Lighting is a vital factor that contributes to video recording quality. Considering that this article from the best free file converter aims to clarify the importance of lighting for video recording and introduce different lights and lighting setups. Meanwhile, it will guide to create the best lighting for your video recording.
The Importance of Lighting for Video Recording
Undoubtedly, lighting has an influence on video recording in many aspects. How much do you know about the influence? If you know little about it, the following content will offer you a comprehensive explanation.
The Influence on the Communication Between You and Audiences
Lighting has much to offer in positively or negatively affecting the communication between you and the viewers. It is reported that 93 percent of communication among people depends on nonverbal factors like facial expressions, body language, and more. However, if you apply an unclear light to your video recording, the audience may not understand your body language and facial expressions, which also frustrates your communication with them.
The Influence on the Attention of Audience
Good lighting plays an important role in attracting the attention of the audience. Likewise, bad lighting will have a negative influence on audience experience. For instance, if there are numerous dull-lit things in your videos, viewers will find it difficult to comprehend the context of your videos. This way, their attention will also be distracted.
In addition, overexposure to light can also be a factor that hides image details and distracts viewers’ attention. More importantly, nowadays, considering that many people abandon themselves to social media, smartphone notifications, and different applications, a video with poor lighting is more likely to distract their attention and make people stop watching your videos.
Four Kinds of Lighting for Video Recording You Should Know
For those whose knowledge about video recording lights is poor, the following paragraphs will walk you through four types of lights that you should try during your video recording.
Lighting for Video Recording 1: Ring Light
Serving as a circular light surrounding subjects and the camera lens, a ring light can offer light that is even diffused. Meanwhile, it helps minimize highlights and shadows, which makes a professional video recording in an amateur setup accessible to people. It is suggested that you use a ring light when recording close-up work such as tutorials, live demos, and self-recorded videos.
Lighting for Video Recording 2: Key Light
Functioning as your primary source, a key light is located on one side of the camera. Meanwhile, the most dominant and brightest key lights help set the visibility and tone of the scene. Plus, a key light is widely used in scenarios where depth and shadows are an integral part of dramatic effect creation.
Lighting for Video Recording 3: Fill Light
A fill light has a less intense and softer nature. Located opposite the camera from the key light, it aids you in eliminating or softening the harsh shadows created by the key light. At the same time, a fill light plays a crucial role in balancing the light across the subjects. With it, you are capable of revealing details. Simply put, a fill light can absolutely help you create the best lighting for video recording at home.
Lighting for Video Recording 4: Blacklight
Located behind the subjects, a blacklight refers to a light that produces a delicate light rim. Besides, it assists in separating subjects from the background, which leads to a great difference. Moreover, a blacklight enables the shot to have more dimensions and depth, which makes the subjects more attractive and ensures the best lighting in the recording of portrait videos.
How to Create the Four Kinds of Lighting for Video Recording
To create a ring light, you need to use tools such as adhesive LED rope lights, a wide frame from a Christmas wreath, Aluminum foil, cardboard, and transparent tape. As for the key light, it can be created by the sun, the ceiling lights, or a professional LED panel. If you want to create a blacklight, foil or other reflective surface DIY reflectors can give you a hand.
The Best Lighting Setup for Video Recording
When you record videos, it is common for you to combine different kinds of lights to make your videos more attractive. However, some people have a poor knowledge of lighting setup schemes. Given this, the following content will help you learn more about the best lighting setup for video recording.
Three-Point Lighting Setup
As a classical lighting setup, Three-points lighting places a blacklight behind the subject and puts the key light on one side of the camera. As for the fill light, it is located on the opposite side. It should be noted that all the lights are placed at definite angles. By altering the color of each light and increasing the brightness, the emotion can also be emphasized. Simply put, with the three-point lighting setup, your recording of narratives, interviews, and other videos can be more professional.
Two-Light Setup
Usually supplemented with a natural light source, a two-light setup barely applies the fill and key lights. On condition that you want a video that is less stylized and more natural, or you don’t have enough space for the three-point lighting setup, the two-light setup is highly recommended.
Loop Lighting Setup
With an effective and simple nature, loop lighting barely requires a blacklight and a key light. To create a small loop under the subject’s nose, the key light needs to be placed at a specific angle, which also adds dimensions and depth to the face of the subject. If you want to record talking head videos or portrait videos emphasizing the features of the subject, the loop lighting setup can be a good choice for you.
One-Light Approach
The one-light setup is a lighting setup that wins great popularity among beginners. It aims to offer even and flattering illumination using a ring light. With great simplicity, the one-light setup is widely used by YouTube beauty vloggers, online educators, and interviewers.
Four-Light Setup
Four-light setup is developed on the basis of the three-point lighting setup. Specifically, in addition to the lights that the three-point lighting setup requires, it needs a background light that optimizes your scene context and illuminates the background. On condition that you want to create a scene with more depth, the four-light setup is a good option for you.
How to Get the Best Lighting for Video Recording
In this section, you will learn several suggestions that will help you get the best lighting for video recording.
Suggestion 1. Recording Environment Selection and Optimization
There is no doubt that the recording environment is an influential factor for video recording lighting. Hence, when you plan to record videos, it is very necessary for you to select an environment that you can control. For example, a quiet place where you are capable of manipulating artificial lights can be a good choice for you.
In addition, the optimization of the recording environment is also significant. For example, a cleaning environment often makes a better look on camera. Meanwhile, to improve the quality of video recording, it is suggested you reduce unwanted reflections and shadows.
Suggestion 2. Color Temperature Coordination
The color temperature is another factor that contributes to the best lighting for video recording. In short, if the color and temperature match very well, your recorded videos will be equipped with visual tone coherence. Otherwise, your recordings will look more unprofessional.
Suggestion 3. The Adjustment of Light Position and Angle
It is necessary for you to implement the experiment with positions and angles of light. Trying different lighting positions and angles can help you find the best effect for your video recording. For instance, backlighting makes an ethereal glow accessible to your recorded videos. In addition, by adjusting the positions and angles, you can select different feel and mood for your scene.
Sometimes, the subject of your video recording may use a glass cup or wear glasses. This way, some crucial visual elements will be blocked by the reflections, which negatively affects video recording quality. To avoid the glare, you need to place your lights at angles that won’t directly reflect off the glass. Also, on the basis of not discomforting the subject, you can adjust the position of the glass to avoid glare.
Suggestion 4. Full Use of LED Lights
LED Lights are a can’t-miss tool that enables you to create the best lighting for video recording. With compact size, they bring more convenience to your moving of these lights. Furthermore, LED lights are energy-efficient and allow you to enjoy a variety of color temperatures.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, this post has explained the importance of lighting for video recording. Meanwhile, it walks you through different video recording lights and setups. Finally, some suggestions are provided to help you get the best lighting for video recording.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Eien, who was majored in English at the university, has been an editor of MiniTool now. In his opinion, the software developed by MiniTool has brought great convenience to people, which also urges him to share more articles about the software with readers. In his daily life, Eien has a passion for singing and listening to music.