Shooting with a shoulder mount camera - Silly Question

[xocomil]

I'm 6'2" tall and work largely in Guatemala where many adults are at least a foot shorter than me. I currently shoot with a Canon C100 and tend to cradle it when handheld.

If I were to use a shoulder mount camera, how it is possible not to have every handheld shot looking down on people (presuming they're not far away)?

Silly question I know ...

 

[Macaholic]

You could build a shoulder rig that offsets the camera downward so it's closer to your peck. I would probably suggest getting an external monitor though because you wont want to be craning your neck downwards for that long.

 

[xocomil]

Thanks. I'm curious what techniques tall guys using shouldercams use when shooting handheld interviews with people a foot shorter than them (or do they have massive thighs from squatting down for 10 minute stretches).

 

[combatentropy]

It's not a silly question. Aside from getting on bended knee, nothing comes to mind. It's a hard problem.

In fact this is why I think the handicam body style is easier. Like you said, you can cradle it. One of the drawbacks has always been fatique, though. For that, I usually see people attach it to a rig, but then you're back to your same problem.

My favorite solution to fatique is not the rig but the monopod. But it may make a difference which one you get. I spent quite a bit of money. I bought a monopod with a lever that I could squeeze to quickly change its height. I also bought a ball-joint head for it, so that I could tilt the monopod while keeping the camera level. Finally I bought the same brand as my tripod (Manfrotto) so that I could just leave the quick-release plate on the camera and easily move it back and forth between my tripod and monopod.

 

[M.R.]

Easyrig stuff and chest style support stuff (rather than true shoulder mount) come to my mind. Of course with some sort of monitor.
Shooting from the hip might be another option which is again not really pointed towards "true shoulder mount".

http://www.hipshot.tv

 

[dmitrizigany]

This is one of the reasons I'm hesitant to invest in a proper shoulder rig, I find that it's very rarely I want the camera to be a shoulder height and even so, most of the time subjects are either taller or shorter than me.

 

[JPNola]

The simplest way to minimize downward shooting is to stand with your feet wide apart. You stand with your feet roughly 3ft apart or as far apart as you can maintain for the duration of the interview without too much pain.

Another approach is to sit on an apple box or better yet a "big apple" since a standard size apple box can be too low. I realize it's difficult to carry something like that around with you, but that is the solution Hollywood Cam Ops sometimes use when they need a lower camera height and the "handheld" look. Maybe you could at least have an apple box in the vehicle you are working from so it's an option when you are shooting near the vehicle?

The monopod is good advice. I also use a Manfrotto monopod. Mine is not a ball head but it is a head that tilts and the monopod has fluid panning via a cartridge in the base. Search online for "Manfrotto Fluid Monopod with 500 Series head". That head is underrated for the weight of most video cameras but I manage to make it work. With the monopod you still have the issue of having to carry it around with you and someplace to place the monopod when you are not using it. ( I risk it being stolen while I am shooting from the shoulder in busy urban areas. I often have the Field Producer carry it for me or at least baby-sit it while I am shooting without it. ).

Don't forget the curb technique. If there is an elevated sidewalk you can have your subject stand on the sidewalk while you stand in the street. You can also choose an area with an incline. You place the subject uphill from your camera position. The incline technique can reduce the camera height a couple of inches in relation to the subject. Both techniques limit your choice of background. Both techniques are most often not an available option.

Avoid wearing boots with heels when you are shooting.

Good luck to you and happy shooting!

 

[M.R.]

Carry friendly sitting option: stg140large.jpg

 

[Run&Gun]

The simplest way to minimize downward shooting is to stand with your feet wide apart. You stand with your feet roughly 3ft apart or as far apart as you can maintain for the duration of the interview without too much pain.

I was going to suggest this also. I do this at times, not necessarily because I'm taller than who I'm usually shooting(I'm kind of short at only 5'7"), but to drop the lens height to get the background better.

I have a hipshot, too, but that would put the lens height really low for your needs. It's great when people are sitting, though.

 

[JPNola]

Carry friendly sitting option: stg140large.jpg

Those are too low. But maybe you are on the right track...a monopod for the camera operator-

http://www.wildmount.com/media/cata...a97daa66f/s/e/seat-stick-adjustable-spike.jpg

http://www.genesisny.net/GGolf/images/NicoleG2.jpg

Some websites even refer to it as a "shooting stick". For game hunting.

http://www.walkingsticksonline.co.uk/new/walking_sticks/3713_shooting_stick.php

Strap would allow it to be carried on your back while shooting-

http://img.hisupplier.com/var/userImages/2011-03/05/everfair_103446976_s.jpg

pretty cool looking as well what with the chrome and black. Would work on pavement or off road. You could even use it as a camera platform for b-roll. The seat would pull the sides together and cradle the camera. You could still pan and somewhat tilt. All for $20 on the E bay.

 

[QuickHitRecord]

I am about 6'4" and I grappled with the same problem. I did some research and the closest thing to a solution that I found was from a company called Cinemecanix. I couldn't justify the cost, so I took some notes, made some changes, and built my own around a shoulder pad from Shape:

Note: I don't usually have a quick-release plate on the rods as this rig doesn't play well with tripods (my single gripe with it is having to lay it on its side when not in use).

This rig puts the sensor at around shoulder-level, which is eye-level for most people. I can adjust the level of the rods as well for people who are closer to my height.

That's a 20lb weight plate on the back. Heavy, yes, but it gives me great stability and the weight allows me to balance anything from a DSLR to something the size of a C100; I can take both hands off the camera and handle and it sits balanced on my shoulder. Single-handed operation is great and frees my other hand to focus. Plus it barely sticks out behind me when I'm operating.

It might not be the prettiest thing, but it works!

 

[clang]

If it was just a matter of lowering the camera, then a 'lowering rig' would be the answer. But if you're interviewing people while filming them, then it seems better to somehow lower your whole body down to their height, to both avoid interviewees looking up at you (making it look on camera as if they're talking to the sky) or constantly looking between you and the camera (as if doing some weird nodding).

Try a lightweight folding stool, especially one with adjustable height, perhaps from an outdoors/camping store. Or perhaps look at 'shooting sticks', the rather odd name for hunters' portable seating - although most have a spike in the base for use outdoors, some also have flat bases more suitable for inside and urban locations.

 

[xocomil]

Thanks all. I appreciate the tips.

 

[renegadewill]

This is a camera rig that Michael Bay uses on everything. I am 6 feet tall and I have the same problem. So I looked around for a better rig. I am now in love with this rig and it allows you to shoot any height. You just need to slim down the rig.