In the world of vlogging, capturing high-quality video is essential to engage your audience and stand out in a sea of content creators. One crucial element that can make or break the visual appeal of your vlogs is lighting. The vlogging camera light not only enhances the quality of your videos but also sets the mood and highlights your subjects effectively. In this article, we will focus on the following topics to give a guide to Whether seasoned vloggers looking to elevate production quality or beginners seeking guidance on enhancing lighting setup.
- What types of light sources are commonly used in camera vlogging and what are their features?
- How to choose the best lighting tools?
- What tips to follow to get better lighting results in vlogs?
Types of light for vlogging camera and their features
There are various types of light sources used in camera vlogging. Knowing what they are and their features is the first step to choosing the best tool for your vlog recording. Read on to see the commonly used types and learn about their features.
Natural light
When utilized effectively, natural light provides authentic and appealing illumination, indoors as well as outdoors, requiring minimal effort and expense. Nonetheless, natural light is considerably variable, posing challenges for filming in specific locations or during certain times of the day and achieving consistent results. The essential factor lies in understanding how to effectively utilize natural light.
Features
- Low cost or free
- Most natural appearance
- Highly variable, potentially limiting filming locations and times
LED panels
Featuring numerous small LED bulbs, this vlogging camera light is among the most favored and adaptable lighting options for vlogging. These LED lights are portable, making them easy to set up, and they provide consistent, high-quality lighting suitable for a variety of video recording situations. This versatility makes LED panels excellent for vloggers who are frequently on the move.
LED panels are available in various sizes, ranging from compact models like on camera light for vlogging to larger, more powerful options. Most models are dimmable and come with a form of diffusion panel to help soften the light. Additionally, many LED panels offer adjustable color settings, allowing you to easily match the ambient light or create specific moods.
Features
- Portable and ideal for vlogging on the go
- Compact, making them convenient for vlogging in small spaces
- Quick and simple setup process
- Produces relatively soft lighting
- Usually equipped with dimming capabilities
- Often adjustable in color (from warm to cool or RGB)
- Not designed to produce harsh lighting
- May require additional accessories (such as a large diffuser for further softening of light or flagging to control light spill) to achieve the desired effect
Point-source lights
In comparison to other types of lighting, point-source or chip on board (COB) lights provide superior power, precision, and creative adaptability, not only for vlogs but also for general video and photography purposes.
Unlike an LED panel, this type of vlogging camera light is comprised of a single, large LED bulb. This unmodified configuration can produce a concentrated light source, which is useful for achieving a more dramatic look or effects such as a narrow beam of light. Point-source lights can also be softened, manipulated, or directed according to your preferences using a wide array of modifiers such as softboxes, allowing you to achieve the precise lighting effect you desire. Not all point-source lights come with built-in color adjustment, so additional gels may be necessary if you intend to modify the color temperature.
Features
- Highly adaptable
- Powerful
- Compatible with most standard light modifiers
- Allows precise shaping and directing
- Capable of creating a hard light source without modifiers
- Bulkier compared to LED panels
- May require gels for adjusting color temperature
Ring light for vlogging camera
LED ring lights offer a remarkably simple solution that is perfect for headshots, especially in beauty videos. These lights are designed to prevent the concentration of light in the center of the face, providing a flattering and gently contoured appearance while minimizing shadows. Additionally, ring lights produce distinct, ring-shaped catchlights in the subjects' eyes.
Similar to LED panels, ring lights are available in various sizes and often come equipped with dimming and color temperature control features, as well as stands and carrying cases. Some models are foldable, and others may include mirrors and smartphone holders to assist with posing and creating mobile content.
Features
- Ideal for beauty videos and other headshots
- Extremely user-friendly
- Enhances and contours facial features while reducing shadows
- Creates ring-shaped catchlights
- Less versatile compared to other types of lighting
- Not suitable for use at a distance
How to choose the best camera light for vlogging: 5 factors to consider
As aforementioned, deciding which types of vlogging camera light to use is the first step. In addition, you need to consider some factors that are crucial in camera vlogging, including:
Color temperature: It should be adjustable to match different vlogging scenarios
Opt for adjustable color temperature lights (around 3200K to 5600K) to match different shooting conditions and create the desired mood.
Brightness and output: It should be powerful enough to well illuminate the vlogs
Look for lights with sufficient brightness (measured in Lux or Lumen) to illuminate your subject effectively. Higher output is better for well-lit environments.
Power source: It is better to have multiple power supplies
Consider whether the light uses batteries, AC power, or both. Portable options with rechargeable batteries are convenient for vlogging on the go.
Portability: It should be lightweight and compact for outdoor vlogging
Lightweight and compact lights are ideal for vlogging. You’ll want something easy to carry and mount on your camera or tripod.
Budget: Invest in vlogging camera light that balances cost and performance
Set a budget and explore options within that range. There are affordable LED panels that work well for vlogging.
According to the above factors, the portable LED video light COLBOR W100 is a good choice for your vlogging camera lighting. This 100W LED panel is in the design of a mini camera. It can be powered by AC power and COLBOR battery grip, making it suitable for both stationary and mobile vlogging. The included diffusion dome can soften the lighting and give you a flattering and natural look. The W100 is simple to use. Even a novice vlogger new to lighting setup can use it without trouble. COLBOR also offers more options for vlogging camera light. Check to get the one you are interested in.
Four Tips for getting better vlog lighting
Follow the tips below to get better vlogging camera lighting.
The larger the light source, the softer the vlog lighting
Soft light is generally preferred in video and photography due to its forgiving nature compared to harsh light. It helps to create smoother skin texture by reducing the visibility of pores, wrinkles, and other imperfections. To achieve softer light, consider enlarging your light source by moving it closer to the subject or using a diffusion panel to soften the light further.
Avoid mixing different light sources for camera vlogging
When shooting video, exercise caution when mixing vlogging camera lights with different color temperatures (e.g., daylight, LED lights set to 5500K, tungsten, or fluorescent lamps). Mixing color temperatures can lead to unwanted color casts or inconsistent lighting, which can be time-consuming to correct in post-production. For consistent results, stick to using consistent light sources, match colors using gels or color-adjusting controls if available, or adjust your camera's white balance to match the primary light source.
Beware of glare to avoid distraction in vlogs
If your talent wears glasses, be mindful of potential glare caused by your lights reflecting off the lenses. To avoid obscuring the subject's eyes with glare, consider adjusting the height or distance of your lights from the subject.
Watch for backlighting to avoid underexposure of vloggers’ face
To prevent underexposure of your subject's face, especially when there is a strong light source (such as a window, lamp, or TV screen) behind them, take control of the backlight. Dimming, redirecting, covering, or turning off the backlight can help rectify this issue. Alternatively, adjusting your camera's exposure metering mode to center-weighted may offer a solution. Refer to your camera manual or seek assistance for guidance on changing the exposure settings.