For some, winter is an eternally dark sky, slush underfoot and frostbitten fingers and ears. But for skiers and snowboarders, this is the best time: dressed warmly, they wait for snow, ride all day, and watch videos with the best riders in the evenings. And some even shoot them themselves in the hope of getting to the top of YouTube ranking. For shooting yourself or for POV footage lately 360 degree videos became really popular. The reason for that is that they really give you the feel for the landscape and surrounding. And they offer an unique perspective not often seen in regular videos. So how can you shoot an awesome 360 degree snowboarding video? Read below.
Table of Contents
Camera for 360-degree videos
Let’s start with the most important part of making immersive videos (another name of 360-degree videos): a special 360 camera.
It is kinda obvious that making such unique videos would be possible only with special equipment. The first thing that you need to know about these cameras is that they will be pricey: we’re speaking about thousands of dollars here. The technology is relatively new, and companies just don’t know how to create high-quality and affordable cameras yet.
We already know that the future is with VR, and marketing specialists now do extensive research to learn what it means for businesses and how VR is impacting customer service right now. But for now, let’s talk about cameras.
- Stereoscopic. This camera uses two lenses to mimic human eyes. The resolution of these cameras is much worse than in monoscopic ones, but they are much cheaper. You can create 3D images and videos with stereoscopic cameras.
- Monoscopic. In this type of camera, you have at least six lenses that shoot a video from different angles and then stitch the images to create one cohesive picture. Monoscopic cameras are usually used for VR, and they provide you with the best quality of a 360 video possible.
When you choose a 360-degree camera, take into consideration these factors:
- the image’s quality
- video resolution
- numbers and quality of lenses (you need at least two of them)
- portability
- size
Also, immersive videos will use the storage space generously, so opt for a camera with high-capacity internal hard drives.
What PC do you need for 360 videos?
We are all used to the easy and quick process of video editing. However, when you start working with 360 videos, you can tell that your regular computer cannot be enough. But what exactly do you need?
- PC over MAC. Unfortunately, Apple computers are not so great for editing 360 videos. However, you can use it to upload 360 videos to YouTube or just watch them.
- Graphics card. The newer, the more powerful, the better. We prefer NVIDIA graphics cards because they help to make the editing process really smooth and quick.
- You need at least a Core i5 processor, and everything up to Core i9 is great. If you make simple videos, Core i5 will work just fine.
- If possible, use both SSD and HDD storage. Videos will be hefty, so get ready for it.
Now we have a proper computer, so let’s open your Adobe Premiere Pro and learn how to edit a 360-degree video!
Software for 360 videos
Usually, when you buy a 360 camera, you get free video editing software with it. It can be quite good, but often this software can only be used for basic edits. If you want to learn how to edit VR videos on a professional level, you need to use more advanced multimedia programs.
If you still want to do it on Mac or need only some minor editing, you can use Final Cut Pro. Of course, Adobe has a couple of great editing programs that support editing 360 videos: Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe AfterEffects, and even Photoshop. Unlike free 360 video editing software, each of these programs comes with an extensive toolset, which makes it easier for you to enhance your footage like a pro.
If you want more specialized software, we recommend you take a look at Mistika VR and different plugins for Adobe AfterEffects.
Please note, that if you are using a non-specific, but ordinary camera, you may need a format converter, for example, choose the one from best VOB-to-MP4 converters.
Don’t think that you need to use only one tool for editing. It is a creative process, so feel free to use every single thing in your toolbox to get the best results.
Conclusion
360-degree videos are the future of cinematography. Even now, many people try to improve their content and learn how to upload 360 videos to youtube to create more exposure for themselves and just add more exciting videos to the web.
They create an immersive experience, and it is possible that soon enough, every video will be 360 degrees, and regular videos will become a relic, like silent movies. Don’t waste your time and join the club of 360-degree videos enthusiasts.