13 Tips To Skyrocket Your GoPro Photography Game (2026 Edition)

What’s up GoPro creators! (Yes, that’s officially what we’re calling ourselves now.)

GoPros are pretty well known for shooting amazing videos, but these little cameras are very capable of taking awesome photos too.

In fact, with the latest models like the GoPro HERO12 Black and GoPro HERO13 Black, photo quality has improved dramatically thanks to better sensors, HDR processing, and RAW support.

I would even go as far as saying that these can rival DSLRs sometimes.

So, in this post we’re talking about how to step up your GoPro photography game and start taking better pictures… even if you are a complete beginner and don’t have any photography background.

Actually, you don’t really need to know that much about photography and cameras.

The GoPro is pretty straightforward and easy to use and there aren’t that many settings you need to take care of.

Modern GoPros now use advanced computational photography, meaning the camera automatically balances HDR, exposure, and color for you in most conditions.

This camera will use the best settings for you depending on the scene.

Even so, we have a handful of bits of advice that will make your GoPro pictures stand out from the crowd.

These are all actionable tips that you can take away and try out as soon as you’re done reading the post. So put your camera away for now and let’s get to it.

Oh, and did I tell you that we are editing videos for clients such as yourself?

Back to the article.

#1 Always have your GoPro with you

Always! The reason GoPro is so small is so that you can have it with you all the time.

Today’s GoPros are even lighter and more compact, making them easy to carry in a jacket pocket, small sling bag, or mounted on a magnetic clip.

Actually, I did a research and reached out to over 100 people that are into GoPro photography, and I think the number one tip for getting the most out of your GoPro is to simply have it with you.

This way you know for sure you are not missing anything.

You never know when you’re going to run into Yeti or a dinosaur who’s been hiding for millions of years, right?

#2 Burst mode baby

The GoPro is an action camera for the most part.

So if you are into action, sports, running around, jumping off cliffs or anything else which takes place at high speeds the burst mode is your best friend.

Newer models offer improved burst speeds and better image processing, so you can capture fast action with more detail and less motion blur.

I found that using the 30 / 3 seconds setting works best for most of the scenes.

You can also experiment with RAW Burst if your model supports it, which gives you more flexibility when editing later in Lightroom or Capture One.

This will fill up your SD card pretty fast though if you use it a lot.

Make sure you’re using a high-speed UHS-I or UHS-II microSD card to avoid buffering issues.

For more control over your GoPro’s settings, including options like shutter speed and ISO, you can utilize the Protune feature.

#3 Use the Timelapse mode too

If the burst mode is a bit too much and you don’t actually need to take that many pictures in such a short period of time, the time-lapse mode is a great alternative.

Many current GoPro models also include Night Lapse and Star Trail modes, which are fantastic for astrophotography and low-light scenes.

Be careful though. There’s a video time-lapse mode and a photo time-lapse mode, so pick the one you want.

I like to use the 1 or 0.5 setting on the time-lapse.

That’s a good option if you have a longer time frame to shoot.

#4 Play around with the angles

Most people shoot photos or videos by holding the camera at eye level.

With ultra-wide digital lenses like Linear + Horizon Lock available on newer models, you can experiment with dramatic perspectives while keeping your horizon perfectly straight.

I found that using low-angle shots can really make a difference.

Everything looks so much bigger and epic.

So definitely give low angles a try.

#5 Get a GoPro 3-Way Grip or/and a GoPole

The GoPro 3-Way Grip is hands down my number one accessory to buy.

Today, there are also magnetic swivel mounts and quick-release systems that make switching angles much faster while shooting.

If you want to take selfies while capturing more of the surroundings, an extendable pole is a great option.

Just remember that invisible selfie stick effects now work even better in 360 workflows if you’re using a 360-compatible setup.

#6 Prepare for underwater shots

If you’re into scuba diving, snorkeling or anything else which happens in the water there are particular accessories you want to consider.

A red filter – because the GoPro will overexpose underwater shots and you get that washy-looking image.

Some newer GoPro models now automatically correct underwater color to some extent, but a red filter still dramatically improves color accuracy in deeper water.

Floating hand grip- simply because you don’t want to lose your GoPro underwater. I’m terrified of just the idea of losing my camera.

#7 Check the lenses often

Having mud, sand, water, or whatever on your lenses will clearly ruin your shots.

Instead of licking the lens (we’ve all done it…), carry a small microfiber cloth to avoid scratches and maintain sharpness.

Sometimes a drop of water can give a more authentic look.

#8 Use two of them

Do you know what’s even better than a GoPro? Two GoPros!

Or combine a standard GoPro with a 360 camera for even more creative flexibility in post-production.

One setup that I particularly like is to have one GoPro shooting video and the second one taking pictures.

Thanks to improved frame grabs in 5.3K and higher resolutions, extracting stills from video is more viable — but dedicated photos will still give you the best quality.

#9 Ditch the housing

Unless you plan on seriously smashing your GoPro, the housing will not be of much use.

Most modern GoPros are waterproof up to 10 meters (33 ft) without housing, making them more versatile right out of the box.

Take it off whenever you want to take an epic shot.

#10 Try different perspectives

The major advantage of the GoPro is that it’s so small.

Mount it on helmets, drones (where legally permitted), bikes, surfboards, or even pets for perspectives that traditional cameras simply can’t achieve.

Go wild with it and put the GoPro in places you could never fit a DSLR.

#11 Shot at the right time

There’s this thing among photographers called “golden hour”.

Pictures taken at sunrise or sunset will look so much better because of the natural light.

With HDR photo mode now standard on most GoPros, shooting during golden hour produces even richer highlights and deeper shadows.

#12 Over-under shots

Half underwater photos aka. over-under shots are like a trademark of GoPros.

The reason you need a dome port is that you need to keep the water away from the lenses.

High-quality dome ports now reduce distortion and improve clarity, making over-under shots more professional-looking than ever.

#13 Go into post-production

If you really want to take your GoPro photography game to the next level you are going to need to spend some time in post-production.

Editing GoPro photos in software such as Lightroom can really bring in new details.

Shooting in RAW (GPR format on GoPro) gives you significantly more control over highlights, shadows, and color grading.

Here are some quick Lightroom adjustments you can make on the fly:

• take the highlights down
• bring the shadows up
• increase whites carefully
• lower blacks for contrast
• increase clarity
• boost vibrance

AI-powered masking tools in editing software make selective adjustments much faster and easier, even for beginners.

Conclusions

GoPros are amazing photography tools that anyone can use pretty easily.

With today’s improved sensors, HDR processing, and RAW capabilities, they are more powerful than ever for still photography.

Make sure to always have it with you.

Use burst mode if you want to capture action.

Or use time-lapse if you want automated shooting.

Use different angles.

Use the right accessories.

Always make sure the lenses are clean.

Try new and unconventional perspectives.

And last but not least, use photo editing software to really make your shots pop.