You’ve planned the perfect shoot. You’ve gathered your crew and set up your gear. Now all you need is the lighting to make it shine. There are three basic lighting types:
1. Natural
2. On-camera
3. Off-camera.
With these three types of lighting, you can create any mood you want in any situation. Here's how to get started with each type of lighting technique now!
Natural Lighting
Natural light is best for setting a mood or creating a natural look and feel for your video. Natural lighting is arguably the easiest and cheapest type of light to work with. It's also one of the most versatile. You can use this light to create a mood or set the tone for your video, whether it be happy, sad, or dramatic. One great way to do this is by using open shade. Clear out some space in an area that has a lot of natural light coming through from nearby windows or other sources. This will create a nice even, soft light that won't cast any shadows on your subject's face. You can also use natural lighting by trying to shoot in front of a window where there's plenty of daylight coming in, but without any direct sunlight hitting your subject (this is called backlighting).
On-Camera Lighting
On-camera light can be used for close-ups, interviews, and more intimate shots that require a lot of detail. On-camera lighting is the easiest to set up. You can use a three-point lighting setup or experiment with other techniques. In general, you'll want to position your subject 12-24 inches away from the light source, which can be either a lamp or a window (depending on natural light availability).
Off-Camera Lighting
Off-camera lights are used for larger productions where you want to control the direction of light hitting your subject from different angles. Off-Camera Lighting is the most advanced form of lighting. There are a few main things you need to remember before using it:
1. You will need a light stand.
2. Lighting can create shadows, so make sure you have the right backdrops set up for your subject.
3. You will need an assistant to hold the lighting while you focus on framing your shot.
4. Have your subject face away from the sun or any other source of natural light.
5. Make sure there is enough space between the light and your subject so they don't cast a shadow on each other.
6. If you're using a reflector, make sure you hold it at 45 degrees in relation to the camera lens, if possible, but whatever angle is best for getting rid of shadows!
As you can see, off-camera lighting takes a lot of work but, if done right, could take your production to the next level.
The type of lighting you use will depend on the event and the mood you want to set. You’ll want to try a variety of different techniques to find out what works best for you. Try them all and make sure you choose whatever makes your actors look good!
One last tip – practice these setups (especially if it is the first time) before your subjects come in to shoot.
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