Video Lighting

A huge component of video quality, video lighting is a factor that should be taken into consideration any time you make a video. Professional videographers have an entire arsenal of lighting tools available to them. The beginning, or amateur video maker, must take full advantage of those tools available to him or her. The importance of proper and adequate lighting to the quality of your video can not be overstated.

Video Lighting Techniques

To the video maker, there are many different types of light to consider. These include ambient, incident, reflected, back light, soft light, hard light, spot and flood. Depending on the effect you wish to create and the existing lighting conditions, you may choose any of these in combination or alone or from many other lighting styles, tools and options. The standard lighting technique in use today is the 3-Point Lighting Technique. This technique is a simple and yet versatile way of creating the needed light for your filming. The three lights involved are the key light, the fill light and the back light. The key light is the main light in video editing and lighting. It is usually the brightest light and is placed next to the camera to provide light and shadow to the scene being filmed. The fill light is placed opposite to the key light. The fill light fills in the shadows created by the key light for best video editing. It is usually provides light that is softer and less bright than the main, or key light. The third light in the 3-Point Lighting Technique is the back light. As its name implies, it is placed behind the subject and illuminates it from the back. It helps to define the subject and give to it a three dimensional quality.

Video Lighting Equipment

In order to provide ample and correct light to your filming, it is useful to be familiar with the basic lighting equipment in use today. Basic equipment used for video lighting includes the light meter, ballast, reflector board, consoles, spectrometer, stands and clamps, and gels. These materials all play a role in creating the correct lighting for your purposes. Video lighting equipment is available online at electronics and photography retailers, as well as in shops specializing in video and photographic equipment. When starting out in video making, it can be very helpful to take a class or research video production before purchasing equipment.

Video Lighting Tips

When using video lighting equipment, it is important to be aware of the hazards that can develop. Always be aware and careful of the heat created by lights. In addition to the lights themselves, the heat they give off can make surrounding equipment hot enough to cause serious burns. Make sure all equipment is grounded and stable. And remember to be aware of the burden lighting equipment makes on your power supplies. A few quick checks can prevent property damage and injury.