POV Cameras and Extreme Sports

[Bulldog]

It's been a while since anyone has started a controversy on BAK, and after an absolutely KILLER week of wave kiting and powder skiing, I felt up to the task. Surrounded by kiters and skiers/snowboarders with POV cameras all week was just more than I could take.

Let's face it: POV cameras attached to helmets record videos that suck. They show a tunnel-vision view of what is happening in front of the rider, all the while bobbing back and forth in tandem with the rider's head. At best, someone viewing the video feels like they are playing a video game. At worst, it's the Blair Witch Project on crack.

When I watch kiting or skiing videos, I don't want to see "what the rider sees". I see that every time I kite or ski myself. I want a fly on the wall view, 20-50 ft. off to the side or in front of the rider, showing them smacking the lip/busting air/dropping a cliff/slashing some turns, etc.

What people should do, if they want to record videos that they can use to impress their friends and anonymous Youtubers, is mount the POV camera on their wrist and follow their friends around while they are kiting, capturing the sights from a 3rd person angle that really shows what is happening. Then, after spending an hour or two immortalizing your friends, hand them the wrist-strap mounted camera and ask them to reciprocate. This is how all the best extreme sports videos are made.

Please accept my apologies in advance if you have recorded hours of yourself kiting and think anyone actually wants to watch it, unless they are a bulemic who has had all their fingers amputated.

[OliverG]

Let's face it: POV cameras attached to helmets record videos that suck. They show a tunnel-vision view of what is happening in front of the rider, all the while bobbing back and forth in tandem with the rider's head. At best, someone viewing the video feels like they are playing a video game. At worst, it's the Blair Witch Project on crack.

When I watch kiting or skiing videos, I don't want to see "what the rider sees".

Yeah, I'd have to agree with you. I think the best audience for POV footage of kiting is the kiter him or herself if their session was so good they need to relive it or something. Kite cams can be cool if done well, but POV is gratuitous and well, kind of lame. You might as well run down a trail on a rocky hill holding a video cam and then show it to everyone. Just boring, really.

[jbirdmarin]

Ditto - there's a Caution video circulating on iKite that wasted 4 mins of my life. I do like what Erin does with the cam halfway up the lines - at least it gives some perspective!

[windhorny]

I'll try and find a better use for my GoPro then. I was thinking of attaching it to a fishing rod and casting it out into the bay. Would be a cool shot. How about a view from under the board in crystal clear water? Or maybe I can lower it into the porta potties at the Delta. ok thats nasty, nevermind that one. but you do realize this comment is grounds for making some even worse video.

And to add, youtube doesnt do the new HD gopro justice, when i hook that thing up to my 50" plasma or my macpro it looks stunning! Gotta at least give credit for the equipment itself. No one said buying an HD camera was gonna make them a good movie.

[adamrod]

i think the go-pro attached to the lines is pretty cool...but i'd agree, attached to the head, it gets old really fast.

[Loscocco]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvBvPsQ2Kbs[/video]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FILz5cuX8VQ[/video]

[nick_80044]

I'm all for having the highest quality videos possible, but allow me to put in a plug/word of support for Losoccco, whose videos are posted above (and who I don't know other than through the videos). He actually left out my favorite one, which is a helmet-cam tour de force of riding around and under the Golden Gate Bridge:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SUKJ0QTQ2E

IMO, it gives a real "you are there" sense; I have watched it several times and will do so again. I have also sent it to several curious friends and relations and they think it's pretty exciting, too. It leaves me chomping at the bit to get out there and improve my skills so I can eventually join in the fun under the Bridge!

[sloughslut]

You know what i hate? people who put ketchup on a hot dog. :text-threadjacked:

[OliverG]

I hate being behind someone who leaves a really big gap in front of them on the freeway in heavy traffic... :angry-cussingblack: :angry-boxing: :angelic-whiteflying: :auto-swerve:

[jbirdmarin]

i hate haters