Investing in filming lights for YouTube is crucial if you want your content to stand out from the rest. An additional light source can add depth to the subject, making them more appealing and captivating. Moreover, proper lighting allows you to shoot in various locations, making your channel more attractive and engaging.
Why Do You Need Filming Lights for YouTube?
There are three key reasons why you should consider using filming lights for YouTube:
It Gives You More Control Over Lighting
Artificial filming lights provide you with the ability to control the lighting setup, allowing you to create a consistent look that your viewers can recognize. You can adjust the intensity, color temperature, and direction of the lights to suit different video requirements. This consistent illumination helps you overcome challenges such as changing weather conditions and the time of day when relying solely on natural lighting.
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It Enhances Image Quality
Good lighting has a direct impact on the overall quality of your videos. It can improve sharpness, clarity, and vibrancy, while reducing noise and grain in low-light situations. By using dedicated lighting equipment, you can optimize your camera's exposure and white balance, avoiding overexposed or underexposed areas in your videos.
It Creates a Professional Look to Boost Your Views
Illuminating your filming area with room lamps or relying on overhead lights won't provide the professional-quality results you desire. Using lighting equipment capable of producing soft, flattering, and dramatic effects on your subject and background is essential. It helps set the tone and ambiance for your YouTube filmmaking, making your content stand out from the crowd.
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What Are the Best Lights for Filming YouTube Videos?
In a nutshell, there are four types of filming lights for YouTube that you can choose from. These lights are both affordable and functional, helping you produce clear and visually appealing videos that will captivate your subscribers.
LED Video Light
LED video lights utilize light-emitting diodes to create constant illumination for video production. They are compact, energy-efficient, and long-lasting. LED video lights come in various sizes and shapes, ranging from pocket-size LED panels to larger studio lights.
How They Work
LED video lights consist of multiple LEDs integrated into a panel, ring, tube, or other shapes. These LEDs are coated with a phosphor layer that converts the light into different colors and temperatures. Some LED video lights also come with filters, dimmers, and remote controls, allowing you to adjust the brightness and color settings.
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When to Use
LED video lights are suitable for various types of YouTube videos, including vlogs, tutorials, interviews, and documentaries. They are portable, versatile, and easy to set up, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor shooting.
The COLBOR CL60R is a 65W RGB LED light with millions of color options and 13 lighting effects. It is designed for video creation, vlogging, and photography. With a CRI rating of 97+, it can accurately reproduce colors. The CL60R also features an integrated cooling system, a Bowens mount adapter for light modifiers, and wireless control via the COLBOR Studio app. It can be powered by a PD power bank, PD adapter, V-mount, or NP-F batteries.
Softbox Lights
Softbox lights emulate natural light, providing soft and natural illumination similar to sunlight without the issues associated with using natural light.
How They Work
A softbox is a box-like structure surrounding a continuous light source. The interior of the box is covered with reflecting material, and a diffusing panel in front minimizes the harshness of the light.
When to Use
Softbox lights offer natural-looking illumination focused in a specific area, making them perfect for indoor video production. They are popular for product reviews, food programs, room vlogging, and other YouTube videos that require diffused lighting.
The COLBOR BP45 is a 45cm parabolic softbox designed to soften the output of COLBOR LED studio lights such as the CL60, CL60M, CL60R, CL100X, and CL100XM. It comes with a grid and a Bowens mount for directional control and light shaping. With a quick assembly and disassembly design, it takes only a few seconds to set up. The BP45 is ideal for video production and photography, providing soft, focused, and natural light with a crisp edge.
Umbrella Lights
Umbrella lights are low-cost and portable light sources that emit softer light compared to other options. They offer more controlled and directed light compared to softbox lights.
How They Work
Reflective umbrellas feature a reflecting inner surface that directs light onto subjects, while an opaque outer layer prevents light from passing through. Shoot-through umbrellas, on the other hand, are made of translucent white fabric that diffuses the light, resulting in a softer illumination.
When to Use
Umbrella lighting is perfect for achieving a professional look in your videos due to its directed nature. It can be used for recording personal vlogs or any scenario where you want to showcase a specific subject.
Ring Lights
Ring lights have gained popularity for their pleasing light source in various filming scenarios. They provide a unique halo effect and eliminate most shadows, giving the eyes a captivating "halo" of light. Ring lights are also easy to assemble, compact, and portable.
How They Work
Rather than using multiple light sources, a ring light acts as a single light option. Its circular shape prevents light from concentrating in the center of the face, creating a flattering effect. Some ring lights also include an exterior diffusion plate to soften the light and shadows.
When to Use
Ring lights are perfect for illuminating faces, making them a popular choice for makeup tutorials, beauty reviews, and other beauty-focused YouTube channels.
Four Film Lighting Techniques for YouTube to Enhance Your Videos
Besides investing in the best YouTube filming lights, utilizing the appropriate lighting setup is crucial for high-quality lighting. Here are four tips to help you achieve the best lighting for your YouTube videos:
Use Soft Light to Conceal Skin Flaws
Soft lighting is the most attractive type of lighting as it conceals flaws, softens shadows, and creates smooth-looking skin. There are two ways to achieve soft lighting: diffuse the light or bounce it.
To diffuse the light, you can place a diffusing material in front of the light source, such as a white sheet or shower curtain. Another option is to use reflectors to bounce light off white surfaces like foam boards, walls, or ceilings.
Have Catch Light in Eyes to Grab Attention
Catch light occurs when light reflects in the eyes, creating a sparkling effect. This catches the viewer's attention and makes the subject's eyes more captivating. The brightness of the catchlight can be adjusted to achieve the desired effect.
Use Backlight to Stand Out from the Background
Backlighting, also known as "hair light," is positioned behind the subject to create separation between them and the background. It adds depth and makes the subject stand out, allowing viewers to connect more easily.
Select the Right Color Temperature to Avoid Mixed Lighting
Avoid mixing different color temperatures, such as warm tungsten light and cool fluorescent light. Mixed lighting can cause issues with your camera's white balance, resulting in inaccurate colors. Match your filming lights' color temperature to the ambient lighting conditions, and turn off room lamps that may cause mixed lighting.
By following these tips and investing in quality filming lights for YouTube, you can significantly enhance the quality of your videos and make them more visually appealing to your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use natural lighting for YouTube videos instead of investing in filming lights?
A: While natural lighting can work in some situations, it is often inconsistent and difficult to control. Filming lights provide you with more control over the lighting setup, ensuring consistent and high-quality illumination for your YouTube videos.
Q: Are LED video lights suitable for outdoor shooting?
A: Yes, LED video lights are versatile and portable, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor shooting. They allow you to achieve professional lighting in any location.
Q: What is the benefit of using a softbox light?
A: Softbox lights offer natural-looking, diffused lighting that can enhance the overall appearance of your videos. They are particularly useful for interior video production, such as product reviews or room vlogging.
Q: Can umbrella lights be used for professional-looking videos?
A: Yes, umbrella lights can help you achieve a professional look in your videos. They provide more controlled and directed lighting, allowing you to highlight specific subjects or areas.
Q: Which lighting technique should I use for makeup tutorials?
A: Ring lights are perfect for illuminating faces in makeup tutorials. They provide soft, even lighting and eliminate most shadows, making your makeup application more visible and appealing.
Remember, investing in the right filming lights and utilizing effective lighting techniques can significantly improve the quality of your YouTube videos and make them more engaging for your viewers.
