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Getting Started in Video: Lighting
Story by brepettis
Published on May 23, 2008 in How-To 		Photo by Bre Pettis

You've got a camera, you've got some shooting know-how, and your audio is sounding sweet.  Now, what about lighting? This video shows you three options for lighting your video.  The "free" option is to shoot in front of a window.  The cheap option is to use clip lights and the pro option is to get a lowel light kit.

 

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The most important thing about lighting for video is that you've got light. Without enough light, your camera's autofocus will be grumpy and the picture, while it may look ok in the camera viewer as you shoot, will look all grainy when you transfer the video. Also, in the video I mention diffusion filters. 

There is a lot to learn about lighting for video. If you get into it, you can spend years learning about lighting. I took a 16 hour intro class once that really gave me some ideas to play around with. The goal with this video is to get you started and get the lighting in your next video better than the lighting in your last video. 

I went looking for resources to learn more about lighting on the internet, but didn't find much, so if you've got a resource for more information about lighting or if you have your own tips and tricks, leave a note in the comments!

For more videos about making videos, keep reading our Getting Started in Video series!

Tags films, Getting Started in Video, HOW-TO, lighting, movies, promoting, Seller Handbook, selling, tips, video
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14 comments     Login to add your own!

May 23, 2008 at 9:12 p.m. objecked

CORRECTION: The Sun is the most powerful light source IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM.

So, if anyone was per chance doing a video shoot near, say, a nebula or something, it might prove to be brighter... hard to say though.

May 23, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. crankbunny

yay 3-point lighting!

I actually had to brush up on this last week for some work related stuff. I read this pretty handy article on bouncing (light) and reflectors.

http://www.videomaker.com/article/12993/

May 24, 2008 at 12:08 a.m. pookeh

that video about lighting in video from your series of videos about making video was awesome.

May 24, 2008 at 2:30 a.m. FrucciDesign

bre, you're so funny!!
I love this series and everytime I watch one of your video I want to shoot one too...but you're lucky enough I haven't yet!

May 24, 2008 at 3:20 a.m. applecreekdesigns

For the diffusion filters - if you do not use paper because of the fire hazard, what is the material you clipped on the lights in the video?

May 24, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. weirdwolf

I think we need to made a fireside video in a cave! Awesome lighting video... Great music too!!

May 24, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. littlepurls

great video Bre, as always. i'm hoping you decide to make one about editing video, that's where i get lost.

May 25, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. reneesfashions

Nice video. Thanks for the great tips.

You say not to use paper to diffuse the light...so, what was that you clipped on to your light ?

I have several of those cheap lights. Until I can afford better that is what I am using.

May 26, 2008 at 1:04 p.m. tjw1963

I have used an old milk jug as a cover for my clamp light. What are your thoughts on that?

May 27, 2008 at 2:45 a.m. MindPaint

Thanks that was such a great jumping point.

May 27, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. brepettis

littlepurls - Ok, editing is on the agenda now!

reneesfashions - it's a fireproof gel diffuser that doesn't burn. Handy for not setting the house on fire.

tjw1963 - I like the old milk jug idea, but I'm not sure how safe it is. Keep a fire extinguisher handy!

May 27, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. MikeH

Another important light is the back light. That would be like the background light but instead pointing toward the back of the subject. It is used to better separate the subject from the background by adding a bright edge to the subject's shoulder.

May 27, 2008 at 10:07 p.m. hine

Thank you for the great How-to video! This is very helpful! I put it in my Favorites! How many watt are the light bulbs in your video?

June 2, 2009 at 8:57 p.m. creationsnthings

Great Info!
I love your sense of humor too. And thanks to everyone else for their input. I think I'll go look for some filter paper. The milk jug idea appeals to me (reuse!) but it would be my luck I'd be needing that fire extinguisher!

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