or four lengths? That should take all of about two minutes of their time. I’m fairly antisocial and even I know a handful of people at the pool that I could ask to walk 100-200yds. Just mount the camera on the bottom of a broom handle or similar.
This would be ideal. The resulting footage is almost always fantastic, but the drawback there is that you have to have an end lane, which I can’t always count on. I’ve found that those extendable aluminum poles work best–they’re stiff (you’d be surprised how much drag the GoPro has at swimming speed, and how much of a bending moment it creates in whatever you choose to mount it to), light, and the length is crucial to doing this comfortably.
I’ve got a couple buddies that swim with me sometimes…I may ask one of them to do it.
I think that’s what I’m looking for. The only issue with trying to get a head-on view with the camera mounted at the end of the lane is that you can’t see yourself swimming away, which is an issue because my kick is one of my problem areas. Ideally the camera would need to be about 12-18 inches underwater and probably somewhere in the middle of the pool so that I can get the coming and going video.
We use a weight from a scuba diving weight belt. It’s zip tied to it. Then just sit it on the bottom (we do it in 5 ft) and then swim back and forth over it. Viola!
I’ve done that already (you would know if you watched the video/read my whole initial post) and am looking for something better, but I appreciate your input.
Great idea. I just got the GoPro and mounted it on my standup paddleboard. I am definitely taking it to the pool now.
My idea was the same as Mac. Stick it on a bucket. The problem is, you get limited views. I am going to see if I can get someone at the pool to walk with a stick.
What about this: Get the tripod mount and mount it to a cheap, adjustable tripod (weighted down). Put it about 5 m or so from the wall, just below water level. Use a tether around your waist and attached to the pool. Swim in place in front of the camera. Then move the camera and get a shot from the back.
What you need, and it will make it fun for everyone involved, is to buy yourself one of those remote controlled subs (or a boat and hang the camera off the side) and get someone to control it up and down the lane…can even use it as a pacing tool. Even I’d come to your pool and play about that for you and I am really anti-social.
Brilliance! I don’t know how I didn’t think of this before! My technique does tend to be a bit different on the tether system since I find it harder to get my natural body rotation when I’m connected to the tubing system, but it’s definitely not a bad idea at all, and would be great for watching more of an open-water type technique.
Also look at a good underwater housing that is not a fish eye. We went with one that had a flat lens and it looks so much better. Play around with the angle while it’s on the bottom. I get a good view straight on. I do t think a side view is desirable from an underwater view.
Another idea: have a buddy hold it and video from the side
