HOW TO Shoot Overhead Photos and Videos

[@donteventryit89]

Todd, thank you for this video! It was so informative and well presented. I'm an amateur and just spent several hours online trying to find a budget friendly solution. I just came across your video and the K&F tripod is the solution I need.

[@simplyrowen]

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 👍🏼

[@itsfarisfakri]

KZbin 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!

[@barryobrien1890]

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.

[@jessenelson]

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]

Great tips! Thanks Jessie.

[@gloriousxweirdo]

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!

[@Tuhqa]

Great video

[@amassedenterprise4453]

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!

[@Contrarianthinker581]

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!

[@ExploreTravelTV]

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.

[@lightexplorer]

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 KZbinr 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.

[@kiaaria.darkroom194]

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

[@mxmzd]

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

[@nerdyneighbor]

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

[@Diego.E.D]

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?

[@xMiiDNiTe]

the audio quality is CRISP

[@dominey]

Nice. :) Thanks.

[@fabienb]

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 🤗

[@primepropertymedia]

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

[@josegustavocarranza4959]

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

[@willingleton4763]

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

[@Welshmanshots]

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.

[@rayderrich]

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

[@tddeuel17]

1/2 inch conduit will in place of your shower curtain rod with an added bonus of fitting into the grip head

[@Q2Japan]

Really comprehensive and thoughtful video. Cheers!

[@paulmorris4759]

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?

[@foodynet8191]

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.

[@villa_fan8882]

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 :)

[@Zack-ig2fn]

Super helpful video

[@Maani694]

Hi. Thanks. What about lighting?

[@cineverseproductions]

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

[@samthuynh]

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]

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

[@samthuynh]

@@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

[@robertleeluben]

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.

[@BeauHannamGuitars]

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

[@free5sole]

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

[@jannahlyon]

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.

[@justinkd]

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

[@PaulWalesArt]

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.

[@mj-lp5eb]

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

[@hopey10able]

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

[@T_Nice]

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

[@jeroenjacobs2787]

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

[@chrisheath5233]

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.

[@ba553y]

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

[@linnyunt]

This video is so beautifully lit

[@CHREGGIE]

Excellent video!

[@brinepacer]

This is great, really useful.

[@mervinjacob2774]

Great Work, Kudos !

[@ragavendharm]

Love that DIY part. 6:00

[@shakilahmad8382]

Great video! I was looking for info on the same

[@amathma]

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

[@tech.inspector]

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...

[@AlexanderShelestov]

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

[@danieIlondon]

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.

[@Voveryte29]

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

[@KankukanAiki]

Your video was amazing. Informative but also the audio, the colour grading were amazing. I am also a KZbinr 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!

[@AtortAerials]

Perfect video thank you. 🤙🏾

[@PrettyLady7282]

super details video, thx!

[@primepropertymedia]

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

[@primepropertymedia]

*intro song*

[@LandoftheIn-Between]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@ajayjose2771]

Thanks. This was a really good video

[@andrewsottile2016]

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

[@JoshuaBlais]

Great video, thank you!

[@mrscrush59]

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?

[@russelllapua4904]

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

[@joeybailey9628]

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 ?

[@BarbaraSoic]

Awesome! Thanks! :)

[@Poohkhao]

thank you for sharing :)

[@CookingWithTheCajun]

thanks for the video

[@TheHappyWhisk]

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.

[@ellaferguson2011]

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

[@STORIEDAMAAN]

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

[@dominey]

Next week!

[@jdelarosa89]

How about lighting for said videos

[@pyrablok9505]

Where did you get the ballhead from?

[@bornraisedproductions9675]

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]

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

[@bornraisedproductions9675]

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

[@dominey]

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.

[@thegentlemandude]

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

[@XX-166]

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]

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]

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

[@dominey]

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]

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

[@terminatorgir]

Awesome video

[@РоманКозюпа]

What is a camera?

[@foodynet8191]

very good video

[@BizSustain]

What is the name / model of the ballhead used wit the spigot / C stand option?

[@dominey]

I was using a MeFoto ball head there. Came with one of my tripods. Nothing fancy, just a basic aluminum one.

[@apislapis]

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.

[@bilaesim2589]

❤ thx

[@WilliamWei007]

Nice video bro!!!

[@sixpgc]

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

[@WeiK0]

Nice video~

[@KolotovGleb]

THANK U!

[@dominey]

You're welcome!

[@katemills9834]

Awesome information and you are cute too!

[@LegBuilder]

He said ball head

[@apostolicbible1]

You mention everything other than "How to shoot overhead..." What camera? What lens? What settings? How to zoom?