Best Lighting For Video Recording Every Content Creator Should Use
– BlissLights
According to data from April 2021, TikTok’s billions of users spend nearly an hour and a half on the app every day. Similarly, over on YouTube, all users spend a cumulative daily average of one billion hours watching videos. Certainly, there’s an enamored audience just waiting to watch content on your favorite subject, hobby, or expertise. But reaching those viewers is a whole other story.
If you record and post videos of your own, how can you draw attention to your creations? Great lighting is one of the most effective ways you can create compelling videos, and the best lighting for video recording is within reach for pretty much every creator.
How to light a video
To light any type of scene in your videos, take the following steps:
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Look around. Before you get a fancy video lighting kit, take a look around the space where you’ll be recording videos. How many windows are there? Do these windows have curtains, blinds, or other light-blocking panels? What does this all mean for how natural light will or won’t affect your videos? Then, fill your recording space with light setups that solve any problems you identify.
- Think about brightness and shadows. Light sources with no covers or filters can often (though not always) be too harsh or bright for your video shoot. These lights, known as hard lights, are basically tableside lamps without lampshades. Instead, opt for soft lights, which are any light sources with some sort of cover. These lights are great for illuminating dark corners or walls.
- Position your lights appropriately. Most video lighting pros use three-point lighting to provide high-quality illumination. The three points in this setup are:
- A key light just in front of and to the right of the camera (if you’re looking at the camera from behind, not the front). This light should be the brightest one in your rig.
- A fill light just in front of and to the left of the camera. For good lighting, your fill light’s intensity should be at most half that of the key light so the former doesn’t overpower the latter.
- A backlight just behind and to the right of where the camera is pointing.
The fill light should be on one side of the camera, with the key and backlights on the other side. Notably, hard lights can be great backlights, as they provide a bright foundation on which soft key and fill lights can build.
The fill light should be on one side of the camera, with the key and backlights on the other side. Notably, hard lights can be great backlights, as they provide a bright foundation on which soft key and fill lights can build.
Best lighting for video recording
Now that you know how to light a scene, consider using the below lighting options to make the best videos possible:
1. Ring lighting
If you’ve ever watched Youtube makeup tutorial videos, you’ve seen ring lights in action. That gorgeous halo of light it creates is just one reason why ring lights are among the most popular ways to illuminate the subject — you — while filming content.
Ring lights also offer a highly affordable, convenient way to combat the flattening effects common with other studio lights. That’s because, as their name suggests, they’re shaped like rings, and the blank area in the center eliminates shadows. Without these shadows, flattening effects won’t happen, so you’ll face fewer obstacles to fully immersing your viewers in your video experience.
You can use certain ring lights directly on your computer’s webcam. These ring lights are especially easy for great video lighting, as they clip onto your laptop so you can sit in front of your screen and record.
Bigger ring lights are also available for larger filming setups. In any size, they’re among the best lights for video recording setups that take your viewers on an awe-inspiring journey.
2. Softbox lights
Softbox lights are among the most accessible types of professional lighting. Although they’re commonly used for Hollywood movie shoots, you can just as easily get them for your own videos. Just set them up to point downward on your shooting space for strong, but not harsh, lighting that makes shadows a thing of the past.
Typically, softbox lights are rectangular, but you can find them in other shapes. These other shapes, which include hexagons, light strips, and curves, don’t necessarily affect the brightness and intensity of the light. They do, however, provide whimsy and excitement that can help make your recording studio a space of comfort, creativity, and celebration.
3. Strip lights
Strip lights are among the most versatile types of video lights.
They often come as narrow belts of tiny LED lights with an adhesive backing for easy placement wherever you might see fit. This easy-peel backing makes strip lights a great way to illuminate spaces under cabinets. You can also place them along the periphery of walls or desks or anywhere in your video’s background.
A fun and novel way to use strip lights could be to place your strip lights just under your face but out of view. With their lights pointed upward at you, though, your face will lack any shadows or flatness, and your videos will easily take viewers to another world.
4. LED lighting
LED panels, bulbs, and strips provide ideal lighting for all kinds of videos. They lose far less energy to heat than traditional incandescent and fluorescent lights, so you won’t feel uncomfortably warm as you record your videos. This lack of energy loss also makes for greater energy efficiency that keeps your electric bills lower. And big lighting setups can certainly consume a lot of energy!
The type of LED light best suited for your video depends on what you’re filming.
For up-close-and-personal views of your face, LED strips near your face but out of the camera’s view should do the trick. LED panels for your fill, key, and backlights can brighten your room at little cost. LED bulbs work best as minor mood-setting devices, especially if they’re color-changing lights. Other energy-efficient lights, though, go the extra mile in bringing unforgettable moments of wonder to your audience.
5. Star lighting
Star lights are typically laser lights that lose even less energy to heat than LED lights. Laser lights are also brighter and more focused over long distances, so your starry-sky lighting won’t appear blurry or dull. Instead, you’ll find yourself recording under a breathtaking expanse of red, blue, or green stars that transform your space into an interstellar environment you just don’t see every day.
The best part about star lights is that they don’t require big, expensive new light stands or fixtures. The BlissBulb star light, for example, fits in ordinary E26/E27 ceiling fixtures and floor lamps.
The StarPort Laser USB plugs right into your laptop for quick, simple starry-sky lighting as you’re recording via webcam. Star lighting is perhaps the easiest way to give your viewers a moment of instant gratification that never entirely ends.
StarPort USB Light
$19.99
One tiny light. Thousands of stars!
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6. Galaxy lighting
Picture this: You’re letting YouTube play you an uninterrupted stream of videos and trusting it to find you the best videos around. Suddenly, you see someone facing the camera and speaking alluringly under gently oscillating nebula clouds and sparkling laser stars. Wouldn’t you want the same thing for your own videos? Surely, the answer is yes – that’s why the original Sky Lite galaxy projector previously went viral on TikTok. And the Sky Lite 2.0 is even better.
With the Sky Lite 2.0, you can project nebula clouds — and infinite possibilities — from across the rainbow into your entire recording space.
And you can do it right from your phone! Just keep your phone slightly out of your camera’s view, at arm’s reach, so you can adjust your colors whenever and however you please. As you film under tranquil, rotating colors and interstellar sights, you’ll shift your viewers’ perspective with just the tap of a screen. There’s no better way to keep your audience invested in your story.
Sky Lite 2.0: Galaxy Projector (App Control)
$69.99 $59.99
Shine a galaxy of moving stars and a vibrant multicolor cloud.
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BlissLights are among the best lighting for video recording
For pro-quality videos, you’ll need to place your lights appropriately and reckon with color temperature, brightness, shadows, and glare. Once you’ve solved that puzzle, you can make your videos appear especially unforgettable with the wondrous, transportive colors and patterns of BlissLights.
Under the color-changing nebulas and stars of BlissLights, seeing your videos will mean believing in the unbelievable.
Whatever you have to say, your viewers will be ready to take the journey with you as you reach them from intergalactic, starry expanses. Browse the BlissLights collection now to find the best lighting for your next video – and every one thereafter.
How to Get the Perfect Video Lighting?
There are many elements that contribute to or detract from a great video and lighting is one element that can make or break it. Because cameras don’t capture light in the same way that the human eye does, it is crucial to learn how to get the best lighting for video recording.
In order to have the image on the screen appear natural your set will need a lot of lighting. But not just any lighting will do – there are specific ways to manipulate the light for optimal results and bad lighting can be very distracting. So distracting in fact that it can cause your message to get lost, or worse yet, it can make people stop watching altogether.
Whether your goal is to look great on your next Zoom call or shoot a new video, the tips and tricks we’ll share in this guide will give you all you need to improve your video lighting.
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Step 1: Optimize the lighting in the room for a video shoot
The best shooting environment is one where you have as much control over lighting as possible.
Get rid of clutter
A clear, distraction-free space is ideal for filming. When shooting in an indoor space like an office or home, be sure to complete a thorough decluttering of the space that will be seen on camera.
Anything that takes away from the message of your video should be removed. The goal is to create a crisp clean canvas that will help to keep your audience focused and engaged. Having photos and decorative objects in the frame can easily distract your audience and reduce the effectiveness of your video, so removing them is an easy way to set your video out on the right foot.
Pro tip: Take a photo before you start moving items so that you have a reference point for putting them back properly when filming is complete.
Clean the space
Anything that is selected to remain in your filming space should be given a thorough cleaning. Dust and smudges on frames or furniture can be distracting. Even the floor should get a thorough cleaning if it will be visible on camera.
Add props
This may seem odd after the decluttering step, but hear us out. The props used should fulfill a function and not distract from the message of your video. Here are a few ideas for props and how and why they should be used as part of your set.
- Blankets and throw pillows can be used in a living room or rec room setting to add some texture or a pop of color to a solid-colored sofa or chair
- Fresh flowers are a very popular addition to a set. Arranged nicely and placed in a vase they can add color and perspective to a neutral space.
- Shelves and tables should be styled, minimally and authentically, with books, plants, lamps, and other generic items. Always be careful not to use easily recognizable books or representations of licensed characters on your set.
- Any artwork used as part of the staging should be carefully curated. Only use pieces of art and photos that you have the right to capture and distribute on film. If you’re unsure about any of the pieces in your frame, check into the usage rights, consider other backdrop options or contact the artist directly to ask for usage rights.
Be considerate of mirrors
Filming in locations with mirrors can be difficult, not only from a lighting perspective but also because it can be tricky to ensure that no reflections of equipment or crew members get captured in them.
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Step 2: Choose your video lighting type
There are several options to choose from when searching for the best lighting for a video. It’s a good idea to try a few different setups and learn which one works best for you.
Some will work more effectively for face lighting and others for creative or dramatic effects. The best way to learn about how to get good lighting for videos is to practice!
Key light
Description: The key light is the brightest and most powerful light for your shot. It is your main light source.
Pros: Illuminates the subject of your video
Cons: LED options can be pricey, and must be used in conjunction with a fill or backlight
Who should use it: Live Streamers, and individuals using three-point light, two lights or four lights lighting schemes
Fill light
Description: Fill lights are used to eliminate any shadows caused by the key light.
Pros: Eliminates shadows
Cons: Must be used in conjunction with a key light and/or backlight
Who should use it: Individuals using a three-point light, four-light, or loop lighting scheme
Backlight
Description: A backlight shines on the subject from behind.
It can be hung from above or placed directly behind or to the side of the video’s subject.
Pros: Creates separation between the subject and the background
Cons: Must be used in conjunction with other light sources
Who should use it: Anyone filming without a ring light
Ring light
Description: A ring of light, usually LEDs, which often comes equipped with a tripod and mechanism to hold your phone or camera in its center.
Pros: Can be used alone
Cons: Can be harsh to look directly into
Who should use it: Beginners or makeup tutorial creators
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Step 3: Choose a video lighting scheme
There are many ways to set up the studio lighting for your video.
Three-point lighting is a popular lighting choice for video, but two lights, four lights, and loop lighting setups can be used effectively for video lighting as well.
Each of these options creates a slightly different result, so read below to learn more about which scheme you should use to get the best lighting for your videos. While you can, of course, find great lighting for video recording outside, we will be focussing on lighting schemes for videos filmed indoors.
Three-point lighting
Description: Three-point lighting uses three lights; a key light, a fill light, and a backlight. In this video lighting setup, the key light and fill light are positioned on either side of the camera, pointing toward the subject. The backlight is positioned either above or to the side of the subject.
Pros: Separates the subject from the background and creates nice highlights around the subject
Cons: Many pieces of equipment required
Who should use it: Youtubers and Streamers or any videos with one person speaking to the camera will benefit from this video lighting scheme.
Two lights
Description: The two lights scheme for video lighting uses a key light and a fill light. With the addition of a bounce card, this scheme can be amplified. Whether it is used alongside a natural light source or with your key light pointed at it, it will help to improve the video’s face lighting. The lights should be positioned above your subject’s height for the best lighting results.
Pros: Flexibility within a filming location
Cons: Reliance on natural light can limit the filming timeframe
Who should use it: This type of video lighting is good for use with subjects who may want to get up and move around.
Four lights
Description: This is an expansion of the three-point lighting system for video and introduces a background light. The background light is positioned at waist height behind the subject, pointing at the wall or backdrop they are in front of.
Pros: Brightens the wall behind the subject, offers a more creative exploration of the use of light in video
Cons: Longer setup and teardown, more equipment required
Who should use it: Video creators looking for more creative opportunities
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Loop lighting
Description: Loop lighting, another excellent option in lighting for video recording, uses two light sources, a key light positioned next to the camera and a backlight on the other side of the camera behind the subject.
Pros: Minimal equipment required
Cons: Movement is restricted with this lighting scheme
Who should use it: Those creating professional videos
One light
Description: A video lighting system requiring only one light.
A ring light is the best choice for a one-light studio lighting setup.
Pros: Minimal equipment required
Cons: Less depth is created with this scheme than with multi-light options
Who should use it: Video creators who use their cell phones for filming
Step 4: Choose your light color temperature for video shoots
Not all lights are created equal. Based on the type of bulb, lights can appear “cooler” or “warmer” on camera. The human eye perceives this difference too.
Consider how a doctor’s office looks (cool fluorescent light) compared to a comfortable living room setting. Warmer light typically has a more yellow color, while cooler light has more white or light blue tones.
This concept is called color temperature, and can be measured on a scale of kelvin (see image below.)
As we stated earlier, it’s best not to mix lights of different color temperatures. I suggest finding daylight color bulbs, which are around 5000K.
For LED, it’s helpful to be able to adjust the color by temperature to ensure even coloration. Mixed temperatures can lead to improper color balance, which can lead to unnatural-looking footage.
Color temperature on a kelvin scale
Step 5: Fix glare, the enemy of video lighting
Glare on glasses can be a big issue, especially with fixtures that have harder, more direct light.
You can often fix it by raising your lights higher on their stands. If you have someone who can assist, have them raise the lights while you look through the camera viewfinder until the light is no longer visible in the glasses lens.
If raising the lights doesn’t help, try moving your key and filling the lights farther out, while keeping them relatively equal to one another.
In the three-point lighting image above, your key would be closer to 3:15, and your fill would be 8:45.
If your subject is comfortable with removing their glasses, that’s always a good last resort, but certainly not always an option — especially if they’re reading from a teleprompter.
It’s best to accommodate your shooting subject as best you can before asking them to adjust their appearance for a technical reason.
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Video lighting FAQs
How much does video lighting cost?
Video lighting can range widely in cost. It can be free if you have the option of using a window, or you can find bundles including a full studio lighting setup for around $200 USD.
What color bulb should I choose for video lighting?
The color of the bulb itself is up to you and what best serves the lighting needs of what you are filming. The important detail to remember is not to mix different colors of light, as that will create a low-quality video.
How do I avoid glare in video lighting?
Repositioning your lights is the key to avoiding glare in your videos.
If you notice a glare, you can either raise the lights until the glare disappears or try moving your key light and fill light further out.
Can you have too much light when filming videos?
Yes, you can! Too much light in the wrong places can cause undesirable shadows to appear.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2017 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Video Light: Top 5 LED Lights | Articles | Photo, video, optics
Photo: thefilmlook.com
An additional light source is an important part of shooting any video. It’s not always possible to capture perfect lighting, especially when recording video outdoors. And sometimes you want to diversify the picture and use unusual lighting styles.
In such cases, constant on-camera light comes to the rescue. A good video light works almost like a photo studio light, allowing you to light up the entire scene and even add lighting effects.
Today we’re going to talk about five on-camera LED lights that you can take with you on video shoots or use in the studio.
Ring lamp
Photo: lightingrumors.com The ring is located directly on the lens, but does not distort the image that hits the matrix.
Video bloggers know and love ring lamps. They are almost always equipped with a diffuser, so you can immediately cross off a few tasks from the list: provide soft shadows in the video without sharp transitions, give a neat light to the face of the person in the frame and get beautiful reflections in the eyes.
But you also need to set up such a light wisely – right in front of the model or presenter, and this is especially important for video tutorials on applying makeup. The ring should be at face level to give proper lighting. You can’t put it too far either – the light will scatter. With on-camera light, this problem is solved automatically.
If you choose a light with adjustable temperature, then make sure that the tone is chosen correctly.
Take a few test shots before moving on to the main one.
Godox Ring 48 is an example of such a lamp, which is mounted directly on the lens and connected to the camera via a hot shoe.
RGB light
Photo: godox.com.tr Side mount allows the lamp to be placed on a tripod and bent to any angle.
Depending on the genre of your videos, you should also choose lamps wisely. For example, if you are planning to experiment with genres and styles, and maybe even with colors, then an RGB lamp is ideal for you.
Typically, these lights are mains charged and operate autonomously, and with a mount they can be used directly on the camera and synchronized with the shutter.
RGB in the name means that the lamp can change colors. Whether you need blue, yellow, purple or red light, she can provide it. Usually such devices have a color wheel or a switch. Some are controlled by smartphone.
The Godox RGB Mini M1 not only allows you to change color, but also choose from 40 presets for different scenes and types of shooting.
The device has an interesting function – color music: the lamp changes shades, reacting to the volume and rhythm of the music.
The lamp can be attached to the hot shoe of the camera. It is lightweight, with 13W diodes and a color temperature of 2500-8500K.
LED lamp with reflectors
Photo: bhphotovideo.com Such lamps are common not only as on-camera lamps, but also in studios.
Reflectors never harm the process. On the contrary, they can create neat shadows, emphasize skin tone (depending on their shade). Since the reflectors are located on the curtains and open like petals, they can be conveniently directed, changing the light composition.
This light mounts directly on the camera or on a bracket, and its compact size allows you to take it with you on location. It is suitable for both photography and video shooting, because the light is constant, which means it should not respond to the shutter.
One such illuminator is the Yongnuo NT-320.
It has 320 diodes with a power of 20 W and a color temperature of 5000 K. There are color filters included.
The lamp is powered by a rechargeable battery which is not included. But it is designed for outdoor shooting, and therefore there is an SOS mode in case of unforeseen situations. By activating it, you can send a distress signal.
Compact illuminators
Photo: regmarkets.ru The diffuser built into this small lamp allows you to get soft lighting.
Sometimes on set it is not possible or necessary to use a large lamp or even a camera light. In this case, you can pick up a compact lamp, which is no larger than a standard flash.
Even on a small case there is room for control buttons and a mode switch. Yes, such devices also have modes, so you can choose the appropriate light for any occasion. The brightness can also be adjusted.
The Raylab illuminator consists of 60 LEDs, which explains the compact size of the device and its weight of 100 g.
It also has a color temperature of 2500 to 9000 K, which is more than most standard lamps. Everything you need, including a charging cable, is included, because to use Raylab you only need to charge it and put it on the camera through the shoe.
Compared to the classic external flash, Raylab also looks stylish and modern. So for any vlogger, this is a great choice.
Spotlights
Photo: lightingrumors.com Spotlights create additional effects when shooting, their light is rich and enriches the whole scene.
Some of these types of lights do not attach directly to the camera, but can be mounted on a tripod or simply placed on a table. Such lamps can be used for any shooting at home – from a subject video to a vlog.
Godox CL10 is another light from Godox that looks like a full studio lamp. The light reflects off the metal surface and spreads softly, filling the picture in the frame.
Godox has 36,000 color options and 15 modes to choose from. Among them there are color music, effects of lightning, laser, flash, TV, candles, flames and others.
The lamp can be controlled from a mobile phone using a special application or via the remote control that is included.
The Godox lamp has only 30 10W LEDs, but is bright enough to be perfect for streaming and other types of video.
Don’t forget that at home or in the studio you can combine different light sources and set it up just like you can with a lighting kit. Despite their small size, each of these lamps gives a powerful and rich light, and a combination of different colors can give additional unusual effects.
How to Light Your Videos: A Beginner’s Guide
If you’re an aspiring vlogger, videographer, or streamer, good lighting is the first thing to consider. Without it, the picture will be dull, with hard shadows and an unnatural hue. To avoid such mistakes, we have prepared a detailed guide for you, in which we have collected all the important information: why you need light, types of lighting, and how to properly place lighting equipment during shooting.
Why light is the first step towards cinematic videos
Shooting high-quality video at home is a doable task if you choose and install lighting responsibly. Even in a sunny apartment you can’t do without additional lamps and softboxes, and if the room is dark, even more so.
Artificial lighting highlights your subject just the way you want it to, focusing the viewer’s attention on it. It will also hide the background littered with household items. You can set the mood of the video yourself: colored lamps and spotlights will help with this.
Don’t forget that the quality of the final video does not depend on the scenery, the make-up of the model or the cost of the camera. Without good light, the chances of getting a cool video are greatly reduced.
Also clips you shoot in good light are easier to edit. You don’t have to spend hours in a video editor and build color correction – light will do half the work for you.
Professional softboxes and lamps are expensive, but don’t despair: beginners can use the tools at hand and the result will be no worse than experienced YouTubers.
Types of lighting that are most often used in videos
First, it is important to understand what kind of light can be: soft, hard, colored and mixed. Each type of lighting has its own function, which must be taken into account when placing it on the set (read – apartment?).
Soft light
This is one of the main types of lighting that is used not only for filmmaking, but also for video recording in home studios. Soft light does not add hard shadows in the picture, but rather diffuses them.
This light creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and the closer you bring the light source to your subject, the softer the effect will be.
When used. Videographers use soft light when they want to reduce shadows behind their subject. So the frame looks more attractive: remember the videos of bloggers on Youtube – the image on them is always bright and pleasing to the eye.
Soft light alone does not produce hard shadows: not against the background, not on the subject, not anywhere else.
That is why sometimes one lamp with soft lighting is enough to record a high-quality video.
Soft lighting is also suitable for portrait videos and interviews: it hides fine lines, evens out the skin and hides small imperfections.
Another soft light is used to eliminate unwanted shadows created by other light sources.
How to create. There are several ways to achieve soft light with a regular lamp: point the light at the ceiling or a special reflector, and not directly at the subject. Or cover the lamp with a translucent material – regular baking paper or a white sheet will do. It’s even better to order an inexpensive softbox on Ozon or Aliexpress – it will last you a long time and you won’t have to bother with complex designs every time.
Hard light
Hard light in video is intense and bright lighting that casts a sharp and distinct shadow on the subject. The most vital example is the sun in the afternoon. Remember your perfectly even shadow on the pavement – this is the result of hard lighting.
When used. Hard light is ideal for creating dramatic, gloomy and even depressing scenes. Think of any horror movie – the atmosphere of fear is created with the help of direct lighting.
In addition, this light is suitable for product photography, when you need to emphasize the shape of the object.
How to create. Direct light source can be a table lamp, flashlight or spotlight. The main thing is to direct it directly to the shooting location.
Moving the luminaire or spotlight closer to the subject also increases the “hardness” of the light.
Color Lighting
This is an additional light that corrects the tones in the video (when the color goes too cold or warm) or gives a certain mood or atmosphere to the video.
With the help of colored lamps and lenses it is possible to create a New Year’s mood even on a hot July day. Or, on the contrary, add dark shades for a video compilation of the scariest films released last year.
When used. Colored lenses and panels are indispensable when you want to create a certain mood. With the help of colored spotlights, it is easy to convey the atmosphere of an incendiary disco or a cozy evening by the fireplace.
If the main light is yellowish, an additional white light will give the picture a more natural tint – this effect is called “white balance”.
How to create. Colored gel filters are available from the online store, which are placed either on the light source or on the camera lens.
Also look for lamps that already have multicolor modes built in. They are compact and easy to place even when shooting in a small studio.
New Year’s garlands and colored LED lamps, which are sold in almost any hypermarket, can serve as a source of colored light. Surely you have seen purple light in the windows – these are LED lamps for plants, but they are also used as backlight.
❗️Life hack.
Take an ordinary light bulb and paint it the color you want. It remains only to screw it into the lamp, turn on the camera and start recording.
Arrangement of light for video filming and types of lighting
It is not enough to understand the types of lighting, it is important to arrange all the light sources so that the picture is like that of millionaire YouTubers.
What do you need to know? There are four main types of lighting that are used in layouts:
- Key light
- Fill (levelling) light
- Backlight (backlight)
- Background light
Primary light
Key light is the main and most powerful light source in the frame. It is usually placed in front of the subject, about 45 degrees above or 45 degrees to the right or left.
Key light does not apply to a particular type of lighting equipment. It can be anything from a flash on the camera and a table lamp (not a chandelier!) to a fireplace in the room.
Fill light
Compensation light fills in areas that the main light source does not illuminate – shadows disappear, the subject is highlighted. Most often it is used when recording a video in which a person is present.
Fill light source can be:
- professional lamps and spotlights
- reflectors that redirect the main light back to the subject (this includes special gadgets, walls, ceilings and fabrics)
- flash or strobe – a device that simulates the flash of a
camera
It should be placed on the side opposite the key light. The intensity of the fill light is usually about half that of the main light.
Backlight
Backlight greatly improves the quality of your video. It highlights your subject from behind. Backlight can be placed in several ways: put it as close as possible directly behind the object, or hang it above it.
The main task of lighting is to separate the object in the frame from the background, to make it more voluminous and textured.
But he also has a more creative task. A backdrop can emphasize haze, fog, raindrops or cobwebs in the background – it will look magical and unusual. It is also suitable for silhouette and landscape photography.
When shooting portraits, backlight highlights the model, highlights her silhouette. If a person has long hair, thanks to the backlight, they will seem to shine in the frame.
The backlight can be an LED panel, a fluorescent lamp, car headlights, a bedside lamp or even a candle.
Background light
Background lights illuminate the background and visually separate the subject from the background. In addition, with the help of such lighting it is possible to create a certain mood in the video and highlight the background itself, if you want to accentuate it.
You can hang a garland, a glowing decorative sign or a small lamp on the background.
Lighting plans for home video shooting
There are several ways to place video lighting – especially with multiple lamps.
Three-point lighting is popular, but you can also use two or four lights, as well as ring lighting.
Three-Point Light
This scheme uses three main light sources – key, fill and backlight. The three-point light is most common among vloggers – perfect for a single person speaking into the camera.
Two-point light
This lighting scheme is also common in video, especially for quick interviews. It consists of key and fill light.
If you don’t have two lamps, use a reflector. It will direct the light from the sun or the main light onto the subject and create an equalizing light.
Four-Point Lighting
Add background lighting to a three-point setup and you’ve got an almost professional studio. The background light is located at about waist level, right behind the subject – brightens the wall and eliminates unnecessary shadows.
Ring light
Ring light is what will help aspiring YouTuber, streamer or videographer to create high quality videos.