Do you use a monopod? It’ definitely a useful tool for photographers and filmmakers, and it comes in handy when we can’t use a tripod. Jordy Vandeput from Cinecom gives you a few tips how to make the use of monopod creative in the videos. In his brief tutorial, you will see five ideas to maximize the use of your monopod and make it useful in different kinds of situations.
1- Create tracking shots
You can simply push your monopod gently forward or backward to create a tracking shot. If you swing the base plate sideways, you can also use the monopod as the slider. You can also try the focus pull while you’re coming out behind an object and revealing the background.
2- Transform a monopod into a steadycam
You can even use a monopod to get stabilized shots while walking. Of course, it doesn’t work as well as a steadycam, but I was quite surprised with the result of this technique.
First, pinch your monopod on the top with two fingers. Then, turn it horizontally and balance it. Adjust the length until it’s only a tiny bit heavier on the extension side. Lastly, bring it back in vertical position and adjust the camera so it doesn’t lean forwards or backward. Now you can track the subject and get rather steady shots.
3- “Vlogger style”
This kinda turns the monopod into a selfie stick, and it can come in handy for vloggers. Make the monopod shorter and turn the video arm to the inside. Put the monopod onto your hip, and let it hang while you’re holding the video arm. From this position, you can quickly lift it and turn it with another hand, or bring it back to film yourself again.
4- Take stable videos in a car
There’s no room in a car to set a tripod, so if you need to take some driving shots – monopod comes to the rescue. If you’re filming from the back seat, you can use a head support of the passenger’s seat and lean your camera onto it to make it fixed and as stable as possible.
Like in the tip 1, you can also move the camera forwards or backward to add movement to your shots, either while driving or while the car is still. Sure, not in all conditions will the shots be perfectly stable (bumpy roads, for example), but I think these tips could come in handy in many other circumstances.
5- Low-angle shots of a vehicle
Now, this one’s a bit tricky, and I’m not sure I’d dare to do it, but it can give cool results. If you decide to try it, please be very careful not to damage your camera and lens.
The trick is to extend the monopod and hold it outside the car window. This way you can get low-angle shots of the car or the road, and you can also try it on a skateboard or bicycle.
For extra caution, you can attach a piece of cylinder-shaped paper on the top of the camera. This way, when the paper starts touching the ground, you still have the time to lift the camera up before it gets scratched or damaged.
I found these tricks fun and inspiring, especially the one where the monopod acts like a steadycam. Although, I’m not sure about the last one. I believe it could give some great results, but I’m not sure I would dare to do it. How about you? Would you consider doing the last trick? And how did you like the rest?
[MONOPOD – 5 creative camera TIPS and TRICKS | Cinecom.net]
