RGB lights are made up of three separate light sources, each emitting a different hue of light. The three primary colors are red, green, and blue, however, more colors can be used in this setup. These components are combined to create an endless number of colors.
How do RGB LED lights work?
RGB lights work by utilizing diodes, which are small gates that only allow electricity to flow in one way. They contain three diodes (one for each hue) that light up differently depending on the amount of power they receive. A microcontroller, which can transmit pulses of varying frequencies and lengths to the diodes, controls the electricity. These pulses decide the brightness of each LED and, as a result, the color of the RGB LED fixture. For example, in order to create yellow light, the red and green LEDs must be bright, but the blue LED must be dimmed.
What are the types of RGB lights?
What are RGB lights? RGB is an abbreviation for "Red Green Blue". It is an additive color model to produce a wide range of colors by adding various intensities of red, green, and blue light. Basically, RGB lights are fixtures that can produce any color of lighting. They come in four common types, including RGB panel, point source LED, RGB LED strips, and ring lights.
RGB light panels
They can change colors and produce a variety of effects. They may be used for various applications, including photo taking, video shooting, mood lighting, decoration, etc. Some of them are modular, allowing them to be assembled in various shapes and patterns.
Point source LED
An RGB point source LED can generate a variety of colors by combining red, green, and blue light. A point source LED emits a focused beam of light. It may be utilized for photography, videography, stage lighting, and special effects.
RGB LED strips
RGB LED strip lights are the most common kind of RGB lighting. These thin LED strips may be trimmed to size and bent into shapes. This gives you the most freedom when designing unique lighting. Furthermore, the LED strips illuminate cupboards, beneath counters, and even stairwells. You can also use these RGB LED strips to light up your living or gaming areas.
RGB ring light
This is a simple lighting device that is often used for beauty shots, portraits, and macro photography. It has a number of tiny lights arranged in a circle or a single circular fluorescent bulb. It can generate light of many hues and effects and is commonly used in photography, video, live streaming, cosmetics, and other applications.
What are the best RGB lights: 3 picks at COLBOR
The best RGB lights for streaming, YouTube videos, etc. depend on the lighting purpose, spaces, and personal preferences on the features. COLBO provides three RGB lights at different power outputs. They are also different in some features. Read on to find the one that best suits your needs.
COLBOR PL8R: RGB video light panel in pocket size
The COLBOR PL8R has high-quality RGB LEDs, and white and yellow LED beads to offer full-color lighting. It has a high CRI of 98+. The color temperature is adjustable from 2500K to 9000K. The intensity can be adjusted between 0 to 100%. In addition to the HSI (hue, saturation, and intensity) and CCT (white balance) modes, the PL8R also has an FX mode to offer 13 lighting effects, including Fire, Fireworks, CCT Chase, etc. The PL8R is not powerful enough to work as a run-and-gun key light, but it is good to use to create pleasing backlighting, and hair lighting for creative scenes.
Key features
- Adjustable color temperature from 2500K to 9000K
- Brightness can be adjusted from 0-100%
- 5000mAh inbuilt battery for 125-minute runtime at full brightness
- Magnetic back for attaching to metal surfaces easily, 1/4’’ screw hole included
- 13 preset lighting modes for simulating realistic scenes
- On-board buttons & dials and OLED scree for physical control
- Wireless control via COLBOR Studio App
- Compact and lightweight, measuring 125x75x17mm in size and weighing 187g
COLBOR CL60R: 60W RGB LED light with multiple power supplies
The COLBOR CL60R is an RGB video light that is portable and versatile and is perfect for both home studios and remote work. The CL60R is a bright, color-accurate, and easy-to-use key light on small sets and can also be utilized as a fill or background light on bigger sets. Besides offering high quality RGB lighting, it carries a sensitive audio system to emit lighting according to the ambient sounds it hears. This allows it to add more dynamics to your video shooting, live streaming, etc.
Key features
- High color accuracy of 97+ CRI
- Adjustable color temperature from 2700K to 6500K
- Brightness can be adjusted from 0-100%
- Pick real-life colors by using the COLBOR Studio App
- Sensitive audio system to emitting lighting based on ambient sounds
- Magenta and green balance for delicate color correction
- Bowens mount adapter ensures wide-range compatibility with standard light modifiers
- 13 preset lighting modes for simulating realistic scenes
- Multiple power supplies for outdoor and indoor RGB lighting
- Can be controlled by on-board buttons, mobile app, and remote control
COLBOR CL220R: 220W point source LED with RGBCW to offer lighting of full colors
The COLBOR CL220R RGB light for studio is a game-changer for filmmakers and content creators. It has a 220W output and a color temperature range of 2700K to 6500K for maximum versatility in a variety of shooting conditions. Wireless app control, customizable brightness, and the ability to create professional lighting effects are some good features it comes with. The durable Aluminum Alloy construction provides longevity, and the heat-dissipating design avoids overheating during long-term use. This powerful RGB light gives great performance whether you're filming in a studio or on location, allowing you to produce spectacular and fascinating visuals for your projects.
Key features
- High color accuracy of 97+ CRI/98+ TLCI
- Adjustable color temperature from 2700K to 6500K
- Brightness can be adjusted from 0-100%
- Pick real-life colors by using the COLBOR Studio App
- Magenta and green balance for delicate color correction
- Bowens mount and NATO grooves ensure wide-range compatibility with light modifiers and shooting gears
- 13 preset lighting modes for simulating realistic scenes
- Multiple power supplies for outdoor and indoor RGB lighting
- Can be controlled by on-board buttons & knobs, mobile app, and remote control
What are the benefits of using RGB lights?
Using RGB LED light bring the following benefits:
- RGB lighting creates a vivid and dynamic atmosphere. It can produce stunning visuals by allowing you to alter the colors at will.
- It is both energy and cost-effective. This feature makes it an excellent choice for creating a distinct mood in any room.
- It can enhance the atmosphere, establish the tone, and give a personal touch to any indoor or outdoor space.
- RGB lighting is also ideal for achieving special effects in films, television programs, video games, and other forms of media.
- It may improve the atmosphere at parties, concerts, and other types of events.
- You may use RGB lighting to add intriguing and dynamic components to your image. As a result, it is ideal for photography and filmmaking.
- RGB lighting is a terrific solution for anybody wishing to create a unique experience in their home or company due to its flexibility and adaptability.
When to use it: Five common uses
As aforementioned, color changing LED light adds dynamic and creativity to your content creation. And here are 5 common ways you can use it in photography and video production.
It helps create colorful backgrounds in photoshoots
The first step in producing a colorful backdrop is to illuminate the subject and keep it as far away from the background as feasible. Color saturation will be lost if colors are blended with other white light sources. To do this, a flag should be used to block any light leakage. Experiment with different sizes and outputs to achieve the correct hue, but remember to lower the light so the image does not become overexposed.
Use two RGB lights to create green screen without the need for green fabric
Use a white background and two RGB light sources that are both tuned to the same green hue. Position the subject away from the backdrop to avoid green spill, then apply the proper key and rim light to it. This is the simplest and most straightforward method for creating a green screen on any white wall that does not require the use of green fabric.
Illuminate the subject with several color lighting for distinct effect
The best technique to get a distinct effect is to illuminate the subject with several colors. There is no right or wrong way to accomplish this; simply play about with the colors to see whether the final image meets your expectations. Strong, powerful colors can be utilized to create a more dramatic impression or delicate color tones can be employed to offer a simple flash of color.
Use RGB lighting to create cinematic moods in video shooting
By "painting" the shooting spaces with varied hues, RGB lighting may also be used to create a dramatic atmosphere. Contrasting colors in the background and foreground may provide separation and depth to an image. Again, it's all about playing with colors and determining what was lacking in the previous setups.
RGB light effects help create real-life scenes
Basically, RGB lights will come with some lighting effects to help create real-life scenes. Is a cop vehicle needed outside the kitchen window? RGB LEDs can switch between blue and red light. Is there light bouncing off the water? Use RGB LEDs to create a changing, uneven light pattern in green and blue. Is it getting dark outside your rustic log cabin? RGB LEDs can provide the ideal tone of reddish light.
How to control RGB lights?
In general, there are 3 ways to control RGB lighting. The first and basic way is to use the onboard buttons. You can check the user manual to see how to operate it since this differs by the fixture you use.
Second, there are app controlled RGB lights on the market. App control means utilizing a software program to interface with and adjust the settings of your RGB devices. Depending on the type of RGB device, you may need to install different applications to operate it. For example, the COLBOR Studio App is designed for adjusting COLBOR RGB lights. It offers three methods for you to select the color you want, including by parameters, palette, and picking colors via camera.
In addition, you may have the remote control RGB lights. Remote control entails utilizing a physical device to send signals to and adjust the settings of your RGB devices. This is often a compact handheld device with buttons or a dial for adjusting the color, brightness, mode, and speed. Some RGB lights include their own remote control, while others may work with universal remote controllers.