Video lighting equipment is used for creating a more professional-looking video. Some may be complex to use, but when you're prepared for taking your video from amateur to professional, it's time to invest in it! It will immediately improve the visual quality of your video content,s whether you are capturing video or broadcasting live.
Why do you need video production lighting equipment?
The video studio lighting equipment is an excellent complement to any video camera since they enable you to adjust exposure levels in a scene while maintaining greater clarity in shadows and highlights. You may also use them to create effects, such as utilizing changing hues to induce different emotions or even simulating things like a flickering TV or an emergency vehicle's blue flashing light. The right setup is able to:
- Help the audience in focusing on the video's key element. It may assist highlight elements of your video that you want the viewers to focus on, from the product in a product launch video to the interviewee in an interview.
- Help create the mood. Gloomy atmospheres may give a feeling of mystery, whilst well-lit atmospheres and continuous illumination can produce a happy mood.
- Improve the final video's quality, which has an influence on the company's branding and renown - everything must be of professional quality!
Why do you need lighting equipment for YouTube videos?
There are several reasons:
- It makes you appear more professional. If you want your audience to continue watching, you must appear to know what you are doing. Bad lighting not only makes it difficult to see, but it also casts a negative light on your abilities.
- When showing makeup or giving a tutorial, adequate lighting is vital so that your visitors can see the colors and methods clearly.
- You want to create an atmosphere that corresponds to your message. Varying types and intensities can provide subtle indications to your audience and make them feel the way you want them to.
- Good lighting focuses the viewer's attention to what you want them to see. And contrasty lighting may make subjects stand out.
How to choose the best video lighting equipment?
This involves two steps.
Firstly, decide which type of lighting equipment you need
The first thing is to identify where you will shoot the videos, as this will determine the type of light you need. There are 4 types available on the market.
LED video lighting equipment
LED video lights are used for ultra-low-budget projects. Although its mobility lends itself to micro-budget filming, higher-end fresnels are also gaining favor.
PROS
- LEDs are extremely portable video lighting equipment, and they may be readily filtered to match other light sources.
- Furthermore, the light is of high quality, and its color remains stable even when dimmed.
- Lastly, LEDs can be battery-powered, small, and portable. As a result, they do not need the ballasts that HMIs and certain fluorescents need. Plus, they don’t get hot.
CONS
- LEDs have few drawbacks. Nevertheless, one disadvantage is that they are more expensive in terms of "price per lumen" than more traditional solutions.
- The hue of white LEDs can also vary, and the variation is sometimes visible to the naked eye.
Tungsten
For years, tungstens have been a tried-and-true, industry-standard lighting solution for film and video production. Because they are comparable to the incandescent filament bulbs commonly used in interior, they are an excellent choice for interior lighting setups.
PROS
- To begin, this video lighting equipment is affordable to rent.
- Their CRI is extremely well-balanced. This implies that it can correctly relate an object's real color information to the human eye.
CONS
- Tungstens have a lower life span when compared to other light sources. As a result, despite their low cost, their bulbs must be replaced on a regular basis.
- Tungsten lamps may also get quite hot. As a result, they are a fire hazard and must be cooled after use before being handled.
HMI
An HMI is a powerful arc lamp lighting fixture that is essential for outdoor illumination. They are particularly useful for illuminate huge sets because they are so powerful.
PROS
- As aforementioned, the extreme brightness of an HMI makes it a requirement for powerful light sources. They don't consume as much electricity as tungstens.
- They don't generate as much heat on set.
CONS
- Because HMI lights are quite expensive, you must have a budget that permits for them.
- Because each HMI has an associated ballast that regulates the arc lamp, they require more set-up and take-down than other types.
- When employing an HMI, extra power and safety concerns must be made. They frequently require generators and manpower to operate.
Fluorescent
You've probably seen video lighting equipment of fluorescent type if you've ever noticed a fixture on set with a row of tubes. These lamps, which may be adjusted for both indoor and outdoor usage, emit UV light from mercury vapor.
PROS
- Fluorescents emit a naturally soft light that is used in interior design. They are also inexpensive, portable, and adaptable to a variety of shooting conditions.
- Fluorescents, like LEDs, have low power consumption and do not become too hot when in use.
CONS
- While external ballasts are not necessary, they can assist combat flickering problems. It involves more assembly and disassembly, as with HMIs.
- Dimming fluorescent lamps is also more difficult than with other types. You can always remove bulbs to lower lighting intensity, but you won't have as much control.
Secondly, consider key factors when buying lighting equipment for video shoot
There are several factors to consider when selecting the best video light for your needs, including:
-
Power supply: Can the LED be powered by both a power outlet and a battery? This will allow you to have a more adaptable set-up and film both indoors and outdoors. The COLBOR CL60 is such a kind of
lighting equipment for outdoor video. Besides DC power supply, it can also be powered by V mount battery, PD power bank, etc. - Color temperature: Check the LED's color temperature range; a wide range is desirable since it will provide you with both warm and cool color options to complement the ambient light or the effect you're attempting to achieve.
- Modifiers: Check to see whether the LED is packaged with any modifiers. They might be diffusers to soften the light or filters to adjust the color temperature.
- Flicker-free: The brightness of certain LEDs fluctuates, a phenomenon known as flicker. The best light equipment for video maintains a continuous level of brightness without flickering.
- Bluetooth technology: Bluetooth connectivity allows you to connect to a smartphone and adjust settings such as brightness and color temperature remotely.
How to set up light equipment for video?
Once you have your video lighting equipment selected, we can move on to how to set it up for better video shooting.
Basic setup: How to set up 3 point lighting for video
A three-point lighting setup, which emphasizes the main subject and makes them stand out from the backdrop, is the most basic setup. This setup aids in the creation of light balance and control, which is crucial for high-quality video production. To correctly set up your lighting equipment, follow these steps:
- Set up key light. It is the primary (and most powerful) light source in a scene or on an actor. Place it on one side of your subject to cast a shadow on the other side of their face.
- Add fill light. It provides dimension and softens the sharp shadows. To balance undesirable contrasts or shadows, place it on the other side of the subject's face.
- Place the backlight. It is used to define and accentuate the subject's features and contours. Backlighting serves to distinguish the subject from the background, resulting in distinct pictures and details.
Specific tips to video interview lighting
Here are some tips to help you correctly plan and execute your interview video shootings.
- Make your subject feel at ease. First and foremost, never lose sight of your subjects! Being interviewed for a video of any kind may be daunting, so while you set up your lights, keep in mind how close, bright, and hot they will be on your subject.
- Try with different angles. The angle your subject is facing in relation to your camera is crucial when setting up your lighting since it will influence where the rest of your lights need to be. Therefore, don't be afraid to experiment with other angles to provide additional variety or alternative intended effects.
- Keep focus in mind. Make certain that the video lighting equipment is working in tandem with your camera's focus and capabilities. Therefore be aware of how much your lighting contributes to (or detracts from) your chosen focal length and depth of field.
- Determine the ideal ratio. When it comes to key and fill lighting, you really want to get the correct ratio for your cinematic look. If you use too little fill, your subject will appear mysterious, while using too much will make them appear overly dazzling. To achieve the optimum balance, experiment as much as possible before interviewees come.
- Don’t forget your backgrounds. While not strictly part of a three-point lighting, a fourth light is always an option for making your backgrounds stand out on screen. It never hurts to have an additional light on hand to give depth to your compositions by illuminating some background components.