What is the Best Focal Length for Overhead Video? Unless you’ve disconnected yourself from the Internet completely over the last few years, many of us have end up nicely-acquainted with the overhead taking pictures fashion. It commenced gaining popularity with BuzzFeed’s “Tasty” collection, where they shared step-with the aid of-step recipe demos shot overhead.
One element’s for sure–the overhead video fashion honestly isn’t going everywhere anytime quickly. But beyond savory step-by using-step demos, the perspective this shot offers can breathe existence into all kinds of different content material your business creates.
Take, for instance, YouTube artist Andargachew's bullet journaling and drawing academic movies. Eye-catching and tasty, her viewers are drawn to each element and movement she puts into awareness.
What is the Best Focal Length for Overhead Video?

How did she execute an overhead shot like this and how are you going to replicate the setup? Lucky for you, we’re here to assist display you ways! In this publish, we’ll smash down three approaches that we’ve effectively captured the overhead video shot at Wistia.
The Tall Tripod
The only way to shoot from up above is to raise your tripod sky-high and point it down. It’ll never point a great ninety stages downward, however it’ll get you shut enough in most instances.
Related Article: What Format Should I Shoot Video Sony A7iv?
Place the tallest tripod you've got as close to the desk or surface as viable, and point the tripod head all of the manner down. If you need a touch more top, convey the tripod legs nearer together, or strive setting the front two legs on something desk or surface you’re the use of. At Wistia, we use the Manfrotto MVH500AH fluid head & 755XB tripod blend.
The growth pole holder
Another manner to position a camera without delay overhead is to apply a combination of a monopod and a boom pole holder. Clip the digicam into the monopod, then slip the monopod into the growth pole holder.
Important: Double-check that everything is locked tight, from the camera mount to the grip head. Also, use sandbags to overwhelm the increase pole stand, as this rig might be quite darn top-heavy. When you’re shooting overhead, we’ve observed that gravity can cause a few zoom lenses to slip and not preserve focal duration.

To avoid this, use a set lens like a 24mm or 35mm, and lift or decrease the mild stand to get the right framing. With the digital camera so excessive up, tracking your shot tends to be difficult. If possible, getting your hands on an outside show will save you a while and power.
The mirror rig
And then there’s the mirror rig. This rig is a bit extra bold, however if you’re doing a bunch of overhead taking pictures, it might be really worth the time investment. The fundamental advantage of the reflect rig is being able to shoot up on the mirror from the floor.
From this role, you can without problems make digicam modifications or change zoom or recognition. In put up-manufacturing, you may practice a turn effect to correct the image, and you’ve got your self an overhead shot!
Drill a few holes into the frame and connect the brackets, leaving enough clearance for the c-stand crossbar. Then you can adjust the angle of the replicate with the aid of the use of the eyebolts as set screws. A phrase of warning to avoid seven years of terrible luck: Make certain the mirror body is right and tight, and make certain to use sandbags at the c-stand.
Read Also: How To Stop YouTube Shooting Of Videos On PC?
With the replicate overhead, it’s all about locating the proper peak and angle. You’ll want to place the reflect above the desk at more or less a 45-degree attitude to begin.
A zoom lens is prime here due to the fact you may truly clutch huge and near-up shots with out shifting your camera or the rig. This helps you to get a variety of various photographs from the identical angle.
Try it out in your next video
Maybe you’re now not making any recipe demos within the near future, but you would possibly want to wonder your viewers with an exciting new vantage factor on occasion. When completed well, the overhead shot can be a delightful manner to document advertising and marketing video.
What is the Best Focal Length for Overhead Video? Unless you’ve disconnected yourself from the Internet completely over the last few years, many of us have end up nicely-acquainted with the overhead taking pictures fashion. It commenced gaining popularity with BuzzFeed’s “Tasty” collection, where they shared step-with the aid of-step recipe demos shot overhead.
One element’s for sure–the overhead video fashion honestly isn’t going everywhere anytime quickly. But beyond savory step-by using-step demos, the perspective this shot offers can breathe existence into all kinds of different content material your business creates.
Take, for instance, YouTube artist Andargachew's bullet journaling and drawing academic movies. Eye-catching and tasty, her viewers are drawn to each element and movement she puts into awareness.
What is the Best Focal Length for Overhead Video?
How did she execute an overhead shot like this and how are you going to replicate the setup? Lucky for you, we’re here to assist display you ways! In this publish, we’ll smash down three approaches that we’ve effectively captured the overhead video shot at Wistia.
The Tall Tripod
The only way to shoot from up above is to raise your tripod sky-high and point it down. It’ll never point a great ninety stages downward, however it’ll get you shut enough in most instances.
Related Article: What Format Should I Shoot Video Sony A7iv?
Place the tallest tripod you've got as close to the desk or surface as viable, and point the tripod head all of the manner down. If you need a touch more top, convey the tripod legs nearer together, or strive setting the front two legs on something desk or surface you’re the use of. At Wistia, we use the Manfrotto MVH500AH fluid head & 755XB tripod blend.
The growth pole holder
Another manner to position a camera without delay overhead is to apply a combination of a monopod and a boom pole holder. Clip the digicam into the monopod, then slip the monopod into the growth pole holder.
Important: Double-check that everything is locked tight, from the camera mount to the grip head. Also, use sandbags to overwhelm the increase pole stand, as this rig might be quite darn top-heavy. When you’re shooting overhead, we’ve observed that gravity can cause a few zoom lenses to slip and not preserve focal duration.
To avoid this, use a set lens like a 24mm or 35mm, and lift or decrease the mild stand to get the right framing. With the digital camera so excessive up, tracking your shot tends to be difficult. If possible, getting your hands on an outside show will save you a while and power.
The mirror rig
And then there’s the mirror rig. This rig is a bit extra bold, however if you’re doing a bunch of overhead taking pictures, it might be really worth the time investment. The fundamental advantage of the reflect rig is being able to shoot up on the mirror from the floor.
From this role, you can without problems make digicam modifications or change zoom or recognition. In put up-manufacturing, you may practice a turn effect to correct the image, and you’ve got your self an overhead shot!
Drill a few holes into the frame and connect the brackets, leaving enough clearance for the c-stand crossbar. Then you can adjust the angle of the replicate with the aid of the use of the eyebolts as set screws. A phrase of warning to avoid seven years of terrible luck: Make certain the mirror body is right and tight, and make certain to use sandbags at the c-stand.
Read Also: How To Stop YouTube Shooting Of Videos On PC?
With the replicate overhead, it’s all about locating the proper peak and angle. You’ll want to place the reflect above the desk at more or less a 45-degree attitude to begin.
A zoom lens is prime here due to the fact you may truly clutch huge and near-up shots with out shifting your camera or the rig. This helps you to get a variety of various photographs from the identical angle.
Try it out in your next video
Maybe you’re now not making any recipe demos within the near future, but you would possibly want to wonder your viewers with an exciting new vantage factor on occasion. When completed well, the overhead shot can be a delightful manner to document advertising and marketing video.