Lighting is one of the core elements that can make or break the video quality output. If you have a perfect mic, camera, and frame, but the lighting is off, your video will not look as good as it should.
Lighting quality sets apart a professional video from an amateur one. It gives your audience the impression that you know what you are doing. Therefore, choosing the lighting according to your setup and content type is very important.
This article explains popular lighting types and reviews the best lighting for YouTube videos when you start a channel.
Lighting quality is one of the key elements that give videos a professional and polished look which encourages the audience to keep watching.
Cameras cannot reflect light the same way as human eyes can. Human eyes are developed to see the shadows and highlights of a scene. No matter how good the camera is, it can never perceive the situation in the same way as the human eye does. This is where lighting plays its role.
The quality and intensity of the light you use have a great impact on the audience. It creates a mood that can emphasize your message more. Poor lighting can convert a funny scene into a serious situation or a colorful moment into an ordinary and plain moment.
There are different types of lighting you can use to create professional videos. Once you learn about the difference between them, you can select a setup that suits you the best.
Natural light is one of the most affordable lights while shooting videos. You can shoot beautiful scenes outdoors using the sunlight or moonlight. It is usually hard to control natural lighting, but you can do it by changing direction or choosing a proper time for shooting.
Natural light is not always there while recording a video. To tackle this issue, you can use artificial light and brighten up your videos. One way to set up artificial lighting is using the 3-point lighting method.
In this method, the first light is placed to focus on the subject of the video, this will be your key light. The second light is placed to focus on the remaining area of the subject. Lastly, the third light is placed at the backside of the subject to give a denser look to the video. It also separates the background from the subject. In some cases, you can also use lamps to shoot a professional video.
Softbox lighting kits are a perfect option for those who want to use natural window light. It is a directional light that is diffused from lighting sources attached to it. Softbox natural lighting provides the video with a soft and more defined light.
Umbrella lights are another way to add lighting to your videos. This lighting equipment provides a soft yet natural effect to the video. They are placed at a height on the left or right of the subject to eliminate facial shadows. They also remove the background shadows to give the video a smoother look.
A ring light is a circular-shaped LED light that is designed to illuminate the subject. It is placed in the front to create an even light around the face. You can place your camera in the center of the ring light to produce a better effect.
LED lights are becoming common for video shoots. They are portable and easy to handle. You can choose the best-LED set up according to your budget and needs. For example, makeup artists need a setup to zoom and brighten up only the face, while interviewers will use the one that focuses on the whole subject.
It’s an updated version of the original Apurture 120D and is 25% brighter. This new version draws 20 times more power which is great. One major improvement in 120D is putting the ballast and controller into one unit, which creates a defined setup. Its DMX lighting function is a game-changer for YouTubers.
Godox SL60W is a perfect choice for those who don’t like flash. It has a promising color adjusting system. It comes with a wireless dimming control system and has the ability to work with 6 lighting groups. Godox SL60W is a must-have for outdoor setups.
It’s a newly designed professional videography lighting kit. It comes with 2 softboxes for lights and 1 softbox for hair-light. Fancierstudio lighting equipment can be used for indoor as well as outdoor settings. It is compatible with almost all cameras.
Smith-Victor KT750LED 2-Light LED Umbrella Kit is a good option for YouTubers for shooting in studios or locations. It includes 2 high-quality umbrella bulbs, each of 45 watts, which gives high-quality combined output. They have a highly rated CRI.
Smith-Victor KT750LED is a lightweight and easy-to-carry lighting kit. It has a good daylight-balanced color temperature system.
It is a basic lighting equipment kit that will provide you with almost everything you need for recording YouTube videos. It includes a softbox which is an essential part to create a natural light glow. Its illumination system creates a defined shadow of the subject. The 7-inch flashpoint stand comes in handy when recording outdoors.
Fotodiox is one of the best ring lighting equipment kits for vloggers, photographers, and videographers. The light is an 18-inch diameter ring with 100W power consumption. It has a lot of color temperature options which makes it suitable for nearly every environment. The LED lights come with a mirror so that you can check out your appearance before shooting.
Core SWX Torch LED uses the latest technology to provide you with a light equal to 250 watts using the power of only 13 watts. It enables you to shoot in different environments with a varied range of color temperatures. It can be powered by a Sony L-type battery or a brick battery with a D-tap output. You can manage this lighting equipment with its remote control from a distance of 250 meters.
Using the right lighting source is very important as it adds production value to your videos and helps you catch the attention of your audience. Use any of the above-mentioned products to get the look that you want.
Ring lights are gaining popularity for close shots due to their convenience. Fotodiox Selfie Starlite Vlog 18” Bi-Color Dimmable light is one of the valuable ring lights you should consider. If you want a more professional and well-lit look, Smith-Victor KT750LED 2-Light LED Umbrella Kit is your best bet.
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