Does anyone use a spinning platform for a ring macro shot?

[James Palanza]

I can't tell if this would be cool or cheesy and make it look like a infomercial. I found a decent spinning platform on amazon for like 150 bucks, I immediately thought of a macro ring shot with them spinning around but then I immediately questioned if it would look like a commercial for selling the rings. Anyone do anything like this?

[Arthur Gannis]

Save your 150 bucks. 1- It would look cheesy, 2- If it takes up more than 8 second to do the 360, then it will become boring, 3- Keeping the ring in tack sharp focus may be difficult during the turn, 4- Why do it in the first place ?
Ever try zooming in the ring untill it goes out of focus ? Great to use a dissolve after that.
My 2 cents.

[Daniel Latimer]

It has the potential to look good in a highlight style video or same day edit; it doesn't have to look cheesy. I don't think it would be hard to stay in focus, just put the ring right in the middle so it spins, but doesn't move.

I agree with Arthur that it can't last too long, but you wouldn't have to use the entire 360 spin.

You could even use it as a background during the title screen.

[Joel Peregrine]

Originally Posted by James Palanza

I can't tell if this would be cool or cheesy and make it look like a infomercial. I found a decent spinning platform on amazon for like 150 bucks, I immediately thought of a macro ring shot with them spinning around but then I immediately questioned if it would look like a commercial for selling the rings. Anyone do anything like this?

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/wedding-...ml#post1626634

[James Palanza]

Yeah, I read that thread, was looking for some opinions of people who may be doing this already and how it looks.

[Adrian Tan]

Well, it does look good.

Tips:
-- if you can find a cheap lazy susan for $10 or $20, that's good enough
-- place in centre, so focus doesn't change (little bit fiddly; the cheap susans aren't always balanced that well)
-- place some sort of covering with interesting texture over the lazy susan
-- use slider at same time as circular movement for more interesting movement (in fact, there's a Still Motion video tutorial for this, where they use an inverted slider to get the camera closer to table height)
-- alternatively, use some sort of tabletop skater dolly or cineskates or similar to get circular movement around the rings at the same time as the rings are moving.
-- can also put shoes on it and other accessories.

More interesting than a pan/tilt.

On the other hand, like any gimic -- gets old fast. Do you really want it in highlight after highlight?

[Rickey Brillantes]

Im using this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For $22 bucks it does the job, it's very plasticky and is very fragile, if you drop it say goodbye.
It has a clockwise/counterclockwise rotation, and as stated it is using a size D battery which is not the case.

[Arthur Gannis]

Do some really have the time, patience and the place in your gear bag for the spinning platform to to do this shot during the actual wedding day ? Don't we have already too much stuff to schlep around as it is? I dunno, my wedding days are hectic and have to haggle with the photographer for precious seconds without being in the way of each other. It's usually mayhem in this New York area.

[Peter Rush]

Here's what I do - get the bride to bring the rings to the rehearsal (then you don't have to do it on the day) - get a bible and rest the rings in the crease (blu-tack works well) - then pop a light on a slider and run it across - the shadows make nice little heart shapes - I then get to show the bride the first shot of her wedding video!

Password: rings

Private Video on Vimeo

[Adrian Tan]

Originally Posted by Rickey Brillantes

Im using this: Amazon.com: Black Velvet Top Motorized Rotating Display Turntable Ideal for Jewelry Hobby Collectible Product: Toys & Games

For $22 bucks it does the job, it's very plasticky and is very fragile, if you drop it say goodbye.
It has a clockwise/counterclockwise rotation, and as stated it is using a size D battery which is not the case.

Hey Rickey, two thoughts to add about this sort of device: you often can't control the speed as easily as with a non-electric lazy Susan; you usually can't easily control the stop.

Arthur, as to whether people want to schlep this stuff around... I usually pick my gear in a big Lowepro backpack, and the Susan fits on top of compartments in the main pocket. But, for the last 6 months, it's stayed at home next to the mannequin. Main reason is not the schlep factor, though both are annoying, but the feeling that it's now an overdone gimmick for me, after I've used it so many times.

[Rickey Brillantes]

Hi Adrian, your are right no control on the spinner, what I do is control it in post by using slowmo.

[Asvaldur Kristjansson]

Hi there

You all have a spinning platform, your second tripod! Just make að circular plate on it and use the pan motion to create the rotation