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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

How can i get this shot? - 90 degree top down shot.

S

sergio maldonado

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Hey guys so i want to begin to get into some table top work and i have gone around the web to see how i can replicate this Top down, Birds eye view shot you see in the image below. I was hoping people can share how they achieved this shot and was hoping you guys could share your stories about how you went about getting it. Since money will be brought up lets see if we cant list both inexpensive ways to go about this and of course professional ways. Keep in mind I am looking for this 90 degree angle looking straight down. If possible post photos of your set up.

Thank you in advance.

Camera : R3D Epic Dragon


bZReLQ
 
Yes the camera will be static i should of included that but thank you any suggestions what crane, i have been looking at the Kessler crane pocket jib.
 
Michaels suggestion is a good place to start. A jib is one of many ways to get the shot but might be difficult to repeatedly line up.

Other solutions include:
Shot is within range of a photo studio product stand (such as a FOBA)
Using an offset such as a U-Bangi
Using a CamTram underslung on speedrail

One can always improvise
 
Main issue is not having the tripod in the way if you go cheap...
I did some cooking shot recently using a small jib... worked like a charm but you do need a heavy tripod and some counter balance weight...

Photo of the setup : https://instagram.com/p/BVRkQJpBwnO/

Another solution is to use a cine-mirror above your subject... needs some testing but should work very well...
Make aure you do not use a plain mirror as it would result in having a ghost image added
 
Mikael thank you for your photo this helped a lot, i already have a tripod so i think i will look into the job for sure. Again would any one recommend a certain Jib for table top work.
 
If like in the shot you posted, you don't see off the table, you can always put the table at an angle to match tilted down camera on a tripod. Just make them in the same plane. Should be able to do it with a drafting table, or basic grip stuff, apple boxes wedges and c-stands.

Nick
 
I've attempted this before and I got good results using a tilted tripod. Then I mounted a cable from the ceiling to ensure the camera / tripod didn't fall. That was definitely a bit 'makeshift' though. I know Casey Neistat built something in his office for doing this quickly. Here's screen grabs of his rig. Looks like a plywood setup.

Here's a link to the full video with explanation.

Might be overkill. Are you going to be shooting a RED down?
 
Hi!

...sounds good, does work.

gas1.jpg

gas2.jpg

-----------------------------------------

Less expensive setup, less functional too:

gas3.jpg

gas4.jpg

Cheers!!!!!
 
A couple of notes here-- if you're going to me doing shots that need to allow for match cutting or , jibs are risky. They bounce and move very easily, so everybody on the cast and crew needs to be really careful around the jib. (Personally, I hate them for this kind of thing for just that reason.) The thing Gastonia posted would be more solid if the stands are beefy enough. You can do a similar thing with speed rail and clamps if you happen to have those.
 
D Fuller said:
A couple of notes here-- if you're going to me doing shots that need to allow for match cutting or , jibs are risky. They bounce and move very easily, so everybody on the cast and crew needs to be really careful around the jib. (Personally, I hate them for this kind of thing for just that reason.) The thing Gastonia posted would be more solid if the stands are beefy enough. You can do a similar thing with speed rail and clamps if you happen to have those.
Click to expand...

If they remove that crazy rule about " UsE tHe REaL NaMeS", I would totally love to call my self: "Gastonia"
Actually would be something like: "Gastonia, King of Mordor" or some like that.

Have a good one!!

G.
 
Gaston Fazio said:
If they remove that crazy rule about " UsE tHe REaL NaMeS", I would totally love to call my self: "Gastonia"
Actually would be something like: "Gastonia, King of Mordor" or some like that.

Have a good one!!

G.
Click to expand...

Sorry about that! Funny thing is, i mistyped it once and then went back to correct it and still got it screwed up.

But you can produce a fantasy film called Gastonia... just credit me as additional creative. :)
 
Hey guys lets say for the sake of keeping the consistency which technique would be the same most of the time or keep the shot "locked in".

I hear you on the fact that the Jib can move but cant any other rig be to the same ?
 
Brian F i was wondering if you can find me a image of the set up you are speaking about i kind of have an idea but i'm a visual learner, please and thank you in advance.
 
Peewee or similar dolly.
Camera Riser
extension hustler
Underslung Cartoni head.

David
 
There's as said a lot of different ways to rig this but since the camera should be static it's often easier to use a tripod head designed for stills(since they almost always will tilt 90 degrees), maybe a ball head to reduce weight but still being sturdy.
A cheap and easy way to get the head in position is to use a tripod with an over head arm (like gitzo lateral arm) and a lot of counter weight
Sturdier but more space consuming is to have two windups (manfrotto 087 or similar) with some kind of pipe or lumber between (like Gaston posted) and then mount the head to a superclamp clamped to the pipe. (Remember to balance the weight of the camera so the head won't unscrew itself - best is often to have the head mountes in horizontal position and then tilt with the head)
 
Rigplate is probably an option as well. Talk to a good gaffer.

David
 
sergio maldonado said:
Mikael thank you for your photo this helped a lot, i already have a tripod so i think i will look into the job for sure. Again would any one recommend a certain Jib for table top work.
Click to expand...

EZ jib
7jib will do the job as well. both can be underslung.

David
 
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