The lighting you use for your video shoot will likely depend on your budget and the content you’re making, similar to photography lighting. For instance, make-up tutorials will often use ultra-bright LED ring lights to show small, close-up details, while interviews may use soft light or LED panel lights for a more flattering shot of the subject.
For small budgets: DIY videographers who don’t own a lighting kit or have access to professional lighting equipment can invest in a few items to make their own light kit. Purchase inexpensive clamp lights, LED video light panel, or tripod-mounted work lights from a hardware store. These lighting options can be harsh and non-dimmable, so you’ll need diffusers or reflectors to soften their effect. Purchase basic heat-resistant color filters, such as blue gels which help shift the yellow tint of a halogen bulb to white and soft filters to reduce harshness. Wrap Cinefoil, or black wrap, around the edges of the lamp to help direct and focus the light.
For large budgets: Studio lighting kits are the best option for professional videographers with sizable budgets. You can find continuous lighting kits with fluorescent lights, dimmable bi-color LED light panels, or high-quality Tungsten bulbs. Before purchasing the kit, you’ll need to figure out which continuous light works best for your videography needs. Tungsten Lights are powerful but heat up fast. Fluorescent lights are affordable and produce little heat, making them a safer choice on-set. However, fluorescent lights are not as powerful as Tungsten. LEDs are long-lasting but may create shadows if you’re using multiple brands. To round out your kit, you’ll need diffusers, color filters, and camera light stands.
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