HOW TO Shoot Overhead Photos and Videos

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HOW TO Shoot Overhead Photos and Videos

Рет қаралды 68,779

Күн бұрын

Ever wonder how photographers and filmmakers capture images from above? With a camera mounted overhead and facing straight down? This video covers a number of different options from super cheap to high-end professional setups.
0:00 Introduction
1:07 Microphone Stand
3:14 Tripod
4:43 Glide Gear
6:00 DIY
7:36 C-Stand
10:02 Ceiling Mount
10:49 Tip: Remote Shutter & Preview
12:29 Wrap-Up
△ Products mentioned
#1 Microphone Stand
Hola! Microphone Stand
geni.us/uXiQ6A
Mic Adapter 1/4" and 3/8" Male to 5/8" Female
geni.us/j8oE
Phone Mount with Bluetooth Remote
geni.us/VsRG
#2 Tripod
K&F Concept tripod with the 90-degree center column
geni.us/7x9EcA8
#3 Glide Gear
Glide Gear OH75
geni.us/864UzD
Glide Gear OH100
geni.us/d8BDg
#4 DIY
SmallRig Super Clamps
geni.us/d8BDg
SmallRig 3/8" to 3/8" Screw
geni.us/jCUkRp
#5 C-stand
Neewer C-Stand (Single)
geni.us/HVTcfcq
Neewer C-Stand (2 Pack)
geni.us/uFYLeU
Neewer Spigot
geni.us/fPn48jc
Sandbags!
geni.us/pb1uP
#6 Remote Shutter Release
Benbox HDMI Video Transmitter
geni.us/w7G1
Also, in case you're curious, the book from the overhead shot is "Shooting Space". One of my favorites!
geni.us/qWEJjN
△ Check out my gear: kit.co/todddominey
△ Subscribe to this channel: bit.ly/ToddDomineyKZfaq
△ Follow me on Instagram: / dominey
△ Blog: todddominey.com
△ All music via Musicbed. Get one month free here: www.musicbed.com/invite/0EgtX
△ Favorite photo backup service: bit.ly/3dq17nz
△ Say hello: dominey@gmail.com
△ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
Some of the links in this description will direct you to Amazon, B&H, or Adorama where I may earn referral credits from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Пікірлер: 100

@gloriousxweirdo 2 жыл бұрын

I've watched a lot of overhead setup videos and this is by far the most useful one! thank you so much for all the tips!

@misterhorseman 8 ай бұрын

KZfaq suggested your video and I clicked. First thing I noticed, your talking audio is amazing! And colour grading is beautiful. That c-stand method is for me. This is helpful. Thank you Todd!

@simplyrowen 2 жыл бұрын

On #5 C-stand, you forgot to put a link to a ball head in the description box. I’m literally just adding to cart what you recommended so I don’t have to peruse and spend hours researching and reading reviews. Thanks for the video. Very no nonsense, concise and helpful 👍🏼

@willingleton4763 4 жыл бұрын

Useful stuff! Thanks for taking the time to make this film. Pretty rare I would need to shoot like this but I have a few video ideas that will need some of these top down shots so will be following your advice. Thanks! Will

@villa_fan8882 3 жыл бұрын

Your videos are fantastic, mate. You and Karl Taylor are the best at explaining your points with clear to understand language keeping jargon to a minimum (unlike the vast majority of other YT channels!). Great work dude. Subscribed :)

@josegustavocarranza4959 3 жыл бұрын

Nothing but quality material... super informative... useful stuff.... got tons of ideas.

@amassedenterprise4453 2 жыл бұрын

This video is awesome and super helpful for me to know how to use the C stand with the spigot and the ball head to mount the camera. Thank you for your video!

@PaulWalesArt 2 жыл бұрын

Really well done Todd. Newbie to the entire idea of filming, so exploring here. I feel compelled to add that you have a fantastic onscreen presence -totally engaging. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

@nerdyneighbor Жыл бұрын

Super useful! The best I've seen on this topic so far.

@primepropertymedia 11 ай бұрын

Just got through this video. Practical implementable information!! Love the content!!!

@mxmzd 3 жыл бұрын

C Stand seems like the way to go. Thanks for the great vid!

@Q2Japan 3 жыл бұрын

Really comprehensive and thoughtful video. Cheers!

@T_Nice 2 жыл бұрын

Thank You so much for this super informative video!!👍

@rayderrich Жыл бұрын

This helped me a lot, and your video both in visuals and audio is very high quality, I like that.

@fabienb 3 жыл бұрын

Myself I had created a cheap version of the Glide Gear with a backdrop stand and a swivel arm with a clamp ☺️ worked like a charm 🤗

@ellaferguson2011 3 жыл бұрын

thank you for this very informative video! God bless you !

@BeauHannamGuitars 2 жыл бұрын

Great video Todd- Thanks. The over head rod with a slider would be even more versatile for slowmo overhead shots

@brinepacer 2 жыл бұрын

This is great, really useful.

@mervinjacob2774 2 жыл бұрын

Great Work, Kudos !

@PrettyLady7282 3 жыл бұрын

super details video, thx!

@Contrarianthinker581 3 жыл бұрын

this video is super underrated! Thank you very much for making such an inclusive and detailed video about all the different options for setting up an overhead rig. There are other videos I watched that were a complete waste of time and I wish I saw this video first. Very helpful!

@ajayjose2771 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks. This was a really good video

@AtortAerials 2 жыл бұрын

Perfect video thank you. 🤙🏾

@linnyunt 3 жыл бұрын

This video is so beautifully lit

@JoshuaBlais 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, thank you!

@CHREGGIE 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video!

@shakilahmad8382 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! I was looking for info on the same

@barryobrien1890 4 жыл бұрын

Take a look at the foolography unleashed Bluetooth trigger. It allows full photo and video control over Bluetooth with preview and can be used for lots of things on lots of cameras. They have a sale on their German Website now vs B&H. It gives a lot more control than the camera app such as automatic bulb ramping time lapse.

@amathma 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video. I got a c-stand for my heavy camera :)

@BarbaraSoic 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks! :)

@Poohkhao Жыл бұрын

thank you for sharing :)

@Zack-ig2fn 3 жыл бұрын

Super helpful video

@Diego.E.D 3 жыл бұрын

Well done, I just mounted my overhead system for shooting, I gather all parts is done!! start my overhead shooting. Really good advice you just simplified my life avoiding a ton of reserch., one question about ball head, which one you use?

@LandoftheIn-Between Ай бұрын

Thank you 🙏🏼

@WilliamWei007 4 жыл бұрын

Nice video bro!!!

@ExploreTravelTV Жыл бұрын

I know this is an old video. My overhead system is a Frankenstein method actually lol. I have one C stand on one side of my table, a backdrop stand on the other, the backdrop stand horizontal piece between them. could use just a normal backdrop system of course easy and cheap. I have a motorcycle bar clamp on the bar (found it is more secure then a clamp like you have, tried those and it keeps slipping and tipping the camera) then a ball head mount where I put the camera. I also put a small piece of string around the bar with a Carabiner that I connect to the camera strap loops (for security if my camera is not secure to the base and falls off there is a leash attached it to. Always secure you camera extra somehow.

@ragavendharm 3 жыл бұрын

Love that DIY part. 6:00

@KankukanAiki 3 жыл бұрын

Your video was amazing. Informative but also the audio, the colour grading were amazing. I am also a KZfaqr but with a small channel. I know how important may be to subscribe to a channel. So I subscribed to yours. The informations were amazing. Really!

@paulmorris4759 4 жыл бұрын

Great video. Hadn't thought of the mic stand and putting a clamp on a background stand would be a good idea. How about inverting a slider between a pair of stands?

@Welshmanshots 3 жыл бұрын

Another good DIY option is to buy a Monitor arm mount, Daniel Shifter did this in one of his videos and it Suprised me on how simple and compact it is and he even tested it with heavy cameras and it works.

@jessenelson 3 жыл бұрын

I have the same tripod. I noticed the sag in the boom arm as well but then saw the line on the arm. Push the boom arm back in and the bottom sticks through for security. This also makes it 90 degrees. It shortens the arm but works better. I would also recommend attaching weight to the hook in the middle of the tripod. You can use a sand bag or even your backpack!

@dominey 3 жыл бұрын

Great tips! Thanks Jessie.

@CookingWithTheCajun 3 жыл бұрын

thanks for the video

@apislapis 4 жыл бұрын

Great video Todd. Some great tips here, plus your videos on the Canon M50 (check them out if you have are considering the M50 or it's imminent replacement) and associated EF-M lenses, now means you got me hooked & subbed. Thanks.

@samthuynh 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Almost splurged for a tripod but was able to buy the adapter and make do with the mic stands I have laying around currently :)

@susannegodfrey7032 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you that was very helpful, do you know can two of a tri- headed horizontal-tripod-bar be removed?

@samthuynh 3 жыл бұрын

@@susannegodfrey7032 It depends on the model but try unscrewing parts that you want to change and see if they move / if they have the same screw threads

@kiaaria.darkroom194 4 жыл бұрын

Very helpful. Many thanks. I use my backdrop stands and Telescopic Cross Bar.

@terminatorgir 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video

@lightexplorer 8 ай бұрын

Appreciate the informative video. I was going to use a heavy duty ball head like the BH-55 but had no idea how to mount it to the C-Stand. Another KZfaqr recommended the Manfrotto 014-38 Rapid Adapter but that looks very sketchy because it's held in place by twisting a screw in where as this is gripped by the grip head while the other end screws into a ball head like we would on a tripod.

@foodynet8191 3 жыл бұрын

very good video

@WeiK0 3 жыл бұрын

Nice video~

@STORIEDAMAAN 4 жыл бұрын

Good video. Was waiting for FULL m50 4k settings and tips

@dominey 4 жыл бұрын

Next week!

@free5sole 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. Would have loved to see your lighting setup looks!

@jannahlyon 2 жыл бұрын

I would also love to know how to light an overhead shot correctly - I am shooting near a window but there are always shadows and other problems.

@foodynet8191 3 жыл бұрын

i have just bought a stand (neewer). It is quite heavy and forgot to buy the ballhead as well as I saw your video. However now I am thinking just to get a tripod with overhead...as it is much lighter and looks more convenient to use.

@xMiiDNiTe 3 жыл бұрын

the audio quality is CRISP

@dominey 3 жыл бұрын

Nice. :) Thanks.

@cineverseproductions Жыл бұрын

I use GoPro Hero 11 for my camera and their new boom stick with a suction mount

@KolotovGleb 4 жыл бұрын

THANK U!

@dominey 4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@hopey10able 3 жыл бұрын

Nice presentation. What's your lighting set up look like?

@katemills9834 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome information and you are cute too!

@TheHappyWhisk 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Todd. I use the the Canon BR-E! for shooting video overhead. It's a wireless remote that turns the video on and off as well as works for stills. For continuous battery life, I use a coupler for my Canon M50. Continues shooting. Both of these tools help a great deal. Thanks for your video and Happy Filming.

@andrewsottile2016 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. What head would you suggest with the tripod you showed?

@justinkd 3 жыл бұрын

I recently bought the same tripod that you have. Do you feel that you’re able to go past the “max” line?

@robertleeluben 3 жыл бұрын

I came to see if you had a better way to put the camera up and you I did it the same way I did. I happened to have a nice weighted mic stand from rockville, at one point it had a Panasonic 900 Camcorder and a Neewer LED light held up no sweat. The weight on the stand is really heavy and I topple tested it out to a pretty good angle and it just goes right back up straight.

@chrisheath5233 3 жыл бұрын

For a top-down flatlay video, I have set up a M50 to a fluid head, attached to a cheesplate, attached to the vesa mount on one of these; WALI Extra Tall Single LCD Monitor Fully Adjustable Desk Mount www.amazon.com/dp/B01IWOCCOW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_ERorFbDR49HPF I also bought a longer arm to mount a shotgun mic, 7” monitor and a second camera for close up video from the side. Prior to this I used the K&F tripod and sandbag. It’s nice not have the tripod take up all that floor space, and the whole desk mount setup is far more robust and secure.

@sixpgc Жыл бұрын

Still relevant today. Thank you for this! Currently using the c-stand method

@ba553y 3 жыл бұрын

The SmallRig Super Clamps has the same link as the Glide Gear OH100

@bornraisedproductions9675 3 жыл бұрын

I don't think this video could have been any more helpful. This was EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thanks Todd! (ONE question: what's the ballhead you're using?)

@dominey 3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it! I'm using the Benro G3. I linked to it here: kit.co/todddominey/landscape-photography-gear

@bornraisedproductions9675 3 жыл бұрын

@@dominey lovely thanks! (any recs on inexpensive ballheads...? just ordered the c stands.)

@dominey 3 жыл бұрын

Pergear and Neewer make decent affordable ones. One thing I’d recommend is checking their Max supported weight versus how heavy your camera, lens and accessories are. If the ball head is too cheap it won’t hold effectively.

@Maani694 7 ай бұрын

Hi. Thanks. What about lighting?

@thegentlemandude 3 жыл бұрын

can you make a video on how to shoot overhead with a manfroto compact action please

@danieIlondon Жыл бұрын

What kind of rig do you recommend for physically moving the Camera up while being overhead? I want to get an establishing shot of somebody’s face while laying on the floor and then it pulls out so you can see their surroundings.

@mj-lp5eb 10 ай бұрын

Your link for the small rig super clamp is the same link for the glide gear! I think you used the same link twice !!!

@AlexanderShelestov Жыл бұрын

It's nice, but what about light? How to avoid reflections and glares?

@tech.inspector 2 ай бұрын

I always try to do some repair videos with over head shots. But I always get so much bookeh that the important things are not in focus. If I go up to F8.0 or more it gets better but then I need like ISO 3200+. I really don't know how other youtubers do this but I might need to switch from DLSR to Smartphone because of this. Really annoying. When I unscrew a screw it just focuses my hand and not the screw but I also can't use manual focus because I constantly move things around. Other youtubers seem to have like everything in focus. Dunno how they do it...

@mrscrush59 8 ай бұрын

Hi! I’m looking to film overhead for TikTok live videos. If I use an iPhone or a small canon sure shot, is there a way to have some sort of monitor so I can see the comments that come through on TikTok live?

@joeybailey9628 9 ай бұрын

ive been connecting my camera top the 1/4 inch thread on the c stand and it works fine and feels stable ...is this safe ?

@russelllapua4904 10 ай бұрын

What mm lens do you recommend for top down product reviews?

@Voveryte29 5 ай бұрын

Hello Mr. Dominey, may I ask what plate gear do you use that fits to smallrig super clamps? Thank you in advance.

@jeroenjacobs2787 10 ай бұрын

May I ask, what ballhead are you using on the spigot at 8:55?

@XX-166 3 жыл бұрын

I’ll definitely be doing product reviews only with the birds eye down shot so this mic stand should work perfectly with my iPhone 8 Plus. My question is how to control the start of the video process without pressing record on the phone and then getting into position? With the iPhone I don’t think I’ll even need any counter weights or any real big editing. I would like some simple intros and outros that’s about it.

@dominey 3 жыл бұрын

You could pick up one of those wireless remote triggers for the phone. I've never used them but I've seen them on Amazon. Most people use them to trigger the shutter when taking group photos, selfies, etc.

@XX-166 3 жыл бұрын

@@dominey will that engage the start video button also instead of just the still photos? Thanks

@dominey 3 жыл бұрын

Not sure. I personally don't own one, I just know they exist. Would need to read-up on them or contact their manufacturer.

@XX-166 3 жыл бұрын

@@dominey i saw a few of them on Amazon last night hand it looks like a good fit.

@primepropertymedia 11 ай бұрын

Sound design on this video is beautiful. Where'd you find this song??

@primepropertymedia 11 ай бұрын

*intro song*