Lighting Tips · Synthesizer School

Lighting Tips

At the end of the day, most us will watch a video that is poorly lit, but quickly hit the exit button when the sound is bad...that for another note.

For lighting, there is a process called 4 point lighting. Basically means you set up two lights, approximately off your 45 degree angle, as you face the camera. One is called a key light and the other is the fill.

The key light is the brighter of the two, lighting the side properly with little or no shadows.

The fill light is at about 1/2 the intensity, providing the slightly shadowed (cinematic look)

The 3rd light is often referred to as the "hair light" and it is set up slightly behind you, and pointed down. This is not very bright and it serves a couple of key purposes. It puts that little bit of shine on our hair, and secondly, it gives us depth, by separating us from out background.

There are many light kits one can pick up. They range from very inexpensive to very expensive.

I purchased a great LED set a couple of years ago from Neewer, and then recently from CVM. Both have great features to allow for intensity, as well as control of the color it provides.

Now, that all being said, if you shoot standing in front of an open window during the day, this will be a great source of lighting.

If you're shooting outside, I would suggest shooting so the sun is at your 45 degree. This will allow you to still make eye contact with the camera, without squinting.

One final thought:

Avoid shooting or filming with the sun to your back, unless you are intending or desiring a silhouette shot for effect.

I hope this little piece helps...if you buy one light at a time...that's cool too. Because the sun at the window could be your key light.

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