How to Get the Perfect Lighting for Video

Learning to master the lighting is often an intimidating task, especially for beginner videographers. However, as you venture into video production, you will understand that the way the eyes and camera perceive light is completely different.

Cameras require way more light to produce a top-quality image, but videographers must be careful not to let too much light into the frame as bleeding will ruin the video quality. Moreover, they will also need to compensate for the light temperature and ensure that the shadows aren’t harsh to the eye.

There are simple yet effective ways to get the perfect film lighting Australia without investing heavily into the fancy instruments used in feature films production. Aspiring videographers who understand the basics can easily apply the following to achieve the perfect results.

Getting the perfect video lighting

Understand the light composition

One of the most significant parts of finding the perfect video lighting is understanding the various aspects of lighting and how they can affect the shot. Prepare for the shot by reaching the scenery early and note the various sources of natural lights and how they are registered on the camera. You will need more light than you think, so experiment with various key- and backlighting options till you get the perfect setup. Also, check the editing options in your favorite video editor for the settings that you can change later. With experience, you should be able to set up the shot almost instantly.

Choose your lighting setup

Once you’ve understood the lighting composition, you can then decide what sort of lighting set up will best fit your shot. The cheapest lighting option is natural light, and it is often just enough for many shots. If you do not have natural light sources available, or it is too inconsistent, check the market for the various types of artificial lighting setups that you can purchase. For example, a versatile clamp light emits consistent bright light, but there is usually no dimming control. If you have the budget, go for purpose-built studio lights.

Setup 3-point lighting

One of the most common setups in video lighting is the 3-point lighting, which works exceptionally well when the subject needs emphasis. However, even if this is not the case with your shot, learning about 3-point lighting can help you understand the various roles each light play, and then you can add or delete it depending on your requirements. The key-light and fill light illuminates the subject and is placed to the subject’s front, offset from the center by 30-45-degrees. A backlight placed behind the subject separates the background and the subject, creating the perception of depth and prevents a flat-looking shot.

With the basics out of the way, feel free to experiment with your subject, camera, and setups for Studio lighting Australia until you get the perfect shot. If you don’t get it correct at the first shot, study the various components wrong with the shot, like temperature, exposure, contrast, etc., and keep correcting them one by one.