HOW TO Shoot Overhead Photos and Videos

Ever wonder how photographers and filmmakers capture images from above? With a camera mounted overhead and facing straight down? This video covers a number of different options from super cheap to high-end professional setups.

0:00 Introduction
1:07 Microphone Stand
3:14 Tripod
4:43 Glide Gear
6:00 DIY
7:36 C-Stand
10:02 Ceiling Mount
10:49 Tip: Remote Shutter & Preview
12:29 Wrap-Up

△ Products mentioned

#1 Microphone Stand

Hola! Microphone Stand

Mic Adapter 1/4" and 3/8" Male to 5/8" Female

Phone Mount with Bluetooth Remote

#2 Tripod

K&F Concept tripod with the 90-degree center column

#3 Glide Gear

Glide Gear OH75

Glide Gear OH100

#4 DIY

SmallRig Super Clamps

SmallRig 3/8" to 3/8" Screw

#5 C-stand

Neewer C-Stand (Single)

Neewer C-Stand (2 Pack)

Neewer Spigot

Sandbags!

#6 Remote Shutter Release

Benbox HDMI Video Transmitter

Also, in case you're curious, the book from the overhead shot is "Shooting Space". One of my favorites!

△ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Some of the links in this description will direct you to Amazon, B&H, or Adorama where I may earn referral credits from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

[willingleton]

Useful stuff! Thanks for taking the time to make this film. Pretty rare I would need to shoot like this but I have a few video ideas that will need some of these top down shots so will be following your advice. Thanks!
Will

[gloriousxweirdo]

I've watched a lot of overhead setup videos and this is by far the most useful one! thank you so much for all the tips!

[villa_fan]

Your videos are fantastic, mate. You and Karl Taylor are the best at explaining your points with clear to understand language keeping jargon to a minimum (unlike the vast majority of other YT channels!). Great work dude. Subscribed :)

[PaulWalesArt]

Really well done Todd. Newbie to the entire idea of filming, so exploring here. I feel compelled to add that you have a fantastic onscreen presence -totally engaging. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[josegustavocarranza]

Nothing but quality material... super informative... useful stuff.... got tons of ideas.

[amassedenterprise]

This video is awesome and super helpful for me to know how to use the C stand with the spigot and the ball head to mount the camera. Thank you for your video!

[nerdyneighbor]

Super useful! The best I've seen on this topic so far.

[primepropertymedia]

Just got through this video. Practical implementable information!! Love the content!!!

[rayderrich]

This helped me a lot, and your video both in visuals and audio is very high quality, I like that.

[QJapan]

Really comprehensive and thoughtful video. Cheers!

[mxmzd]

C Stand seems like the way to go. Thanks for the great vid!

[misterhorseman]

YouTube suggested your video and I clicked. First thing I noticed, your talking audio is amazing! And colour grading is beautiful. That c-stand method is for me. This is helpful. Thank you Todd!

[simplyrowen]

On #5 C-stand, you forgot to put a link to a ball head in the description box. I’m literally just adding to cart what you recommended so I don’t have to peruse and spend hours researching and reading reviews. Thanks for the video. Very no nonsense, concise and helpful 👍🏼

[T_Nice]

Thank You so much for this super informative video!!👍

[Contrarianthinker]

this video is super underrated! Thank you very much for making such an inclusive and detailed video about all the different options for setting up an overhead rig. There are other videos I watched that were a complete waste of time and I wish I saw this video first. Very helpful!

[BeauHannamGuitars]

Great video Todd- Thanks. The over head rod with a slider would be even more versatile for slowmo overhead shots

[fabienb]

Myself I had created a cheap version of the Glide Gear with a backdrop stand and a swivel arm with a clamp ☺️ worked like a charm 🤗

[ellaferguson]

thank you for this very informative video! God bless you !

[shakilahmad]

Great video! I was looking for info on the same

[paulmorris]

Great video. Hadn't thought of the mic stand and putting a clamp on a background stand would be a good idea. How about inverting a slider between a pair of stands?