If you record videos at home and post them on social media platforms, how can you draw viewers’ attention to your creation? Indoor lighting for video shooting is the key to compelling videos. In this post, we will go through some tips that can you help you create great illumination and recommend tools needed for video lighting.
How to get good lighting for indoor video: 7 tips to help
To get the best lighting for indoor video recording, you need to illuminate the subject well, avoid overhead lighting, position the camera and light properly, adopt 3-point lighting, avoid mixing color temperatures, diffuse light source, and make good use of catch light. Below we will explain each tip in detail.
Illuminate the subject well
Illuminating the subject and scene well brings many benefits. You can draw the audience's attention, create the right mood for the video, and ensure enough engagement. Both natural and artificial lights are good to use. No matter what type you use, you are advised to take a test shot to see how it looks and make some adjustments to get perfect lighting in the camera frame. Here are two tips on adjustment.
- If the subject is underexposed, move them closer to the light source that provides diffused illumination.
- If overexposed, move your subject farther away or adjust the brightness of your equipment.
Stay away from overhead ceiling lights
Most rooms come with ceiling lamps and most novice video creators use them as the only source of indoor lighting for video shooting. This usually results in the entire picture being colored in a similar tone and creating unpleasant shadows on the subject's face.
Therefore, it is a good idea to invest in adjustable lamps, LED or ring lights that could be positioned in front of the subject. Or you can position them underneath to minimize shadows caused by ceiling lamps.
Set up your light and camera to make good use of shadows
As aforementioned, it is advised to invest in lighting equipment that ensures flexible placement. If you have a single light source, create a setting in which the camera and light source are both located on the opposite side of the subject at approximately 45° angles - imagine your subject, the camera, and the light source as three ends of a triangle.
This is a setup commonly used in video shooting. The light is placed at a proper angle to accentuate shadows while the camera can capture both light and dark sides at its position.
Use 3-point lighting setup for indoor video shoot
If you want to level up your video creation, the 3-point lighting setup is a good choice. As the name suggests, you need three lights, including key, fill, and back lights.
How to create this setup? Imagine hat you or your subject is at the clock’s center and the camera is positioned at 6. Key light will be placed at about 4, fill light at 8, and the backlight is positioned between 1 and 2.
Avoid mixing indoor lighting color temperature for video
Even seasoned video creators may struggle with the use of lighting with various color temperatures, such as cold light from a fluorescent bulb and warm light from a tungsten lamp. Therefore, it is wise to steer clear of various color temperatures when first starting out.
As your camera sensors attempt to correct the white balance in your frame, mixed illumination might be difficult for them. You may wind up with very warm, yellow, or pale, blue, photos, depending on how your camera perceives this.
Soften indoor lighting for video shooting
Although hard lighting has its role in filmmaking to offer dramatic effects, it is advised to use soft light if you want to film professional indoor videos or are a novice video creator. Use following tips to soften hard illumination.
- Bring your light closer to the subject (making it larger in comparison to its size) and cut down the wattage if necessary.
- Use a modifier such as an umbrella, softbox, or scrim.
- Bounce light off a surface and onto your subject.
Pay attention to catch light for more real and alive look
The light source's reflection in the subject's eyes is referred to as a catchlight. It's a small touch, but it makes a big impact since it gives the individual in the video a more real and alive look.
As a result, while shooting indoors, you may place your lighting such that your subject mirrors the same appearance and feel. With a 3-point setup, it is simple to do this.
The best lights for indoor video for every budget
Depending on your budget and the time and location you record videos, you can use different lights for indoor video shooting.
Indoor lighting for video shooting on zero budget
Sunlight is one of the greatest (and cheapest!) sources of video illumination. And it can cost a few dollars to get a large white poster board and a gauze-y curtain to make your video look more professional. Place your table and chair with the sun directly in your face, taking care that your computer or camera does not obstruct the light! Sit on a chair or similar flat surface that makes you in line with the rest of the stuff in your home to make it seem as pleasant as possible.
Indoor lighting for video interview under $150
If you have some budget and want to get flexible video light for at-home shots, the COLBOR CL60 is the best studio light for video you can go for.
The CL60 is at the bi-color temperature of 2700-6500K, so you can adjust it to the same color temperature for consistent color when you use home lamps at the same time. The cooling system works to ensure optimal working temperature and produces noises lower than 20dB at Quiet Mode, thus fan noises are not being captured when filming videos. Besides AC power, the CL60 can also be powered by V mount battery, PD power bank, and NP-F batteries. This allows you to use it anywhere indoors even where is far away from the mains socket.
Best lighting for indoor video under $300
If you have a higher budget and want a more professional option, the COLBOR CL220 is a good LED constant light for your indoor video shooting. It comes with Bowens mount and NATO grooves to receive a wide range of light modifiers and video or photography accessories. This gives you more flexibility to shape and direct the lighting. For more product details, you can check the review video by YouTuber Momentum Productions.
Conclusion
These are 7 simple but effective tips for you to get indoor lighting for video shooting that makes your videos attractive and professional. And you can make use of different lighting equipment according to your budget. We also offer some tips to indoor lighting for photography, if you want to level up your photography, check the article Buyer guide to indoor lighting for photography.