!["[Updated] 2024 Approved Direction and Intensity in Video Lighting"](https://thmb.techidaily.com/84ba87eddab3e368851899b58852311f605514d50db5d45ec6de18d3ab0b6cd6.jpg)
"[Updated] 2024 Approved Direction and Intensity in Video Lighting"
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Direction and Intensity in Video Lighting
Lighting Tips for Vlogging: How to Light
Richard Bennett
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
One of the best things you can do for your video quality is to ensure you have great lighting. Viewers find poor lighting distracting and it’s hard for them to see how great your content is if they are busy thinking about why your video is so dark. By creating a great lighting set up you can ensure that the people watching your videos are only thinking about how much they’re enjoying them.
Going outside and using natural light is the cheapest way to get a lot of light for your videos. If your vlog is not suited to the great outdoors then you need to get more strategic. You can turn on all the lights in your living room and still end up with a dark, grainy, video.
Video Lighting Basics: Three Point Lighting
The most common technique of lighting a scene is called three-point lighting. It involves three different sources of light in the shot and is used by portrait photographers, which is also a great method for lighting your vlog.
The brightest source of light is also known as the key light which need to be high quality. A window will work, but if you do not have access to one where you are filming then consider an LED panel light or a softbox light like the ones used in portrait photography.
This first light will create a dramatic shadow across half of your face. You want to reduce this shadow, but not get rid of it completely.
Rather than setting up another light source on the opposite side of the camera, put up a reflector to bounce some light back onto your face. This reflector is called your ‘Fill Light’.
The fill light is less bright than the primary source of light and it is placed on the side opposite to the key light. Its purpose is to reduce shadows produced by the key light and the reflector will need to be mounted on a stand.
The final step to creating three point lighting is to set up another light behind you. This is your ‘Backlight’, and it will help you stand out from your background. Backlight or Hair light is always placed behind and above the subject to create separation between the subject in the shot and the background. This basic lighting technique can be applied in almost every scene you shoot, which is why it is important to keep an open mind and to continue experimenting with possible light setups.
Watch Video! Top Lighting Tips for Vlogging
Lightning Tips for Aspiring YouTube Videographers
Becoming the master of light will take some time and practice, so it is crucial to remain curious and anxious to learn new tricks throughout that process if you want to continually become better. These tips will help you make the first steps on that journey.
1. Focus Your Key Light
Try to focus your Key Light so that it lights only you and not your background. Do this by mounting anything that can cast a shadow onto your Key Light to control the area where the light hits. If you are using a window for your Key Light then you can use a curtain. If you use a softbox light then your light will already be somewhat focused.
2. Use Natural Lighting
The light provided by the Sun is still the best light source, you can have in your video. The trouble is that natural light changes quickly, which makes it highly unpredictable. The best way to deal with this challenge is to come prepared to the set and to get the shot you want as quickly as you can.
3. Try DIY Lightning
Literally, anything from candles to LED light bulbs can serve as a source of light in a shot. You just need to pay attention to the light temperature, because warmer light sources may highlight reds and yellows that can make your footage look less realistic.
4. Use Lightning Kits
This is by far the best option if you want to be in complete control of the light on your set. You can adjust the intensity of the lights, use filters, diffusers and all sorts of other accessories to create the light that flatters the subjects of your videos. The only downside is that you’ll have to spend a considerable amount of money if you want to have a professional lighting kit.
5. Set up reflectors
Sets of reflectors are often under $50, so they are fairly affordable. However, some vloggers choose to forgo purchasing reflectors and make their own out of tinfoil.
If your strong main light is too hard on your eyes then you can use a translucent ‘reflector’ to soften it. Set your translucent reflector, or other screen, up in front of your main light to diffuse it.
If you are hosting a beauty vlog then you might consider a slightly different set up. Instead of having your main light off to one side set it up directly in front of you so your entire face is lit evenly. It is still a good idea to use fill lights in this set up to give you some dimension, and a backlight is even more essential for helping you stand out from the background. The even light hitting your face will also make you look flat if you do not use a backlight.
If you are using all of the lighting options available to you and your video still looks too dark then you can try brightening it by opening up the aperture of your camera lens/setting a lower f-stop. Letting more light into your camera can help your footage look brighter, although you also run the risk of making things look overexposed/ washed out if you are not careful.
If you are stuck shooting in low light conditions it is best to use a lens with a wider aperture/lower f-stop. This will make the best of the light you do have.
Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Richard Bennett
Also read:
- [Updated] Essential Tips for Incorporating Dynamic Cards in YouTube Videos for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Embarking on a YouTube Venture User Setup Essentials
- [Updated] Step-By-Step Guide to Find YouTube Hidden Videos
- [Updated] Mobile-Savvy Tailoring YouTube Video Thumbnails with Phones
- [New] 2024 Approved Dominate Discussion How to Trend on Social Media Platforms
- [Updated] In 2024, Easy Ways to Add Music to iMovie From YouTube
- Top 10+ Free Video Intro Makers for Youtubers for 2024
- Rallying Towards Partnership Reach the Critical 10K View Target Quickly for 2024
- [Updated] Surge Your Viewer Numbers A Comprehensive Guide to YouTube Growth
- [Updated] Dive Into Making YouTube Shorts Comprehensive Video Guide for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved 11 Useful YouTube SEO Tips to Help Rank Your Video High
- [Updated] In 2024, How to Embed a YouTube Video in PowerPoint [4 Methods]
- [Updated] Visualizing 2023 Social Media's Next Big Thing
- [New] The Video Creator's Guide to Copyright Compliance on YouTube
- [Updated] Content Creators' Preferences Vimeo or YouTube for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Breakthrough YouTube Success Essential Tips From Creator Studio Guide
- [Updated] Characters That Captivate Key Growth Strategies for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Direct From Google Meet Securely Live Stream on YouTube
- [Updated] In 2024, Android Audio Alchemy Selecting the Top Free Downloader Apps From YouTube
- [Updated] Elevate Your Content YouTube Movie Maker 101 for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Elevate Your Edits with These Top 5 Tools (No Youtube)
- [New] Optimize Video Pace on YouTube for Devices (Speed Adjustments)
- [Updated] Channel Growth Strategy Going with Studio or Beta Progression for 2024
- Transforming Viewership A Proven Guide to Implementing Youtube's Featured Listings for 2024
- [Updated] Unlocking the Best 10 Yogic Instructional Networks for Wellness
- [Updated] Budget-Friendly Strategies to Infuse Text & Video for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Best Apps for 3D Video Intros on Social Platforms
- In 2024, Video Sharing Techniques From YouTube to Insta
- [New] Assessing Mr. Beast’s Monetary Trajectory for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, DIY YouTube Openers Technique One & Technique Two
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Charting a Course for YouTube Success Viewer Numbers and Income
- 2024 Approved Youtube to Animated GIFs Conversion Guide Online Tutorial for Success
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Contrasting Copyright Clauses in Youtube & the Freedom of CC
- In 2024, Viral Vibes Top 10 Playlists for Up-and-Coming Video Shorts
- [New] In 2024, Efficiently Implementing Youtube End Screens
- Updated Unbiased AVS Video Editor Review Is It the Right Choice for You, In 2024
- [New] Cutting-Edge Top 11 List of Soundscape Capturers
- 2024 Approved Beyond Easy Video Joiner 10 Alternative Solutions for Seamless Video Editing
- In 2024, How to Securely Obtain Facebook’s Elite Verified Status
- In 2024, Lock Your Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G Phone in Style The Top 5 Gesture Lock Screen Apps
- [New] 2024 Approved Masterpieces at Play Choosing the Top 10 Thrilling Games
- In 2024, Top 15 Apps To Hack WiFi Password On Vivo Y77t
- [New] The Ultimate Blueprint for a Thriving TikTok Advertisement
- [Updated] Discover New Movie Experiences - Top 7 Swaps
- How to Transfer Data from Samsung Galaxy S24+ to BlackBerry | Dr.fone
- [Updated] In 2024, Tailoring Game Recording Features for Windows 11 Gamers
- Top 5 Tracking Apps to Track Lava Blaze Curve 5G without Them Knowing | Dr.fone
- [New] 2024 Approved Premium Ubuntu Clip Recorder Selections
- In 2024, 9 Best Free Android Monitoring Apps to Monitor Phone Remotely For your Vivo S17 Pro | Dr.fone
- In 2024, The Best iSpoofer Alternative to Try On OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G | Dr.fone
- Title: "[Updated] 2024 Approved Direction and Intensity in Video Lighting"
- Author: Steven
- Created at : 2024-06-05 05:11:51
- Updated at : 2024-06-06 05:11:51
- Link: https://facebook-record-videos.techidaily.com/updated-2024-approved-direction-and-intensity-in-video-lighting/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.