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.

[@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!

[@ifoundgrace4548]

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

[@DesignHustle]

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

[@matiasgoinheix366]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@julianna7280]

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

[@okikman1005]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart ❤

[@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.

[@chrisbrown8122]

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

[@chriss2295]

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

[@RicoMa01]

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

[@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!

[@ArchitecturalAesthetics2046]

super smart setup. Thanks for introducing the friction arm.

[@30by40]

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

[@THECOACHMCSTUDIO]

TRULY INFORMATIVE AND BEAUTIFULLY SHOT, THANKS FOR THAT!!

[@ChadBarnier]

Feeling inspired every time I drop by your channel!

[@osiris0408]

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

[@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.

[@FergbyFive]

That was amazing advice. Thank you for sharing!

[@kaing4992]

This is the most useful tips I had found on TH-cam so far! Thanks

[@imadasmone8915]

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

[@30by40]

cheers mate...

[@sarahmac27]

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

[@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..

[@Copernicus222]

Really appreciate this, Eric!

[@ArtofTamD]

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

[@sandihester]

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

[@JosephKim]

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

[@BlackHat302Gaming]

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

[@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

[@raulopezarch]

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

[@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

[@untoldofficialyoutube8563]

That was excellent sir !!!! Outstanding

[@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!

[@anastasia_um]

Thank you so much for what you are doing.

[@TyTheDreamer7]

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

[@TeshuvahBibleStudies]

Awesome... thank you

[@xomgitsjay]

Thanks for showing the friction arm trick

[@youbookmindimpact]

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

[@capsule7026]

Thank you for this great well presented content .

[@silentj624]

This is perfect. Thank you so much!

[@thebellamayra]

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

[@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.

[@JoeChanTV]

Beautiful

[@jxpat]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@m.fred.7218]

Fantastic ideas

[@Kazzbuzz]

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

[@ivondavid]

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

[@gaynor1721]

The best informative video. Thanks for sharing.

[@barrystott-brookes5883]

Eric, What can I say, but thank you ever so much.

[@30by40]

Inspired by you my friend...sorry it was a week late...I was tending to some client work in the studio...
Now, I can't wait to see what you come up with using these techniques! Give a shout if you need any help along the way...

[@barrystott-brookes5883]

I totally understand and I honestly thought it would be a couple of months down the line. Once I go live I'll drop you a line. I also see you did a follow up with Enoch Sears which I need to listen to as well! Keep making things and speak soon.

[@playfuldraftsman7222]

Brillant tips, thanks for sharing!

[@snagopch5878]

Thanks for the lesson.

[@ezpainting4697]

Thank you for this.🙏👍

[@irmarivas7603]

Very well made video! Thank you!

[@ProfSDBagg]

Loved your setup. I am going for it👍🏻

[@WhiskySoundsGood]

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

[@maxx641]

Excellent video!

[@kartavyadhir8537]

you are an inspiration

[@betsy773]

Super cool. Thanks!!!!

[@drawingolives8114]

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

[@demkatende606]

Thank you so much

[@ericcollins1521]

This video was extremely helpful. Thanks buddy!

[@AVdigitalPRODUCTIONZ]

Great advice, just what I was looking for.

[@theurbanartist775]

Man that’s creative. Thanks for the advice👍

[@LAMODÉLISTE]

Thank you for this one! I do pattern making tutorials and it bothers me a lot on how to get the right positioning for my tripod and camera and this set up is all I NEED! BIG THANK YOU!!!!!

[@30by40]

Nice...glad it was helpful! I'm using a C-stand now too...that's even better (but a little more $)

[@LAMODÉLISTE]

@@30by40 oh yes it is! But you gotta spend money for the right angles I guess! Thank you again! 🙏🏼

[@bill444ful]

Appreciated your tutorial

[@eatermckinnon4644]

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

[@arthurkoopmanswatercolors]

This is the video I needed. Thank you.

Great tips and examples here!

[@everardopastor]

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

[@YusufOnder]

Love this, thanks for sharing 🙏

[@30by40]

cheers mate...thanks...

[@call050]

Great technique.. appreciated 👌

[@JustDavidMinistries]

Glad I found this amazing channel

[@TrickiKnow]

Very useful video , thanks for making 😊

[@cabinfevercraftingbyclaudi8108]

Thanks for explaining what happens when you rotate 180 degrees and the camera head is tilted while recording. I needed to understand that.

[@jsr8884]

Very very nice!

[@FZMStudio]

Exceptional video! Great help

[@BloomWithYoo]

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

[@beinganimaltattoos5657]

you know...... You Are Awesome.

[@loos3eleaf]

Thank you!

[@thenerdcomicbookco.est.1966]

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

[@eronwhitefield109]

Very informative. Thank you!

[@aladdin520]

Super cool video. Appreciate the tips! 👍🏻

[@naolaygo6962]

Thanks indeed!

[@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.

[@theodellava]

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

[@RUSTONEJFK]

Really good man thank you

[@Fawaii]

Very helpful video, Thanks!

[@dr.sherrys8092]

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

[@BellaBranchDIY]

Awesome video! Super helpful!

[@Rascoh]

Hi Eric - A few months ago, I had commented on one of your other videos asking if you had intentions to share your film making process. Well, you delivered in this video! Absolutely fantastic job! Thank you for continuing to inspire me in the various creative endeavors that you pursue. \m/

[@30by40]

hey Jon...glad you enjoyed it...hoping to be able to pull back the curtain more in future vids...I'm still learning myself...!
\m/

[@keithr.4645]

Thank you this was very helpful!

[@artplussk_222]

Really nice idea

[@quackquack1590]

thanks so much!!

[@akkasbashy]

Thank you.

[@oscarjimenez1157]

Arquitecto¡ mis más sinceras felicitaciones por mostrarnos los trucos de cámara que no vemos a simple vista ... saludos de El Salvador

[@30by40]

cheers my friend...!

[@LetsPaintTogether]

You made my life easy

[@TheUnknownOrigin]

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

[@MrChikamogbo]

Thank You for the content.

[@lasa6991]

Thanks for explaining