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.
I’ve been creating videos for years and I’ve learned a lot about lighting along the way.
And it’s not as complicated as it might seem.
You don’t need a ton of expensive equipment to get amazing results.
🔥 Want to make your videos look PRO without breaking the bank? 😎 This article is LIT! 💡 But it’s only the tip of the iceberg…
Dive into the world of video lighting and learn the secrets to getting the BEST results!
Lighting for Indoor Videos: The Essentials
🔥 Want to make your videos look PRO without breaking the bank? 😎 This article is LIT! 💡 But it’s only the tip of the iceberg…
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.
The good news is you can create amazing lighting for your indoor videos with just a few key pieces of equipment.
Choosing the Right Camera
The first step is choosing the right camera.
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.
Ring Lights: A Versatile Option
Ring lights are probably the most popular lighting source for video creators.
They’re circular lights usually about 20 inches in diameter that you can attach to a tripod.
Your camera sits in the open center space of the light.
What makes ring lights so great? They cast lighting evenly eliminating harsh shadows.
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.
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.
Two light panels are better than one as they help to balance the scene and prevent shadows.
I’ve had good luck with lights from Emart which are available on Amazon.
You can even get creative and use two white paper lanterns placed behind your computer.
Just use a light socket and a stand to hang them.
This simple setup creates a beautiful soft light.
It’s also a relatively inexpensive option for a home studio and you can use them for other indoor shooting and filmmaking.
Utilizing Office Lamps for Lighting
Don’t forget about the good old office lamp! It’s a readily available resource for lighting your videos.
Simply place the lamps on either side of your camera and point the light towards your face.
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.
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.
Studio lights offer a lot of flexibility and can be used in a variety of setups.
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.
- 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.
The background light illuminates your backdrop making the overall image more appealing.
Position it behind you at about waist height to eliminate shadows on the background wall.
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.
Dealing with Harsh Light: Light Quality Matters
Light quality refers to how harsh or soft the light is.
This makes a big difference in how your video looks.
- 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.
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.
It’s measured on the Kelvin scale and refers to how “cool” or “warm” the light appears.
You don’t want to mix lights with different color temperatures as this can lead to an unnatural-looking video with poor color balance.
Aim for daylight balanced bulbs with a color temperature of 5000 Kelvin and a high color rendering index (CRI) of 85 or higher.
This will give you the most flattering and natural-looking light.
Natural Light: A Free and Beautiful Option
Natural light is the best choice for budget-conscious video creators.
Find a brightly lit spot with the light source facing you rather than behind you.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
This creates a beautiful halo effect and separates you from the background.
You’ll still need a reflector to brighten your face.
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.
By following the basic principles of lighting you can achieve impressive results even with a modest lighting kit.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different lighting setups and find what works best for you.
And don’t overlook the power of natural light! It can create a beautiful and natural look for your videos.
With a little effort and experimentation you can create professional-looking videos that will captivate your audience and help you achieve your goals!
🔥 Want to make your videos look PRO without breaking the bank? 😎 This article is LIT! 💡 But it’s only the tip of the iceberg…
Dive into the world of video lighting and learn the secrets to getting the BEST results!