Getting the best lighting for video recording is the key for clear-looking and professional videos. It helps build the mood, enhance the engagement of viewers, and reduce the time for post-production. In this video, we will focus on the following topics to help you get the best lighting results.
- Factors to consider when making purchase
- Four best picks at COLBOR to work for different scenarios
- Four steps to get high quality lighting for video recording
- More tips for video creators to get better results
- FAQs
How to choose the best lighting for video recording: 5 factors to consider
Video recording requires continuous lighting to ensure constant illumination. You need to consider the light types, color temperature, CRI, output, and beam angle to invest in the best lighting fixture to record videos.
Decide the types of light source for video recording
Ring light, LED panel, and point source LED are three commonly used types in video recording. They are different in shape and perform well in certain video types.
Ring lighting for video recording: It's great for individuals shooting alone who need decent light dispersion for vlogs, beauty content, and so on. It is usually mounted on a stand and adjusted to the right height to effectively illuminate the subject. Ring light often includes warm and cool settings, allowing you to adjust it to match the surroundings and get the optimal color temperature balance. Using a ring light is a simple way to improve the video quality of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and other platforms without requiring a large lighting setup.
LED light panel: Lighting panel for video recording is usually square or rectangular and is placed on cameras, stands, or tripods. It is simple to adapt to different color temperatures and does not generate much heat. They're also usually affordable for video creators searching for the best budget light for video recording. It's perfect for vloggers, short-form videos like TikTok videos and YouTube Shorts, and live streaming.
Point source LEDs: They have a similar physical construction to strobes and frequently use the same modifier mounts. This implies that if you currently have strobe accessories, you should be able to adapt them to your LED. Furthermore, the ability to connect the same modifiers as a strobe implies that you can shape lighting from point-source LEDs in the same ways that you control illumination from strobes. When compared to a light panel, this might be a significant benefit for photographers and videographers who stress accurate light placement in their work. Point-source lights can also be used with a Fresnel lens to change the beam angle and intensity.
Choose adjustable color temperature to create various moods
Color temperature is a measurement of the hue of the light sources influencing your shot, which is measured in degrees Kelvin. The lower the Kelvin, the bluer (or colder) your light sources appear, while the higher the Kelvin, the more orange (or hotter) they will seem. When choosing the color temperature, you should consider the mood you want to create, the location of the shoot, and the type of camera you are using. If you are going to record different styles of videos, the best lighting for video recording is a fixture with adjustable color temperatures.
Look for high CRI to reproduce color accurately in video recording
When you invest in the best lighting for recording video, it doesn't always work out the way it should. One part of this has to do with the color quality. This is determined by the CRI. When the CRI rating is high, it indicates that the light will emit a more accurate color. As a result, while selecting lights, always consider the CRI. In the case of LEDs, for example, the higher the value, about 90-95, the better.
Decide on the power output based on the recording space
Bright light for video recording is ideal for large areas, but it is also more costly and tends to be hotter. If your shot is in a tiny space, you generally don't need high output at all. You should also consider the circuits you're utilizing and if they can accommodate higher-output fixtures. This is especially important when filming at home.
Consider the beam angle to illuminate the scene properly
This illustrates how evenly your light will be dispersed throughout the scene or subject. You can pick lights with a restricted angle, such as 25 degrees, or ones with a wider angle, such as 360 degrees, depending on your needs for the scenario. If you need to illuminate a whole scene, a broader beam is preferable.
Which light is good for video recording: Four best picks at COLBOR
There is no the best lighting for video recording in all situations. It is determined by your video types, lighting requirements, and other specific needs. COLBOR offers LED panels and point source LEDs at different power outputs, featuring various functions. Here we will recommend four products that work well in video recording.
Firstly, let’s have a look at the table that introduces the aforementioned factors of each pick.
|
Video recording lights |
PL8B |
CL60R |
CL220 |
CL330 |
|
Type |
LED panel |
Point source LED |
Point source LED |
Point source LED |
|
Color temperature |
2500K-9000K |
2700K-6500K(±200)/RGB |
2700K-6500K(±200) |
2700K-6500K(±200) |
|
CRI |
≥98 |
97+ |
97+ |
97+ |
|
output |
8W |
80W (Max) |
250W (Max) |
360W (Max) |
|
Beam angle |
/ |
≈∠120° Reflector ≈∠15° |
≈∠120° Reflector ≈∠45° |
≈∠120° Reflector ≈∠45° |
|
Price |
$49.00 |
$139.99 |
$263.99 |
$439.00 |
Note: The price is specially offered by the B&H store.
COLBOR PL8B: Pocket-size LED panel makes it one of the lights for mobile video recording
The PL8B is a simple, small video light that every videographer should own. Its mobility makes it suitable for a wide range of functions and situations. This LED lighting unit provides consistent, continuous illumination. A dial on the side allows you to control the brightness. There is also a dial for adjusting the color temperature. It ensures flexible placement with its magnetic back and 1/4-inch screw hole.
COLBOR CL60R: Compact RGB LED point light to give the best lighting for video recording at home
The COLBOR CL60R is an RGB LED light for video recording. It offers full-color lighting options for video recording and accurate color rendition. The compact construction allows it to illuminate the subject and the scene without occupying much space. This makes it good for home video recording. 13 lighting effects are of big use to creative video creators. The Magenta and Green Adjustment function and sensitive audio system are another two good additions to video recording.
COLBOR CL220: 220W point source LED to offer lighting for recording YouTube video, and so on
This video light is ideal for both location shooting and gloomy studios, with a changeable color temperature ranging from 2700 to 6500K for indoor, outside, and mixed light scenarios. It is powerful enough to be used as a key light and allows you to steplessly change the brightness of the fixture to get the desired degree of brightness. It's simple to use and operate, has cutting-edge COB light technology, and delivers realistic colors and well-lit objects.
COLBOR CL330: Powerful 330w point source LED light ensures the best lighting for group video recording
This powerful LED Video Light is ideal for a studio or location-based shot, combining a strong main light output for group video recording with a variety of additional lighting effects to enhance dramatic productions. Its reasonably silent fans will not cause any issues for your sound recordist. It's a piece of pricey equipment designed for high-end video producers rather than enthusiast vloggers.
How to get the best lighting for video recording: 4 steps to follow
Investing in the lighting equipment is the first step to high quality video lighting. To get the best results, you need to follow the steps below.
Step 1: Look around to decide the lighting purpose
Examine the area where you'll be recording videos. How many windows? Are there any curtains, shades, or other light-blocking panels on these windows? What does all of this imply for how natural light will or will not affect your videos? Then, fill your recording space with setups that address any issues you discover.
Step 2: Choose a suitable lighting setup
There are 3 common setups that you can choose from.
- 3-point: This lighting setup for video recording is popular among YouTubers and video streamers because it is simple to adjust and works well when only one person talks into the camera. To get this setup, place the key light at the angle of 4 o'clock. Set your fill light to eight. Then, position your backdrop light anywhere between one and two. Adjust your lighting as needed between these two positions to get the ideal setting for your video recording.
- 2-point: This setup will provide even lighting and eliminate shadows, albeit you may lose some depth. It is similar to the 3-point setup without having back illumination.
- One light: If your budget allows only one light, a high-quality ring light is recommended. Position it right behind your camera while recording. This strategy is used by many internet influencers and content creators to achieve beautiful lighting for their videos.
Step 3: Adjust to the best lighting kelvin for video recording for target moods
Color temperature influences the video moods a lot. As aforementioned, Warm lighting, which frequently appears off-yellow, has a color temperature of less than 4000K and may provide a relaxing atmosphere. Cool lighting with a temperature above 4000K is recommended for illumination that simulates the noon sun.
Step 4: Adjust the light placement for video recording to eliminate glare
Glare on glasses can be a major concern, particularly when there is harsher, more direct light.
Fixing it is frequently as simple as lifting your lights higher on a light stand for video recording. If you have an assistant, ask them to raise the lights while you check the camera viewfinder until there is no glare on the glasses. If this doesn't help, try moving your key and filling the lights more apart while keeping them reasonably equal.
More lighting tips for video recording: Dos and don’ts
Besides the general rules to follow for the best lighting for video recording, there are also some small tips for you to go from better to best.
What to do
Do learn from photography: In a nutshell, video recording studio lighting is similar to photographic lighting. So, if you've done studio photography or are familiar with comparable terms, you may employ similar techniques in your video work to create distinct moods and atmospheres. But don't worry if you're new to lighting. You can probably generate outstanding videos just by paying attention to a few crucial lighting aspects.
Do use household lamps if you don’t have professional equipment: To make videos, incandescent, and household LED lights are both suitable. The color temperature and light intensity are the main distinctions between residential lighting fixtures and professional video lighting. Most of the time, you can remove both of these problems by increasing the light and adjusting your white balance before the shot.
Do white balance before recording videos: Turn on the lights and locate a plain white piece of paper or poster board before you take any shots. Activate the white balance feature on your camera and adjust the settings so that it can detect pure white paper in the given lighting circumstances. This aids in preventing orange or blue color casts on your footage.
Do use the sun as key light for outdoor video shooting: This saves your money and gives the most natural look. But keep in mind the time and weather will influence the lighting consistency. Use a reflector or bounce board to bounce the sunlight to make it the second light source.
What not to do
Don’t use only one light for video recording: While one light is preferable than none, filming with only one light source might result in distracting shadows in your videos.
Don’t turn on overhead lighting: This helps you avoid unattractive shadows on the face. When filming video, turn off overhead illumination to get more control over the scene.
Don’t mix color temperature: Improper color balance and odd-looking skin tones can result from mixing color temperatures. When using various light sources to illuminate a single scene, make sure their color temperature matches. If they don't, consider altering your lighting arrangement or applying correction gels to get the desired color temperature.
FAQ
Why lighting for video recording is important?
It offers the following benefits:
- Enhance mood and tone: Lighting can dramatically change the tone and ambiance of the scene. Whether you're filming a documentary or a commercial, using the right lighting may offer an extra layer of depth that reinforces a story or showcases highlighted items. Furthermore, when employed effectively, various light settings can accentuate specific components of the production or elicit an emotional response from the viewer.
- Improve viewer engagement: Proper lighting may influence how viewers interact with on-screen talent. With precise, well-directed lighting, facial emotions come to life, becoming more lifelike and natural. The tiny modifications achieved with techniques such as three-point lighting or employing reflectors produce a vastly different viewing experience than softer, more diffuse light.
- Show professionalism: It displays how seriously you regard yourself and your profession, as well as your credibility as a video creator. Proper lighting not only helps create the scene but may also heighten the emotional effect of any particular moment in your production. Lighting provides richness and drama that may be crucial in capturing an audience while remaining faithful to your artistic vision.
- Minimize production costs and time: Long-term cost savings may be achieved by making an early investment in the best studio lighting for video material. A well-lit video reduces the need for post-production editing to adjust color, adjust light levels, and eliminate flaws. Because fewer revisions are required as a result of this optimized editing procedure, production costs are reduced overall.
Is it good to use LED lighting for video recording?
LED lights use less energy and produce less heat than typical incandescent bulbs. As a result, they are perfect for use in video recording. They will not overheat your set or boost the room temperature. LED lights also provide a very uniform light output, which is essential for producing professional-looking videos.
How to avoid flicker led lights while recording DSLR video?
To avoid LED flicker in DSLR videos, make sure that the LED frequencies and camera settings are in sync. Distinguish between PWM and constant current LEDs. Align the PWM frequency with the camera settings for a smooth flow. To avoid flicker, choose appropriate frame rates and set the shutter speed in rhythm with the LED frequency. Use external triggers and stabilizers to offer constant power for LEDs. And you can use post-processing tools and plugins to correct any lingering flicker.
How do I get the best lighting for indoor video recording?
Recording videos indoors or outdoors needs a variety of lighting solutions. Most video podcasts, vlogs, education videos, and many business videos, such as training videos, are shot inside.
Here are some tips for you:
- For starters, if feasible, avoid utilizing any form of artificial light source. Natural light will always be the greatest choice. If you must use artificial light, attempt to mimic natural light as much as possible. This entails employing gentle, diffused light rather than harsh, direct light.
- Another thing to consider is the hue of the light. People who wear warm hues appear more comfortable and accessible. Cool hues will help them appear more attentive and aware.
- Also, ensure that the light is diffused equally across the space. There should be no dark nooks or hot places.
- Finally, utilize diffuser panels or strategically place things to avoid reflections.