Inside Out Outdoors

Just wanted to share what $25 in PVC pipe, plastic electrical conduit boxes, rubber cement and a can of flat black spray paint will allow you to make (Special thanks to Cheesycam for inspiring me to create my own stuff!)  As you can see, the smaller mount I made is for my Go Pro and will allow me to get some low angle shots not only for video but also an interesting view for any time lapses I try to do.  To make it was simple (All of this was 1/2"):  3 PVC electrical conduit 45-degree bends and a tee PVC electrical conduit box.  I also grabbed 3 end pieces to put in the ends of the 45-degree bends to help level them out.  The key to this is I didn't rubber cement anything together, meaning I can take it apart and have it not take up much space in my pack.  Quick note:  I am hoping when I make a small slider for the Go Pro that I can just figure out a way to use this mount on the rails, which will help me save some time and a little money (the gears have been turning in my mind the past few days about this!).

The second mount is a shoulder rig for our current main cam, a Canon HFS20.  I finally got the quick adapter I ordered in the mail this past Friday and put it on the rig; it is going to make switching the camera from my tripod to tree arm to this shoulder support very easy and time-saving.  This support was just as easy to make as the Go Pro one, using 3/4" PVC pipe pieces and a L-shaped PVC electrical conduit box.  The list of fittings used for it is as follows:  1 tee, 3 45-degree couplings, 2 90-degree couplings and 2 caps.  I also grabbed a 5-foot long piece of 3/4" PVC pipe since I didn't have any laying around.  I did cement some things together to help with stability, but I can still take it apart and pack it up.  I probably won't carry this with me every time we go in the woods, instead using my tripod as a shoulder support for some footage, but if we come back to the truck before getting our game out, it will definitely be used for recovery shots and what not.  Plus it gives me a another way to get some interesting shots.  Hopefully that gives some of you photographers and video guys (and gals) out there some DIY ideas to try out.  If you've got any projects you've completed and want to share with us, post them up in the comments.  And since it is the beginning of August, this blog entry is one of those that kicks off our monthly comment contest, meaning you have no reason not to leave us your opinion or drop a bit of knowledge!

-C.B.

As you know from my video the other week, I have a Go Pro HD Hero.  The little camera is awesome and will be our second angle cam during hunts as well as what I'll strap to me on my next Linville Gorge adventure.  Which brings me to the point of this post.  While browsing the internet earlier, I ran across a quick review of the Go Pro on a blog called Chinny's Convulsions and wanted to share it with you since the blogger lays a foundation by answering some common questions regarding camera selection and accessories before giving his final thoughts on the product.  Even though I've been thinking about typing up a review myself on the Go Pro, the post I found nails exactly how I feel about it and answers the same questions I had when searching for a P.O.V. (Point of View) camera earlier this year (Plus it gives me a chance to take the easy way out by not having to type up something that would sound pretty much the same; I won't lie, the path of least resistance is one I'll take in this instance!)  So give "My Life With a Go Pro" a read and hopefully you'll join us in using the HD Hero for filming your different outdoor activities.