How can I safely mount a camera 12 feet overhead for a vertical tethered still-life shot?
Asked 9/11/2015
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I need to photograph a still-life setup laid out on the studio floor and shoot straight down from about 12 feet high. Ideally I want the camera locked off in a secure mount and tethered to a computer at ground level so I can compose and make adjustments without climbing up and down.
What mounting approach works best for this kind of overhead shot, and what safety best practices should I follow?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
1
I've done this from a lower height using a boom stand with an umbrella bracket and the appropriate stud mounted in the camera tripod socket. To reach 12 feet you would most likely need to place the boom on a large table or other platform. Best practices: lots (and lots) of sandbags and counterweights to keep things from tipping over, and tape down all your cables to prevent trips and falls.
Originally by user44846. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user44846
10y ago
0
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A practical approach for overhead shooting is a boom stand with an umbrella bracket or similar adapter, using the correct stud or camera mount threaded into the camera’s tripod socket. For a full 12-foot straight-down shot, you may need to raise the boom base on a sturdy platform or table to get enough height.
The most important issue is stability and safety. Use plenty of sandbags and counterweights so the stand cannot tip, especially with the boom extended. Secure and tape down all tether and power cables so no one can snag them or create a trip hazard.
Tethered shooting is a good fit here because it lets you compose and adjust from the ground while keeping the camera locked off overhead. Whatever support system you use, make sure it is rated for the camera/lens weight and that the entire setup is firmly balanced before anyone works underneath it.
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