Beginner Video Lighting Tutorial
Photo by Brett Sayles from Pexels
For those of you that are just beginning as a vlogger, YouTuber, or other type of videographer, here are helpful video lighting tips and recommendations of how to set up video lights.
A video lighting tutorial will help for any kind of camera, too. Videographers using smartphones, point and shoot (P&S) cameras, or entry level DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can all benefit from a video lighting tutorial.
Basic Video Lighting
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Video can be recorded under many different lighting conditions including sunlight and ambient indoor lighting. Creative camera and subject placement can make up for many issues encountered with natural light.
In order to have greater control over your video lighting, you will need to either supplement or replace the available light. This is accomplished with reflectors, screens, backgrounds, and video lights. Since it’s video, any artificial lights used should be continuous lights.
In my continuous light kits, I prefer the LED and CFL options over quartz or incandescent bulbs. They emit color-balanced light without producing too much heat. LEDs and CFLs also tend to be more energy efficient and are generally budget-friendly.
One, Two, or Three Lights
Photo by Brett Sayles from Pexels
Depending on the specific style of video or vlog you are filming, you can use just one light or a combination of lights. When using 2 or more lights, it’s usually best to set one of the lights as the main light or key light.
The key light is what provides the majority of illumination for the scene. A second light at lower power or a reflector can be used as a fill light. Fill light fills in the shadows caused by the key light. You can choose how much contrast to have in the video lighting by raising or lowering the power of the fill light.
Most of the special lighting techniques can be done with two lights. A third light can be added as a background light, a hair light, or a rim light. This third light is sometimes filtered to a different color than the primary lights for added interest.
The video lighting tutorial from Primal Video is a good primer. Check it out above.
Let's discuss some ideas for continuous lights to use as video lighting for several different styles of videography.
Recommended Videography Books:
- How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck: Advice to Make Any Amateur Look Like a Pro
- The DSLR Filmmaker's Handbook: Real-World Production Techniques
On Location / On Camera
A small, battery powered LED light is perfect for when you’re shooting video on location. If it’s small enough, you can actually mount it on the camera itself. The LitraPro LED light from Litra is just such a light.
The battery life of this small lamp is good for up to 90 minutes, and it has variable power plus adjustable color temperature to help you blend the light with ambient lighting. The CRI of ths tiny light is 95, meaning it has a very natural appearance in finished videos.
Mounting this light on your camera is a valid option when shooting on location with a single light. Other options for light placement are light stands or an action mount such as the OctoPad. You could put one light on camera and another off to a side for creating portrait lighting effects.
Learn More:
Small Studio Video Lighting
If you have access to AC power outlets, a two light kit with CFL bulbs is a very versatile and budget friendly choice. An example of this type of video lighting kit is the RPS Studio 2 Light Octagonal Softbox Kit.
This kit can be used in your home, office, studio, or on location provided you can plug in to power. The soft boxes provide an excellent diffused quality to the light. Using up to four CFL bulbs per lamp, you can get a ton of light out of this kit.
It’s portable enough to go on location as needed. The soft boxes fold up like umbrellas and the entire kit fits in the supplied carrying case. Having two equal lights with power adjustment, you can use several of the lighting methods for portraits and products. The CFLs are daylight balanced and cool operating.
Vlogging or YouTubing
One of the best types of video lighting for vlogging such as instructional videos, product demonstrations, or close up interviews is a ring light.
Photo by Ali Pazani from Pexels
A ring light is just what it sounds like. A circle of light is shown on the subject and the camera lens shoots through the open hole in the middle. What this does is make the video lighting virtually shadowless since the light falls on the subject from all angles and directions at once. It especially has the shadowless quality when used for close up filming.
One of the better models of ring lights is the Godox LR180 LED 18” ring light. The inside hole is 14 inches and the light is powered by AC power. It’s small, light, and rugged, so you can transport to any location where you can plug in the light.
The subject matter that benefits the most with this type of video lighting are close-ups of faces, head and shoulders, and small items that need to show a lot of detail. Mounted on a light stand or a multi use mount, you can shoot selfie style videos for vlogging, even if using a smartphone.
A full-featured camera store like Samy’s Camera is a great source for quality products, good advice, and even tutorials and courses. If you feel as though you’re lacking the know-how to improve the quality of your videos, Samy’s can help!
Video Lighting Made Simple
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Using continuous video lighting, you can keep your camera on automatic exposure and autofocus, letting you concentrate on being creative and producing good videos.
Many of the special lighting configurations are very simple to set up, becoming second nature to you after a while of using them. Have fun with it all and watch your video viewings grow as you get better and better.
Learn More:
We Recommend
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000 - 2021 Edition
Photo by Eugene_EM via iStock
The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and you know what that means...
It's time to discuss more great gifts for photographers, this time with a budget of $1,000.
While a lot of photography gear is expensive, there are all kinds of gear options for photographers with a price tag under $1,000.
From tripods to cameras, photography lighting to gimbals, the following list has it all!
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Colorado Tripod Company Centennial Tripod
Every photographer needs a great tripod, and for that I recommend the Colorado Tripod Company Centennial Tripod.
One look at this thing and you know that it's been beautifully designed and built to last a lifetime.
The new 4-series version of this tripod extends to a height of 70 inches yet weighs just 4.9 lbs. and collapses down to 24 inches, making it a highly portable option for all kinds of photographers.
Part of what makes this tripod so lightweight is the Japanese carbon fiber legs that provide the ultimate in rigid support for your camera gear without adding unnecessary weight.
The legs are also waterproof, so if the person you're shopping for enjoys landscape photography that involves water, they can be confident in setting up this tripod at the beach or in a stream without worry of what the water will do to the tripod's legs.
This tripod is easy to set up, too...
The quarter-turn leg locks mean you can get the tripod in place and locked down in a flash, that way you don't miss any shots.
I like the fact that the Centennial Tripod comes in gunmetal or black finishes as well.
I've used various Colorado Tripod Company products over the years, and they have always impressed. This tripod is no different, and I'm sure the lucky photographer on your list would find it to be just as impressive!
Besides, at just $499, this tripod is way under budget!
Learn more about the Colorado Tripod Company Centennial Tripod
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Rode Microphones RODECaster Pro Integrated Podcast Production Studio
If the photographer on your holiday shopping list has their sights set on expanding their creative footprint into podcasting, then the RODECaster Pro should be on your radar as a perfect gift idea.
This gadget is the first fully integrated podcast production studio and can be used for producing beginner to advanced podcasts.
There are four high-quality microphone channels that can power studio condenser microphones and traditional dynamic microphones as well.
Connecting the microphones is quick and easy, and you get automatic level setting, one-touch recording, and many other convenient features as well.
The RODECaster Pro also allows you to have remote guests call in for an interview. Just connect a smartphone to the unit via Bluetooth or a TRRS cable, and it will automatically provide "mix-minus" audio to prevent the caller hearing an echo.
Additionally, this unit provides preamps and outputs with Class A circuitry for top-of-the-line gain structure and ultra-low distortion, just like you find in broadcast consoles!
RODE loaded the RODECaster Pro up with eight programmable sound effects as well.
There's music, jingles, applause, and other sounds that help give your podcast a more professional sound.
In other words, this is the perfect setup for getting a podcast off the ground!
Learn more about the RODE Podcaster
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Atomos Ninja V With Accessory Kit
Another great gift for photographers that are expanding into audio and video production is the 5-inch Atomos Ninja V portable monitor/recorder.
This gadget works with both mirrorless and DSLR cameras and provides 4K 60p 10-bit recording with a 1000nit display.
Video recording is done directly from the camera's sensor via HDMI 2.0, so you can bypass the camera's internal compression and its record time limits as well.
The ProRes or DNxHR files are edit-ready and can be easily stored on an SSD drive.
In fact, a 1TB AtomX SSDmini drive gives you 2.5 hours of recording in 4K. This drive is just 3 inches long and 1/4 inches tall and is backward compatible with previous Atomos drives.
The monitor is a super-bright 5.2-inch 10-bit HDR screen with 1,000 nits of output. It's encased in a 1-inch aluminum body that's ultra durable while weighing just 11 ounces.
Additionally, the screen offers 10+ stops of dynamic range in real-time from various signals, including Log, PQ, and HLG.
The anti-reflection screen allows you to clearly see what's happening, even on the brightest of days.
With one-touch operation, recording couldn't be easier. You also get speedy playback, slow motion, and frame-by-frame analysis with AtomOS
Of course, that's just the start. This little guy offers much more in the way of utility for your favorite photographer!
Learn more about the Atomos Ninja V
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Zhiyun Weebill 2 Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer
A handheld gimbal like the Zhiyun Weebill 2 is a must-have for photographers that also produce videos.
This is the upgraded version of the Weebill S, and boasts many features that enable the creation of beautifully smooth and steady video.
The Weebill 2 has a dynamic stabilization system at the chip and algorithm level that enables lightning-fast adjustments by the gimbal to ensure smooth video capture.
The gimbal has a 2.88-inch color touch display that offers real-time video monitoring and the ability to instantly adjust settings.
The user interface is easy to navigate and easy on the eyes as well - its operation is completely intuitive so videographers can focus on recording video, not on trying to figure out how to work the gimbal.
Another feature of this gimbal that's worth mentioning is that it has an underslung design. This allows you to get ultra-low-angle shots
Additionally, you can use it handheld, in portrait mode, and in storage mode, and there are multiple ways to grip or hold the gimbal to get the desired results.
Other features include SmartFollow, which supports target marking and gesture control, follow focus controls, aperture and ISO controls, and focus control wheel supports.
In other words, this gimbal is loaded up and ready to roll!
Learn more about the Zhiyun Weebill 2 Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 with 12-32mm Lens & 45-150mm Lens
When you give a gift to someone for the holidays, you want it to be something that wows them, but that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg either…
Well, Samy’s Camera has an incredible deal that ticks both of those boxes - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 with not one, but TWO lenses bundled with it.
This kit is normally just under $1,000, but with a $400 instant rebate, you’ll pay $597.99. Not bad, right?!
The GX85 features a 16-megapixel micro four-thirds sensor, 4K video, and 5-axis in-body image stabilization that helps enable the capture of sharp photos and smooth video, even when shooting handheld.
Because this camera lacks a low-pass filter, it generates images that have better image quality and sharpness. The photographer on your list will certainly appreciate that!
Other features of this camera include a 2764-dot electronic viewfinder, a 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen LCD, and an ISO range of 200-25600. Additionally, the GX85 has WiFi and continuous shooting of up to 40 fps. All of those features are wrapped inside a small, lightweight mirrorless camera body.
Of course, we can’t forget that there are two lenses as part of this package: a 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 wide-angle zoom lens and a 45-150mm f/4-5.6 zoom that gives photographers the option of shooting throughout both standards and telephoto ranges.
That means that the special photographer that you’re shopping for will have a complete setup for tackling all kinds of photography and videography needs, from landscape and portrait photography to making dynamic videos in high-quality 4K resolution. If that isn’t an awesome gift idea, I don’t know what is!
Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 with 12-32mm Lens & 45-150mm Lens
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Onyx Digital Color LED 1 x 2 Soft Light
The Onyx Digital Color Light from Ikan is an RGBWA LED panel that offers five color modes for getting the lighting just right for photography or videography pursuits.
With separate controls for red, green, and blue, the photographer or videographer on your list can get the precise look they want for their creations. And, of course, with independent controls for each channel there are millions of color options!
Add in amber and white LEDs, and you have a light with more accurate color temperatures when recreating daylight or tungsten lighting.
This light also offers CCT mode, which gives you color temperature controls from 2800K up to 10000K.
There is a hue shift of magenta and green, too, so the user has better matching control when using this light in addition to other LED light fixtures.
The light offers CRI/TLCI of 95 as well, so you get beautiful quality lighting.
Throw in 33 different gels and 8 different special effects, and you have a recipe for an all-purpose light!
Learn more about the Onyx Digital Color LED 1 x 2 Soft Light from Ikan
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Really Right Stuff TFC-33 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod
This carbon fiber tripod from Really Right Stuff has improved ergonomics that make the tripod easier to use than ever before.
In fact, this tripod is so easy to use that it will easily become a seamless part of your favorite photographer's workflow...
There are 1/4"-20 sockets on the outside of the tripod's apex that allows for adding accessories to expand the functionality of the photography or videography setups.
Furthermore, this tripod is ultra-fast to lock and unlock, that way the photographer on your list can deploy the tripod to get a shot and quickly unlock it, fold it up, and move on to the next shot without any fuss.
The twist locks on the legs have been redesigned to hold up better to contaminants like debris. This tripod also holds up better to the elements than previous versions, so you get the ultimate in reliability and functionality, too.
At just 4.3 pounds, this is a nice and compact tripod that can accommodate up to 50 pounds.
And you get the same attention to detail and high-quality craftsmanship that you expect from Really Right Stuff.
As I mentioned earlier, every photographer needs a good tripod. This is a great option!
Learn more about the Really Right Stuff TFC-33 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Godox AD600Pro Witstro All-In-One Outdoor Flash
This Godox all-in-one flash is the perfect gift idea for photographers that do a lot of outdoor portraiture, event photography, and the like.
It has a 2.4GHz wireless X system that offers a range of up to 328 feet.
And since it's compatible with various TTL systems like Nikon, Sony, Canon, Olympus, Fujifilm, and Panasonic, the chances are good that the photographer on your holiday shopping list has a compatible camera.
The light offers up to 600Ws with nine steps of power output that range from 1/1 to 1/256.
In addition to plenty of light output, you also get incredible battery life with a 28.8V/2600mAh lithium-ion battery pack that provides up to 360 full-power flashes.
There's an optional AC adapter for this light as well, which gives photographers the ability to run the flash off of AC power for long-lasting performance.
Learn more about the Godox AD600Pro Witstro All-in-One Outdoor Flash
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Pre-Owned Sony Alpha a6300
A great holiday gift idea for the photographer on your list is a Sony camera.
By opting for a pre-owned camera, you can save a ton of money while still giving an awesome gift this holiday season.
The Sony a6300 offers lots of features, including a 24.2-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor, a BIONZ X image processor, 4K video at 30p, HD video at 1080p/120, and continuous shooting at 11fps.
Add to that a spectacular 425-point autofocus system with tracking AF, excellent image quality, and a small, lightweight body, and the a6300 is a perfect gift for a photographer that needs a capable yet highly portable camera.
Plus, with the a6300, you give the gift of a small, yet mighty camera with superb photographic and video capabilities, but that can easily slide into a camera bag with loads of room to spare.
There are also many different lenses that work with this camera, so if you wanted to expand the gift-giving, you could potentially find a nice pre-owned E-mount lens to add to the mix.
Whether the photographer on your list photographs people, buildings, landscapes, wildlife, or something in between, this camera will be a welcome addition to their camera bag!
Learn more about the Sony a6300
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Phottix Indra500 TTL GameChanger 2-Light Kit for Canon
Yet another lighting option you might consider as a great gift idea for a photographer is this Phottix Indra500 TTL Gamechanger 2-light kit for Canon.
This is a perfect kit for photographers that don't have access to AC power while on location because it has Li-ion batteries and chargers.
The kit includes two Indra500 TTL 500 Ws monolights as well as an Odin II TTL trigger transmitter for canon cameras.
Additionally, you get a 32-inch Easy Up Octa Softbox with grid and a 24x35-inch Easy Up Softbox With Grid.
There are two nine-foot air-cushioned stands for supporting the light and softboxes as well.
With all the lighting elements that a photographer needs, this is a perfect holiday gift idea!
Learn more about the Phottix Indra500 TTL Gamechanger 2-Light Kit for Canon
We Recommend
Godox AD100 Pro First Impressions
Professional flash units are amazingly easy to use with the newest cameras. Strobes from the camera makers and other manufacturers sync seamlessly with camera automation, can be controlled wirelessly, and can be combined for multi-light configurations. The Godox AD100 Pro is a prime example of how fantastic current flash units can be.
Godox AD100 Pro Specs
Godox AD100 Pro is the newest small strobe from Godox in the AD line up, part of their Witstro Strobes collection of portable on or off camera flash units. The main claims to fame of this flash are its 100 W/S rating, TTL capability, and wireless control.
From the Godox website, here are the rest of its official specs:
I like to look at the raw specs and turn them into features, what the Godox AD100 Pro specs mean for me.
Godox AD100 Pro Features
100 W/S power rating means it has enough power to be a single light for some uses but most photographers will probably mix it with another strobe or two for versatility in lighting configurations.
Wireless TTL control is an amazing feature that many professional photographers rely on for accurate flash exposures even when using multiple lights in an advanced lighting configuration.
Wireless control in general is a boon for using multiple strobes, the Godox AD 100 Pro being able to mix power ratios and TTL control from the camera itself means photographers can quickly adjust for different lighting without having to resort to a lot of complex computations or reviewing multiple test shots for correct exposure.
The Godox AD100 Pro is compatible with the Godox X1, X2, and XPro wireless triggers which allows full integration with Nikon, Canon, Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, and Pentax digital cameras, both mirrorless and DSLR.
It is quite small, too, about the size of a 12 oz beverage can (choose your favorite tasty beverage to picture here). The weight of the flash unit almost doubles when you add in the V1 style rechargeable lithium battery. This battery is good for about 360 full power flashes.
The Godox AD100 Pro has various light modifiers that can be attached, the magnetic AK-R1 accessories kit and the S2 bracket that allows use of Bowens mount modifiers such as a softbox, various umbrellas, snoots, grids, and barn doors.
These accessories add size and weight but give a whole lot of versatility to this tiny strobe. The AD-E2 bracket lets you mount the Godox AD100 Pro to a light stand or another style bracket for all sorts of extra versatility.
Godox AD100 Pro Uses
So, what can you use a small, wirelessly controlled, TTL capable, battery powered strobe to do anyways? The real question is what can’t it do?
Well, while 100 W/S isn’t bad power output for such a small, lightweight strobe, it does limit using it as a single flash. Plus, it has no shoe mount for direct attachment to a camera, you need a cord, a wireless trigger, or a master strobe unit to control it.
Its best use is as a part of a multi-light configuration, but it should also be very usable as an off camera single flash unit for wedding photography, other events, or location portraiture such as an environmental portrait session. There are a variety of brackets it can be used with and it has dual mounting slots to adapt to your specific set up.
Pros and Cons
The Godox AD100 Pro is an interesting new strobe, and it has a lot of possibilities open for photographers needing a small, TTL strobe.
Pros:
- Very compact, about the size of a 12 ounce soda can or a basic kit lens. With the battery it’s about the same weight as a soft drink can, too.
- Wireless TTL control. It can’t be stressed enough how versatile this feature makes the AD100 Pro. It matches up with almost all the brands in popular use now and can be leveraged into other new brands.
- 100 W/S is pretty impressive for such a small strobe. It fits in well with multi-light configurations and can be used as a single flash, too.
- Long life rechargeable lithium battery powers up to 360 full discharges. The battery is quick and easy to change, so you can keep a couple on hand all charged up.
- Attaches to magnetic Godox light modifiers or to Bowens mount accessories with an optional bracket.
- Godox AD100 Pro price is firmly in the Pro column since it is about the same price as a medium aperture auxiliary zoom lens or a fast prime lens like a Nifty Fifty. It is actually a little less than many of the camera manufacturer's pro style dedicated flash units.
Cons:
- 100 W/S isn’t bad for a tiny flash but it does limit using the Godox AD100 Pro as a single strobe for situations needing a powerful strobe.
- The strobe requires a trigger, cord, or a master strobe in order to be fully integrated into the camera’s TTL automation.
- Color balance is optimized for 5600K daylight but there is a bit of inconsistency from unit to unit, at least in early tests. Godox will most likely get that under better control but it isn’t very noticeable for many applications, though it may be evident in multi-light set ups.
- This tiny strobe can get a little hot very quickly when under heavy use but the built in cooling fan helps dissipate a lot of that heat.
- It’s modeling light is a welcome feature but it’s a little underpowered compared to competitor strobes modeling lights which allow for dual use as a video light.
Final Thoughts
Godox has a winner with this small and extremely versatile strobe. Its price is very budget friendly and the wide range of accessories opens up many possible uses in the field and in the studio. Wireless TTL control for multiple camera brands adds to the appeal of the Godox AD100 Pro for professional or other serious photographers.
As for me, I’ll use this handy little light as a spotlight in my home office positioned above my head for my YouTube videos. So far, it has performed like a champ in this application which only speaks to its versatility!