I am looking to take some overhead shots of a product that is about fist sized. I am wondering exactly how to get my camera in said overhead position safely. I am hoping there is something like a boom arm available for my tripod. Of course I'd be a little worried about the tripod tipping over as well, so about 300lbs of sandbags would be in order and I understand this... lol. The good news is that since the product is not that large, I do not need to get out over the shooting table very far... I would think.
Yes, there are camera booms ... but why spend the money if you really don't need one.
Have you considered tilting the shooting surface at a 45 degree angle? Use anything you want as a background, like plywood covered with white paper, a small piece of plexi, some tile board. Drill a hole in surface, put a dowl in the hole, set reed valve over dowl to stop it from sliding.
Tilt tripod head to 45 degree angle, and with part at a 45 degree as well it will look like you are overhead.
c.d.embrey wrote:
Yes, there are camera booms ... but why spend the money if you really don't need one.
Ummm... because I like spending money on gear... lol. Yes, it's stupid I know... lol.
c.d.embrey wrote:
Have you considered tilting the shooting surface at a 45 degree angle? Use anything you want as a background, like plywood covered with white paper, a small piece of plexi, some tile board. Drill a hole in surface, put a dowl in the hole, set reed valve over dowl to stop it from sliding.
Tilt tripod head to 45 degree angle, and with part at a 45 degree as well it will look like you are overhead.
That is a great idea! I might give this a try and use some 3M double sided tape to hold the valve down on the shooting table. I would prefer not to drill any holes in the shooting table (yes I know I can shoot it on other surfaces as well), also I want to shoot it in several positions all overhead and the dowel trick may not work in all positions. Lastly, I think I am leaning toward the boom route as I may be getting a gig shooting product shots for an apparel manufacturer and they want everything shot flat, from overhead.
I end up doing this all the time - I usually use one a manfrotto "lateral side arm"
(like a 131D) with an acratech head out on the end. and, depending on how far out the camera is I'll secure it with either
a small sandbag on the tripod leg or the arm itself, or by using cord to tie to a
sandbag from the arm.
If I had more room I'd probably have one of those big studio camera stands for this, but...
Mr. Embrey makes a good point about considering shooting at an angle - I think
the idea of attaching the unit to the surface of interest and rotating it is pretty
clever - you could also shoot shadowless and just add in the reflection/shadow
in post if you're motivated...
Thanks, I appreciate the additional info. That sounds like a solid option as well. I agree that Mr. Embrey's option is quite clever and I am definitely going to try this one. I'll still need a different option for the clothing product shots if that happens, but the tilt trick is getting explored tomorrow... looking forward to trying it.
When I DP video for for AHA! we can do some very nice crane moves, just like Hollywood
There we go... now we're talking! I figured something like that existed, I just couldn't find it. It looks perfect for what I am planning to shoot. However as much as I love buying gear, I might have to pass on this one... lol. I'll keep searching for something a wee bit less expensive.
If you are on a budget you can do what a really thrifty (cheap) friend of mine used to do. Using a 6 or 8 foot step ladder attach a 2x4 (or 1x4 or 2x6 depending on weight of camera) with decent sized C-clamps and boom it out over your shooting table (can you put the product on the floor?) and use a mafer/super clamp to attach your camera.
You will need a few sandbags to stabilize the ladder and a c stand would be handy to stabilize the other end of the boom-board.
or hire c.d. to come by with his real - non- ghetto boom
Thanks for taking the time to find that link. That tripod looks like it just might do the trick, and I was looking for an excuse to replace my current tripod Once I get it and have a go with it, I will report back the results.
Good luck, I noticed on B&H I was only coming up with different kits which included a ball head and case. You may already have a quick release system of your own or might not want a case and may not need to spend the extra $, so be aware of that when you're looking for one. You should be able to get one by itself without a head for under $200.
Also, there are similar models that don't have the horizontal feature so be extra careful there too...they should have the pro as in 055xprob (b for black)
It's a terrific tripod with much more that only the horizontal capabilities. The legs splay out flat so you can have the camera mounted on the tripod very low to the ground as well..
Albert Taylor wrote:
Good luck, I noticed on B&H I was only coming up with different kits which included a ball head and case. You may already have a quick release system of your own or might not want a case and may not need to spend the extra $, so be aware of that when you're looking for one. You should be able to get one by itself without a head for under $200.
Also, there are similar models that don't have the horizontal feature so be extra careful there too...they should have the pro as in 055xprob (b for black)
It's a terrific tripod with much more that only the horizontal capabilities. The legs splay out flat so you can have the camera mounted on the tripod very low to the ground as well.....Show more →
Thanks for the heads up. I did indeed see the smattering of kits on the B&H site, but I was able to find the tripod alone for only $150, which seems plenty reasonable. I ordered it up and should have it in time to shoot on Wednesday while I am still sober Thanks again for the help.
Until the proper boom is acquired, I'm suspending a heavy light over the shooting table with a big step ladder. Ladder stands on the table and a Manfrotto SuperClamp-FlexArm combo provides the stud (for either light or camera). Not a pretty sight, but secure.
Albert Taylor wrote:
In that setup I made the back leg slightly shorter than the front two legs which leans it back enough for a very stable setup.
You can also hang ballast, like a Photoflex weight bag or smaller shot bags off the center of the tripod. Even if it doesn't have a dedicated ring there, just wrap a strap around the outside and let the ballast hang down the center.
Thanks Peter, I actually ordered a very similar arm from Monfrotto/Bogen for my existing tripod and will give that a go as well as with the new tripod. I am hoping to shoot some test shots tomorrow.
shatterkiss wrote:
You can also hang ballast, like a Photoflex weight bag or smaller shot bags off the center of the tripod. Even if it doesn't have a dedicated ring there, just wrap a strap around the outside and let the ballast hang down the center.
Thank you Sir. I will definitely be diligent about sand bags as the last thing I need is my camera and lens getting smashed up shooting a $150 product... lol.
Thanks again for the help.
Thanks for rubbing it in... lol.