Overhead Photography - How to achieve this technique
When it comes to Photography, making your shots stand out and offer a different perspective is very important. One look for a different style of photography would be the Overhead Camera shot. In this blog, we look into the set-up required to achieve this photography.
Stands
In order to achieve this type of photography, you will need to make sure that your stands have the capability to comfortably reach to a length taller than the subject. Whilst light stands are sometimes capable to achieve this height, we would recommend using a Boom stand, as not only are they designed for the extra height, but the boom arm helps to offer different possibilities for the photography. As the camera would be held quiet high off the ground in this set-up, making sure that you have a strong and durable stand is very important.
Example Products
2-in-1 Reclined Boom Stand: This boom stand should be more than capable to achieve this type of photography. It comes with a boom arm that can be extended up to 180cm in length, allowing for a wide range of different subjects to be photographed from different heights. One additional benefit to this particular boom stand is that it is possible to place the boom arm into the lower section of the stand and this can then increase the maximum height all the way up to 400cm straight up. These two different features of the stand can help to create many possibilities for Overhead photography, and the included Sand bag can be attached to the end of the boom arm to help add addition stability and protection.
238cm Tube Stand with Heavy Duty 120-220cm Boom Arm: This Boom stand is designed with toughness and sturdiness in mind. Being made from Stainless Steel helps to strengthen the boom arm, which is reflected in the fact that it can hold up to 8KG, perfect for any larger cameras that are being used. The Boom length can range anywhere between 120cm to 220cm and the stand has a height ranging from 110cm to 238cm, making it possible to achieve many different shots. Being wheeled also helps with adjusting the camera to suit the requirements of any particular shoot, and the included sand bag helps to protect against any possible accidents and damage. So, when a stronger stand is required for a job that requires a bit more toughness and inconvenience, this Boom stand would be the perfect companion.
Brackets
To attach a camera to a Boom or a stand, sometimes a bracket is required. Brackets can help to make the camera more sturdy and secure on the stand, whilst also helping to create different shots due to changes in angles and making it more adjustable.
Example Products
Camera Platform Bracket: This bracket is designed to attach to any stand, boom or arm that comes with a 5/8” fitting. The 1/4"-20 screw is used in order to attach the camera, and the tightening knob is in place to make sure it is attached and locked into place securely. Included in the design of the bracket is an umbrella receptor, which would allow the ability to attach an umbrella directly to the bracket itself. This bracket is ideal for attaching a camera to a boom arm to allow for overhead photography.
Heavy Duty Ball Head: The 1/4” male thread is used in order to attach the camera comfortably. This bracket is designed with a ball and socket joint, which helps to enable the user to rotate and adjust the camera anywhere up to a 90° angle. This freedom in angle could help add addition method and designed shots during overhead photography.
Accessories
Whilst the boom stands and the brackets are more than enough to achieve this style of photography, sometimes the use of accessories can help to improve this set-up. Added protections and additional assistance can go a long way to help achieve the best photography possible.
Example Products
Safety Cable: This cable is designed in order to offer extra protection for any overhead set-up. As it is stainless steel and 1.5mm thick, this helps to make it extra strong and durable, making sure that any camera is extra protected in case of any failure in the mounting system.
Counter-Balance sandbag: This Sandbag is designed to help bring additional stability to stands and booms. Being 25x25cm and made from Cordura, this helps to make sure that it can hold a lot of weight inside and that the stand can be securely held in place on the floor. Whilst it is designed to be placed on the legs of the stand, it is also possible to attach it to the end of a boom arm, helping to make the boom arm in particular more stable.
Universal Timer Remote Shutter: As the camera is being placed high above the subject, it may be difficult to trigger the shutter to take the shot. This remote shutter helps to resolve this issue as the 90cm cord helps to give that little exact freedom and allows you to take the shot without needed to be in direct contact with the camera. It helps to reduce any camera shake and it can also be used to accurately time exposures at intervals of between 1 second and 99 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds. This particular Remote can be selected with different cables, allowing it to be used with a variety of different Canon and Nikon cameras.
In summary, Overhead photography is a unique approach and style, and can help to create wonderful images if done properly. We hope in this Blog that we have been able to inform and help show what is required to create this set-up successfully.
