Overhead still lifes

[Curtis Nelson]

I've enjoyed reading the still life thread, and now I want to try my hand at an overhead still life shot. What technique works best for pointing a 4x5 camera straight down? My tripod won't accomodate shooting in that positions (at least, not that I know of). Any help would be appreciated!

[BrianShaw]

Lay the tripod on a table with The camera hanging over and weights on the legs.

[adrianlambert]

I use a Manfrotto repro arm with a counter weight plus a magic arm with superclamps to make it super secure. I have a sinar p mounted with a 240mm lens so the camera is pretty big when extended for close up work.


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[Pieter]

I use a Manfrotto arm with a counter weight, too. I also like to keep the subject surface low to the ground and tilted about 10º so I am not working off a ladder to compose--maybe just a step stool or apple box. It can also make lighting a little easier.
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[Daniel Unkefer]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50218932288_231d780e0f_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jvF9Y9)Norma #4 Copy Stand Finally Together (https://flic.kr/p/2jvF9Y9) by Nokton48 (https://www.flickr.com/photos/18134483@N04/), on Flickr

With Sinar Norma Clamp you can attach the 4x5 Norma to anything I used marine grade plywood.

[Tin Can]

Old Arkay studio stand works great

https://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?131041-Modern-Studio-Camera-Stand&p=1330277&viewfull=1#post1330277

[Pieter]

Yes, a pedestal stand (Arkay, Manfrottto, Foba) is ideal but start at over a grand. And most are over 6' tall. A bit pricey to try something out.

[Tin Can]

I bought 2 used for $200.

Few use or want one and they are easy to shorten

They don’t wear out...

[Pieter]

I bought 2 used for $200.

Few use or want one and they are easy to shorten

They don’t wear out...
Lucky you. I have never seen one that cheap and I've had my eye out for one for a while...it has to be local, no one would ship something that big. I missed out on one this spring because I didn't have a truck I could borrow.

[Drew Bedo]

I have done a few overhead table-top set ups. I went to e-bay and found a Spiratone right angle attacvhment, "Circo-Mirrotaqvh" I think it is called.

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

I have done a few overhead table-top set ups. I went to e-bay and found a Spiratone right angle attacvhment, "Circo-Mirrotaqvh" I think it is called.

Drew, I'm interested in this attachment for a different use - in-camera paper positives. Does the attachment reduce overall image quality?

[Drew Bedo]

Drew, I'm interested in this attachment for a different use - in-camera paper positives. Does the attachment reduce overall image quality?

BTW: the correct spelling is "Circo-Miro-tach" I think. These things were designed for use in 35mm photography and advertised showing "sneaky" sideways shooting at the beach.

I don't think it degrades the image. It seems to be a front-surface mirror. I used step-up or step-down rings to adapt it to my lenses. My 210mm seemed to work bst. I haven't looked on e-Bay lately, but my recollection is that it was not expensive.

It is a little fiddley to use, as every time you adjust focus, the framing will change. Front movements are problematic as well.

There are other right angle mirror attachments out there, so look around and see what you like.

[Raghu Kuvempunagar]

BTW: the correct spelling is "Circo-Miro-tach" I think. These things were designed for use in 35mm photography and advertised showing "sneaky" sideways shooting at the beach.

I don't think it degrades the image. It seems to be a front-surface mirror. I used step-up or step-down rings to adapt it to my lenses. My 210mm seemed to work bst. I haven't looked on e-Bay lately, but my recollection is that it was not expensive.

It is a little fiddley to use, as every time you adjust focus, the framing will change. Front movements are problematic as well.

There are other right angle mirror attachments out there, so look around and see what you like.

Thanks Drew. I think I'll give it a try.

[Tin Can]

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50505757012_0cef0d9910_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jX2cY1)Front (https://flic.kr/p/2jX2cY1) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50504884178_f6521aae0c_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jWWJv9)Back (https://flic.kr/p/2jWWJv9) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50504883763_4983eb43f1_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jWWJnZ)Mirror (https://flic.kr/p/2jWWJnZ) by TIN CAN COLLEGE (https://www.flickr.com/photos/tincancollege/), on Flickr