Overhead product shot hardware question...

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Archive 2008 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

System6ix
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p.1 #1 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

Hello all,

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.

Just for a visual this is the product I am shooting http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/618846/12#6516704

Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions,
S6ix

Dec 28, 2008 at 04:07 PM

c.d.embrey
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p.1 #2 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

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.

Dec 28, 2008 at 05:04 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #3 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

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.

Thanks for the help,
S6ix

Dec 28, 2008 at 06:34 PM

rkgatteleport
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p.1 #4 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

Hi,

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...

Good Luck,

rkg
(Richard George)

Dec 28, 2008 at 06:37 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #5 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

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.

Cheers,
S6ix

Dec 28, 2008 at 07:11 PM

c.d.embrey
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p.1 #6 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

Well, if you want to spend the money, here is the boom arm a friend uses. Good for both still and video cameras.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

It is a Losmandy Standard Porta-Jib http://www.porta-jib.com/standard.htm Bought originally for video, it works well with a still camera.

When I DP video for for AHA! we can do some very nice crane moves, just like Hollywood

Dec 28, 2008 at 07:23 PM

William Wilson
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p.1 #7 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

Simple rig overhead softbox is suspended from the ceiling using a drop down support works well.

Dec 28, 2008 at 07:45 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #8 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

c.d.embrey wrote:
Well, if you want to spend the money, here is the boom arm a friend uses. Good for both still and video cameras.

This image is copyrighted by the owner

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.

Cheers,
S6ix

Dec 28, 2008 at 09:51 PM

Micky Bill
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p.1 #9 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

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

Dec 28, 2008 at 11:43 PM

Albert Taylor
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p.1 #10 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

You can buy tripods that allow for horizontal as well as vertical camera mounting. Here's an example of my older and out of production Manfrotto. They make a newer model with the same features.

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. (I've gotten a lot of mileage out of this picture taken with a point and shoot..)

: )

http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/site/bius/pid/6780?kindOfProductCollectionRequest=productDetail&productCode=055XPROB&productDescription=PRO%20TRIPOD%20BLACK&curBrandId=MAN&market=MKT1

2012 © Albert Taylor

Dec 29, 2008 at 03:57 AM

System6ix
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p.1 #11 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

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.

Cheers,
Zak

Dec 29, 2008 at 04:09 AM

Albert Taylor
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p.1 #12 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

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)

http://www.adorama.com/BG055XPROB.html?searchinfo=055Xpro&item_no=4

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..

Dec 29, 2008 at 04:15 AM

System6ix
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p.1 #13 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

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)

http://www.adorama.com/BG055XPROB.html?searchinfo=055Xpro&item_no=4

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..

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.

Cheers,
Zak

Dec 29, 2008 at 04:39 AM

rico
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p.1 #14 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

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.

Dec 29, 2008 at 06:18 AM

oobie
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p.1 #15 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

A C-stand/arm/superclamp would probably be what I would do.

Dec 30, 2008 at 04:14 PM

PeterBerressem
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p.1 #16 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

You may also check Photoflex's Extender, $ 85 at B&H:
www.photekusa.com

Extender at B&H

Dec 30, 2008 at 04:34 PM

Brent Ward
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p.1 #17 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

I use my camera stand.

Dec 30, 2008 at 06:32 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #18 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

Brent Ward wrote:
I use my camera stand.

Are you bragging... lol. Yeah, I don't even have a legit studio, much less a camera stand

Thanks for rubbing it in... lol.

Cheers,
Zak

Dec 30, 2008 at 06:47 PM

shatterkiss
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p.1 #19 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

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.

Dec 30, 2008 at 06:48 PM

System6ix
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p.1 #20 · Overhead product shot hardware question...

PeterBerressem wrote:
You may also check Photoflex's Extender, $ 85 at B&H:
www.photekusa.com

Extender at B&H

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.

Cheers,
Zak

Dec 30, 2008 at 06:49 PM

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