Favorite Camera angles for filming offroad?

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
There have been a number of threads on go-pro style action camera mounts, but I was curious, outside of suction cup mounts, what are your favorite camera angles for off road footage...on the truck or with a stand alone camera man? Obviously it depends on the obstacle, etc...but just curious.

I've seen a number of offroad videos on YOUTUBE...but I just can't get into the suction cup the action camera and watch 10 minutes of footage as you roll down a trail. I filmed some long runs at URE a few weeks back, and reviewing the footage nearly put me to sleep as you can't tell how off camber or rutted out some of the parts are.

The biggest problem I seem to have is making the footage look as cool as it felt when driving. There have been a few times where the hill is very steep, or the terrain being off camber, and the video just doesn't do it justice. Sometimes, when on a hill, the terrain doesn't look steep at all...because you may be up the hill, filming down, etc. Obviously, holding the camera more level to show the grade helps...but just curious what all of you do when filming.

Back in my skateboarding days, my buddies and I filmed a LOT...had all sorts of lenses and could always find good camera angles for shooting skateboard tricks...so I am not new to filming. Just curious if anyone has any off road specific tips for making the terrain look awesome!
 

TheFauxFox

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Huntsville, AL
In my limited video editing experience (I do it as a hobby for others who can't computer), I found its about getting a lot of shots from different video angles. While this is easier if you have a plethora of cameras, it can be done solo too if you know the trail well. Of course, as you mentioned, this also depends on the trail size/difficulty.

Think of it as a story. On quicker, sections of trail, I like to place my camera on the back quarter panel with visibility to catch the front tire and trail ahead as a minimum. The rear tire is for bonus points. This depending on how smooth the video turns out, the shot will contain suspension travel and spray from the trail, which is what is what we off-roadies like, am I right? I'd suggest using this for the majority of the video as opposed to cabin shots, which are fine, but boring past the 30sec mark.

For slower sections, and this one is heavily dependent on the trail, views of only suspension parts, articulation and vehicle angle (in relation to level) are preferred. These slow shots are more difficult to relive as this is most definitely best with multiple cameras, but if you're flying solo in the media department, I would attempt to find level ground near the trail and set the camera near tire level. You could also rig a gopro style camera to the undercarriage pointed at a single point in the suspension such as the front control arms. This method also works well for the previously mentioned shot.

Lastly, what story doesn't seem to have a little bit of filler material? The cabin shot can be, or should be depending on who you are, as filler or for the purposes of showing the trail only as they do not highlight vehicle performance on the trail much. The exception to this, or at least the one I can think of, would be for extremely difficult trails where hard landings are to occur. To reference your clutch moment, I suggest placing the camera somewhere near the mid or back part of the cabin and use passenger/internal objects' reactions to the terrain.

And people, when you film something, or heck, even take a picture, use ******* "landscape mode" to frame and take your media.

I know you said you are seasoned, but these are just some basic tips for whoever meanders this way. Peach.
 

robcarync

Sliders
Location
Raleigh, NC
...And people, when you film something, or heck, even take a picture, use ******* "landscape mode" to frame and take your media.

YEAH...Maybe it's just because I don't have a group that is really into filming or anything, but I am tired of getting ready to hit a cool obstacle and a friend saying..."Yeah...let me get a video"

...and then they either film it portrait style with their cell phone, send it to me in a text message so it is so compressed and crappy, or they aren't watching what they are filming and shakes it like CRAZY or half the truck is out of the frame. Come on...man! They act like they never heard of using the USB cable to drop box it or email it, etc.

For Example:

[video=youtube;aAcZkZK5GR4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAcZkZK5GR4&feature=youtu.be[/video]

You can tell which one I filmed, and which one I didn't :) I had to crop the 2nd clip all the way down so it was the landscape ratio, which cut out half of what is in the video.

I have a little "Gear Pro" camera (Go Pro wannabe) that I use when filming...but often just suction cup it to the windshield, since that is the most convenient way to mount it. I need to devise some creative mounts to mount it on the side or by the suspension as you recommended. It's tough since I usually have so much fun on the trail, I don't think about camera angles and footage. I really need to put a mount on a spike or stake so I can just stake it in the ground at appropriate spots and drive by it.
 
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TheFauxFox

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Location
Huntsville, AL
Its just the worst when you have to crop media because you have to use a shot from someone who isn't as competent.

I follow a few inde-filmmakers on YouTube who have all sorts of neat tricks. Some of this stuff is what I should have gotten into and/or would still like to. Anyone know a guy?

The multiple angles thing just keeps the audience interested. Its the reason why you don't watch sports from the same camera angle the entire time or why movies and TV shows use 2 camera angles to depict dialogue sections of film among other things.
 

TJTJ

Skid Plates
Founding Member
Location
NJ
The issue that makes me crazy is when the camera is at the top of a steep hill shooting down at the rigs coming up...

When I do it, I frame the shot so the HORIZON is straight in front/level and horizontal....and the bottom of the climb is at the bottom of the frame.

Otherwise, if you do what most seem to, they point the center of the frame down the slope at the grill of the climbing truck...and the pics show what looks like a truck on flat ground driving towards the camera...because in the perspective, it is.


If you keep the horizon where it belongs, as a reference point, so you see the ROOF of the truck the way you see it naturally when its lower than your are, below you...you can tell the angle of the slope, and better appreciate why the truck seems to be going in reverse with the tires going forward.

Filmed at a "shot down" perspective, it looks more like the truck is being pushed backwards for no reason even though the tires are going forward...when its slides backwards down the hill.



Example of Hill Climb (On Ice Yet):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQvsisg5zis&list=UUizKO0d1jk-9K0fjm2hMHyw
 
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