Flipping perspective?

[Ted]

Hello all,

One of my hobbies is papercrafting and I like to do tutorials for my blog to show how I do certain techniques. The problem I'm having it having it appear as if the camera angle is from MY view point.

I've used a tall tripod and have tried to sit behind it, moving my arms around the legs of the tripod to get that perspective... but at times, if I bend over the work, the camera gets the beautiful glare of my bald(ing?) head!

So I was wondering...is there a way to have the camera in FRONT of me (on a tripod, of course) FACING me...but then using PrEl to "flip" the perspective (vertically I believe) to make it appear as the viewer is seeing things as I would see them?

Am I making much sense?

Thanks for any tips!

[Steve Grisetti]

If I understand, you're shooting yourself -- but you want to be able to cut away at times?

You could always shoot some "b roll" footage, demonstrating what you're discussing. Then add it to Video 2, over your main video, so that it cuts away, as your talking continues to be heard, to this other footage.

Is that what you're trying to do?

[Ted]

If I understand, you're shooting yourself -- but you want to be able to cut away at times?

You could always shoot some "b roll" footage, demonstrating what you're discussing. Then add it to Video 2, over your main video, so that it cuts away, as your talking continues to be heard, to this other footage.

Is that what you're trying to do?

Hi Steve, and thanks for responding.

No, I'd like to:

1. Sit at a table, demonstrating my technique(s).
2. Have my camcorder opposite me (facing me) aimed down at my hands showing the technique.
3. Use the software to flip the footage so that it appears as if the camera is ABOVE me, but facing away (as if the viewer is sitting in my spot looking at my hands in front of me, rather than sitting across from me).

Ugh.... I'm sorry I'm not making it clearer.

[stanatou]

How about a small table tripod that sits on the table in front of you? Might be easier to work around but your camera will have to be able to focus up pretty close.

Stan

[Chuck Engels]

There are two effects in Premiere Elements that can do this, Flip and Mirror I believe.

[mark hansen]

Flip and mirror would put the left hand on the right and right on the left, but its not going to take the back of your hands and make then the palms.

the only thing I can think of is getting a smaller camera and make a stand that you can wrap your hands around. Something that claps to the table perhaps.

[Ted]

Flip and mirror would put the left hand on the right and right on the left, but its not going to take the back of your hands and make then the palms.

the only thing I can think of is getting a smaller camera and make a stand that you can wrap your hands around. Something that claps to the table perhaps.

I'm not trying to make the back of my hands look like the palms.

I guess I'm not explaining myself well. I'll figure something out. Thanks for your attempts to help.

I thought this would be an easy thing to accomplish.

[Chuck Engels]

If the camera is pointed toward you then your left hand is on the cameras right side.
If you mirror that, like the camera was in your position, then your right hand will be on the right side.

Is this not correct Mark? Maybe I'm not thinking correctly.

[Ted]

If the camera is pointed toward you then your left hand is on the cameras right side.
If you mirror that, like the camera was in your position, then your right hand will be on the right side.

Is this not correct Mark? Maybe I'm not thinking correctly.

If this is correct, then it would work. I guess I want to go from "Audience Perspective" to "Teacher Perspective"....if that helps?

[Chuck Engels]

Ted, try a short clip and add the Mirror Effect. See if that is what you are looking for.
I don't think you are going to get exactly what you are trying to accomplish.

Best bet would be a camera above pointed directly down on the action and zoomed to a good level where nothing else would be seen. This type of tutorial work is not easily accomplished as you can see. Connecting the camera to some sort of small crane would be good, kind of like that desk lamps that you can move into 100's of positions. If you could connect your camera to something like that it would probably work great for getting the shot you are trying to get.

This is kind of cool if you could connect a camcorder to it
http://www.amazon.com/FlexStand-Flexibl ... B0000DBJRR

Something like this on a much smaller scale would be great
http://www.instructables.com/id/16-feet ... e-for-$60/

[Ted]

Chuck, thanks for going above and beyond. Much appreciated!

I'll try a short clip and mirror it. Where might I find this in the software? Is it under effects? I guess it would help for me to LOOK at the software (I'm here at work), huh?

Thanks again!

[Ted]

Okay...here's an example of a tutorial (cardmaking)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCAA9XnD ... CWrEDil640

What my problem is: I'm a fairly tall guy (5'10"), so it's hard to be sitting where the tripod is and having the camera point downward (over my head).

I guess I was hoping that the camera could be ACROSS from me filming my hands, etc. and then I can just flip the video to have it look like the sample video above.

(Does that explain it better? )

I truly do appreciate all of your efforts. Thanks!

[Chuck Engels]

The camera in that video is pointed down from directly above the work area.
Need to find something that will hold the camera there.

The Mirror Effect is in the Effects, just search the effects for Mirror

[Bob]

You are making this too difficult. If you think about it a moment, assuming that you can keep the camera close to an overhead viewpoint, all you need to do is rotate the video 180 degrees . Frame the shot so the hands are at the top and the work surface is below. After rotation, the hands will be at the bottom properly orientated. As long as you tightly frame the shot and don't stray too far from vertical, it should look fine. If the camera is too far forward, so the angle from vertical is large, you'll get perspective distortion that won't look right. Why not experiment and see what's tolerable.

If you could somehow mount the camera upside down, you wouldn't even need to rotate the video in PrE.

[Ted]

You are making this too difficult. If you think about it a moment, assuming that you can keep the camera close to an overhead viewpoint, all you need to do is rotate the video 180 degrees . Frame the shot so the hands are at the top and the work surface is below. After rotation, the hands will be at the bottom properly orientated. As long as you tightly frame the shot and don't stray too far from vertical, it should look fine. If the camera is too far forward, so the angle from vertical is large, you'll get perspective distortion that won't look right. Why not experiment and see what's tolerable.

If you could somehow mount the camera upside down, you wouldn't even need to rotate the video in PrE.

Bob, you're describing exactly what I want to do... how do I rotate the video 180 degrees? Is that done with the camera or software? Thanks!