The best lighting for YouTube videos differs by the types of videos you are recording. The suitable lighting equipment makes video shooting convenient, helps create the mood and atmosphere, and expresses the right message to your audience. In this article, we will talk about different types of lights used to illuminate YouTube videos, recommend some COLBOR video lights, and discuss some frequently asked questions related to video production.
Studio lighting for YouTube videos: Ideal for professional 3-point setup
COLBOR has introduced several LED studio lights for video to the market. They come in different power outputs so you can use them to create a 3-point lighting setup to illuminate the subject and scene professionally. In this part, we will tell how a 3-point setup works, when to use it, and what COLBOR studio lights to use for creating this setup.
How it works
The 3-point setup is the most common setup for recording YouTube videos in a studio. It consists of the following lights:
- Key light: It is the most powerful. It points to the subject directly and is angled above the eye level.
- Fill light: It works to fill in the shadows caused by the key light.
- Background light: It illuminates the background so as to separate the subject from the background.
When to use
If you work in a somehow large video studio and have enough budget to level up your YouTube video lighting, this can be the best lighting for YouTube videos. With three-point lighting, you can add dramatic shadows to your images and films. These shadows might be harsh or light, but the end result will always have dimension and depth.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Adds depth and dimension to the frame
- Creates pleasing highlights around the subject and separates he/she from the background
Cons:
- Requires several pieces of equipment
COLBOR CL330 - Key light for YouTube videos at constant 330W power output
The COLBOR CL330, as the name suggests, is a light that offers constant 330W power output. It offers 65,800Lux of light when used with the supplied reflector, set at 5600K color temperature, and placed at 1m away. This means that it is powerful enough to work as the key light for your YouTube studio setup. In addition, it is adjustable at color temperature from 2700K to 6500K to match the ambient lighting if needed. The 0-100% changeable brightness, Bowens mount, and NATO grooves bring more possibilities and flexibility to YouTube video lighting.
Key features
- Red-Green Color Compensation for color consistency with your already-have light sources
- 330W power output
- Adjustable color temperatures and brightness
- 97+ CRI for accurate color reproduction
- Bowens mount and NATO grooves for accepting various light modifiers and shooting accessories
- 10 preset lighting modes
- Fan noises lower than 28dB under Quiet mode
- Can be controlled by onboard buttons/knobs, COLBOR Studio App, and physical controller
CL330 review video
CL330 review video by slicktoroid about the unboxing, unique feature, controls, and pros & cons of CL330.
COLBOR CL60M - LED light for YouTube videos to work as a fill light
The COLBOR CL60M offers lighting for YouTube videos at 65W power output. It offers 22540Lux of 5600K light at 1m when used with the supplied reflector. It can be a good choice for fill light in a large video studio. The CL60M features a 5600K color temperature to mimic natural daylight. The 97+ CRI allows it to reproduce the colors of subjects and objects almost the same as how they appear under natural sunshine.
Key features
- 65W power output
- 5600K color temperature to offer daylight-balanced lighting for YouTube videos
- 97+ CRI for accurate color reproduction
- Bowens-mount adapter for accepting various light modifiers
- Accept multiple power supplies such as V mount battery, PD power bank, and NP-F batteries
- 7 preset lighting modes
- Quiet cooling fan for no fan noises captured in the video
- Can be controlled by onboard buttons/wheels, COLBOR Studio App, and physical controller
CL60M review video
The CL60M review video by Fellow Filmmaker talks about the specs, features, and the comparison with fixture from another brand.
COLBOR CL60R - Ideal for offering background lighting for YouTube videos
The COLBOR CL60R is an RGB LED light that is ideal for adding ambiance and colors to your YouTube videos. It is adjustable at a color temperature ranging from 2700K to 6500K. The saturation and hue ratings are also adjustable to offer 3,600,000 colors. Using the onboard buttons or COLBOR Studio App, you can dial in your color choice or use preset lighting modes such as Fire, Spark, or SOS.
If you record videos in a small place, the COLBOR PL8R can be another good choice to illuminate the background to help create the video moods. We will talk about this in the FAQ part.
Key features
- Offers lighting for YouTube videos at 65W power output
- Magenta and green adjustment for color consistency
- Carries a sensitive audio system to output exact light effects according to ambient sounds
- Offers 3,600,000 colors
- Adjustable color temperatures and brightness
- 97+ CRI for accurate color reproduction
- Bowens-mount adapter for accepting various light modifiers
- Accept multiple power supplies such as V mount battery, PD power bank, and NP-F batteries
- 13 preset lighting modes
- Quiet cooling fan for no fan noises captured in the video
- Can be controlled by onboard buttons/wheels, COLBOR Studio App, and physical controller
CL60R review video
CL60R review video by YouTuber David Zhou talking about specs, features, build quality, and how to control it in YouTube video recording.
Table: key specs of COLBOR studio lights for YouTube videos
Here we list the key specs you need to check when choosing a light for YouTube videos.
|
Studio light for YouTube |
COLBOR CL330 |
COLBOR CL60M |
COLBOR CL60R |
|
CRI |
97+ |
97+ |
97+ |
|
Color temperature |
2700K-6500K (±200) |
5600K (±200K) |
2700K-6500K (±200) |
|
Beam Angle |
≈∠120°; Reflector≈∠45° |
≈∠120°; Reflector≈∠15° |
≈∠120°; Reflector≈∠15° |
|
Illumination |
12,400Lux (at 1m 5600K, No Reflector); 65,800Lux (at 1m 5600K, With Reflector) |
3,243Lux (at 1m 5600K, No Reflector); 22,540Lux (at 1m 5600K, With Reflector) |
2,082Lux (at 1m 5600K, No Reflector); 22,655Lux (at 1m 5600K, With Reflector) |
|
COB Output Power |
330W |
＞60W |
＞60W |
|
Rated Power |
360W (Max) |
80W (Max) |
80W (Max) |
|
Body Material |
Aluminum Alloy+ABS |
Aluminum Alloy+ABS |
Aluminum Alloy+ABS |
|
Dimension |
299*128*232mm (Light Base Included) |
140*80*90mm (Light Base Not Included) |
140*80*90mm (Light Base Not Included) |
|
Weight |
2.07kg (Light Base Included) |
Light: 550g; Light Base: 160g |
Light: 600g; Light Base: 160g |
|
Price |
$499.00 |
$119.00 |
$199.00 |
Camera light for YouTube videos: Good choice to provide best lighting for YouTube vlogging
The most commonly used on-camera lights are rectangular and square. There are two ways to mount them. One is to mount them on the top of the camera and illuminate the subjects directly in front of it. The other is to mount them on stands or tripods to create flexible lighting for YouTube videos.
How it works
LED camera lights, whether square or rectangular, are comparable to window lights but have a smaller and more portable form. They use hundreds of miniature LED beads that work together to produce uniform illumination with no "hot spots." While their compact size restricts their output, today's LED lights may emit over a thousand lumens to give a consistent light source.
When to use
Because it is portable and battery-powered, this style of light is ideal for travel vlogging or any type of on-the-go filming. Shooting outside sometimes involves weak and unpredictable lighting, so having an on-camera light may still be a smart option. Even if you're not shooting outside, an LED light might be a less expensive alternative to light modifiers.
Pros and cons
LED on-camera lights bring the following pros and cons to YouTube videos.
Pros
- It is compact and lightweight
- What you see is what you get
- Some can be controlled by remotes or Apps
Cons
- Some are not so powerful to work as a key light
COLBOR PL5 - Compact and light to carry for making YouTube vlogs
The COLBOR PL5, size of 110*65*15mm and weighs 110g, is an LED pocket light at 5W output. The 1/4 screw and supplied cold shoe mount allow it to be mounted on cameras, tripods, and rigs. It is also an ideal option for phone vlogging thanks to its magnetic back and extension wings, which help it to attach firmly to the smartphone. The parameter display screen shows the exact setting of color temperature, brightness, etc.
Key features
- 5W power output
- Adjustable color temperatures and brightness
- 95+ CRI for accurate color reproduction
- Extremely portable
- Powered by inbuilt battery
- Can be controlled by onboard buttons/wheels and COLBOR Studio App
PL5 review video
The PL5 review video by Stuart Rodwell talks about key features, the performance of its two lighting modes, its real-life uses, and the unboxing.
COLBOR PL8B - Light for making youtube videos that can serve as a power bank
The COLBOR PL8B is another LED light for YouTube vlogging with a really compact form factor. Its size is 125*75*17mm, weighing only 187g. It differs from the PL5 by the 8W power output and the ability to work as a power bank. It provides 10 preset lighting modes to create commonly used scenarios for your vlog filming. This saves the time of adding effects in post-production.
Key features
- 8W power output
- Adjustable color temperatures and brightness
- 98+ CRI for accurate color reproduction
- 10 preset lighting modes
- Can work as power bank with its large capacity battery and Type-A DC Output port
- Extremely portable
- Powered by inbuilt battery
- Can be controlled by onboard buttons/wheels and COLBOR Studio App
Table: Key specs of COLBOR camera lights for YouTube vlogging
Check the specs below to see if they can offer best lighting for YouTube videos.
|
LED camera light |
COLBOR PL5 |
COLBOR PL8B |
|
CRI |
≥95 |
≥98 |
|
Color Temperature |
2700K-6500K (±100K) |
2500K-9000K |
|
Illumination |
1500Lux (at 30cm 6500K) |
/ |
|
Runtime |
100% brightness for about 90mins |
About 125 minutes at 100% brightness |
|
Power |
5W |
8W |
|
Dimension |
110*65*15mm |
125*75*17mm |
|
Weight |
110g |
187g |
|
Price |
$39.00 |
$49.00 |
Softbox lighting for YouTube: A option for lighting for YouTube live streaming
Softbox lighting mimics natural light from a window, making it perfect for frontal lighting. Because of its broad coverage, it is ideal for reducing shadows and illuminating the space where it is situated. Its internal lining can be reflective silver or neutral white to change the quality of light it emits.
Softbox lights are often square or rectangular in shape, although they can also be octagonal, hexagonal, long strips, parabolic, or circular.
How it works
A softbox, as the name suggests, is a box constructed around a continuous light source that is composed of reflecting interior material and has a diffusing panel in front of it to minimize the harshness of the light. You may add dimension to your set by using at least one softbox at a 45-degree angle. To avoid shadows, you may also use two on either side of your setup.
When to use
Softbox lights produce lighting for YouTube videos that is natural-looking in a concentrated area, making them ideal for interior video production. It's popular for product reviews, food programs, room vlogging, and other YouTube videos that require diffused lighting.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Creates soft and even lighting that is perfect for live streaming
- Enables better control over the direction and brightness
- You can use it with different types of light sources
Cons
- Large softbox requires additional space. If you record YouTube videos in a small studio, it may be a problem.
- It offers softer illumination but still directional
Natural light for youtube: Go-to option for tight-budget filming
Even for vlogging, there is nothing that can compare to natural illumination. You may get bright, consistent illumination from the sun without spending a cent if utilized at the proper time of day.
How it works
Natural sunshine has a temperature of roughly 5500K and is frequently duplicated by artificial light sources. It appears white to the human eye and aids in revealing true colors in YouTube videos. Its occasional yellow hue helps the skin appear healthy and bright.
When to use
If you haven’t invested in artificial light source and have a big window in the room where you film YouTube videos, making use of natural sunlight that comes through the window can be a good choice. It is advised to shoot videos before and after lunch since this is the time when the sun offers the brightest sunshine but won’t cast much unpleasing shadows. Begin by placing yourself and your camera near a window and facing the light head-on to illuminate yourself evenly.
Pros and cons
Pros
- It is free to get access to it
- It is not harsh if under shade
- It offers appealing lighting and illuminates everything naturally
Cons
- It is hard to control and limited by the time and weather
- It is also hard to get consistent illumination
FAQ
Video: How to light your YouTube videos?
With a proper YouTube lighting setup, you can make any room your YouTube studio like the YouTuber Mark Wiemels. In this video, he used the COLBOR CL220 with a softbox COLBOR BP65 as the key light and used several PL8R lights to illuminate the background. You can check the video to see how he set up lighting for YouTube videos and apply the idea to setting up the YouTube lights recommended above.
What are the lighting tips for YouTube videos that can achieve better videos?
A simple adjustment in your lighting setup may improve the quality of your YouTube videos.
1. A favorable first impression is made by well-balanced lighting. Under good lighting, you or your subject will appear more professional. If the lighting is not proper, your subject will not only be unclear, but the attraction of the video will suffer.
2. If your video is more focused on color and texture (remember that little color variances can alter perception), you should utilize suitable lighting to clearly highlight these aspects to your viewers.
3. Light differences may express the atmosphere of a situation. You can make your viewers feel any feeling you desire by adjusting the setting of color temperature, colors, etc.
4. As we all know, light is utilized to emphasize a subject. You may use the power of light to make your audience take note of minor changes in a scene. Remember, they'll pay attention to where the light is!