Let’s talk about lighting for video recording! You know how important good lighting is when it comes to making your videos look professional right? It doesn’t matter if you spend a fortune on a fancy camera if the lighting isn’t right your video will look amateurish. 10 Warning Signs You Need a Customer Education Program ASAP
I’ve been creating videos for years and I’ve learned a lot about lighting along the way. Newsletter Best Practices for Building a List & Making Sales
And it’s not as complicated as it might seem. 10 Best Mobile Learning Management Systems for 2024
You don’t need a ton of expensive equipment to get amazing results. A Quick 5-step Checklist to Successfully Launching an Online Course
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Dive into the world of video lighting and learn the secrets to getting the BEST results!
Lighting for Indoor Videos: The Essentials
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Dive into the world of video lighting and learn the secrets to getting the BEST results!
Most of us shoot our videos indoors whether it’s for our online courses YouTube videos or even just a simple vlog. How Much Does It Cost to Develop an Online Course?
The good news is you can create amazing lighting for your indoor videos with just a few key pieces of equipment. 12 Best Platforms for Community Engagement in 2024
Choosing the Right Camera
The first step is choosing the right camera. 8 Successful Examples of Online Brand Communities in 2024
Many webcams come with built-in lights or auto-light balancing features but you’ll still need additional lighting in most cases.
I’ve personally used a lot of different cameras and for indoor recording and live videos I find the Logitech C922 to be a great mid-range option. It offers autofocus and light balance and records in 1080p HD. It’s perfect for meetings webinars and even simple indoor recordings. How to Effectively Sell Your Online Courses Using Email Marketing
Ring Lights: A Versatile Option
Ring lights are probably the most popular lighting source for video creators. Latest API and Webhook Updates: A Leap Forward in eLearning Technology
They’re circular lights usually about 20 inches in diameter that you can attach to a tripod. How Much Do Life Coaches Make in 2024
Your camera sits in the open center space of the light. Dive into Innovation: Join Us at LearnWorlds’ Big Annual Product Bash!
What makes ring lights so great? They cast lighting evenly eliminating harsh shadows. How to Build an Online Learning Community
You can find ring lights at all price points from beginner models under $20 to high-end options that can cost over $100. There are even ring lights designed specifically for smartphones which I use for my video stories. How to Organize Your Online Courses Using Storyboards
Tabletop Studio Lights: Creating an Ambient Atmosphere
If you’re shooting a video from your office a tabletop studio light is a great choice to create a nice ambient lighting atmosphere. SCORM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Answered by Experts
Two light panels are better than one as they help to balance the scene and prevent shadows. The 7 Best Community Management Platforms for Course Creators in 2024
I’ve had good luck with lights from Emart which are available on Amazon. How to Build an Online Community in 2024
You can even get creative and use two white paper lanterns placed behind your computer. LearnWorlds vs. Thinkific: An In-Depth Comparison for 2024
Just use a light socket and a stand to hang them. Top 9 AI-Powered Course Platforms Revolutionizing eLearning in 2024
This simple setup creates a beautiful soft light. 3 Smart Online Ways to Raise Funds For Your Nonprofit (+Case Studies)
It’s also a relatively inexpensive option for a home studio and you can use them for other indoor shooting and filmmaking. How to Organize Your Online Courses Using Storyboards
Utilizing Office Lamps for Lighting
Don’t forget about the good old office lamp! It’s a readily available resource for lighting your videos. Black Friday Checklist 2024: Best Tips and Treats to Prepare Your Online School
Simply place the lamps on either side of your camera and point the light towards your face. Guy Kawasaki on the Future of Business in the Midst of a Pandemic
If the light is too harsh you can use some diffusion material like a white kitchen roll or a piece of a white shower curtain to soften it up. Your Instructional Video Style: How to Craft the Perfect Learning Experience
Studio Lights for More Control
If you need more control over your lighting especially if you’re shooting in a room with little natural light you’ll want to consider investing in studio lights. Facebook Ads Guide 101: All You Need to Know for Your First Online Courses Campaign
Studio lights offer a lot of flexibility and can be used in a variety of setups. Building a Smarter, More Connected Learning Experience
The Three-Point Lighting Setup
One common studio lighting setup is the three-point setup which uses a key light a fill light and a backlight. How to Organize Your Online Courses Using Storyboards
- Key Light: The key light is the brightest and serves as the primary source of illumination.
- Fill Light: The fill light softens the shadows created by the key light and is typically about half as bright.
- Backlight: The backlight is placed behind you and illuminates your hair and body line creating a separation from the background.
For the best results place the lights above eye level and maintain a distance from the background to minimize shadows.
The Four-Point Lighting Setup
You can also take your lighting a step further with a four-point setup that adds a background light to the three-point setup. 36 Best Training Video Software
The background light illuminates your backdrop making the overall image more appealing. 5 Best Practices for Optimizing Your Online Course Structure
Position it behind you at about waist height to eliminate shadows on the background wall. From Followers to Fans: Proven Strategies for Building an Engaged Online Community
Whether you opt for a three-point or four-point setup remember that you can experiment with different combinations of lights to create various effects. Introducing Mass Emails: A Native Messaging Tool to Supercharge Learner Communication
Dealing with Harsh Light: Light Quality Matters
Light quality refers to how harsh or soft the light is. Introducing: Personalize Your Users’ After Login Page With Tags
This makes a big difference in how your video looks. 8 Tips to Build a Customer Education Program for Improved Retention
- Harsh Light: Harsh light creates sharp distinct shadows with a clear edge.
- Soft Light: Soft light creates shadows with a softer edge that gradually fades out.
Soft light is generally more flattering for people especially in beauty shots. How to Promote Online Courses on Social Media
Soft Light Techniques
So how do you turn harsh light into soft light? Here are a few techniques:
- Lamp Dimmers and Dimmable Bulbs: Give you precise control over the amount of light. Be careful non-dimmable bulbs can flicker when dimmed.
- Diffusion Material: Place diffusion material like a white kitchen roll or a shower curtain in front of your light source to soften the harshness.
- Light Reflection: Reflect the light off a surface like a wall ceiling or reflector to create a softer light.
- Larger Light Source: The larger the light source the softer the light will be. Move the light source further away from your subject to increase its size.
Light Temperature: The Color of Light
Light temperature is another crucial aspect to consider. 12 Tried-and-Tested AI Tools to Simplify Instructional Design for E-Learning
It’s measured on the Kelvin scale and refers to how “cool” or “warm” the light appears. 15 Business & Marketing Experts Share Top Tips All Course Creators Should Know
You don’t want to mix lights with different color temperatures as this can lead to an unnatural-looking video with poor color balance. Power-up Your Academy’s Mobile App with Analytics, Offline Video, Reminders, and more!
Aim for daylight balanced bulbs with a color temperature of 5000 Kelvin and a high color rendering index (CRI) of 85 or higher. 10 Best Online Course Landing Pages to Inspire You
This will give you the most flattering and natural-looking light. How to Sell Your Course on Udemy
Natural Light: A Free and Beautiful Option
Natural light is the best choice for budget-conscious video creators. The Top 10 Ways to Enhance Soft Skills with Employee Training
Find a brightly lit spot with the light source facing you rather than behind you. Make Money Selling Coaching Online: Your Guide to Success
- Soft Light: Natural light is best when it’s soft so try using a curtain to diffuse the light.
- Window Light: The window light can act as your key light. Use a piece of aluminum paper to reflect the light onto the darker side of your face and avoid harsh shadows.
Backdrops and Backgrounds: Setting the Scene
While your viewers will mainly see you the background plays an important role in setting the overall style of your video. How to Sell Your Course on Udemy
- Your Home or Office: A tidy room can be a simple and genuine backdrop.
- Fake Backgrounds: Create a fake background if your home environment isn’t suitable.
- Solid Color Backgrounds: Perfect for adding text and graphics.
- Blankets or Sheets: A solid-color blanket can look surprisingly polished.
- Plain Walls: Use a plain wall for a simple neutral backdrop.
- Collapsible Backgrounds and Green Screens: Offer a professional look in a variety of colors.
- Whiteboards: Traditional for educators whiteboards can be used to explain concepts. Just be careful of reflections and glare.
Outdoor Shooting: Harnessing the Power of the Sun
Shooting your video under natural sunlight outdoors can be a fantastic choice but it also poses some unique challenges. How to Run Facebook Ad Campaigns for Online Courses Successfully
- Harsh Light: Sunlight can be very bright and create harsh shadows.
- ND Filters: Use an ND filter to darken the image and maintain the desired depth of field.
- Reflectors: Use reflectors to bounce or diffuse light and soften shadows.
Outdoor Lighting Scenarios
Here are some specific outdoor lighting scenarios and how to handle them: Mastering the Basics: Understanding Revenue Streams & Marketing Tools to Drive Your Success
- Shooting in the Middle of the Day: Use the reflector to diffuse the light and make it softer.
- Shooting with the Sun Behind You: Use the white side of the reflector to bounce light onto your face.
- Dealing with Harsh Shadows: Use a reflector above your head to diffuse the light.
- Shooting in Early Morning or Late Afternoon: Ideal times for shooting because the light is softer.
- Shooting on a Cloudy Day: Clouds provide natural diffusion and soften shadows.
- Shooting During the Golden Hour: The time just after sunrise or just before sunset offers warm soft light.
Using the Sun as a Backlight
You can use the sun as a backlight by positioning yourself so that the sun lights the back of your head. How to Organize Your Online Courses Using Storyboards
This creates a beautiful halo effect and separates you from the background. How to Track Employee Training & Measure ROI
You’ll still need a reflector to brighten your face. Introducing Mass Emails: A Native Messaging Tool to Supercharge Learner Communication
Tips for Creating High-Quality Videos
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind for creating high-quality video recordings:
- Background Preparation: Ensure your background is clean tidy and free of distractions.
- Visual Representation: Set up the space to visually represent your scene effectively.
- Avoiding Distractions: Be mindful of moving objects or colors in the background.
- Audio Quality: Minimize background noise by choosing a quiet location or using a lavalier or shotgun microphone. Conduct an audio test.
- Camera Setup: Use a stable tripod to ensure a steady shot and set your camera at the right height and angle.
- Equipment Testing: Test all your camera and audio equipment and make sure the batteries are charged.
Conclusion: Mastering Lighting for Video Success
Remember effective lighting for your videos is as much about taste as it is about having the right equipment. How to See a Positive ROI from Customer Education
By following the basic principles of lighting you can achieve impressive results even with a modest lighting kit. How to Teach Online: Your Handbook to Success
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different lighting setups and find what works best for you. Top 9 AI-Powered Course Platforms Revolutionizing eLearning in 2024
And don’t overlook the power of natural light! It can create a beautiful and natural look for your videos. Transform Your Online Learning Experiences With LearnWorlds’ Interactive Video Editor
With a little effort and experimentation you can create professional-looking videos that will captivate your audience and help you achieve your goals! 8 Tips to Build a Customer Education Program for Improved Retention
🔥 Want to make your videos look PRO without breaking the bank? 😎 This article is LIT! 💡 But it’s only the tip of the iceberg… Lighting for Video Recording: How to Choose the Best Lighting Setup
Dive into the world of video lighting and learn the secrets to getting the BEST results!