Overhead Camera Setup for Drawing

A behind-the-scenes look at two simple camera setups I use to film overhead drawing, model making, and architectural sketching. I use both to document my design process in the studio and the components for one of the two rigs shown can be purchased for less than $40.
For the first setup I’ve used a tripod with a center column that extends horizontally to capture the sketching surface. It’s important to keep the camera’s sensor parallel to the work surface so you’ll be able to flip it in post for that over-the-shoulder perspective. I use a DSLR (both the Canon 70D + Canon 6DMKII) for these as the zoom lens allows me to easily frame and recompose the field of view but it isn’t necessary. My first videos actually used a smartphone attached with a rubber band to an inexpensive tripod.
The less expensive DIY setup uses a smartphone attached to a friction arm. This can be used stand-alone with the included C-clamp and mounted to any surface that will receive the clamp, or it can be permanently affixed to various locations by installing threaded brass inserts to receive the male end of the friction arm. In the video you’ll see the overhead locations where I’ve mounted them in my studio. If you don’t have any accessible mounting points, I also show you how to use a small boom arm as a mounting point. Although it can be a little bouncy if you bump it, it’s perfectly workable.
I also discuss: lighting (artificial and daylight), backgrounds and offer you the tips I’ve used to film many overhead, tasty-style videos in my architecture studio.
Learn more (+gear pics): thirtybyforty.com/blog/how-i-r...
*Links to gear in the video (affiliate)*
thirtybyforty.com/friction-arm/
thirtybyforty.com/manfrotto-055/
thirtybyforty.com/cutting-mat/
thirtybyforty.com/boom-stand/
thirtybyforty.com/phone-mount/
thirtybyforty.com/video-head/
// GEAR I USE //
DRONE:
*Mavic Pro by DJI: amzn.to/2hW3dTA
DSLR CAMERA:
* Canon 6DMKII thirtybyforty.com/6dmkii
* Canon 80D: amzn.to/2fBWGMQ
LENSES:
* Canon 24mm f2.8 Lens: amzn.to/29l7ac5
* Canon 40mm f2.8 Lens: amzn.to/29x2QcI
* Canon 10 - 18mm f4.5 - 5.6 IS Lens: amzn.to/2vyErvS
* Canon 24-70mm f2.8L Lens: amzn.to/2DMt0Y5
MUSIC I USE:
* thirtybyforty.com/music
AUDIO:
* Rode VideoMic Pro (hotshoe mtd.): amzn.to/29qlNM3
* ATR-2100 USB (dynamic mic): amzn.to/2dFDaKp
ARCHITECTURE GEAR:
* Copic Markers: thirtybyforty.com/copic-sketch
* Prismacolor Markers: thirtybyforty.com/markers
* Timelapse Camera: thirtybyforty.com/brinno
* AutoCAD LT: amzn.to/2dxjMDH
* SketchUp PRO: amzn.to/2cRcojz
* HP T120 Plotter: amzn.to/2dBGf1O
* Adobe CC Photography (Photoshop/Lightroom) Plan: amzn.to/2dhq5ap
CAD DRAWING TEMPLATE:
* Download here: thirtybyforty.com/autocad-temp...
STARTUP TOOLKIT:
* Architect + Entrepreneur Startup Toolkit: thirtybyforty.com/SPL
~-~~-~~~-~~-~
Please watch: "Making a Site Model - The Outpost Project"
• Making a Site Model - ...
~-~~-~~~-~~-~

[@tombuck]

Oh my gosh...I’ve been using these tripods for years and I never thought of putting the front two legs ON the table! Brilliant! 🤯

[@ChampdeFleursWellness]

Me neither!!!

[@aponchowdhury4325]

What the name of this tripod?

[@jaimatamandir]

@@aponchowdhury4325 manfrotto 055 tripod

[@musicalidy6026]

I have regular and never once occurred to me doing this would actually have gotten the camera way more in an over head position than just on the ground and angled down.

[@meson183]

I'm using a very small room with no space for the types of stands these overhead videos often suggest. But, I have a _Manfroto 055._ I just got it out and had a quick play with it. My desk is up against a wall in front of a window, but I can put the back leg on the window sill, the front legs on the desk, and I only need to find a way to tether or counterbalance it so it doesn't tip forward once the camera rig is mounted on it. Some great tips in this video. Super inspiring.

[@DesignHustle]

Love how much open you are with sharing everything that makes your videos great! More power to you.

[@keshnadonia]

I think this is the best video I’ve come across to record top down. I appreciate the details of lighting tips mentioned!!!!! And alternate ways to create this setup!!!!! Thank you!

[@matiasgoinheix366]

Love your channel, and that studio is gorgeous. Even the landscape we can see outside the windows.

[@abhijeetmandal3822]

Wooow!!! the tripod legs setup this way with some counterweight really saved my day, i applied the same principle with my gimbal and it worked fine. Thanks for sharing your setup.

[@DominicChrisitianMom]

Thank you!! Finally recording drawings and calligraphy. Setting up was the hard part before I found this video. I will have to get that light source as well. I have been eye balling it for months now. Lol. Thanks for the detailed video.

[@julianna7280]

This was so helpful as informative, thank you!
I especially loved how you have options for either side of the budget spectrum.

[@RicoMa01]

Thanks for the tip! Really find this useful and hopefully could apply it to my speedpaint videos!

[@THECOACHMCSTUDIO]

TRULY INFORMATIVE AND BEAUTIFULLY SHOT, THANKS FOR THAT!!

[@ArchitecturalAesthetics2046]

super smart setup. Thanks for introducing the friction arm.

[@30by40]

absolutely...you probably need one...or four...

[@jxpat]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@JosephKim]

Really enjoyed watching this video. Thanks Eric for great inspiration.

[@ChadBarnier]

Feeling inspired every time I drop by your channel!

[@chrisbrown8122]

This type of job had such a lot of efforts to work but you keep Inspiring me Eric.
Thanks mate.!!

[@OwnARozario]

Great video. I love the Manfrotto tripod. I learned to record me creating art on ceramic plate. And I loved your white ink pen! Thanks a ton for sharing

[@osiris0408]

thanks for the work reinholdt! Keep it up - you have absolutely inspired me to go my own path. Thank you!

[@TinyMaths]

Thank you very much. I was getting a bit frustrated at trying to come up with a way to film my videos; this has given me some ideas how I can make a much better set up to make videos that will probably be more aesthetically pleasing.

[@sandihester]

VERY helpful! I always want to hit my head on the wall when shooting overhead stuff!!!!

[@youbookmindimpact]

good idea for the shoot... thank you for share it.
and what you draw is amazing....

[@TrickiKnow]

Very useful video , thanks for making 😊

[@FergbyFive]

That was amazing advice. Thank you for sharing!

[@WhiskySoundsGood]

Fantastic video, super helpful, very well done!!! Thanks!

[@ProfSDBagg]

Loved your setup. I am going for it👍🏻

[@raulopezarch]

Wow! I loved this video, thank you for sharing your knowlegde!

[@ifoundgrace4548]

Hi Eric , we have a saying in my country "The art of managing with what u got is an act of creativity"
Thanks

[@untoldofficialyoutube8563]

That was excellent sir !!!! Outstanding

[@ArtofTamD]

Great video! I just picked up several items on Amazon thanks to your wonderful instruction!

[@sarahmac27]

Thanks so much! Your gear is exactly what I’ve been looking for! Great tips, much appreciated.

[@chriss2295]

This video speaks to me. Concise and to the point. Thank you!

[@thebellamayra]

Thank you so much this video has helped me so much in beginning videos. Have a great day

[@capsule7026]

Thank you for this great well presented content .

[@thenerdcomicbookco.est.1966]

Very nice and simple video with great tips thank you for sharing your ideas

[@theodellava]

Thanks for the tips. I will try this. 😍😍😍

[@Kazzbuzz]

Awesome...such a lifesaver....thanks for the hacks

[@xomgitsjay]

Thanks for showing the friction arm trick

[@fooddiariesbypooja3706]

Great info ...very informative .thanku for sharing this video

[@kaing4992]

This is the most useful tips I had found on CZcams so far! Thanks

[@maxx641]

Excellent video!

[@CreativeThinking52]

Thank you for sharing these awesome tips. Fully view video. Have a great day. Happy holidays! 🤶🎅 🎄

[@aladdin520]

Super cool video. Appreciate the tips! 👍🏻

[@BlackHat302Gaming]

I am looking at doing model making and mechanical drafting, and got a lot of ideas from this, thank you.

[@eatermckinnon4644]

Well thought out video. Just what i was looking for, for a phone setup!!

[@imadasmone8915]

Amazing... a different perspective on the usual perspective 😊

[@30by40]

cheers mate...

[@ivondavid]

thank you Mr. 30x40 Design Workshop for that Great Information and also for including the links where to buy the equipment!

[@Garmentcreations]

Very helpful video. Thanks for sharing

[@everardopastor]

Super dope vid, so glad I found it. Thanks for sharing! 😎👌🏼 ✨

[@theurbanartist775]

Man that’s creative. Thanks for the advice👍

[@irmarivas7603]

Very well made video! Thank you!

[@call050]

Great technique.. appreciated 👌

[@artplussk_222]

Really nice idea

[@playfuldraftsman7222]

Brillant tips, thanks for sharing!

[@ericcollins1521]

This video was extremely helpful. Thanks buddy!

[@eronwhitefield109]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@laurensakuma4160]

Thank you so much for this! Glad I stumbled upon this YT video of yours! I will just make and use whatever I have at home for the meantime.

[@TyTheDreamer7]

This was a great video. Gave me all of the information I needed and more! Thank you.

[@Copernicus222]

Really appreciate this, Eric!

[@gaynor1721]

The best informative video. Thanks for sharing.

[@BloomWithYoo]

Thank so much for this useful tips! Keep up the good work

[@rheakurokawa]

This is exactly i wanted to know. I'm an architect so i totally like this kind of instruction haha. Also an aspiring illustrator wantng to record my process . Thank you

[@FZMStudio]

Exceptional video! Great help

Great tips and examples here!

[@dr.sherrys8092]

A great practical advice! Thank you a lot for this....

[@okikman1005]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤

[@BellaBranchDIY]

Awesome video! Super helpful!

[@AVdigitalPRODUCTIONZ]

Great advice, just what I was looking for.

[@betsy773]

Super cool. Thanks!!!!

[@kaiserm-a-x-x5937]

Your brilliant thanks very much for your information for your overhead shots

[@babysafarichannel1738]

I also use a similar setup for my videos but I had problems with the camera shake due to the movement of the table, at the end after several tests I preferred to make a special bar supported by two stands for side lights on which I mounted a head for my reflex and I found the optimal situation. Sometimes DIY is the only solution.

[@bill444ful]

Appreciated your tutorial

[@oO5Dynasty]

you just helped me out a ton. Im a start recording my music production with these tips. Ty again i just subbed and turned on notifications. I wanna learn how to draw also and you seem like the person to watch.

[@anastasia_um]

Thank you so much for what you are doing.

[@Fawaii]

Very helpful video, Thanks!

[@JoeChanTV]

Beautiful

[@drawingolives8114]

FInally, a practical toturial that you can do with things i already have. Congrats. Excelent video =)

[@anshfattah]

I have a regular camera tripod as I wanted to shoot flat surface I thought I have to buy extra tripod for this.. This video just saved my pocket.. Huge thanks..

[@m.fred.7218]

Fantastic ideas

[@DrnDraw]

i really learned from your video .. thanks for all the information 👍🏻🌟🎬🙏🏻

[@snagopch5878]

Thanks for the lesson.

[@silentj624]

This is perfect. Thank you so much!

[@kade1969]

I like your video very much, so inspiring!!

[@RUSTONEJFK]

Really good man thank you

[@MartinLachmairPhotoVideo]

Very nice and usefull review!

[@JtrickzArtworks]

Thankyou so much for thw tips 😊😊

[@gilbertimanuel]

Great tutorial man. Keep it up. 😄👍

[@JustDavidMinistries]

Glad I found this amazing channel

[@syedaamtulzehra1142]

Thanks very much useful information

[@meeras4462]

Really helpful...Thanks a lot 💖

[@jsr8884]

Very very nice!

[@DESIGNPEPO]

You are a very good man, may be you do not realize how inspiring you are for us (hispanics), we can see these great videos and ideas from South America all the way to the North. Gracias de verdad!!

[@30by40]

really appreciate that my friend...sometimes making videos feels as if I'm speaking into an big empty vacuum...
good to know they're helping you!

[@RedRockingBird]

Excellent content here, thank you, very useful

[@SergeLetunovskiy]

Very useful video! Thanks a bunch! Solved my problem! 😉😊👍🏻

[@dwintster]

Thanks allot for the great info.

[@BHANGUVIDEOSUK]

Great video. Liked and subscribed.

[@TheUnknownOrigin]

This is a great video....thank you!!

[@keithr.4645]

Thank you this was very helpful!

[@desmondhall4401]

Great info......apparatus is useful for my practice as an artist! You are amazing....thanks for the share!😀

[@30by40]

cheers my friend...glad to help...

[@arthurkoopmanswatercolors]

This is the video I needed. Thank you.

[@Utanonomba]

Thanks really helpful that work also for keyboard player or beatmaker like me MANY Thanks for all the tips

[@ezpainting4697]

Thank you for this.🙏👍

[@JodyBruchon]

I got a camera jib and realized that it was perfect for this. Plopped a pan-tilt head on the end to make it point straight down and voila!