Learn how to shoot top-down videos with ease.
It looks simple and super effective, but shooting top-down videos or taking top-down photos can be tricky. There are quite a few ways you can achieve this look, and we’ll show you some of the best, from the cheapest overhead camera rig solution to a more expensive, more professional setup. In this blog, we will show you two solutions for how to shoot top-down video.
These are solutions that don’t require any DIY. DIY rigs usually involve building your rig from scratch with something like PVC pipes or welding metal pipes together for the more adventurous. Although effective, they can take some time to make and even work out more expensive than these two simple solutions we like to use.
What is Top Down Shooting?
Unless you’ve managed to avoid Instagram, Youtube or any cooking show over the last decade, you will be very familiar with the overhead shooting style. This type of shot has become extremely popular, especially on Instagram, where examples of flat-lay photography can be seen on most feeds.
It has become a staple technique used in video production, and it is a great perspective to use when showing off a product, detailing instructions or food recipes.
How not to do it
Now the first thing people usually try when they first attempt to shoot a top-down shot is to hold their camera or phone above the table and film what they want to film. This rarely produces satisfactory results as it is impossible to hold your camera still enough for the shots to work.
It is also tough to get the proper focus, and because people are used to the images being perfectly still, any motion in the camera is off-putting.
Another thing people try is to extend their tripod fully up and point the camera down. This is ineffective, as you can’t quite achieve the overhead look because when you pivot the head of the tripod, it rarely can go as far as you need it to. You either end up with the legs of the tripod in the shot or cannot angle it correctly over the desk resulting in a video that isn’t from the correct perspective.
So if all you have is a tripod, you might have to make do with this, but it won’t give you as pleasing looking a shot. So what is the way to do it?
Overhead Camera Setup 1 – The simple Cheap Solution
Now let’s start with the cheapest solution. This solution involves two pieces of equipment you can get from amazon for about £50, and it is simple and takes no time to set up.
What you’ll need
- A backdrop holder
- A camera clamp
- Phone holder (this is only needed if you are going to use a GoPro or phone to film)
How to set up the rig
So the backdrop holder is just two light stands with a horizontal bar. You use this to position the camera above the table you are using.
Set up the backdrop holder as if you were using it for its intended use. This involves setting up the two horizontal stands and then adding the flat bar to make the structure. The legs are adjustable to set up your rig at different heights. The backdrop holder we use can go as high as 2m.
Then all you have to do is attach the clamp to the middle of the horizontal rail and screw it onto the bottom of your camera on the tripod plate. You can clamp it onto the rail and tighten it by turning the T-Handle. And that’s all required for the setup.
This rig will hold about 4kg of weight, and as well as holding cameras, you can also use a phone or a GoPro with this rig with one additional attachment. We use a phone holder clip that clamps onto the side of your phone and attaches to the clamp as it has the same fittings.
You can watch a video Josh made showing you how to set up and use this overhead rig below.
This is a decent rig and will do most people for most setups. Still, if you use a heavy, costly camera and lens, this setup probably won’t work for you, and you’re much better off forking out more money on a heavy-duty overhead system.
Overhead Camera Setup 2 – The Professional Solution
This is another excellent solution that we tend to use when shooting videos for clients. It requires more equipment and comes in significantly more expensive but gives you slightly more flexibility in the positions you can place your camera.
What you’ll need
- A Monopod
- A Boompole holder
- A boompole swivel head
- A strong C-stand
- Sandbags
How to set it up
So to set up this rig, you’ll need to attach your camera to the monopod. Then, if you connect the boom pole swivel head to the top of a C stand and place the boom holder inside the swivel head. Then you can put the monopod into the boom holder like a boom pole and extend the monopod to the desired length.
This is equally as simple to build as the previous solution, but as it requires more kit and good c stands are particularly expensive, it is maybe only best for those who often need to film top-down videos. It is also essential to use sandbags to weigh down the c stand as you don’t want your camera toppling over and 100 percent ruining your week!
So there you go; two easy methods exist to film top-down videos. For anyone who has a product to show off, this is one of the best ways you can do this. You could also use this technique to create interesting new vantage points in your videos.
However, we would love to get involved if you don’t have the required gear or would like a professional team to film your video. Our video production company filmed many top-down videos, everything from product to recipe videos. Just fill in the form below and get in touch with your project. We would love to hear from you. Or, if you are giving it a go, let us know how you get on.
