Camera Rotation is a form of Kinetic Light Painting Photography where the lights in the scene generally stay stationary and the camera itself is moved to create the design in the final image. Using Camera Rotation you can take a common scene, ↑like the corner liquor store above ↑, and turn it into something extraordinary. If you are not familiar with Camera Rotation Photography there is a detailed tutorial HERE that will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the subject!
Camera Rotations are generally created using either a custom made CRT (Camera Rotation Tool) or a bulky Tripod Gimbal. Recently over in the Camera Rotation & Kinetic Photography Facebook group Light Painting Artist Juls Boo shared an idea for an interesting off the shelf solution, the full description of how to build it is pinned to the top of the FB group. His solution basically consist of a couple of L-Brackets and an indexing Rotator that is “normally” used for shooting Panoramics. The best part about using the Indexing Rotator is that the angles are already marked for you eliminating the need for a digital level. Below are a few shots of the set up and examples of images created with the rig, as you can see it breaks down really compact to fit in your bag.
This is what it looks like mounted to a tripod.
Here are some examples of images Juls has created using this rig.
The post Juls made sparked others to share their ideas too. There are a bunch of great ideas and solutions that you should check out but one in particular that seemed super simple was what Dan Chick came up with. Dan’s version is basically one Gemtune DH-55 Panoramic Ball Head with Indexing Rotator, With Quick Release Plate & Clamp and two Fotga Universal Quick Release Plate L Brackets. Why two brackets you might ask, well the answer to that is to help center the weight of the camera over the tripod. Here are some images of the rig and below is a video that Dan made to show how it all works together!
Here are a few examples of images Dan has created with his rig:
Now go get this stuff and build yourself a rotation rig!
Baba says
Great post & huge thanks to all contributors, it is a growing style! 🙂
Andrea Boyle says
I’m glad I looked at the video. I thought I might be able to just swing my RRS L bracket so that the part that is usually on the side is now in the back of the camera, but noticed that there is a slight “lip” on the edge which would tilt the camera a bit to the side–so I may spend the extra bucks for 2 flatter L brackets.
Thanks for your timely article as I will be forwarding it to some photography friends as a reference!
Paul Burns says
Great article and tutorials by all, thumbs up all around.
I picked up the items Dan Chick talks about, now to get out and use it.
Thanks for sharing.
Paul
Dan Chick says
I forgot to mention this in the video but the internal thread adapter came with the rotator, that’s not going to be an additional purchase. Also forgot to mention that in addition to the simplicity the other motivator for this slight design tweak was to try to center the weight more on the tripod. This does a pretty good job but if you can find another L-bracket that’s even longer on the bottom that will help center the weight even more. The other motivator was finding pieces easily and quickly available in the United States.
Jason, I’m glad you like what you see and I’ve also tried to give credit to everyone who inspired my minor adjustment. If I forgot to mention someone in the video please know I didn’t mean to!!