The GoPro Hero 12 stands out as a top-tier action camera, yet it falls short in low-light performance, in my view. This underscores the importance of utilizing the right GoPro Hero 12 night settings to improve outcomes.

In this guide, I’ll not only reveal the GoPro Hero 12 night settings I employ for capturing high-quality videos in dim conditions, but I’ll also share my exclusive technique for enhancing image quality in any lighting situation.

The advice and settings provided here are applicable to a wide range of GoPro Hero models, not just the 12.

 

Night Photo Mode Settings

The Night Photo Mode feature of this camera unlocks the potential for creative night-time photography, particularly in the realm of low-light astrophotography. Below are our suggested settings for capturing the night sky under various lighting conditions, each designed to optimize your results:

Under a Star-Filled Sky Without the Moon

Night Sky without Moon

In the absence of moonlight, with only the stars to illuminate the darkness, the Night Photo Mode on your GoPro Hero 12 shines. For this setting:

  • Mode: Night Photo
  • Shutter: 30s
  • ISO Min: 100
  • ISO Max: 1600
  • Output: RAW

With a Dim, Waning Moon (Facing the Moon)

Capture the subtle light of a fading moon by positioning yourself towards it. For this unique lighting:

  • Mode: Night Photo
  • Shutter: 30s
  • ISO Min: 100
  • ISO Max: 1600
  • Output: RAW

With a Dim, Waning Moon (Moon Behind You)

When the moon’s soft light is at your back, providing a gentle ambient glow, adjust your GoPro Hero 12 accordingly:

  • Mode: Night Photo
  • Shutter: 30s
  • ISO Min: 100
  • ISO Max: 800
  • Output: RAW

Under a Brightly Lit Moon

Dark Sky with Bright Moon

On nights when the moon is full and bright, embracing both the challenges and opportunities it presents:

  • Mode: Night Photo
  • Shutter: 20s
  • ISO Min: 100
  • ISO Max: 1600
  • Output: RAW

Expert Tip

For those aiming for maximum post-processing versatility, shooting in RAW is advisable. Switching to RAW in Protune enables your GoPro Hero 12 to capture a wider range of data than standard JPEGs, offering you more control over your final image.

 

Night Video Settings Overview

Here are the low-light/night video settings I frequently utilize:

  • Resolution/FPS: 4K/24fps
  • Lens: SuperView
  • HyperSmooth: Off
  • Bit Rate: High
  • Shutter Speed: 1/48s
  • White Balance: Auto
  • ISO Min: 100
  • ISO Max: 800
  • Sharpness: Medium

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GoPro hero 12 Night

Let’s dive deeper into these settings:

Opt for a Lower Frame Rate

For low-light or night conditions, high frame rates, which are ideal for capturing fast action in well-lit environments, don’t perform as well. Lower frame rates like 24fps, 25fps, or 30fps are preferable as they allow the camera’s shutter to stay open longer, letting in more light.

Fine-Tune ISO Settings

ISO plays a crucial role in low-light photography. Increasing ISO brightens the image but can introduce noise. To find a balance, I recommend starting with an ISO min of 100 and experimenting with ISO max settings, avoiding going beyond 800 to prevent grainy footage.

Adjust Exposure Value Compensation (EV Comp)

In low-light situations, adjusting the Exposure Value Compensation (EV Comp) can significantly affect your footage’s brightness. With ISO limits in mind, a slight increase in EV Comp, such as +1.0, can brighten your images within those constraints, enhancing the clarity and vibrancy of night scenes.

Select SuperView for Lens Mode

When shooting in low light, choosing between SuperView and Wide mode is crucial. SuperView, which utilizes the full sensor area, is preferred over Wide, which crops the image. This choice helps reduce noise, as cropping can increase pixel size and, consequently, noise in your footage.

Match Shutter Speed with Frame Rate

Maintaining a shutter speed that is double your chosen frame rate is vital for quality low-light videos. For instance, if shooting at 24fps, set your shutter speed to 1/48s. This ensures your video is properly exposed without suffering from excessive motion blur, creating a smooth and engaging night-time viewing experience.

 

Tips

Elevate your low-light captures with these essential tips:

Stabilize Your Shots

In low-light conditions, stability is crucial for sharp images and smooth videos. Utilize a tripod or a handheld stabilizer to significantly reduce camera shake, particularly important for longer exposures.

Embrace Night Lapse

Night Lapse mode transforms low-light conditions into an opportunity for stunning long-exposure captures, such as star trails or softly flowing water, which aren’t possible with short exposures.

Focus on Composition

Good composition is vital, regardless of lighting conditions. Employ techniques like leading lines, the rule of thirds, and thoughtful framing to make your shots more engaging. Patience in setting up your shot can dramatically improve its impact.

Adjust White Balance

Getting white balance right is crucial for true-to-life colors in low-light footage. Proper adjustment ensures the natural hues of your scene are captured accurately, enhancing the authenticity and mood of your shots.

Leverage Post-Processing

Post-processing is where your images and videos can truly shine. Tools like Adobe Lightroom or GoPro’s editing software offer the ability to adjust exposure, contrast, and color balance, refining your captures to perfection.

Practice Patience

Mastering low-light captures with your GoPro HERO 12 takes time and experimentation. Practice regularly, learn from each session, and refine your approach for increasingly better results.

My Go-To Low Light Settings

For those special low-light situations, I have a trick up my sleeve. I sometimes switch to GoPro Labs firmware to increase the bitrate to 200mbit and disable noise reduction. This approach captures footage rich in detail, which I then refine in post-production with sophisticated noise reduction techniques for a pristine final look.

More GoPro Hero 12 Settings:

Thank you for reading this guide!

I hope that it was helpful in teaching you everything you need to choose the best GoPro Hero 12 night settings:)

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