Ever tried to get a bird's eye view of that build, meal, or whatever it is you're shooting, but struggled to get the angle quite right? Or maybe you get the shot, but can't quite keep it stable enough? Even with an extended monopod attachment, holding a camera at that angle can put too much stress on your arms—we all know the feeling.
Well, Linn from the DIY YouTube channel Darbin Orvar has this brilliant how-to video about building your own overhead camera rig out of plain old 3 x 5 piece of 3/4 inch plywood.
Normally, a setup like this could set you back a fair amount of cash (as do most things related to photography—it's an expensive hobby). But if you've got some free time, you can build this budget project.
The Frame
Here are the pieces you'll use for this step:
First, you'll need to assemble the legs, then attach the brackets, and finally the braces, connecting all the pieces together with the remaining cuts of plywood.
The Rig
The materials for this step:
You'll need to create and attach a moveable track to the frame in order to adjust your camera. The video does a great job detailing the entire process, from chiseling to carving out the knobs to applying the epoxy.
The Paper Roll Holders
Here's where the copper piping comes into play:
Paper roll holders aren't entirely necessary, but they're good to have, whether you want a seamless background or just need paper to draw on.
Now that you have all 3 parts, assembling the rig is quite easy. This weekend, make a trip to the hardware store, pick up some plywood, roll up your sleeves, and get to work. You'll be making time-lapse DIY videos in no time.
Source: PetaPixel
