Using a monopod for overheads

[Headshotzx]

Hey guys, just thought of something.

In everything we photographers shoot, we always try to find a different angle on things.

What I realise from shooting all my school events and looking at "stylo"-posed CCA group photos is that it's always always aaalllways at eye level or lower.

I might seem silly, but how would a camera put on a monopod with a cable-shutter with or without liveview sound like to get that extra height and perspective? Would it be totally dangerous and stupid if I were to try that? That is, put 2kg of equipment and hold the monopod up near the bottom of the legs and then shoot.

It's kind of like having Yao Ming on a step ladder, without him actually blocking the event.

Comments?

 

[geeteethree]

Did you get this off Guy Rhodes?

If not, here is a link to a photo of him using something just like what you are talking about.

http://www.guyrhodes.com/blog/uploaded_images/08_10Y_0626_cedit-761687.jpg

The 'stick camera'. That does look like a monopod and he is using a pocket wizard to shoot. Any 3rd party trigger would do. I have been using phottix for a while and they make fantastic triggers.

I don't know how he is supporting that weight though. Doesn't look like he is using to much force to hold that up with his right hand.

I think its just abit of experimenting. Just like every thing in photography.

 

[Headshotzx]

Did you get this off Guy Rhodes?

If not, here is a link to a photo of him using something just like what you are talking about.

http://www.guyrhodes.com/blog/uploaded_images/08_10Y_0626_cedit-761687.jpg

The 'stick camera'. That does look like a monopod and he is using a pocket wizard to shoot. Any 3rd party trigger would do. I have been using phottix for a while and they make fantastic triggers.

I don't know how he is supporting that weight though. Doesn't look like he is using to much force to hold that up with his right hand.

I think its just abit of experimenting. Just like every thing in photography.

Wow, exactly what I was envisioning. Great to see someone actually doing it. I'm thinking a wired / radio shutter release would be better cos of autofocus.

EDIT: Wait a minute. Is he wearing a light blue cape?!

 

[geeteethree]

Yep all Phottix products can focus. Wireless to!

Pocket wizards, what he is using costs about 600$$ sg and are ilegal in singapore.

But the 3rd party trigger's can autofocus and are just 50$ for the set!
Great deal

 

[Headshotzx]

Yep all Phottix products can focus. Wireless to!

Pocket wizards, what he is using costs about 600$$ sg and are ilegal in singapore.

But the 3rd party trigger's can autofocus and are just 50$ for the set!
Great deal

Yes I know what PWs are, I'm a strobist

I'll think hard about this. Seems like having a longer monopod would be ideal too (if not a little too difficult to handle). I'll get the yongnuo shutter release from JLphoto.

 

[geeteethree]

mm well monopods are mostly pretty long, just make sure its stable
don't want to be dropping your gear.
And again cannot have to many sections because it will effect the stability.

Good luck ; )

 

[coffee3in1]

Heh heh, was thinking something the same too! RF trigger is a good idea.

 

[Headshotzx]

Ah. Havta look at a few nice monopods then. What's a good recommendation mainly for these shots? I'm thinking a Manfrotto 681B +/- tilt head (dangerous or not?) and the Phottix/Yongnuo Radio Trigger (with autofocus and all that). 160cm + 165cm (my height =X) = 3m give or take for all the tilting and stuff.

 

[GavinTing]

Hmm. It would be good to have some sort of fail safe, as dropping would be a real problem, especially as your eq is not company issued =\

And thats not a cape, its one of those photographer bibs

My old sec school used to always have benches/tables and such around the sports areas. Try deploying a tripod (if you have one) on the table, and shoot remotely?

 

[Headshotzx]

Hmm. It would be good to have some sort of fail safe, as dropping would be a real problem, especially as your eq is not company issued =\

And thats not a cape, its one of those photographer bibs

My old sec school used to always have benches/tables and such around the sports areas. Try deploying a tripod (if you have one) on the table, and shoot remotely?

Huh? How is the last point relevant to using a a monopod for overheads? I don't mean shooting remotely, I just mean taking the camera to another angle as and when I want. But yes, dropping it would be a problem. It might even crack a few skulls as it drops. Seriously though, would I want a monopod head with this? Im assuming there are QR tilt heads for monopods?

 

[J-Chan]

this is the kind of situation where the weight of a dSLR is at a disadvantage..

 

[ArcticFox]

Then, how do you shot? You won't know what you are shooting with a 400D, without liveview.

 

[calebk]

Then, how do you shot? You won't know what you are shooting with a 400D, without liveview.

Can agar agar what. In any case (refer to the picture in post #2) with the camera at this angle, you cannot see the screen; having live view or not is a moot point.

 

[kandinsky]

this is the kind of situation where the weight of a dSLR is at a disadvantage..

Yeah. I can't remember where I read it, but it was about a pro taking some shots with a G9 mounted on a kite or something.

 

[rotisiao]

there was a pentax mounted on a weather balloon iirc. not sure how he triggered the shutter though.

 

[Pokka]

go for it headshot! would love to see some shots of tat..
try taking it in orchard mrt and etc..crowded places..ppl will be looking up at ur camera.

fresh!

 

[Daedalus Trent]

go for it headshot! would love to see some shots of tat..
try taking it in orchard mrt and etc..crowded places..ppl will be looking up at ur camera.

fresh!

yea! upz for you!

and DON'T drop!!!

 

[Headshotzx]

Yeah. I can't remember where I read it, but it was about a pro taking some shots with a G9 mounted on a kite or something.

That video was featured on strobist.com-- they were pre-wedding portrait photographers at the beach.

Street shooting with it? Must be mad haha, but it'll definitely get you good eye contact with a wide angle.

 

[CS TAN]

Ah. Havta look at a few nice monopods then. What's a good recommendation mainly for these shots? I'm thinking a Manfrotto 681B +/- tilt head (dangerous or not?) and the Phottix/Yongnuo Radio Trigger (with autofocus and all that). 160cm + 165cm (my height =X) = 3m give or take for all the tilting and stuff.

Perhaps a Gitzo GM3550 5-section monopod?

 

[geeteethree]

Would 5 sections be stable enough?
I think best way of deciding would be to actually test one out.
Go to Cathay, and just play around with some of the monopods, tripods there.
No need to buy, but will just let yo have a feel of what your looking at