Usually I cannot spend 10 minutes on a video for a tip that could be explained in 20 sec. but this?! Oh man... I was hooked... Hypnotized even! Marvelous!!
I’ve been a filmmaker for a long time and I have watched a lot of your videos. I’ve learned a lot from you. So much for the college education, I should’ve just listened to you from the start. Thank you!!!
Was convinced the whole way through you were gonna tell me to mount a big mirror at 45 degrees to my camera like some kind of overhead shot periscope. The final answer makes more sense lol. I love and hate these shots because off all the rigging and fidgeting. Great video.
Yeah, when i read the comment mentioning this to me in my last video, it was a bit of head-smack moment for how simple it is. Takes a bit of the stress out of the equation!
With all that mirror foreshadowing I was 100% expecting the solution to be shooting into a mirror to change the angle of view of the camera... That would probably pose all sorts of lighting issues and you'd need a clean, warp free mirror but I'm going to try it. I will also use the mirror technique in this video for good measure. Love the channel, I've been combing through the backlog! Edit: I have discovered I am not the first to think this, haha.
Yeah, this method is no joke. I have the little vanity mirror from my grandma’s old Renault in my pen holder and it’s just perfect for top down at my workbench. Thanks for watching!
I used to use a surface level on the back of my camera, but as you say, that doesn't account for any discrepancy in the surface you're filming. This is a very simple, easy way to do it. But honestly though, I just eyeball it these days.
Yeah! through experience I've found I can get it super close... and usually my camera's way too high and it's annoying to put a level on top. I did a handheld overhead shoot recently and a double-sided taped bubble level really helped grab quick shots.
Hey man. Essentially just two stands and a crossbar. A beefier version of a backdrop stand. At home, I usually use two c-stands with mafer/super clamps on top holding an 8’ piece of speed rail or aluminum pipe. On set, crew will use some beefy combo stands and special clamps to hold it on if it’s supporting a big camera. Just don’t forget to sandbag your stands :)
I did a flat lay photo shoot for a local pizza shop of their products for their menu and website. Was an awesome experience for me, but I must admit, lining up the camera over the pizza's was hellish hard and took too long for my liking (I felt like my client was thinking I was an amateur). When your mirror tip dropped I stood up and put my hands in the air. This is why I love the internet. And you Jesse, very cool video, thank you ❤ I'm off to buy a $5 mirror that will save me and hour of fucking around every time I flat lay 👍
On the C-Stand bounce issue, were you using just one arm? There's a video that... I wanna say Indy Mogul did (during the brief run where it was resurrected by Ted from Aperture) where they add a second arm linking from the first grip arm back to the C-Stand...um... trunk? (questionable tree metaphor here.) and it locks into a cardellini there.
Yes! make a little triangle with it ... i was just being lazy and working alone and just waited for the bounce to settle to get my shot. Before using the magic arm to do what you're talking about. But yes, less laziness, and a magic arm or extra grip arm would be used next time... When i'm doing a RUclips vid i usually rush and then by the end think "why didn't i just do this right"
@@kennyobrien I have to come clean... i haven't actually been there. Been to a big lobster in New Brunswick but not the goose... and also, i was a fetus at one point in '83 😬
What if you were to use the mirror to shoot through on a 45degree angle. Like Angle your camera forward, put the mirror on a 45 degree angle over your subject. Zoom in on the mirror and now you didn't have to rig a camera above the subject either. Never tried this, but that's what I thought your original solution was going to be.
Yes! That’s a way too. We’ve discussed that for food shoots in the past. I think it’s a good solution for a permanent setup with a high quality mirror. But cheap mirrors flex and get wonky. For one-off setups I feel a cam with a safety tether is the safest bet.
Well, I actually have no idea of what you are talking about as I was hoping for advice on recording top down stuff to my desktop, you know unboxing shots that kind of thing. But, I am off to rent a crane now, so that should be interesting... ps super slick video pps a geared tripod head helps.
I don’t know what I’m talking about either most of the time! A baby receiver and magic arm are my fav for my top down setup. But if I didn’t want to ceiling mount, I’d prob use some plumbing flanges and 3/4 pipe to make a goalpost screwed or clamped to my worktop. What do you mean by geared head? Is it one of those micro-adjustable platforms for macro shooting?
Looks amazing. I hadn't heard of them, and literally had my hands on one in a camera shop 3 days ago, but had to run before I could ask what it is. Will set a Marketplace alert for one!
Get readyyyyy for your channel to blow up 😊 very much enjoy this
Thanks Matti!!!!!!!
Jesse already implementing strategies from the channel roast 😂Love to see it!
Usually I cannot spend 10 minutes on a video for a tip that could be explained in 20 sec. but this?! Oh man... I was hooked... Hypnotized even! Marvelous!!
Thank you!
I’ve been a filmmaker for a long time and I have watched a lot of your videos. I’ve learned a lot from you. So much for the college education, I should’ve just listened to you from the start. Thank you!!!
Your channel is straight up genius. Full stop.
Wish you did the talking head shots as an overhead shot, really sell the concept
I love this channel so much.
Was convinced the whole way through you were gonna tell me to mount a big mirror at 45 degrees to my camera like some kind of overhead shot periscope. The final answer makes more sense lol. I love and hate these shots because off all the rigging and fidgeting. Great video.
Yeah, when i read the comment mentioning this to me in my last video, it was a bit of head-smack moment for how simple it is. Takes a bit of the stress out of the equation!
Yeah this is about to do numbers. You have solved a headache i will never have to deal with again. Thank you for your service!
Thanks Chris!
I think I just found my new favorite channel. Thank you
Thanks Lukas!
With all that mirror foreshadowing I was 100% expecting the solution to be shooting into a mirror to change the angle of view of the camera... That would probably pose all sorts of lighting issues and you'd need a clean, warp free mirror but I'm going to try it. I will also use the mirror technique in this video for good measure. Love the channel, I've been combing through the backlog! Edit: I have discovered I am not the first to think this, haha.
Yeah, this method is no joke. I have the little vanity mirror from my grandma’s old Renault in my pen holder and it’s just perfect for top down at my workbench. Thanks for watching!
Fiziks is great.
Derogatory british slang got me hahah - "Flat Lay"
Nobody wants to be called that!
Angulls...Jometry 😅 agreed.
I didn't know it either , thanks to your subscriber and to you
Love learning new stuff like this. Thanks for watching!
yeahhhh you about to blow up fs
Ah, all square now, seriously plumb, a delight.
"Every God Damn, Mother Fucken Time!". That right there is why I come here, and not somewhere else!! 🙃👍
I don’t know what you’re talking about!! :)
I used to use a surface level on the back of my camera, but as you say, that doesn't account for any discrepancy in the surface you're filming. This is a very simple, easy way to do it. But honestly though, I just eyeball it these days.
Yeah! through experience I've found I can get it super close... and usually my camera's way too high and it's annoying to put a level on top. I did a handheld overhead shoot recently and a double-sided taped bubble level really helped grab quick shots.
Something so simple, but makes so much sense. I just know my partner is going to come looking for her mirror any minute now.
Hahaha i love this idea and your style presenting it 😂
Hey man can you elaborate on the goals post. Thanks for the tips
Hey man. Essentially just two stands and a crossbar. A beefier version of a backdrop stand. At home, I usually use two c-stands with mafer/super clamps on top holding an 8’ piece of speed rail or aluminum pipe. On set, crew will use some beefy combo stands and special clamps to hold it on if it’s supporting a big camera. Just don’t forget to sandbag your stands :)
@@jessesenko I really appreciate the breakdown.
@@jessesenko Thanks
I did a flat lay photo shoot for a local pizza shop of their products for their menu and website. Was an awesome experience for me, but I must admit, lining up the camera over the pizza's was hellish hard and took too long for my liking (I felt like my client was thinking I was an amateur). When your mirror tip dropped I stood up and put my hands in the air. This is why I love the internet. And you Jesse, very cool video, thank you ❤ I'm off to buy a $5 mirror that will save me and hour of fucking around every time I flat lay 👍
Do it! And I still feel like an amateur!
On the C-Stand bounce issue, were you using just one arm? There's a video that... I wanna say Indy Mogul did (during the brief run where it was resurrected by Ted from Aperture) where they add a second arm linking from the first grip arm back to the C-Stand...um... trunk? (questionable tree metaphor here.) and it locks into a cardellini there.
Yes! make a little triangle with it ... i was just being lazy and working alone and just waited for the bounce to settle to get my shot. Before using the magic arm to do what you're talking about. But yes, less laziness, and a magic arm or extra grip arm would be used next time... When i'm doing a RUclips vid i usually rush and then by the end think "why didn't i just do this right"
Sos un genio boludo!!
I like this translation to English :) I’ll take it!
my life will never be the same
Wawa, hu? Look at Mr Big Shot RUclipsr over here flexin' his exotic travel history.
The goose? Oh yeah, we go wayyy back
@@jessesenko I first saw the goose in 1983. Did I beat you to it?
@@kennyobrien I have to come clean... i haven't actually been there. Been to a big lobster in New Brunswick but not the goose... and also, i was a fetus at one point in '83 😬
@@jessesenko Ha! I win! My life cycle is now complete.
What if you were to use the mirror to shoot through on a 45degree angle. Like Angle your camera forward, put the mirror on a 45 degree angle over your subject. Zoom in on the mirror and now you didn't have to rig a camera above the subject either. Never tried this, but that's what I thought your original solution was going to be.
Yes! That’s a way too. We’ve discussed that for food shoots in the past. I think it’s a good solution for a permanent setup with a high quality mirror. But cheap mirrors flex and get wonky. For one-off setups I feel a cam with a safety tether is the safest bet.
@@jessesenkoahh that makes sense. I didn’t think about the quality of the mirror affecting the shot. 🙏
I’m British. Flat lay does indeed sound like slang for something
Don't want to get called that!
@@jessesenko any other slang you’re familiar with? Is there a US one you can teach me please?
I’m Canadian, and we’re too polite to call you a hoser or anything like that.
@@jessesenko 🤣 so a quick google shows it’s an insult to Canadians?
Paralax
Well, I actually have no idea of what you are talking about as I was hoping for advice on recording top down stuff to my desktop, you know unboxing shots that kind of thing. But, I am off to rent a crane now, so that should be interesting... ps super slick video pps a geared tripod head helps.
I don’t know what I’m talking about either most of the time! A baby receiver and magic arm are my fav for my top down setup. But if I didn’t want to ceiling mount, I’d prob use some plumbing flanges and 3/4 pipe to make a goalpost screwed or clamped to my worktop. What do you mean by geared head? Is it one of those micro-adjustable platforms for macro shooting?
Does what it says on the tin. More precis adjustments of the camera position. Slower than a ball head. I use one for large format.
Looks amazing. I hadn't heard of them, and literally had my hands on one in a camera shop 3 days ago, but had to run before I could ask what it is. Will set a Marketplace alert for one!
💯🪞
Thanks Matt!!!!