News

Overhead Product Photography Using Your Tripod and SnakeClamp Components

As I've recently started to create YouTube recipe videos and shorts (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, etc.) I found that I needed to do some overhead shots of the various ingredients.  SnakeClamp to the rescue!

Overhead product photography setup

Most product photographers will already have a tripod or two as do I.  This makes a very sturdy stand for mounting your camera overhead.  The part of your tripod that goes up and down is known as the "center column."  And we have the perfect mount for attaching to that - our Megaclamp:

Megaclamp with flexible gooseneck tube mounted to wood post

The Megaclamp includes a rubber "v-block" for attaching to round surfaces such as pipes, rods or railings (and your tripod center column).

To this I added two pieces of our 12" Rigid Arm and our Camera Ball Head to the end:

Overhead product photography using tripod and SnakeClamp components

The Camera Ball Head allows you to tilt and rotate your camera up to 90 degrees.  Shown in the picture above is my Canon EOS Rebel T4i with a 30mm Sigma lens; the combination weights in at 2-1/4 lbs.  Due to the rubber Megaclamp connection at the tripod center column the camera did sag slightly but I corrected this by simply shortening one of the tripod legs.  The Camera Ball Head is rated at 6 lbs.

Overhead product photography affordable setup using your tripod
Overall this setup works great.  The height of the camera is easily adjustable using the tripod center column and since you are using your existing tripod this is also more affordable that purchasing an entire overhead rig system.

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As I've recently started to create YouTube recipe videos and shorts (YouTube, TikTok, Instagram Reels, etc.) I found that I needed to do some overhead shots of the various ingredients.  SnakeClamp to the rescue!

Overhead product photography setup

Most product photographers will already have a tripod or two as do I.  This makes a very sturdy stand for mounting your camera overhead.  The part of your tripod that goes up and down is known as the "center column."  And we have the perfect mount for attaching to that - our Megaclamp:

Megaclamp with flexible gooseneck tube mounted to wood post

The Megaclamp includes a rubber "v-block" for attaching to round surfaces such as pipes, rods or railings (and your tripod center column).

To this I added two pieces of our 12" Rigid Arm and our Camera Ball Head to the end:

Overhead product photography using tripod and SnakeClamp components

The Camera Ball Head allows you to tilt and rotate your camera up to 90 degrees.  Shown in the picture above is my Canon EOS Rebel T4i with a 30mm Sigma lens; the combination weights in at 2-1/4 lbs.  Due to the rubber Megaclamp connection at the tripod center column the camera did sag slightly but I corrected this by simply shortening one of the tripod legs.  The Camera Ball Head is rated at 6 lbs.

Overhead product photography affordable setup using your tripod
Overall this setup works great.  The height of the camera is easily adjustable using the tripod center column and since you are using your existing tripod this is also more affordable that purchasing an entire overhead rig system.

Read more


New 90 Degree Angle Adapter - Female Option

We've long offered our 90 Degree Angle Adapter (male) for many years which allows you to attach things such as our Machine Guard at a right angle to a flexible gooseneck or rigid arm:

Machine guard plexiglass attached to flexible gooseneck arm with 90 Degree Angle Adapter - Male
This male version adapter features 3/8"-24 threads on one side and a 3/8" hole on the other.  It also includes some hardware:
90 Degree Angle Adapter - Male shown with included hardware
However we recently had an application whereby we needed to connect one of our mounting plates at a right angle to a gooseneck arm.  Since almost all of our attachments already have 3/8"-24 male threads we needed a 90 degree angle adapter with female threads.  So we made one:
90 Degree Angle Adapter - Female
This new 90 Degree Angle Adapter - Female also includes some hardware:
90 Degree Angle Adapter - Female shown with included hardware
Now with this new adapter you can connect your attachments at a right angle to your flexible gooseneck or rigid arm.  Here we connect our popular VESA mount at a 90 degree angle to a flexible gooseneck arm using the new female adapter:
VESA mounting plate shown attached to flexible gooseneck arm with 90 Degree Angle Adapter - Female
If you have any questions or have a need for a custom solution contact us here.

 

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We've long offered our 90 Degree Angle Adapter (male) for many years which allows you to attach things such as our Machine Guard at a right angle to a flexible gooseneck or rigid arm:

Machine guard plexiglass attached to flexible gooseneck arm with 90 Degree Angle Adapter - Male
This male version adapter features 3/8"-24 threads on one side and a 3/8" hole on the other.  It also includes some hardware:
90 Degree Angle Adapter - Male shown with included hardware
However we recently had an application whereby we needed to connect one of our mounting plates at a right angle to a gooseneck arm.  Since almost all of our attachments already have 3/8"-24 male threads we needed a 90 degree angle adapter with female threads.  So we made one:
90 Degree Angle Adapter - Female
This new 90 Degree Angle Adapter - Female also includes some hardware:
90 Degree Angle Adapter - Female shown with included hardware
Now with this new adapter you can connect your attachments at a right angle to your flexible gooseneck or rigid arm.  Here we connect our popular VESA mount at a 90 degree angle to a flexible gooseneck arm using the new female adapter:
VESA mounting plate shown attached to flexible gooseneck arm with 90 Degree Angle Adapter - Female
If you have any questions or have a need for a custom solution contact us here.

 

Read more


Eye Level Webcam - How To Place Your Webcam At Eye Level

We've sold webcam stands for a long time and I've been surprised to see how many folks find our products because they want to mount their webcam at eye level.  There are many webcam stands available in the marketplace however our products give us a unique advantage that others can't offer - the ability to bend and position it exactly where you want it: at eye level.

If you simply want to mount your webcam in front of you, perhaps in the middle of a screen you can use our thin (10mm diameter) SCP-GN18ML Medium-Light Duty flexible gooseneck arm:

 

SC-CM-GN18ML-SB eye level webcam stand
The 18" Medium-Light Duty flexible gooseneck arm can easily support a lightweight webcam and allow you to bend and position it at the perfect eye-level or in the middle of your screen.  This webcam stand is shown with our SCP-CM Camera Mount Adapter and SCP-SB Square Base.

Now let's say that you have a large monitor in front of you or perhaps a laptop computer and it's not practical to place the eye-level webcam stand in front of the screen.  You can still place your webcam at eye level using an overhead approach:
Mount your webcam at eye level using an overhead approach
In this example we use the same SCP-GN18ML 18" flexible gooseneck arm and splice it to our SCP-RA12 12" Rigid Arm to provide extra reach.  You can place this setup behind your monitor or screen.  Notice that the webcam is actually upside down.  No problem, most video software will allow you to flip the image right-side up.  For example this is how you flip your Zoom video right-side up.
In the above configuration with the 12" Rigid Arm the center of the webcam is 21" above the Square Mounting Base.  If you need additional height you can simply use two Rigid Arms.  But any more than that and you may need to use a heavier or wider mounting base such as our Round Base our Round Base Weighted.

Note that you will need a webcam that is "tripod ready" to mount it to our products.  This means that there is a 1/4" female threaded hole on the bottom which is a standard camera mount thread.  Most Logitech webcams have a tripod thread.

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We've sold webcam stands for a long time and I've been surprised to see how many folks find our products because they want to mount their webcam at eye level.  There are many webcam stands available in the marketplace however our products give us a unique advantage that others can't offer - the ability to bend and position it exactly where you want it: at eye level.

If you simply want to mount your webcam in front of you, perhaps in the middle of a screen you can use our thin (10mm diameter) SCP-GN18ML Medium-Light Duty flexible gooseneck arm:

 

SC-CM-GN18ML-SB eye level webcam stand
The 18" Medium-Light Duty flexible gooseneck arm can easily support a lightweight webcam and allow you to bend and position it at the perfect eye-level or in the middle of your screen.  This webcam stand is shown with our SCP-CM Camera Mount Adapter and SCP-SB Square Base.

Now let's say that you have a large monitor in front of you or perhaps a laptop computer and it's not practical to place the eye-level webcam stand in front of the screen.  You can still place your webcam at eye level using an overhead approach:
Mount your webcam at eye level using an overhead approach
In this example we use the same SCP-GN18ML 18" flexible gooseneck arm and splice it to our SCP-RA12 12" Rigid Arm to provide extra reach.  You can place this setup behind your monitor or screen.  Notice that the webcam is actually upside down.  No problem, most video software will allow you to flip the image right-side up.  For example this is how you flip your Zoom video right-side up.
In the above configuration with the 12" Rigid Arm the center of the webcam is 21" above the Square Mounting Base.  If you need additional height you can simply use two Rigid Arms.  But any more than that and you may need to use a heavier or wider mounting base such as our Round Base our Round Base Weighted.

Note that you will need a webcam that is "tripod ready" to mount it to our products.  This means that there is a 1/4" female threaded hole on the bottom which is a standard camera mount thread.  Most Logitech webcams have a tripod thread.

Read more


Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV

Okay, so our new Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV is a little different from our customary line of flexible arm products. Nonetheless, it still fits with our mantra to "hold what you need, right where you need it."

Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV shown installed in head of a sailboat
Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV mounted in head of Catalina 27 sailboat
This past year I purchased a used sailboat and was surprised that neither the galley or head had a means to hold liquid soap.  Normally a boat or RV with a galley, head, bathroom or kitchen would have an under-counter liquid soap dispenser.  The problem with these - ask me how I know - is that you have to drill a big hole in your countertop or vanity, they are expensive, and they tend to break after a few years. Even the decorative liquid soap dispensers for household use are hard to fill and fail after a few years.  I have always preferred the little pre-filled Softsoap bottles that you can get at Walmart for just over a dollar.  They work great, last seemingly forever and are easy to refill.  Why not use these in your boat or RV?
Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV shown with a bottle of SoftSoap liquid soap inserted
Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV shown with Softsoap 11.25 fluid ounce bottle
So we set out to solve this problem with our new Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV.  It's made of tough ABS plastic, fits most common liquid soap dispensers like SoftSoap brand 7.5 and 11.25 fluid ounce bottles.  I gave our CAD guy a rough sketch with dimensions and voila, we sent the file out for 3D printing.  I installed two in my 1985 Catalina 27 sailboat - one in the galley and one in the head and they worked great!
My first installation was with little zinc-coated screws but I soon discovered that when these get wet they quickly rust.  So we switched to stainless steel.  And for those folks with really nice boats and RV's - who may not want to drill into their countertops or vanities - we also include a 3M/Scotch Extreme indoor/outdoor double-sided mounting tape.  You choose - they will hold your soap bottle holder firmly under any conditions.
Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV shown installed in the galley of a sailboat
Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV mounted in galley of Catalina 27 sailboat
Get your Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV today and share your installation with social tag #soapbottleholder 
 

Read more

Okay, so our new Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV is a little different from our customary line of flexible arm products. Nonetheless, it still fits with our mantra to "hold what you need, right where you need it."

Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV shown installed in head of a sailboat
Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV mounted in head of Catalina 27 sailboat
This past year I purchased a used sailboat and was surprised that neither the galley or head had a means to hold liquid soap.  Normally a boat or RV with a galley, head, bathroom or kitchen would have an under-counter liquid soap dispenser.  The problem with these - ask me how I know - is that you have to drill a big hole in your countertop or vanity, they are expensive, and they tend to break after a few years. Even the decorative liquid soap dispensers for household use are hard to fill and fail after a few years.  I have always preferred the little pre-filled Softsoap bottles that you can get at Walmart for just over a dollar.  They work great, last seemingly forever and are easy to refill.  Why not use these in your boat or RV?
Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV shown with a bottle of SoftSoap liquid soap inserted
Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV shown with Softsoap 11.25 fluid ounce bottle
So we set out to solve this problem with our new Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV.  It's made of tough ABS plastic, fits most common liquid soap dispensers like SoftSoap brand 7.5 and 11.25 fluid ounce bottles.  I gave our CAD guy a rough sketch with dimensions and voila, we sent the file out for 3D printing.  I installed two in my 1985 Catalina 27 sailboat - one in the galley and one in the head and they worked great!
My first installation was with little zinc-coated screws but I soon discovered that when these get wet they quickly rust.  So we switched to stainless steel.  And for those folks with really nice boats and RV's - who may not want to drill into their countertops or vanities - we also include a 3M/Scotch Extreme indoor/outdoor double-sided mounting tape.  You choose - they will hold your soap bottle holder firmly under any conditions.
Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV shown installed in the galley of a sailboat
Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV mounted in galley of Catalina 27 sailboat
Get your Soap Bottle Holder for Boat & RV today and share your installation with social tag #soapbottleholder 
 

Read more


Portable Monitor Supported with Flexible Gooseneck Arm While Traveling

A customer recently traveled around to various locations with his laptop and an additional portable monitor.  He had purchased our 18" Super-Duty flexible gooseneck arm, Megaclamp and Camera Ball Head.

 

Portable monitor attached to table with Megaclamp, 18" Super-Duty flexible gooseneck arm and Ball Head

The Megaclamp worked well as he could easily it attach it to desks and tables wherever he was staying.  The Megaclamp can attach to flat objects between 3/8" up to 2-5/8" thick.

We don't have information on his portable monitor, however the 18" Super-Duty flexible gooseneck arm can support up to 2-1/2 lbs in the weakest orientation (horizontal) without bending.  As shown oriented vertically in the picture above it can support much more weight.

This particular portable monitor is "tripod ready" which means it can attach to a standard 1/4"-20 tripod mount or our Camera Ball Head:

 Portable monitor attached to flexible gooseneck arm with Camera Ball Head and shown tilted 90 degrees

 The Camera Ball Head can tilt up to 90 degree.  Given the flexibility of our gooseneck arms you can pretty much position your portable monitor wherever you want.

 

 

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A customer recently traveled around to various locations with his laptop and an additional portable monitor.  He had purchased our 18" Super-Duty flexible gooseneck arm, Megaclamp and Camera Ball Head.

 

Portable monitor attached to table with Megaclamp, 18" Super-Duty flexible gooseneck arm and Ball Head

The Megaclamp worked well as he could easily it attach it to desks and tables wherever he was staying.  The Megaclamp can attach to flat objects between 3/8" up to 2-5/8" thick.

We don't have information on his portable monitor, however the 18" Super-Duty flexible gooseneck arm can support up to 2-1/2 lbs in the weakest orientation (horizontal) without bending.  As shown oriented vertically in the picture above it can support much more weight.

This particular portable monitor is "tripod ready" which means it can attach to a standard 1/4"-20 tripod mount or our Camera Ball Head:

 Portable monitor attached to flexible gooseneck arm with Camera Ball Head and shown tilted 90 degrees

 The Camera Ball Head can tilt up to 90 degree.  Given the flexibility of our gooseneck arms you can pretty much position your portable monitor wherever you want.

 

 

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