Short(er) Guy: How to shoot better at eye level at DVinfo.net

Rick Betancourt · November 11th, 2005, 09:00 AM

I'm about 5'5" and when I shoot people who are taller than me standing with the XL2 shoulder mounted, I have a bit of trouble "looking up" at them. The footage can just look slightly wierd. I'd rather have the lens at more of an "eye level" position.
Any equipment or technique recommendations?
Thanks!

K. Forman · November 11th, 2005, 09:26 AM

I'm not as short as you, at 6'1", but have had some issues in the past shooting over crowds. I know it isn't the same, but... what I do, is I take the top box off of my rolling camera box, and stand on it. It boosts me that extra foot when I need it. Try that with a soft bag!

Richard Alvarez · November 11th, 2005, 02:41 PM

Rick,

I have the opposite problem, at six four, I have to crouch and slump to bring the lens down to 'eye level' for interviews and such. Best case scenario of course, use a tripod. But for run and gun, you're going to have to come up with a shoulder pad that sits on your shoulder and you rest the camera on that.

Or compromise with a 'monopod' that will set the camera at the right height, but allow you to pick it up and move in a hurry.

Justine Haupt · November 12th, 2005, 02:17 PM

I've had similar problems with being too short, but I would suppose that this is an issue with everyone when the subject is taller than the camera-person. If you get too close, you can get the taller person's head in frame but only the top of anyone elses heads are vissible.

If it's really important that I get this person in frame, I'll twist the viewfinder down and hold the camera just high enough above my head to get it right. This would obviously be tough on the arms for any length of time... but for those relatively short (no pun intended) instances when I'm close enough to the person for this to be an issue, it works. For more lengthy shots, it might just be a good idea to move back so you can get everyone in frame from our [shorter] vantage.

I like the shoulder cusion idea.

Rick Betancourt · November 13th, 2005, 11:50 PM

Hey, thanks for the great ideas. I think that based on the situation, I can use one or more of the ideas!

November 11th, 2005, 09:00 AM	#1
Rick Betancourt New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8	Short(er) Guy: How to shoot better at eye level I'm about 5'5" and when I shoot people who are taller than me standing with the XL2 shoulder mounted, I have a bit of trouble "looking up" at them. The footage can just look slightly wierd. I'd rather have the lens at more of an "eye level" position. Any equipment or technique recommendations? Thanks!

November 11th, 2005, 09:26 AM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	I'm not as short as you, at 6'1", but have had some issues in the past shooting over crowds. I know it isn't the same, but... what I do, is I take the top box off of my rolling camera box, and stand on it. It boosts me that extra foot when I need it. Try that with a soft bag! __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

November 12th, 2005, 02:17 PM	#4
Justine Haupt Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 208	I've had similar problems with being too short, but I would suppose that this is an issue with everyone when the subject is taller than the camera-person. If you get too close, you can get the taller person's head in frame but only the top of anyone elses heads are vissible. If it's really important that I get this person in frame, I'll twist the viewfinder down and hold the camera just high enough above my head to get it right. This would obviously be tough on the arms for any length of time... but for those relatively short (no pun intended) instances when I'm close enough to the person for this to be an issue, it works. For more lengthy shots, it might just be a good idea to move back so you can get everyone in frame from our [shorter] vantage. I like the shoulder cusion idea. __________________ ~Justine "We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams" -Arthur O'Shaunessey (as quoted by Willy Wonka)

November 11th, 2005, 02:41 PM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Rick, I have the opposite problem, at six four, I have to crouch and slump to bring the lens down to 'eye level' for interviews and such. Best case scenario of course, use a tripod. But for run and gun, you're going to have to come up with a shoulder pad that sits on your shoulder and you rest the camera on that. Or compromise with a 'monopod' that will set the camera at the right height, but allow you to pick it up and move in a hurry.

November 13th, 2005, 11:50 PM	#5
Rick Betancourt New Boot Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8	Hey, thanks for the great ideas. I think that based on the situation, I can use one or more of the ideas!