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60 VIDEOMAKER >>> MARCH 2019
1. The Basics
Let’s start with the basics. A tripod
allows you to do three basics move-
ments: tilt, pan and pedestal.
- Tilt : Move your camera lens up and
down while keeping its horizontal
rotation constant.
Without a doubt, a tripod is the single
most important purchase you can
make as a video producer. This three-
legged friend can be used in many
different ways, allowing you to create
epic shots with simple equipment.
In this article, we will show you 10
tripod tricks that you can try out in
your own video productions to get
more interesting shots. To make things
interesting, I’m going to show most
of these tricks using an ancient tripod
that my grandfather gave me. I believe
it is at least 50 years old! With that be-
ing said, let’s begin.Inventive ways to use a tripod
The humble tripod is standard
equipment for any video pro-
ducer, but its usefulness can go
far beyond the basics of pan, tilt
and pedestal.
by Luis Oscar Maymi- Pan : Move the camera lens from one
side to the other without changing its
vertical rotation. - Pedestal : Move your camera up and
down without changing its horizontal
or vertical rotation.
Aside from the static shot, these
three camera moves constitute the
most common uses for the standard
tripod. Once you’ve mastered these,
it’s time to get a little more creative.
2. The Dolly Slide
Retract one of the legs and use the
remaining two legs as pivot points to
move your camera back and forth.
Remember to tilt your camera accord-
ingly as you move forward and back.
3. The Rubber-band Pan
Place a rubber band on the handle
of your tripod and start pulling. This
technique can help smooth out your
jumpy panning shots.
4. The Upside-down Tracking Shot
Turn your tripod upside down and carry
it for low angle shot. Then fl ip the video
180 degrees in post-production so that
your scene is no longer upside down.
NOTE: We do not recommend doing
this tripod trick with large or heavy
cameras. To test out this shot, I used a
TiltPanPedestalRubber-band Pan382 C14 Hacks.indd 60 1/21/19 10:24 AMHACKS
VIDEOMAKER >>> MARCH 2019 61
Inventive ways to use a tripod
HACKS
Sony AX2000, which weighs roughly six pounds
with battery. I wouldn’t do this trick in the fi eld
with that camera — way too risky. This tripod
trick is mostly for DSLRs, mirrorless cameras or
action cams.5. The Improvised Monopod
This one is very simple: Raise two legs and
extend the other one to make a monopod. This
is great when you need a steady shot but don’t
plan to be in the same location for very long.
6. The Top-down Shot
Secure your tripod at the top of a ladder and
use some rope and sandbags to secure it. Point
the camera down for a unique perspective.
7. The Improvised Crane
First, extend one of the legs to its maximum
length and retract the remaining two legs.
Proceed by getting a towel and put it below
your shirt roughly around your belly button.
The towel will help you have a more stable
shot and will provide some extra comfort.
With pillow in place, position the extended
leg of your tripod at around your belly but-
ton, resting on the towel. Once in position,
grab the other two legs and lift. You will need
to position your camera according to the shot
you want, but once you do that you will be able
to create some awesome shots. You can “pan”
your body left to right or you can try walkingTop-down ShotRubber-band PanPickup Truck DollyEXPERIMENT WITH THIS ONE,
BUT BE CAREFUL NOT TO DAM-
AGE YOUR CAMERA BY HITTING
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