Guide: DIY Head-Mounted Camera Options

This document outlines three cost-effective methods for creating a head-mounted camera setup using a smartphone and household items.

Option 1: Phone Clip and Baseball Cap

This method uses a standard phone holder (from a tripod or selfie stick) to secure the device to a hat.

Materials Required: A baseball cap, a smartphone, and a phone holder/clip.
Step 1: Flatten the brim of the hat as much as possible.
Step 2: Insert the phone into the clip, ensuring the camera is not covered and buttons are not accidentally pressed.
Step 3: Slide the brim of the hat between the phone and the clip so the phone hangs downward for maximum stability.
Operation: Facing the screen toward your eyes allows you to monitor the frame to ensure your hands remain in the shot. If you have an assistant, you can face the camera outward.

Pro Tip: Reinforce the setup with tape to eliminate any wobbling.

Option 2: Hat and Tape

A simplified version using strong tape (like masking tape) to adhere the phone directly to a hat.

Materials Required: A baseball cap, a smartphone, and strong tape.
Step 1: Flatten the brim of the hat as much as possible.
Step 2: Tape the top edge of the phone to the brim so they are touching
Step 3: Attach the corners of the phone to the sides of the brim and reinforce the connection with additional pieces of tape.
Step 4: Flip the hat over and securely tape the bottom of the phone to the sides of the hat brim. This prevents wobbling.
Operation: Facing the screen toward your eyes allows you to monitor the frame to ensure your hands remain in the shot. If you have an assistant, you can face the camera outward.

Safety Check: Periodically check that the tape is not covering the camera lens and that the phone isn't slipping, as tape can wear over time. To reinforce tape, do not layer tape directly on top of one another; overlap the new tape with the secure surface, such as the phone or hat.

Can you place your phone on TOP of your hat? 

Yes, but this creates some challenges: Angle. Adjust the angle to ensure the phone is pointing down. Wobble. To prevent wobbling, secure the sides of the phone as much as possible and reinforce tape on the brim. In-frame. It can be hard to verify your hands are in frame. You can check this by keeping a mirror nearby, having a friend to spot you, or using streaming software, such as EpocCam or Camo, to check.

Option 3: Non-Elastic Strap and Tape

This method is useful if you prefer a headband-style mount without using a hat.

Materials Required: A smartphone, strong tape, and a non-elastic strap (a belt or rolled-up towel).
Step 1: Tighten the strap so it fits securely around your head, resting just above the ears. The strap in this example came from a guitar case.
Step 2: Remove the strap to attach the phone. Secure the bottom of the phone tightly to the strap.
NOTE: Leave some slack in the tape at the top of the phone to allow it to point downward, ensuring your hands stay in the frame.
Verification: Use a mirror, second phone, or ask someone else to verify that your hands are clearly visible in the frame before you begin recording.

General Advice

To ensure high-quality footage, adhere to these three rules for every session:

• Maintain Top-Down Perspective: Always ensure the camera is angled to film from a top-down position. Do not strap a camera to your chest, as this will not create the proper angle for hands-on demonstrations.

• Calibrate Your Frame: Before recording, always check that your hands are clearly visible in the shot. You can verify this by checking in a mirror, having an assistant help you, or using streaming software such as EpocCam or Camo to monitor the feed. Always double-check that the camera lens is not obscured by tape or equipment.

• Eliminate Wobble: Always reinforce your camera setup to ensure it is not wobbly. Even when using professional equipment, inspect the quality of the mount and use tape if necessary to secure the camera firmly in position.