Posted by Greg Melton on 08/10/07 22:57

On Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:37:13 -0000, rgould9@gmail.com wrote:

>This may seem like an odd question, but it's been on my mind for a
>long time.
>
>How would you shoot something at a complete 90 degree angle, in a
>"bird's eye view", meaning completely overhead?
>
>I mean something quite simple, like a map, a table setting, a sink
>where someone is washing their hands.
>
>I can't figure out a reasonable way to have the camera stabilized
>completely "overhead" -- just a couple feet above the subject so I
>have a nice clean frame of the object with no "tilt" to it.
>
>If you put a tripod near it and tilt it down it doesn't look like what
>I am going for.
>
>The only idea I have now is to take a monopod, put the camera on it,
>and stabilize the monopod on a ladder step by clamping the monopod to
>the ladder. It might work, but it's quite a cowboy solution.
>
>Is there some kind of device that would let me get this kind of shot?
>
>Gould

I'll assume you're using a small camera. If not, don't bother reading
any further.

Two C-stands with "mafer" clamps on the ends. Put the stud of the
c-stand throught the hole of the mafer clamp. Extend a long rail of
alumminum square tubing (preferably 1.5" to 2") from one stand to the
other. Sandbag the poop out of the stands. A third mafer clamp will
have a threaded stud that fits your camera thread (available at any
decent camera shop). A "ball joint" will allow for camera adjustment.
Screw the camera to mafer first and then attach to the middle of the
rail. Adjust as neccessary.

A round rail will also work but you'll have to clamp it extra tight to
avoid twisting.

This is a SAFE budget friendly solution. If you're near any production
lighting rental houses, they have the proper equipment to rent.

Any camera moves other than a small bit of zooming requires a mirror
which David mentioned or a jib, which is whole other ballgame.

Greg

[Back to original message]