I received my GoPro HERO 12 Black as a birthday gift. At that moment, I was both excited and confused. I simply didn’t know what things to do with a GoPro. Initially, I recorded my park walks. However, I knew I wasn’t taking full advantage of this tiny camera. So, I started researching for GoPro video ideas, and discovered that it could be used to record biking, kayaking, surfing, time-lapse sunsets, and more.
Next weekend, I mounted it on my bike and rode down a rocky trail. The footage was incredible, resembling an action film. Since then, I’ve been experimenting with mounts, filming in slow motion, and even capturing my dog’s point of view at the beach.
To help other beginners like me, I gathered some of the best GoPro ideas to try. I also asked the FixThePhoto team to share their own tips and tricks. We went further and tested the GoPro HERO 12 in a variety of conditions to make sure every idea on this list is practical and fun to try.
If you love skiing or snowboarding, a GoPro camera will definitely come in handy. It records your adventures straight from your perspective, so every turn and jump looks even more epic. Just strap it to your helmet, and you’ll get steady, professional-looking footage. Racing down the mountain is undeniably one of the best GoPro uses.
Mount your GoPro on your chest or helmet, and you can focus on the ride while it films everything for you. The camera is built tough, so it can handle icy slopes, heavy snow, and even a few tumbles.
Underwater filming is another variant of GoPro camera uses. Strap on your scuba gear or snorkeling mask, and you can film vibrant coral, curious fish, and the beauty of the ocean depths. With the waterproof housing, a camera works down to up to 196 feet.
Even for shallow snorkeling, the GoPro alone does the job. Thanks to the wide-angle lens, you can capture the full underwater scene.
What can you do with a GoPro? Try rafting. Mount it on your helmet or paddle to capture wild rapids and every twist of the river. The camera is tough and waterproof, so water splashes won’t damage it or stop it from recording. Thanks to a pro-grade built-in stabilization, you will get sharp footage even in choppy water.
Zip-lining becomes even more unforgettable with a GoPro. Just mount a camera on your helmet or chest, and record smooth first-person footage that shows the rush of soaring through the trees. Thanks to the wide-angle lens, you can capture the stunning scenery around you.
Since it’s small and lightweight, the GoPro won’t bother you or interfere with safety gear. Later, when you watch the clips, you will feel like you are back on the line.
Watersports provide limitless uses for GoPro cameras. You can choose surfing, kayaking, wakeboarding, jet skiing, and more. You need to attach a GoPro to your gear, and you’ll capture an action-packed perspective that puts viewers in the middle of the adventure.
Don’t worry about damage. A waterproof case protects it from splashes, dunking, and unexpected crashes. If you use a higher frame rate, you’ll catch every fast move with amazing clarity.
What to use GoPro for? In fact, it is perfect equipment to capture everyday beach outings. You can record the fun of friends playing volleyball, kids laughing in the sand, or the calm of a sunny afternoon. With its sturdy design, it shrugs off drops, grains of sand, and splashes from the waves.
Feel free to play with slow-motion shots of crashing waves or use the wide-angle lens to show off the whole shoreline.
Another sample of GoPro uses is to record concerts or live events. With a wide-angle lens, you don’t miss a moment, while vibration control keeps the picture steady. Thanks to its compact size, you can film without blocking the view for others.
With different mounts, you can capture the show from where you sit or even from higher angles for a fresh perspective.
Mount a GoPro on a drone to get amazing shooting possibilities for your videos. This is one of the best GoPro tips if you want to capture sweeping landscapes, fast-paced sports, or travel adventures from the sky. The footage will be stabilized, so you can see all the details clearly. Because GoPros are lightweight, they won’t overload your drone, keeping flights safe.
Ever wondered what your pet sees? Mount a GoPro on their harness and find out. Watch them explore the park, splash in puddles, or chase a ball from a totally new perspective.
The camera’s durable design makes it perfect for such GoPro ideas. It can handle mud, water, and rough play without breaking.
Experience the rush of flight with a GoPro! Attach it to your helmet or chest to film paragliding, skydiving, or any aerial adventure. These cameras work perfectly when you need to capture high-altitude views.
The GoPro is light, so it won’t interfere with your safety gear. Besides, the built-in stabilization keeps footage smooth, even in gusty wind or fast movements.
If you’re into vlogging, a GoPro is a fantastic choice. Such cameras are lightweight, steady, and rely on wide-angle lenses to capture everything around you.
You can use it for documenting your travels, filming daily routines at home, etc. Besides, add simple accessories like a grip or mini tripod to make filming easier.
If you love hitting the road on a bike or exploring off-road trails, you probably know what to do with GoPro. Use helmet, chest, or handlebar mounts, and record the ride exactly as you see it. Built to handle bumps, dust, and even rain, a GoPro delivers smooth, high-quality footage every time.
One of the best uses for GoPro is recording traveling adventures. The camera is portable and simple to use, so you can conveniently capture iconic landmarks and colorful street life. Thanks to its wide lens, your photos and videos will demonstrate the full beauty of any cityscape. Take advantage of a tripod or selfie stick for more flexibility on the go.
With QuikCapture, you don’t need to waste time turning on your GoPro before recording. A single press of the shutter instantly powers it up and starts filming, while holding the button begins a time-lapse. It’s designed for quick reactions, so you’re always ready for surprise moments.
HiLight Tags make editing much easier. While filming, press the mode button or use a voice command, and your GoPro will place a tag in the clip. Later, these tags act as bookmarks so you can quickly find the most exciting shots.
Horizon Lock is a real find for stable videos. Paired with the Max Lens Mod, it ensures the horizon line stays perfectly level, even during spins, tilts, or bumpy rides. Your clips look smooth and professional without extra editing.
HindSight continuously saves the 30 seconds leading up to when you press record. That means even if you start late, the important part is already captured.
Orientation Lock stops your GoPro from switching between vertical and horizontal views while you’re filming. Thus, you receive platform-ready content for TikTok, Reels, or YouTube.
HyperSmooth Boost is GoPro’s top stabilization setting. Your videos will look stable and professional, no matter how bumpy the ride.
With TimeWarp and Real Speed Switching, your GoPro makes fast-motion hyperlapse videos that you can slow down instantly. A quick tap or button press shifts the video into real-time. Therefore, you can capture key details without stopping the flow.
With Exposure Lock, your GoPro won’t constantly adjust to changing light. Instead, it locks onto the subject you choose, keeping them properly lit while avoiding overexposed or underexposed shots.
Capture Presets make filming easier by letting you save up to ten custom setups. Swap between slow-motion, nighttime, or underwater modes in a flash.
The Ultra-Fisheye Mode with the Max Lens Mod gives you a super-wide 155° view, even if you don’t turn on the dedicated mode. This way, your videos will acquire a cool, old-fashioned distortion.