Set Up the Perfect Overhead Camera Angle!

If you’ve ever tried to film an overhead angle, you know that it can be pretty frustrating, but I've found a few ways to make it MUCH easier!

Last year I found a really cool piece of equipment that I’ve been using for my overhead shots, but before we get to that, let’s start out with something that most of us already have: a tripod.

•Gear mentioned in this video:
Glide Gear Overhead Rig:

•Manfrotto Tripod Legs:

•Basic, inexpensive lightweight tripod:

The simplest way to film an overhead angle with a tripod is to just put the tripod over your subject and tilt the camera down. The tricky part, however, is trying NOT to get the tripod legs in the shot while still being able to achieve the framing you’re going for.

Now, if you’re like me and you film a lot of overhead shots, it’s probably worth investing in a dedicated piece of gear to help you get the job done. Last year I found this Glide Gear overhead rig on B&H Photo for $200. This is in no way a sponsored video, but I’ve been using this for a while, and I think it’s really awesome– I actually look for excuses to use it because I like it so much.

This overhead rig lets you mount your camera directly above what you’re filming, and gets all of the other mess out of the way. It’s super sturdy and the entire thing is made with metal construction. The base has holes in it which allow you to permanently mount the stand directly onto your filming surface, but I’ve found that it’s plenty sturdy on its own, and I like the freedom to move it to different locations if needed. Mine hangs out in the corner when I’m not using it, and then I can easily move it around when I need it.

Episode 105: Top Notch Top Down Shots!

» Ready to start your own podcast? Check out The Podcaster Playbook, my step-by-step DIY course to help you launch your show!

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– Who Am I? –

Hi! My name is Tom Buck. As a lifelong A/V nerd, I’m here to help you level up the audio and video quality of your streams, podcasts, puns, and videos. I was a high school Digital Media teacher for 11 years, and I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for digital media and teaching others while having fun along the way.

New videos are uploaded every Thursday morning, and more often when possible!

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#Cameras #GlideGear #TopDown
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[adrianvanleeuwen]

I watched about 10 videos from your wife's channel on developing a YouTube channel and Canva, now I am going through your videos. Loads of great tips. I am learning and picking up some of the same equipment. Both of you have excellent videos!

[adrianvanleeuwen]

Some people are using C stands with camera adapters to shoot top down, however I like this rig from Glide Gear as you can add lights and mic and monitors anywhere along the bars which is a huge benefit. Thanks for this review, I may get it at some point!

[CreativeThinking]

Very informative video. Can I use my cell phone? Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend. 👍

[jeremysher]

Great video, thanks! At 3:39 that arm mount for your LED light -- any idea what the weight capacity of it is? I just got the Neewer 660 w/ soft box, wondering how to best mount it on a rig like this. Thanks!

[Dracomies]

I saw this video and mulled over this. Bought so many cheap setups and was always disappointed. Finally bought it today! Thank you for the suggestion! I should have went with this from the get-go!

[keyurjoshi]

Liked the simplicity with which it is explained. Amaruers can learn a lot from each other. I am an educator and looking for something like this for my online lectures during this COVID-19 pandemic times. Thanks!

[kristinschrader]

I just got one. I’m so psyched! I don’t see where to find extra attachment parts so I can mount lights, a mic, etc. I’m wondering if you have any recommendations for a mic, var podcasting equipment? I’d like this little contraption to be the basis for my own mini studio. Thanks!

[PaintingWithYovette]

Tom, what happens when you wiggle the table? I am a painting artist and would be tapping on a canvas causing the table to wiggle sometimes. Would this setup cause the camera to wiggle also? Would a floor model be better???

[sandrayounger]

Thanks for sharing this video. I retrofitted a copy stand which allows the camera to move up and down and pretty much in all directions. If I had known about this device I would have bought it back then. Since I do need something like this anyway I am glad I found this video.

[HollyPixels]

Awesome. I used to use an extender arm mounted to a wall. But I moved and now my desk isn’t near a wall. This solves the issue I have with a tripod that’s too short. Now to get my lighting right. Any suggestions when filming iPad tutorials? Lighting is so hard with the screen light.

[BirdzofaFeather]

Can you tell me more about the rest of the equipment you have on the rig and what your using it for?

[jamestristanruiz]

I already got a setup for our cooking videos - like a DIY background stand - It is working fine

My main concern is everytime we start - I find it hard to level the camera to the ground - like sometimes it is a little off ( not sure which equipment can help me with this )

[DriftomaniacsRC]

you got straight to the point! Much appreciated! I film RC videos a lot outside but I also shoot a lot of 'how to' videos for them inside this was the kind of info I was after.

[Mrjoemarps]

Jeez... you really have awesome background! The lighting setups is cool and so cool in the eye.. 🤗

[thescrappinmom]

Great review and fabulous video! I film using my ipad pro. Any ideas of mounting an ipad to the glide gear apparatus? This would be perfect for my crafting videos, but don't know how I could mount the ipad.

[Matt.Gillard]

I looove Glide Gear, and now I need the overhead rig

[dvampofo]

Tom! I was doing the same thing when I first started off making videos, tripod looking down and currently doing the tripod column in horizontal mode but that was unstable sometimes (a lot of tears would be shed if camera lens broke!)

Thank you for reviewing this product!

[crackspotting]

The great thing about your channel is that when you finally blow up and gain a million subscribers - they will have so much good back catalog to go through. Less than 50K views per episode? Just criminal.

[kdmvdigital]

Hello. Is it possible you link the lighting equipment that you used on that mount? Im really looking forward to buying that specific lighting gear

[jennifererenker]

This is great! I do crafts and need a mostly top down option. Been using a phone bracket and my phone but having some issues like the mount is wiggly as it's floating in air and my phone is not recording even when it says it is (just lost two hours of what was going to be a time lapse video 😑). I also have a very small space I'm working with so can't do a Tripod method at all. So looking at different set up options and camera options. What kind of ball joint attachment works with this? I'm still figuring it all out. Are there ones with an arm so I have a little bit more movement and positioning options?