Steady-cam/body balance techniques

indybones

indybones

Well-known member
Hi peeps....

I was wondering if I could pick your brains please...

I have experimented with a few DIY steady-cam type things and the smoothness of the footage is a lot smoother than if I were to handhold the camera.
However does any one know of any techniques as far as moving your body is concerned that helps with a smooth movement/footage.
I was told by some that as your walking, if you bend your knees that helps with the juddering, don't know how true that is?
I have seemed to have smoothed out the vertical judder, however it's the horizontal judder when I move from side to side that still appears in the footage.

Does any one have any advice as to body balancing, movement etc that will help smooth out the footage as much as possible please?

Many thanks :thumbup::dankk2:

Indy
 
Walking, running, climbing stairs are smoothed out by the action of the spring arm. So you can see how bending your knees would have minimal effect on smoothness. For horizontal steadiness during directional changes try to not let your "post hand" make too much lateral pressure.

It's tricky but after practice you'll be able to finesse it. The issue is that your "post hand" makes contact above or below the gimbal point, so any pressure there will tend to start the sled to sway. Concentrate on only spinning the post around it's axis. You might also try the split finger technique. Index finger above the gimbal, middle finger below it, thumb on the gimbal itself. This applies even pressure to the post. And as light a touch as possible.

Oh yeah, be sure you've tweaked the balance so you're not fighting the rig.
Very important.

Have fun!
 
Also look be sure to get under the rig. If you can let go of the post and arm and it starts to wander off you arent balanced. Makes a world of difference in your operating if you are flying the rig with your body vs flying the rig with your hands. IMO this is one of the greatest advantages of a pro rig like the Steadicam. Full adjustability at the socket block on both axes allowing you to be balanced AND have good posture.
 
Years of martial arts helped me to glide in step. But for everyone else, make sure your DIY steady cam thingy is bottom weighted. Lots of bottom weight will really smooth the motion.
 
I just use my tripod. I spread the legs, but don't extend them. Each of my hands grabs a leg, with the third leg as a counter balance. I also angle the butt of the camera to a 45 degree angle to the tripod. Easier on the wrists. This gets rid of the handheld look and allows for smooth motion on a budget.
 
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