Overhead Video Recording: How to Shoot Top Down Video

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Adjustable Microphone/Boom Stand (for Small Cameras only):

Small Tripod with Flippable Head:

Arkon Overhead Mount for Smartphones:

Arkon Camera Roof Mount:

On-Stage Overhead Bracket / Light Stand:

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-- Overhead Video Recording: How to Shoot Top Down Video --

A top down camera angle is great for getting your viewers immersed in what you're doing on a tabletop. Whether you’re trying to film cooking videos, drawing videos from above, demo videos, or shoot any other tabletop videos - it’s easy to get great results.

In this video we run through the best overhead camera rigs (that won’t break the budget) to film a desk from above from a top down camera perspective, that you can easily use to shoot great cooking, craft, app review, drawing or any other overhead tutorial videos!

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[rty]

You missed the simplest and least expensive one!
I have been in broadcast TV for over 50 yrs and in the past we have done many many cooking shows. You dont think we hoisted a 100lb professional studio camera overhead do you? We simply used an overhead mirror! The studio camera just tilted up and zoomed in on the mirror and we got a perfect overhead shot! Sometimes it was a small mirror just over the stove, sometimes it was a big mirror over the entire countertop. Yes the image and any lettering was reversed but that was easily fixed either in the camera by flipping a switch or in the control room to flip the image or in later years in software. Most times they were just slicing or stirring a pot so reversing images was not done
Its way less inexpensive and safer to use a mirror than suspending a camera!
Edit:
Keep the mirror high enough to avoid steam from getting on it. Our mirrors were about 6 feet from the countertop. This avoided the mirror from getting in the way of a straight on shot. This is why the mirrors were large enough to pick up the entire counter or stovetop.
Some people even used stretched silver Mylar or even plexiglass mirrors because of weight, but most of the time they produced distorted images.
If you are using a large mirror, you can glue it to plywood, place screw eyes in the corners of the plywood and suspend it at an agle from ceiling or lighting grid with chains. This makes setup very fast and easy. Plexiglass mirrors have lots of distortion and even regular mirrors have dual reflections, so if you want perfect, no distition or dual reflections you need to use front (or first) surface mirrors. They can be expensive and tough to clean because they can scratch easily. Try each type of mirror and see which one works best for you.

[sugarcoat]

How I made mine:
1. Get a selfie stick
2. Point the adjuster downwards
3. Tape it to your desk

[BeanieDraws]

For the first two years of my channel, I was using a desk lamp with a flexible neck and a clip that attached to my desk. I'd adjust the lamp so that it was lighting my page, and I'd balance my webcam over the neck of the lamp, sometimes using tape to secure it. Not the most flattering of methods, but it did get me to 10, 000 subs.

Right now I'm using a mic arm that screws to my desk and I slot my webcam in the mic holder.

That Phone holder arm that you stand on the desk seems like the ideal next step for me.

One other thing when working out which is the best option, is tripod/arm shadows. You have to make sure your light source won't be casting a shadow of your mounting system onto the filmed subject.

[ChloeRoestel]

I literally taped my phone to the ceiling.

[franciscajaratarotespiritu]

this video was SO helpful!! I'm a tarot reader and I was struggling on how to show on my videos my hands working with the cards. Before this, I did my videos making the images with powerpoint. Now, I've just received the Arkon Overhead Mount for Smartphones (this was my choice) and so excited to record my first video! Thank you Justin!! You're content is really helpful.

[JyotiMishra]

THANK YOU! Been trawling through YT for over two hours trying to find proper info on overhead DSLR shooting and you've got all the facts here. Lifesaver! (and subbed!)

[MeowMeowKapow]

This is SUPER helpful, thank you! I especially appreciate the recommendation of the mic stand because I wouldn’t have thought of taking a non camera-specific piece of equipment for this purpose. Makes me wonder if I already have something around the house I could experiment

[StudioPashnada]

Thanks for all the tips.
You would not believe the various ways I have rigged up my camera in order to shoot my art videos from above. I usually just use a cheap selfie stick stuck into something and clamped. I have to be almost as creative with it as the art LOL

[sclmb]

Thank you for this exhaustive review on top down options. I have been struggling with how to shoot videos from overhead that look professional. Great job!

[CreativeDesignbyJessica]

OMG!!! THANK YOU MUCH YOU CHANGED MY LIFE!!! I received my microphone stand and it was under $20 which is awesome! I also purchased a microphone Stand Smartphone Boom Mount for less than $15 ... OMG... $35 for LIFE CHANGING HAPPINESS... totally worth it!!! YAY FOR ME!!!! Hey, now I can start making tutorials on a regular basis!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! TFS Be Blessed.

[tradingcardboss]

A nice simple way use a plank of wood on a table with a brick or heavy book on the table end then put your phone/pad on the other end pointing down . I've done 100 vids like this with good effect 👍😎

[Gabizazz]

I feel like the comments are more useful then the video

[Simplyyourdevice]

That was awesome! Talk about timing, just finished up my building my studio starting to look for some gear. This is a huge help!!

[danielngoslab]

Great! All the comments compliment ur technique. Every style is doable. Choose your wild!

[MobileDecay]

Another option is to have a drone hover over the product you're trying to review and try to control it while doing the review hoping it doesn't spin out of control and crash through your window. 😂

[paulcotter]

I know this video presentation is a year old, but I needs help in doing and setting up my overhead videos. Everyone that are doing videos on this subject fail to discuss the lens to use, on the phone, table, or camera. I don’t want to put hundreds to thousands of dollars into the wrong lens. I have decided to began with a DSL Cannon camera. The SR 3 seem to be a good entry leave. So could help, and maybe there are other who need directions as to this. In closing I would like to thank you for taking your time in this matter.
PS I was a professional teacher and presenter for 30 years plus, I would like to say your presentations are excellent and very professional.

[AngelaLaMuse]

Really enjoying your videos and the information you provide! As a result I have a really nice setup i'm excited to start using. Excellent advice. Keep it coming :)

[britishcook]

Super useful video, thank you very much.

[videograph]

Hi! For these shots I use Manfrotto 055 XPROB. It has ability to rotate center section to horisontal position.

[phaseout]

Super useful I'm doing this in a box trailer and it is pretty bad condition and small so attaching something to the celing might work so thanks and I'll try this😎
Thanks for the help